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Trying to consolidate life. gofishyfishy.blogspot.com for all updates...

Back in Nepal again....

Nepal summary

Hi

I can not begin to thank God enough for your prayers over the last 3 months. Without a doubt it has sustained me in the toughest of times trying to make sense of the local situation. I often wonder why I've been given the opportunity to grow up so privileged. For that, I must thank my parents for taking the bold step in venturing out of their stable environments to a new land in hope of a better life that they have only heard about. Indeed you can argue that there are many benefits to living in North America - one of them being quality child healthcare, without which I probably would have been dead several times over due to severe asthma as a child.

I'd also like to thank my parents for the blessing to travel back to a place that resembled their roots - a place that they left in hopes of not having me go through the same things that they had to endure. But for that I'm grateful that they have given their blessing for me to travel, see and experience firsthand life in the developing world. The experiences gained here have been engraved into my mind and helping me understand humanity. It is often in these "unbearable situations" that we find our real self.

In a nut shell, I'll try to share the multitude of life lessons in this thank you email. (you should have all received a physical card in the mail - if not it may be still coming in the mail - or might just be lost. You can never tell with the Nepali post system. But isn't that true of life as well. Some people say that Calgary weather is schizophernic in it's unpredictability; but to be honest, we're not much better at predicting weather out in Toronto. The thing is, we'll never know for sure... and so it is with life. What we control is our attitude. 

Lesson the 1: The value in living connected

One of the most wonderful parts of life in Nepal is that you are connected with the environment. With a lack of isolated environments (ie. insulated homes), people know what is going on outside.    In the south, I would pass out everyday from 1100-1500 cause it was just so hot. And once in the mountains it was frigidly cold. With a limited supply of wood above the treeline, you learn to cherrish each moment the fire and hot tea is available. People are connected to the earth. They are aware of the seasons. It's neat to see the change in fruits available at different times of the year. And there is a profound sweetness when the mangoes come into season for maximal enjoyment. Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit.

This physical connection parallels the need to be connected to God (John 15:1-17)

As branches, we need to be connected to the vine in order to thrive. How often it is that we are found trying to graft into other things that will give life only to see that it hurts us. But when we are tapped into him, we are only then able to bear fruit and be a blessing to the others around us. Lord help us to be connected and remain connected to you that we might not be picked up and thrown into the fire and burned.

I am trying to find the living with the benefits with artificial environments (ie. my workplace where I know that the air temperature and humidity are servo controlled and will remain constant and where I don't worry about where the electricity comes from or whether or not water will come from the taps). Trying to investigate the cost of these conveniences has really uncovered some brutal realities... 

One of the most liberating things I've been doing since coming home is finding excuses to go ride. Roaming around the countryside on a bike really allows you to get the full feel of what is going on around you. You can smell the air, feel the bumps, see the sights, taste the dirt.

Lesson the 2: The value of Community

Stimulated from some thoughts while reading Jean Vanier's "Brokenness to Community": All my life I've been taught to excel in school, climb the corporate ladder, be the best I can be. While healthy competition exists, if channeled in the wrong places can construct an attitude of elitism. Which Vanier warns is the sickness of us all. Healing begins by naming our fear and addressing our less than worth feelings with compassion and without judgement. For me understanding elitism and my tendency toward exclusional living has been tough to stomach, but liberating as well. But herein lies the struggle on how to be living inclusional lives when really there are some people I could really care a less for. 

As I journeyed into rural Nepal and intruded on land which others occupied, I was shocked to be greeted with a hearty smile and welcome rather than a shotgun in hand and a cross look (Consider property line signs in North America - 'trespassers will be shot'). Even the least educated person on this earth can identify a human and realize that there is something profoundly unique. Perhaps it is ingrained into the Nepali people for their greeting नमस्ते (Namaste - means I greet the god in you). Perhaps in our pursuit of 'higher education' we have sacrificed ourselves. During my visits, I was given choice crop to consume, a family's plastic sheet when I had to go into the rain. Makes me wonder whether I see the God in each life (Matt 25:31-46 - and I'm using this passage in a selffish context out of fear for being labelled a goat.)

So the challenge here is to live simply and together valuing each other and not things. To be not be a sheep after doing a cost/benefit/risk analysis; but to be a natural proverbial sheep. Sharing openly whatever I have and encouraging others to do as well. Consider Phil 2:1-11. Lord in your mercy, help us to live in community with You as our one head (Eph 4:1-16)

Lesson the 3: God is good and sovereign.

Having just come back less than 2 weeks, I'm thrown right back into the swing of things. Working in a hospital, I see death all the time, and many times it is unexpected of people of all ages, races and societal status. Death and taxes are inevitable. Carpe diem, seize the day, do something with the life God has granted. The very fact that I wake up from my sleep is confirmation that God wanted me alive for just another day. I hope that He is pleased with His investment in the life He has given me. 

Prayer items:

- gratitude and humility to accept God's strength for each new day

- a grateful vs a guilty attitude as I readjust to life in Canada

- digesting experiences in Nepal and sharing with others before it becomes stale (organization of thoughts for sharings - there will be an opportunity to share with the respiratory therapy society in the fall, pray that Christ is made known)

- stability of the faith that drives missionaries in Nepal

Please find the following link to the top 100pics I took in Nepal album.

link removed: please contact me directly if you want this link.

In the race,

e

Hebrews 12:1-3

The whole world in His hands.... and other songs...

So in the travels today, I got to visit my sister and little niece today. She's actually smiling more now and ridiculously cute as per being a baby.

 

But while vaccuuming the loft, I non-challantly picked up my niece's little playmat - "her world". And then I realized that "I" have her whole world in my hands! To be honest it was a bit of an ego stroke - to hold an entire world in my hands to be able to turn it literally upside down if i wanted to change things around in it...

 

Then I realized that God who 'spoke' the world into existance has the whole world in His hands and that was a humbling thought.. ... ... Having just been at the foothills of the Himalayas, then to the south flatlands of sustainance farmers, to the excessive lifestyle of my native roots, back skiing in May in my homeland - the land of the free, to land of Cowboys and now back home in B-town, to know that there is someone watching over me who sees the world as a little spec is actually quite comforting. All the complaints and things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

 

* I would have liked to provide references for these. If anyone knows, please do share.

 

Thanks!

Verge Magazine submission

My experience in Nepal has without a doubt gripped my definition of life. Landlocked between China and India, Nepal is the home to infamous Mount Everest, Himalayas and also one of the most unstable governments. As a result, despite the exceptional potential for hydroelectric power generation and economic boost from tourism, it remains one of the world's poorest countries.

 

Born and raised in Canada I could not fathom how one could live on less than a small Tim Horton's coffee a day. I reluctantly went after being coerced by my friend to put myself in further debt to investigate life in one of the poorest countries in the world. (According to WHO's World Health Statistics 2009, 54.7% of Nepal's ~28million people live on less than $1 a day)

 

Departing from the shelter of the airport terminal, I was quickly introduced to the chaos of a developing country that some locals refer to as democracy in the jungle. With no traffic lights or road signs, I was pleasantly surprised that I actually arrived (and alive) at my desired destination. After nearly hitting several pedestrians, cutting off countless cars and running over a dog, I finally arrived at my host's middle class 1 storey flat in Lazimpat – the embassy area of the capital city of Kathmandu.

 

Over the next 2.5 months, I would learn firsthand what it meant to live a simple yet fulfilled life from the Nepalese people. Nepali's generally eat 2 meals of Dhal Bhat (lentil paste mixed with rice) and maybe a vegetable mix, at 10:00 and 19:00. In the rural areas, where ~83% of Nepali's live, the return on produce is very low; but with that comes a astonishing sense of community. Despite living an ear shot away, neighbours are all quite familiar with each other's families. Education is limited but from the way foreigners are treated, there is much to learn from their simple way of life.

 

Stumbling in the rain in a mountain village near Kodari, a Sherpa family spotted us and emphatically invited us to consume the first of their stash boiled potatoes and milk tea – a simple yet satisfying meal especially with nothing around. Through limited communication, we learn that they have never left the mountain and live like bears hibernating during the winter months of snow trying their best to gather wood with a pair of worn sneakers to stay warm until the next planting season. It's truly incredible how these people survive and yet are SO generous with what little they possess – including a contagious permanent zygomatic smile.

 

Returning to Kathmandu, I splurged <1USD on 1kg fresh mangos. At home, I realized that my host would never purchase these fruits whose prices were inflating astronomically due to tourism. (A tourist's definition of 'dirt cheap' was infinitely more than what a local could afford.)

 

So the challenge begins as I return home tonight and process how to live in light of these and many other experiences. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

 

Ponderings in a stable environment

Was having conflicting thoughts about returning back to the developed world. On the one hand, I was really glad to depart from a world of absolutely unpredictability. On the other hand, I realized that perhaps that is the thing that makes life so much more enjoyable.

 

Having been born and raised in a developed country and only heard stories of unpredictable and hostile living conditions. It was quite sad, yet sobering to experience life in a developing and politically unstable country. I have some very interesting footage of riot-like behaviour. I find it quite interesting how groups of people can have such an impact. Sociology is a very interesting field of study indeed.

 

Back to coming back to work in a developed country. Electricity doesn't ever go out. Water is all over the place and I can even drink out of the taps too! I always have whatever supply I need - and some more.

 

I do hope that I never take for granted the excess of supplies and resources that we have. But one day when things start running out, the people with nothing - that have learned how to make do with limited resources will suddenly have those critical skills to perform; because they understand where the bottom line lies. The way that we are producing trash and wasting unnecessarily, it can't be too far away.

 

Nostalgic to walk through the bowels of the very hospital that I trained at. Seems like a very sterile environment indeed. Swiping to get through, the technology that I take for granted is all around me. As well, security so that I can operate without worry. I finally get to my locker and my memory fails. My shoes are behind a locked door. Spoke too soon about security being a good thing.

 

So the struggle now is how to adjust. How to share the experiences I have had in a challenging and meaningful way. I can tend to be quite negative and must work on being positive and encouraging. Been learning a lot and trying to figure out where I am to spend the limited time I have.

 

But a couple of ideas as to what to focus on. Had been listening to a lot of lecture series on what it means to be rich. And seeing first hand what it means to be poor. I'm convinced that to have water, electricity and not have to worry about WHETHER food will be served for dinner. I mean if my biggest concern is WHAT I'm going to eat - then I'm probably really well off. The challenge is to get out of the rut of thinking that to be rich is to have just a little more. Need to ponder more.... Eyes want to close...

3 different worlds...

Finally had some time to consider all that has gone on and now I'm more confused than ever.

 

Having mixed feelings leaving Nepal. I was immediately thrown into the chaos of Hong Kong - a world of drastic change in lifestyle, infrastructure, values, standards, etc.

 

Arriving in HK, I thought I was in some sterile institution with not a spec of dirty anywhere on the airport express train and with it operating so smoothly. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming. Not a bump to be felt or the sound of the locomotive running - only a pre-recorded voice informing me of my destination. The funny, thing was, I actually missed feeling the bumps in the road, the rumble of the engine turning over, the vibrations of the vehicle and the shouts of the bus boy informing me of my destination and my how much I needed to pay. No one talked on the train, the environment seemed sterile. But once I exited the building the natural elements got to me, it was stinking hot and humid in HK and a clear reality that I was alive hit me again. But during my time in HK, every car, bus, building I would walk into became just another micro-ecosystem on it's own totally oblivious to the true reality of the heat outside.

 

Throughout my week I would soon realize that the family unit for most consisted of a live-in maid who came from a poorer country (e.g. indonesia, philippines, etc) who would come to work for ~3500-4200HKG/month. Children grew up spending more time with the live-in maids than with parents. This type of lifestyle is also present among the rich in Nepal, but seems so much more pervasive here in HK. The affects that has on the family unit you can only imagine.

 

With meals easily costing 5x what they would in Nepal. It was hard to coughup the cash for a meal knowing full well the purchasing power parity of dollar. What made it easier was seeing old friends who reminded me that we are not actually in Nepal anymore and there's a different standard here. whether good or bad, not sure...

 

Returnign to home soil was perhaps the greatest thing ever. That being said, the 8.75$ it cost to get downtown from the airport nearly knocked me off my feet. Can't complain cause my classmate had arranged a bike, car and home for me. Vancouver is great, being able to ski in the mountains was quite refreshing. I was saddened when my $20 prescription glasses from Nepal were broken during a yard sale on the slopes. Luckly, I came out ok. But seeing and exploring the mountains on skis in my home country was definitely a delight. On Sunday, we say "Hear our praises" for the 2nd sunday in a row in 2 different countries. Having been to the mountains and trekked and skiied through the valleys, the petition to have praises rise to God from the mountains to the valleys really put a whole lot of perspective and weight. i only wish that i understood more of what I sang and say. Analogies and words are heavily loaded if we seek to understand the depth of them. Perhaps my respect for explorers increases.

 

Ah yes, phones..

 

So in Nepal, a SIM card could be recharged for 200NRps (less than $3CAD) and used for about a month

In HK, a SIM card costed me 38HKG (~$5CAD) and used for more than 5 days no problem

In Canada, a SIM card cost $5, but activation costs 35$ and minimum amount was 15$; so the alternative was a CDMA phone (with GPS, camera, video and all these other features) for $55 with $15 credit on the card. Essentially in order to remain connected, the cheapest option was the buy the entire phone. Interesting how different societies operate...

 

Anyway, life continues. Trying to contemplate and digest all the differences in life in different places.

 

May my thrist for truth remain constant longing...

Back in civilization

So the past couple days have been fantastically interesting as I'm trying to refind my place in this world again.

Ever since coming to Hong Kong I've been severely confused. I'm almost not sure what to do with constant electricity and H2O. I'm finding myself taking a nice warm shower with good shower pressure and also not having to worry about charging batteries only at night. although i think some paranoid habits have been formed in order to have backups for everything.

Still trying to figure out the balance to have for life in order to make the most of every opportunity.

Had the privilege to share my experiences with 3 classes of grade 9 students today. was grea tto have someone to share with.

anywya, more to come when i figure out what i'm actually thinking. HK and Nepal are very different. speechless really... can't wait to be back on canadian soil tomorrow!