Happy New Year!

Reflecting on the wheelchair distribution camp in Chaurjahari, a side benefit for Megan was being in the hospital staff accommodation and getting to know some of the team there and being encouraged by their work and enthusiasm. It was quite tiring for her getting everything ready as, although the wheelchairs had arrived, they were not fully unpacked and ready to go and the team from India (an experienced therapist and a couple of mechanics with experience in wheelchair adaptation) was only arriving at the last minute. Again, Megan was encouraged by the willingness of the hospital team 'on the spot' who rallied to help get everything ready. We could just write that everything was amazing, but, whilst it's good to share positives, of which there were many, it's also good to be open and honest with you. There were disappointments, as the messages about the camp had not been well communicated to the potential recipients we mentioned last time, so only a few people came for the first 2 days. As a result, it was decided to finish on day 4, instead of the original 6-day plan, but then so many came on day 3, it was exhausting! However, each happy face, as they received love and acceptance as well as a much-needed wheelchair, made all the frustrations worth the effort. So many had struggled without wheelchairs or with inappropriate ones for a long time. One of the reasons for Megan being away as we write this, is to help distribute some of the wheelchairs that were left over from this camp in November at the above mentioned rearranged one in Surkhet and to continue to help with the rehabilitation work in Chuarjahahi. Some of the people who couldn't come last time are expected to come this time, just a few.

One little story to share connects the two purposes that Megan was in Chaurjahari for at that time and gives you a little update 😊. In our November letter we mentioned about the visits to the earthquake affected areas and the school caretaker who asked if we would see his daughter, Mangala. Megan then spent some time with her and found that not only was the wheelchair she had totally unsuitable, the house, and especially the toilet, was not accessible for her. As mentioned in the last letter, Mangala and her father were invited to attend the forthcoming wheelchair camp and so Megan had the joy of being able to follow up with the family when they arrived at the camp about a week later. Now, not only does this young lady have a wheelchair that is fit for her, she also has a more suitable toilet at home as HDCS, our Nepal organisation, was able to arrange for the work to be done in their house.

The big personal highlight of the last few months was the amazing time we had as a family over the Christmas and New Year period. It is the first time we have been all together in Nepal and the first time any of the grandchildren have visited here. It was so great to be together and to share some lovely times and create special memories. We went away to the Chitwan national park where we saw rhinos, crocodiles and elephants at close quarters, as well as enjoying a jungle safari in jeeps and in dug out canoes. We also spent a few days in Pokhara, a town where we used to live, enjoying the New Year festivities there.

In addition to our work in Nepal, we also have a wider role with BMS and that side of things has been quite slow until recently but has become busier in the last few months. In November we mentioned the online seminars that Alan ran at the end of last year with a BMS partner in Uganda. We have since run an in-person workshop with another partner here in Nepal, where we looked at organisational planning and reporting. Coming up over the next few weeks are some more online sessions, this time with a BMS partner organisation in Mozambique. Then, at the end of February, we are heading off to Bangladesh and India to visit BMS partners there and to learn about what they are doing and to share some ideas on strategy, planning, leadership and development. We are excited about the opportunity to visit these partners that we have known of for a long time but have never had the chance to see the work they are involved in. It is hoped that all of the workshops will open the way for us to be more actively training and supporting at least some of these partners in their important work.

For those who pray:

First of all, we give thanks for:

A wonderful Christmas and New Year with all our family

Those people who now have more independence because they have a suitable wheelchair

The ongoing opportunities to serve and share and the new opportunities that are coming up

We ask you to join us in prayer for:

A safe and successful trip to Bangladesh and India

Deepening friendships with our colleagues in those two countries

The energy we need for all the travelling and 'visiting' we will be doing

Thank you, as always, for your interest and support

Alan and Megan

xx