signs of Life...

Nepali boys display a snake

As I began my morning walk today it was if the Lord was in my steps propelling me forward, behind my back gently urging me upward with his kind and gently guiding hand.  As I traversed the steep south-facing ridge above our house my breathing seemed lighter, my senses felt sharper.  I walk this same route almost daily, but today felt different; It was almost as if I was reawakening from a recent slumber. 

As I walk I notice how crisp the air seems, how close the town nestled on a plateau several hundred feet below my meandering path, appears against the dark green background of the surrounding forested hills and bright-blue morning sky.  I take in the beauty of the intricately delicate flowers, just beginning their Spring bloom, that line the trail’s edge.  My ears straining to discern the individual contributions of several varieties of mountain song-birds, each fulfilling their intended duties (part) in an amazing, seemingly orchestrated, cacophony of praise to their creator.  My heart joins in agreement as I pass through their pine and rhododendron- covered forest home that makes up the normal path of my early morning exercise jaunt.  And as I crest the ridge I am met by a cool north breeze rushing down from the nearby Himalayas.  I drink it all in, the majestic snow-covered peaks, some nearly 26,000 feet high and a mere 40 miles away, reach high into the northern sky, contrasting starkly against the deep blue hue of the heavens beyond into Tibet.  Today they stand so clear, so vivid, that I feel I could almost reach out and touch them!  God, what an amazing world you have created!

The morning sun hits the nearby Himalayas: You can almost reach out and touch them!

It has been a while since our last “Snippets” (just over six weeks), and as you could probably tell from the tenor of the last missive, or at least from the circumstances mentioned therein (e.g. sicknesses, water shortages and battles with the rats), life was feeling a bit overwhelming for us all.  Today, as I was walking, I realized that we had slowly slipped into a bit of a fog of living UNDER those circumstances. Over the past month, although the circumstances have not changed significantly enough to warrant natural heart change (although we THINK we finally won against the rats!), God has begun to return signs of life and hope to the Beine family currently residing in Tansen, Nepal.  May we share with you a few of the circumstances (through short story form) that he is using to accomplish this?

The jeep accident

You might remember me writing in July about a nasty incident that occurred when the brakes failed on a jeep coming down the hill outside the hospital causing it to crash through the hospital wall! Just a few minutes earlier there were 20 or so people waiting by the gate right where the jeep crashed. That same morning, however, the guard had let them in five minutes earlier, so 10 o'clock when the jeep came through the wall there was no one there. There are many different possible scenarios of a speeding vehicle careening down the hill in one of Tansen's busiest intersections, but a scenario without a number of serious injuries or deaths is difficult to imagine. Yet like a miracle, a femur fracture on one of the jeep’s passengers was the most serious personal injury. One of the employees of the hospital on her way to work was one of the first people coming to the scene of the accident. She heard one of the men shout: "He saved us all, Jesus saved us all." Another man asked, "which Jesus?" and he was told "The Jesus on the hospital sign"! The nearby Tansen Mission Hospital sign reads “We Serve, Jesus Heals!”  

The new wall

The wall is now fixed and the fresh paint serves as a reminder to us all that although the evil one wants to kill, destroy and ruin, God has placed His angels on the walls around Tansen Mission Hospital.  Join us in praying for the many patients who we touch daily who need to come to know this God that cares so much for them!

Our Continuing Adoption Journey

Two years ago we told you about baby Tamang, a baby girl abandoned here at the hospital. We were asked (and were ready) to adopt her, but US regulations and the inability to get papers for her

two of the three neglected children

made it impossible. In the end, after a month living in the corner of the nurse’s station, by God’s grace she was adopted to a Nepali family living in western Nepal. And last year three local children were found in a miserable state, dirty, malnourished and full of worms. Their father was an alcoholic and wasn’t caring for them and their mother had been working abroad and the family hadn’t heard from her in three years. They were admitted to the nutrition rehab center in Tansen while the father tried, unsuccessfully to rehab. He said he couldn’t care for all three and wanted to give up the two younger children. We were asked if we might be 

A happy (and healthy) reunited family

willing to consider adopting them, but unfortunately, or so we thought at the time, the US government has made it impossible for Americans to adopt here due to much abuse in then adoption system. As a result the father and children were taken in by a Nepali family in the church. Then a few months ago, to everyone’s surprise, the mother returned home. Having now slowly gotten to know the kids again, they have moved to a small mud house and once again live together as a family. The kids are happy and energetic and the mom has said that her husband has now stopped drinking and that he makes money so they all have food to eat. So, we can see God’s hand in all of this.

 

So, although we were deeply disappointed that neither of these opportunities worked out for us personally, we now see God’s wisdom in both these cases, and the adoption saga continues for us. We still want to adopt two Nepali orphaned sisters, but it seems impossible at the moment. So, we wait. We have begun searching in the USA (via domestic adoption), but thus far we haven’t found any orphaned Nepali sister there either. Go figure! So, we are still waiting… for God either to fulfill the desire somehow… take away the desire for these girls to be South Asian… or take away the desire to adopt all together. You can join us in praying for that. If we are going to adopt, we want to do so before Dave turns 50 in one year. .

Has thou no scar?

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?

This is a poem that I read years ago by early missionary pioneer to India Amy Carmichael.  We are currently reading a book where this poem was again featured.  Over the past few months, although we still face various physical, cultural and personal challenges, God has reminded us that he is enough for us.  And we have certainly grown through the circumstances and we are content to discover his presence (and provision) in the midst of our difficulties, rather than asking him to take them away.  We were recently “comparing notes” with another American doctor who splits his year between his home country and serving at a remote hospital here in Nepal.  He commented how difficult it is to go back and forth because he sees (and personally experiences) so much suffering here, while the church in our homeland mainly seeks entertainment, comfort and safety and seems to be so devoid of any theology of suffering.  We sometimes share the same struggle of trying to reconcile our two very different worlds.  I just finished reading the book of Matthew and it is clear that if we follow him as his disciples we will suffer (See Matthew 24:9).  And Paul makes the bold assertion:

"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ,

not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." 

Philippians 1:29

     

So, hast thou no scar?

Having said that, we have one current circumstance that, although it is causing us to grow tremendously in our maturity communication and faith, we would like to ask you to join us in praying about.  We have now had our first (several actually) tastes of the age-old turbulent adolescent struggle known as “teenage.”  And although we are experiencing what is probably a normal level of male teenage hormones, peer influence, defiance, uncertainty of beliefs, etc., (you seasoned parents are probably laughing at us about now), this is OUR first teenager so it feels perplexing and overwhelming at times.  Please join us in praying for our oldest, that we would have patience and wisdom in walking with him through it, and that the Lord would make himself real to Nick in his good timing.    

Okay, that gives you plenty to be praying for.

Dave (for all)

P.S.  here are a few pictures from the past month

Now THAT is a rat!

Josh and mom at church

Girls from the local ethnic Magar tribe along the trail during y morning walk 

 

 

Nick playing guitar during worship

 

The Tansen Challenge

There is a beautiful mountain just behind the hospital, called Srinigar.  A stairway was constructed many years ago that goes up this mountain.  There are more than 500 stairs to be climbed if you want to reach the scenic ridge.  The doctors like to sponsor a race going up and down these stairs each year.  It is an exhilarating event!  This year, the Beines and Ethan participated for the first time.  -

Dave completed the course once (that’s up and down, over 1000 stairs) and came in second in his category (medical anthropologists in Nepal, over 40, who know some Chepang).  I actually think that his competitor falsified his qualifications.   Kimberly did two rounds (over 2000 stairs) and felt very pleased even though she came in fourth out of four.  In the feminine category, half the competitors were half her age.  

Ethan did three rounds (over 3000 stairs!) and came in fourth (even with a swollen, twisted ankle) just behind the surgeon who went off the stairs and simply ran downhill during part of the race (I don’t think that was within regulations, but the mountainside judges were nowhere to be found).  Nick ran over 4000 stairs in just under 20 minutes, finishing second in the overall competition.  Nate made an amazing debut, keeping up with so many people bigger than him and came in just behind Ethan, in fifth place.  Very impressive!  Jake was the youngest competitor in the 3-rounds category, and finished very impressively in the middle of the pack.  Well done, Jake!  Joshua pushed himself in his category and did two rounds (over 2000 stairs) and took second place.  Most importantly, Joshua rejoiced with his 8-year-old friend who took first place.  YEA for Josh’s excellent show of character!  It was a fun day!

And now for another interesting little story that I like to call “Perspective:” When we were here last year, they put a lid on the concrete culvert next to our house and we soon discovered that it was the new sewage system for the neighborhood.  It is simply a porous cement culvert without airtight containment.  The sewage goes down the hill and the gases rise up.  So, our house is not always the nicest smelling place to visit, despite all the yummy baking I do.  Well, we are trying to get used toit, and the other day, this situation afforded us a good laugh.  We were having our usual morning tea time out on the porch (it was about 11am, a particularly smelly time, just after Nepalis eat their first meal of the day) and much to our surprise, a skunk wandered into the vicinity and made itself known by its distinctive smell.  Immediately, a couple of us exclaimed, “Oh, that smells nice compared to the regular smell.”  That was a first.

Until the next interesting event,
Kimberly, reporting from Tansen, Nepal

(P.S.  I have tried for hours to add pictures to this post, but alas, the Internet is not able to accommodate such adornments...maybe another time!)

Love is in the Air

It is Valentine’s Day today.  The local shop that caters to westerners has recently imported different chocolates from at least five different countries.  So, I received a really nice supply of Hershey’s dark chocolate.  Yum!  And Jake and Josh created some fun treasure hunts, in order to find the chocolate treats.  I am blessed to walk this journey with these fun guys.

My work in the hospital has started off well.  I am working in Pediatrics.  We have so many interesting cases (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis presenting with seizure, TB in many different parts of the body, neonatal syphilis, septicemia, HSP…to name a few, for the medically inclined).  I am working with a wonderful group of colleagues whom I greatly respect.  Yesterday, four of us who are G.P.s were discussing a case together, trying to decide if we should induce labor for a mom who was having some trouble.  The baby was believed to be 34 weeks along and looked like almost 2kg.  These statistics might make for a healthy delivery in the U.S., but with our limited resources, it felt like a tough decision, weighing the risks and benefits for both mom and baby.  We sure would have appreciated the input of an obstetrician.  Anyway, the decision was made to induce labor, and the picture below shows a beautiful, healthy baby girl, weighing 1800gms who came from that delivery.  The mom is also recovering nicely.  I felt so blessed just to see this little one this morning and to give thanks for the healthy baby and mother.

 

Ethan had his first tummy bug last night.  He got the full-on vomiting and diarrhea type.  Welcome to Nepal, Ethan.  I have made him the oral rehydration solution throughout the day today and he has dutifully consumed it, despite its unpleasant taste.  He seems to be recovering quite well.  You might want to join us in praying for strength to endure the normal gastrointestinal upsets (two of the boys also have tummy aches).

Well, the real joy in living here is taking advantage of the plethora of opportunities to show love to others.  There is so much suffering in this world; there is no end to the opportunities to relieve it, or experience it, with those who suffer.  I remember that Christ followers are known by their love.  I thank God that He has loved me so much that I have plenty of extra to share with others.  Thank you to those of you who also love me and my men.

J Kimberly

Finishing the India Journey

Well, since our last post in Nagpur we returned by train to Delhi, visited the Taj Mahal the next day, had a more "normal" train experience from Delhi to Gorakhpur the following day, have since crossed the border and are now settled happily back in our home in Palpa District of Western Nepal.  All told, according to Nate, we were on a moving vehicle over 100 hours during the journey from Spokane to Tansen.  I will try to capture the details and events of this final leg of the journey here in this blog entry.  It is a rainy day here, so its a good time to get you caught up:

Jake examines an Indian snail caught at Frank's place

Nagpur to Delhi
The boys (including teacher Ethan) really enjoyed their time at Frank's place.  Discovering interesting exotic Indian insects and animals, attending church where we got to hear Frank challenge us to live like real Christians, inventing a game of baseball with an old 2 liter coke bottle and make-shift ball, exploring the compound and fun with over 400 eager playmates!

Nick and Josh have a new friend (puppy)

Frank preaches

Ethan playing "baseball"

Nate and Jake teaching "Ninja" to the boys

Josh playing with friends on the roof

Josh and a new freind

Exploring the flora at Frank's place

Jake walking the wall

Caught geckos in a coke bottle (former "bat")

Nick exhausted by all the play

Ethan and Nick enjoy First Clas

Next we caught a night train from Nagpur to Delhi.  Five of us froze in second class AC sleeper class overnight (they turned the aircon on full blast at about 9PM just as it was getting cold outside- and turned the heater on at 9AM just as it was warming up outside!) while Nick and Ethan got the luck of the draw to travel First Class Sleeper because all the second class tickets were sold out.  Once in Delhi we had a good night's rest and were off the next day by second class train (this is the old third class) to the Taj Mahal.  The Taj is always an inspirational sight and this was everyone else's first visit to the Taj, so I enjoyed watching their reactions one of the world's "seven wonders.".  After a full day at the Taj and a meal at a local restaraunt, we again borded our train for the three hour journey back to Delhi.  

Kimberly shows she is a "high value" lady!

The amazing Taj Mahal

The Beines in front of the Taj

Nate drives a camel.  Do they look related?

Josh enjoys our taxi to the Delhi train station

The crowded train station

After a good night's sleep we were off to begin our final leg of the journey back to Nepal.  The day nearly began with a disaster.  I had mistakenly arranged for the taxi to take us to the wrong train station.  Luckily I noticed the error just minutes before we headed out and we were able to change our destination station.  After arriving at the crowded (but at least right) station, our train arrived on a different platform than we had been told (and where we had, therefore, been waiting).  We moved to the right platform just before the train arrived, but then our carriage stopped well beyond where it had been expected.  We had to rush (our luggage in tow) through the crowd (who were also all trying to scurry in opposite directions to their correct carriages) to find our assigned carriage.  Once there we had to push and shove to make our way aboard through the small passage (everyone tries to get in and out the narrow doors at each end of the carriage at the same time) and while doing so a thief was trying to open Jake and Josh's backpacks from behind them as they entered the train.  Luckily they noticed and shifted their packs to their fronts and were able to avoid any thievery.  Meantime, Nick and I were still outside with our over-sized bags trying to push our way through the narrow doorway and into the crowded compartment hallway.  Behind us porters kept shouting "chello" (let's go!) and kept pushing us forward.  At one point Nick turned around and with a scowl shouted "back off!" to the most vociferous of the lot :) .   Once inside we found the rest of the family and settled into our compartment.  Kimberly informed me that she had ordered dinner for all.  We had just finished lunch and unfortunatly this was only a local guy trying to make a buck (not the train kitchen staff who come around later to take orders for the evening meal) and so we ended up with several overpriced meals well before dinner time (he brought the meals right then and demanded payment). 

in the train compartment

Once underway we were delivered sheets and blankets in preparation to make our beds for the night.  As we opened them cockroaches emerged.  Then the train only inched along through the night, stopping for long periods of time to let every freight train (and perhaps even snails and turtles) pass.  Having had the near-thievery experience none of us slept very soundly even though we had secured our bags as best we could.  We arrived four hours late to our terminal station, but the van we had arranged to meet us was not there waiting.  Turns out that it was state elections that day and the police had commandeered all larger vehicles for their use that day.  It took us awhile to figure out that the much smaller vehicle (with no luggage rack) WAS in fact, our arranged vehicle and so we crammed all seven of us (plus the driver) into vehicle along with our 17 bags for the two hour drive to the Nepal border. Kimberly commented that this last stage of the trip was more what she expected all of the India trip to be like.  So, I guess that puts our ten-day transition/family vacation in perspective.  Overall, it was a very positive experience. Inspirational, informative and educational.

Indian border

Once we arrived to the Indian border we saw a familiar face, our known jeep driver from Tansen who had come to meet us and bring us the rest of the way to Tansen.  After easily passing both Indian and Nepal immigration, we transferred our bags and began the familiar drive "home" to Tansen.  I cannot describe the relief to see a familiar face, understand everything that was being said, be able to fully communicate, understand the cultural nuances, etc.  It makes me realize the importance of translating the word of God into a language and cultural context that people can understand.

the Nepal border:  What a welcomed sight!

We are now in our fifth full day back in Tansen.  I just finished two full days in planning meetings with our Chepang Project team and Kimberly begins her duty at the hospital this coming Sunday.  Stay tuned for more adventures from Tansen!

The happy final few miles to Tansen, Nepal

Donkeys of India

Have you ever wondered how donkeys get their iron?  Well, this is how they get it in India!

This donkey is Karina.  We met her at Hemelkasa in central India.  She lived right outside the dining hall.

We saw many other animals here: snakes, leopards, monkeys, peacocks, hyena, deer, bluebulls, owls, crocodiles, porcupines, sloth bears, etc.  It was very fun to see all these animals!

Hope you enjoy the photo!  -Jake Beine

Along the way...

Riding an Indian train

Nagpur, India. 1/29/2011 

Bullock cart in central India

It is hard to believe that we only left the United States only six days ago!  Those six days have been full of travel (over 50 hours of total travel time) and has taken us from the modern Mecca of Seattle to the backwoods of central India.  The adventure has been a case study in contrast. After arriving in Delhi, we found ourselves a few hours later on a southward-bound train headed for the city of Nagpur, at the very center of India.

Starbucks and Rubic's cube in Seattle

After an overnight stay with an old friend (Frank’s place) we were then on the road early the next morning embarking on a seven-hour jeep journey to reach the remote tribal hinterlands where over twenty years ago I had conducted language research among the tribal Mardia and Gond people.  Our first stop was in Allapalli, where we met an old friend.  During my research I had stayed many days with reverend and Mrs. Stephen Sundar, simple missionaries to the tribal peoples of the district.  There simple lifestyle and love for all people was an inspiration to me.  At that time tribal peoples were having dreams and visions about Jesus and were desirous to learn more.  Stephen worked ceaselessly to communicate the Gospel with them and I learned from Stephen that the spirit of God has been on the move among  the Mardia in a big way since that time.  I also learned from Stephen that about 15 years ago he had been abducted and tortured for several days by the Naxalites (an Indian Maoist insurgency group fighting a long-lasting war in the area).  He was released after three days  and warned to stay out of the tribal area.  For that reason he has been living on the outskirts of the region and facilitating nearly one hundred other local evangelists to minister to the Mardia and Gonds.  It was a real joy to hear of what God has been up to among the tribal peoples in the ensuing years since I stayed with Stephen and his family, learning to sleep on the floor, eat with my hands, and toilet in the fields!

Dave showing his Master's Thesis to an old friend

After a too-short reunion with Stephen and his family we were again on the road (at least that’s what they call it) for two more hours where we arrived at Hemalkasa two kilometers from Bhamragad.  Although the road was still humble, I was amazed at the change from twenty years ago, when I remember it taking near five hours to cover the 30 miles of then dirt track.  Here we stayed at Hemalkasa with Dr. Prakash Amte and his family and staff who run a hospital and school for the tribal children (for a good overview of the Amte’s life work see http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=5Gxgx-e9oUg ). Sitting around the fire we figured out it had been twenty-two years since I had last stayed with the Amtes during my field research).  Although the area still feels mostly “untouched” by the outside world because of its remoteness, the vast improvement in health and education for the tribal peoples is obvious and this is a testimony to the love and hard work of the Amte family on the behalf of the neglected tribal peoples. 

The boys enjoyed the makeshift zoo which has emerged over the years as the tribal people have gifted young animals (whose parents they have hunted for food) to the Amtes. And we were also able to visit a local house church for an afternoon of fellowship, which was a sweet experience for all!   

The boys try on a Rat Snake for size

a "local"animal

This blog entry is being penned from Nagpur (Frank’s place) where we returned a day earlier than expected.  Yesterday morning the Naxalites assassinated a local political leader in Bhamragad (see http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Naxal-kills-Congress-leader-in-Gadchiroli-s-Bhamragarh/Article1-803366.aspx ) prompting a search operation by the Indian security forces.  We had originally intended to attend a local tribal church this morning but with the sweep underway, felt it was safest to stay clear of the areas that could put us in the middle of a military operation against militant terrorists.  And that it would be best to depart early in case the roads were closed as a result of the military action.  So, after a long drive back to Nagpur, we enjoyed a nice long sleep overnight, church here in town today, and the boys are all outside right now playing with the 600 plus Indian boys of the school while Kimberly does some laundry. Late tomorrow we will again board a train and be headed back to New Delhi for a day of sightseeing (to see the Taj Mahal) before again boarding a train eastward bound for the Nepali border.  We will check in again with you along the way as we are able.

Soldiers patrol the road- which side are they on?

So far this has been an interesting emotional experience for me to bring my family back into this special place of my past.  India is an amazing country!  I am so thankful for the experiences I have had here and for the opportunity now to share the places of so many of my unique "stories" (that my family has had to endure over the past many years)  with the family that God has now given me.  I am, indeed, a blessed man!

Dave (for all)

All photos by Nick Beine

Tribal girl at Bhamragad

 

Eight Days and Counting!

Eight days and counting until we depart Spokane Asia bound.  A couple of praise and prayer items.

Praise:

1.     1.  Our Indian visas are completed and passports are now in hand.

  2.  Final fund raising for our teacher is looking great.

                        

        Prayer:

        1.  Kimberly’s uncle died unexpectedly this week.  Pray for Kimberly’s dad and his family.

  2.  We also learned this week of the surprise passing of a dear friend of ours.  Susan Prnjak, Kimberly’s former roommate, long-time friend and one of our family’s biggest champions, was  in a bike accident in late November,  in a coma for seven weeks, and died in early January.  Although we rejoice to know that Susan is now at home with her Lord, we will miss her dearly!  She was a special friend!

  3.   Tomorrow I will be preaching at our home church in Spokane about the challenges of climbing Everest (I was involved in the Sherpa language survey back in 1990-91) and bring the challenge “do we have something worth living this dangerously for?”  Please pray for me and if you are in/near Spokane Sunday come join us at 9 or 11 at Summit Ridge Christian Fellowship, 57^th and Freya.

  4. We still are waitlisted for two of our internal India train trips.    Pray that the seats would open up soon.

  5.  Please pray for our final packing and preparations this week.

  6.  Pray that we will we will find renters for our house (we have it listed as a vacation rental).

  7.  Please pray for good weather next Sunday as we drive over the pass toward Seattle (it saves us about $1K to fly from there rather than flying from Spokane).  If the pass is looking questionable at the time we will need to leave a day earlier.

Thanks!

Dave (for all)