Thoughts on Thanksgiving

There is a lot I don’t write about in the blog…mostly because it is difficult and hard to express. But on this Thanksgiving Day, I can’t help but mention some of things I am seeing on a daily basis that make me thankful for all I have, my friends and family, and the good things in my life. I often pass a woman plagued with leprosy, she has no hands and barely any feet, she wonders around our campus and I’m not sure what exactly she is doing. Every morning and evening, I pass little girls ranging from 5 to 15 years carrying tin cans of water on their heads, they place them on top of a cloth so that it isn’t directly on their scalpel. While most kids their age should be playing in school, these girls are carrying the only water their family will have for the day. When I run in the morning, I see women doing laundry in the river, they have no other “washing machine,” such a concept is very foreign for people without stoves, microwaves, or many of our conveniences. I see pigs wandering about because they are the only “garbage collectors” that come in this area. I pass by a little boy that is walking on gravel and yet has no shoes.

These are the sights I see on a daily basis that keep me grounded and keep me remembering why I am here. I am so thankful for all of you, my family and friends. On this Thanksgiving, I ask you to take a moment and recognize how lucky you are. Sometimes we all forget the lottery we won being born in America. Whatever stresses we may have in life, remember that a roof to sleep under, some food to eat, a little bit of clean water, and a supporting family, are really all that we need. Nevertheless, with some education and basic health care, its amazing how much good can be done for so little. When people can think beyond just eating and sleeping, their lives begin to change. Its amazing to see that happen here.

Much love to all of you from CRHP. And a little plug for all that is done here, visit www.jamkhed.org and you can give online. Happy Holidays, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon!