The last few weeks have been some of the most wonderful of my life.  I wanted to share the FULL story, here below, with all who have been keeping up on our work. 

Hello all,

What would the packing list for a 10 day excursion across the Himalaya include?  Perhaps, in the traveler’s large rucksack tents, stoves, hiking poles, $200 hiking boots, $20 socks, cases of provisions, pots pans and utensils would be found.  Carrying such a load on these mountains would prove daunting indeed.  I wonder if the one carrying it would even be able to look up and enjoy the trip they were making under such a burden.

Few things have impressed me as much as the story of the peregrini.  They were Celtic monks who would set sail into the frigid North Atlantic Ocean.  What made them exceptional was that, in their sect, using sails and oars was prohibited.  It was their desire to be driven by waves and winds to an unknown destination.  It was their belief that wherever they landed was the predestined place for them to share the joy of God with others.

I set off on my journey scantily equipped for a western hiker but carrying too much baggage to be a true peregrini.  In my small red backpack was a single change of clothes, a simple first aid kit, a bottle of water, a few chappati covered with jam, some almonds, a jacket, reading material, some personal effects and a large Pictorial Dictionary of Sign Language.  On the back of my bag was strapped a pair of elbow crutches.  My first destination was Puchowk to visit a village girl named Adrena who suffers from MS.  I knew the way along the first hour of trail (given I visited Adrena once before last Dec.) but was clueless as to the path for the 10 days to come.

Before even reaching Adrena’s house a boy came to fetch me.

“They sent me to get you.”

“How?  They didn’t even know I was coming.”
Continue reading An Uninvited Guest