Saying goodbye to India...

Well, I can't believe that today I will be starting my journey back home. I leave Madurai this evening and will take an eight hour train ride to Chennai, where I will fly out heading for Delhi, and then Chicago and finally Kansas City. I have enjoyed getting to know new friends, see interesting places and work in a variety of situations.
This last week I was working at St. Joseph's Hospice which is an an hour out of Madurai by bus. It was an extremely difficult and hard week. I saw and experienced things I never have before. The people at the hospice are in the worst condition possible before death, but it is good that they are dying where people care about them instead of on the streets. n Here's a a bit what a day working at the hospice was like for me. Every morning I would wake up at 5:30 and join the staff for their Mass at 6:00. Then I would help the sister change the dirty bedding. There are around 250 patients so this was quite the task. At 7:00 I ate breakfast with the two Priests or Fathers. They were both very kind and I enjoyed being able to spend time with them. Next I would go to the kitchen to help cut up veggies for lunch. It was fun watching and helping the girls in the kitchen make the Indian dishes. Around mid morning one of the nurses would come get me and I would go out side to help change the patent's bandages. The first day it was pretty hard for me. Many of the patients had horrible infections. Often I would change a dressing on just a stub of a foot, or the leg would be completely gone from the knee down. As I would clean the wounds there would be flys buzzing all around, combined with the smell of rotting flesh. (I hope I'm not being too graphic I just want to give you an idea of how life is for many of the people here in India). It broke my heart to see these people suffering so much! This week at the hospice was something I will always remember vividly. I feel like I received so much more then I gave! All the staff and patients were so appreciative of me coming to help for one week and treated me like royalty. I was amazed at the joy of the sisters working at the hospice. They rarely have a break from their intense, daily work. I am very thankful God worked everything out for me to visit and work at St. Joseph's Hospice my last week in India!
These last two days I have been back in Madurai with my "Indian family". I've been able to spend time with them and the other Projects Abroad girl volunteers before leaving. My Indian family-Uncle, Aunty, Medhu, and Ish have been so kind to me while I have been with them! And, I will miss them and all of the girls much!!! Yet, I am ready and excited to be back home to see all of you!!! God has given me amazing opportunities here that I will treasure forever. I am thankful for all of you who have been praying and helped make it possible for me to come to India. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences in person. ;) Enjoy Jesus today and thanks again to each of you for supporting me in my trip to India !!! Loves, Rachel

Nearing the end

Ahh sorry it has been so long since I have written! My last day at Vadamalayan Hospital was Friday. Since I last wrote I have watched a number of surgeries. For the first time I saw a live beating heart, it was amazing! I have seen a handful of open heart surgeries. I watched two Coronary artery bypass (CABG)surgeries, as well as an Atrial septal defect surgery ( ASD). I had only read about complications as these in books so actually seeing the live surgeries was very interesting and educational. A couple other cases I was able to see was a hysterectomy and a umbilical hernia repair.

In the evenings and weekends I have fun spending time with the other five volunteers and my host family. This last weekend Ellie, Emma, Kristine, Rameeta and I traveled up to the town of Kodaikanal which is situated in the mountains. After a four bus ride we met other Projects Abroad volunteers. On Saturday morning we all went for a trek in the mountains. It was beautiful! A big change for us girls was the cool weather. In Madurai we never seem to stop sweating. I really enjoyed being able to wear the scarf I bought. ;) The hotel we stayed at had no heat and the blankets were damp so consequently at night we were pretty chilly.

Now I am back in Madurai and for my last week I will be at St. Joseph's Hospice. Originally I did not know what I would be doing this last week and when I heard about this hospice I decided to call to find out if I might come and help for one week. Father Thomas who started the hospice in 2006 was very excited to hear I wanted to come for the week. I'm not quite sure what I will be doing. At the hospice their goal is to serve the least of God's people. It was started to provide a place for the poorest of the poor, the uncared destitute persons of the streets, the mentally and physically challenged persons- essentially all those who desperately need care and love. I am excited to see how I can be of help there! Please pray that during my last week in India I will be an encouragment to the patients and staff working at St. Joseph's Hospice. I know it will not be easy but I am very glad I have this opportunity to share Jesus to these hurting people! I will try to write before I leave to share about my time at the hospice. I can't believe that in nine days I will be flying back to the U.S. I can't wait to see you all again!!! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!!! Blessings, Rach