July 6 PM

Dear All, Realize I haven't given you an overview of my routine schedule. Since I don't have any in-patient responsibilities, I don't have to be at the GI lab until 8 and it's 3 min walk up the hill from the guesthouse. That has been one of the biggest blessings of the trip so far. I get up between 5-6 to read and pray until I go in. What a difference from my usual schedule at home where I get up at 5 and usually have only 30-45 minutes before leaving for work. Sometimes I dash straight in leaving devo time until PM, always a disaster for me. From 8-9 AM, the schedule varies: Mon. Intern Grand Rounds- topic conference Tue. M&M Wed. Devotion followed by Surgical case presentation, both by residents Thu. Surgical resident Grand Rounds topic Fri. Devotion in the GI lab. There is a chaplain (they have a chaplain training program here) assigned to cover the GI lab when patients have particular needs. He came this morning to lead six of us in a time of worship beginning with singing while he played guitar, followed by covering this week's assignment in the Experiencing God workbook and concluding with prayer requests. It was sweet. Yes, Susan Leslie, I was convicted about my unfaithfulness to work on keeping our little group going at MGG. This something I have committed to prayer and we can talk about when I return. Then, 9-5 it's endoscopy interrupted by two very important events to which you would be amazed to see how well I've adapted: Chai break. Starts anytime from 10-10:45, depending on patient care, meaning we don't stop in the middle of a case but we make sure we don't start one that will take us past 10:45! The total down time is about 30'. GI lab, don't get any ideas! Lunch. Generally 1-2; once a week at the hospital canteen, four time a week at the guest house and twice a week at one of the missionary's homes where they will host 6-12 guests. This is the major meal of the day and a time to get to know not only the missionaries but the many visiting families here who are in other housing. While we have worked until 5 a couple of days, we're usually finished by 4-4:30 so sit and read waiting for possible consults. Then home on the exercise bike which I just started yesterday after getting routine down and getting used to the altitude. Supper is always at the guest house with anywhere from 6-14 people. Singles, couples and some families stay in the guest house, other families stay in condos and houses. Only singles get to eat here for the duration. Everyone else eats here for their first three days then they have to prepare their own meals- the guest house has some apts with an eat-in kitchen and a sitting room for families. But, don't feel sorry for them. Food is inexpensive and for $5/day you can hire someone to come in to shop for you, make lunch and supper and clean up. You talk about a deal. After supper, more time to read and relax before calling it a night under the mosquito net. Pretty cush job you say. Well, were it not for the emotional trauma of seeing all the suffering here (worse than India because there we don't see many of the really sick folks)and missing Sue (and, differently, y'all too), I would have to agree with you. The Lord continues to be kind and gracious, blessing me with this opportunity to serve some of the least of these in His precious name. In Christ, Ed