November 2001

Dear Friends,

Well, I’ve completed the obligatory two weeks of reentry (after a one month quick trip home for R&R) in which I make no major decisions which I might regret, that I have made because of culture shock. Actually, I think my culture shock was greater going home for just one month and trying to do so much yet still thinking about Nepal since I would only be gone for a month. The contrast is so great. In the US we have so much that we don’t know what to do with it so we abound in adult toys; in Nepal people have so little that children don’t have enough food, leave aside toys. Today I was checking a friend out of the hospital. In front of me in the pharmacy line was a very sick infant playing with a throat stick—her first toy. Her doctor had drawn a face on the stick—she now had her first and probably only ever—doll. How do we balance? I don’t have the answer. But I’ll tell you, it’s a lot more uncomfortable when you see people every day who must survive on so little.

Nepal is much as I left it. We are still in the cease fire although it is beginning to break down—the Maoists are becoming progressively more bold in their actions. The third round of talks have not taken place—neither side is willing to give in on certain issues. UMN is going through a strategic change process. It is a real challenge as we have the Maoist situation to consider as well as the changing mission scene (decreasing funding and missionaries), the unknown consequences of September 11, some potentially adverse government policies coming into being (limited visas and financial restrictions), etc. A real challenge—especially since none of us are management-trained. We are Peter-principled technicians (doctors, educationalists, engineers, etc.) who find ourselves running the organization. So, if any of you business/management people have 6-12 months to spare to help us go through a strategic planning/change process, come on over!!! We could sure use your help! UMN is the second largest employer in Nepal (after government, 1100 staff) so I’m sure you would find it a bit of a challenge!

Take care.

Love,

Bev

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 153