Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Outlook 2001

Nepal
Lorelie Pasmonte, MPT
Physical Therapy class of 2000
School of Allied Professions

Using God's talents in the Himalayas

I had the great opportunity to serve as a volunteer physical therapist at Scheer Memorial Hospital in Banepa, Nepal. I was so excited to be going. Part of it had to do with the fact that I would get to see the Himalayas. I felt so blessed to be able to see the mountains and use my profession. But honestly, using my profession scared me. I knew I would be the only physical therapist…and, I was fresh out of school. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I really wanted to do this. I had been “antsy” all through school to go somewhere, especially to do therapy…and now I felt so lucky to get to go!

I arrived in Nepal with the warmest welcome from all the missionary staff. They made me feel so at home. I began working without expectations, or so I thought. I expected from all patients’ compliance, eagerness to do anything to get well, and not wanting and expecting “quick fixes.” I was far off from reality. It was frustrating to me at first, but then I realized I was expecting way too much. Why did I expect it to be any different? How could I expect everyone to be a certain way? Just because I was in Nepal? At first I would be frustrated that a handful of patients would appear to be unmotivated in their therapy. But, then I told myself that as a therapist we always seem to have a couple of patients who seem to be listless at home in the States—why am I expecting things to be suddenly different in Nepal? I told myself I shouldn’t focus on that particular issue. As long as I was helping at least one person I knew my time in Nepal would not be useless. I had so many other patients who were extremely happy and grateful that we were taking the time to help them. It was so rewarding to see them get better. That is when I realized that, despite the cultural and language barriers that were difficult to get used to at first, in the end happiness is universal when we can be God’s instruments in helping people all over the world feel better…whether it is right in our own backyard, or in a faraway place. I feel so lucky to be able to share in a patient’s excitement when he or she takes that first step or just walks in feeling much better! A smile is always understood, no matter what language we used. As much as I went there to be contributing to the Nepali people, I took with me many experiences and lessons I learned from them. It is almost selfish because you go to help them, but you walk away with so many lessons learned. You cannot help but grow when you are out of your comfortable element. We have so many things to be thankful for…and this SIMS trip helped reinforce that in me.

[Outlook 2001]

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