Update from India 80

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Whatever your views on Brexit, leave, stay, vote again I fear a great deal of damage has been done to democracy in the UK.

Before the vote came in favour of leave everyone knew the terms, it was a final vote. We either leave or stay. Many people assumed the vote would be too stay.  The country decided differently.

As I have stated on many occasions until we make our politicians liable for lies they tell us to get votes then we will never have a corrupt and free government.

Every general election it is the same, unfulfilled promises, corruption, vote buying to gain power. Behind the scene deals between parties, it’s got to stop.

Lies were told on both sides, facts distorted, scare stories abounded, benefits exaggerated or denied. How to know the truth? Who to listen to? They all claimed the truth on one hand whilst lying to us on the other about different issues.

So, we as a nation voted as our conscience dictated. Many felt that this referendum would finally put an end to the in/out of Europe debate. I was one. It hasn’t.

In a perfect world both sides should have accepted the result of the referendum and worked to make Brexit an opportunity for the UK, but alas they didn’t.

The remain voters refused to accept the result. The chaos and turmoil in the UK now is a direct result of that decision. (But not their fault).

Such a decision was inevitable given the passions involved and the closeness of the vote. The remain group are just as much victims of circumstance as are the leave group who were bound to enter into this fight to defend the majority (who voted).

The British people desperately need to find common ground, we need to unite to help our country, not stay or leave but to be able to stop this damaging us anymore.

I live in fairyland don’t I, nobody will even try, both sides will fight until the damage is irrevocable, so what to do?  Do we spend years arguing who to blame for our divided society, watch as the UK enters another deep recession? Race wars again on our streets. The bombs and the blood of armed social conflict? Mass unemployment? The danger is real. Look at history. Think.

This has gone on long enough.

The only hope I can see is a snap general election, it’s been done before, clear the deadwood from parliament and re-examine the whole Brexit issue. I voted leave but I can wait until after the general election if it is called.

The big danger is of course the radical left and right. A protest vote against the batch of current MPs might not put them in power but it very well might give then control of a divided parliament.

Will we do it? Will we try to find common ground? Or will we just fiddle while Rome burns.

I posted the piece above on FB. The general comments were sadly predictable, ‘it’s not our fault it’s the fault of those they wish to enrich themselves’. Or ‘it’s all because of the right’ ‘No point in a GE, we would only get another lot who couldn’t decide’’.

No chance of a compromise with people like that. Blinkered by their own short sighted view, death or glory types of which there are plenty on both sides.

There are many people who genuinely voted to leave and are still passionate in the belief it will be best for the UK in the long term, I am one such. I will never agree that the EU is best for the UK, I have stated my reasons many times.

But there is one thing we all agree on, our country is in trouble. If people on both sides can’t pause and look at the damage being done then our society may well become splintered allowing radical left and right wing groups to flourish.

We stand on the very edge of a precipice, if we do nothing then leave or stay UK society as we know it may be lost.

Quick weather update.

It’s what in the UK we would call spring now.

Winter has passed and the temperature is rising again

Day 104degF (40degC)

Night 69degF (21degC)

When we first came to live here we struggled with the night time temperatures, the air con was on just to be able to function!

We now have the air con set at 24degC in the bedroom and find that comfortable. Interesting how the human body adapts isn’t it.

We will no doubt turn it on in the daytime as well soon. Temperatures rise to 48degC (119degF) sometimes as high as 50degC (122degF).

The flower garden is beginning to die from the heat other than in our shaded areas. Watering is out of the question with no shade as it makes little difference. We enjoyed the flowers, and the peace of our garden. It started as a Christmas present for Kris as she had never had a flower garden. It just grew from there (pun intended!). Next winter we will re plant it as this year with annuals so it not dead, just sleeping the summer away

Taking a few moments to enjoy the swing

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Buddha statue in college grounds where we work

Building shade fences from local bamboo.

I keep finding strange beasties in the garden!

Cheeky ladybird

Chris painted this one I think its great

Kris and Geeta are adding painted stones all over the place
The look on Amba's face when she first saw one was priceless!

Amba making our bamboo fence, she's so talented

Proudly showing the first completed section

Project sidecar.

As most of you know Kris has to give up riding pillion because of her hip pain. We knew that this day would come. At first I tried going solo, horrible, where was my Kris?

So plan B was formulated, a side car. It has had to wait for a while as we have had other major expenses that take priority. We ordered it then God put Geeta on our path. Geeta is such a joy neither of us feels anything but blessed by her presence.

By next blog we may have started testing to make sure it is safe and handles well.

Geeta getting involved anything for a photo shoot

Peter and Harsh

Health

Well for me it’s been a strange month health wise.

It started a few months ago with a rash on my lower legs, grass mites was the conclusion of those around us. Treatment, stop walking around on the grass with bare legs and no sandals. Also treat with an anti-septic cream.

At first all seemed well. The rash began to disappear, only to return with a vengeance some weeks later. This time also on my arms and back as well as my legs.

Well off we went to see a skin specialist who diagnosed necrotising vasculitis probably caused by my kidneys starting to fail. Remember 7years ago my kidneys shut down during my tussle with Malaria. This shut down was probably the underlying cause of my problems.

We came home with a recommendation for tests to see how advanced it was and drugs to combat the infection.

We prayed as did our closest friends, at this point I insisted on keeping it private until I knew how bad things might be.

Seven years ago the Lord gave me ‘bonus time’ I truly believe He saved me for a reason. Our work here? Geeta? I have no idea just my faith in Him. So I was in His hands again.

The problem got more interesting when I started on the drugs for the infection, heavy vomiting two to three hours after every dose. No appetite what so ever, this went on for five days. No food other than a little toast and soup when I could keep it down. Kris was applying a cream to the sores twice daily, wow but it stung! Gradually they are getting better but the underlying cause was thought to be kidney related. We of course arranged an appointment with a doctor who treats kidneys (Nephrologist). He immediately set up a whole batch of tests for the following day.

Blood, scans, urine……….fully checks of all internal organs to assess their condition. Remember I suffered multi organ failure with the malaria.

We had a few days to wait for preliminary results.

I started looking into the possible consequences of failing kidneys, it didn’t look too good. At best dialyses or transplant was the eventual conclusion.

I was in many ways content to accept that my time may be ending; I would go to our Saviour Jesus Christ so the fact of dying was not in any way scary.

There was regret and worry for Christine, how would she cope? She is a strong women and her faith is solid so I was sure she would regret my passing but rejoice at my going home to the Lord.

We now told a few friends the possible extent of the problem. All very supportive without the ‘oh poor Chris’ attitude. I really didn’t want to be treated that way.

The preliminary results came and show that there is no discernable damage to my kidneys on the scan, but only the results of all the tests will confirm that but we are hopeful.

It is now 28^th and as I sit writing this I still have no answers. The full results will be available tomorrow, and then we have to see the specialist. What they show, or what our next step is I leave in the hands of our Lord.

We are walking the path He lays out for us in faith that He is and always will be our trusted guide and saviour.

Shepherds pie, Yummy.

College visit for Dallu and Geeta.

Geeta, Dallu, Amba, Kris and Mira with Perim in front

It all stops for lunch

Student's artwork in the college

Local kids waiting for the entertainment to
begin at a college function

Did you ever build a garden tent?

Geeta and her cousin

Comments from Kris

What a month, more hospital visits than I care to remember for both Geeta and Chris. It’s been worrying and tiring but my faith is probably stronger now than ever. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding and he will make your path straight.” Prov 3 verses 5 to 6

I know God is in control and I am so grateful in my faith, which keeps me firmly grounded.

Chris has necrotising vasculitis which is rare and some renal failure for which we are trying to get a definitive diagnosis following sonography and many blood tests that had to be sent to Delhi. I’ve looked at the results myself but it is giving a mixed picture and Nephrology is not my speciality. Chris gets tired very easily really he’s like the bunny with ordinary batteries who runs out whilst the Duracell bunny keeps going. Usually a power nap helps but Chris does not like to sit around doing nothing so he’s having to adjust somewhat to his energy levels. As Chris has said the common opinion is that this is due to his previous multi organ failure when he had malaria and nearly died. So glad he didn’t and we’ll keep him going as long as is possible at least another thirty years or so. (Gets my vote, Chris )

This week more visits to the hospital, Chris to see the Nephrologist, then Dermatologist. Geeta back to see the plastic surgeon this time we are taking an interpreter as Dallu insists she did not decline surgery. She is comfortable with our friend Peter and he will ensure no further misunderstandings. Hopefully a date for her first surgery (skin grafts and or flaps). 

Well Geeta had a birthday on the 31st.

After a lot of working out, cross referencing the dates of festivals five years ago we are fairly confident to announce Geeta was born on March 31^st  2013 making her 6 this year.

She had never had a birthday before so she had a heck of a day. Balloons popping in the heat and so much silly fun.

Cake and her favourite, KFC. Juice and dancing into the night. Friends turned up to wish her happy birthday and gave her presents, she was so happy she didn't know what to do first.

New party frock and Mrs Bee,
another addition to her growing family

Presents from friends

Her first school bag,
she may be starting pre school soon.
From Peter

Super pressy from Sam, a small 'laptop' style toy.
It plays letters, numbers, songs and common
words

Another new dress, Wow

Geeta's first ever birthday cake. It got a bit
damaged on the way home but that didn't seem to matter.
Chocolate, Geeta;s favourite.

WOW!

Peter relaxing taking a short break

Mini Mouse from Harshit.

Rocking the night away with friends.

Geeta just loves to dance

Geeta encouraging mama to join in the dancing

We all know the 'after party' look
A very happy and tired six year old

More Comments from Kris
 As you can see Geeta loved her birthday and all her presents. She remains very happy most of the time. A friend who is a teacher at the nearby school has offered to privately teach Geeta in her preschool classes so she catches up and can gain a place in school. Geeta is quite excited about this but she may be less happy when I leave her there for an hour. She has met Mrs Joseph here at our home so she won’t be a stranger to her.

Geeta and I have been painting stones with little faces, as you can see in the photos. We put them in the garden beds and they just pop out to say hello, its fascinated many visitors and a friend who gave us some stones wants a ladybird, so we will have to paint another one and gift it to her.

I’m having a lot of pain in my hands at the moment and praying for improvement, not sure what is triggering it. I have just embarked on a reflexology course for hands and feet, so will be practising on poor Chris. You never know I may find the right point to minimise my pain. Problem is getting a quiet moment to study. I have invested in some blue tooth headphones which really help.

As you can see the sidecar project is coming along. Obviously Chris can’t physically do a lot friends Peter and Harshit is helping and it’s coming along great, I even get opportunities to help when my hands are not too painful. Geeta insists the sidecar is for her and me, should be interesting getting out without her hee hee. I am getting very excited to get my first ride soon maybe by the end of the month who knows.

Well that’s all from Chris and Kris in India and boy is it getting hotter

God Bless