Except this time it isn't a voice on a mobile - they've been switched off - I'm on the plane back to England after 2½ years with INF in Nepal, and we plan to go back in October.  So what are the memories?

Mountains of course! - on a clear day from our roof Ursula and I can see 3 of the world's 10 highest peaks (over 8000m).
Churches - the church in Nepal may mostly meet in shacks, but is growing phenomenally.
People - friendly kind people, but many living in real poverty, often forced to migrate abroad to be exploited and underpaid, too often bringing home not just a little money, but also AIDS.
Medical problems - a lady who suffered bleeding for 30 years because operations were not available, or a child with her arms stuck to her sides because her burns were not splinted at the time.  Both had successful operations, the lady at a remote medical camp and the girl at INF's hospital in Pokhara.
Staff - dedicated concerned staff.  Nine of us in a meeting once added up our length of service with INF - it totalled 150 years!  Some staff stay in difficult remote places to help the poor and marginalised living there, often without their family.
Money - costs are low - my sandal strap was repaired for less than 2p - but fund raising is a constant challenge.  It costs £ 250,000 a year to run our 72-bed leprosy and rehabilitation hospital, £17,000 a year to help migrant workers.  Apart from advocacy, counselling, and making them aware of problems such as HIV, last year our team at the border identified and handed over to the police 7 girls being trafficked to India or possibly beyond.

Perhaps the most exciting thing is seeing people empowered:-

• the repeat failure in a displaced people's camp now negotiating with INF on equal terms on behalf of the self-help group we helped his community form,
  
• the family burden, a boy with cerebral palsy sitting at home all day with no access to a toilet.  With a wheel chair he now goes to school and is considering further education,
  
• village leader who catalogues what they have done, and says, "2½ years ago we had no idea about forming a group.  Now we have changed our village and we are united",
  
• the lady with an artificial leg and clawed hands from leprosy living on charity.  She took a £40 loan from her church-affiliated self-help group and now runs a shack shop which supports her and her family.
  

If you wish to know more or would like to support Jos and Ursula and the work of INF do get in contact with them on 702591.