With 36 hours before leavin' on a jet plane, I'm feeling prepared and excited. Volunteering for Mindful Medicine Worldwide requires a pre-trip "Mindfulness Retreat", which I completed yesterday. I stayed in the very hermitage at the Portiuncula Retreat Center that I retreated to six years ago after quitting the music business not knowing what was to come next. My routine involved Qi Gong, meditation, journaling, reading, mindful deep breathing walks through the woods, walking a labyrinth with a mantra, Spiritual Direction with Father Terry and kneeling to pray in a tiny 200 year-old chapel.
On day two of my retreat I awoke to find that my flight to Nepal (48 hours away) had been canceled. I'm convinced that the aforementioned routine had prepared me to roll with it, not worry, and deal with it when I completed the retreat. Sure enough, I was able to rebook a flight with a shorter layover time, earlier arrival time and no connection in Hong Kong (less exposure to coronavirus). I came away knowing that these practices will be an essential part of daily self-care while participating in other's healing process in the clinic.
Concerning my upcoming clinical work, I was very stoked to learn last week that the clinic will provide a translator for me who has received two years of acupuncture training. This will be a tremendous resource in communications, efficiency, and quality of care. A substantial blessing.
Also a blessing - you. Thank you for your continued encouragement, enthusiasm, prayers, support and generous contributions.
We are still receiving contributions to help cover costs of immunizations, passport fees and meals for the family while in KTM. Because the new health minister in Chanauta (where Mindful Medicine Worldwide's clinic is located) is not allowing foreign medical volunteers, MMW is building a new relationship with a clinic in Kathmandu (I will be the first acupuncturist/MMW volunteer to work there). Because MMW does not yet have resources for free lodging and meals in Kathmandu, our expenses are higher. If you have been meaning to contribute but haven't yet, you still have time :) Donations can be made via PayPal, Venmo or online at http://mindfulmedicine.mydagsite.com/
See you in April. Until then I'll post updates on this blog. Peace out!
So excited for you Derek, safe travels! :) - Steve Niketopoulos
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