Bawtry Evangelical Free Church
Owen in Ladakh, India
I arrived by plane in Leh, the main town of Ladakh on the morning of Friday 4th April. The affects of arriving at an altitude of 11,400 feet hit me that evening and I gradually recovered over the day or two. Before I went I had been given the verse “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” I was reminded of this on that Friday night, and looked it up the next morning when it was light. The very next
verse starts “What are you, O great mountain?” It spoke to me of the situation I was in. We were welcomed in Leh in their traditional way by placing a scarf on each of us.
On Monday I travelled to another centre, which is about 2 ½ hours from Leh by road. The whole area is very dry and dusty, but this was at a lower altitude and the apricot blossom was just starting to appear. We also visited some of the villages, including one that is quite remote. We had
On Monday I travelled to another centre, which is about 2 ½ hours from Leh by road. The whole area is very dry and dusty, but this was at a lower altitude and the apricot blossom was just starting to appear. We also visited some of the villages, including one that is quite remote. We had
a translator, so when we wanted to ask anything about the animals or to advise about them it all took time. The biggest problem we encountered was poor nutrition, as the feed available for the animals is limited to what can be grown and is frequently based on little more than straw. Some of the problems were treatable and we supplied medicines and also trimmed hooves. The people we met were all so grateful for what help we were able to give, and often wanted to share
what little they had with us. This was usually tea to drink and sometimes dry bread. I did sample both yak butter tea and the local brew called chang, which was essentially barley wine.
We returned to Leh and on to another village where once again we were welcomed in the traditional manner. We spent three nights in tents pitched on the roof of one of the houses. The last morning there, we woke to about 3 inches of snow, which apparently is quite rare at that time of the year.
We returned to Leh and on to another village where once again we were welcomed in the traditional manner. We spent three nights in tents pitched on the roof of one of the houses. The last morning there, we woke to about 3 inches of snow, which apparently is quite rare at that time of the year.
