Longing for Home

Wednesday, September 25

I find that at times I dream about being home.  Specifically, in the early morning with a steamy cup of coffee in my air conditioned breakfast room, curled up on my settee with my fuzzy grey blanket and Wayne sitting across from me anxiously awaiting my thoughts about how to spend our day together.  Then I feel a little guilty and scold myself for not being content and fufilled in the moment. But, I know what home is. The abscence of so many uncomfortable things here and the presence of so many things that are safe and secure and pleasurable. Why would I not want for that?

Even more so, are our natural longings for heaven.  We are all too familiar with the tragedies, illnesses, and sorrows that this temporary place has for us.  How wonderful to know that we have an eternal home with pleasures and rest that we can look forward to. In the midst of all the sadness it is my hope.  Additionally, how blessed am I to have an earthly home I am excited to return to? So many people will never experience that.

These were my thoughts during the chapel service today.  The chaplain spoke to us of the goodness of the creation of God and the brokenness that Satan introduced.  He talked of the devil’s delight in our suffering and the sadness that it brings God. It was a strong reminder to hurting people here that their God is for them and wants to sustain and comfort them.  There was a memorial for the 5 children killed in the accident at Ebenezer School today. The chaplains offered counseling for the parents after the service. The school has delayed opening back this week primarily because the kids that can’t walk are refusing to ride on the minibus.  I can’t even imagine the memories they have.  

It was crazy that as we left chapel we were greeted with the wails of two mothers who’s children had died.  One came in early with cerebral malaria this morning and died soon after arrival and one newborn had not made it.  There sometimes does not seem to be an end to the suffering.  

Pediatric clinic was packed today.  Catherine and I saw kids continuously for 4 straight hours without a pause.  Stephano returned and his blood sugars looked great! I made him take a picture with his record and told his he got a 100% on his assignment.  

Lunch was fast and short today.  In addition, the Swiss nursing group turned every appliance on at the same time and blew the fuse such that we had no electricity for several hours.  

The afternoon was busy.  There were many questions for me.  One patient from the morning clinic, still had lab and X-ray needing to be reviewed.  As I finished with her, we had a new admission that was actively seizing. Her lab and spinal fluid had no clear answers for us.  We seem to have a lot of these cases. We gave medications and oxygen and fluid support and she was awake before we left for the day.  There were many other admissions a few with malaria. One has a very unusual story of normalcy through age 5 and now regression of skills and strength.  Her health passport is full of diagnoses from cerebral palsy to ADHD. I have more concerns about a brain tumor.  

The day overall went quickly which is nice.  The Jacaranda trees here are stunning. They only bloom for a few weeks.  They rain down bright purple petals. The cleaning staff sweep the blooms up constantly.  As you walk underneath you feel like you are in a fairlytale with blooms swirling around. I wish I could capture it by picture or video and do it justice.

The evening was spent hugging babies, toasting tortillas in prep for nachos tomorrow, and with Deonna working on her alphabet.  Note that after a long time of effort the “Z” is missing. It was a dramatic and frustrating end for this princess!

Two other bright spots of the day.  First, Dennisse, a translator and medical student from Honduras, has been talking with me online for a year and a half.  We have talked medicine and faith. Today, we had a great discussion about Catholicism and the differences in what they believe and Protestants.  It was a great discussion and I feel honored that she is okay to be vulnerable as she is working on exactly what she believes. Secondly, I had another opportunity to speak frankly with the Dutch students about what was discussed in chapel.  We talked through angels, the Devil, free will, and the gift of salvation. Opportunities that unfolded with prep for nachos. God is just amazing-He works in Africa through an American to the Dutch using Mexican food! AWESOME!