All You Need is Love ...

Or so the song says. There is a little boy on my ward that has an un-curable disease. He is doing great and it won't kill him today or tomorrow, but the odds are against him. Simply because he doesn't live in a first world country. Because of this I've found myself giving him extra attention lately. Playing games with him, holding him when he hurts or dancing around to make him laugh. He really likes to simply sit and just spend time with me. For some reason I'm quite popular with little boys, if only I was as popular with boys my own age ;) Throughout my shift as a charge nurse there is bound to be at least one little boy sitting beside me. Sometimes coloring or sometimes playing with a balloon (aka chewing on it, which they know is a no, no).

 As I lay in my bed all I can think about is how excited I am to go spend time with the boys tomorrow at "work". I am blessed to love on kids that maybe don't feel healthy or perhaps even worthy of love. A little expression of love can make all the difference in the world. A smile, a greeting, holding their hand, a hug, a back rub, or just simply sitting together not saying a word can move mountains. I can't even count how many times a patient has simply sat beside me and just put a hand on my shoulder or arm just to know I am right there beside them. Walking with them along their journey. I am so blessed to be a part of that journey, thank you for helping me along the way through prayers and support. Give love abundantly today, you don't have to be in Africa to make a difference!!

Goodbyes Suck!

My time here head been filled with goodbyes and some are harder than others. To spend time with amazing individuals and then to have to say bye for who knows how long. It sucks! Today was a really hard goodbye.
Today (like literally five minutes ago) I said goodbye to the little girl who has stolen my heart this outreach. You may remember Alice from a previous post named What is Beauty? Today she prepares to fly back to Uganda with a new ear and a non-infected eye. All morning I had been looking out the ship window down to the dock where the patients sit under a tent waiting for appointments. Finally after peeking through the window at least ten times, I saw her. Sitting in her blue dress beside her papa. I took a deep breath trying to prepare myself for the goodbye to come. As I made my way down the gangway and across the dock to the tent she saw me. Immediately she ran over and gave me a hug while saying my name over and over. I told her I needed to say goodbye and that I am sad. She told me "Kari, no cry" ... If only it was that easy. She repeatedly lifted my glasses to make sure I wasn't crying. I was able to not cry while I spoke to her about going home and then I prayed for her. Prayers that she would easily transition back to home in her little village in Uganda and that the confidence she found here would never cease to get her through the day. As I said a final goodbye, hugged her so tight and kissed her head I started to tear up. I so wanted to stay right there on the dock and hold her/protect her from the hurts of the world. Will others make fun of her, will she be okay? I have to trust that God is holding her in the palm of His hand and her every step is directed by Him. Goodbye Alice, I love you.