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.
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