The smile in her eyes

I'm sorry I haven't shared more patient stories lately, but you get so wrapped up in taking care of the same long term patients and forget to share the special moments sometimes. Today I had a really special day (besides the fact that it is my birthday). I want to share the story of one of my favorite girl. Her name is Benjamine, she is thirteen years old. Much like a patient I took care of in Guinea (Tia's story) , she sustained burns to her upper chest and both arms. Because of the burns and not having the medical care she needed Benjamine had contractures (or tight scar tissue) to her neck, elbows and axilla. I remember seeing her on the first day of plastics. It was before her surgery and though she is one of those cases that most people can't bear to see there was a smile in her eyes and an infectious laugh that I just couldn't resist.

Before surgery

 After surgery she was placed on the Plastics ward, and being that I am on the General ward I didn't see her as much. But I do know this, she had a hard time post-operatively. Alot of pain and complications. After weeks of care from the amazing plastics team, she was able to get up, walk and even go outside for the first time. Little by little she was improving.

 

Over the past three months we have begun to see her home out of her shell even more. One of her favorite activities these days is trying to tickle me or hiding behind a door and jumping out to try to scare me. She is also trying to teach me the words of the song Frere Jacques ... in French and her language of Lingala. Though I did learn this song once upon a time, in kindergarten, I have forgotten it and most likely did not pronuciate it correctly. She thinks it is hilarious to hear me murder the French and Lingala.

 

 A few weeks ago I was walking down the stairs from the dining room back to the ward and I heard a little voice. The little voice said my name, I looked down and sitting at the bottom of the stairs was Benjamine. To hear a patient say your name for the first time is one of the sweetest things, especially if they did not talk for a very long time. This evening I sat with Benjamine outside on the deck, just soaking in a little sunshine and fresh air. One of the other nurses whispered something in her ear and then she gave me my very best birthday present. It all started while we were having a thumb war, there just happened to be a videographer near by to capture it! One, two, three, four I declare a thumb war..

Random Acts of Kindness

I'm sure you have all heard of random acts of kindness. Maybe you paid for the car behind you in the drive through or left a big tip at a restaurant. But I've always been on the giving side. Today I've been overwhelmed with the kindness of others. It started with a large amount of extra money being in my bank account that I had no idea was there. You see anonymously over the past months fellow crew members have been putting money in there and never telling me. Yeah, I know some pretty awesome people.
Just now, as I was baking some granola, I came across this website featured on Pinterest .Faith in Humanity Restored. Needless to say my already tenderized heart was sincerely touched. My birthday is tomorrow and I have a favor to ask you. For my birthday will you be kind to someone, buy them a coffee, write them a unexpected note of encouragement or give them a hug. Thanks!!

Whatever.

Today has been an amazing day filled with quiet time at the beach and Godly council from a pair women (who just happen to Georgian) that I really admire. After all of this I really didn't feel like I could sit in the usual Sunday night church service so I decided to go upstairs to the top deck of the ship and just let things marinate in my head for a while.

In a little over two months from now I will be leaving the Africa Mercy and traveling home to Georgia to start over. I have no attachments to anywhere in particular and looking forward to a brand new adventure. Because of this I thought I should maybe pray about the future, quite unexpectedly the first words out of my mouth ... "Lord ... Whatever." Whoa! Wait? What? Whatever!? That's some scary crap right there! Whatever the Lord wants to do with me, that's okay? I had to check myself a little there. Okay, okay I had to check myself a lot. Do you really mean what you say? Because I have a sneaking suspicion it might be a crazy/wild adventure. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry not only because it is totally unknown, but because I know God has a big plan for me. I mean seriously he sent this little country girl all the way to Africa ... Three times!

{Deep breath} Okay, yes, if I want to be a completely abandoned follower of Jesus the answer has to be "Yes " ... whatever/wherever/whenever/whoever. I have absolutely no idea what I am signing up for here, but no one does I guess. Saying yes to Jesus is all or nothing. Completely abandoned to you! You have paved the way. Prepare for lift-off this is going to be a crazy ride! Will this be 100% without confusion, doubts or even possible heartache. No, life never is. Please Lord forgive my misgivings, you know my heart. Where you lead I will follow.

I don't want you to misunderstand this, does it make me an awesome Christian because I'm saying yes to God. Am I looking for applause or praise. No, I'm most definitely not a perfect person or anywhere near it. I'm a terrible sinner who Jesus was gracious enough to die for my sins. You could say yes as well. So I have a one word challenge for your ... Whatever?

Then I heard The Lord asking, "Whom shall I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?" I said, "Here I am. Send me." 

- Isaiah 6:8