Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Bryant Cole ~ our angel baby
It has been one month and one week since my nephew's birthday. Bryant Cole Brown -
I remember the day I found out my sister was expecting, I was at work and called to the front saying I had flowers! I never get flowers, so I figured they had the wrong person. I walked up to see a beautiful bouquet and a card with my name on it. As I opened it I had to catch my breath and keep from screaming with excitement, I was going to be an AUNT!! I always knew this day would come but it definitely took me by surprise. My heart was overwhelmed and in a few short weeks Molly and Brad announced to everyone they were pregnant. The first few months went by slow waiting to find out the sex. So many people would ask me what I wanted the baby to be and my response was always, I don't care as long as its healthy! The month of March we found out we would be have a BOY in the family, Bryant Cole was going to be my nephew and with each sonogram I went to and picture I saw my heart grew more and more full of love for him.
Through the months of summer I got to watch as my little sister became a mother. She changed, She matured and her heart grew so in love with her baby boy. We had showers, TONS of clothes!
My mom got a little red wagon, because every little boy needs one of those. We were all ready to meet Bryant, hold him and watch him grow and play. Molly had a perfect pregnancy, each appointment was good news and the dr. even told her she was a prime patient as far as everything going right on schedule. We watched as our little boy grew fast, each time I saw Molly her tummy was bigger and her little body swollen to its max from carrying her baby. a week before her due date everyone was awaiting the call, the one where we would all rush to the hospital and celebrate a new life.
On Thursday, September fourth Molly had a dr appointment scheduled for 1:30. She came by my work that day and as she walked through the clinic everyone smiled and congratulated her. She was beaming, as any soon to be mother would. we went to get lunch and as we drove talked about how soon the due date was. I asked her if he had been active that day and she said no, she noted he had been very still and that was normal for it being so close to his due date. I felt her tummy and she left shortly after lunch for her appointment. I told her to text and let me know how much he weighed because me and mom had a bet going on how big he would be. one thirty came and went and the hours past. I remember looking down to see it was three oclock and I still hadn't heard from my sister. I text her a few times. "how did it go" . "have you left yet". "hello?" ... I finally got a response that read "are you busy?" my heart raced as I knew something was wrong.. I remember telling a co worker I was scared because it was unlike molly to take so long to reply and that it had been hours of not hearing anything. a few minutes later a call came that Brad was at the front desk wanting to see me. I started shaking, I knew there was bad news because he had not been with Molly to go to her appointment. I ran to the front and as brad led me out the doors he quietly said - we lost the baby Meghan.
My heart dropped. I felt like passing out and I remember grabbing my head and saying NO. I ran to brads truck and flew open the door to see my little sister holding her big belly in sobs. She looked at me with broken eyes and said " He's our angel now" I grabbed her tummy and asked questions that there was no answer to. I sat in the truck holding my sister and crying. She explained the dr could not find a heartbeat and after several tries and a sonogram they gave her the news he was gone. She had been alone, she had to sit and wait and morn her lost child until Brad got there. After time I walked back into the clinic, people staring and wanting to know what happened. I was numb, I could care less what I looked like or who saw the tears streaming down my face. I left work and headed to Van, a long 30 minute drive. I thought, I prayed, I yelled. I was angry with God. How could this happen? Why so close to his due date? Why MY SISTER?
That evening around 7 pm Molly and Brad checked into labor and delivery, however this experience would be much different that the other parents in the rooms close by. I remember walking down the hall and seeing the little leaf with a tear drop on the door and wishing I could wake up from this terrible nightmare. That evening was hard, My family was waiting on my dad to arrive, he works out of town and had to drive 8 hours to get here. After the nurses got Molly settled and gave her medication to help her sleep mom and I came to my apartment to rest. I laid on my couch, sleepless. I couldn't stop thinking of my sister and brother in law sitting in the hospital room knowing soon they would have to see their baby boy, lifeless. I stayed on the phone most of the night with dad making sure he made it safe. He arrived at the hospital around midnight and never left. Me and mom went back around 5am and we all took turns giving hugs, sitting in silence and crying.
After a long morning of labor with no Epidural my sister gave birth at 11:45am to a perfect peaceful baby weighing 7 pound 2 ounces. I got the opportunity to stay in the room during the birth. Molly had looked me in the eye and said, you can stay in here if you promise not to cry. She said if I cried she would cry and she needed to be calm and focus on the delivery. I kept my promise, and did by far the hardest thing in my entire life by watching my tiny nephew come into the world in silence.
The dr had announced he was delivered and we heard nothing. No cry, only soft tears coming from the parents who's hearts were in pieces. I watched as they brought Bryant into the room all dressed up wrapped in a soft blanket. The moment my sister laid eyes on him is a moment I will never forget.
Brad broke into tears while Molly sat there smiling repeating the words " wow, wow he is so beautiful" tears rolled down her checks but almost as if they were tears of joy from seeing her perfect child she had carried for nine months. She held him in her arms and whispered how much she loved him. After a while she handed him off to Brad and i have never seen that man look so in love than i did in that moment. His eyes never left his sons face as he sat there rocking him back and forth as if no one else was in the room but them.
The rest of the afternoon was spent taking pictures for memories, having visitors come in for those who wanted to see him. many tears were shed, but there were also smiles, because as Molly said " how can you not smile when you see something so perfect"
Late afternoon we all took turns saying our goodbyes and giving the parents time with their baby boy, and then he was gone. Words can not express having to watch a couple who have waited, prayed for, expected a baby leave the hospital empty handed.
Walking behind as my sister was rolled down the hall to the elevator the next morning, i just kept praying she wasn't looking into the passing rooms with all the baby monitors, balloons and smiling new parents. It hurt, i wanted to take the pain away for her and there was nothing i could do or say to make anything better or hurt any less.
A week later there was a small burial with close family and friends a song was played and a verse read that Bryant's daddy picked out himself. No parent should have to bury their child, no parent should have to stand in a line as so many people hug their neck saying how sorry they are.
Of course the hugs and the words are kind, but nothing takes away the hurt. Nothing simmers the pain they now have in their hearts.
We go on.. each day is its own struggle. We move on with no little boy, with no happy laughs of silly stories or cute pictures. We watch as others around have children and get pregnant and knowing how hard it is for me, i cant even begin to think how hard it is for Molly and Brad. I watch as each day they grow together, stronger and more accepting of God's plan and that He holds their baby boy in his arms each day.
People ask how we are, how molly and brad are doing.. Not good. It wont get better in a day, in months or years. This will be something that is with them and all of us forever. It wasn't just a loss of a baby. We lost part of our family, a person we had named and imagined a life with, someone we had prepared for and prayed for constantly.
As the days go on we take comfort in knowing we aren't the only family who has suffered a loss, whether it be a baby, a parent, a sibling, loss is something that breaks you. But we also can take comfort that we wont be broken forever because we serve a God who has a purpose, and an eternity waiting for those who love and trust in him.
As i have told my sister, i believe God has a purpose in all of this. Even though sometimes we don't want there to be a purpose, we want there to be a baby to hold and snuggle with. But i believe God needed an angel, and just as he chose Mary to carry baby Jesus, He had to choose someone who would be the perfect mother to an angel during his time on earth. He needed someone who would be strong in her faith and understand that when this baby left us, He would be safe in the arms of God and watching down.
We LOVE you Bryant Cole Brown,
always and forever- Your aunt Mina
I remember the day I found out my sister was expecting, I was at work and called to the front saying I had flowers! I never get flowers, so I figured they had the wrong person. I walked up to see a beautiful bouquet and a card with my name on it. As I opened it I had to catch my breath and keep from screaming with excitement, I was going to be an AUNT!! I always knew this day would come but it definitely took me by surprise. My heart was overwhelmed and in a few short weeks Molly and Brad announced to everyone they were pregnant. The first few months went by slow waiting to find out the sex. So many people would ask me what I wanted the baby to be and my response was always, I don't care as long as its healthy! The month of March we found out we would be have a BOY in the family, Bryant Cole was going to be my nephew and with each sonogram I went to and picture I saw my heart grew more and more full of love for him.
Through the months of summer I got to watch as my little sister became a mother. She changed, She matured and her heart grew so in love with her baby boy. We had showers, TONS of clothes!
My mom got a little red wagon, because every little boy needs one of those. We were all ready to meet Bryant, hold him and watch him grow and play. Molly had a perfect pregnancy, each appointment was good news and the dr. even told her she was a prime patient as far as everything going right on schedule. We watched as our little boy grew fast, each time I saw Molly her tummy was bigger and her little body swollen to its max from carrying her baby. a week before her due date everyone was awaiting the call, the one where we would all rush to the hospital and celebrate a new life.
On Thursday, September fourth Molly had a dr appointment scheduled for 1:30. She came by my work that day and as she walked through the clinic everyone smiled and congratulated her. She was beaming, as any soon to be mother would. we went to get lunch and as we drove talked about how soon the due date was. I asked her if he had been active that day and she said no, she noted he had been very still and that was normal for it being so close to his due date. I felt her tummy and she left shortly after lunch for her appointment. I told her to text and let me know how much he weighed because me and mom had a bet going on how big he would be. one thirty came and went and the hours past. I remember looking down to see it was three oclock and I still hadn't heard from my sister. I text her a few times. "how did it go" . "have you left yet". "hello?" ... I finally got a response that read "are you busy?" my heart raced as I knew something was wrong.. I remember telling a co worker I was scared because it was unlike molly to take so long to reply and that it had been hours of not hearing anything. a few minutes later a call came that Brad was at the front desk wanting to see me. I started shaking, I knew there was bad news because he had not been with Molly to go to her appointment. I ran to the front and as brad led me out the doors he quietly said - we lost the baby Meghan.
My heart dropped. I felt like passing out and I remember grabbing my head and saying NO. I ran to brads truck and flew open the door to see my little sister holding her big belly in sobs. She looked at me with broken eyes and said " He's our angel now" I grabbed her tummy and asked questions that there was no answer to. I sat in the truck holding my sister and crying. She explained the dr could not find a heartbeat and after several tries and a sonogram they gave her the news he was gone. She had been alone, she had to sit and wait and morn her lost child until Brad got there. After time I walked back into the clinic, people staring and wanting to know what happened. I was numb, I could care less what I looked like or who saw the tears streaming down my face. I left work and headed to Van, a long 30 minute drive. I thought, I prayed, I yelled. I was angry with God. How could this happen? Why so close to his due date? Why MY SISTER?
That evening around 7 pm Molly and Brad checked into labor and delivery, however this experience would be much different that the other parents in the rooms close by. I remember walking down the hall and seeing the little leaf with a tear drop on the door and wishing I could wake up from this terrible nightmare. That evening was hard, My family was waiting on my dad to arrive, he works out of town and had to drive 8 hours to get here. After the nurses got Molly settled and gave her medication to help her sleep mom and I came to my apartment to rest. I laid on my couch, sleepless. I couldn't stop thinking of my sister and brother in law sitting in the hospital room knowing soon they would have to see their baby boy, lifeless. I stayed on the phone most of the night with dad making sure he made it safe. He arrived at the hospital around midnight and never left. Me and mom went back around 5am and we all took turns giving hugs, sitting in silence and crying.
After a long morning of labor with no Epidural my sister gave birth at 11:45am to a perfect peaceful baby weighing 7 pound 2 ounces. I got the opportunity to stay in the room during the birth. Molly had looked me in the eye and said, you can stay in here if you promise not to cry. She said if I cried she would cry and she needed to be calm and focus on the delivery. I kept my promise, and did by far the hardest thing in my entire life by watching my tiny nephew come into the world in silence.
The dr had announced he was delivered and we heard nothing. No cry, only soft tears coming from the parents who's hearts were in pieces. I watched as they brought Bryant into the room all dressed up wrapped in a soft blanket. The moment my sister laid eyes on him is a moment I will never forget.
Brad broke into tears while Molly sat there smiling repeating the words " wow, wow he is so beautiful" tears rolled down her checks but almost as if they were tears of joy from seeing her perfect child she had carried for nine months. She held him in her arms and whispered how much she loved him. After a while she handed him off to Brad and i have never seen that man look so in love than i did in that moment. His eyes never left his sons face as he sat there rocking him back and forth as if no one else was in the room but them.
The rest of the afternoon was spent taking pictures for memories, having visitors come in for those who wanted to see him. many tears were shed, but there were also smiles, because as Molly said " how can you not smile when you see something so perfect"
Late afternoon we all took turns saying our goodbyes and giving the parents time with their baby boy, and then he was gone. Words can not express having to watch a couple who have waited, prayed for, expected a baby leave the hospital empty handed.
Walking behind as my sister was rolled down the hall to the elevator the next morning, i just kept praying she wasn't looking into the passing rooms with all the baby monitors, balloons and smiling new parents. It hurt, i wanted to take the pain away for her and there was nothing i could do or say to make anything better or hurt any less.
A week later there was a small burial with close family and friends a song was played and a verse read that Bryant's daddy picked out himself. No parent should have to bury their child, no parent should have to stand in a line as so many people hug their neck saying how sorry they are.
Of course the hugs and the words are kind, but nothing takes away the hurt. Nothing simmers the pain they now have in their hearts.
We go on.. each day is its own struggle. We move on with no little boy, with no happy laughs of silly stories or cute pictures. We watch as others around have children and get pregnant and knowing how hard it is for me, i cant even begin to think how hard it is for Molly and Brad. I watch as each day they grow together, stronger and more accepting of God's plan and that He holds their baby boy in his arms each day.
People ask how we are, how molly and brad are doing.. Not good. It wont get better in a day, in months or years. This will be something that is with them and all of us forever. It wasn't just a loss of a baby. We lost part of our family, a person we had named and imagined a life with, someone we had prepared for and prayed for constantly.
As the days go on we take comfort in knowing we aren't the only family who has suffered a loss, whether it be a baby, a parent, a sibling, loss is something that breaks you. But we also can take comfort that we wont be broken forever because we serve a God who has a purpose, and an eternity waiting for those who love and trust in him.
As i have told my sister, i believe God has a purpose in all of this. Even though sometimes we don't want there to be a purpose, we want there to be a baby to hold and snuggle with. But i believe God needed an angel, and just as he chose Mary to carry baby Jesus, He had to choose someone who would be the perfect mother to an angel during his time on earth. He needed someone who would be strong in her faith and understand that when this baby left us, He would be safe in the arms of God and watching down.
We LOVE you Bryant Cole Brown,
always and forever- Your aunt Mina
Monday, December 30, 2013
My 25 BEFORE I AM 25!!
well, this next year marks a mid life crisis. I will be 25 years old in exactly 6 months. Time to start planning a great trip and making my list "25 before im 25".
I know im not old by any means, but you know that day when you wake up and it hits you. how old you are and how fast time has flown by you. how quickly the years pass and all the things you've accomplished.. and the things you haven't. So here is to all the things I have yet to accomplish in this short life of mine. well, 25 things to be exact!
1. zip lining
2. hot air balloon ride
3. go deep sea fishing
4. paint more often
5. accomplish school and apply for nursing
6. dance in the rain
7. move out on my own
8. go on a cruise
9. visit a state I've never been to
10. save $2,000.00 in my money jar
11. exercise at least 3 times a week
12. blog more often ;)
13. join a church, and go regularly
14. plan a trip to a country I haven't been to
15. work on building my credit
16. get a fish (since I cant keep anything else alive for long)
17. grow my nails out
18. get my CHL
19. skinny dip
20. try a new restaurant
21. buy a homeless person a meal
22. make more friends
23. get a new car ( aka used car with good gas)
24. commit to something for an entire 12 months
25. pray more often
Well, that about does it. I will see in six months what all I actually accomplish from this list. But as of now I can honestly say being 24 has been the hardest year of my life by far. So cheers to a New year coming up and to 25 treating me better!
well, this next year marks a mid life crisis. I will be 25 years old in exactly 6 months. Time to start planning a great trip and making my list "25 before im 25".
I know im not old by any means, but you know that day when you wake up and it hits you. how old you are and how fast time has flown by you. how quickly the years pass and all the things you've accomplished.. and the things you haven't. So here is to all the things I have yet to accomplish in this short life of mine. well, 25 things to be exact!
1. zip lining
2. hot air balloon ride
3. go deep sea fishing
4. paint more often
5. accomplish school and apply for nursing
6. dance in the rain
7. move out on my own
8. go on a cruise
9. visit a state I've never been to
10. save $2,000.00 in my money jar
11. exercise at least 3 times a week
12. blog more often ;)
13. join a church, and go regularly
14. plan a trip to a country I haven't been to
15. work on building my credit
16. get a fish (since I cant keep anything else alive for long)
17. grow my nails out
18. get my CHL
19. skinny dip
20. try a new restaurant
21. buy a homeless person a meal
22. make more friends
23. get a new car ( aka used car with good gas)
24. commit to something for an entire 12 months
25. pray more often
Well, that about does it. I will see in six months what all I actually accomplish from this list. But as of now I can honestly say being 24 has been the hardest year of my life by far. So cheers to a New year coming up and to 25 treating me better!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
i shall pass through this world but once
''I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do,
or any kindness that i can show to peoplelet me do it now. Let me not differ nor neglect it.
For i shall not pass this way again.''
^This is a quote i found written in an old 2009 journal of mine. I love it so much i had to write it down again!
It is now 2013!! The holidays went by quickly it seemed and this new year has been a bit of a flash so far. a quick update on the year..,
I currently have a new Job which i took around the beginning of the year, which at the time i thought was a great idea. I am a Medical Assistant.. aka (nurse for a Dr at an internal Medicine clinic) Its quite a job, keeps me busy. I love the people i work for and getting to meet elderly people who always put a smile on my face. Knowing that i take part in helping people stay healthy at one of the largest Dr offices in town, its a huge accomplishment. However, its a lot of the same routine every day and sitting at a desk in a dark office for ten hours a day.
I am faced with the same delima as last year. I recently have the opportunity to return to Zambia for six months out of the year.. Yes i know i do this every year.
But i am such a believer in taking chances, opportunities, and if your not happy somewhere to get out and find where God is leading you. Don't spend your life somewhere just to please everyone else, or just because its the Normal thing to do.
I was struggling with this when i came across a chapter in my favorite book "Kisses from Katie" it read this :
" I believe God is in control, yes. But I also believe we have
a choice, to follow God’s callings in our lives, or to stay where we are
comfortable. And even if we remain God will still Love us the same, he will
still bless us and guide us. However, not like I could have if I answer to
God’s callings. I can miss the will
of God. The rich young Ruler certainly did. He didn’t fall dead, as Ananias and
Sapphira did; and maybe he went on to live a great life. But it wasn’t the life
he could have lived had he said yes to what Jesus was asking of him."
By returning to Zambia this year I would be helping the small village i have been a part of for the past two years. SCRUBS medical mission is traveling back and plan to build a water well, a school, and housing in this small village that has nothing. My heart is torn.
In so many ways i want to go and be a part of such a life changing event for the people of Zambia. I want to reunite with friends there and live the Zambian life that i miss so much.
But is it worth leaving what i have here in America.. ?
I have a job that normal 24 year old girls would die for. My parents are building a new pool at their house for this summer. for once i have money to do things and have new clothes and possibly my own house in a few months. If i stayed i would be well off in this normal American life of mine. I would be able to spend my summer by a pool and on the lake with my best friend. I could afford to take a weekend trip somewhere fun.
But there would be a part of me that longed to be in the sands of Africa. There would be a part of me that wanted to see the looks on their faces to see that they now have clean water, to see them be baptized in the water troughs under the trees. To have all those tiny hands pulling at my clothes, and see the children running down the dirt roads.
It seems no matter what i do, or how content i have it here in the states its never good enough. I never feel right about it, and i don't think thats Normal.
SO.. as of right now, i plan on returning to Zambia this June to remain for six months. I hope to purchase my plane ticket next week and send out my support letters as well. After that its kinda a done deal. I feel bad that i've become a "job jumper" I want so badly to stay at this job and become the nurse that stays at one place for years.. but thats not me. Because like the Quote says, " I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN"
So once again, i will be leaving my job, my family, my friends.. to be placed where i feel that God wants me. And it feels so right. I feel so at home there. Im ready.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What now..
I've been home now for 3 weeks. Of course I'm getting back into the routine of things, not too hard to do when you've only been gone a few months. But still, it's different being back.
Or shall I say, I'm different.
I know nothing here has changed, It's all still familiar. But how do I live the "different me" in this old familiar life now.?
Is it my human nature that can never be satisfied, whether here or abroad? When I was at home, I dreamed of going away. When I was away, I dreamed of being home. And now I am back home, and it feels as if I am in a dream, floating along somewhere in between the two worlds I know. Waiting for WHAT'S NEXT !!??
Or shall I say, I'm different.
I know nothing here has changed, It's all still familiar. But how do I live the "different me" in this old familiar life now.?
Is it my human nature that can never be satisfied, whether here or abroad? When I was at home, I dreamed of going away. When I was away, I dreamed of being home. And now I am back home, and it feels as if I am in a dream, floating along somewhere in between the two worlds I know. Waiting for WHAT'S NEXT !!??
2 months is not a long time, but it's long enough for God to change your views on life completely. Before I left on this trip, back in July. I remember feeling so scared and uncertain. I prayed that God would start a new beginning in me through this trip. That he would brake my heart for what breaks His.. And he did!
I have no doubt that God completely broke my heart for the people in Zambia. He opened my eyes to the love and spiritual warfare that is surrounding each of us.
A question I get asked alot since being back is, what is different about being back home.?.. And to be honest, it's not the food, or the language or the fact that I can get in my own car and drive 70 mph down the road.. It's the lack of spiritual awareness.
People here in America don't take the time to notice how much of a spiritual warfare takes place in our own lives and those around us. We stay preoccupied with our busy schedules and things we find so important. We forget to take time to pray, thank God, or even to stop and ask a person how their day is and how we can help others. We are selfish.
Its not completely our fault, its the culture we have all grown up in. But it is hard to explain to people the pure love, emotion and compassion i received/ experienced this past summer. Its something you can put into words all you want, but it cant be fully grasped until someone has seen for themselves.
So now I'm home, and the question everyone wants to know is, Whats Next in my life?.. good question!
My answer to this is, I have no earthly idea!
Though i would love some answers at this moment, i have none. All i know is i am willing to whatever God lays ahead of me.
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (NIV)
Philippians 2:13 “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (NIV)
Its not completely our fault, its the culture we have all grown up in. But it is hard to explain to people the pure love, emotion and compassion i received/ experienced this past summer. Its something you can put into words all you want, but it cant be fully grasped until someone has seen for themselves.
So now I'm home, and the question everyone wants to know is, Whats Next in my life?.. good question!
My answer to this is, I have no earthly idea!
Though i would love some answers at this moment, i have none. All i know is i am willing to whatever God lays ahead of me.
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (NIV)
Philippians 2:13 “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (NIV)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Ive been in Africa for the past two months, there is no way to express how much has changed in my life in these past months.. And there is no way to Thank God enough for blessing me beyond what i could have ever wanted from this trip.
My second week here in Zambia i ran into a friend i knew from the states. No doubt God had that divined meeting planned. Its not everyday you go to a market that happens once a month and meet up with someone you knew from half way around the world. God's works continue to amaze me ~
Through this connection i was able to learn about the organization called Family Legacy, that runns an orphanage here in Zambia called Tree Of Life. http://familylegacy.com
The orphanage as of now holds around 300 kids and is still in the process of growing, building and becoming the vision it has for the future.
For this past month of my stay i have had the privilage of helping where i can for this organization and meeting and loving on the children here. I have been blessed with meeting so many people who work here and have a heart for this place.
Looking back i never expected this is what i would be doing in zambia. Goes to show God has way bigger plans than i do for myself :)
I have one more day here before going home to the states. I dont know what my future holds for coming back here, But im not too worried about it. I am so comforted in the fact that God has provided for me over and above what i could have imagined on this trip, and no doubt that He will continue to care for me and place me in the right directions.
My second week here in Zambia i ran into a friend i knew from the states. No doubt God had that divined meeting planned. Its not everyday you go to a market that happens once a month and meet up with someone you knew from half way around the world. God's works continue to amaze me ~
Through this connection i was able to learn about the organization called Family Legacy, that runns an orphanage here in Zambia called Tree Of Life. http://familylegacy.com
The orphanage as of now holds around 300 kids and is still in the process of growing, building and becoming the vision it has for the future.
For this past month of my stay i have had the privilage of helping where i can for this organization and meeting and loving on the children here. I have been blessed with meeting so many people who work here and have a heart for this place.
Looking back i never expected this is what i would be doing in zambia. Goes to show God has way bigger plans than i do for myself :)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Zambia 2012
God has his ways of blessing you when you are least expecting and teaching you through little things that you dont think matter at the time. I have been shown so much of God's grace and glory in the one month ive been here. The one place that has blessed me most has been a small orphange in Changwe, run by my good friend Jasper and his wife Zion. I had visited this orphanage last year when i came, but only for a short time. This trip we went out for 4 nights, slept in mud hutts, on the ground around a campfire.. it was an amazing experience. Two of those days were filled with clinic work where people from villages all around came to seek medical attention. Some people had walked for over two hours to be seen.
The first day began at 8 am and ran until after dark. We saw so many people, each with their own story.
There were times during that day, with everything being so busy and a little hectic.. i would stop and realize i was sitting in the middle of a mud hutt surrounded by miles of nothing but tall grass and a few small villages. That the people i was coming in contact with saw me, not only as a stranger who was coming into their lives from some other country, attempting to smile and communicate as best i could .. But they saw me as a hope.
To them i was someone with answers, with knowledge and the equipment they needed to gain health and strength back into their lives.
The medical knowledge i have is not much, But i've learned through this trip and the people i worked with along the way that its Not so much about medical, doctors, or medicine. Yes they help, yes they are needed and much appreciated.
But we cant allow the fact that we came in with meds and a registered nurse become the focus of our time here. There were many people who didnt need medicine, but just to be heard and to relieve to someone what they experience and go through day to day.
The work we did in Changwe was amazing, we saw so many people, met so many needs, and made great relationships.
I have so many stories i could tell, but due to space and not wanting to go on and on i will share only one. The most needed medical attention we saw during our trip was a gentleman brought to us the second morning, carried in the back of a wooden trailer pulled by cattle.
This man (Peter) had a severe burn on his left leg covering from thigh to knee that had happened two weeks prior to us getting there. It was too much to move him so we assisted him by standing around the trailer, heat beating down on everyone. A few people were tending to the burn while the rest of us helped gather water and towels to keep him cool and holding his hand while he cried in pain.
He had been living like this for two weeks and sleeping on a dirt floor unable to move, No way of traveling the distance it would take to get the medical help he needed.
After an hour of treating his wound, praying over his body and helping ease the pain..realizing his wound was more than we could handle we loaded him into the one vehicle we had and assisted him to the nearest hospital where we made sure he was admitted and cared for.
It has been almost 2 weeks since then, and Peter is doing much better now. released from the hospital after 1 week and now back home in recovery.
Praise GOD!
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