Three weeks without internet is too long. So much to catch up on.
We have our visas!!! We have been in the hospital for 2 weeks now and have seen almost 35 babies delivered. WOW! This last week I was in Antenatal and Postnatal wings of the hospital. It was a great intro to how things work in the African hospital setting. Chaos.
While I was in Postnatal on Tuesday, a baby suffering from a very high fever and infection wasn't responding. My friend Celia found him wrapped up and pushed to the side away from the mother. We quickly rushed him to Resuscitation and began working on him. We finally got him to breathe, but he still needed help with O2. About 30 minutes later he began to be unresponsive again. We prayed and prayed and prayed for his little body. Resuscitated him again and prayed some more. He started to make small improvements but by that time it was time for the team to leave for the day. Celia and I continued to pray over him until we were the last to leave. Tearfully we departed and hoped with all hope that there would be a miracle and we would see little Samuel again the next morning. Celia and I later reflected and wondered how it is possible for one's heart to become so attached to a little one. How is it possible to love someone you don't even know with all of your heart? Baby Samuel, I learned the next day went to be with his Daddy. I kind of knew that as soon as we pulled into the base on late Tuesday afternoon. I went to bed broken-hearted. Saying goodbye was the hardest part of that day.
This coming week I will be in the Labor ward. I am excited mixed with a little bit of fear. Please pray for me as I enter the "war zone" as many on my team have referred to it.
I lost my wallet. Please pray that it shows up and that I find it soon.
I am becoming attached to this place. I think that a large part of my heart will forever remain in Africa. Pieces of it with each person that I meet here. Already I have been feeling as if my life is no longer the same. Forever changed. By this land, by the people, my life is forever changed. The thought of coming home now scares me and I try to run away from the thought altogether. I don't want to come home. Africa in a way has become my new home.
