Jade and Shelah have been in the States since mid-June and I've had the privilege of "babysitting big boys" as I like to call it. Lino and Angelo have had to stay here this summer instead of going to the States because they have been working on getting their Canadian visas and plane tickets are NOT cheap either. I'll explain the Canada thing later. Anyways, though I've not been staying at their house because it would be improper for a single female to stay on the same compound as 4 guys, I have been over there nearly every single day. My good friend, Francis is staying at the house with the guys, but has his own schedule too, so we've been working together to make sure the guys make good choices this summer without their guardians around. We've spent time swimming, playing basketball, and cooking lots of yummy food, but mostly we've been working. The guys have been working at the Centre of Hope tutoring, teaching, painting, cleaning, and being amazingly helpful. It's kept them on a regular schedule and pretty busy. I'm grateful for that because I don't like babysitting grown-ups! They have done a mostly fantastic job and have shown up for work each day. I'm so impressed with them and thankful for their work.
I'm also incredibly thankful to Jesus for this special time with Lino and Angelo because this fall they are heading off to Canada to finish high school. They were accepted into an international exchange program and just this week finally received their student visas into Canada for a year. This has been a huge prayer requests for months, ever since they were accepted into the program. It's not very easy for Sudanese citizens to gain visas, so I'm praising the Lord for His mighty hand in this situation. Many people were involved and helped in the process to expedite it and I'm sure it was by God's work. I'm thrilled for them to have this opportunity and also to get out of Kampala and away from the negative influences here! They have struggled a bit here and there with making the best choices and their friends here have played a major role in that, so I'm praying that as they leave this environment they'll fall into step with the right people. I'm praying even now that Jesus would bring some awesome, strong, faithful men and friends into their lives to influence them for the Lord. Join me, please.
So, as excited as I am... I'm also INCREDIBLY sad. Selfish, I know. I have a very special bond with Lino, largely because of my time with him last time I was in Uganda, but also due to relationship building this time. The guy is like my little brother and there's no one in Uganda that I would rather spend time with. He has been many things for me from a friend, to a student, to a punching bag like all little brothers are meant to be. We fight (play fight) all the time, but we laugh even more. Lino's favorite thing to talk to me about is music because our tastes are similar... he loves to debate on the best of the best in today's music industry. We've shared many very real and deep conversations about life, about how his heart is, about his life goals, and so much more. The idea of him not being around makes me want to cry right now and I still have another month with him. When I heard the news about the visas coming through on Monday I was of course excited with him, but after I hung up the phone I sat on my bed and cried. Just for a minute though, because then I went over to celebrate with the guys. On top of my relationship with Lino, is my relationship with Angelo. It's very delicate and this summer has been great for us. I know all about his life story, he's told me (like the other guys too) and that's caused a bit of sensitivity. Angelo is incredibly intelligent and a very sweet guy. I've enjoyed our recent conversations and the time we've been able to spend sharing and laughing. He's going to go very far in life if he stays focused and I know he can. I love Lino and Angelo with all my heart and am blessed by them every single day whether they know it or not. Will you pray for them, myself, Jade and Shelah, and everyone else who has been touched by them and will miss them so much? Pray for our hearts as they're so sad, yet so excited and proud. Pray for them as they embark on this awesome journey and adjust to life in the West (and in the frigid Canadian air).
That's enough of that... it's making me too sad. On to happier items! This past weekend was Lino's birthday so we kidnapped him for the day. We went to the house, told him to get ready, blindfolded him, and all piled into my car. We headed to Entebbe to spend the day at the lake. It was a very relaxing, chill afternoon by the water, chatting, laughing, eating, and playing. The weather was perfect thanks to the amazing breeze off the lake. The sun was bright and Lino was happy. After that we went home and cooked him dinner, bought some pop, I made homemade brownies, and we celebrated. It was so nice to get out of the city for just a little bit and spend some quality time together as a family. The next day I took Lino shopping at Owino, a large market in town to get some clothes as his present. At least he chose something warm for Canada... and something that says Chicago on it!
Heading out of town, I bought Lino some mangoes and a coke for the road. :)
Group at the beach
Singing Happy Birthday to the oldest "13 year old" I know
Showing off his new digs
On a totally different subject... a week ago I had "surgery" to get rid of an infection that I've had for over a year. Let me tell you how my day went that day. First you should know that I was just going to get a different antibiotic. I've been taking them on and off for months, but thought I just didn't have the right one. I was told that someone needed to use my car so I hopped on a boda and went to pick up my friend, Abraham, one of the Sudanese guys who said he would come with me. We got to the house, he hopped on the back of the boda and we headed off to IHK (International Hospital of Kampala). Now before I move on I should tell you that I did some research on the internet so obviously I was an expert at knowing how to cure myself. So upon arrival, I signed in, was sent to the cashier to pay before being seen, brought the receipt back to reception, and sat in the waiting area. After just about 10 minutes the doctor called me back. So we went back and I described my symptoms and told him all the different antibiotics that I had tried. I then suggested that something more than medicine was needed because that's what the websites said... and the web is the source of all knowledge. He thought for a minute and then brought us back to an area with a sign above it reading "casualty". This did not give me a good feeling at all, but I followed him to where the bed was a sat down. Abraham followed and I'm SO glad that he did because about 5 minutes later the doctor comes back in rolling a little cart with a bunch of sterile stuff on it. I didn't know what it all was, but I saw lots of needles and surgical tools.
The doctor had a little friend with him to assist him and that's when I knew it was going to hurt. He asked me to lay down and told me he was going to cut open the infection to drain it. So in the already very painful spot he began injecting local anesthetic to numb the area. The injection alone was enough to put me over the top. It hurt so bad!! Shots don't bother me in the least normally, but shots into an infected, painful area, with stuff that burns were horrible! Huge, jumbo tears betrayed me and started streaking down my face as I began to sweat from the pain. The next thing I know the doctor is poking me asking if the area is numb and even though my answer was no, he cut me. Squeezing Abraham's hand with all my strength I kept still so as not to cause any unnecessary cuts. After the cut was made there was a ton of pressure followed by lots more pain. After about 10 minutes though, he was finished and I was bandaged up and still shaking. Abraham wiped my face from the ridiculous mascara everywhere and 5 minutes later we were leaving. I had already called my boda guy and he was outside waiting to take us home. I was so grateful that Abraham came that day because I wasn't stable enough to get on a boda by myself and make it home, but I would have tried. With him there, there was no chance I'd fall even if I passed out or something. About 3 minutes into our drive home my phone was ringing and my friend, Francis was behind us in his car. We pulled over and he drove me the rest of the way home and then took Abraham home. I came home and was very glad that I brought some vicodin with me from the States. I took a vicodin and slept for the rest of the afternoon. That night I woke up at 3am with a high fever, covered in sweat, but I didn't want to eat anything to take another vicodin, so I just took some ibuprofen and laid there. At about 7 I fell back asleep until 10. That next day I was sore and it was hard to move, but was able to lay in bed most of the day. That night I was supposed to go sit with the guys while Francis was gone and they were great. They cooked dinner and we all just laid around and watched movies.
They didn't put stitches in order for the infection to continue to drain, so I've had an open hole for a week now. Unfortunately not all of it has drained and I may have to do it all over again. I'm praying for healing before that has to happen. My "Africa Mom", Beth is a nurse and has been taking care of me. And that's my latest medical adventure. I hope it didn't gross you out too much. Please pray for healing and pray that this is the last illness I encounter this year. I'm very tired of being sick! I just want to be healthy! Thanks friends! Much love to you!!
No comments:
Post a Comment