January 27, 2011-Our Final Evening Prayers and Bedtime

Tonight I was surprised by Fatmata.  She didn't seek me out at evening prayers.  She sat with Uncle Kelvin.  I was very saddened by this but understood that she was separating from me to make our goodbye easier.  I just wasn't prepared for the reaction.  She'd been by my side all week!

Shariff was already in bed asleep, and that left Umaru! :)  He wanted me to hold him, love him, and kiss on him!  I was happy to do so.  It was amazing to have some one-on-one time with him and give him the affection that he needed.  I loved every second of it.

After prayer, I took Umaru to his room, and walked Fatmata to hers.  I stopped on the way to talk with her.  I explained how much I loved her and that I loved her smile.  I asked her to greet me at the farewell ceremony with her big smile that she had on our arrival day.  She promised, we hugged, and I tucked her in.

...and we had a wonderful goodbye!  Although there were tears, I got to see that beautiful smile again!

January 26, 2011-The Children's Hospital

If a trip in Freetown could cause me anxiety, this would've been the day!  The city has no traffic regulations and traffic sits at a stand still for huge blocks of time!We loaded into podas to travel to East Freetown.  The trip took at least an hour or two.  We sat in hot, dusty traffic.  Motorcycles zoom up the middle at all times.  Instead of stopping or yielding at intersections, they speed up and honk as they enter the intersection.  I;m amazed at how God answered my prayers about travel and anxiety on this trip.  Not once have I experienced an issue with it!  From Nashville to Africa and all over Freetown, God comforted and took away my fears so that I could do his work.

The children's hospital was very tough tough to see today, but because of my emotional evening last night, I felt so numb to the shock factor.  Maybe I had prepared myself.  I really wanted to love these women and children while I was there and nnot let emotions get in the way.  Kay Warren's book helped prepare me for this.  She talks about just "being present."  It didn't matter if they spoke English.  I was there to pray with them, ooh and aah over their children, and bring them bread and water.  I couldn't believe how God had placed words of prayer in me.  I don't like to pray out loud, but it was easy to lay a hand on these children and hold hands with these mothers and pray for them.  I usually prayed,

"God, please be with this child and mother.  I pray that you'll ease this child's pain and your will be done.  Please give this mother the strength and patience she needs to be with her child.  Amen."

Patrick--He was a 10 month old.  Although he wasn't thin and boney, he had no strength.  He laid lifeless on his bed.  I sat with him and tried to give his mother a break.  As I leaned over, I noticed him reaching for my necklace.  He couldn't lift his head, but he wanted to play with my necklace, and touch my face and hands.  The entire time, though, his mouth continually moved in the way a hungry baby's does.  I picked him up, held him, made silly faces at him, and made him laugh! :)  He only had so much energy for laughing, though.  When it was time for him to eat, he wouldn't.  He fussed and cried.  Is it possible to be so hungry and malnurished that you can't eat?  I think many of the babies felt this way.  How many would survive?  Would any leave the hospital alive?  What will happen to Patrick?