The Power of Language

Today was a great a day!! The weather was warm and sunny. It's actually coolish, like in the 80's with a slight breeze and NO humidity! I think I could live here forever haha!! ;)

This morning I started my day at 7:15am with breakfast and then Devos at 7:45. Today the warthog was awarded to Denise! :) We concluded and the first group left at 8am, going to the clinic to get it started and then our group, left around 9am. We headed out to "The Junction" (equivalent to a Wal-Mart) to buy a few more supplies for the village, a few plastic chairs and a pitcher. Apparently, we go to the Junction a lot... Hehe! We got done there and headed to the village.

Once we arrived, there was a little bit of a line outside of the clinic, where the people were waiting to be seen by Nathan. We go in and set our stuff down and then head over to the school. It was the students first day. :) and have I mentioned how much the kids LOVE pictures... Well a lot! Hehe. I brought my camera to the school and I literally got attacked by kids! As soon as I took one, they were following me around the school. It was interesting.. Haha! Me and a couple other members of the team were waiting on books to get to the school so we could catalog them and put time cards in them. I was trying to get to the door, while there was a mass of kids blocking my path. It was crazy! I scrambled to the door and finally got it open and hurried to slam the door shut! Sounds kinda mean, but there were literally hundreds of them, pushing on the door. I finally made it in and then had to stand against the door in order to keep them from getting in so we could do our work. haha! It was great! After a little while of writing book titles and authors, Brenda called Ellen to ask if someone could help at the clinic. I volunteered and headed back to the clinic! :)

When I got there, my job was to sit at a desk and as people their name, age and what was wrong and write it all down on an index card for the Doctor (Nathan) to read and have an idea of what questions to ask. The basic system was that each person waiting got an index card with a number on it and when their number was called, they would come to me and tell me what pain/problems they where having. I took their number and gave them the index card for them to give to the doctor when it was their turn.
       -This was probably my favorite thing to do because I had a translator with me named David, since most people couldnt speak English. While we were waiting for patients to come, we would talk about school and he would teach me some words in "Kikuyu" (their native tongue) and we would laugh at how BADLY I would pronounce things sometimes.. hehe! I'll have to tell you some words that I learned when I get back. I also talked with a friend of his named Simon. :) They were both really sweet guys and fun to talk with. :) And dont freak out.. Im not going to be bringing back an African boyfriend or anything! haha! They are naturally/culturally very social and intimate people. :)
After the patient would get done with the doctor, they would go outside and around to another window on the building to have their prescription filled. They also had a translator, his name was Lazarus. I got to talk with him too! It was great. Something else I noticed was while the people were telling me of their problems, they still had joy and a smile when the came to the table. :D It was very encouraging and made me not want to complain about ANYTHING.

We saw about 50 people in the clinic today and then packed up to go back to dinner at the guest house. As I was leaving I talked with some of the young men who were outside hanging out. We talked about the language as they laughed at the way I would say it and we all took pictures together. I even let them take a few! They were fascinated. :) (FUN FACT: Whenever someone is trying to say that you look nice or good, they say: "You look very smart.") So they were all complimenting themselves and me as they looked through the pictures. hehe. :) We left the village probably around 4-4:30pm and arrived back at around 5:30-6pm. There was a lot of traffic. :O hehe.

I washed up and read a little before going to dinner at 6:30pm. We had our final meeting, where we talked about our day and then concluded that we were going to watch a little bit of "Tim Hawkins Comedy Show" that Ellen had received as one of her bday gifts. :) (Her friends came up with this idea to give her a present/card everyday until her bday in honor of her turning 50.. or maybe its 50 presents..  Anyway, that DVD was part of yesterdays gift!) It was a lot of fun to watch and laugh! He's a great comedian. :)

Tomorrow, everyone is leaving for the village at 8am and devo is at 7:45am. We will be doing our last day at the clinic and doing some home visits. We may also, put on a movie for the kids in school. Not 100% sure yet, but everyday is an adventure and I cant wait to see what all God has in store for us while we are here. :)

OH! I forgot to mention that while we were on or way back to the guest house, there was a women laying on the side of the road looking like she was having seizures. One of the natives were with us and said that she was an epileptic that has run out of her medicine. We stopped the van and debated what to do. Whether to take her to the hospital or give her something to drink... We didnt have any epileptic medicine with us and water could end up choking her. We deliberated a long time when we finally saw her get up and start to walk again. We decided that we were going to move on but pick up some medicine for her and have her come to the clinic tomorrow to pick it up. It was cool to see how willing and open the group was to help anyone in need, no matter the risk. I kinda wish it would be like that more in the US...

Anyway, that's about all for today. Busy day tomorrow and I cant wait to tell you all about it. :) Please continue to pray for me as well as the team and the people we come in contact with. That God's love is shown through us! :) Thank you everyone and talk to you soon. :)