Not Good-bye

So we made it back to the US Sunday evening and a sense of 'normal' life has returned.  Leaving Tenwek on Saturday was a very bittersweet moment for both Emily and I.  On one hand we were so excited to be heading home to our family and friends and let's face it, America.  On the other hand it was very hard to say farewell to the people we had we met there and even that life and culture we had grown to love.  As we were bidding adieu, I was reminded of something my great-great-grandmother used to say everytime we left from visiting her and it was echoed through the mouth of Dolly, our "surrogate grandmother" at Tenwek as we departed:  "It is not good-bye.  It is only see you later."  Such a true statement!  As we all hugged bye, it was so refreshing to be told that over and over again and some of the interns even told me that if we didn't get the chance see each other again in this life, they would see me in Heaven.  What a heart-warming statement to hear!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26

Watching the beautiful sunrise atop Mt. Motigo on our last morning

There were several times during our last couple of weeks there where I would look around me and just think 'How did I get here?!' and not in a bad way.  Emily and I talked about those moments where it hits you: Here we are, small town girls from Kentucky and West Virginia and we are in a hospital room in Bomet, Kenya with mosquito nets or at a duka in town shopping for material to make a skirt-wrap or at an orphanage listening to 50 kids sing "Father Abraham" for us and all we can think about is how did our lives lead us here.  I remember growing up I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go, but I always felt this voice saying 'You're going to do more than you can imagine!' like God was telling me he had something special planned for my life, just as he does for all of his children.  Listening to stories of missionaries in church as a child I never did think that I would go to the kinds of places they go and do the kinds of things they do.  Sure, I thought they were awesome but it never even crossed my mind that I would someday want to do that.  Finally at 25, God pointed me in that direction and it led me to the most amazing place-Tenwek Hospital.  What a terrific starting place!  All of the people there, the missionaries, the Kenyan doctors and interns, and the patients, helped to teach me and helped me to grow as a person, a Christian, and as a PA.  I don't even know where I could begin to thank them and return the favor.  Thank you all!

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. - Psalm 84:5

Emily and I saying farewell to our trip - what a great traveling partner!

As I do get back into a normal routine here at home (which apparently means preparing for 2 exams, writing a paper, and logging patients), it's the simple things that remind me how blessed I am.  However, I don't think blessed is the right word though because the people of Kenya feel just as blessed as I do and look at how different our lives are.  I've been enjoying driving my car all around the state of Kentucky, eating a delicious variety of meals, shopping inside a warm mall playing Christmas music buying things I don't really need and not to mention my soft, cozy bed with a space heater to warm up my room this winter.  It is a wonderful privilege to live in the USA and have all the nice amenities available to us that we do have, even during a time of economic turmoil for lots of people.  Seeing how some of the people live in Kenya and witnessing how gracious they are for everything they have, I believe they are even more blessed than me because they really understand what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart and know that every thing in life comes from Him.  They have humbled me and I hope I always remember this feeling.  I thank God for every gift He has ever given me!

He must become greater; I must become less. - John 3:30

 

 The jeeps had a wonderful trip as well!

During our first week, one of the visiting members said to us "Once Africa gets in your blood, it doesn't come out".  Needless to say, we quickly learned what he meant.  I loved every moment that I spent in Kenya and I feel like I'm already counting down the days until I can return even though it may be a few years away.....deep breaths family, I'm not going anywhere just yet.....except England in 6 short weeks! :)

The Lord is my  light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? - Psalm 27:1

God Bless everyone!