"I think there's a point where you realize the world has just been revealed to you" -Ophelia Dahl

Okay I had to come back to the house and take a much needed nap! It's now 10:30 and I am now wide-ass awake!!

So what better time to write and share some thoughts with you.

The quote at the top came from the book that I have been reading. It is called Mountains Beyond Mountains. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer, who is one of the founders of Partners in Health.

Over these past few days working at Butaro has really put my life into a different perspective. I realize deeply that my life is not that bad.....it is actually great! 

The past two days walking to the hospital has given me the chance to see and observe a totally different life. 

The kind of life for families that exists over here. When I wake up in the morning I can hear the village people (no-not the YMCA ones, Mikey Johnson!) already tending to their chores for the day. The cows are mooing, birds are singing, the people are talking and sometimes I have heard singing.

After I get ready for my day I head down the road, past the guard shack(good morning guard and your AK47!)and now I see the "real world" for these people. The adults are on the mountainsides digging farming plots, burning wood, planting and just generally beginning to put in a hard days work. I have not seen a man use more than just a shovel to carve into the side of the mountain so that they will be able to plant their crops of beans, carrots, and potatoes. The houses they live in are cement or mud. They only look to have maybe one or two rooms inside. The women have been outside doing the laundry in huge pails, scrubbing and rinsing. No Kenmore Elite front loaders!!l

The children come to see who is walking down the street. Whether it be morning or night, they speak in English "good morning"!! They seem so happy to see you and talk to you. This morning went I left I grabbed a few rubber balls and some fruit snacks that I had bought on the advice of a previous volunteer!! As they were standing watching me come closer and saying good morning I knelt down and went into my by bag. When I brought those things out, big smiles from all of them! Thank you, thank you they tell me! It broke my heart but made me feel sooo good inside!! From what I have seen they don't have many toys, and I'm pretty sure they don't get fruit snacks in a bag. I'm sure they will be waiting tomorrow for me to come down the hill!!!

Off I go to the hospital. Looking behind me, I see them with big smiles on their faces!! The adults look, and I believe, are wondering what just happened. Their looks of confusion, confuse me. Are they happy I just did that or are they concerned? I tend to go with they are surprised and in some ways are grateful for just the kindness that has been bestowed upon these children.

As I arrive at my lab, there is clinic and pharmacy appointments starting. The first morning there must have been 100-200 men,women, children waiting in lines to be seen and/or taken care of. The African women wear the most beautiful dresses with the  matching hair wraps. The men are dressed in their Sunday best. The babies are sometimes strapped to mommas back, older ones will be toddling around. Everyone just waiting  patiently for their turn. 

It is sad to go into the lab and to read some of the diagnosis of these people. Breast cancer, lymphomas, leukemias. Yes we all have these back home, but we have immediate care with all the doctors and caregivers and immediate medicines. They have had symptoms for sometimes years and finally are being able to see a doctor. A lot of these people are also HIV and/or TB positive. 

THE WORLD HAS JUST BEEN REVEALED TO ME........

My work day was good. I was able to get some things started that needed to be dealt with, started some new projects and got emails of other things that need to be done or worked on. It will be a busy day tomorrow. 

So as I sit here eating my Twizzlers and Beef jerky( I need to keep up my protein,) I will close for now.

Thank you to all my followers,family and friends for tagging along on this incredible journey and experience with me....🌍

With tears streaming down my face 😭.I love you all!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💋