After work and lunch it was time for the infirmary. I don't tell many people this, but I REALLY don't like going there. As much as I've gained from the experience, I feel like my heart breaks every time I walk in that place. I cannot understand how people are rejected and sent somewhere to very literally rot away. I always pray for and with the team before we go but it's still difficult for me- I look up to those people beyond words who are blessed with a heart to handle it. Anyways, we were getting ready to go and I talked to the team about what they were going to see and prayed God would use them as vessels to speak to the people we'd encounter. Today may have been my 15th time going there but I still felt like it was the first. When we arrived and talked to the nurses, they were sent to the women's ward, the common area and finally the mens ward. I had beautiful conversations with the women outside of the sleeping room and wanted to stay there so I didn't have to face my fears. As the team continued through the infirmary, I lead/followed (not sure which..) and ended up in the common area. I was standing watching Char so comfortably walk up and hug anybody and everybody while I sat there with a lump in my throat trying to understand "why". I was looking for a comfortable situation and I'm sure by the way I was acting, nobody had a clue about the way I was feeling. I kept on thinking about Jesus and what he'd be doing and what I should be doing. I ended up going to pray with a few of the women who tried to talk to me but I couldn't understand anything they were saying.
I spent about 10 minutes talking with some of the women before I realized that there was a man in a wheelchair that had been staring at me and smiling for quite some time. I finally went up to him and asked what the deal was with his handsome smile and he responded with "You didn't come last year, Katie!" First I was thinking "yes I did..." but switched back to try to figure out how he knew my name and what he was talking about. Like the majority of people in the infirmary, it was hard to understand what he was saying but after some translating re-explaining, I go the just of it. This man, Donovan, remembered me from 2 years ago. He remembered me telling him I'd be back to see him. He said he wrote letters "to america" to try to find out where I went but he was so happy Katie was back. WOW. Then when I really thought about it and realized that last year I really didn't go to the infirmary. Every time the teams were going, I'd talk to them before they left but always ended up at a worksite or with the kids somewhere. Ok God, I hear you...
I also had a chance to meet Ryan. He's one of the many young people that are in there now. He's the most cynical young man I've ever met in my life and because of that my abs were hurting from laughing throughout our entire conversation. "Why do you have such a childish watch?" "So you've been coming here this long? You must be old. I'd guess at least 27." "Your necklace is so tight it's choking you..." He was laughing, I was laughing, I can imagine it was probably good for him to have some younger people to talk to. I sat and talked with Donovan and Ryan for a long time... long enough that the team was all waiting by the bus for me. I'll definitely be making more trips back to see Donovan and Ryan... and whoever else God's going to throw at me to teach me a lesson. ;) It truly was an amazing, powerful experience to yet again see the power of promise and love.
We stopped by Grace to see the kids for one last time before the team leaves in the morning and eventually made our way home for feast night! We had a little time before dinner so I sat in my lounge chair by the pool facing the ocean to spend a little QT with Chris Tomlin. It wasn't 10 minutes before Doretta came out and brought me some tea. When I asked how she was doing her response was "Blessed! More blessed today than usual, this weather is beautiful. Love you Katie!" She is one beautiful person. I absolutely love the new kitchen crew here. Not only is the food delicious but they're great ladies.
We had our big feast... jerk chicken, pork (pourk as Gregory would say) and every assortment of Jamaican food imaginable. Including chocolate cake for dessert. The team had mass so Gregory, Aaron and I headed down to the other villas for late night zumba. St Francis was a little hesitant at first but it didn't take long before they were out of the pool and getting down on the dance floor with us!
I talked to Char earlier today and asked if I could do a reflection with them tonight. I've spent plenty of time with them at the worksite and on the bus but I haven't had a chance to hear any of their meetings or reflections. We met after zumba and I gave them 4 options: kodak moment (mental picture they'll keep forever), tattoo (what has forever changed them), wow/ow or just something that truly stuck out to them. One of my favorite kodak moments was Garrett talking about looking at the poverty and something that had potential to be so sad but he saw the ocean in the background. He realized that no matter how bad things seem, there's always beauty and God's love surrounding you. There were more things said than I could ever write down here but it was WONDERFUL to hear how great their week was. We talked about post-missions and the "what's next." We stayed and chatted after the meeting and enjoyed every second of conversation.
I love you Notre Dame team and will miss you! Thank you for your positive attitudes, smiles and everything you taught me. Next year: same place... see you here!
Tomorrow I'm headed to Silver Palms to get ready for some new teams and the continuation of this journey...
Good night!
Proverbs 16:9
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