A Sentimental (Wo)Man

** Bonus points if you got the Wicked reference...

I am a sort of a sentimental person. I by sort of, I mean really truly. I still have every craft my campers ever made me from an entire summer of camp. I kept nearly all of my stuffed animals until my mom finally made me give them away. I detest changing out pictures because I love them all. My favorite things I own are all old things- passed down to me or from my childhood, that are ripe with memories. So this week when I found some of the kids from bible school from high school mission trips on Facebook of all places, I couldn't help but walk down that road.

There is no way when, as a high school freshman, I could have comprehended how much a little town called Pathfork would come to mean to me. Every year, for 6 summers, I would travel on a crowded church van to Appalachia- where Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee all meet and where a part of my heart will always be. I remember my big brother loving it so much but until you experience it, it simply cannot be explained. I love everything about these trips. The van rides. Decorating the vans. Kids tackling you they are so excited to see you. The endless basketball games. The inside jokes. The Bugaloo (of which my big bro is an expert). Ridiculous skits where you eat an entire cold can of Spaghettios in one mintute (true story). Playing kingfrog. Devotionals and growing so close with people. LMUs campus that has that sort of "I really wouldnt ever go to college here" charm. The sweet hugs. Seeing a child come to know Christ. The BBQ hotdogs that Jimmy Green makes on the last day. Sonic runs. Sharing God's love with the people there. It is simply an indescribable trip and always around this time, I get sad because I can't make it for the trip (silly grad school summer schedule).

I would give anything (and I know there are others who've graduated and are working and feel the same way) to be on a church van Saturday morning. I couldn't help but think how much I missed Appalachia when one of my dearest kindergarteners (who is certainly not in 5K anymore) friended me on Facebook. Sure Facebook sucks up so much time and is such a distractor, but its moments like that that make me not want to delete it ever. To have my sweet, sweet girl tell me that she missed me and wanted me to come back brought tears to my eyes. How could you not miss that? This little girl (and a few others in her class) touched my life in an incredible way and mean so much to me. They're still plastered on my walls in pictures and are present in my prayer requests; they will always be my girls.

So sweet girl, I am coming. Maybe not this year or the next. But I will. And until then, you and the rest of Pathfork are always on my mind and in my heart. And try not to give the new guys too much trouble... :)

A trip to Africa in Photos

What some cheese with that Whine?

A month ago today, I would have been on plane somewhere over Africa sitting beside a man from Chad who had to wake me up because I was sleep-tea drinking. Nothing wakes you up quite like pouring hot tea all over your sweet Ethiopian Air blanket. Tea-drinking aside (Ugandan tea, by the way, is absolutely delicious), my time in Uganda is still drastically affecting the way I live my life here. A good thing I hope. I feel like the stereotypical thing to mention is American affluence and the way we spend our money. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking differently about my money. Seeing how far American money goes in Uganda definitely changes how you view your expenses. An example, I went to home this past weekend to head to a wedding with my parents. Friday night we to Target (a crazy life I tell you) and I had to get a few things for my apartment. A bath mat for me is pretty necessary given how clumsy I am but I also got a surprise new Crock-pot. This was so exciting to me but at the same time twinged with bitter sweet. Its hard to think of buying things – even if they are useful and sometimes need- when I know that what I spend would go towards so much in Uganda. Clothes is an even harder battle. My mom loves to go shopping with me- its bonding even if we don’t buy anything but its made me think about where I put my money. Do I really put it where my passion lies or do I throw it away on things that won’t matter in 3 months.

But I digress, the money things have weighed on my mind surely but recently I have held a different focus. That focus? The blatant negativity of our American culture. Maybe its because I'm in grad school with 40 other people and school brings stress, but I can't help but notice how quick we are to whine and complain when truly we don't have much, if anything at all, to complain about. Maybe its because we're in the middle of a 40 hour class week that they appropriately call "an intensive." Either way, the circumstances don't always justify our negative attitudes. None of this is to say that I am perfect in keeping a positive attitude- far from it. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed how quick I am to complain, to be frustrated by circumstances that truly are not that bad. This happened the other day when people in my class were talking about getting rotation placements- complaining about not yet knowing, worrying about where they would be, being negative about the entire situation. I had to stop myself from echoing their sentiments because I am so prone to worry, but it struck me how commonplace it is to make those sorts of comments. Even driving I am so quick to get frustrated and complain about the car in front of me or the person checking out my groceries.

None of this is to say that we should be all happy go-lucky, pooping rainbows sort of culture because its completely unrealistic (and pretty annoying). But rather, that we (myself at the top of the list) need to re-evaluate our priorities in life and what we complain about. Sure it might be annoying or frustrating, but is it worth spending our time on? That answer is probably not. That time would be better spent doing something about it or even thinking about how blessed we are in our culture and what we can do for others with those blessings. Should we sit there and whine or move on and do something meaningful with that time, something to further our minds and our ability to serve others? Whenever I find myself slipping into a negative mindset I have to sit back and put myself in Uganda, surrounded by a beautiful country in so much need. I think of the sheer joy and positivity I experienced from the people. Even waiting for hours to see us, they were so grateful to see any sort of doctor and spend time with us. I think of the positivity I felt when I was there, the way I was encouraged in the midst of need because there is something we can do, ways we can help. So I challenge you to stop the complaining about silly little things and take in the moment, breathe, and be thankful.

These are the words...

I just can't get these lyrics out of my head.

My mom gave this song to me right before I left for Uganda, most likely because actually saying this would leave us both in tears. These lyrics are so sweet and powerful and how I feel so often about my dear friends. For some reason, song lyrics have always spoken to me and this song just sticks with you. Hopefully you all will find as much meaning and encouragement in them as I do.

These are the Words- Sidewalk Prophets

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

Allison's African Adventure- Recap

• There is SO much need. I was just blown away by the need there and for this trip we saw just how much medical need there is. There is just so much sickness and its heartbreaking because so much of it is preventable if people get behind Africa and support it. Things won't get better unless there is long standing education and dedication to improving health care. Even the electricity there is so unpredictable and usually goes out for days at a time. There is so much need but there is also so much potential and so many ways to help.
• Africa is seriously beautiful. America just doesn't compare to its wildness and wonder.
• The hotel was not only nice but the staff was so sweet to us. They made us delicious food and were so welcoming and gracious in teaching us things about Uganda.
• The guards, oh the guards. Each day we have 5 Ugandan police drive with us and stay at the clinic for protection. Its a pretty sweet gig though because really they just have to stand and watch the Americans for a whole week and hang out with us. Its funny that at first they were so intimidating with their guns but they were the ones checking on me when I was hopelessly sick, sleeping in the van. One of my favorite times was sitting in the van driving for an hour (on scary unpaved dirt roads) and talking about life, religion, culture with one of the guards. It was so awesome.
• Driving in Uganda looks a lot different, besides the whole drive on the left thing. The roads were mostly unpaved and dirt, there are no posted speed limits, the whole time you just know you're going to get hit, and the horn is so useful in telling others that you're about to pass 2 inches from them. Also there are no lights on the roads- exactly why we had to get back before dark. But our drivers were wonderful guys who we all got to know so well and became so special to us.
• The luggage. So I didnt get my bag until Monday night- never have I been so thrilled to get old tshirts and scrubs! At first I was irritated definitely because how it happened and got left just seemed so ridiculous. But then God did something really cool (as he frequently does) and really convicted me to take left luggage not as just something inconvenient but a way of seeing just how much we have in America and how spoiled we are. It was so convicting to think of how much I have in a world where there is so little- it was such a perfect lesson for the trip.
• You will be stared at because you are white. You will stick out. They called us Muzungu and even one is cause for staring much less 50 of us. The kids also really liked my skin (maybe because its so white?) and were constantly waving at us from the road and jumping up and down to greet us.Its a very weird sort of celebrity type feeling.
• So.much.love. Maybe its because I just adore children, but nothing brought me such joy as getting just to love on the kids there, to hold them and play with them, to give a kid hope for the future with adaptive equipment. I cannot even put into words how sweet it was to go to the orphanage and just get to spend hours with the kids. The people of Uganda are such a beautiful, loving people who have changed my life forever. They are people of great perseverance, strength, and joy and they can teach us so much about how to live our lives and serve others.

Stats:

- over 15,000 miles travelled

- 6 flights

- 6 movies watched on planes

- Times fish was served on the plane- at least 6

- 51 volunteers

- 12 trips in the 15 passenger vans

- 5 sites visited

- 5 wonderful drivers

- 5 hilarious guards

- 1600+ patients seen at clinic

- over 250 patients seen in OT/PT- this is huge for us!

- a ridiculous number of Fantas had

- hippos, elephants, and crocodiles seen: I stopped counting.

- over 800 photos taken

- songs sung to our drivers: you don't want to know

- sunscreen used: 85+ spf

- 7 splints made

- 1 awesome adventure

Allison's African Adventure- Day Nane

21 May

Nile Safari and Dance Day

Today was our free day in Uganda to get to explore a little bit. We got up pretty early to drive to Lake Victoria National Park and all I can say is best.drive.ever. It was a whole lot of dance party with 80s music, Aladdin, and some awesome 90s rap music. The drive was one of the most beautiful of the week and 2 hours of it was actually in the park. We drove to the edge of the lake to take our riverboat tour to Murchison Falls. I had heart that we would see a lot of animals but really did not expect to see as many as we did. There were so many hippos, elephants, and nile crocodiles and they were so close to us. Meryl and I rode on top of the boat, just sitting up there, taking pictures, trying to drink it all in. I got some truly amazing pictures of the animals- trying to capture the sheer beauty of where we were. I think it is evidence of God's creation- Meryl asked if Africa was this beautiful, how unbelievable would Eden have been. It literally looked like something out of an incredible movie set but so much better. The sheer wildness of it all was enthralling and exhilarating- so lush and untouched by man. To think that anyone would ever see it and not be moved by its beauty is absolutely unbelievable. I will say that the crocodile sort of lunging at our boat was pretty terrifying but would could say they saw a nile crocodile that close? The falls were amazing, even at the distance we could get to. The boat ride was absolutely amazing and the sort of thing you never want to come to an end because on it you feel utter contentment and closeness with God. The consolation is that driving back we got to finally see babboons and lots of them. Too bad they are terrified of humans but I did manage some pictures. When we got back we went to some craft stores to get souveneirs. I was able to get a lot of necklaces from Joann from the hotel to give to people. She is so sweet and king and also a student so I wish I could have bought more. I love sitting outside the hotel waiting for dinner right after it rains because it is always so cool and peaceful. After dinner, the Masinidi Cultural Center came to play and dance for us. They are so talented and words can't describe how they move. They pulled us up and I got to dance with them wearing traditional dress. It was the coolest thing I have ever done by far. They make it look so easy but really it is so difficult to learn. Thankfully, they were very gracious in teaching us and not laughing at our inherent Muzungu-ness. I got to dance with Mr. Jimmy and Fred0 definitely a highlight of the trip! Mr. Jimmy is just so sweet and dear and I can't imagine this trip without him. Saying goodbye to him was one of the hardest parts- hoping that I would get to see him again sooner rather than later. He gave us bracelets that he made and I nearly cried. I feel like this whole experience has been so emotionally draining and filling at the same time but little things like that mean the most. The sweet little smiles of the kids. The hugs. The not wanting to leave to know it will be a while until I can return- that is the hardest part.

Team OT

Party Van

Victoria Nile... so beautiful

Just hanging out on top of the Nile river. NBD.

Elephants are so excited.

One of 50,000 hippos.

That close.

Murchison Falls- where all of the Nile funnels through.

Our re-enactment of the crocodile incident.

Sweet, wonderful Mr. Jimmy

Dancing on stage

Teaching Mr. Jimmy the SC state dance

Allison's African Adventure- Day Saba

20 May

Clinic Day Five- Kasongoire

Today was the last day at clinic and was more surreal than anything else. I feel like I just got here- its just so much to process- even just today- that I cannot even put it into words. Today was so incredible though and filled with a lot of joy and smiles. I know that there are 3 little kids I will always remember...

There was Love who had CP. Just looking at him I nearly cried- he needed medical attention so desperately and was essentially a 6 month old. He was so full of love - just so sweet and so in need. We did get to make him a bolster and my first ever knee extension splint. Its just so heart breaking when you know that he will never get exactly what he needs. There was sweet little Ronniet who stopped talking 6 months ago out of the blue. She absolutely precious and were were able to give her mom some signs to use. I just can't shake the feeling that something happened and hopefully she will start talking soon. She was so adorable and loving that anything that happened to here would just break my heart.

And then there was Ivan. Sweet, chubby, adorable little Ivan who I think had cerebral malaria. Never have I ever made a splint so tiny or on anyone so squirmy. But even irritated with the splint he was the cutest thing I have ever seen- this beautiful, chubby African baby. Not taking him with me or just sitting there and holding him was quite the challenge. He was the perfect last patient- he was so sweet and I think he has a lot of potential to get better. It is just so hard when you know that any of these kids won't be able to reach their full potential but there is comfort in knowing that we have even in the smallest way improved their lives. We got to give away so many shoes today and it was so exciting! I got to give a whole family shoes who had none and to a sweet old woman. Seeing that joy makes everything so worth it. Even the smallest things can make a life changing difference and that encourages me.

Monkeys on the way to the site.

Crazy beautiful view

They followed me everywhere...so sweet.

Ephesians 2:10.

Final therapy room.

With awesome Chris.

Loving on sweet baby Ivan

Team Ivan

I love rainy season.

That my friends is a wall of rain.

Allison's African Adventure-Day Sita

19 May

Clinic Day Four- Bweyale

Today was a great day- we had some amazing cases and got to make some equipment. Some of the first people I saw were 2 kids with epilepsy who were adorable. The problem is that we can't actually give any seizure medications because they are no doctors to monitor the meds. Its the safe option but heartbreaking to explain to their parents. I did get to work with the most adorable little boy with CP. He was the tiniest little thing and really was not doing any of what he should be able to do. We made him a chair and bolster and most importantly we got to give him and his sisters new shoes! Aaron and I both made carpal tunnel splints for a lady and they were surprisingly not awful! Aaron did leave some splint material by the water and explaining to the children not to eat it is pretty hard in another language. This lady had the most precious little boy with Down Syndrome who I just fell in love with. But he was 7 and had just started walking which was so sad. I think the hardest thing can be sometimes knowing how different if he had been born somewhere else- that location is such a deciding factor and their developmental potential. I only hope we are narrowing that gap even a little now.

The highlight of my though was Anita getting a rolling walker. She came to us with back pain and I thought she was much, much older than her 40 years. What she was telling us just didn't make sense for her back pain but we eventually figured out that she had had a stroke 2 years ago that had gone unnoticed. She came in stopped and rigid, barely able to walk but left flying on that walked with a huge smile plastered on her face. She was like a new person and I was so ecstatic for her. Moments like that make up for when I can't cry because I am so heartbroken over situations or knowing that there will always be so many people that we just cannot treat. I haven't really cried over this trip because the whole experience is so emotionally draining. You are tired and hot and dirty but then heartbroken because any of us can go back to the hotel or home to leave it and they will never have that option. I want so badly to scoop up all of the kids and take care of them but it just isn't possible. The only thing to do is pray and spread the word. Its always interesting to talk to the guards and see how different we are but really how similar we are. So even with their scary guns they are really sweet guys and I will miss them dearly.

Gorgeous Drive

Sweet kids waiting for us

So many people waiting for us!

Davis- such a cutie

Sweet Issac

Precious angel

Teaching Anita to use her new walker

Gorgeous sunset

Allison's African Adventure- Day Tano

18 May

Clinic Day Three- Bulima (aka Day of Utter Sickness)

I did not sleep much at all last night- tossing and turning, horribly sick, hallucinating from the Malarone. I was still sick at breakfast but really didn't want to miss clinic. Guess who had to make use of an air sickness bag on the hour long van ride? Yeah this girl. Then the guard beside me decided to throw the bag out the window. Like I was going to say no to the man with a gun although I did ask the policeman if we would get arrested for littering. Genius.

I was barely able to sit or stand without feeling nauseated and the last thing you want to do is actually get sick on your patient. After a whole lot of awfulness, I got a shot of phenergan which for you non medical people makes you not sick but still completely exhausted. Cut to the part where I'm laying on the van sleeping for five hours and still sick. At some point we figured out that I was dehydrated and had a bad reaction to the Malarone so not being sick wasn't really an option. The sweet thing was that the guards and drivers checked on me every hour to make sure I felt ok and had enough water. They were so good to me and the vans aren't completely uncomfortable. I felt better in the afternoon and could work a bit in the pharmacy. Let's just say I'm glad the bro's going to be a pharmacist and not me. I was so bummed to miss a lot of today but hopefully tomorrow I'll be in much better form.

Here are the five pictures I took all day in Bulima. A record low for me.

Therapy Room

Clinic Site at the Bulima School for Disabled Children

Allison's African Adventure- Day Nne

17 May

Clinic Day 2- Kyitiri

I went with registration team early this morning and there were SO many people waiting for us. #175 wasnt even through half of the people. We did see around 250 people today which is a great number. Its a hard battle between good care and seeing as many people as we can. It is so hard to turn people away- especially when they are practically begging to be seen. If ever there was a way to see all of them we would. I got to be with kids ministry today which was wonderful! The kids were shy at first but warmed up and were all about playing with us and getting toys. We did try story and singing time but sometimes the language barrier is just too much. We actually got them all sitting down and coloring in a room quietly which was a pretty amazing feat. The cameras are popular every village we go to so they all wanted a photo with their coloring. I even got to lead a hilarious rendition of the Hokey Pokey which is way better with African kids who don't speak any English. How to entertain 40 kids who don't speak English? Red light/green light my friends. I was exhausted and with a sweet band-aid tan by the end of the day but it was so much fun. I met siblings Daisy, Vicky, and Moses who were all so sweet. Daisy and her friend Sharifa were by my side the whole day and a big help for translating for me. I got to spend time with Sharika and her precious boy Jordan and was sad to leave them at the end of the day. There were just so many sweet little ones I wish I could describe them all! They followed us into therapy when we went inside- our little shadows. To have them look for me and say my name was just so precious and sweet to me. There were so many interesting cases today- little 18 month old Davis who was so tiny and adorable and in need of lots of care. We made him a bolster and was able to stand which was a huge accomplishment for him! There was also Joseph who the team first saw 2 years ago. Then he left with a walker because of his Spina Bifida but today he walked in by himself- such a wonderful thing to see! There are miracles like the man crawling to clinic today and leaving walking but it is still so hard to see the incredible need that is still there. To see the kids begging for a piece of paper or an empty water bottle. It is absolutely heartbreaking to look at their little faces knowing how you could never give them absolutely all that they need. There is such a tremendous amount of need here and feel like these moments are what need to be shared. The US has no real idea how dire the situation really is. Even the smallest impact we make here can change lives and I think that is what is so powerful.

I got to talk to Christopher on the ride home about life here- these are the moments I just want to soak in and savor. Life here is so different but really we are all the same. We are just so blessed in America but the important question is what are we doing with those blessings?

Seriously beautiful.

Happiness.

Intense coloring.

My kiddos.

She captured my heart.

Sweet little Jordan.

3 of our awesome guards!