The More the Merrier!

Dr. Veronica Kramer, Michael, and I

     The general mood of the compound was dampened Wednesday by a death.  His name was Illiya, and he has been working in the hospital’s pharmacy for some time now.  Prone to epileptic seizures and living on his own led to his untimely death sometime Tuesday night.  I never knew or met the man, but his death has indirectly had an impact on me.  Praise God, he is our brother in Christ and rests now in eternal peace. There are many here who knew him and cherished him, and I’m glad they have the hope that one day they will see him again.  My previous experiences with death here at the hospital was very different.  Death is so commonplace that it seems most people show no emotion or shock, even at the death of their own child.  This man’s death was not the same.  His life must have had quite an impact because the shop and most of the hospital were shut down Wednesday at the news of his death. 
    I was able to attend the funeral on Wednesday where over 200 hundred people gathered.  Traditionally all the men gathered closely around the open grave and the women stood back. The head pastor talked about Illiya and then the floor was opened to whoever else wanted speak.  To those who had been at a funeral before, they were surprised at the way people stumbled over each other trying to get in a word about this man.  He was indeed highly respected.   
    We had a new friend join us Wednesday morning.  Will O’Kelly spent 5 years of his life in Niger just down the road.  It’s been a while for him and he’s happy to be back.  I was surprised to learn that he is a fellow pre-med student going into his junior year.  Out here it’s pretty great to have someone facing some of the same difficulties, who has the some of the same interests as you.  We already had a good conversation Friday about school and about the difficulties we face ahead.  Both of us are worried about how intensive school will be, and the sacrifices we have to make like seeing our families or even having a hobby.  And most importantly will we be able to stay faithful to God during these times?  I’ve experienced intimacy with God in incredible ways during times of difficulty and trial, but I must make the decision to lean into him or to lean away.  
    We are also expecting another Michael to come in sometime soon.  He happens to be best friends with Will but has never been overseas.  Here on the compound they originally planned to put in 2 new duplexes this summer, but it looks like only 1 will be finished.  I say this because Michael, an undergraduate architect student, is expected to draw up plans for this house.  I continue to be surprised and impressed at the incredible confidence they have in people with little experience.  Out here you just have to use what you’ve got I suppose.  I was even asked to look into solving foundation problems for some of the houses the other day.  I don’t think that’s going to happen... Michael, the medical student here now, is being asked to do things he’s never done before and things he feels uncomfortable doing.  Praise God though that he is doing an amazing job and is beginning to feel more and more confident about his abilities.  I feel a bit more confident with the wood work I’m doing as well.  It’s been a good thing to be pushed out of my comfort zone a bit.  It’s also been good to be able to give back.  I spent a lot of time in the hospital the first few weeks here and now I’m a bit relieved to find that I’m actually doing something to benefit the community.  I’m mostly doing small general repairs around the compound that have been put off again and again.  Nothing too exciting to report.  Will and I are going to be in charge of uprooting and moving the compound playground pretty soon here.  That should be an interesting challenge.
    Dinner for the past few nights was awesome.  One of the biggest reasons why is that I didn’t cook it.  Providing a meal requires a lot time and resources, but to the people here they could care less about those things.  To enjoy a meal with others is worth 10x the effort it takes to prepare one in their eyes.  I’m beginning to believe that too.  I just fear that if I ever entertain people at my house they probably will go home hungry and I’ll be stuck with a lot of leftovers... Haha I think it’s better that I stick to washing their dishes and bringing ingredients when they’re needed.  The days continue to fly by here.  Sometimes I find myself wishing I could stay for the fall semester.  As so many have warned me, I’m finding that the time I have here is just enough to get comfortable and then I get on the plane and leave. 
     It's personally been a blessing being here.  Even though I'm busy, there always seems to be time to reflect and do some soul searching.  Every day I'm surprised again with how much there is left to learn.  God is so good to afford me patience in learning these things.  I’m beginning to believe that growing up doesn’t have a finish line.  I was reminded yesterday that the joy of the journey can be one of the best parts if you so choose!