Life is full these days - without a lot of margin but with many joys in the midst of the busyness.
Like these beautiful Burundian children who joined me on my hike Sunday
And these adorable missionary kids putting on a concert for us
Our African field directors with World Harvest and their family came to visit us and encourage us. I loved exploring with them on a hike, and, as you can see from Elise's grin, the teenagers were a big hit (and help!) with the kids here.
I continue to be amazed at the beauty around me - especially juxtaposed with the poverty and injustice which I often see simultaneously.
The Myhres and Bethany (another World Harvest friend and colleague who works in Kenya) led team discussion on a very insightful and relevant Henri Nouwen article (linked here if you're interested). These times of discussing and worshipping together & hearing Scott, Jennifer, & Bethany's perspective on solitude, community, and ministry in Africa were a real encouragement to me. Jennifer also joined me on pediatric rounds one day. With 20 years of experience as a pediatrician in Africa, she offered a lot of wisdom and insight into the daily challenges of this field. I was blessed and strengthened by the visit of these friends in our larger African World Harvest community - we're certainly not in this alone!
And hospital work is surchargé (overloaded) these days. April is rainy season which means RSV bronchiolitis and malaria season at the same time. We have record numbers of kids hospitalized (40 patients yesterday!) but there are moments for thanksgiving in the work, too, as kids get better and as the medical students go above and beyond their usual responsibilities to help care for the patients.
Premature twins with their boxes on mom's bed - still working on getting the NICU ready
But we're making progress as you can see in this picture
Evaluating a small patient
Nurse Bénigne working hard (putting Quinine in an IV bottle for a patient with malaria) and always with a smile
I enjoy daily greeting the workers in the Busoma plant. Busoma is a mixed grain with soy, sorghum, and maize that has been produced by the hospital for years in an effort to address the significant malnutrition here.
A food scientist with USAID toured the Busoma plant last week. It was interesting to hear his perspective on this product and to connect with others seeking to make a difference in the significant (60% in children under 5!) malnutrition rates in Burundi.
Please pray for me to continue to have my eyes open to see the joys and thanks of each day rather than being overwhelmed by the work and the brokenness in the system. And pray for the patients to get better and go home!
