"Angels amongst the sons of men"

Sometimes I miss home. I miss good coffee. I miss being able to go out and about on my own and going for a run in clean, non-polluted air. I miss being able to communicate with anyone. I miss baking and of course I miss friends and family. So why come to Africa? For me, that question is answered every day: every time a crowd of kids gleefully greets me on the street simply because I'm white; every time I send an entire ward of Africans into a fit of laughter because I'm trying to pantamime the question "have you had a bowel movement today"?; every time I jog by the crowd of disfigured people that is forming outside the ship each morning waiting to be seen; whenever I get to cuddle the orphans who are craving attention, and every time I get thanked profusely for placing an IV just because they are so grateful to be having surgery. I love the huge hug the little cashew-vendor lady on the street gives me when she sees me even from a distance because I've purchased her cashews on a few occassions. I love that I can have a full conversation with a mama about her baby by using hand signals. I love the joyful music and dance that breaks out at any given time...and letting them laugh at me as I try to dance along! I think its beautiful when a surgical patient herself gets up to help another patient to the bathroom or when the mothers on the ward lovingly care for each other's children in times of need. Of course there are things that are difficult but God is definitely real in this place.
This week I have been blessed to work with an older man who is very sick. He is precious and gives me the biggest, most genuine grin every time I walk to his bed. Half his face is covered in gauze as he has a weeping wound around his left eye, grossly disfiguring his face. He is being treated for a very serious infection and we are discussing what to do next. Hopefully the medications will clear up the purulent, bloody drainage that is constantly dripping from his nose and face. He is gentle and grateful, reminding me when it is time for his IV medication and nodding happily as I draw his blood. He told us that he was so depressed about his condition and his appearance that he contemplated suicide before coming to us for treatment. My heart broke to hear this! I'm praying that we can help him but mostly encourage his heart.
It is a true blessing to be here.
Please keep praying for these people and for my heart, that it would be willing and open to whatever God would have for me.

This is a beautiful poem that a patient wrote for us (his English is great!)

ANGELS AMONGST THE SONS OF MEN
The day the Big White whale landed on the black shores of Africa was a blessed day to the sons of men.
It came with angels to walk amongst the sons of men.
Why do I call them Angels? Let me tell you of my time with them.
I came aboard the White Whale with rooms filled with the lame, the mame, the formed, the deformed, the wrong and the rough.
And deep into the darkest part of the night I saw men and brethren, maidens and ladies though flesh as us yet with hearts of angels.
Sleeplessly and tirelessly they toiled through the night, through the pains and aches of men. They with hands to heal and mend, bringing from above the Fathers love to the sons of men.
Some they cut, some they tie, some they seal and yet others they fix with tools untold.
Like messengers of the Most High they came not thinking of their own, they risked their lives and sailed the sea to the lands beyond the endless world to shores of men afflicted and in pain.
Their hearts and lives they came to share as angels who walk amongst the sons of men.
Some in this life are born to pass and some are born in life to live, yet these angels are born to preserve humanity.
Though some lives we see as waste yet with speed they move to save. With words of love and touch of peace they endlessly toil to make right the wrong.
You were born as men to your lands and yet as angels you served the earth.
Gold is dug from earth beneath. Treasures are hunted on high seas. But love so pure and true can only in hearts like yours be found.
Your labor in the Lord shall not be in vain.
For every life you touch and every soul you save
For every bone you mend and every face you straight
The Lord of life and light will light your path and guide your life.
For you are truly Angels amongst the sons of men.

By Prince Eddie Daniels