I am writing this blog from my comfy couch in Oregon, United Stated of America. I’m wrapped in a soft cozy blanket, with a dog cuddled next to me and I’ve been binge watching Nashville today with a delicious grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup for lunch.
All I keep thinking is ‘This is not where I am supposed to be’.
This is not the World Race.
I should be in Ethiopia, repacking my bags to head to India.
I should be uncomfortable.
I should be dreaming of my parents fully stocked fridge.
But about two weeks ago my world was rocked.
Two weeks ago I started to get really sick and after 2 clinic visits and multiple IVs, I ended up in a remote Ethiopian/Italian hospital where I stayed for three days and then was transferred to a facility in the city where I stayed for five days.
Unfortunately my teammate and I had contracted Malaria. Not just malaria but we had contracted a complicated severe case of cerebral malaria. I had multiple IVs, was on oxygen, all kinds of meds, had a blood transfusion and was finally put on a strong anti-malarial medication that did the trick.
The day we were to be released our Squad leader informed us that after talking with insurance and the doctors, Adventures In Missions (The World Race parent company) had chosen to send us home to fully recover.
I was not happy.
I am in love with the World Race. I’ve fallen in love with the countries and my teammates and I’ve fallen in love with the adventure. Having to go home for an undecided amount of time to sit around and recover was not appealing and on top of that I was feeling a whole lot better. Did I need a few more days to get to 100%? Probably. But did I feel like I needed to go back to America to do it? Absolutely not.
But I had no choice. I was being sent home to America.
And here I am sitting on my parents couch in Oregon.
I spent the 25hr travel day home from Ethiopia trying to figure out what I was supposed to learn from all of this.
Through my sickness I think I learned a lot about accepting help.
I have never been good at accepting people’s help. I like to do things on my own and do things independently. To quote one of my favorite shows “I am woman, hear me roar.”~Grey’s Anatomy.
But when you are as sick as I was, you have to let other people help you.
I am thankful for my amazing teammates who took such great care of me and Rachel when we were at our lowest. I am forever grateful for my incredible team, my family and I can’t wait to get back on the field with them.
I am thankful for my “Fearless Team Leader” Alexa, who gave up many days of her own race to spend in the hospital with us. Who took us on adventures around the hospital when we were restless and continued to be a happy cheerful presence.
I am thankful for the Canadian doctors and nurses who were at our ministry site and took such great care of me before we went to the hospital.
I am thankful for our amazing ministry host who pulled so many strings to get us great care at all the facilities we were at.
I am thankful for my squad leader Megan. Who also spent many nights in the hospital with us. Who acted as our “Mom” in the hospital communicating with doctors, nurses and Adventures in Missions. And while she often had to be the bearer of bad news, I am very grateful for all the hard work and love she poured into our experience. We couldn’t have done it without her.
And as angry as I was for being sent home, I am thankful for Adventures in Missions, for looking out for our best interests.
And today I am thankful for my health. I am thankful that I have gotten the all clear from the doctor and will be back on the Race soon. I am thankful that my teammate Rachel is also getting better! I am thankful for the opportunity to see my family briefly during the holiday season. I am thankful that I get to eat good American food and binge watch Netflix.
I had to learn how to let all these amazing people help me. I had to let them do the things I couldn’t do and I am eternally grateful for everyone who was a part of me getting better.
God blessed me on my race with an amazing team and squad and He provided all the right people to help me get all healed up from Malaria.
God is Good.
