His favorite singer is Michael Jackson.
His favorite superhero is Spiderman.
He’s eight years old and wants to be a soldier when he grows up.
He broke his leg climbing a tree and is now confined to a hospital bed with his leg literally tied up as his head hangs down on his inclined bed. He is missing school for at least six weeks while his only sights are the lion king painted wall in front of him in the children’s ward.
The only sounds around are those of ill, some deathly, infants and children surrounding him. The cries of a mother from losing her child has become a normality.
A sleepover has now received a new definition; when your mother sleeps under your hospital bed on the hard floor because there is no other space.
He now stares the HIV/AIDS statistic in the face of 1 in 3 people being infected with the disease as the signs in the kids around him are so obvious.
His name is Wakhile and he was my buddy for the two days I spent serving in the hospital.
The days had already been touching as we spent the morning walking door to door at the hospice to talk and pray with people. It seems as though death is truly just another part of life here. When you first meet people, it doesn’t even phase them to mention the numerous amounts of siblings and family members they’ve already lost to HIV/AIDS and other diseases. However, it seems as though the small conversation and prayers we shared with them meant the world.
I began to feel slightly useless this month, feeling like I was not necessarily building the kingdom at my different ministry locations. I worked at different care points, helping teach and play with 3-5 year olds, but was not even able to communicate with them. I helped with sports ministry, but could barely keep them under control enough to share a message with them. Visiting the hospice and hospital was absolutely touching, but nothing I could do would make them get better or heal quicker.
It was in the little moments that I realized this was not the case. It was in the tears and hug that the care point teacher was trying to hide as we said our goodbyes on the final day of ministry. It was in the news I heard from a teammate that the blind boy I had hung out with at the hospice for only a short time was asking where I was the next day. It in was in the hugs from the mothers at the hospital and wonderings of why we were leaving so soon. That is when I realized, people just want to be noticed. They want to be thought of, loved, and listened to. Many times they are not seeking gifts or a huge drawn out message. Many times they just want to know who you are and appreciate a listening ear. Even though the four year olds could not understand my speech, they could understand a hug, a push on the swing, or loving arms to fall into when they got hurt. They need quality time.
America has wired us all so differently, where a quick “Hi, How are you?” in a 5 minute passing becomes acceptable. It becomes almost painful to engage in conversation past our usual small talk. But are you listening? I challenge you to stop and notice those around you. Take time out of your busy schedule to visit that family member or friend you haven’t seen in a while, and really visit them. Call up that person who’s been having a rough time and be that listening ear that they’ve been so desperately longing for. Drop the electronics and television and actually find out how each other’s days were. Living in a two bedroom “house” with 11 girls and no wifi has definitely been challenging, but one of the most rewarding months for me. We may have arguments and get mad when we have no personal space, but we know each other now. We know each other’s struggles and celebrations, we pray together, we laugh together, we workout together. Be grateful for those around you and start living in that community that God has designed specifically for you.
We will are currently at debrief in South Africa and will be leaving Saturday for Botswana. We have one last team change for the remaining 3 months, so prayers are appreciated! I also have a return date and plane ticket booked for May 22! Pray that I stay engaged as the thought of being on American soil sounds so sweet.
