one life

it's killing me not being able to upload these pictures to show you guys. BUT...i will eventually. and they'll make you smile as big as i do.
got to start a few iv's, draw blood, change dressings, give shots and so much more. it feels so good to be trusted and asked to do things as an RN. i'm still not used to it. i caught myself asking, are you sure you want me to do that?? a couple of times...but after people looked at me weird i decided, well, either i look like i'm unsure and make these people nervous, or i take the equipment and i just GIVE IT A TRY and if i'm unsuccessful...then oh well. at least i tried. but i've been more successful here in africa than i ever have in the hospital.
i met a little girl at a clinic. all the little kids attacked me as soon as they saw that i had a camera. they all wanted their picture taken so i was trying to see if any of them spoke english so i kept saying "english? english??" and they all just laughed at me. all of a sudden this little girl comes up, tugs on my shirt and says "hello sista" and we were buds from then on. she spoke amazing english and she had a heart of gold. soon though she got mixed in with the crowd and i didn't think i'd see her again. but later that night after dinner i was walking back from the pharmacy when i feel another tug on my jacket, and sure enough, it was my sweet little friend. she goes "sister do you have any food? i am starving i have not eaten all day" and like anyone reading this...my heart sunk. i knew i didn't have enough food for everyone so i brought her into a room where my bag was and gave her all that i had. a cliff bar, a pack of peanut butter crackers and a pack of fruit snacks. she smiled so big i swear i had just given her a million dollars.
all that to say...about 2 hours later we were finishing up our hiv testing when our translater told us the last patient was outside. and when my little friend walked in i had to hold back my tears. cause she had been through once...and refused to be tested for hiv. and she had come back and agreed....and i'll never know whether or not i was the reason she came back, but just knowing there was a chance that it could be why...made me happy.
i like feeling like i make a difference.
every night when i go to sleep i think back on my day and i make sure that at least ONCE during that day...that i tried my hardest to make an impact on at least one life. and so far...i've done that. God is so good. God puts people and situations in your path that are truly meant for YOU and knowing that these people..and these situations...pop up while i am here for this short time, proves that He knows exactly what He's doing.