So here I am... 33,000 feet in the air, halfway between Texarkana and Little Rock on my way back to Malawi. This trip was one that I didn't plan too far in advance. To be honest, I wasn't sure if or when I'd be going back as things have changed so very much from my earlier experiences there. But working through and with change is one of the constants of a meaningful life, right?
I only decided firmly to take this trip in mid-October. Let me introduce my dear friend, Stephen Patrick, MD. Stephen has been helping Orant Charities with our clinic operations since we hit some stumbling blocks earlier in the year. He spent time at our new clinic in Kasese back in the summer and graciously wrote a report/critique with recommendations on how we could proceed. He then met with the Orant Board and offered to follow up with this visit. As I love him dearly and am inspired by him, and as both of us have been to Malawi several times, but never together, it had to happen. Stephen is an amazing person. I hope he won't mind me revealing that we had near concurrent "spiritual awakenings" as Brene Brown would call them, back in the 2011-2012 time period. (If you have not read any of her work on living wholeheartedly - you must.) Stephen is the guy who left his prestigious job as an OBG residency program director to live in Guatemala City and serve the poor people of La Limonada, the largest slum in all of Central America. In the process, he has become quite the expert in global healthcare best practices and in "how helping can hurt".
So, if you've ever read one of my other blogs, you know that although my flight left DFW at 6:40 p.m. today, I didn't start packing until about 8:30 last night. I initially planned on only personal belongings, but then I learned about "the shoe that grows". The shoe designed by "Because International" aka Kenton Lee, is a shoe that adjusts to fit the foot of a growing child over about 5 sizes. If you've ever been to a third world country, you understand that shoes are not common and therefor, foot injuries with infections are. And guess what!!?? This shoe is waterproof and best of all costs a whole $15 USD. Gotta buy 100 pair to take and trial. The really cool thing about trying to "do something" is that I find it makes other people also want to "do something". As I described the shoe to different friends and even coworkers, they would whip out a check saying they wanted to buy some shoes for me to take. I even got money for shoes for my birthday!! Then, I find out Orant Charities needs me to take prenatal vitamins and children's tylenol and ibuprofen. Malaria season is about to start, and preventing febrile seizures can be life saving so of course I must take this as well. And then, at the last minute, my friends who are living in Malawi to serve the poor there send some requests for food items(tortillas) and personal items, and gifts. I know I was meant to take this trip as I have checked five 23 kg bags and all my personal stuff is in my carry on.
Life is good. Realize it.
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