Savoring Moments

I have been so inspired by Ann Voscamp’s book 1.000 Gifts. I am learning to find joy in the dailies and live with a grateful heart. I have been challenged to slow down and savor time moment by moment. Tuesday was a day full of savoring moments. I would say that Tuesday is my busiest day by far.  Each place I went and each  thing I did, I purposely did not watch the clock and I just dove into that time and place.

sugar cookies for the teachers at Sahel Academy….. unique stories….bringing them to Niger…… volunteers….. passionately serving .

CURE Hospital…….Tuesday mornings…. clinic day….. greeted by a full waiting area……

1st things 1st…..rounds with Hassane and Josh….. patients in the ward……new surgeries…..sleeping ….. giggling….CURE nurses…..parents full of concern….greeting & praying for those waiting for dressing changes….have seen them a dozen times but the excitement on their faces is so warming…… Mariama, the teenaged girl who had to have her foot removed……sparkles…… she begs me to blow bubbles toward her face……like watching someone in the rain….being refreshed. ….another man….surgery for Noma during the camp…JUST had his mouth reopened after it was sewn shut as part of his treatment….oh the joy! Recovery is hard……hope abounds.

Nurses & docs… PT…lab tech….radio….staff & volunteers….kindness & care….expertise…..providing a new leash on life…..words cannot express my gratitude….. joy moments all around….hospital cleaners…gardener….clean & beautiful….pastors….social worker…more volunteers….personally attending to needs…..driver….cooks….the savory smells of sauce…guards….flashing smiles….drinking tea….admin block…laughing as I make faces into the security cameras (ha ha blue Papillion)….details details……what a wonderful place…..each playing their part….and I GET TO PLAY!

I haven’t even talked about the patient hostel yet! It is only about 9:30AM…oh no, this might get long if I list all of my Tuesday moments.

Delight…skipping to the hostel……greetings in Hausa & Zerma…..smiles….baby awaiting a cleft surgery……. Omar awaiting more surgery for his burns…. a sweet boy with two new casts…the list goes on….fun & merriment as bubbles flow…..praying for each patient by name….. I linger. It is hard to leave this moment. …..despite the language barrier & heat…it is so refreshing. Could it be  that the one thing that I have to focus on…being thankful, living moment by moment comes natural to these precious people I am meeting? Their resources next to nothing, but they manage to find joy and are thankful in the most adverse situations. Day after day. Maybe it is a necessity? Anyway…… I say my goodbyes and leave a trail of bubbles behind.

Clinic time……different reactions to bubbles….. amazement…. chasing boldly… tears & concerned looks…… ALWAYS a few bubble enthusiasts that surface immediately…….sweet beautiful faces smiling up at me…..now their turn to try…….delight in a child’s eyes when THEY were making the bubbles….priceless….. teen agers & toddlers……men in turbans……a beautiful breeze……2 yr old girl  blowing in the air whether she had the wand or not…… Ha ha ha….best bubbles came as a surprise to me…  little boy needing a cleft repair!!

Preschool….joyful greetings……”Tauntie Christine”…..music to my ears….. singing….. dancing…..Alouette……that crazy bird…..Idrissa’s response to thinking about eating a duck?…..unique personalities….backgrounds….learning the necessities….raising hands…..politeness…. speaking French…..laughing with Marie……giving gifts……smiling until it hurts…. games……singing soft and then loud…..misshaped circles….savoring moments…what a thrill

Afternoon French lesson….tea with Professor Ibro……one of my 1st Nigerien friends…reading my stories……discussing cultural issues….. more laughing & discovery..……hearing about his life and family…..sharing life….2:30PM

That is but a short list of  my Tuesday moments. Just wanted  to take a chance and put it in words. Oh, the things I see when I just take the time to slow down and see them. I am so thankful for each day and how unique they are! This is something truly wonderful!