Monday, monday

September 28

I reported to work this morning after walking from home and arrived earlier than Charles so I just waited. One of our patients arrived shortly after so we greeted one another. It is kind of a neat thing to recognize people I have x-rayed, offer a smile and have the smile returned. Even if that is the only time I ever have that sort of interaction with them, I enjoy it. When Charles arrived we greeted one another and asked how the weekend had treated us. We began our duties, he developing films and me sorting the dried ones. A couple patients allowed me to take their pictures with their films, as they were part of the group who had sustained injuries from the conflict, and I am interested to know their stories. Peoples’ stories intrigue me and maybe one day that’ll be helpful. I have sort of resolved to not take pictures unless I have permission, and I was grateful these few granted it to me.

Charles ended up heading to town for something and all the films from last week were done so I began x-raying patients from today. I couldn’t sit still and know people were waiting for what I could help them with. And it felt good to be doing those exams on my own. A bit of independence I suppose. 

I did wake up with a headache this morning, so at about 1245 I told my coworkers that I needed to go for lunch, but would return after. I walked down the road and on the way called George (from Aid Africa) to see if they were at the office and maybe I could meet up with the staff for lunch. It ended up only being George and I, as everyone else had already ate, but at the restaurant we went to we spoke with some community service workers. One whom I spoke with was Betty, and she said that maybe she would have to stop by the hospital and see what could be done to improve the services there. I replied that if she did it would be wonderful. 

While George and I were sitting at lunch he explained how when he had stopped by the hospital that morning to check in on me, he watched the old Mose (a word that means older man, and is a term of respect) whom I was x-raying. George said that he could tell that the man was very glad that I was doing his exam. “He thought that just because you were doing the x-ray, he will be better. He’ll talk about that when he gets home... Its already circulating through town that a Muzungu is working in the x-ray department.” It was a funny story as he told it, but the implications are fairly immense. I simply take x-rays. If any miracle comes it is the hand of God, not me. Hopefully they see that.

On my way home at 4 pm I walked my normal route. I left early because all of the work was done and no new patients were arriving, and as I made my way by the Police Primary school I was joined by the young man who had been walking in front of me. He began to inquire about going to the US an what it would cost. And though he might have been sincere in only wanting information, those sorts of inquiries are difficult for me. I have realized that I have become somewhat closed to talking with people about it, as it happens quite often. Anyway... The boy talked with me for some time and as we talked he ended up asking me how it was that I got here. I explained how I had worked and save in order to travel here and now I am volunteering at the hospital. “But you’re getting paid, there at the hospital, right?” I said no, that it was voluntary and for free. “So you saved to come here and now are working for free?” he asked. I said yes and he said that was good. “Even here, not many people would do that. We would require maybe something for airtime or traveling, but we wouldn’t do what you are. Spending your savings. Thats good of you.” And though he was complimenting me, I took it differently. His words struck me, and as I thought about it I couldn’t help but ask why wouldn’t I come and help here? God has blessed me in so many areas and on so many occasions and the least I can do is come and serve where He so graciously is allowing me to. Thats the least I can do...