Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kelechi Kalu
I thank God everyday for the situations he places me in—especially those such as the one I experienced today. I find it odd that on the first day I blogged I would have such an eye-opening and soul-enriching experience.
For the record, I am terrified of seriously sick people. I don't know why. I just am. And I was terrified today when the group was told that we were to go around the Evaton community with home-based care workers and tend to the sick and shut- in. Most of the patients were either seriously disabled or suffered from HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis. Needless to say, I was emotionally stretched. I couldn't even stay in the first house as the home-based care workers tended to the patient.
On the car ride to the next house, something dawned on me. Beyond the fear that I felt in coming into contact with the sick individuals, my task in South Africa and my task as a leader, was--and is--much bigger than that. So, I decided to physically help with the next patient by helping massage the paralyzed areas of her body. I even ended up crying; not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy. The old woman laughed and smiled the entire time, despite her condition. In fact, the smiles on the faces of the sick and shut-in were evidence enough that even through misfortune, difficulty and adversity, there is always something good to hold on to and something to laugh about.
Today, I was able to find something that I may have never been able to truly find without this one experience: I found myself. And now, I am better equipped to help others as I reminisce on the situations I experienced today with one driver, four aged home-based care workers, nine Morehouse brothers, and three patients whom I will never forget. I know their stories. Now I can tell mine.
More Postcards
Day 1: Monday, May 18, 2009
Day 2: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Day 3: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Day 4: Thursday, May 21, 2009
Day 5: Friday, May 22, 2009
