My fifth year back; why rwanda is so special

       This is my fifth year coming to Rwanda with Team Heart.   I did not know until a few days ago that i am one of four team members who have made all of our mission trips.   Ceeya and Chip Bolman, Suellen and I  are the lucky ones who's schedules have allowed us to come each year.  
      This year more than any i feel this " Veteran leadership".  I sat in on the patient selection process, have worked closely with Connie ( our ICU resource nurse) in the ICU and been able to teach Rwandan staff ( and newly graduated nurse Paige) in recovering some of our sickest patients.   It has been exhausting yet exhilarating at the same time.
      Coming back to King Faisal Hospital is almost like returning to summer camp.  I see many old friends whom i share a common bond.   The ease in which we renew our friendship is a testament to strength of our bond from previous years.  I think the most dramatic change is watching someone like former patient Erneste Simpunga, who i met in 2008, help recover from surgery in Boston that year and watch grow into a strong, bright young man.   He recently graduated from high school and would like to be a heart surgeon someday.  He always comes back to encourage our patients and recently i was drawn to both tears and laughter watching him teach and comfort our 16yo orphan patient.   He was giving Alexi and his caretakers some preoperative advice and i was in awe watching him.   He was so confident telling this frighten, young boy he must concentrate on 3 things before surgery to achieve success.

1.  He must have confidence the surgery will go well.
2.  He must pray to God to keep him safe and guide his caretakers
3.  He must do everything the medical staff tells him to do and he will recover strong like him.

I think this is sound advice to every person undergoing surgery!

    I am not sure how to express this except i feel a spiritual presence in Rwanda and with our patients unlike any other time i have felt.   Maybe it is the raw desperation of some of our patients,  maybe it is the beautiful way they recover from surgeries it would take days or weeks at home for my patients to  recover from or maybe it is the touch of hand and the gratitude in their smiles and eyes.   I truly feel like God is guiding our work and it is a special place to be.   I feel fortunate and blessed to be here.  You can fall in love with Rwanda and Africa.   I have.