My Heart Is Bursting With Joy

Today I went back to the hospital to see Matoch. Since our translator, Kuel, needed to go home, I came to replace him. I'll be at the hospital all day and sleep at the Kijabe Guesthouse which is run by a missionary couple. The guesthouse is a blessing. It's not fancy, but I see it as a place of refuge and comfort, especially after sleeping at the hospital last Sunday. I have a room to myself, there is a community kitchen and bathrooms with flushing toilets. Yippeee! I just took a shower and it was lovely. I feel really refreshed and rested.

While the hot shower and flushing toilets were great, they are not the reason my heart is bursting with joy. The reason for my joy is Matoch's smile and laughter. When I walked into the room, he immediately lit up. This is the first time I have really seen him engage with me (or anyone). Right away I noticed his smile. Because half of his upper lip was operated on and is still swollen, only half of his mouth turns up in a smile. It's really sweet. He was smiling as big as he could. As I spent time with him, one by one I gave him some toys donated by the Kuj kids. With each gift, he (and Achol) were so excited. He loved looking at the books (especially the ones with animals) and coloring. I can't figure out which toy was his favorite: the white seal stuffed animal or the Monster's Inc puzzle. I showed him how to snuggle with the seal. It was so cute to see him lying on the bed squeezing it. Then he lifted it in the air and made it fly. It was in putting the puzzle together that I almost started to cry. I showed him how to place the pieces in the right spot. He time he found the correct space, I cheered and clapped. Then he laughed. And laughed. And laughed. Every time I cheered, he laughed. It was music to my soul. I couldn't believe how happy he was. Since Matoch was brought to us, he has been quiet and in pain. Before the surgery, he was really upset and I wondered, is it me? Does he want me to leave? I assured myself it was anxiety about the surgery that made him cry, but I still felt bad I couldn't comfort him enough. Now I know, God was the one that needed to comfort him and bring back his happiness. Being with him today really made my heart soar. I was thrilled to see him "normal" at last. He was well enough to play outside for a bit. Achol, also, is doing well. She always greats me with a big smile. Today she sang a Dinka song with me. (For the RdR members from the first trip, it was the song we sang at church.) Tomorrow I will get to the hospital early to hopefully speak to the doctor and get a progress report.

I also had a neat time of prayer and Scripture reading with Josephine who is Caroline's aunt (not mom). Caroline has been discharged already, but they are still in the ward. I'm not exactly sure why, but it may have to do with money. I don't think they have the money for the bill or a way to get home. I assured her that God was able to bring them here and He'll get them home. We read Psalm 39 and 40 together. I encouraged her to put her trust in God. He is our only hope. Even during hard times, God is with us and loves us. We may not know why we are enduring hard times, but we know God has a plan. Tomorrow I'll visit her and Caroline again as well as some of the other people I have met. I'm excited to be there and see what God has in store for the day.