While sitting in the train on my way back from Arnhem yesterday my phone rang. This in itself is not very unusual. However, since about 5 people have my new number I was caught by surprise. And it showed up as an 'unknown number'. It was my mom, calling from Freetown with Skype. I got a little worried for a second but seeing as she sounded excited rather than distressed I figured nothing was wrong.
She called to tell me that the mom of a 1 ½ year old patient of mine arrived at the gate with Christmas presents for me and was wondering what she should do with them. Well, I figured she could just put the presents in my room and I’d see them when I get back.
I was wrong. These were not ordinary presents.
I have never received such unique gifts. I received a live chicken! And also a bag of produce- oranges, grapefruits, plantains & cassava root. I can only imagine how much of a sacrifice this gift was for my patient’s family. I am very thankful! Arrangements were quickly made to find a new home for Mr. Chicken and the bag of goodies were divided among the outpatient clinic staff.
Besides enjoying the fact that I was given a chicken, I love knowing that I am building relationships through my work in the outpatient clinic. I hope that what I do goes beyond physical healing and that I have a genuine effect on the lives of the families I meet.
2 comments:
Een kip!!! wat ontzettend leuk, voortaan dus lekker verse eieren? of toch een verlate kerst maaltijd hahaha. Ontzettend leuk om je gezien te hebben,
liefs mirjam
That's a sweet story, Sandra! It's so nice to be reminded how giving people, who have so little, can be and how we, who have so much, should be!
~Amy
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