A Day of Firsts

When I woke up Monday morning to go to Partners in Hope Clinic, I did not know how many new experiences I would have—both positive and negative. It was a day of many firsts.

Over the weekend, Kirk taught me to drive is manual car on the left side of the road. When you drive in Lilongwe, you have to hug the center line (even though it appears as though you are going to collide with the oncoming traffic) because there is a continuous line of pedestrians and cyclists. Although there are many busy junctions, the traffic lights work less than half of the time. There are many traffic circles, which are confusing to navigate. Driving certainly takes some getting used to! Kirk thought that I was doing pretty well at driving and was confident that I could navigate to Partner’s in Hope with the help of google maps on my phone. Monday morning, I drove to Partners in Hope without any problems.

Within Partners in Hope are three wards: Moyo (which means life), Dalitso (which means blessing), and Thandizeni (which means help). Moyo is a free clinic for very poor HIV positive patients. It is always busy. Dalitso reminds me of a clinic that I might go to in the United States for regular check-ups. Patients can make appointments or walk-in. Many patients are there to refill their antiretroviral treatment (medication used to slow the progression of HIV).  Thandizeni is for very ill patients who need to stay overnight.

When I got to the clinic, I met and shadowed Dr. Jones while he did rounds in the Thandizeni ward. He then introduced me to the nurses and I shadowed/helped Violet. She gave me a tour of the facilities and introduced me to just about every person who works there. I got to practice my greeting in Chichewa a lot!

Violet and I spent our day in Dalitso calling patients into the triage room and taking their vital signs. Near the end of the shift, I watched Violet attempt to start an IV on a very ill two-year-old who was dehydrated and likely had malaria. The nurses told me that by the end of my time at Partners in Hope I will be a professional at starting IVs. I hope they are right!

During our down time, Violet taught me more Chichewa, explained the traditional engagement/wedding process, and told me about nursing programs in Malawi. We had a lot of fun together! Everyone at the clinic is so kind—they always say, “you are most welcome here.” I feel valued and loved. I look forward to my next shift at Partners!

When it was time to drive home, I had a feeling something was going to go wrong—I had 8% battery left on my phone, which was my GPS. I had about a 30 min drive ahead of me. Everything was fine until a police officer ahead waved me to the side of the road. Apparently I was driving the wrong direction on a one-way road. Let’s just say that one-way roads are not well marked (the other Americans here have done the same thing, so that makes me feel better)! I got a K10,000 fine (which is $14), and my phone promptly died.

If only I knew the city better, was a skilled navigator, or had a phone charger. Nope. I spent the next 2 hours driving in bumper to bumper traffic in the dark the wrong way. People weaved through the lanes of traffic. Motorcyclists speed between lanes. I was lost by myself in a foreign country, in a large city, with a dead phone. I began to panic a few times. Mom, thanks for encouraging me to memorize scripture. Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, the great comforter, and the way, truth and the life.

I stopped twice to ask for directions, but road names are not marked and directions don’t come easily to me. I kept praying, driving, and reciting scriptures. When I finally made it home, I told Kirk, “I don’t know how I made it back. I was so lost. All the streets look the same, but nothing looks the same as in the day.”

So, it was a day of many firsts for me, but nothing is new to Jesus. Although getting lost seemed like just about the worst thing that could happen to me, I passed by two cars that had broken down in the middle of the road, several people came to beg at my window, and countless people didn’t have a car to drive that night. Conversely, I had fuel in my tank and my Savior with me. His presence seemed especially near to me during that time. I prayed several times, “show me the way, Jesus. I have no idea which way to turn.” And that is what He did.

This is how I want to depend on Jesus for life...not just driving. Show me the way, Jesus. I do not know where to turn.
I have been reading John. Throughout the book, Jesus makes many “I am” statements: “I am the bread of life…gate for the sheep…the good shepherd…the resurrection and the life.” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). This is the One we follow. He will show us the way. Let us not wait for times of desperation to call upon His name. He is with us always. Amen.