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Most of Tuesday was spent in the clinic. Organizing sutures, counting drugs, and interacting with the patients and staff. Ursula is the nurse on staff with the Braze clinic. She is very smart but also loves learning from me and utilizing my nursing education in the states. Today she was treating a man named Michael when she ran into the room I was organizing. She said, “Hannah, can you stick.” I quickly said yes because she looked flustered. She needed help starting an IV for an infusion and asked me to please help her. Upon interacting with the patient I determined he spoke no English. Luckily, his wife was by his side and spoke some.

I organized my materials to start an IV for a Dextrose infusion before looking at this sweet man.  He was extremely dehydrated and was lying weak and fragile when I held his hand. Ursula had tried starting a 20 gauge on this man, but after looking at how dehydrated he was I decided a 22 gauge was more realistic. I looked at him and said “kidogo”, this translates to very little in Swahili. I was trying to get across to him that because his veins were “Kidogo”, I would be using a smaller needle.

I started the IV and began the infusion. Michael didn’t even flinch. He was just happy I was treating Him. His wife blessed me and I told them “Ni Narudi”, I would be back.

The infusion lasted 4 hours. I would visit him several times during this infusion to make sure he was okay. One time in particular he was feeling nauseous and sick to his stomach. I decided an IM injection of Zofran would bring him more comfort, so I went to the pharmacy to pick it up.  He was so grateful and left the clinic feeling much better than he felt when he arrived.

Today was a perfect example of service. Although this man spoke no English we worked around it. Jesus provided the materials, knowledge, and translator to treat this man the best way I knew how. It was a miracle in every way. Small, but a miracle none the less.

Days like these remind me why I chose nursing. Days like today remind me of the Lord’s faithfulness in every situation. Days like today remind me why I love nursing in Africa.

I pray that you would experience grace and peace in abundance as you trust in Him. In every situation would you look to Jesus in dependence.

Love from Kenya, Hannah