Last week I spent four days on the road with the Checklist
team, and while the days were long and the conditions sometimes less than
ideal, we ended the time together still liking each other. That’s a huge win in
my book. Even more than that, we had fun. We laughed. We helped each other out
sometimes and other times left each other alone. We made a difference in peoples’ lives and in
hospitals across the country. We really
did. Things are better now than they
were a week ago – and that always brings me to my knees. What an honor that I get
to be a part of something so incredible.
I love my work right now. I’ve always loved the work, but
through much of the last several years the actual amount of work, the number of projects and people and details and
reports and balls in the air was exceptionally high, and I teetered on burnout
quite often. Thanks to a growing team on
the ship, less and less is now resting on my shoulders; the workload I am carrying today
is reasonable, and I’m so very grateful for that. This week we had planned to run some very
large training days here in the capital, but a few weeks ago it became clear
that our original plan wouldn’t work, so that’s been pushed out a few
weeks. I’m so massively thankful; my
to-do list is extensive, but the fact that I don’t have to be running teachings
this week means it’s manageable. Fun,
even. I was upset at the time, when we
had to cancel this week’s training sessions, but now I’m just so, so grateful
that God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want! And because I didn't have to work all day today, I was able to spend some time with my dear Beninese family, reveling in the beauty that is that family and their love for me, along with some of the most delicious Beninese food ever made. My heart is so full.
I turned in my very last paper of my Master in Public Health
today. It was a total grind; a difficult one to get through and it took me
nearly all of yesterday to power through it.
It’s not the best paper I’ve written but it will get me the grade I need
to finish with merit… and all that
remains is my thesis, which I’m looking forward to. I get to research something I’m passionate
about and curious about and really excited about, not something assigned by the
instructor that is boring and dry and the reason it took me all day to write
those silly 1500 words yesterday. So
grateful for the blessings I’ve been given in this season; the ability to study
on top of demanding work and worldwide travel, the financial provision that has
meant so far I haven’t had to take out student loans, and the encouragement and
love sent from all over to help me get through the rough patches. The end is in sight.
Time is flying by; I’m excited for what’s next, and
sometimes can’t wait for things like Trader Joes and more freedom and getting
out of this sweltering heat, but at the same time I wish I could slow down the second
hand on the clock as I realize that the time
of last things is coming quickly. I
desperately want to squeeze out every last drop of joy from this place; part of
why I am so happy, I think, is because knowing I’m leaving soon means the
difficult things - the injustices or the difficult people or the policies I
wish would change or decisions that I fundamentally disagree with - they can
fade to the background and all the fun, good, happy things can just take their place
in the forefront of my consciousness. It’s
a relief, really, and such a joy to hear random people saying Krissy, you look happy!
Yes, yes I am. And
for that I am truly grateful.
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