This past Monday I started feeling nauseous, dizzy and my head was pounding so I had to miss the last few hours of my shift. I worked both Tuesday and Wednesday even though I still wasn't feeling well, however when I woke up Wednesday my stomach was hurting. I didn't think a lot if it and went out with a bunch of people to watch a national Ugandan soccer game that night. At the game my stomach started hurting worse and worse until it spread to my back. I can honestly say that I have never felt that much pain in my entire life. I don't even have words to describe it.
The people I was with could tell I wasn't feeling well and tried to get me to the hospital as soon as the game was over. The men kept offering to carry me because I was having trouble walking. We got to our van but the traffic was crazy and the driver got lost. On the way to the hospital people were laying hands on me and praying for me. By the time we got there I couldn't walk on my own, I couldn't breathe properly and I couldn't stop crying. One of the guys and a girl I live with had to half-carry me to a hospital bed. The nurse said my heart-rate was much too high, probably due to the pain, and injected me with a drug that is slightly less than morphine. It wasn't enough and they had to give me strong oral pain killers as well.
The doctors couldn't figure out why I was in so much pain. They thought my intestines an back may have gone into spasms and that it could have had something to do with nerves. On top if it, they diagnosed me with heat stroke and dehydration which would explain the nausea.
I didn't end up getting out of the hospital until 2am... At first it was kind of scary being so sick so far away from home, but I feel right here. And through all this sickness I have peace because for the first time I feel like this is where I'm meant to be. I have followed this huge, beautiful, faithful God across the world and He who made me and loves me has taken care of me- even in the scariest moments. He who knows my heart and needs has surrounded me with people who love me unconditionally, even if they don't know me that well. He has surrounded me with people who resemble Jesus in so many ways. With people who care more about others than they do about themselves. People who will carry a sick girl they don't know and hold her hand the entire time. People who will sort out my hospital fees and lose sleep just to pray for me. People who show the same kind of self-sacrificial love that Jesus showed on the cross.
Here I am reminded why I follow this great God. I am reminded of His heart and His goodness and all that He is.
And with a glad and joyful heart I will keep serving and following this God, through sickness or pain, come what may, I will follow Him.