It's good to be back

Here are some pictures from our first day back at the hospital.  It was sweet to be back, yet strange in its “new person” awkwardness.  We hadn’t felt this way since last July, when we first came to Kibogora.  None of us knew a soul, although in a way we did, because of course we knew all the staff, and we knew our way around the buildings.  So, we didn’t feel entirely new, but the relationships with all the patients are all starting over.  In some ways, this is a nice place to be, because now we have Hannah with us, and so she has us to be “new” with her.  We are all starting over with all these patient relationships. 

Within an hour, so many of these precious children had our hearts – a few have malaria, and are suffering so terribly, some are severely malnourished children, with white eyelashes and white hairs standing out against the background of their dark brown skin.  Some have skin diseases of unknown name (unknown to us, not the doctors, probably!) and many came for treatment of broken bones. 

Some are shy, some outgoing, some happy, some sad.  Almost all of them have caring mamas and grandmoms watching over them diligently, who don’t know quite what to think about us muzungus (foreign white people) who have just shown up, from who-knows-where, giving out crayons and coloring books to their eager young children. 

Soon enough, they will know we can be trusted with their little ones.  Soon enough, they will be strapping their babies to Ruthie and Hannah’s backs, telling them they are “true Rwandans”, and enjoying their much deserved respite and break from their 24/7 childcare duties.  Meantime, here are some pictures of our new friends.  Enjoy!