THE HUMANITARIAN: ZAMBIA 2008 REFLECTION- Life Changer 2

I got a little teary eyed recollecting the memories...

I got sick. I think it was the chicken plus the side effects of the malaria pills. Two major side effects of malaria pills - nightmares and diarrhea. So I took my Immodium and Gatorade, and trudged on. We are scheduled to visit a couple of shelters to spend time with the girls and help serve them lunch. After a long drive, we reached a girls' shelter. In this Transition Shelter, the girls are housed for a month or 2 period, getting basic needs, housing, proper medical care, and social and psychological help when needed. The people that run this place walk the girls through their issues and help them make a decision - to go back home, move to another shelter or, whatever other option. We entered a room with no lighting and just bare floors. A handful of girls came to meet us with a handshake. They taught us some cultural song and dance, and we began to follow them. Later on, we also played soccer games, listened to the girls' stories and encouraged them.

On the corner of the room was a young lady that I have been taking pictures of. She was beautiful and quiet. I approached her and I engaged her in a little conversation. Her name was Susan and she was 16 years old at the time. Her parents died of HIV/AIDS and left her to the care of her aunt. She was abusively beaten, so she ran away to social welfare.

Forgiveness and healing was her issue. "Do you really know that God can heal you?" I asked. She pondered momentarily and I sensed that it was hitting her hard.

I began to pray for her. I never felt so moved until this moment. I began to feel her pain even though I didn't understand it and never went through what she went through. I began to cry for her; she saw it. I asked her in the end if I could give her a hug. She said yes and it was one of the most sincere hugs I gave throughout this entire trip. Sometimes, there are no words to comfort and encourage, but maybe it's the sincere reaction from the heart that will touch and give comfort.

We helped served this dish - fried anchovies and Nshima. Nshima is pounded yam, a staple food in Zambia.

As I was coming out of the kitchen, I saw another girl - alone and by herself, staring a far off. The Pastor's wife who was in our team explained to me, the young lady walked more than 40 km (24 miles) because she was running a high fever, and there was no help for her in her hometown. Her fever was a symptom of her HIV/AIDS.

Later in the day, our team visited another boys and girls shelter. I was told that many of the shelters, are shelters during the day but a prostitute house at night, where many of the kids are sexually abused. There were mainly boys in the shelter.That was painful to hear, but I reminded myself that the world is big and humanity's problems outside of my sheltered life is overwhelming. I am thankful that there is a God who watches over them when I cannot do anything in my own human power.