I'm still trying to decide what to call it, but I officially have my own apartment in Africa! Yah!
Okay, lets be honest, there is almost nothing in it. I have the faithful rug my Dad made me as the only piece of living room furniture besides an overturned suitcase that is doubling as a coffee table/dining table/workdesk/potted plant holder. My "kitchen" is not much better with pans and cups scattered about in neatly organized fashion in the galley which will be my kitchen but also double as the wide corridor back to the bedroom. In the bedroom you'll find the only thing that appears put together is the jewelry rack with all my earrings. Other than that, its simply suitcases and a mattress on a concrete floor. I am thankful and blessed though.
One of my friends at work said I seemed so much happier lately, and I am afraid this little space is the cause of that. I have been trolling Pintrest for ideas to decorate with recycled materials and cheap innovations, dreaming big, and scouting out for the things that I want. Its my own little do it yourself project that I get to work on when work is done and I like it!
Speaking of work, I am getting more in the swing of things now, which means that I am able to institute a lot of little (and eventually big) changes around the hospital to make it run smoother and more in line with a conventional American hospital which was the original inspiration for the hospital and the reason that the director hired me on. Of course this means some conflict with the old (and of course older) staff that are slightly resistant to change. But I am trying to be as pleasant as possible and present my case as factually and scientifically as possible. I find that if I am above reproach in my attitude and my presentation that even big changes go over rather smoothly. As all of those of you who know me well are probably rolling your eyes right now and thinking, how in the world is that girl keeping her attitude above reproach... let me just say that is a process and involves a tremendous amount of prayer and dying to my stubborn American self each and every day.
So that is just a little bit about my life.
I realized the other day that in 2 weeks the one year anniversary of me being in Africa will surface. I can't say that I have done any single one of the things that I had planned on doing except "be challenged". And that God has done so faithfully that I don't feel at all like the girl that came here a year ago. Of course some things haven't changed at all. I am still stubborn on a lot of things. I am still sarcastic when I find someone who understands my humor. I still enjoy coffee, pizza, and rolexes. I still love my family tremendously and I realize this more with each passing day as I miss not only my biological Walter family, but also my Vintage Faith church family. I still have a heart for Africa, though I've seen God grow different parts of that heart in ways that I never could have imagined. I still know that I am where God wants me to be.
I would say that a good 40% of the time this is really tough and really sucks, but the other 60% I really enjoy even the annoying or taxing things and I see how God is taking me through a really stressful boot camp if you will during this time. I can only look ahead with hope and wonderment at what His finished product will be!
