Love Bigger!

Outside, the tropical rain pours over the earth as the sun rises in oranges to escape behind the thick cloud. I am anxious to put my pen to paper and tell another story.

One of the questions I have asked myself as I have traveled is “How has Africa taught me to love?” I love so differently now. I know it, but on so many levels it is unconscious and unexplored.

I believe the babe that I met yesterday, little Dorothy, holds a clue.

As I approached the young, blonde English nurse she gently rocked an African infant on the rusty old swing. The child looked up at her with liquid dark, bright eyes and lay motionless in a pure white sleeper.

The young nurse continued to swing as she comfortably smiled and said “This is Dorothy. She came to Sanyu on Tuesday and is very ill. She was found abandoned and floating in a latrine.” Dorothy never moved. The swing never stopped rocking.

Hannah and I briefly exchanged names, which in the moment seemed insignificant and merely obligatory. Hannah continued.

“We think the baby is around 4 months, because she can hold up her head for a short time. However, she is still so dehydrated.” She rolled the baby forward in her lap and massaged the little hand of the child to show me. As she rolled the child, it was easy to see Dorothy’s spine protruding through the cotton clothing, from top to bottom.

Hannah smiled again and explained in her British accent “I am just trying to give her some extra attention, she needs it. We hope she will begin to keep her food.”

My heart moves. It rolls with affection and attraction to the child. It is irresistible. Africa just draws me in and teaches me to connect and be with that strong current.

On Monday, we will begin serving at Sanyu, which incidentally means “joy” in Lugandan. On Tuesday, we will begin training the staff in child development and health and hygiene. We have a week there.

And although I have not yet held Dorothy, I’m sure I will have the opportunity. Although I may never see her again, I know she has taught me love afresh. I am expanded.

The team keeps saying, “Everyone should come here! Everyone should experience this!” Africa teaches everyone to be loving and strong.