Uganda: day 2

My knee popped out of place today and the second it did I knew it was from the enemy. As I collapsed into a bucket of shoes I shouted "my knee" only for the kids around me to echo "her knee, her knee." Tears filled my eyes for multiple reasons, I was embarrassed that I was there to help them try on shoes and they ended up helping me stand up. I knew the pain over the next couple of hours would be intense, only getting worse over night. I knew I didn't have a crutch and if I had one I still wouldn't use it. I called TJ (our guy on the team, who is my big brother- always). He walked over and escorted me to the van while I cried. I sat down looked out the window at the team, working so hard to help in whatever way that looked like- washing feet, taking footnotes and helping the kids try on shoes. I elevated my knew for 5 minutes, took medicine and knew I had to get back out there- I would just have those switch jobs,which I didn't want to do because I loved watching their faces light up when they put their new shoes on. I walked around for a bit and checked on the team, everyone was doing good with snacks, taking breaks when needed and drinking plenty of water like I'd warned them. However, I couldn't prepare them for the raw emotions they would feel. The moment that we run out of a kids shoe size and you have to tell him we will come back with more next week. I couldn't warn them about that baby's face of disappointment. I couldn't warn them about the elders with special needs that get abandoned from their families. I couldn't warn them about the amount of jiggers that each person had in their feet. I could just comfort them in their moments of processing. 

To say that today was a hard day would be putting it lightly, today was one of the hardest days. I watched as each of my team members had their "Africa moments" -- as the leader of this team I feel the need to not cry, to hold in tears. But eveytime they had tears mine came, they were just hidden by sunglasses and a soft smile, while I rubbed their back. 

Tonight during devotion walls were broken down. This family is growing closer as the days pass on. Tonight the team prayed of each other. I've never felt the holy spirt on a trip like I did tonight, knowing he was there in our dark bed room only lit up by flashlights. This team is strong, so strong and spirit lead. I am thankful for each heart here. I am thankful for their "yes" and I am thankful for their hearts to serve. 

I also saw a girl who was 13. She reminded me so much of one of my girls- Brenda N. they are from the same tribe. Which brought up all sorts of emotions. I told her about Brenda, she seemed to like her even though she'd never met her.