Unexpected Gifts

The past couple days have been a bit rough... not feeling well in a 3rd world country is not easy. I have slept in till 11 or 12 everyday (or at least haven't had strength to get out of bed until then). It kills me because the girls start leaving this weekend and I want to maximize my time with them... but I have to listen to my body as well. Yesterday, I finally got up at noon and took some time to read. I had 3 girls sitting outside my window waiting for me all morning. Then, I walked through campus, saying hello to the girls. I found out 3 girls needed funds to be able to graduate and if they didn't have it by the end of the day, they wouldn't be able to attend University. It was about $25/person... how could I not help! So, help I did. One was Shamim, the sweet girl from last time. She comes from such a poor family and it hurts my heart to know that such a little amount could keep her from going to university. After meeting with the girls, Sarah asked if I would go to town with her to help pick out graduation gifts. So, Sarah, Joy, Joseph and I all headed to town. I wasn't feeling great, but knew Sarah needed help, so I went. We did a crazy amount of shopping (gifts for 100 students). The hard part is, it was African style. No organization, no fore thought on what to get, no planning... just wondering through congested Kampala. Yet, being with my sweet friends was fun enough. I kept praying for strength and God granted.
Today, yet again I woke up feeling sick and really discouraged. Why after having to wait two weeks longer and being here such a short amount of time with the girls would God allow me to be sick and in bed...or at least not have the energy these girls are use to me having. They had started making comments, "Auntie Deb, you don't dance around and play music this time". My heart sank.
After returning to bed for a couple more hours, I was greeted by a few girls who wanted to simply chat and hang out. That I could do: low key and sitting. We had a GREAT time. Joy, the pastors wife came by to say hello and pray for me as well as the the students. I teared up during there prayers and begged God to answer and be my healer. The 4 students and I sat and talked for hours. It lifted my heart. We talked about university, what being a woman of God means, what they are looking for in a man and what their standards should be. These girls are so strong on their convictions it's awesome.
At 5 pm, cheers echoed through the campus as the s6 girls finished their last exam and were done. We all ran out and celebrated. They wanted to take "Swag" pictures (posing with an attitude... these will be put on FB soon :) It was hilarious! They LOVE taking photos and so do I so it works well! Many "Swag" photos were taken today!
I was walking to my guest house to prepare for the celebration I was hosting tonight when Hadija called me over to the dining hall for some posho and beans. I agreed. The S5 girls have been done for a few days, but they are copying all the s6 girls notes so they can listen better next year. So, they were all excited to get some attention from me. At 7 I left and went to the guest house where I got to speak to just the s6 girls, encourage them about life after HS and then I had bought each of them a necklace to celebrate them and remind them they have an American friend who loves them and is praying for them. It is so fun to give. The rest of the time was spent singing, dancing, talking and laughing. I needed tonight, to remember why I am here... and I'm praying my health stays up now for the rest of the time.
The evening ended with a LATE dinner with Sarah and family as they had waited for me to eat... I had NO idea!
Thank you Jesus for lifting my spirit. Please pray that my heart and spirit will continue to be lifted and also that my health will be 100%