Remember those mornings when you would hop out of bed excited to see what the day would bring.  Usually they were while you were on vacation, but every once in a while you find yourself in a situation where it's impossible to stay asleep.  Since I've been in Africa, I don't think I've woken up to my alarm once.  Maybe once for our pre-dawn safari ride, but other than that my body rises well before the alarm rings, usually at the crack of dawn.  A wise resident once told me that if you find yourself jumping out of bed and racing to work, you've found you're true calling.  Everyday here is an adventure.  In fact, even after the work day ends, there's always more to come.

Many of the volunteers here say they work harder here than back at home.  Maybe it's cause the need is so great or that the work is so enjoyable.  Whatever it is, it seems to be contagious - you're never the only one up and ready to see what the day will bring.  In fact, sleeping in would probably be an anomaly.

Today was one of the best clinic days I've had by far.  I got to meet Stale, a Norwegian man, who found himself in Tanzania many years ago and decided to call it home.  The Maasai culture (see prior post) is a fierce one, and often times families find themselves fighting over a small quantity of food.  You can imagine that if you were a handicapped child, it would be near impossible to survive.  Stale found that when he would visit the bomas (Maasai villages - usually a circle of huts surrounded by fences), he would find children in the corner who hadn't been fed, clothed or seen the light of day since they were born.  He's adopted many of these kids and they come to see us on a biyearly basis.  He only adopts as many children as he can pay attention to - looking after their quality of life rather than looking for quantity.  Not only has he given these kids a fighting chance, it's obvious that they are well cared for cause you can see the joy on their faces.  You would think that seeing such devastation would leave these kids disheartened, but watching them today reminds you of the resiliency of the human spirit, especially in the young.  I wish I could share the feeling of a hug or listening to them break out into song randomly in the waiting room.  Unfortunately, all I can leave you with is this picture...and maybe the desire to do this yourself one day :)