"just be free"

Today I met someone awesome who I think could really teach a lot of people some good lessons.

We started our day off at the Red Cross Children's Hospital again today and as always there was a mix of sad and happy moments. My friend Simwamkele that I wrote about yesterday was feeling even worse today. She was sound asleep all day but she woke up for just long enough to put together a Rapunzel puzzle. She had a feeding tube inserted after I left yesterday BUT her mom was there today! You could feel how comforted she was just by having her mom next to her bed.

I was the first to walk onto the ward today and to my extreme delight a little boy who my roommate Brittany Tomasetti has formed an extremely close bond with, was waiting in the hallway and ran towards me as soon as he saw someone coming with games. He hasn't been out of bed since we have been here and to have him literally run at me this morning was the greatest surprise. He pulled me right over to the tiny table and we got right to work on some puzzles. Seeing the way both he and Brittany lit up today when they saw each other outside of his room was really special. 

I also realized that I was getting even more attached to some of these children than I even thought I was. When I couldn't find one of my favorite little guys, Likaya, I was so sad that I didn't get to see him before he left. About an hour or two later he came strolling around the corner and I was SO relieved to see him. I know that sounds really selfish but it's not like I want them to stay, I just want to say good bye before they leave. The reality is that I will not see this kids ever again and they have made such an impact on me already. 

My final story of today is probably also the most prominent. We got some time at Clifton Beach this afternoon and while we waited for our taxi we got to talk to a local man who was working the parking lot. He is the one who people should learn a lesson from. He told us about how he was exiled Tanzania before Nelson Mandela "came through" and how he was a soldier there during that time. He told us that he wanted us to feel safe in his country because he would protect us because he knew what it was like to be in another country and fight for them. He gave us some of the best advice a person can give.. "just be free" and he promised us that if someone came to us and tried to take our things or hurt us he would surely protect us because one day he may be in our country and would want the same. So I would like to pass along just one more time what he said to everyone reading this.... just be free.