Tree of Life

Arbre de Vie is French and translates to “Tree of Life”. When I came to the Tree of Life and met the children and associates of the orphanage Yedidja, I was spent – in absolutely every sense of the word. I felt like I had no more to give. Work at the Children’s Hospital had been insane, just like all respiratory seasons always are. I had finished graduate school in December and the next weeks after graduation were spent reviewing and studying for my certification exam. I passed that and then a whirlwind of completing / starting to prepare for my time in Benin began. It was a mad dash and I remember packing in my living room before leaving thinking – what am I doing? I am so strung out myself, how will I ever have anything to offer these kids – these people I don’t even know an ocean away. But, I got on the plane and left my home and everyone I knew…with what little I felt I had to offer.

On March 20, 2012 at 12:00 in the afternoon on the airplane to Cotonou I wrote these words in my journal…

Whew – here goes nothing, right? It is legitimately impossible for me to believe that I am here – and I will be sleeping at Arbre de Vie tonight. Absolute craziness. I have no doubt in my mind that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing and exactly when I am supposed to be doing it. The Lord has been so faithful in working out the details. From money – to visas – to the smallest detail. I can rest assured that it is going to be taken care of. Trusting this will be an experience that changes my life and the way I see my world. Hoping to be engaged differently when I get home – not quite sure what that will look like quite yet though.

And then it happened…

I came to the Tree of Life.

These kids.

These people.

They breathed life into me.

My weary soul was no longer weary.

My heavy heart was heavy for a different cause, for a different purpose.

I never woke up knowing what the day would bring. It is absolutely impossible to know with 30 children and half a dozen adults what will actually occur on any given day. Impossible.

A hospital visit.

A punishment for disobedience.

A study session for a big exam.

A game of Crazy Eights before lunch.

A dance off while doing dishes.

An injury to our youngest, sassy Micho.

A random rainstorm blowing through with the strongest winds, blowing up a large metal bowl and pelting Ashley in the face.

I told Ashley on Saturday night after some plans had to be changed due to our extended village visits that “Plans are made to be broken”. She laughed and said, “Especially here!”.

I never knew what plans would come to fruition or what child would come running up with blood dripping down their knee for Tata to bandage and fix it all up.

Never knew much.

But I knew one thing though.

Every single day my soul had life literally breathed in to it by these children.

The children of Arbre de Vie.

The children of the Tree of Life.

Their lives – changed mine.

Them and their fearless, selfless leaders.

I will never be the same.

I have seen.

I have felt.

I have been forever changed by the Tree of Life.

My world will never be the same.

I am very behind on posting some neat things that happened over the past week. Will post about these adventures in the coming days. I am sitting in the NY airport right now. The past day has been difficult and my heart is hurting. Thank you for praying for me and my last memories with the children for this visit. I am confident I will be back…sooner rather than later. More than confident.