Encouragement

It isn't everyday that I am "on call" anymore. Back when Infinite Family first started I was "on call" during our video conferencing times almost every day of the week. Although I am glad for the time I now have to advance Infinite Family's mission -- I miss the special little glimpses into our Net Buddies world that came with being "on call".

But today...I'm on call!

Which means I get to share with you my little window into another world.

First, Christina, our Net Fundi at the Haven, called to tell me about the changes in the VC schedule. M. wasn't going to be able to make it to his VC today. When I inquired about the reason, she responded, "it has something to do with his body...but he won't talk to me about it." That is Christina's bit of short hand for saying he had recently gotten circumcised.

Since it was discovered that circumcision reduces the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS, many of the older boys have been scheduled for the surgery. As you can imagine, none of them is eager for the procedure. And all of them have to go it alone.

Since the boys are orphaned, there is no mother to sit with them in the aftermath of such surgery. And since the boys are in their late teens, the understaffed orphanages can't spare anyone to accompany them to the hospital or be there for them as they struggle with the pain.

So, M. wasn't coming to his VC.

I called Lisa, his Infinite Family mentor to tell her. She told me of how scared M. had been, how nightmarish the hospital experience was for him. She told me of how worried she was that there was no mother or father there for M. to go to, to depend on, to make sure that this very sensitive surgical site did not get infected. Lisa felt so sad for her boy, M.

So, she wrote him an email. I'd like to share part of it with you:

My dear M,

Long time no see. Boy, I miss you so much. I miss your smile and laugh. I hope things are going alright with you. I am so sorry that you had to experience the hospital all by yourself. I wish I was there to be by your side and hold your hand, to comfort you thru the scary times.

I want you to know that you can talk to me any time you need to. I am here for you always. I am not going anywhere. I love you M. You are the son I never had, and I am very proud of you.

If something is wrong with you please tell the house mother. If your circumcision is infected please tell her. You may need to get some medicine to cure it up...

Write me a email to let me know what's going on. Take care of yourself young man. I'll be talking to you soon.

HUGS TIGHT, Lisa

Lisa is 8000 miles away from M. and confined to a wheelchair. She can't use her hands to type, so she uses a special instrument to help her navigate the keyboard.

But do all those physical limitations lessen the impact of her words? No. Her words, to a very uncomfortable and lonely boy in an orphanage in South Africa are the medicine he needs.

And Lisa supplies it!

Infinite Family mentors are special people. I am so blessed to know them!

You can know them, too! Become a part of Infinite Family today! Join our next mentoring training class on March 23rd!

Thanks for caring...

Dana