Bronchitis

This past week, I have been out sick with bronchitis (hence the time to finally get this blog going). Typically, I spend my evenings and weekends (especially the weekends) running people to the ER, help identify and counsel how to take over the counter meds, help fill out forms at pharmacies, etc. This week, however, is really the first time where I’ve fallen ill, and the community – oh, my sweet, sweet neighbors – are overwhelming me with blessings!

Take this evening, for example. While taking a two-hour nap on the couch, the door was tapped on not once, not twice, but seven times by six different groups of people who just wanted to make sure I’m ok and see if they could do anything to help (and were lovingly escorted out by Esther, my protective “momma” of the house) their sick sister. One guy, Khem, said “My dear Didi (big sister), you are my sweet and best friend and you always take care of me when I am sick – if you need anything, even if I am busy or I am sick or I am going to an appointment – I will drop everything to come here and take care of you, my Didi!”

Yesterday, too, was an incredible testimony of the love these wonderful people possess. Every morning before school, four of my middle school boys come over for breakfast. Yesterday, the “breakfast crew” came over, but insisted they could make their own breakfast, and mine, too. They served me my cereal (bless their sweet hearts!), and then asked if they could pray to Jesus for my health. After school, word had spread to the high schoolers and adults in the neighborhood that Valerie is sick, and so, within the course of an evening (having already had friends come and tend to my physical needs all afternoon), 4 of my high school boys, one of their fathers, and a few more middle schoolers stopped by to “pray to Jesus” for me and to see if I needed any medicine, any food, etc.

It’s hard to feel sick amongst so much love and compassion.