Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 4-Meg

Meg

I wake in the morning feeling incredibly refreshed.  My mind is clear and focused—nothing like the daze of the last several days.  It's as if there was a haze blocking my thoughts and vision, as if my mind was in a bubble.  It's clearly back to normal today.  I smile thinking about how I'm ready to help today. I get cleaned up quickly and head down to the kitchen. I didn't do the dishes last night but I offered to assist the ladies to cook this morning before our trip to the hospital. I already have my bag packed. I took out about half of everything for the kids at the schools. The rest my mom and I intended for the hospital.
I step into the dining hall and I can already smell unusual scents of something cooking.  I walk in further and I see three ladies at work.  I notice several aprons on hooks by the door and I put one on.  I'm greeted happily with hugs by Sister Ini.  She's wearing her glasses on top of her head just like yesterday.  She has an unmistakable smile with the apples of her cheeks always showing pronouncedly like she's continuously happy.  She's probably close in age to my mother—so in her forties.  She has a few grey hairs near her hairline but her short-cropped curly hair suits her. 
"So how are you feeling this morning, Sister Megan?" she asks. 
"I feel great.  I was kind of tired from all of the travel yesterday, I think.  I feel better today—more awake," I tell her. 
"Glad to hear it," she says hugging my side.  "Let me reintroduce you.  That was a lot of names last night."
I smile grateful for the reintroduction. 
"This is Sister Kalisa," she explains. 
"It's nice to meet you, Sister Megan," she says softly.  She's quite lovely and has a gentle disposition.  She's a woman of medium height with soft-looking bleached hair coming down to her neck and braided with lots of tiny braids pulling her hair all back behind her head.  She appears as if she's in her late twenties to early thirties.  Her freckles just underneath her eyes are rather unique and beautiful. 
"It's nice to meet you, too," I reply shyly. 
"And this is Sister Abigay," she introduces me to an older woman.  She's quite small with a very friendly face.  She looks up at me and smiles widely.  Her nose is a bit more pronounced.  She has a tiny chin but the kindest, most welcoming expression.  Her hair is all grey with two short braids poking out from a handkerchief tied around her head. 
"It's nice to meet you, sister," I tell her.  "I'm Meagan."
She hugs me as well.  I bend down to reach her small stature and I can't help but feel welcome.  She speaks quickly and with a strong accent.  I don't understand all that she says but I think I get the gist of it. 
We immediately get to work.  They already have some bread baking in the oven.  I'm asked by Sister Abigay by speaking and pointing to the vegetables to cut them up.  Sister Ini comes over and shows me the manner in which to cut up each type.  The dish I'm assisting in is called Callaloo.  It's actually a green leafy vegetable reminiscent of spinach or kale.  It has tomatoes, onions, scallions, garlic, and thyme in it.  It looks like the vegetables will be stewed or steamed. 
Sister Kalisa is cutting up some ripe plantains to go with it.  I'm not sure what she's going to do with them but I'm interested in trying it. 
I let Sister Abigay know when I finished cutting the vegetables.  She has me put them in a deep stewpot that already had some things cooking in it and we cook it down. 
I peek over my shoulder to see Sister Kalisa frying the plantains.  I smile thinking that this sounds unusual but different. 
I see Sister Ini working on some sort of fruit dish.  She was cutting up some unusual-looking fruit earlier but now it almost looks like scrambled eggs.  I notice Sister Kalisa now frying what appears to be some sort of dumplings.  I feel my tummy rumble a little and the food does smell good. 
Sister Abigay waves to me to take the bread out of the oven.  I realize that she's a wonderful cook but this kitchen must be a little cumbersome for her small stature.  I grab some hot pads and open the oven door pulling a pan out of the oven and placing it on the countertop where the sister is directing me. I get the rest out and follow until every pan is removed. She smiles at me in appreciation. I grin back.
"How's everything coming in here?" Pastor Ben asks entering the kitchen. "It smells delicious. Oh, is that ackee and salt fish?"
"It is," Sister Ini responds beaming. "We're just about done. Maybe five more minutes on the bread. You could have someone come in and get the dishes over there. The drinks are already set up but the cups could go out."
"Can do," Ben replies smiling. "I've got some young, hungry boys standing around that are just itching for a job."
I laugh at his enthusiasm. He meets my eyes and winks. We finish up and start putting the food into serving trays. I see Sister Abigay slicing the bread and it does look incredible. Next time I'll have to rise before my scheduled time so I can help with that. I assist carrying some of the larger trays into the dining hall. Sister Ini carries the bread. I go back and grab several serving spoons and tongs and return just in time for the prayer. I bow my head and the ladies I cooked with this morning join hands with me. I grasp them firmly and thank God for our fellowship. We finish the prayer but Sister Abigay holds firmly to me.
"Everything okay, sister?" I ask her bending over.
She mumbles something to me but I don't understand. I look up to Sister Ini in question. "She says that God is going to ask something unusual of you today," she explains. "Your first reaction will be to hide or turn away. She says to step forward boldly and meet your fate head on. This is God's plan for you."
I blink in surprise. After the shock wears off, I nod in understanding. "Anything God asks of me, I will do," I reply obediently.
She smiles at me and pats my cheek lovingly. She doesn't release my hand though. We walk over to the line and stand together awaiting the meal. I have Sister Abigay go before me and I follow. I watch as this tiny lady fills her plate. I'm surprised that she can eat that much. I take smaller portions to try a bit of everything. I'm very interested in the egg-looking dish. I know it's a fruit with fish and vegetables and it sounds interesting. I take a scoop of it also and a slice of bread. I stop at the beverages and I'm torn between the herbal tea, coffee, or cocoa. I think I'll have the cocoa today since it sounds incredibly comforting. I'll probably have their tea next time. The ladies from this morning wave me to come and join them. I do so and feel completely welcome. I try the new dishes pleasantly surprised by the unique and interesting flavors. Pastor Ben joins our table, sitting down and sighing. "The food alone is worth coming here. You've really outdone yourselves again ladies," he compliments.
They all smile and laugh at his flattery but it is incredible. I almost want to write down all of the recipes to take them home with me.
We finish the meal and I'm beaming with contentment—from the company and excitement of visiting the hospital. This was a favorite part of the trip highlights I saw last year. There was a large group from my church that attended last time. I wonder why nobody came back this year.
I grab my bag from my room and head out to the transportation. I pass my suitcase to Alvin who's loading up the luggage underneath the bus. I luckily get a seat this time and watch as the bus fills in to overcapacity. The younger men are standing this time and I think they're probably more capable than some of our older group members at keeping on their feet during the twists and turns.
The bus lurches forward and we drive through the town, further than I'd seen yesterday. The sights are all new and I enjoy the window seat watching the city go by. I notice how small the homes are yet there are smiling faces on all of the people. They don't have much but they appreciate everything they do have here. Their possessions may be few but they have a wonderful mindset along with sunshine, relaxation, and beautiful surroundings.
The bus continues on swerving down roads.  I see markets and all kinds of things.  We pass a building that I'm assuming may be the school.  It has a playground at it and I see some kids out playing soccer on a flat field.  We continue driving on for a while.  There are similar homes and buildings, tropical trees, farmland, hills... I see so much of the same that it's hard to differentiate place from place.  I'm grateful for the driver. 
We go through another area that's more city-like with paved roads and buildings.  We pull up to a three leveled building—the tallest building I've seen here.  We start to unload the passengers and I have to wait a while to exit.  I step out and grasp my bag, jittery in anticipation of visiting.  We're standing outside the entrance and given instruction on how to proceed.  We're to start up conversation with anyone willing.  If they're not interested in visitors, we ought to leave them alone but we're told those are rare.  We're brought inside the entrance and we split apart.  I go to the topmost level since I don't mind the climb with my bag.  I see a desk near the stairs with a nurse sat there.  She waves me in welcoming me.  I'm oddly the first up here.  I realize there are children on this level and I feel like I chose well.  I see a few kids walking around.  There's a child in a wheelchair and one with crutches.  I wave to them when they see me.  I open my bag and begin passing out stuffed animals, plastic toys, coloring books with colored pencils, puzzles, and craft sets.  The children all seem overjoyed.  I get hugs and kisses.  I feel a few kids climb on my back and hold on.  I laugh in surprise.  I realize this must feel like Christmas for them and my heart aches at being able to bless them like this. 
I hear some adult laughter and I peer over my shoulder to see Pastor Ben with his phone out either taking pictures or a video.  I wave to him and so do the children.  I get down on the floor and play with them showing how to use some of the new gifts.  I get so many laughs and hugs, kisses from all around that I feel like in a way, this is what I'm meant to do—to show God's love.  I'm actually so grateful for what happened.  My heart may be broken but it's being mended by the love of these children.