The last run to Guigon Pharmacie is one I will never forget.
It was late at night, around 9 or 9:30 PM, when Dad and I had both just sat down to dinner. Normally, we would have been eating dinner together as a family, but each of us was packing for our repatriation flight to America at a different pace.
So, it was just Dad and I sitting at the table eating a meal of chicken, corn, white rice, and sweet potatoes squares sauteed in onions. The discussion we had was about packing, and transitioning back to life in the US when all of a sudden Dad exclaimed "What time does Guigon close?!".
I was not expecting that question, but as soon as I realized what he asked I said "Let me check." as I pulled out my phone from my pocket.
As it turned out, Google told me that Guigon Pharmacie wouldn't be closing until 11 PM that night. With that information, Dad and I left in our beat-up Prado for the Pharmacie downtown.
On our ride down, I began praying that God would soften the heart of whichever pharmacist was on duty, and that they would fully comprehend the situation and how I did really need to stock up on more diabetes supplies before leaving for the US.
God heard my prayer, and he went before me.
We walked in the golden-framed, glass double doors, up to the counter. The lady on duty recognized us right away and asked how "Mama Fatou" was doing.
[In Senegal, after a certain number of years living there, a friend will typically gift you with their name. My mom received the name Fatou from one of her close friends.]
I responded that she was well, and excited to go back to America for a little while. The pharmacist seemed pleased to hear this response and then proceeded to ask if there was anything she could do for us.
So, I asked for the two kinds of insulin I was on at the time. She said "How many boxes of each?" without even batting an eyelash.
I felt so blessed in that moment because I remembered my prayer from earlier on in the car and I began thanking the Lord for his provision.
It may seem like a really small thing to you, for a pharmacist to ask how many boxes of a product you want, but it really isn't. Overseas in countries like Senegal, you don't really need a prescription, but you do need the name of your primary care physician just a safety precaution. Then they will give you what you want, no questions asked.
With insulin, however, it is a little different. Even for a country like Senegal, insulin is still relatively expensive. So, oftentimes you may only get one box of five pens at a time.
With this knowledge, I felt especially blessed when the pharmacist asked how many boxes I would like. I responded "Three NovoRapid, and Two Lantus please." with a smile on my face.
My dear readers,
The moral of this story is that God does hear your prayers and he does go before you. He does provide. He does answer.
It may never be the answer you want, but he does answer in a way that glorifies his name and builds up his kingdom.
After all, that is what matters right?