First Day of Clinic

ON Thursday night the medical team arrived.  Cherie Creech is leading this team and I am driving and taking pictures.  The team arrived on two flights, most on Emirates which came in at 7pm and s couple on British Airways which doesn't arrive until 9:20.  Mbuvi took most of them in the MITS bus and I was left to drive the remaining couple, Ben and Leslie Doke back to Kamulu with Stephen.  It was my first time to drive from the airport alone at night - another milestone.

 

The team consists of Cherie, Doctor Ben and Leslie Doke, Dentist Brad Sears, Trina and Krista Knight, Lisa Haynes, Joy Gawrychowski, Garen and Barret Brown, and Lindsey Hudgins.  Mauryn and Stephen and I round it out.

 

Yesterday morning, we loaded up our two LandCruisers heavy, and made the 3 hour drive to Kikitemo Feeding Station, the former IDP camp.  Here KWO is caring for 43 orphans and 44 widows who were left displaced after the 2008 post-election violence.  To read more about their story, search the archives of my blog for Kikitemo or IDP. 

 

As we were setting up the clinic, we realized that we had left behind the needles needed for anesthetic for or dentist.  Not sure how that happened, but it did.  We decided to press on and see what could be done with what we had.  Digging through the supply crates, we found four needles that could be used, and as it turned out, there were only three extractions among the children.  God comes through again with just what was needed. Jesus the Provider!

 

As each team member set up to do their job, they quickly realized that these kids are in really good shape.  They found no major problems, and few minor ones.  They look well nourished and strong and healthy.  This is quite a turn around from where these kids were just a few years ago, living under plastic sheeting and twig roofs and searching for scraps of food.  Now there is a healthy church here, a loving community of believers who share everything with each other just like we read about in Acts.  Jesus the Redeemer!

 

When each child came into the clinic, they were given a hand made bag from the US that Pam Hicks brought.  As they progressed through the stations, they each got a little prize or candy for their bags.  It really helped keep them moving and they loved the little gifts.  Brad won the prize for the best give-away I thing, with little hand powered helicopter blades.  The kids loved them!  Check the KWO Facebook page for pics from today, including some great ones of Brad and his toys.

 

As the sky began to turn orange with the sun setting over lake Elementitia, we pulled away from Kikitemo have seen 114 people, including all of our kids and widows and a number of church members.  We drove into Nakuru where we had Java for dinner and hit the Nakumatt for supplies.  By the time we got to our hotel, it was past 9 and we were all very tired.

 

Personally, I am exhausted.  The last week in Kenya is always the hardest, but all the driving and my homesickness for Susie and the kids has worn me out.  My injured foot is getting a beating and I'm not sleeping well.  However, I have had no stomach trouble at all, and everyone else has been healthy so far, so I don't have too much to complain about.  Jesus the Healer!

 

Seeing the children of Kikitemo, who I first met when they were close to starvation, gives me energy and purpose.  God is taking care of me in every way that really matters.  Soon enough I will be home and with my wife and all of these troubles will just be words in this blog.  It's much like our lives on earth, making memories and doing the good works that God has called us to, and longing for home.  Jesus the Savior!

With the Pokot - One more from Becca

I am typing this while sitting on Mauryn's back porch. She is in the kitchen singing while she cooks dinner. She brought me a cup of chai – she spoils me. I can hear children playing, the cat meowing, birds chirping and fresh laundry dripping on the line beside me. (Props for Mbuvi for hanging it up.) Understand why this feels like home? I love it here.

 

I will try to catch up where Tim left off so this is going to be quite long … Tim, Bernard, Stephen and I left Eldoret early Monday morning for the long, hard but beautiful drive to Kinyach Orphanage in the Kerio Valley, home of the Pokot tribe. We stopped at the Kolol View Point overlooking the valley – a breathtaking view that again makes my heart sing "How Great Thou Art." How great He is indeed.

 

We were warmly greeted by Wilson and his lovely wife Helen and Jackson who is a chief and also a church elder. Jackson donated the land for the orphanage. They showed us the community owned guest house where we would sleep for the night and then took us to the orphanage where we were welcomed by a church member, Eunice, and the widows: Flora, Benestine, Julianna and Maureen. They gave us a wonderful "snack" of chai, chapati and fruit that would have been more than enough for lunch. Tim warned me that more food was coming but I couldn't resist the mango and chai! The children arrived home for lunch while we were eating and sat in rows of chairs facing us.  All their beautiful brown eyes were on us – some were smiling and some were trying to hide their faces – it was awkward for us until they were served their lunch. Can you imagine eating in front of them?

 

The children went back to school and we went to see the bee hives. We were given  some honey to take home! After our walk, we sat for a while under an arbor covered with branches of leaves that serves as the Kimnai church. We were silent, just taking it all in. Sitting nearby was Eunice. Of course, we started talking. I was admiring her fancy toenails and her beautiful necklace. We became instant friends. The next thing I knew she was taking off her necklace and putting it on me. I tried to refuse, but Tim gently reminded me that it is good to accept gifts. She kissed me on the cheek and told me she wanted me to have it because she loved me. A moment like that is God kissing me on the cheek and telling me He is giving me a gift because He loves me. Overwhelming love. He loves us, oh how He loves us …

 

Next we traveled to town to see the Kinyach church. The outdoor church looked as if it had just grown there naturally. Wooden logs and benches covered by trees. Time stood still while we prayed and fellowshipped together joined by another chief and church member.  It was hard to leave, but Jackson had invited us to have a soda at his "hotel." We sat around a table under a grass hut and enjoyed our sodas. It was market day, so several people came over to greet us. Tim is becoming more Kenyan every day – he bought some rubber shoes at the market that most of the children in the orphanage wear. We even got to meet Jackson's father who was 93 years old. I am learning to be careful to say if I like something because our sweet friends will do everything they can to make sure we have one! I admired the grandfather's tiny stool that he carries around so he can rest. The next day we stopped by the hotel and Jackson came out with a stool for me. I don't know if someone made it or if it belongs to him, but either way it is awesome! Tim is kind of jealous, I think. I can't wait to use is when I'm gardening. It is a treasure.

 

The children were back from school and were ready to sing for us. Their singing was so beautiful that it was hard for me to breathe – my heart was taking up all the space. I took the younger children out to play so Tim could record the older children. We tried playing quietly – follow the leader, Simon says, but ended up singing too!  They sang their ABC's, counted to 10, and were able to name their ears, eyes, etc in English! They sang "Jesus Loves Me" and then sang "Ni wewe Bwana" with me. It means "It's only you Lord." Those are powerful words coming out of the mouths of His precious children. Huge blessing.

 

We joined the older children and several of us spoke to the children. I have learned from Tim not to worry too much about what to say. God gives us the words. I shared my testimony with them and hope they were encouraged. Stephen interpreted my "Texas" English so they could understand. Later I thought of more that I wanted to say, but I hope that they heard how much they are loved. When we left to go to dinner at the guest house, the children all shook our hands, curtsied and bowed. Again, I heard "accept the gift." That was hard to accept.

 

After dinner, Stephen and I went back to the children for a question and answer time. They wanted to know about America and about my family. My all time favorite question was, "Are there police in the sky to stop the airplanes if they are going too fast?" The little ones were up way past their bedtimes, but the older ones could have talked all night. We walked back to the guest house where I took an awesome shower (tub of hot water) under the stars and went to bed.

 

The next morning (Tuesday) my sweet sister Benestine was pleased to see me wearing the beautiful skirt she made for me. It is truly beautiful and I will treasure it and her kindness always. It was quite a sacrifice for her to make as there is no electricity there. After breakfast, we spent some time in worship. Helen spoke beautifully to us. She is soft-spoken, well educated (perfect English), kind, loving, hard-working and a such a humble servant. Everything Proverbs 31 describes is Helen. She apologized for the condition of their orphanage, saying it was immature and asked us for ways to make it better.

 

God responded powerfully to her through Tim as he spoke next. He told her it was we who are immature. They are teaching us so much. We (Americans) are selfish and it is they who are teaching us how to love and how to give. The women all lowered their eyes and mine filled with tears as they are now. Truth. Powerful truth. Convicting. There I sat looking into the eyes of these women who had shown me unselfish love. I hugged them all goodbye and Helen wiped my tears with her fingers. It was hard to leave.

 

We continued on to nearby Kimnai Feeding Station for a quick visit and to see their camel and her baby. One of the widows brought out a cup to milk the camel! That was something to see. Then we all got lessons on shooting a bow and arrow before we left. We were just about to leave when it was announced that our Chai was ready; our camel milk chai. It was very good – tasted just like cow's milk.

 

We stopped for a soda when we got to town and said goodbye to Bernard who caught a mutatu the rest of the way home. We got back on the road to Nakuru where we stayed at the familiar Kunste Hotel. Along the way, Tim stopped and bought a sheepskin to cover the driver's seat. I'm telling you; he's turning Kenyan more and more every day.

 

We met Mbuvi in Nairobi at the Capital Center Mall. Conveniently, he was working in Eastleigh today so he could catch a matatu and join us. Whenever food is involved, Mbuvi will be there! He showed me pictures of the boys he shared with today. One of them was holding his glue bottle under his nose in the picture. (They usually try to hide them.) Mbuvi is doing a powerful work. He is a great father to his two boys and countless others who look up to him.

 

We are now home in Kamulu. Home. Tomorrow we are very excited to meet with a representative at the CURE International Hospital of Kenya. Please be praying for us as this could mean great things for our Medical program. God continues to provide. Tim will fill you in on our meeting as I am flying home tomorrow night after the medical team arrives. I will enjoy my last day here in a place that I love with people  I love deeply.

 

Blessings and love from Kenya,

Becca

Kapsabet for worship

What a restful night we all had, sleeping at the Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret.  It’s so good to have hot water and a comfortable bed.  Oh, the things we take for granted!  Thanks to Becca for writing the blog yesterday while I rested from the day’s driving.  This morning we drove out to Kapsabet Orphanage to worship with them and see the place.  It’s an easy drive, only an hour and the roads are OK.

I have worshipped at Kapsabet three times and each time it’s a different experience. They have moved to the hall of the secondary school we helped them build, since it holds more people.  The place was pretty full.  The worship team was really good and Stephen Owino preached for us.  The service lasted 2.5 hours, normal by Kenyan standards.  Becca found a group of girls to sit with, (no surprise), and I greeted them briefly.

After service we all filed out into the school compound and made a big line shaking hands, it’s something they do every week now.  I really like it; it insures that you have greeted everyone who was at church that day (no anonymity).  We toured the school and the orpahange and then had a quick lunch with the elders and church leaders.

Afterwards we drove over to Ngenymesut to see the new kitchen that they named in honor of my mother, Charlene.  It looks really good and is almost finished.  Soon they will be able to retire the feeding station kitchen and cook on modern stoves, making for an easier, healthier environment for the widows.  We spent some time hanging out with the kids and had chai, then we set off back to Eldoret. 

On the way we had planned to stop at the waterfall that is near Eldoret but it was raining heavily.  As we approached Eldoret, we came across two bad accidents, both involving motorcycles and the rain.  I suspect at least one was fatal, as there wasn’t much left of the motorcycle.  It’s a reminder to me to be careful and remember the little guys along the road.  There are so many pedestrians and cyclists, that driving can be dangerous in Kenya.

Tomorrow we will rise early and make the very long, hard drive to Kinyach Orphanage in the Kerio valley of the Pokot region.  It should take about 5 hours.  I will probably not blog again until we get back to Nairobi or Nakuru on Tuesday night.  Be blessed.

From Becca Yocham

Tonight I offered to give Tim a break and write the blog post. He was exhausted after driving to Nairobi Thursday and to Eldoret today on the craziest road I’ve ever been on. I also offered to drive, but he didn’t go for it!  Haha! I would have been terrified! I can drive a standard but not on the opposite side of the road while dodging huge holes, construction, detours, people, animals, motor cycles and trucks that are coming head on. Since Tim never brags on himself, just let me tell you he is a great driver!

On Thursday we left the VTC full of hope, ideas and enthusiasm, but also sadness in leaving our kids. My friend Lynet invited me to share her lunch and later her dinner, so I got to spend some time just hanging out around the fire with the widows and students. We took lots of pictures! One of the boys Ochieng gave me some beautiful fabric and a purse to Megan. He was so pleased to give something to us. It was so sweet of him and humbling for us.

The nurses were so proud of the certificates that Megan, Marshall and Lisa presented to them. The tailoring girls learned from Lisa what a gentle spirit looks like as she taught them about Dorcas, but more importantly she modeled it for them. She inspired them to “love God and do good.” The girls were so proud of their aprons, tote bags and quilts! They were very busy!

We spent Thursday night back at the KWO arrival center at Kamulu where again we had another wonderful dinner at the Mbuvi’s. Clay, Barb, Marshall and Lisa left early Friday morning to go on a Safari! After dropping J and Remy off at school, the rest of us headed to Nairobi to the market where we all bargained for some great Kenya crafts. We also got to meet Larry & Holly Conway (Eastleigh MITS) and their son Andrew at the mall nearby. We headed back to Kamulu to spend some time at MITS where the “old guys”(including CJ) wore “Lady Indian” basketball jerseys to play the younger guys. Pictures coming soon! Apparently, Mbuvi is the LeBron of MITS! You wouldn’t believe all the cheering! Lacey got to visit with some friends and Megan and Ross got to spend some special and encouraging time with their sponsor son Edwin. I was able to visit some of my son Jason’s friends that he made while he was at MITS.

After another fabulous dinner at Mauryn’s we headed to the airport; however, I decided not to go back just yet. When Tim mentioned that he and Stephen were going to Pokot, I sort of jokingly asked if I could come. Thanks to Traci for doing my laundry and to Layne for changing my flight and for my awesome husband letting me stay a little longer.

Saturday morning we had a great breakfast at Mauryn’s, of course, then we got to take a tour of their almost completed new home. It is beautiful and we are so happy for them! Tim, Stephen and I stopped at the Java House in Nakuru on our way to Eldoret. We stopped at the Equator where there is a little shop. I watched the master Tim bargain for some gifts I wanted. He says Susie could have done better.

We are heading to Kapsabet in the morning where Stephen is preaching! Please keep him in your prayers as he has been working on his sermon this evening.

Blessings from Kenya,

Becca

Last day at the VTC

It was another great day.  As we wrapped up our visit to the VTC, I was encouraged by all that we have accomplished.  I told our team when we arrived, that if we did nothing more than encourage these young people and show the love of Jesus to them then our trip was a success.  God did so much more than I could have asked or imagined.

 

Our team continued to spend time with the various classes at the VTC: 

Lisa showed the basics of quilting to the girls in the tailoring shop.  She was so excited by the way they have responded.  She is very proud of them and I know they have been touched by her gentle spirit.

 

Ross helped out in the computer class, and the new teacher did a lot better today! They worked on understanding the basics of computer systems, and other technical details that they will need to pass their level one tests in the fall.

 

Clay spent time with the mason, mechanics and carpentry students.  He got his hands dirty a bit and did what Clay does best; encourage.

 

Marshall, Megan, and CJ finished the nurses’ training and presented them with certificates, stethoscopes, and flashlights.  They were so excited and proud of what they accomplished.

 

Barbie and Lacie worked out the beginnings of a new menu for the orphanage and helped in the kitchen.  They prepared a dinner for us of kuku choma, (BBQ chicken) and corn on the cob.

 

The one who really impressed me today was Becca.  She so enjoys spending time with the girls here, even sharing their meals and getting her hair done in cornrows, (as did Megan). 

 

As the team wrapped up, they handed out gifts and gave many hugs and took so many pictures.  I’ll post some on our facebook page when the internet is better.

 

I spoke briefly at the VTC devotional and got to hear from the students about how much they were touched by the visit and the attentions of our team.  Many of them shared specific examples of how they really flet loved by the Americans and how blessed they were.  They promised to re-double their efforts to be the best that they can be for us.  Mission accomplished!

 

We shared a final devotional with the kids at Dirubi Orphanage and Clay gave the sermon.  The kids had a special song that really touched all of us, especially Clay.  His planned talk was tossed out as he spoke from the heart about how much he was moved by the song and the kids.  It was a great night.

 

Tomorrow we head out bright and early for Nairobi.  It will be a long day of driving so I doubt I will blog tomorrow night.  Be blessed.

Lessons, Lessons, and More Lessons

Last night after I wrote the blog, we went down to Dirubi Orphanage to enjoy their evening devotional.  This has become one of my favorite things.  The kids sing so well, and with such passion, and the adults are unafraid to share wisdom with them.  They are eager to hear a word of encouragement from us, so I let our best encourager, Clay Wooten speak to them.  He did very well, I was deeply moved and I know they were too.

Today our team got into the real meat of our visit. Here are some highlights:

Becca taught her English lesson.  Since these kids speak pretty good English, she focused on writing.  She told her story, her personal testimony.  The kids were blown away with her honesty and transparency.  Then she gave them the assignment of writing their own stories, and they jumped in with both feet.  They stayed through the their break and asked for more time to complete them.  She will get them tomorrow, and plans to pair their stories with their pictures and print them in a book to send back to them.  I can’t wait to read them!

Lisa continued her work with the tailoring students.  Yesterday they all made aprons and today they learned to make tote bags.  They were so proud of them and we could tell they have really been touched by her attention to them.

Barbie and Lacie continued to work with the kitchen staff.  The guacamole from last night was a big hit and the Kenyans asked for more, which we had tonight.  They also spent time with Thomas Alwala learning about the availability of foodstuffs here and the costs.  They are working to build a model menu and recipes that we can implement in our orphanages to improve nutrition.  I was a bit surprised with some of the findings, which is why I am so glad God brought them to us.

Ross is feeling a lot better and today was able to spend time evaluating the personal finance and computer classes.  He was impressed with their progress and had some great suggestions on how to improve the programs.  Our computer teacher is brand new, today was her first day, and I can imagine how nervous she must have been to face a mzungu in her classroom evaluating her work!

Clay was with the masons today and they really enjoyed his nurturing encouragement.  He has really been active in all areas this week and I have enjoyed his wisdom.  He spent hours singing with Stephen and teaching him new songs.  What a great way to bless the churches here!

Marshall, Megan, and CJ continued their training with the nurses.  CJ was especially struck by the quality of many of them.  He is working to establish a better protocol for treating malaria that will be more effective and cost us less in the long run.  I can tell having him in Kenya is going to be great.  God really does send us the best people at the right time.

As for me, I went with Thomas and Francis to Kasumu to get supplies and to get Francis to a doctor.  He has been feeling bad since the trip began, and CJ was concerned he might be having a malaria relapse.  The tests were negative and the doctors prescribed an antibiotic for an infection and something for his cough.  Hopefully he will be feeling better tomorrow. 

On the way home, I was feeling good and was so proud of myself for my excellent Kenyan driving.  As we were on the final leg, a muddy road from Sondu to the VTC, I managed to get the vehicle stuck in the mud.  So much for my pride.  To make it worse, we were blocking the road and the motorcycles could barely get by.  It was just another vehicle stuck in the mud for them until they realized a white guy was driving.  Then the kids from the nearby school got a break from classes and came out to the fence to watch the stuck mzungu.  Complete humiliation. 

Fortunately, one of the motorcycle drivers knew a thing or two about that road and getting people out of the mud.  He guided us, and with Francis behind the wheel, we managed to get out.  They whole episode was a great reminder to me of the importance of humility and leaning on the wisdom of others.  I shared my story with the students at devotional tonight and they really enjoyed both my embarrassment and the object lesson.

Tomorrow the journey continues as we wrap up or visit to the VTC.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned…

Vocational Trip first blog post

I’ll begin by apologizing for the lateness of the first blog post.  I usually do it after the first day, but I drove all day yesterday and was totally wiped out.  I remember clearly during the last medical mission trip, I was sitting in Midland complaining about the lack of reports from the medical team in Kenya.  I formally apologize for that as well.

This trip is a different kind of mission trip than we have done before.  Most of our other trips have been medical missions, which we have done many times by now.  On this trip we are taking a team of Americans to the Vocational Training Center to teach, love on, and encourage the students here who are learning a trade and preparing to leave our system at the end of this  year.

On this team in addition to myself, we have KWO board member Becca Yocham, Nursing Instructor Marshall Rogers and his wife Lisa, who is a master seamstress. Also with us are Clay Wooten, all around handy man, and his wife Barbie who is a professional mother and a great cook,  are joined by Lacey Haney, a nutritionist from Marble Falls, Megan Casselman, an RN, and her multi-talented husband Ross.  CJ Wilson, our new resident Nurse Practitioner rounds out the team.

What a great trip we have had so far!  Our flights were perfect, everything was on time, no delays, and we arrived with no lost baggage.  Miracle number one!

In the Nairobi airport, one of our team went to the restroom and lost their passport.  They didn’t know it was gone until one of the Kenyan cleaning girls came up to us asking if we had lost a passport.  Had we tried to go through customs without it, it would have been a real mess. She got a nice tip and – Miracle number two!

We spent the night at the new arrival center in Kamulu.  It is really nice and helps to keep the team together.  We were so efficient that we got started on our long drive to the training center on time and arrived, without any encounters with the police, before dark!  Miracle number three!

We got unloaded, had a nice dinner with our Kenyan hosts, and had a quick organizational meeting.  We slept well in the recently improved guest house at the VTC and this morning we were ready for our fist day of the mission.

Each of us split up and explored the operation of the training center in different areas.   Marshall, Megan, and CJ are conducting a training session with the nurses from our orphanages for these three days, so they got started on that.  Barbie and Lacey went to the kitchen to discover Kenya cooking and explore ways to improve the diet of our kids while maintaining food costs.  Lisa went to the tailoring program and spent time with them.  Becca spent time with the cosmetology students and Clay and I worked on a plan to finish the large dining hall / church building.  Ross was all set to help in the computer class, but unfortunately has been sidelined by a stomach bug.

This afternoon, we all got together to discuss our findings.  It was so encouraging to me to see how everyone jumped in to their assignments with real passion.  They asked some great questions and we made a plan for tomorrow to discover the answers and make improvements.  Becca will be teaching her English program tomorrow morning, and the others all have plans to continue their work in their respective areas.  The highlight of the day for me was watching GCR elder Clay Wooten get a manicure from our of the cosmetology students.  His hands have never been this soft!

This is such a great team, and so far everyone is doing great.  Please keep us in your prayers, especially Ross because I know he is eager to get back in the game!