Dear Family & Friends,
Jambo! That’s hello in Swahili. I want to share some memories and stories of my time in Kenya this past summer with Global Health Outreach. Being in Africa again was really good; in fact it was an answer to prayer. My heart was bubbling over when my feet set foot upon African soil once again. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12. With its deep red soil, mountainous regions, the Great Rift Valley, exotic wildlife, stunning sunsets and sunrises, and the beautiful people; Kenya is a unique land. I was very excited to be able to serve there.
Papa God answered our prayers in abundant ways! July 27 all 30 of our team members arrived to D.C. in time for our flights to Kenya. July 28 after 24 hrs and 2 flights, all 30 of us, our luggage, and 400+ pounds of medical supplies/equipment arrived safely in Nairobi! July 29 we drove south to Namanga, which is a town bordering the country of Tanzania. After getting our clinic area organized the rest of that day, we spent the next 4 days treating patients with medical and dental care and, most of all, with Love. Pastor David, a Kenyan native and a man who prays with such hope and anticipation, helped us each day with reaching the people spiritually. The Muslim religion runs thick in that region, and it was truly amazing to hear of many who turned to Christ that week, accepting Him as their Savior. As a nurse I helped mainly with triage (“to sort”). I worked with Lucia, a dear woman from the local area, who translated for me: Swahili to English. With her help I would obtain the patient’s name, age, vital signs, and symptoms/complaints. The patient would then see either a doctor or dentist. They would often obtain medications, vitamins, or bandages/gauze from our clinic pharmacy before leaving. Highlights from the week were holding a sweet baby while his mom was having surgery on her ear, giving away my bible to twin boys Meshach & Shadrach and their mom, assisting our team surgeon in minor operations, daily tea time, and playing frisbee in the evenings.
August 3 we enjoyed going to a Maasai market and finding various Kenyan cloth, paintings, jewelry, and spoons to bring home. Next day we drove 6 hours “over, up, around, and through” the roads of Kenya to The Mara (Maasai Mara National Reserve), a magnificently beautiful place, to go on safari. You haven’t been on a bumpy road until you’ve driven on a dirt road in the African bush! We enjoyed seeing giraffe, zebra, hippos, gazelle, ostrich, lion, cheetah, and others. The sunset view on the Mara was incredible. August 5 I began feeling not well, as were many others. We returned to Nairobi that evening where we rested and prepared for week 2 of clinic ministry.
August 6 began our week of ministry in Dandora, a slum-community of Nairobi. We drove an hour each morning through the city traffic from our lodging at the Presbyterian Guest House to Kinyago-Dandora School(KDS), where we used the classrooms as exam rooms and the schoolyard as the waiting area. Traffic was so busy coming back in the evenings and sometimes other drivers would come within 2-3 inches of our bus, that we began joking it was their goal to see who could get the closest to other vehicles without actually touching! When we arrived the first morning we were welcomed with talented singing, dancing, and a poetry reading by the KDS children! Hundreds of people already were waiting to see “daktari,” so we immediately set up and began seeing the patients. We had a similar system as week 1, but with more space, which allowed us to care for a greater number of patients week 2. One young boy, age 10, came through triage with a badly cut middle finger. The injury had occurred 10 days earlier and nothing had been done! The wound was crusted, necrotic, infection was beginning, and his hand was swollen. I wanted our surgeon to see him. Thankfully his tendon was not severed; he could still move his fingers! The surgeon cleaned it well, bandaged, and asked him to come back the next day. We learned he is neglected/abused by his father & step-mom, which is why his injury had not been cared for. We helped him physically, but it seemed there were many underlying issues we could not fix. But, thankfully Jesus can. This little guy needs continued prayer. And there are so many stories of other patients we met. Like Jane, Priscah, Gift, Daniel, and many others. Praise God for each face & name of those we met and ministered Christ’s love to. They need continued prayer for good health, physically & spiritually.
Our last day in Dandora it was very hard to have to turn patients away at the end of the day. But the time had come to go, yet a line remained. I think we departed that day with weary hearts. Our time at KDS had been eventful, as our team nurse practitioner had become very ill, experienced several seizures, and had to be admitted to the local hospital earlier in the week. (Her situation became more serious but then improved, slowly. She has recovered and recently returned to her job; we’re very thankful!) I was worn, but thankful as we left KDS that day. We had our final team meeting that evening where we sang, prayed, and talked about the past 2 weeks.
August 10 we packed up and after having lunch we loaded up for the airport. Our two weeks there came and went rather quickly, but at the same time it seems we were gone a whole month. Because we saw so much and met so many people, I think that made the time feel so full. The time was rich and Papa God’s presence was felt. We experienced His faithfulness together in so many ways! August 11 we arrived back in D.C. where we then departed for our home states. Thankful for the many new friends I got to know, American, Canadian, and Kenyan.
After being home several weeks now some things on my mind are: Lord, help me to love with Your love right where I’m at. I want to be where You want me to be. I want to go back to Africa! Let me not forget the Kenyans we met. Let me not grow weary in the “here and now,” the seemingly mundane. I’m thankful to share I’m beginning full-time work as an RN Oct 15. Excited for this new season. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19
Asante sana (thank you very much) to all of you who prayed for me and my team, and to those of you who supported me financially in going. Papa God brought me great encouragement as I experienced your thoughtfulness & generosity. And now, to end the with the Psalmists thoughts . . .
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber... The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:1-3,8
Asante (thank you) with joy, Priscilla
GHO Kenya Team, August 2012.
