Marvin & Miriam
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Safely Back
We arrived yesterday from Amsterdam where we spent the last 5 days. We had a wonderful time there even if the weather was a shock!
The last two days in Kenya were a wonderful ending to a wonder filled month! We visited a primary and secondary school sponsored by the Kenyan Children's Fund. It is providing hope as well as education to some 700 students. This is an organization that is supported in part by Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. It is an amazing school whose leader, Jane Njuguna, has a love for these children that permeates the organization. Check out their web site at http://www.kenyachildrensfund.org
So the bottom line is that we were and are blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and serve. I learned again that faith, hope and love are central to all of our lives and that healing requires all these components, but the most important is Love. We saw that Love manifested in the lives of those who have dedicated their lives to that calling.
Thanks again for your prayers and support.
Marvin
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Last day at Tenwek
This is our last night at Tenwek. It has been a hard day. We lost 2 babies in the nursery. The moms are here all by themselves, their husbands either taking care of the other children or working usually an hour or two away. The chaplains do a great job, but it is very lonely. It is also hard on the nurses and doctors who give so much of themselves to nurture these tiny ones.
It is difficult to say goodbye to people with whom you have spent so much time. It is a close community. Right now Marv is playing cards with the medical students who are here for a month or two. Simple pleasures in life take on new meaning.
Today we had lunch with the Meidemas who are here for 3 months....she was Christie Sweetman and he(Ed) grew up in GR. The Rupkes were also here....she is Mary Smedes Rupke and he (Stu) is the son of Lenore and Ed Rupke who were shirt tail relation(through Aunt True) of ours in Ann Arbor. It is amazing the number of Calvin alums who have passed through here this month. Must say that am proud that so many of them are serving internationally. Who says that you can't play Dutch bingo no matter where you are! No comments please.
We will go to Nairobi tomorrow morning and spend the next day and a half visiting the orphanage that John's church from Mt. Pleasant is going to work at in June. We will also do some shopping. Marv is really looking forward to it!:) We leave for Amsterdam early Friday morning and will spend about 4 days there touring the "motherland". I am sure that we will have culture shock. I will be fun to see family when we get to RDU next week!
I have kept this blog as a journal of some of my memories. I don't know if anyone has read it as there have not been many comments. If you have, thanks for sharing this experience with us.
God bless you all and we will see you soon.
xoxoxo
micki and marv
nana and poppy
It is difficult to say goodbye to people with whom you have spent so much time. It is a close community. Right now Marv is playing cards with the medical students who are here for a month or two. Simple pleasures in life take on new meaning.
Today we had lunch with the Meidemas who are here for 3 months....she was Christie Sweetman and he(Ed) grew up in GR. The Rupkes were also here....she is Mary Smedes Rupke and he (Stu) is the son of Lenore and Ed Rupke who were shirt tail relation(through Aunt True) of ours in Ann Arbor. It is amazing the number of Calvin alums who have passed through here this month. Must say that am proud that so many of them are serving internationally. Who says that you can't play Dutch bingo no matter where you are! No comments please.
We will go to Nairobi tomorrow morning and spend the next day and a half visiting the orphanage that John's church from Mt. Pleasant is going to work at in June. We will also do some shopping. Marv is really looking forward to it!:) We leave for Amsterdam early Friday morning and will spend about 4 days there touring the "motherland". I am sure that we will have culture shock. I will be fun to see family when we get to RDU next week!
I have kept this blog as a journal of some of my memories. I don't know if anyone has read it as there have not been many comments. If you have, thanks for sharing this experience with us.
God bless you all and we will see you soon.
xoxoxo
micki and marv
nana and poppy
Monday, February 9, 2009
Women and Water
It seems that most of my time here in Kenya has been spent with women in the nursery and learning the importance of water in a third world country. It doesn't take long to realize how very very blessed we Western women are and how difficult the lives of third world women are. Women here spend alot of their time getting water for the family. This often involves walking long distances with heavy jugs often on their heads. Then the water must be boiled or at least it should be. Many homes, including the guest house and the missionary homes, have large rain barrels. Having one is a sign of prosperity. This is where I get our drinking water before I boil it each day.
In many areas of Kenya there has been drought, the Rift valley, where we are, has gotten plenty of rain of late and everything is very green. Washing, most often by hand, is another reason to get water or to bring your wash to the river. You use rocks to scrub and then hang the clothes either over the rocks or cart it home and hang it on the fences. Water which we take so for granted is such a necessity and such a blessing in this and all third world countries.
On Saturday, I took a long hike to a beautiful lookout and then had lunch at a Kenyan home. The family provided such hospitality. Most kitchens, even in "middle class" homes are separate detached rooms. The food is cooked over an open fire in that room. Again, cooking is a major time committment as you can't run to Mac Donald's if you don't feel like cooking tonight! Rice and beans are the prevalent diet as they are in most third world countries. The women also do most of the planting and farming .....need I say more. Their days are long and hard. Unfortunately, and I am not trying to be sexist, the men in this culture do not help much. Hopefully this is changing some.
It is very hard to start saying good bye to patients and staff. We have made some wonderful friendships. The problems here are so overwhelming and yet there is so much hope. Their is also alot of trust that God will provide. We often say that, but these Christians really practice it. Today a widow with six children who works as household help came to say good bye and told me that she doesn't know where she will get the money to send her daughter to secondary school. The girl has qualified but the mother must pay the fees before the school will take her. Secondary education here is private and the parents must pay. She needs 17,000 shillings which is about 250 dollars to send this girl to school for the year. I was crying while she was telling me, but she said that she has faith that God will answer her prayers and find a way for her.
I believe that He will too! This is the sort of need you face everyday and it is so hard not to say "Yes" to everyone. I can see where missionaries can burn out because it is very tiring to know where and who to help.
I don't know if I will blog tomorrow, our last day here. We will spend a few days in Nairobi, and in the Netherlands before coming home. This time has been such a blessing in my life. I can never repay the Kenyans Christians that have taught me so much about how to live. I hope and pray that I can remember them and what I have learned when I get back home. I would hope that many of you might have a similar experience someday.
I do miss you all and am eager to see you
love and hugs,
nana and poppy
micki and marv
In many areas of Kenya there has been drought, the Rift valley, where we are, has gotten plenty of rain of late and everything is very green. Washing, most often by hand, is another reason to get water or to bring your wash to the river. You use rocks to scrub and then hang the clothes either over the rocks or cart it home and hang it on the fences. Water which we take so for granted is such a necessity and such a blessing in this and all third world countries.
On Saturday, I took a long hike to a beautiful lookout and then had lunch at a Kenyan home. The family provided such hospitality. Most kitchens, even in "middle class" homes are separate detached rooms. The food is cooked over an open fire in that room. Again, cooking is a major time committment as you can't run to Mac Donald's if you don't feel like cooking tonight! Rice and beans are the prevalent diet as they are in most third world countries. The women also do most of the planting and farming .....need I say more. Their days are long and hard. Unfortunately, and I am not trying to be sexist, the men in this culture do not help much. Hopefully this is changing some.
It is very hard to start saying good bye to patients and staff. We have made some wonderful friendships. The problems here are so overwhelming and yet there is so much hope. Their is also alot of trust that God will provide. We often say that, but these Christians really practice it. Today a widow with six children who works as household help came to say good bye and told me that she doesn't know where she will get the money to send her daughter to secondary school. The girl has qualified but the mother must pay the fees before the school will take her. Secondary education here is private and the parents must pay. She needs 17,000 shillings which is about 250 dollars to send this girl to school for the year. I was crying while she was telling me, but she said that she has faith that God will answer her prayers and find a way for her.
I believe that He will too! This is the sort of need you face everyday and it is so hard not to say "Yes" to everyone. I can see where missionaries can burn out because it is very tiring to know where and who to help.
I don't know if I will blog tomorrow, our last day here. We will spend a few days in Nairobi, and in the Netherlands before coming home. This time has been such a blessing in my life. I can never repay the Kenyans Christians that have taught me so much about how to live. I hope and pray that I can remember them and what I have learned when I get back home. I would hope that many of you might have a similar experience someday.
I do miss you all and am eager to see you
love and hugs,
nana and poppy
micki and marv
A Common Faith
Thanks to my wonderful daughter, we were sent this affirmation of faith that was used at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on 2/8/2009. The affirmation of Faith was written by Vincent J. Donovan, Christianity Revisited, Orbis Books, 1978, p. 200. He was a missionary to the Masi tribe in Kenya.
Affirmation of Faith: We believe in the one High God, who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it. God created people and wanted them to be happy in the world. God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the earth. We have known this High God in the darkness, and now we know God in the light. God promised in the book called the Bible, the word of God, that all nations and tribes of the world would be saved. We believe that God made good this promise by sending Jesus Christ, the Son of God, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left his home and was always on safari doing good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and people, showing that the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured and nailed--hands and feet-- to a cross and died. He lay buried, but the hyenas did not find his body, and on the third day, he rose from the grave. He ascended to the skies. He is the Lord! We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him. All who have faith in him must be sorry for their sins, be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God, live the rules of love, and share the bread together in love, to announce the good news to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for him. He is alive! He lives! This we believe. Amen!
Affirmation of Faith: We believe in the one High God, who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it. God created people and wanted them to be happy in the world. God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the earth. We have known this High God in the darkness, and now we know God in the light. God promised in the book called the Bible, the word of God, that all nations and tribes of the world would be saved. We believe that God made good this promise by sending Jesus Christ, the Son of God, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left his home and was always on safari doing good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and people, showing that the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured and nailed--hands and feet-- to a cross and died. He lay buried, but the hyenas did not find his body, and on the third day, he rose from the grave. He ascended to the skies. He is the Lord! We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him. All who have faith in him must be sorry for their sins, be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God, live the rules of love, and share the bread together in love, to announce the good news to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for him. He is alive! He lives! This we believe. Amen!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Jars of Clay
Clay jars are an important visual metaphor for the Hages. It was at John's ordination that Lewis Galloway visually introduced this idea.
Yesterday, I was informed the "Jars of Clay" also represent an American Christian Rock group that is here in Kenya for a concert. They are in partnership with other Kenyan musicians with the purpose of promoting HIV testing for a million of Kenya's youth.
That same day, I heard a mock thesis defense by one of the Family Medicine residents on the promotion of HIV testing in rural Kenya. His bottom line is that physicians need to promote HIV testing.
So the point of this story the the "jars of clay" is that there are other unique responses to the HIV crisis and that improved and expanded testing is one of the important strategies of prevention.
Marvin
Yesterday, I was informed the "Jars of Clay" also represent an American Christian Rock group that is here in Kenya for a concert. They are in partnership with other Kenyan musicians with the purpose of promoting HIV testing for a million of Kenya's youth.
That same day, I heard a mock thesis defense by one of the Family Medicine residents on the promotion of HIV testing in rural Kenya. His bottom line is that physicians need to promote HIV testing.
So the point of this story the the "jars of clay" is that there are other unique responses to the HIV crisis and that improved and expanded testing is one of the important strategies of prevention.
Marvin
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My last few days.....
Sorry not to have written for awhile! The computer has been so slow that I haven't been able to get on the blogsite. Roadrunner will be so fast it will be scarey!
It is Saturday and I have just retuned from an awesome unbelievable walk. It was 3 miles up to the top of the highest hill around here called Montego. It was very hard but whileworth for the view at the top! This area has such rich soil and with the rain of late everything is so green. All the little farms dotting the hillsides are newly planted and thriving. On the way back we stopped at the home of a lady who works in the library here at Tenwek. It was such fun to meet her husband and family and to be in a Kenyan home. They were so hospitable and what we thought would be a short visit ended up being lunch and a three hour visit. My 3 mile walk began at 10 and ended at 4PM. It was well worth it and they are delightful people. They have 9 children and have taken in an orphan so now have ten. They really value education ....they have one son in medical school in Tanzania, one daughter awaiting scores to be able to enter medical school and others in high school here in Kenya. They are so hard working and hopeful; a real joy to be with.
Yesterday I went with a group to an orphanage where we read the story of Jesus' washing the disciples feet and then did that for the orphans before giving them a new pair of tennis shoes that had been donated by a group from Charlotte. It was a powerful experience. You can imagine how thrilled the kids were and how proud!
I have still been working in the nursery . My twins have gone home and I wonder how they are doing! The census in the nursery is down, but the number of really sick babies is up. We have had two babies die in the last couple of days and Marv has had 3 maternal deaths. Life here is very difficult. We are so blessed.
The days go so fast as I have been so busy doing all sorts of odd jobs. I typed a dictated letter for the medical superintendent the other day, helped shred old documents from which they make bricks that can be used for burning, cooked 7 pizzas for the medical students that are here (with the help of Sarah, the sweet lady who is household help here) among other things. They stretch you here which is not a bad thing for an old lady.
More later as someone else wants to use the computer.
Lots of hugs,
mom and dad
micki and marv
It is Saturday and I have just retuned from an awesome unbelievable walk. It was 3 miles up to the top of the highest hill around here called Montego. It was very hard but whileworth for the view at the top! This area has such rich soil and with the rain of late everything is so green. All the little farms dotting the hillsides are newly planted and thriving. On the way back we stopped at the home of a lady who works in the library here at Tenwek. It was such fun to meet her husband and family and to be in a Kenyan home. They were so hospitable and what we thought would be a short visit ended up being lunch and a three hour visit. My 3 mile walk began at 10 and ended at 4PM. It was well worth it and they are delightful people. They have 9 children and have taken in an orphan so now have ten. They really value education ....they have one son in medical school in Tanzania, one daughter awaiting scores to be able to enter medical school and others in high school here in Kenya. They are so hard working and hopeful; a real joy to be with.
Yesterday I went with a group to an orphanage where we read the story of Jesus' washing the disciples feet and then did that for the orphans before giving them a new pair of tennis shoes that had been donated by a group from Charlotte. It was a powerful experience. You can imagine how thrilled the kids were and how proud!
I have still been working in the nursery . My twins have gone home and I wonder how they are doing! The census in the nursery is down, but the number of really sick babies is up. We have had two babies die in the last couple of days and Marv has had 3 maternal deaths. Life here is very difficult. We are so blessed.
The days go so fast as I have been so busy doing all sorts of odd jobs. I typed a dictated letter for the medical superintendent the other day, helped shred old documents from which they make bricks that can be used for burning, cooked 7 pizzas for the medical students that are here (with the help of Sarah, the sweet lady who is household help here) among other things. They stretch you here which is not a bad thing for an old lady.
More later as someone else wants to use the computer.
Lots of hugs,
mom and dad
micki and marv
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
One week left
It is hard to believe that our time at Tenwek is almost done! So the questions begin as to the value and meaning of the experience. There are never easy answers to these questions!
What has been wonderful for me has been the presence of my wife! OK, you already figured that out by her activities as reported on the blog.
What is most concerning has been the prevalence of AIDS and its impact on mothers and children. The good news is that there is treatment that is available.
There is one mother who has had a great impact on both Micki and me. She has been extremely ill with complications of infections that have threatened her life. Her baby has been delivered prematurely and is at risk but progressing in the nursery. I think the only reason that this patient has survived is the care provided by her devoted mother who remains by her bedside. She is a wonderful example of unconditional love!
The big question for us as providers and churches is how will we respond? Can we address the reality of the suffering and death associated with sexually transmitted diseases? Are there other responses that will bring healing?
Pray that the community of healing, churches and healthcare, will find a new dimension to the care that will mirror the unconditional love that we all have received.
Marvin
What has been wonderful for me has been the presence of my wife! OK, you already figured that out by her activities as reported on the blog.
What is most concerning has been the prevalence of AIDS and its impact on mothers and children. The good news is that there is treatment that is available.
There is one mother who has had a great impact on both Micki and me. She has been extremely ill with complications of infections that have threatened her life. Her baby has been delivered prematurely and is at risk but progressing in the nursery. I think the only reason that this patient has survived is the care provided by her devoted mother who remains by her bedside. She is a wonderful example of unconditional love!
The big question for us as providers and churches is how will we respond? Can we address the reality of the suffering and death associated with sexually transmitted diseases? Are there other responses that will bring healing?
Pray that the community of healing, churches and healthcare, will find a new dimension to the care that will mirror the unconditional love that we all have received.
Marvin
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Meanderings from Miriam
Where do I start? The last few days have been packed full.
As Marv wrote we started out on Friday from Tenwek and went to the Masai Mara and stayed at the Fairmont Safari Club. Let me just say that they have the nicest tents I have ever stayed in....that is the way I like to camp! four poster beds with great linens, oriental rugs, and hot water bottles to warm your bed before you crawl in! Of course that doesn't compare with the trumpeting of the fifty hippos who swim below your front porch on the Mara River. We went with 3 of the medical students who are here from Miami and U of Louisville which also made it fun. The contrast to life at a 5 star with the rest of Africa is daunting.
However, tourist dollars are a significant part of the Kenyan economy. The sad part is that whether it is the world wide recession or the fear of violence here, tourists are way down. There were only about 25 of us there in the hotel or about 12 tents filled out of 50. Our guide Henry, was wonderful and went out of his way to accomodate us. I really can't begin to describe our experience. First of all the roads going,coming and on the Mara make Michigan potholes look like superhighways. Add a bit of rain and some slippery mud and you have a four wheel heaven. Hopefully a video of our jeep stuck in the mud will be posted on facebook soon. It is a good laugh, now that it is over!
The animals are gorgeous and zoos will never be the same after the vistas of the Mara. It truly is a wonder of the world and makes you very aware of the greatness of God's creation. We saw, elephant families, lions, tigers, zebras, giraffees, impala, dick-dicks,cape buffalo, rhinos, etc Just bumping along in the jeep looking for animals was fun. the rides were at sunrise and sun set which added to the beauty.
We came back on Sunday afternoon just in time to participate in the Bible quiz going on at tenwek with Kenyan and missionary children. A Kenyan child has already memorized 85 verses from the Bible. They are asked questions as a team and if they know the answer they push their buzzer! Kind of like an american quiz show from the 50's! The questions are taken from the Bible verbatim and are really hard I think.... fun to watch .
Yesterday I went with the community education people to a dispensary (one of many tenwek staffs) that was about 12 miles from here on unbelievable back roads. The driver prays before and after the the trip and thanks God for safety. I would say that at least 100 moms and babies showed up for immunizations and family planning. They weigh the babies from the cloths (kagaa) that mothers use to carry babies on their backs. They attach the kagaa to a fish hook hanging from the tree and weigh them from a primitive scale in kilos. There was an elderly lady, probably younger then me, who is on the community health committee helping weigh, teaching about Jesus and exhorting the benefits of family planning as the woman gathered to socialize under the tree. The entrepenuers were also there selling used clothing from the states. (many AIG shirts for adults!) Another woman set up a restaurant under the tree and sold cooked beans. I passed on buying them. Interestly, the older woman told me how Sue Steury, whose husband was the first doctor here, taught her about Jesus and now she teaches this generation. Again, the seeds planted are not returning void, the Lord is at work here. In fact Christianity is a great comfort to many of the people I meet in a very concrete way. The government is so corrupt that they only find peace and comfort in their faith. A good lesson for me and probably for many of us. I felt pretty useless as far as doing anything, but did take lots of pictures of kids which they absolutely love seeing. I think I scared a few kids who I know had never seen a white woman before. I did lots of hand holding and back patting and admiring babies.....a language which can be translated anywhere. Moms are proud around the world.
That is a very very brief summary of some wonderful experiences. Hope I haven't gone on too long. Miss you all and send lots of love,
nana and poppy,
micki and marv
As Marv wrote we started out on Friday from Tenwek and went to the Masai Mara and stayed at the Fairmont Safari Club. Let me just say that they have the nicest tents I have ever stayed in....that is the way I like to camp! four poster beds with great linens, oriental rugs, and hot water bottles to warm your bed before you crawl in! Of course that doesn't compare with the trumpeting of the fifty hippos who swim below your front porch on the Mara River. We went with 3 of the medical students who are here from Miami and U of Louisville which also made it fun. The contrast to life at a 5 star with the rest of Africa is daunting.
However, tourist dollars are a significant part of the Kenyan economy. The sad part is that whether it is the world wide recession or the fear of violence here, tourists are way down. There were only about 25 of us there in the hotel or about 12 tents filled out of 50. Our guide Henry, was wonderful and went out of his way to accomodate us. I really can't begin to describe our experience. First of all the roads going,coming and on the Mara make Michigan potholes look like superhighways. Add a bit of rain and some slippery mud and you have a four wheel heaven. Hopefully a video of our jeep stuck in the mud will be posted on facebook soon. It is a good laugh, now that it is over!
The animals are gorgeous and zoos will never be the same after the vistas of the Mara. It truly is a wonder of the world and makes you very aware of the greatness of God's creation. We saw, elephant families, lions, tigers, zebras, giraffees, impala, dick-dicks,cape buffalo, rhinos, etc Just bumping along in the jeep looking for animals was fun. the rides were at sunrise and sun set which added to the beauty.
We came back on Sunday afternoon just in time to participate in the Bible quiz going on at tenwek with Kenyan and missionary children. A Kenyan child has already memorized 85 verses from the Bible. They are asked questions as a team and if they know the answer they push their buzzer! Kind of like an american quiz show from the 50's! The questions are taken from the Bible verbatim and are really hard I think.... fun to watch .
Yesterday I went with the community education people to a dispensary (one of many tenwek staffs) that was about 12 miles from here on unbelievable back roads. The driver prays before and after the the trip and thanks God for safety. I would say that at least 100 moms and babies showed up for immunizations and family planning. They weigh the babies from the cloths (kagaa) that mothers use to carry babies on their backs. They attach the kagaa to a fish hook hanging from the tree and weigh them from a primitive scale in kilos. There was an elderly lady, probably younger then me, who is on the community health committee helping weigh, teaching about Jesus and exhorting the benefits of family planning as the woman gathered to socialize under the tree. The entrepenuers were also there selling used clothing from the states. (many AIG shirts for adults!) Another woman set up a restaurant under the tree and sold cooked beans. I passed on buying them. Interestly, the older woman told me how Sue Steury, whose husband was the first doctor here, taught her about Jesus and now she teaches this generation. Again, the seeds planted are not returning void, the Lord is at work here. In fact Christianity is a great comfort to many of the people I meet in a very concrete way. The government is so corrupt that they only find peace and comfort in their faith. A good lesson for me and probably for many of us. I felt pretty useless as far as doing anything, but did take lots of pictures of kids which they absolutely love seeing. I think I scared a few kids who I know had never seen a white woman before. I did lots of hand holding and back patting and admiring babies.....a language which can be translated anywhere. Moms are proud around the world.
That is a very very brief summary of some wonderful experiences. Hope I haven't gone on too long. Miss you all and send lots of love,
nana and poppy,
micki and marv
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
God's Creation
It has been an awesome weekend! We spent the last three days at Masai Mara that is a 2 1/2 hour trip from Tenwek.
What is amazing is the vastness of this place (700 sq miles) and the intensity of life. It is a place where life and death are intimately connected! I will try and post some pictures, but cameras fail to capture the breadth of the vistas.
In this place the Masai people herd goats and cattle and live a very basic existence with their animals and "extended" families. They are colorful and are willing to sell their art - beads and carvings. What is amazing is that they live in a hostile environment with only a single spear!
What makes it possible to see these things are some amazing Toyota four wheel drive landrovers. When it rains the roads turn to swamps and "black holes". We had a wonderful driver who was able to "see" the animals, keep us safe and get us back to the lodge and our tents. These tents sit the edge of a steep enbankment on the Mara River that is filled with hippos! The steep embankment is part of the security system! During the night you are lulled to sleep by the hippo's pool party.
I am sure Micki will describe more of the adventures.
Marvin
What is amazing is the vastness of this place (700 sq miles) and the intensity of life. It is a place where life and death are intimately connected! I will try and post some pictures, but cameras fail to capture the breadth of the vistas.
In this place the Masai people herd goats and cattle and live a very basic existence with their animals and "extended" families. They are colorful and are willing to sell their art - beads and carvings. What is amazing is that they live in a hostile environment with only a single spear!
What makes it possible to see these things are some amazing Toyota four wheel drive landrovers. When it rains the roads turn to swamps and "black holes". We had a wonderful driver who was able to "see" the animals, keep us safe and get us back to the lodge and our tents. These tents sit the edge of a steep enbankment on the Mara River that is filled with hippos! The steep embankment is part of the security system! During the night you are lulled to sleep by the hippo's pool party.
I am sure Micki will describe more of the adventures.
Marvin
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Good bye to Angeline
I just returned from another powerful experience! I am not sure how many more I can tell you about! You know the "DeYoung Syndrome "of mucho tears! We are going on a safari this weekend which should be fun to tell you about! Mimi, be sure and pray for Nana as I will see lions this weekend!
Because I will be gone this weekend I said good bye to Angeline and the babies I have been helping to feed since I got here. I think she is going home tomorrow, at least she is bound and determined to go home. She is sick of the hospital diet of rice and beans! She feels that the babies will gain more weight if she can have meat in her diet at home and if the babies can sleep in her bed with her and her husband. We will see if the nurse and doctor agree with her tomorrow.
I asked her to write the names of all of the members of her family.....husband and seven children. She did, both their Christian names and their Kenyan names. Then I wrote the names of all my children, and my grandchildren. We promised to pray for each others' families. At that point we both got tears in our eyes. That was significant because Kipsigis do not show much emotion. You have to understand that this was with a language barrier as well. I will never forget it nor will I forget those babies though I probably will never see them again in this life.
They will live in my heart.
This weekend should be fun....you will hear about it on Monday. Have a great weekend.
love you and loved hearing eliza's and anna's voices yesterday.
mom
micki
Because I will be gone this weekend I said good bye to Angeline and the babies I have been helping to feed since I got here. I think she is going home tomorrow, at least she is bound and determined to go home. She is sick of the hospital diet of rice and beans! She feels that the babies will gain more weight if she can have meat in her diet at home and if the babies can sleep in her bed with her and her husband. We will see if the nurse and doctor agree with her tomorrow.
I asked her to write the names of all of the members of her family.....husband and seven children. She did, both their Christian names and their Kenyan names. Then I wrote the names of all my children, and my grandchildren. We promised to pray for each others' families. At that point we both got tears in our eyes. That was significant because Kipsigis do not show much emotion. You have to understand that this was with a language barrier as well. I will never forget it nor will I forget those babies though I probably will never see them again in this life.
They will live in my heart.
This weekend should be fun....you will hear about it on Monday. Have a great weekend.
love you and loved hearing eliza's and anna's voices yesterday.
mom
micki
What's in a name?
Names are very difficult in Kenya for me(and even Micki has difficulty) and "naming" is complicated. The names can represent the location of birth, the season of birth, the time of the day as well as their "Christian" name. As you have heard, twins, "pacha", are a frequent occurance and are considered a "zawadi" or gift or "bahati" or lucky. The obstetric view is a little more complicated. Many of these twin births have associated anomalies as well as the hazards to the mother during her pregnancy and delivery. What has been essential to the care of these women has been the presence of a portable ultrasound that can help us "see" and make the diagnosis of both the twins and the associated abnormalites.
On the wall of the medical building there is a mural that has the following poem/prayer:
"Every single one has a name, and everytime they cry you feel their pain, broken and bleeding, abandoned and needing your love to reach them where they are, Lord let me play a part to bring a life of hope for change cause every single one has a name."
The good news is that is nurses, physicians and adminstration are responding everyday here at Tenwek.
Marvin
p.s. I have finally figured out loading pictures...check out the "Tenwek Arrival"
On the wall of the medical building there is a mural that has the following poem/prayer:
"Every single one has a name, and everytime they cry you feel their pain, broken and bleeding, abandoned and needing your love to reach them where they are, Lord let me play a part to bring a life of hope for change cause every single one has a name."
The good news is that is nurses, physicians and adminstration are responding everyday here at Tenwek.
Marvin
p.s. I have finally figured out loading pictures...check out the "Tenwek Arrival"
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Consulata
Yesterday I met Consulata and her sister Cecelia, both Tutu refugees from Rwanda who have lived here for about 10 years. They are beautiful, intelligent women. Cecelia had asked the missionary wife that she works for if someone could talk to her sister as she has been extremely depressed and threatening suicide. By the way Cecelia is 29 is a widow (husband died of esophageal cancer which is endemic here) and has 6 children. Now my social work skills are a little out of date, but I agreed to listen to her which as we know from Stephen ministry is one of the most important things we can do. Her English was beautiful and so it was easy to communicate. Her parents allowed her to have a "Christian" marriage with a Kenyan after he promised that she could go to "college" since she had finished secondary school and had a strong desire to be educated. Her parents returned to Rwanda and were murdered. In the last ten years she has had 4 children with her husband and he has helped many of his relatives to go on to further education. However, he has not keep his promise to her and this is probably because the mother in law promotes others in the family.(mother in law problems are universal:) ) She finally could not stand the situation and left her mother in law (the husband works in Nairobi) and moved in with her sister. The husband has not contacted her in the month she has been gone. This is the cause of her despair....she is trapped. Now where do you start with a problem like this?
She is looking for work but it is very difficult to find here. She has checked into colleges and found that the tuition for the program she would like to take is 5000 shillings or about $220.00 a year for tuition, room and board ,food, and child care!!! By the way, she wants to be a pre school teacher and perhaps run an orphanage. Imagine how many lives she could effect. Imagine how her life could be changed for $220.00!
We have not contacted her yet, but we think we have found an anonymous way to pay her way to "college". We will work through a permanent missionary here and have the missionary pay the tuition. So stay tuned and I will let you know the outcome in the next few days. We can't solve most of the problems here, but I felt that this young woman had been placed in my life for a reason. I am grateful for her!!!!!
xoxo
mom and dad
micki and marv
ps. Presbyterian Women Circle Friends....They LOVE the pens. Thanks alot!
She is looking for work but it is very difficult to find here. She has checked into colleges and found that the tuition for the program she would like to take is 5000 shillings or about $220.00 a year for tuition, room and board ,food, and child care!!! By the way, she wants to be a pre school teacher and perhaps run an orphanage. Imagine how many lives she could effect. Imagine how her life could be changed for $220.00!
We have not contacted her yet, but we think we have found an anonymous way to pay her way to "college". We will work through a permanent missionary here and have the missionary pay the tuition. So stay tuned and I will let you know the outcome in the next few days. We can't solve most of the problems here, but I felt that this young woman had been placed in my life for a reason. I am grateful for her!!!!!
xoxo
mom and dad
micki and marv
ps. Presbyterian Women Circle Friends....They LOVE the pens. Thanks alot!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
My day in Kenya
It is pouring rain and has been most of the day with lots of thunder to boot. No lightening.
I have been to feed the twins and they are doing so well. They are now on a feeding cup instead of the feeding tube and perhaps will go home on Friday. They do not use bottles in rural Kenya as it is too expensive. We feed the babies from a pliable rubber cup from which we slowly pour the formula into their tiny premie mouths. It is difficult at times to get them to swallow. I met the husband yesterday and he promised the nurse that he would be able to buy formula or "nan" as they call it each month. This is very expensive for them...6000 shillings or 83 dollars a month. If the babies go on cows' milk because the mother is not producing enough breast milk they will die. This has been a heartache for the neonatal nurse. She told me that she has been praying for a year for a solution to this problem. Just recently her prayer has been answered and a pediatrician has set up a "nan fund" here. Lena, the nurse(a fabulous, beautiful person) will administer it. She will give indigent moms a month's supply of nan, they will come back to have the babies' weighed at a month and then she will determine if they qualify for another month. when they are about 5 months and a certain weight they can go on cow's milk. Most families of any means have their own cow. This fund will always need more money and I think it would be a great cause for some of us in the states.
The mother I have been working with(Angeline) asked me today if I had another towel. By this I think that she meant she only had one blanket and two babies! Remember ultrasound is only used in emergencies here. So she brought only one blanket and now will have two babies going home to join their 7 brothers and sisters. I called Nairobi this morning and asked the driver to bring me two new baby blankets. I hope he is successful in finding them.
Fortunately people are beginning to be interested in family planning as a result of the community education that Tenwek is doing. The husband told me that "no more babies" because they did something to his wife! Incidently, she has had 3 sets of twins(one set died). Twins incidence is high here.
There is so much more to say....A Masai grandmother and grandfather asked me to pray with them this morning. Their daughter had an emergency section, is in the ICU, and the baby is very premature. They were the sweetest people......both with their identifying long ear lobes. Just like all parents and grandparents they were very concerned and upset.
I could go on and on but enough for today,
xoxo
mom and dad,
micki and marv
I have been to feed the twins and they are doing so well. They are now on a feeding cup instead of the feeding tube and perhaps will go home on Friday. They do not use bottles in rural Kenya as it is too expensive. We feed the babies from a pliable rubber cup from which we slowly pour the formula into their tiny premie mouths. It is difficult at times to get them to swallow. I met the husband yesterday and he promised the nurse that he would be able to buy formula or "nan" as they call it each month. This is very expensive for them...6000 shillings or 83 dollars a month. If the babies go on cows' milk because the mother is not producing enough breast milk they will die. This has been a heartache for the neonatal nurse. She told me that she has been praying for a year for a solution to this problem. Just recently her prayer has been answered and a pediatrician has set up a "nan fund" here. Lena, the nurse(a fabulous, beautiful person) will administer it. She will give indigent moms a month's supply of nan, they will come back to have the babies' weighed at a month and then she will determine if they qualify for another month. when they are about 5 months and a certain weight they can go on cow's milk. Most families of any means have their own cow. This fund will always need more money and I think it would be a great cause for some of us in the states.
The mother I have been working with(Angeline) asked me today if I had another towel. By this I think that she meant she only had one blanket and two babies! Remember ultrasound is only used in emergencies here. So she brought only one blanket and now will have two babies going home to join their 7 brothers and sisters. I called Nairobi this morning and asked the driver to bring me two new baby blankets. I hope he is successful in finding them.
Fortunately people are beginning to be interested in family planning as a result of the community education that Tenwek is doing. The husband told me that "no more babies" because they did something to his wife! Incidently, she has had 3 sets of twins(one set died). Twins incidence is high here.
There is so much more to say....A Masai grandmother and grandfather asked me to pray with them this morning. Their daughter had an emergency section, is in the ICU, and the baby is very premature. They were the sweetest people......both with their identifying long ear lobes. Just like all parents and grandparents they were very concerned and upset.
I could go on and on but enough for today,
xoxo
mom and dad,
micki and marv
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The "O" word in Kenya
In Kenya "O" is not about oprah's magazine. It is about orphanages.
Yesterday and new friend and I went to visit an orphanage near Bomet. It was sobering. Apparently there are 4 orphanages around here, this being the poorest. About 40 children, ages 3 to 16 greeted us with broad smiles at the gate which hung by a wire, an indication of the horrible conditions we found inside. The children themselves looked nourished, a good sign of some love coming from the one woman who is in charge of the entire place. They led us into the "dining hall" and sang for us and then introduced themselves, told their age and that they loved Jesus. Perhaps it is a performance that they give for all their visitors, but it brought tears to my eyes. Thankfully we know that God loves and calls us all by name, and that He loves each one of these children as well.
After they sang we saw where they sleep, the small ones 2 and 3 to a bed and the kitchen. It consisted of 2 big pots over a wood fire where beans were cooking for lunch. Rice would be added when the beans were done.
They asked me many questions about America. How long does it take to get there?. How many children do I have (I promised to take pictures of them when I return)? I asked them if they had heard of the other "O" word, Obama and of course they had! They wanted to know when I would return and I promised to bring Marv in 2 weeks. Perhaps we can think of some games to play or he can do his famous spoon trick to entertain them as there is nothing, absolutely nothing for them to do at this place. To make matters worse, the teachers remain on strike in Kenya and so they aren't even in school during the week.
We walked to our waiting car to go back to Tenwek and Marcy followed us. She is beautiful and has an infectious smile. I asked her how old she was and found out that she is finishing 8th grade, 13 years old, I think. When you finish 8th grade in this educational system you have to take a comprehensive test in order to go on to secondary school. It is very difficult, but the only avenue to a future here. She asked me if I would pray for her that she will pass her exam. She has nothing, absolutely nothing, in this world and wants to pass more than anything. We in the West have so much and so many opportunities.....Please, please remember this little Kenyan girl in your prayers. Thanks.
love you all,
micki
Yesterday and new friend and I went to visit an orphanage near Bomet. It was sobering. Apparently there are 4 orphanages around here, this being the poorest. About 40 children, ages 3 to 16 greeted us with broad smiles at the gate which hung by a wire, an indication of the horrible conditions we found inside. The children themselves looked nourished, a good sign of some love coming from the one woman who is in charge of the entire place. They led us into the "dining hall" and sang for us and then introduced themselves, told their age and that they loved Jesus. Perhaps it is a performance that they give for all their visitors, but it brought tears to my eyes. Thankfully we know that God loves and calls us all by name, and that He loves each one of these children as well.
After they sang we saw where they sleep, the small ones 2 and 3 to a bed and the kitchen. It consisted of 2 big pots over a wood fire where beans were cooking for lunch. Rice would be added when the beans were done.
They asked me many questions about America. How long does it take to get there?. How many children do I have (I promised to take pictures of them when I return)? I asked them if they had heard of the other "O" word, Obama and of course they had! They wanted to know when I would return and I promised to bring Marv in 2 weeks. Perhaps we can think of some games to play or he can do his famous spoon trick to entertain them as there is nothing, absolutely nothing for them to do at this place. To make matters worse, the teachers remain on strike in Kenya and so they aren't even in school during the week.
We walked to our waiting car to go back to Tenwek and Marcy followed us. She is beautiful and has an infectious smile. I asked her how old she was and found out that she is finishing 8th grade, 13 years old, I think. When you finish 8th grade in this educational system you have to take a comprehensive test in order to go on to secondary school. It is very difficult, but the only avenue to a future here. She asked me if I would pray for her that she will pass her exam. She has nothing, absolutely nothing, in this world and wants to pass more than anything. We in the West have so much and so many opportunities.....Please, please remember this little Kenyan girl in your prayers. Thanks.
love you all,
micki
Saturday, January 24, 2009
June in January
Beside the reality of the wonderful "summer" weather here at Tenwek, it was graduation day for the "interns". That also means that very new interns are now on the wards!
The graduation was very similar to those that many of you have experienced. There was a wonderful sense of completion along with uncertainity about what the next "chapter" will bring. For these graduates, there is a one year mandatory public service. The sites for their service is frequently even more remote with less resources than here at Tenwek.
What was wonderful was that sense of common purpose that is evident in this community and celebrated today in Kenya.
Have a wonderful winter day!
The graduation was very similar to those that many of you have experienced. There was a wonderful sense of completion along with uncertainity about what the next "chapter" will bring. For these graduates, there is a one year mandatory public service. The sites for their service is frequently even more remote with less resources than here at Tenwek.
What was wonderful was that sense of common purpose that is evident in this community and celebrated today in Kenya.
Have a wonderful winter day!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Costco was never this exciting!
Good Morning America!
While you sleep let me tell you about my exciting trip to the grocery store yesterday. One of the longterm missionary wives who is about 5 feet tall drove us in the large Land Rover(first time I had been in a car in a week) to Bomet, the nearest "large" town which is about 8 miles away. It was one of the more exciting 8 miles of my life . The road is narrow, muddy,and full of ruts, major ruts! On the way we encountered several large trucks, one with telephone poles which made it even more interesting. Four wheel drive is a necessity here! It took us about 45 minutes to get to Bomet and it looks like a bustling place .The grocery store was a dark large room filled with interesting things....like potato chips and a large CocaCola bottle! While we were there the power went out and so we had to stand still in the dark and wait for the generator to kick in.....just like in Wilmington! Since we have a food pantry here I didn't need staples but it was fun to get spices which are very cheap and some mint candy as well as the chips! I can get produce at Tenwek at the little shops or" ducas". I will have to confess that I got an frozen ice cream cone as well since there is nothing like that at Tenwek. One of the woman who has four children stocked up on toilet paper....another laundry detergent, things we take for granted. The store is run by Indian people from India, that is. Apparently there are alot of Indians in Kenya who were brought here by the British to build the railroad. They stayed and multiplied! They were very friendly and appreciate the business Tenwek people give them.
Then it was time to load up the car or pack us in! We made the trip worthwhile and there was not much room to move on the way back. We took another route home, just as interesting, but also very scenic and beautiful. The high rolling hills are green right now as we have had rain and are neatly planted...mostly tea farms I think. We saw "typical" african huts as well as shantys, but also some relatively nice homes. The teachers are still on strike and so there were many children out playing and walking along the road.
Well enough for today.....think of me when you go to Harris Teeter today!
Love you all,
micki
While you sleep let me tell you about my exciting trip to the grocery store yesterday. One of the longterm missionary wives who is about 5 feet tall drove us in the large Land Rover(first time I had been in a car in a week) to Bomet, the nearest "large" town which is about 8 miles away. It was one of the more exciting 8 miles of my life . The road is narrow, muddy,and full of ruts, major ruts! On the way we encountered several large trucks, one with telephone poles which made it even more interesting. Four wheel drive is a necessity here! It took us about 45 minutes to get to Bomet and it looks like a bustling place .The grocery store was a dark large room filled with interesting things....like potato chips and a large CocaCola bottle! While we were there the power went out and so we had to stand still in the dark and wait for the generator to kick in.....just like in Wilmington! Since we have a food pantry here I didn't need staples but it was fun to get spices which are very cheap and some mint candy as well as the chips! I can get produce at Tenwek at the little shops or" ducas". I will have to confess that I got an frozen ice cream cone as well since there is nothing like that at Tenwek. One of the woman who has four children stocked up on toilet paper....another laundry detergent, things we take for granted. The store is run by Indian people from India, that is. Apparently there are alot of Indians in Kenya who were brought here by the British to build the railroad. They stayed and multiplied! They were very friendly and appreciate the business Tenwek people give them.
Then it was time to load up the car or pack us in! We made the trip worthwhile and there was not much room to move on the way back. We took another route home, just as interesting, but also very scenic and beautiful. The high rolling hills are green right now as we have had rain and are neatly planted...mostly tea farms I think. We saw "typical" african huts as well as shantys, but also some relatively nice homes. The teachers are still on strike and so there were many children out playing and walking along the road.
Well enough for today.....think of me when you go to Harris Teeter today!
Love you all,
micki
Healing at Tenwek
It has been 11 years since I was at Tenwek. Here are some observations of the changes --
The most evident has been the "connectedness" of this organization. When I was here before it was only a short wave radio BBC that was available. Now, we have the internet and CNN!
There has been a marked expansion of the facilities. Most impressive is the new operating theatre, new nursing school and facilities of the guest house.
There has been a remarkable growth of the educational mission at Tenwek. There are more medical and nursing students as well as faculty for both. One surprise was a "patient simulation center" in the nursing school.
A mixed observation is that there is more treatment for HIV. These HIV treatments have been made possible by both the generosity of the USA in partnership with the Kenyan government and health providers.
What hasn't changed is the dedication to the healing mission of the people that work here. This is a place where faith is translated into actions of compassion to people who suffer more than can be reduced to numbers.
Marvin & Micki
The most evident has been the "connectedness" of this organization. When I was here before it was only a short wave radio BBC that was available. Now, we have the internet and CNN!
There has been a marked expansion of the facilities. Most impressive is the new operating theatre, new nursing school and facilities of the guest house.
There has been a remarkable growth of the educational mission at Tenwek. There are more medical and nursing students as well as faculty for both. One surprise was a "patient simulation center" in the nursing school.
A mixed observation is that there is more treatment for HIV. These HIV treatments have been made possible by both the generosity of the USA in partnership with the Kenyan government and health providers.
What hasn't changed is the dedication to the healing mission of the people that work here. This is a place where faith is translated into actions of compassion to people who suffer more than can be reduced to numbers.
Marvin & Micki
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Micki's New Vocation-Lactation Consultant
Hi Everyone,
When you were listening to CNN yesterday and they said welcome to our friends around the world...that was US! We were able to see some of the festivities. Just as Obama was about to enter the Capital we had a power failure, but it did come back on and so we heard the speech. It is quite something to be in a third world country where transitions are not the norm and then to watch the smoothness that occurred yesterday. We are truly blessed to live in the USA.
I have been very very busy the last couple of days helping a mother, Angeline, feed her twins. Every two hours (during the day) I go to the premie nursery and help her with her breast feeding and then we also supplement with feeding tubes. I wish I could adequately describe the nursery and the incubators these tiny ones are in. First of all it is a small room and extremely warm as there are probably 50 people in it at feeding time. The moms come and sit on little stools in front of the incubators and some bassinettes. They take care of their own babies. The incubators look like little greenhouses or hothouses. They are wooden with glass sides and one side is on a rope which comes down.....some have light bulbs in them to keep them extra warm.
The mattresses are brown plastic about an inch thick with only a blanket or pad on them. They are not big on Pampers here or any clothes for that matter and so my laundry basket is getting full! (At least I know that "my baby " is getting nourishment). They did gain some weight in the past 24 hours so that is exciting. Right now there are 4 sets of twins in the nurser...this tribe has a high incidence of twining. The normal weight babies stay in the bed with their mothers.
Marv is keeping very busy ......alot of pathology and many deliveries. I will let him tell you about that.
Tomorrow I am going into the little town called Bomet. They have a little grocery store there. I had a lovely Kenyan lady named Sarah help me yesterday with some cleaning and washing. The dust here is bad as there is a drought so it was great to clean the floor, window sills, etc. My sinuses are feeling much better today. She helped me go to the duca ("store") stand to pick out some produce. We boil all of our water from rain water although we wash our dishes from the tap. Can't figure that out but so far so good.
Enough for today. Pray that these babies continue to put on some weight and that mama can and will breast feed as she can not afford formula.
Love to you all......
micki and marv
When you were listening to CNN yesterday and they said welcome to our friends around the world...that was US! We were able to see some of the festivities. Just as Obama was about to enter the Capital we had a power failure, but it did come back on and so we heard the speech. It is quite something to be in a third world country where transitions are not the norm and then to watch the smoothness that occurred yesterday. We are truly blessed to live in the USA.
I have been very very busy the last couple of days helping a mother, Angeline, feed her twins. Every two hours (during the day) I go to the premie nursery and help her with her breast feeding and then we also supplement with feeding tubes. I wish I could adequately describe the nursery and the incubators these tiny ones are in. First of all it is a small room and extremely warm as there are probably 50 people in it at feeding time. The moms come and sit on little stools in front of the incubators and some bassinettes. They take care of their own babies. The incubators look like little greenhouses or hothouses. They are wooden with glass sides and one side is on a rope which comes down.....some have light bulbs in them to keep them extra warm.
The mattresses are brown plastic about an inch thick with only a blanket or pad on them. They are not big on Pampers here or any clothes for that matter and so my laundry basket is getting full! (At least I know that "my baby " is getting nourishment). They did gain some weight in the past 24 hours so that is exciting. Right now there are 4 sets of twins in the nurser...this tribe has a high incidence of twining. The normal weight babies stay in the bed with their mothers.
Marv is keeping very busy ......alot of pathology and many deliveries. I will let him tell you about that.
Tomorrow I am going into the little town called Bomet. They have a little grocery store there. I had a lovely Kenyan lady named Sarah help me yesterday with some cleaning and washing. The dust here is bad as there is a drought so it was great to clean the floor, window sills, etc. My sinuses are feeling much better today. She helped me go to the duca ("store") stand to pick out some produce. We boil all of our water from rain water although we wash our dishes from the tap. Can't figure that out but so far so good.
Enough for today. Pray that these babies continue to put on some weight and that mama can and will breast feed as she can not afford formula.
Love to you all......
micki and marv
Monday, January 19, 2009
Work week begins
Marv reported for work early this morning and is on call tonight. He was busy in clinics and in the operating "theatre". I spent the morning getting oriented, exchanging money (although I don't understand the exchange as yet), ordering a cell phone, and rocking a darling baby boy in the nursery. Kids you may get a call one of these days via satellite!
This afternoon I helped put together some booklets for protocols for the hospital. Nothing spectacular, but I think it was helpful. Tomorrow I have to start preparing our meals which should be interesting based on what is available in the food pantry here. No rest for the wicked....and here I thought I wouldn't have to cook!
This is a busy little community.....there are several schools around here and I see the children going to school about 6:30AM and returning around 6 PM. They also go on Saturday! Amazing!People are walking everywhere at all times of the day and night. The terrain is steep in places and their loads are often heavy. There are not many "chubby" people. A donkey just went by with a load of 2 heavy sacks....he was not happy! Each day feels a little more like home
love to all
micki and marv
This afternoon I helped put together some booklets for protocols for the hospital. Nothing spectacular, but I think it was helpful. Tomorrow I have to start preparing our meals which should be interesting based on what is available in the food pantry here. No rest for the wicked....and here I thought I wouldn't have to cook!
This is a busy little community.....there are several schools around here and I see the children going to school about 6:30AM and returning around 6 PM. They also go on Saturday! Amazing!People are walking everywhere at all times of the day and night. The terrain is steep in places and their loads are often heavy. There are not many "chubby" people. A donkey just went by with a load of 2 heavy sacks....he was not happy! Each day feels a little more like home
love to all
micki and marv
Sunday, January 18, 2009
First Sunday in Kenya
It has been a busy day!
We started with a great breakfast at the home of one of the nurses. From there we walked to church for a service, considerably longer than first Pres! We sang one of my favorite hymns, "In Christ Alone". It was a wonderful reminder that we are one all over the world.
We were again entertained for lunch in a Kenyan home, then took a walk down to the river and the dam that provides electricity for the region. It is one of the reasons that Tenwek has grown and prospered.
We can certainly tell that we are 7000 feet above sea level and have had to slow our walking pace down. Either that or we are really out of shape! Maybe a bit of both!
Tonight I helped with a Bible quiz, much like Sunday School, but these kids are training for a competition to be held later. They are so soft spoken and polite, I really had to strain to hear them. Beautiful smart children!
Marv met the young female OB he will work with today and will begin work tomorrow AM. It has been a good day, a lot of sunshine and a little much needed rain.
Good night!
Micki
We started with a great breakfast at the home of one of the nurses. From there we walked to church for a service, considerably longer than first Pres! We sang one of my favorite hymns, "In Christ Alone". It was a wonderful reminder that we are one all over the world.
We were again entertained for lunch in a Kenyan home, then took a walk down to the river and the dam that provides electricity for the region. It is one of the reasons that Tenwek has grown and prospered.
We can certainly tell that we are 7000 feet above sea level and have had to slow our walking pace down. Either that or we are really out of shape! Maybe a bit of both!
Tonight I helped with a Bible quiz, much like Sunday School, but these kids are training for a competition to be held later. They are so soft spoken and polite, I really had to strain to hear them. Beautiful smart children!
Marv met the young female OB he will work with today and will begin work tomorrow AM. It has been a good day, a lot of sunshine and a little much needed rain.
Good night!
Micki
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hi from Micki
I needed to try my hand at this technology! I can't believe that we are half way around the world! We arrived at about 8 PM kenya time after fairly decent flights on enormous planes that were entirely full. Amazing how those birds get off the ground. Every nationality, every race represented! There were long lines at every departure, but that was OK since there were lots of interesting people to watch.
We met some college friends of Micki's, Mary Smedes Rupke and her husband Stuart Rupke who will also be in Kenya this month although at a different hospital. He is a family practitioner in Saginaw and yes he is shirt tail relation to me!!! Another long line through customs and getting our luggage, but thankfully it all arrived safely. We were picked up by a cheerful young Kenyan named Daniel who took us through Nairobi, a huge city, to the Mennonite GuestHouse and a wonderful comfortable bed. We did not get much sense of the city as it was so dark...many turn abouts which seemed very British!
This morning we had a delicious breakfast and met several interesting people who are doing good work in Kenya and also Darfar. Of all things that has impressed me so far, aside from the beauty and vastness of the countryside, are the numbers of Americans doing non-profit work here. The plane had at least a couple of large groups, one group of soccer players going to Uganda, another church group from Minnesota of all ages. God is really working thorough many folks. When we woke up this morning it was raining, a welcome sight as there is a drought. I could have skipped the small plane ride but Marv was insistent. Let's just say it is over!
More later
xoxoxo
micki
We met some college friends of Micki's, Mary Smedes Rupke and her husband Stuart Rupke who will also be in Kenya this month although at a different hospital. He is a family practitioner in Saginaw and yes he is shirt tail relation to me!!! Another long line through customs and getting our luggage, but thankfully it all arrived safely. We were picked up by a cheerful young Kenyan named Daniel who took us through Nairobi, a huge city, to the Mennonite GuestHouse and a wonderful comfortable bed. We did not get much sense of the city as it was so dark...many turn abouts which seemed very British!
This morning we had a delicious breakfast and met several interesting people who are doing good work in Kenya and also Darfar. Of all things that has impressed me so far, aside from the beauty and vastness of the countryside, are the numbers of Americans doing non-profit work here. The plane had at least a couple of large groups, one group of soccer players going to Uganda, another church group from Minnesota of all ages. God is really working thorough many folks. When we woke up this morning it was raining, a welcome sight as there is a drought. I could have skipped the small plane ride but Marv was insistent. Let's just say it is over!
More later
xoxoxo
micki
Tenwek Arrival
We left from Wilson Airport in a light rain and arrived at a sunny/warm Tenwek. We received a wonderful welcome from about 50 children at the "dirt" airstrip! We were the Saturday morning entertainment!
We have been assigned our room/apartment at the guest house and are getting settled. Micki will have more to write soon and will probably describe how much she enjoyed the last leg of the trip.
Marvin & Micki
We have been assigned our room/apartment at the guest house and are getting settled. Micki will have more to write soon and will probably describe how much she enjoyed the last leg of the trip.
Marvin & Micki
Friday, January 16, 2009
Safely in Kenya
Friends & Family,
It is 10:30 pm on the 16th. All our flights have gone well. We are staying at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi and will leave for Tenwek in the morning. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
Marvin & Micki
It is 10:30 pm on the 16th. All our flights have gone well. We are staying at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi and will leave for Tenwek in the morning. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
Marvin & Micki
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Getting There - 8700 Miles
Here is a little geography.....Works with Google Maps...Just click on the link!
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=101305795136337155096.0004600216d7cbf124f21&z=3
If you have Google Earth, check it out using that tool.
Marvin
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=101305795136337155096.0004600216d7cbf124f21&z=3
If you have Google Earth, check it out using that tool.
Marvin
Sunday, January 4, 2009
PAACS
PAACS is an abbreviation for the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons with a focus on education. Tenwek is an educational mission hospital and is a member of PAACS. You can find more information at the web site: http://www.cmda.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=PAACS
One of the "projects" has been the preparation of a series obstetric lectures that will be part of a PAACS curriculum. Bringing and giving these lectures is an experiment in education since the context of care is very different than the assumptions of the authors.
The prayer request is that educational impact of these lectures will equip those dedicated Christian surgeons and students to bring healing and relieve suffering. Pray that the learners and teachers will be a witness to their common love of the Great Physician who is the author of the healing mission of the church and the One who is with us in our suffering.
Marvin
One of the "projects" has been the preparation of a series obstetric lectures that will be part of a PAACS curriculum. Bringing and giving these lectures is an experiment in education since the context of care is very different than the assumptions of the authors.
The prayer request is that educational impact of these lectures will equip those dedicated Christian surgeons and students to bring healing and relieve suffering. Pray that the learners and teachers will be a witness to their common love of the Great Physician who is the author of the healing mission of the church and the One who is with us in our suffering.
Marvin
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