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

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

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

Ready for the Second Leg

On the way to Amsterdam! Thanks for your prayers and support.

Marvin& Micki

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

Last Minute Preparation

One week from today !

Marvin

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