How is that for a profound statement? I spent my morning doing just that. It is amazing how this red clay soil which turns into dust in the strong wind is brought into the house! At the Kenyan homes we have visited we do take off our shoes at the door and now you know the reason why! Most floors are tile so they are easily mopped. The hospital provides us with house help to do this which is great!
After a morning of cleaning I went to an afternoon Bible Study on the book of Matthew with other missionary wives, visiting wives, and some folks from RVA. The leader had done an excellent job of preparing and it was an interesting time. It was also nice to meet some of the other women who are either long or short term. I have found that it is difficult to know who is here apart from some of these formal groups. The long term people are busy raising families or working at the school or hospital and because people come and go so frequently some of the short term people get lost in the cracks. I am trying to be more assertive and reach out to find my place and to be of service while we are here.
One of the prayer requests at Bible Study was for two MD’s who left for Somalia yesterday to do surgery for a couple of weeks primarily on contractures because of burns. Women are often the victims of burns either because their long cotton clothing catches on fire while they are cooking or because they set themselves on fire to commit suicide. To give you an idea of the magnitude of this problem he was scheduled to do 22 surgeries in the next 3 days! (By the way he is 70 years old so pray for strength for him!)
Dad has had a busy week as he is covering the service while the other OB is out of town. He was glad to come home last night and put his feet up! He is loving the eagerness of the students; both Kenyan and a couple of American pre med girls. The girls are going to observe a C section this morning and are very excited!
This morning began with an unexpected Skype from John on his birthday! It was midnight in SC and 8 AM here so I was among the first to wish him a great day and a healthy happy year! What fun to talk a half world apart.
After my nice chat I went to the hospital chapel service and the singing was outstanding again. What a joyous way to begin the day! From there I visited the pediatric wards with the chaplain named Mercy and some other visiting gringo ladies! One of ladies plays a little accordion and so we greeted the wards with songs in Swahili and English. The chaplain says that I have rhythm so I tried to engage the patients in singing and clapping. I am glad that my children weren’t there to see their mother swinging and swaying! At least I got them laughing a bit. Many of the patients are spina bifida, hydrocephalic children who have come for surgery. I think I mentioned before that this is the only place in Kenya where there is a pediatric neurosurgeon and that this is the largest service in the world for this particular surgery. We handed out blankets and stuffed animals that had been made by American church ladies. We took turns praying in each ward for the Lord’s blessing on these children and their families. It was very powerful. Imagine how difficult it must be to have a handicapped child in a third world culture. There is no handicapped accessible law here! These families face unimaginable challenges and need our love and prayers.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY BOY, GLAD YOU WERE BORN WE LOVE YOU
Mom and Dad, Nana and Poppy, Micki and Marv
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