It's the end of another long day

As the "newbie" of the group it has been overwhelming yet amazing. The sights, smells and sounds are so different. After a week, however, it feels almost commonplace and a rhythm has fallen into place. A rhythm though that is easily disrupted at any given moment. Disrupted by a child's beaming smile or by their sad eyes. Disrupted by a young mother with five children looking pleadingly for help for their sickness. Disrupted by an elderly woman bent over who has walked miles to seek medical help. Disrupted by the treachorous roads, dusty air and heat. Yet this is life in Kenya.

To a non-believer it would be a lost place, a forsaken place where the people do nothing but try to survive. But to us as a team we see God everywhere. He is working mightily in this country and many people we encounter know God and Jesus and openly praise Him. We are welcomed and everyone wants to say hello and shake our hand or give us a hug. We see hard workers who do all they can to provide for their family. We see beautiful children who hunger not just for food, but for love and attention. We see young people who work hard in school as they know that is how they will make their lives better.

To all the sponsors of children, please know that you are helping them create a future. They are so very grateful to all of you. Praise God that He is providing everything we need as we work with the people.

Today was Day One of a medical camp at Lake Victoria. This is a compound started by Pastor Dennis and Lorna Meeker. There is a house and classrooms that will be opening soon for school. When we arrived the people in the area had already begun to line up. Sue Wood and I helped the pharmacist organize and distribute medication. The common drug of the day was Malaria treatment medication. Over 80% of the people coming to the pharmacy were sent off with malaria medication. It's hard to comprehend. I know I silently prayed for each family as they left. Karen and Linda worked in the HIV testing room. Rockie and Dave passed out "sweets" (suckers) and stickers to the kids and mosquito net repellent to the families. It was a non-stop day. Last count was 450 men, women and children. Tomorrow we return and were told to expect even more. This medical camp is only held once a year, so we wonder how do they follow up with their illnesses? The only answer we have at this time is that they were helped today and to trust that God will take it from there.

As we close out another day, we send greetings from the people of Kenya and love to all. Please continue to pray for us. God is good. Alleluia!

Sandi Brandenburg

Dago Medical Camp – Day 3

This was our last day at Dago and we experienced an array of events and emotions. Each of us experienced different things, but equally special. Karen and I worked in the HIV testing room, Rockie went to the market and bought goats, Sue and Sandi worked in the pharmacy, and Dave was the staff photographer and greeter again.

The numbers of people were reduced today, but our experiences were very poignant indeed. Karen and I met with 17 people in the HIV testing room, with 5 positive results. One was a 70 year old woman who didn’t know how HIV was transmitted. Her husband had died several years ago and she had been ill for a while. After the county worker went through a lengthy explanation, and this very thin woman sat there with a smile on her face the entire time, she agreed to be tested. While we waited for the test results to process this beautiful woman laughed and joked with us. As I looked over at Karen and she mouthed “positive” to me, all of our hearts sank. When she was told that the test was positive, she raised both arms in the air and said, “God is good!” My role as deaconess was to be there to pray with those receiving a positive test result. As I approached her, she had a big smile on her face and told me she was a Catholic and she knew God would take care of her. We prayed together and as she was about leave, I asked if I could take her picture and tell everyone in the America how brave she was. She said, “Yes, yes!” She is holding one of the crosses that Neal Hoegemeyer made. Thanks Neal! She left the room praising God. What an amazing woman!

Later in the day, Rockie arrived with eleven goats in the back of the same ambulance that transported the man who was so ill on the first day! Sue, Sandi, Rockie, and I had collectively purchased these for the women at Dago. Lorna wanted us to present the goats to the women so they knew who had provided them. There were many happy faces in the crowd! Rockie also purchased two cows, but they wouldn’t arrive until after we left. However, we did meet the two women who are to receive them though. The team will have much to share from today, so stayed tuned. Blessings to all!

Deaconess Linda

One of the Little People

Local Officials, Waiting room, Pharmacy, Greetings, Patients with Patience

Day 2 at Dago Medical Camp

This day was almost over before it began. The rural Kenyan roads nearly got the best of us when our wonderful driver Stephan lost a battle with the slick red muddy surface that was greased by the evening rains. The colors are really quite beautiful most of the time, but when you are up to your ankles in the stuff, attempting to push a van back onto solid rocky surface, the adjective “beautiful” takes on new meaning.

Today for the first time we “just happened” to be travelling together with a 4-wheel drive ambulance that was equipped with a chain, and after a few tense moments and some very dirty shoes, we were back on our way to Dago Medical Camp for Day 2 of an amazing display of compassion.

As we arrived at the familiar Dago compound, I was struck by what had to be nearly 200 people who had already managed to find their way to this tiny haven in search of medical assistance, dental care, eye care, and spiritual comforting. Most of the medical team from the day before had returned, and today we were also joined by an impressive dental team from a German relief organization (Arzt und Zahnarzthilfe), as well as a local Ophthalmologist from nearby Nybondo.

As I watched these skilled professionals transform a run-down class room into a less than private doctor’s office for the day, I was humbled to learn that they freely give of their talents and services, and pass up family vacations to be here and serve in rural Kenya for those who need them most.

After what appeared to be another chaotic start to the day, the compound that was buzzing with activity and desperate for order soon fell into a rhythm. By days end, and by the grace of God, over 380 people, from infants to the elderly, women and men alike, had been cared for in one or more ways on this day.

There were more today in search of HIV/AIDS testing, counseling and comfort that Karen and Deaconess Linda provided from the moment we arrived. I lost count of the number of tooth extractions that were performed by the efficient German assembly line, and Sue massaged the shoulders and encouraged a weary eye doctor who could only pause and sigh when he saw the massive number of people whose vision was perhaps dependent on his being there today.

Eye diseases and tooth decay are an extremely serious problem in this part of the world in addition to the more familiar malaria, tuberculosis, HIV related and other tropical afflictions that we saw today by the score.

Just beyond the never-ending queues of people patiently waiting in the hot African sun, Rockie and Sandy can always be found somewhere occupying the orphans and other children with a game of ring-around-the-rosy or some other pass-time. Those unforgettable smiles and laughter have become such a familiar part of the hope that springs from this place called Dago, and they lift the spirits of all.

God is good, and he was certainly in this place with us today.

Dave Halvorson

Dago Medical Camp

10:30 pm, Monday, September 27, 2010

No matter what you think or plan what your day may bring in Kenya, it’s always so much more diverse.

Today was Day 1 of 2 medical camps we are doing at the Dago Project near Kisii. This area has the highest per capita HIV/AIDS in the country. This is also the place where our container clinic will be placed. (Hopefully within the next couple of weeks. It was to leave South Africa fort Kenya today.)

We arrived and immediately set to work unpacking medications and preparing for the area medical teams to arrive. Patients had already gathered and were there very early to be the first in “Queue”.

The first man in line to be seen was very ill. He was HIV positive, had TB, was extremely anemic and had a very severe wound on his leg. The doctors said that they would not be able to help him and he needed to go to the hospital for treatment and most critical was a blood transfusion. As they spoke to his son about what he needed, it was determined that he had no insurance and no money. I asked the Dr. what would happen and he said he would go home to die. Deaconess Lorna’s sister Ruth, who manages the Dago Project, said this happens all of the time because treatment is unavailable to most.

Dave and I could not believe what we were hearing. I could barely contain my emotion knowing this man would soon die unnecessarily. We tried to get an estimate of what the charges would be for him to go to the hospital. After much discussion, we were told for the blood transfusion and up to 2 weeks in the hospital would be upwards of 10,000 Shillings. That amounts to about $120!!! That was a no brainer for us and we made arrangements to ensure he received treatment. I found out later from Karen that at the blood level he was at, he should have been unconscious; yet he walked who knows how far to get to the clinic and waited hours to be the first person seen. Please pray for his recovery.

After that, the rest of the day was calm yet very productive as 126 men, women and children were treated. Karen helped in the HIV/AIDS clinic with testing and education. We immunized and played with the children, assisted with the pharmacy, helped wherever we were needed and Linda even did a little “politicking” with the local officials about electricity and other needs for the area. I am learning more and more what it means to be Jesus’ hands and feet here on earth.

The day ended with a bumpy ride through extremely rough terrain to the Atemo Mission Center where we are staying for 2 nights. We enjoyed a candlelit dinner since the power went out and as I write it is still not back on. God is in control and is clearly in this place. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Sue Wood

Awesome Day!

The Lord blessed us with an awesome day today! Before we arrived I had asked Lorna if we could meet Bishop Obare on this visit. We hadn't been able on previous trips. Bishop Walter Obare is the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK). He is just like our Synodical President. Since we have been doing so much work here, I thought it would be a good idea to meet. However, Lorna surprised us by arranging for us to worship at his home congregation near Kisii. We drove for about an hour and then departed the main road. Lorna, who was sitting up front with the driver turned to us and said, "That is the end of the good road." As we turned onto the red muddy road we realized this was going to get interesting. It was reminiscent of our trip to the Masai Mara (Remember that Pastor Luke?) ! As we journeyed up this very muddy road, we all prayed that we wouldn't get stuck. We drove all the way to the top of mountain, but when we arrived at the gate leading up another hill to the church, we had to get out and walk. Being many miles and many dirt roads away from a hospital, everyone was concerned for my footing. Dave was kind enough to lend an elbow to an old lady in sandals! Yes, sandals because we were in skirts and going to church. Bisphop Obare greeted us at the top and welcomed us to his "real" home where he was born and grew up on the top of a mountain. He sat and talked to us so long church started a half an hour late!

When we went into the church, Dave and Rockie were surprised when they were directed to sit on the left with all the men. The women and children all sat on the right. Sounds like a former Lutheran tradition! The worship was wonderful and we sang "Rock of Ages" in Luo, Dcs. Lorna's language.We shared the Lord's Supper in the common with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and as one American pastor once said after visiting Kenya, "There's a lot of humanity in that cup." What a blessing to worship in oneness so far from home!

After the service we shared a greeting outside the church and the Bishop took Dave and I around and showed us the compound, then we all returned to his home and his wife Eunice served us lunch. Before we could leave Bishop told us about an African tradition that guests are not allowed to leave until the hostess allows it. With the rain coming, Lorna had asked if could be excused, so we made our way back to the van and down the mountain. This was indeed a very special day for the team and especially for me as a deaconess.

Thanks for all your prayers. God is listening. Love to all at home. Dcs. Linda

We have arrived!

Thanks be to God, we have arrived safely! It 's amazing to be here once again. It's very much like being home in a way. We've come back to the familiar guesthouse, familiar friends, and familiar surroundings. When we arrived Lorna called us from Kisumu and said, "Welcome home!" It makes doing ministry here easier to jump right into.

Today, we napped and shopped for provisions. Tomorrow we leave for Kisumu to begin our work with the two different medical camps. It is a 7 hour drive and very bumpy! We can't wait!

Thank you for your prayers! They helped us get on the plane in Detroit after they almost didn't let us fly! (A credit card issue) They also helped us get through customs without any difficulty here in Kenya.

Blessings to you all and hello from here. We'll blog from Kisumu when we can. We are all healthy and happy and look forward to serving the people of Kenya.

On our way!

The Team is prepped and ready! We are so excited to be returning to Kenya. We have formed lasting relationships with the people there and can't wait to see them again.

Please remember to keep us in your prayers, and LEAVE COMMENTS on the blog! We really look forward to hearing from you. God bless you all, and may the Lord keep us all His loving arms!

Our flight leaves today at 5:40 pm. We won't arrive in Kenya until tomorrow night.

Africa Mission Team Leaves in One Week!

Please remember to keep our Africa Mission Team in your prayers from Sept 22-Oct 9th! We will be leaving next Wednesday in the afternoon. For most of the team this will be a repeat visit and my third visit to Kenya. We are looking forward to working with Pastor Dennis and Deaconess Lorna Meeker as we assist with two medical camps and visit the schools and slums where St. John L.C. sponsors 51 children! If you are at church this Sunday and would like your picture taken, we will make every effort to see that your child gets your picture. We'll bring home pictures for you also. We also hope to help unload the container that we shipped over the end of June!

Please pray for our health and safety, and that the Lord God of the Harvest will be enable us to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet. May He do awesome things through our hands of mercy. Remember to check this blog frequently and LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS! They mean so much to us when we are so far from home. We will be spending more time in the rural areas this time, so blogging will not always be easy, but hang in there! We will write as often as we can.

Many, many thanks to all who helped to make this possible with your donations and your prayers! We truly do appreciate your support. Blessings! Deaconess Linda

God's Blessings to Our New Synod President!

This Saturday in St. Louis our synod will install a new president and other officers. Here is a prayer for President Matthew Harrison and his fellow officers from our Lutheran Book of Prayer (94)

For the Leaders of our Synod

O Lord, God and Father, send the bright beams of your grace and mercy on the leaders of our synod, as they serve the people of Your church. Equip them with every good and perfect gift that comes down from above. Give them wisdom and insight, that they may discern what is best as they provide national leadership of our church. Give them courage and strength as they deal with the pressing and difficult issues of church administration and supervision. Most of all, Keep them faithful to their promise to carry out their office according to Your Holy Word and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions. Do not let the stresses and pressures and difficulties of their office discourage them or lead them into error. Keep far from them the temptations of the evil one.

Give them the heart of the Good Shepherd, that they may serve You and Your people with humility, so that in all they do, they may decrease, so that the kingdom of Christ may increase. Let them stand without wavering on Your clear and gracious Word. By the infallible truth and power of Christ and Him crucified, let them be comforted in all the difficulties that their office brings. By the power of Your Spirit, give them peace and joy in their service to You, and make them a blessings to our church, as together we give You all praise, honor and glory, O Father, together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one GOd, forever and forever, AMEN!