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!

Great visit with the Meekers!

The Clinic for Kenya is on it's way! It should arrive in Kenya about the first week of September, so we hope to be able to unload it!

We just spent three great days with Pastor Dennis and Deaconess Lorna. They were able to take time out of their whirlwind tour of the U.S. and spend a couple days of "down time" with Mauro and I. What a joy it is to spend time one-on-one with these humble and dedicated servants of God. Dennis enjoyed our easy chair and the boat ride, and Lorna and I went shopping! It is a joy and a pleasure to work so closely with them. We heard all about the children St. John sponsors, and about their mission plans for Kenya. Dennis shared how the many items on the container will probably go all over Kenya and help so many people! They are very excited to receive the Clinic and get it set up and ready to service the widows and orphans in the Nyanza Province.

Sue Wood had the Africa Mission Team all over for a wonderful dinner! Even though she had NO power most of the day! Kirk and Renate Radford were able to join us (Kirk went on the first trip), and it was great to see them again.

We talked about our upcoming trip and the plans Lorna has for us. She said there won't be much time to relax, she has lots of work for us to do! We can't wait!

Our team leaves Sept. 22nd and returns on Aug 9th. Watch for the blog posts and remember to share your comments!