Friday, March 27, 2009
Ashes to Ashes, Dust To Dust
I have to say that this is the best Birthday Ever! The only thing that could have possibly made it better would have been for Patrick to be here to share it with me. We got up early this morning to go on our final game drive. It was wonderful! Linda, Alice and I rode on the roof of our Safari Van, It was great! Though by the time we got done we looked like homeless dust bunnies thanks to the dry dust stirred by the van. There were lots of animals and we all got lots of pictures. We saw hippos, and elephants and water buffalo, and so many more! The only sad thing is that we have to leave this beautiful place and all of the friends that we have made here. I will post pic's of us on top of the van when I get home! Can't wait to share our pics with everyone!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
medical clinic summary
This posting is to help save the tally of patients served and common diagnoses.
During 3 medical clinics and 3 schools visted, 880 patients were seen and approximately 2400 children were treated for intestinal parasites as a routine procedure. More on diagnoses later.
Deb Gipson
During 3 medical clinics and 3 schools visted, 880 patients were seen and approximately 2400 children were treated for intestinal parasites as a routine procedure. More on diagnoses later.
Deb Gipson
Good morning from Maua
What an experience this has been for me. There is so much to tell. People here have so little or nothing yet they are friendly, smile and the kids love to play. I went to three primary schools to give deworming pill and a candy. The largest class I was in had 74 students cramed on benches. They each have well worn uniforms but most barefoot. The dust is extreme. The kids are dirty and most dehydrated. Our team has had gallons of bottled water. I have not seen one person in these remote areas including the school with drinking water. Lack of rain is extreme. There is no playground equipment at all. We gave them one soccer ball for 800 kids and they were thrilled. There are 15 teachers in this 800 pupil school. I went to a special needs class. These kids live at the school. Otherwise they would wander off. One special needs boy who is an orphan was found by the side of the road. At school, they get food and a place to sleep. You would be proud of this team. Everyone has worked hard under really tough situations. We have all kept up our spirits and have supported each other. Soon we will be home. We will leave Kenya but will never forget Kenya. love to all, Katherine Wacker
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair!
Friends,
It has been a few days since I have written, and I have much to say. However, for the sake of time and interest, I will simply share with you a major hilight from yesterday.
On our third and final day of clinic, we were a team of hot, exhausted, and sluggish people. Our site was not ideal and we were overwhelmed with heat and dirt and smell. If you close your eyes and imagine a tiny, hot room filled with over a hundred people who have rarely bathed in their life, you might have a small glimpse into our day.
In desperate need of a break, Casey and I decided to stroll down the road, take a few pictures, and breathe some fresh, dusty air! As we walked, I noticed that we were more of an oddity than usual. As white people, we often receive stares of curiosity... and when I am with the tallest members of our team (Clay and Casey), there is even more gawking! However, yesterday--something was different. Children were crying and hiding. People followed us as if we were leaders of some odd parade. It was as though we were a neon sign that people could not take their eyes off of. When I asked about it, one of the Kenyan doctors and Regan shared that the children in the area probably have rarely seen a white person. Unlike the more populated city areas, this rural town does not get the same foot traffic and opportunity to view mezungus.
Later, I took another break with Clay. This is where my story starts to get good. The people love Clay. They try to make him eat things, and they want to share their life stories with him... in some language he doesnt understand! As I stood back and shot pictures, the people tried to make him eat unripe bananas and the children hid from him as if he were Kenya's version of the abominable snowman. As we were walking back to the church site, we were met by an elderly woman who was quite obviously aggitated. She was rambling loudly and quickly in another language and Clay kept saying, "I dont understand you!" which made her all the more aggitated. Finally, a young woman stepped up to translate. The woman was upset about something from the clinic, and when we told her we couldnt help her with that, she continued on in her 5 minute monologue of angry ranting. When I turned to the girl with questioning eyes, she hesitated for a moment and then said, "She says she is so glad you are here and God bless you." Right. That woman probably cursed Clay and I to the ends of the earth. If weird things start happening to us, be prepared to exorcise whatever voodoo she placed on us! :)
Ah, now here is where it gets really good. Are you ready? As we were packing up for the end of the day, I heard this blood-curling screaming outside from hundreds of children. I stepped out the door and found Tim (another very tall, white member of our team) down on one knee, SURROUNDED by hundreds of children. He was offering to hug them, and the children would run at him one by one and he would scopp them up and swing them around and give them the biggest bear hug you can imagine. For them, it was a really special game--exciting and a little fearful at the same time. After all, if a big man who looks completely different from anything youve ever seen before wanted to swoop you up and swing you around, you'd be afraid too! Tears pured from my eyes as I watched this man scoop children into his arms and show them the love of Christ. It didnt matter if they had HIV or Tuberculosis. It didnt matter that they smelled awful and have never been bathed before. It didnt matter that their teeth were rotting. This man loved on Jesus' children with the biggest and most open heart I have ever seen. What a beautiful picture of Jesus' words, "Let the little children come to me."
As this all was happening, I took pictures and videos of the smiling faces. One of my buddies from the day (a 3ish year old boy) and his sweet sister found me in the crowd and came to tug on my skirt. They wanted to see the pictures so I got down on my knees and pulled my buddy on my lap and let him look at my camera. In a matter of seconds, I too had a crowd around me. Being so low to the ground, everywhere I looked were the shining faces of beautiful children, dying to see themselves in the LCD screen of my camera. All of a sudden, I began to notice a gentle flip of my ponytail. Once. Twice. Five times. So, I reached up and pulled the sunglasses off the top of my head. Suddenly, there were tons of tiny hands caressing the top of my head, as if they were touching the finest silk. Again, I reached up and pulled the tie out of my ponytail, letting my long, blonde hair fall down my back. Instantly, hundreds of hands were in my hair. I kid you not. Children. Adults. It did not matter. Everyone wanted to touch this strange, new hair. I have the longest hair on the team, and I had noticed some of the women looking at it with curious stares all day. Finally, they could touch this strange thing... and touch they did. My hair was stroked and tugged and sniffed. Once the children could see that I didnt mind the touching, they placed their tiny hands on either side of my face and looked at my skin with bright interest. Everyone who touched my hair started yelling "So nice!" in their native language. I have never felt more adored or more beautiful. What a special, special gift they gave me.
As much healing as we can offer with our array of medicines and medical care, nothing compares to the touch and love of another. This is the greatest healing. Just as Christ ate with, drank with, stayed with, and loved the dirtiest, smelliest people... so, too, should we hold out our arms and say, "Give me a hug!" Nothing heals a heart more than a hug and some genuine love.
Praying you hug and offer a loving touch to others today,
Amanda
It has been a few days since I have written, and I have much to say. However, for the sake of time and interest, I will simply share with you a major hilight from yesterday.
On our third and final day of clinic, we were a team of hot, exhausted, and sluggish people. Our site was not ideal and we were overwhelmed with heat and dirt and smell. If you close your eyes and imagine a tiny, hot room filled with over a hundred people who have rarely bathed in their life, you might have a small glimpse into our day.
In desperate need of a break, Casey and I decided to stroll down the road, take a few pictures, and breathe some fresh, dusty air! As we walked, I noticed that we were more of an oddity than usual. As white people, we often receive stares of curiosity... and when I am with the tallest members of our team (Clay and Casey), there is even more gawking! However, yesterday--something was different. Children were crying and hiding. People followed us as if we were leaders of some odd parade. It was as though we were a neon sign that people could not take their eyes off of. When I asked about it, one of the Kenyan doctors and Regan shared that the children in the area probably have rarely seen a white person. Unlike the more populated city areas, this rural town does not get the same foot traffic and opportunity to view mezungus.
Later, I took another break with Clay. This is where my story starts to get good. The people love Clay. They try to make him eat things, and they want to share their life stories with him... in some language he doesnt understand! As I stood back and shot pictures, the people tried to make him eat unripe bananas and the children hid from him as if he were Kenya's version of the abominable snowman. As we were walking back to the church site, we were met by an elderly woman who was quite obviously aggitated. She was rambling loudly and quickly in another language and Clay kept saying, "I dont understand you!" which made her all the more aggitated. Finally, a young woman stepped up to translate. The woman was upset about something from the clinic, and when we told her we couldnt help her with that, she continued on in her 5 minute monologue of angry ranting. When I turned to the girl with questioning eyes, she hesitated for a moment and then said, "She says she is so glad you are here and God bless you." Right. That woman probably cursed Clay and I to the ends of the earth. If weird things start happening to us, be prepared to exorcise whatever voodoo she placed on us! :)
Ah, now here is where it gets really good. Are you ready? As we were packing up for the end of the day, I heard this blood-curling screaming outside from hundreds of children. I stepped out the door and found Tim (another very tall, white member of our team) down on one knee, SURROUNDED by hundreds of children. He was offering to hug them, and the children would run at him one by one and he would scopp them up and swing them around and give them the biggest bear hug you can imagine. For them, it was a really special game--exciting and a little fearful at the same time. After all, if a big man who looks completely different from anything youve ever seen before wanted to swoop you up and swing you around, you'd be afraid too! Tears pured from my eyes as I watched this man scoop children into his arms and show them the love of Christ. It didnt matter if they had HIV or Tuberculosis. It didnt matter that they smelled awful and have never been bathed before. It didnt matter that their teeth were rotting. This man loved on Jesus' children with the biggest and most open heart I have ever seen. What a beautiful picture of Jesus' words, "Let the little children come to me."
As this all was happening, I took pictures and videos of the smiling faces. One of my buddies from the day (a 3ish year old boy) and his sweet sister found me in the crowd and came to tug on my skirt. They wanted to see the pictures so I got down on my knees and pulled my buddy on my lap and let him look at my camera. In a matter of seconds, I too had a crowd around me. Being so low to the ground, everywhere I looked were the shining faces of beautiful children, dying to see themselves in the LCD screen of my camera. All of a sudden, I began to notice a gentle flip of my ponytail. Once. Twice. Five times. So, I reached up and pulled the sunglasses off the top of my head. Suddenly, there were tons of tiny hands caressing the top of my head, as if they were touching the finest silk. Again, I reached up and pulled the tie out of my ponytail, letting my long, blonde hair fall down my back. Instantly, hundreds of hands were in my hair. I kid you not. Children. Adults. It did not matter. Everyone wanted to touch this strange, new hair. I have the longest hair on the team, and I had noticed some of the women looking at it with curious stares all day. Finally, they could touch this strange thing... and touch they did. My hair was stroked and tugged and sniffed. Once the children could see that I didnt mind the touching, they placed their tiny hands on either side of my face and looked at my skin with bright interest. Everyone who touched my hair started yelling "So nice!" in their native language. I have never felt more adored or more beautiful. What a special, special gift they gave me.
As much healing as we can offer with our array of medicines and medical care, nothing compares to the touch and love of another. This is the greatest healing. Just as Christ ate with, drank with, stayed with, and loved the dirtiest, smelliest people... so, too, should we hold out our arms and say, "Give me a hug!" Nothing heals a heart more than a hug and some genuine love.
Praying you hug and offer a loving touch to others today,
Amanda
Good Morning from Africa!
THURSDAY Hello to family and friends! Yesterday we finished our third medical clinic and what an experience! We saw about 320 patients, again mostly adults. It has been an adventure and a learning experience to see patients here. The people here have taught us so much and I am grateful for the opportunity to come here. THANKS to all the folks home for your support!! This could have not been possible without you all. And we are so thankful to God for His blessings in what we have learned here from the people of Afirca. They have so little and yet are so gracious and happy. Today we head back to dedicate Abraham's house, the one we all helped build on Saturday. Then we are taking a break to see the big five (hopefully) at MeruNational Park later today and tomorrow. I understand from Pat that we are doing our own cocoking there. I never imagined that we would be "camping" in Africa! So on to the next adventure. Alice Finnell
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Africa Update
Wednesday Today I am up early for our 3rd medical clinic. The past two days have been fun!!I am finding a few people here seek our opinion after having seen other doctors in the past or they still don't know what is wrong, or are simply not better. Nevertheless, people are gracious and appreciative. We have seen mostly adults in the clinics. But the nurses and some other volunteers are going to nearby schools to give deworming medicine to a lot of students. Yestereday's total was over 1000 at the schools. Better run to catch up and get ready for today.
Alice Finnell
Alice Finnell
Adventure
I am up and ready for our last day in clinic! Yesterday was quite the adventure for me. It began when I woke up and found a nice itchy rash on my arms neck, chin and face. Leave it to me the to come to Kenya to find something that I am allergic to :) But thankfully we came equipt with hydrocortisone cream and trimcinolone cream :) After devotions in the chapel, I had the priviledge of being the official banker for the group. I stayed behind as the rest of the group went to the clinic and rode with Stanley and the staff from Maua who were going to the clinic to help interpret for us. We stoped by the bank so that I could get change for the group. In all I had $170 american Cash and 3000 Kenya shillings to get small change for. Needless to say that is ALOT of money here in Kenya! Thankfully, Stanley went with me inside the bank so that I would not have any problems and even still we had to go to two different banks to get the change. And just let me say, I am a pretty street smart person, but it was a little intemidating to walk in the bank holding what would be at least a year's pay for a well payed nurse here in Kenya, expecially when there are Soldiers armed with M19's standing outside the door of the Bank!
I finally did make it back with the group in time for the clinic to begin seeing patients. It is so great that we are able to provide treatment to the people of Maua. In the states patients take everything for granted, People here actually genuinely appreciate EVERYTHING! It is just so refreshing to see! I have noticed that the Kenyan people that we have seen have one God given attribute that would do us well to have in the US. It is contentment. The people here are thankful to have what they do have and are not driven by that which they do not. They know and trust that God will meet there needs, even if it is throught sending a group of misfits from the USA.
I finally did make it back with the group in time for the clinic to begin seeing patients. It is so great that we are able to provide treatment to the people of Maua. In the states patients take everything for granted, People here actually genuinely appreciate EVERYTHING! It is just so refreshing to see! I have noticed that the Kenyan people that we have seen have one God given attribute that would do us well to have in the US. It is contentment. The people here are thankful to have what they do have and are not driven by that which they do not. They know and trust that God will meet there needs, even if it is throught sending a group of misfits from the USA.
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Lenten Africa
Friends,
It is 6am and all is quiet in the Kenyan world. We are all awake and preparing to start a day of medical clinics, praying that we will be able to offer some healing to the bodies and spirits of these children. Today the site is a little farther away and we must travel the bumpy roads by van... thus, our day is beginning early.
Have I mentioned before that Kenya is a dusty land? I am not certain that "dusty" is even the right word--the road dust is so deep and thick that it covers everything like a red blanket. It is the end of their dry season and then land is desperate for thirst. The rainy season should have begun about 2 weeks ago, and it is evident that the people, the animals, and the crops are suffering in the dry barrenness of this land.
As we drive or walk down the roads, we too become covered from head to toe in the grittiness of this dust, and must return home each night to scrub ourselves down in the showers as a way to remember what color our hair and skin actually are.
Ah, is this not the perfect picture of Lent? As we celebrate this season, many of us only remember the time of dust on Ash Wednesday. However, we too, are like the Kenyan landscape. Our hearts and souls and faith are dry and barren and so covered with grit that only water can wash us clean. As we look towards Easter in the next few weeks, this is a time for us to remember our dust. Remember that without God, we came from dust and to dust we shall return. It is a time to remember that we can become so covered in dirt that we do not remember what we look like underneath, and then we need a holy shower. The good news is that with the coming of Easter, we are able to remember our baptisms and the grace that washes us clean. I pray today that you are reminded of your dust... and your baptism that washes you clean.
We love you all and are praying for you often.
Remembering my baptism,
Amanda
It is 6am and all is quiet in the Kenyan world. We are all awake and preparing to start a day of medical clinics, praying that we will be able to offer some healing to the bodies and spirits of these children. Today the site is a little farther away and we must travel the bumpy roads by van... thus, our day is beginning early.
Have I mentioned before that Kenya is a dusty land? I am not certain that "dusty" is even the right word--the road dust is so deep and thick that it covers everything like a red blanket. It is the end of their dry season and then land is desperate for thirst. The rainy season should have begun about 2 weeks ago, and it is evident that the people, the animals, and the crops are suffering in the dry barrenness of this land.
As we drive or walk down the roads, we too become covered from head to toe in the grittiness of this dust, and must return home each night to scrub ourselves down in the showers as a way to remember what color our hair and skin actually are.
Ah, is this not the perfect picture of Lent? As we celebrate this season, many of us only remember the time of dust on Ash Wednesday. However, we too, are like the Kenyan landscape. Our hearts and souls and faith are dry and barren and so covered with grit that only water can wash us clean. As we look towards Easter in the next few weeks, this is a time for us to remember our dust. Remember that without God, we came from dust and to dust we shall return. It is a time to remember that we can become so covered in dirt that we do not remember what we look like underneath, and then we need a holy shower. The good news is that with the coming of Easter, we are able to remember our baptisms and the grace that washes us clean. I pray today that you are reminded of your dust... and your baptism that washes you clean.
We love you all and are praying for you often.
Remembering my baptism,
Amanda
Healing Hands
Friends,
We are a tired bunch this evening. Even the Kenyans who stand around our hotel trying to sell us stuff said, "Oh, you all are tired tonight!" when we returned home a few minutes ago. We started the day at 7am with church service at the hospital and then proceeded to our first day of medical clinic. Our site was next to a goat slaughter house, which gave us some authentic African experiences today. When we first arrived, Casey, Carolyn (a William and Mary student who is studying abroad here and working at the hospital) and I went to a school down the road. We were able to deworm 900 children and enjoyed feeling like movie stars when we arrived. All of the children wanted to speak to us, touch us, and be close to us. White people are such an oddity here that we attract attention worthy of Angelina Jolie.
After returning from the school, we joined the others in the clinic... Casey went off to triage patients and do all that nursing nonsense and Carolyn and I went to help Greg and Clay fill prescriptions in the pharmacy. It was a long, but very rewarding day. We were able to see over 300 people--mostly children. The team was quite impressive at how smoothly we were able to run the operation and we partnered with the hospital staff to help with translation. The gift of healing is a powerful thing.
On a more colorful note, you should all know that you may have the next big Kenyan Star in your midst. Clay disappeared today for about an hour and came back to share with us that some guy had taken him to his "recording studio" where Clay created some sort of crazy DJ CLAY MAY album. He is very excited about his VIP status, all to our dismay. Just kidding. We get a good laugh at his craziness. On another note, he was both my #1 enemy and #1 hero today... as he broke my brand new camera (!!!) and then proceeded to fix it a few hours later. It was a tense few hours. Luckily, I have now forgiven him, so I can share in the excitement of his Star status.
Finally, we want you all to know how thankful we are for your support of this trip. We would not be able to bring healing to so many people (300 patients + 900 dewormed children) without your financial and prayerful support. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we work the rest of the week. I can assure you, the Kenyans are keeping YOU in their prayers. I have never heard so many people pray for "the Americans here and back in North Carolina" before. You all are a blessed group.
We love you all and will undoubtedly update plenty the rest of the evening!
Until tomorrow,
Amanda
We are a tired bunch this evening. Even the Kenyans who stand around our hotel trying to sell us stuff said, "Oh, you all are tired tonight!" when we returned home a few minutes ago. We started the day at 7am with church service at the hospital and then proceeded to our first day of medical clinic. Our site was next to a goat slaughter house, which gave us some authentic African experiences today. When we first arrived, Casey, Carolyn (a William and Mary student who is studying abroad here and working at the hospital) and I went to a school down the road. We were able to deworm 900 children and enjoyed feeling like movie stars when we arrived. All of the children wanted to speak to us, touch us, and be close to us. White people are such an oddity here that we attract attention worthy of Angelina Jolie.
After returning from the school, we joined the others in the clinic... Casey went off to triage patients and do all that nursing nonsense and Carolyn and I went to help Greg and Clay fill prescriptions in the pharmacy. It was a long, but very rewarding day. We were able to see over 300 people--mostly children. The team was quite impressive at how smoothly we were able to run the operation and we partnered with the hospital staff to help with translation. The gift of healing is a powerful thing.
On a more colorful note, you should all know that you may have the next big Kenyan Star in your midst. Clay disappeared today for about an hour and came back to share with us that some guy had taken him to his "recording studio" where Clay created some sort of crazy DJ CLAY MAY album. He is very excited about his VIP status, all to our dismay. Just kidding. We get a good laugh at his craziness. On another note, he was both my #1 enemy and #1 hero today... as he broke my brand new camera (!!!) and then proceeded to fix it a few hours later. It was a tense few hours. Luckily, I have now forgiven him, so I can share in the excitement of his Star status.
Finally, we want you all to know how thankful we are for your support of this trip. We would not be able to bring healing to so many people (300 patients + 900 dewormed children) without your financial and prayerful support. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we work the rest of the week. I can assure you, the Kenyans are keeping YOU in their prayers. I have never heard so many people pray for "the Americans here and back in North Carolina" before. You all are a blessed group.
We love you all and will undoubtedly update plenty the rest of the evening!
Until tomorrow,
Amanda
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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