Another brief stay at Tenwek ends. Some thoughts:
1. It is hard to leave. Difficult to say why, but I think medicine where you have limited resources is very fulfilling. Just as in US practice, there are always cases where you wish you could have done better, but overall things went well. The endoscopy team is so high functioning that I could step in and be fully engaged on day 1. They put the needs of the patients first every day.
2. The full time Tenwek missionary staff are great ambassadors for Christ. They also reflect very positively on America's willingness to help those in need throughout the world. Watching people win hearts with love and compassion is incredible. As a visitor, we are honored to participate in small ways.
3. There have been innumerable Mayo docs there for short term trips. There are many parallels between Mayo and Tenwek. Surgical foundations, not for profit, large number of patients coming long distances and high expectations among others. There are huge differences in resources, but I think there similarities.
4. Between the trip to China earlier this year and this visit to Africa, I have developed even more respect for Shelley's dogged determination to try to make a difference in children's lives, one child at a time. It was really cool to see her advocate for Sarah and other children. It was also great to hear how she bonded with the other moms in the nursery and witnessed to them by being there at all hours.
PS-Sarah spent the night with us, our last night at Tenwek!