Wednesday in Bomet County, Kenya

Corn turning yellow in the fields

Hope to have a bigger harvest

My textbooks at Tenwek
(they actually have a good library, but these are the ones I carry)

So, today I thought I'd share some of the challenges here. It is one of the most beautiful places, I've seen, but it's so important to remember that people are closer to the edge here. It was a little slow this morning so I had time to sit and chat with staff. One staff member related how he, his wife and 5 children sit down every few months to take account of their situation. They pray, read scripture and let each member talk about their accomplishments and goals. The family then takes account of what they have and what they need to live for the next few months. They then decide what they can or cannot do. I think this is a great way for a family to function, but one thing he said a couple of times hit me hard. He said their first concern is "food security".  I know there are also many people in America without food security and I pray that we all try everything we can to help people who are hungry both at home and in Africa. That leads me to another issue that is heavy on my heart. There is a blight in the corn (maize) that apparently has never been seen here before. The best that I can tell, it sounds like there was a shortage of seed and maybe some bad seed showed up with a new disease. They are trying to replant, but fear rough times and many hungry people for the next year. Pray for this as well.




Today and yesterday, I saw more patients with untreatable cancer than I see in perhaps a year at home. The patients are grateful for what we do and much more accepting of their situation than we in the States. I think many of them have strong faith, but also death is much nearer to people here and they don't seem to fear it like we do.




We should be proud of our country's support of HIV treatment in Africa. As Shelley mentioned, most people here with HIV are treated through The United States President's Emergency Fund for AIDs Relief (PEFAR).   The Kenyan government also provides outstanding drugs for TB as well, which is a blessing since almost no one could afford them otherwise.