Tuesday

After a busy Monday, today was calm. We started out by walking up to the hospital at 6 to feed Sarah.  We came back down to our room and had our usual breakfast (granola and yogurt) then back up the hill for conference and endoscopy.  Only one cancer to stent today. An interesting thing about endoscopy here is that we try to avoid biopsies since it more than doubles the cost (all are sent out with a 10-14 day turn around).  Also, all attempts are made to reuse things as many times as possible. Good cleaning techniques are in place and I am very comfortable with the condition of everything.

A slower day allowed more talk and fellowship with the staff.  Spent some time discussing treating your spouse well (which can be a problem here and in many countries).  One of the staff leads a men's Bible study at his church and we talked about using the analogy of the bridegroom/bride relationship between Christ and the Church and how husbands should love and treat their wives like Christ treats us (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Shelley is very busy feeding Sarah every 3 hours, it usually it takes at least 30 mins.  Tomorrow she is going to visit a local orphanage with Tenwek Community Health.  Community Health was established at least 30 or 40 years ago and has made a huge difference in the area.

I am on call for the medicine wards tomorrow night so have been reading up on TB and meningitis some today as well.

 Nice view looking out of the nursery

 Another flower for Ellie (outside our room on the way to the hospital)

The Chapel

Monday

Well, all I can say is what a day in endoscopy. My apologies to those who are not medical, but we must have seen 6-8 esophageal cancers, stented 2 of them, could not get a wire down to stent two more, 2 tracheo-esophageal fistulae, a gastric cancer, an obstructing duodenal cancer along with esophagitis, gastritis and even one normal endoscopy!  The endoscopy team is sharper than ever.  I am very happy to be here, but did get down in the dumps mid-day seeing so many relatively young people facing an inevitable early end to life. In the end, the palliation with the stents, possible treatment for acid and H pylori disease, the provision of a more definitive diagnosis and the spiritual support offered here is making a huge difference in the lives of so many.  I learned today that the Board here is considering a major expansion in the next several years and I can see even bigger and better things down the road.  Please visit www.tenwekhospital.org

"And what does The Lord require off you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6

 On a less serious note, the mangos here are delicious!  Nothing like the ones at home!

My Job

The last time we came to Tenwek, we brought our girls who were then 10 and 7.  The girls and I had a great time exploring the area.  Because of the girls ages, I really was not able to volunteer in the community.  This time the girls are not with us and today, I was assigned a job that goes right along with the work that I have done as a mom for the last 26 years and the work that I do with Grace & Hope for Children.

A baby girl was born last week an Tenwek.  She was abandoned.  She did not have a name so I named her Sarah.  I have the privilege of getting to hold her, feed her and love on her while we are here.  Sarah is a tiny sleepy little thing.  It takes a while to wake her up and because she is such a little sleepy-head it takes even longer to feed her!  I feed her out of a tiny cup.  Never would I have imagined that a one week old little one could drink out of a cup but it actually goes quite well as soon as Sarah wakes up.

The drive from Nairobi to Tenwek was pretty uneventful.  We did get to stop at a grocery, so we have plenty of food for the week.  Starting work tomorrow

Flower at the Missionary House (for Ellie who loves to take pictures of Kenya flowers)

View looking into the Rift Valley

Moon over Kenya

Sunday in Nairobi

Our trip was much simpler this year (no 24 hour layover with a broken plane). We stayed at the same guest house as last year and enjoyed breakfast with other travelers. Always amazed at the people you meet with connections to others at home and throughout the world.  Packing up for the next part of the journey. A really loud bird was a great alarm clock this AM!

On our way, again

Good Morning from Amsterdam!  We are on our way for a brief week at Tenwek. Just Shelley and me this time.  Looking forward to another productive, uplifting and exciting visit. 

Ken

Leaving Tenwek

It is so hard to believe that our trip is ending.  We are packed and waiting for our driver to take us to Nairobi.  This has been a wonderful journey and we hope to one day return.

Happy July 4!

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.