Kathy

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.

Psalm 127.3-4

Kathy and Kathy

We’ve been eager to meet Kathy.

7 years ago, Kathy's good friend Grace gave birth to her 4^th child, naming her Kathy, in honor of the other Kathy! She’s now a bright, energetic girl. We got to meet her a few days ago when we were invited to her home in Maai Mahiu, a town about 5 miles down the hill from us on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Having driven the road to Maai Mahiu many times in the past, we agree that it’s still one of the worst roads we’ve ever been on, but it was worth the trip!

Grace and her husband Mark have a joyful love for the Lord and for His work, especially among children. Like many Kenyan families, theirs has been profoundly affected by the AIDS epidemic. When Grace’s parents and some of Mark’s adult relatives died of AIDS, they took in several orphaned children from their extended family, giving them a home and a future by helping them get through school.

Helping children through secondary school can be quite a burden. In Kenya, students usually go to boarding school for grades 9-12, sometimes far from home, based on their performance on a national exam given at the end of 8^th grade. Students who score higher are assigned to more prestigious schools to help prepare them for university. Boarding school can be expensive, up to $500 for each of three terms per year – a large amount for most Kenyan families.

Mark and Grace took on the burden gladly. So far, their adopted sons Don and Bob were able to finish secondary school and are now on their way to becoming a chemical engineer and an agronomist. Vincent has a good job at Kijabe Hospital. Still coming through secondary school are Karen, who hopes to be a pediatrician, and Elsie, who wants to be a school teacher.

Kathy’s older brother Navis will take his 8^th grade exam next year. His performance on the exam will determine what level of secondary school he will attend, and how far away he will be boarding.

Meanwhile, Kathy will be at home for a few more years, attending a local Christian primary school in Maai Mahiu. She’s a sweetheart!

Settling In

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Psalm 37.3

We’re in our first week back at Kijabe. We served here in 2009-10, so it feels like we’re back home, but it also still feels far from home. It will take some time to settle in.

Seeing familiar faces is a great joy. Walking 15 minutes up the hill, above the post office, we greeted Jean and other ladies in the little produce market. 

Close by, our friend Sarah is the shopkeeper in the Super Duka, our tiny local grocery store.

Next to the Super Duka is Mama Chiku’s Hotel, a tiny restaurant (in Kenya, "hotel" means restaurant) serving samosas and Kenyan food. We found the kitchen staff outside making small paper bags for carry-out, since Kenya has banned the use of plastic bags nationwide – it’s a good thing!

Coming down the hill past the hospital, we met Ann, an excellent medical student who worked with me in 2009, and became an intern here in 2010. She’s gone on to finish her Pæds residency and is now a staff Pædiatrician here at Kijabe Hospital. I’m proud of her!

Our friend John Njane

John came by yesterday. We met John in 2009. He is a remarkable fellow with a heart for God and for the poor and disadvantaged of this area. Kathy joined him today for a visit to a seamstress program that he started in a nearby village, called Thread of Hope. 

Florence, 9 years later

In 2009, we were able to sponsor Florence, a 14 year old AIDS orphan, to be the first apprentice seamstress, thus saving her from a life of prostitution. A friend from Snohomish sent money to purchase her a foot-powered sewing machine. Now several women work alongside Florence in the shop. We'll share more about John and his work later.

Today I began my work as a “consultant” in the Outpatient Department, alongside Dr. Peter Mwaka, a Kenyan family physician. I’m working with 8 Clinical Officers (similar to Physician Assistants) who see most of the patients, and I help with the more challenging cases. It’s a busy place, and patients come from all over East Africa with complex medical problems.

Next door is Casualty (we would call it the ER), which has expanded from a handful of beds in 2009 to over 16 beds today. Dr. Patrick Asaava is the consultant in Casualty today. Along with Dr. Mwaka, he was trained in the Kenyan Family Medicine Residency which started a number of years ago at Kijabe and two other mission hospitals. Having helped train several of the residents in 2009-10, I enjoy seeing them serving now as staff physicians.

This morning was our weekly Chapel service for the hospital staff. A young radiology tech gave a short message from Romans 5. He reminded us that no matter who we are, no matter where or what we have come from, we can rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who saved us and reconciled us to God by dying for us on the cross. That’s the message we bring and share with those who come for the excellent care provided at Kijabe Hospital.

- Doug

Anticipation

"Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed,
 for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

In a couple of days, Kathy and I will board a British Air 777 and head back to Kenya. We served at Kijabe Hospital in 2009-2010, and we're happy to be returning! 

It's a short visit this time, only 3 months. We feel very privileged to take time away from our life and work in Snohomish and offer ourselves in service once again in Africa. 

We look forward to seeing what's changed, and what has stayed the same. Last time, we lived in a little duplex a short walk below the hospital, and this time we'll be living in the other half of the duplex, where our friend Stephany lived. It's a comfortable home, with a nice view of the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Longonot.

Kathy will establish our home, entertain guests and visitors, and perhaps teach English to East African women as she did last time.

Kijabe Hospital

I don't know yet where I'll be working. Probably in the Outpatient area and Casualty (the British/Kenyan word for Emergency), or perhaps on a medical/surgical ward, and likely covering call at night. It's challenging work, with very sick patients and diseases I never see in the U.S. I'll get to help train Kenyan interns and residents, and they'll train me.

So with a mixture of eagerness, joy, and apprehension, we look forward to seeing what the Lord will bring us in the next 3 months. We love Kenya, and we love its people. It will be good to be back!

- Doug