It seems we have been so busy lately and time is going by so fast! Check out the “Our Favorite Links” in the sidebar as we have created links for “Kenya Pictures” and “John’s Medical Blog”. I had my first driving experience in Kenya last week.
I drove a visitor to the local market and then to celebrate my successful driving, we went to the nearest town with a grocery store (and I use the term "grocery" quite loosely) and celebrated with ice cream! It was a bit different driving on the wrong side of the road with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car. Plus, as we have mentioned before, the roads are terrible.
This week we made a supply trip to Nairobi. John attended some meetings here on Tuesday with one of Tenwek's surgeons so we have had a nice time shopping and enjoying the conveniences of the big city! On the way to Nairobi, we were delayed a bit because the Maasai were protesting the low wheat prices. After waiting about an hour (they had the road completely blocked) we found a local guy to show us around the road block.
Another amazement was the great number of fields that were ruined due to lack of rain. We witnessed "total crop failure" where they were knocking down their corn and hoping to salvage something for their cows. This is another blow to the rural economy. More and more people are coming everyday in search of food. Our local church (Bethesda AGC) has been providing corn and beans to the most needy in our area.
Among the more enjoyable happenings was a new friendship. While we were building Cicilia's house, we met Joshua who was visiting from a town about 40 km away. He is going to school to learn to be a cook and was an apprentice at the Tenwek Hospital Restaurant for a few weeks. He is really wanting to learn to cook "American" food so we had him over so he could look through our cookbooks. It is so hard to explain the food we eat without good pictures, especially to someone who has never seen any of it before! The following Saturday, we had him come to our home and we taught him to make hamburgers, baked beans and chocolate chip cookies! It doesn't get anymore American than that!
Ministry Update
Ministry to the missionaries - Here children and their parents are always together. Although this is great time for family, there is little "alone" time for parents nothing like "youth group" at home. We would like to start regular parents night out and even a youth night at our house.
Ministry to the community – Krista's store project, fostering relationships to share Christ and to disciple and encourage believersThe store project is coming together. I have 4 ladies now plus several Maasai ladies from a nearby village who will be contributing. This week we will be seeking approval for the store from the hospital administration and then start installing shelving. We are also seeking friendships (like Joshua's) outside of the hospital.
Ministry to Orphanages – in the near future we plan to establish a relationship with one of the orphanages that is close by to help address their needs.
Ministry at the Hospital – John's work is on a brand new page. Look for the link on our blog!Krista is also involved at the hospital on a team to update the Tenwek website. She is working with World Medical Mission to update their orientation manual for visiting physicians and dentists.
