LCMS
World Relief and Human Care Mercy Medical Team
Links to the recent events and destruction of
the church at Kibera
1. Release from LCMS on Kibera
2. Before and after
pictures of the church
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=12952
Kenya
Trip
Oct 5-15, 2007
Springs of Life Lutheran Church, Kibera, Nairobi
This trip was under the auspices of LCMS World Relief and
Human Care.
Sally Henrickson is the
coordinator for Synod’s trips.
Sally Henrickson, RN/LCSW
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
1333 S Kirkwood Road.
St. Louis,
MO 63122
1-800-248-1930 ext. 127 e-mail: Sally.Henrickson@lcms.org.
Sarah Angers RN BSN
Hi,
I'm Sarah Angers. I am a native to Traverse City, Mich., as well as my living
parents. I have been a medical surgical nurse at Munson Medical Center for
twenty years. (How many people can say they work at the place they were born!!)
I have two older sisters who are also in the health care field as dental
assistants. I am very much a “people person” and came into nursing by the
“Grace of God.” I received my Associates Degree of Nursing at North Michigan
College. I went back to school and received my Bachelors’ of Science Degree of
Nursing from the University of Michigan. I have several advanced physical
assessment classes and I’m possibly toying with becoming a nurse practitioner. I
am proud to say I am a two-year breast cancer survivor. With God's love and the
prayers of many, I am doing well. This experience changed my life. To be
on the “other side” of care has made me a better nurse. One of my favorite
sayings is . . . “You can't enjoy the rainbow without first enduring the rain.”
I have only been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for about a year. I am so
happy to found such a warm and caring family. I have been married to my husband
Dan for three years. He has been a member at Trinity for several years. He has
truly been a “God sent blessing.” We do not have any children, but are blessed
with several nieces and nephews. I enjoy gardening, sports and “being outside.”
I truly love people and find joy in the uniqueness in all of us.
Kimberly Bonnet RN
Kim
is from San Jose, Calif., and has been a member of First Immanuel Lutheran
Church her entire life. She graduated from San Jose State University with a
Bachelors of Science in Nursing and has worked in the cardiothoracic ICU at
Stanford Hospital for 9 years. Kim volunteers her time working with Children and
Family Services and is a “big sister/mentor” to an 11-year-old girl living in
foster care. She also enjoys playing her violin in three symphony orchestras,
reading, movies, and traveling.
Sandy Frandsen
I
was born in Albany, N.Y., and moved to Los Angeles, Calif., at the age of five.
I attended St. Paul's First Lutheran School in North Hollywood from grades 3-9,
and was a member there for 48 years.I was in the first graduating class of
California Lutheran College in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and received my medical
technology training at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, now Cedars-Sinai in Los
Angeles. I joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,
Malaysia, teaching three young students and developing a program to send local
Sabahans into the interior villages to do very routine tests, take samples and
send them back to the hospital. Upon returning from Malaysia, I worked in the
chemistry department at UCLA Medical Center. In 1970, I married a teacher at St.
Paul's named Thor, “the god of thunder.” I worked at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial
Hospital the rest of my 35-year career while raising three children, Danika,
Darcy, and Dirk, who also attended St. Paul's School and Church. I was very
active in our church, school, Sunday school, VBS, and choir while our children
were at St. Paul's. I am now a grandmother of two young girls, Sierra and Kiora,
I sing in our church choir at St. John's Lutheran in Oxnard, CA, and own a
flower shop. My husband and I hope to retire from this latest venture soon!
Marilyn Gregory
I
was born and raised in the very small farming community of Holgate, Ohio, not
far from Toledo. I became an RN, receiving my training from Toledo Hospital
School of Nursing. I married an electronic engineer from California and started
an exciting and joyful life, first living several years in Germany where my
husband worked as tech rep for Philco, then a year in the D.C. area, and finally
the last 52 years in Oxnard, Calif. Unfortunately, I lost my dear life-mate a
year ago to pancreatic cancer. Being raised in a strong, Lutheran family, my
many life activities centered on the church, not leaving time for a career in
nursing. I have been a long-time choir member, held local and district offices
in the LWML, served as chairman of the PSW district board of social ministry. I
was a member of the PSW district mission board for 12 years. I am currently
president of our congregation in Oxnard. I am most proud of raising 4 children,
3 girls and a boy, and helping raise two nieces. My children are all
self-employed as a graphic designer, business administrator, builder and
surgeon. I also add 8 grandchildren to my bragging rights.
Mary Ann
Hansen RN
Mary
Ann grew up on a farm in a small town near Ann Arbor, MI, and graduated from
Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. Soon after that, she
married Gary Hansen and moved to Traverse City where he taught biology at
Traverse City High School (TCHS) for many years. They have two daughters, Tara
(a veterinarian) and Trisha (a social worker and teacher) and two grandsons,
Zach and Owen. While their girls were young they spent summers traveling around
the country and camping in nearly all of the United States. Traveling has
continued to be a major interest, encompassing many trips to Alaska, Hawaii,
Europe and Central America. Mary Ann has had a long and enjoyable nursing
career. She has worked in a variety of settings including surgery, migrant
health, med-surg, and employee health. She worked for 23 years in the emergency
room at Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital and when it closed moved across the
parking lot to Munson Urgent Care where she has been the day-shift charge nurse
for the past 12 years. She and Gary are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Sally Henrickson, RN/LCSW
I
am the Medical/Material Goods and Resource Coordinator for LCMS World Relief and
Human Care. I graduated from nursing school in 1978. My RN experience is mostly
in OR. After a hiatus as a “stay at home mom” I returned to school and completed
a BA in Psychology and earned my MSW in 1992, specializing in marriage and
family therapy. I have worked in a variety of settings in nursing and social
work. I have been with the LCMS headquarters the last five years. From 2002
–2004 I worked for the Concordia Plans Services in medical, disability and
pension benefits for church workers. From 2004-present, I have been with LCMS
World Relief and Human Care--shipping medical supplies overseas, coordinating
teams for mercy medical trips, working with the women’s micro enterprise/art
goods project in Kenya, coordinating the converting of shipping containers into
mobile medical clinics, and serving as department liaison for international
guests. I am married to Rev Charles Henrickson, and have 3 children--Matt (25),
Mary (23), and Anna (11).
Charlotte King
Charlotte
is retired from the City of Portage. She worked part-time afterwards at Bronson
Hospital and transcribed for the Plastic Surgeon Group. She moved north two
years ago. Charlotte has one daughter/son-in-law, and two grandsons, aged 17 and
11. She was widowed 8 years ago. She attends Redeemer Lutheran in Interlochen.
She volunteers a lot with the Red Cross, having gone to aid Katrina victims and
most recently to Ohio for flood damage relief work. She is involved with the
Interlochen Arts Academy, Munson Hospital, church food pantry, choir and church
guild. She enjoys gardening, exercising, music, decorating and cooking.
Julie Loscheider BS
Julie
is 24-years-old and been married to Craig for 2 years. As a pastor's daughter
and Army wife, she has had many different homes. Currently Anchorage, AK, is
home, but Wisconsin is where they plan to settle. Craig deployed to Iraq
last October with the Army and his return is anticipated by Thanksgiving of this
year. When her husband is finished with the Army, she plans to continue
schooling at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and become a physician's
assistant. Julie has a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University
Wisconsin Mequon, WI., (May 2005) and graduated with honors. She has worked for
the Anchorage School District as a substitute teacher, primarily for
behaviorally and emotionally-challenged children in 2006. In 2005 she worked as
a research technologist for the Medical College of Wisconsin, working on rodent
and canine experiments. She worked as a chemistry tutor at Concordia University
Learning Center in Mequon, WI, from 2002-2005. She was responsible for the care
of 12 Alzheimer’s patients at Alterra Clare Bridge in Spokane, Wash., from May
through August of 2004 and did in-home care as a NAR caregiver in Spokane, WA in
2003. She has a firm knowledge of biology, chemistry, and anatomical terminology
and is knowledgeable in computer programs. She is also proficient in American
Sign Language.
Marilyn Metiva RN
Marilyn
has been married to Dale for 33 years. They have two married sons, Adam (Amber),
and John (Alison). She has been a member of Trinity since 1984. She took her
first medical missionary trip in 2006. She has worked as a psychiatric nurse for
10 years, and before that worked one-and-one-half years as a med-surg/oncology
nurse. She originally wanted to be a hospice nurse. Marilyn holds the
following degrees: Associates degree in nursing, certified in psychiatric
nursing, CPR and CPI (crisis intervention) certified. She enjoys music,
movies, books and especially the Detroit Tigers!
Lois
Nienhouse
Lois
was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was baptized and made Confession of Faith in
the Christian Reformed Church. She was married to George Nienhouse in 1965
and has two boys, both married and 4 grandchildren.
She moved to Traverse City, Mich., in 1967, due to George’s business.
Lois worked in Home Health Care for around 7 years. She has been a foster parent
for 10 years and is now involved with the Red Cross.
She is retired and winters in Florida.
Bob Shepherd, RN
Bob
was born in Grayling, MI. He served four years in the US Navy, in Beaufort,
S.C., as a medical corpsman. He married Genevieve Schmidt in 1974 and after his
honorable discharge they moved to Traverse City, Mich., in 1977. Bob has two
daughters; Stacie (Christopher) Wollam, in Austin, Texas, with their daughters
Madeline and Sophia; and Nicole Shepherd, who works as the librarian at Trinity
Lutheran Schools and lives in Traverse City. Bob attended NW Michigan College
and received his RN degree in 1987. He has been employed at Munson Medical since
1978, first as a phlebotomist then as a nurse. His work experience at Munson
include many years as an IV Therapy Specialist, then as an operating room nurse
and more recently in the medical procedure room. Bob has over 34-years of
medical experience. His wife, Gen, is a financial advisor for Smith Barney. They
love to golf, go fishing and play with their grandchildren.
Charles Webb BTh MD
Dr.
Webb is an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. He was
re-instated into the ministry in 2005 and called to Trinity Lutheran Church,
Traverse City, Mich., and installed on January 8, 2006. He has been to Guatemala
for brief medical mission stints three times and to Kenya once. He also served
in churches in Rensselaer and in Goodland, Indiana. He was assistant pastor at
Grace Lutheran Church, in Grand Rapids, MI, part of the English District. He was
trained in emergency medicine at Butterworth Hospital, Grand. He recently
retired from Munson Medical Center where he was one of five physicians at Munson
Urgent Care. He and his wife, Patricia, a nurse, ran a family practice in
Owosso, Mich., from 1978 until 1996. He founded the family practice department
at the Memorial Hospital in Owosso, Mich. He and Pat have three children:
Donna, a harpist in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Craig, comptroller of Airlift Company in
Lansing, Mich.; and Jenny, a zoologist and medical assistant. He is an
educator and holds an appointment as Clinical Instructor in the Department of
Family Practice, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, in
Lansing, Mich. He attended Concordia College and High School in Ft. Wayne, Ind.,
and graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Ill., with a
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) from St.
Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., and an MD from St. Louis University School
of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. He is board certified in emergency medicine by
the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and holds a fellowship in
emergency medicine (FACEP - Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency
Physicians) and a fellowship in family practice (FAAFP - Fellow of the American
Academy of Family Physicians). He served on the board of the Michigan College of
Emergency Physicians based in Lansing, Mich. He was also the editor of their
newsletter, “News & Views”, for several years and developed the seal for MCEP
which, among other places, appears on the opening screen of MCEP's website, www.mcep.org.
Marilyn Metiva’s summary
of Trinity’s trip to Kenya, Oct. 5-15 under the auspices of LCMS World Relief
and Human Care and Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Traverse City, MI
It’s
October 6th, 2007 at around 10:30 pm. Mary Ann, Sarah and I are
sharing a room at the mission house. There are three mosquito-net-draped beds
waiting for us to crawl into. The netting makes us think we are princesses, and
we begin to refer to ourselves as the three princesses. The house we are
staying in used to belong to an UN diplomat. It has 6 bedrooms and 3
bathrooms. The grounds are beautiful and there is even a small waterfall in the
backyard. Oops! We are warned away from it due to the raw sewage in the
water. Welcome to Nairobi!
Our flights were long and, for the most part,
uneventful. OK, I did fall down getting my carry-on luggage from the overhead
compartment, but other than that, uneventful. It was eight hours from Atlanta
to Amsterdam and eight hours from Amsterdam to Nairobi. I slept off and on,
according to Sarah, snoring while I pretended to be watching the Harry Potter
movie. There was very good coffee in the Amsterdam airport and I just had to
pick up a few souvenirs. Chuck decided to take his Ambien three hours before
our flight was scheduled to take off, then complained, “I don’t feel so good” as
the drug took effect. We kept a close watch on him, thinking we would have to
physically carry him onto the plane.
We were picked up at the airport in Nairobi and there
was a meal waiting for us when we arrived of chicken, a corn paste called ugali,
fruit and vegetables. We socialized as we ate, getting to know one another.
The bedrooms were divided up easily. We unpacked and got settled in. We will
be going to church in the morning. Monday and Tuesday will be two days of
clinics. Wednesday we leave for an overnight trip to Masai Mara, followed by
two more clinic days Friday and Saturday. Right now it’s time for bed and an
Ambien for me. I’m so glad I brought my pillow!
Sunday, October 7th. Up early this morning
after a wonderful sleep. The view from the windows as I drink my coffee is
beautiful! I’m in Africa! Everyone gathers in the spacious dining room
awaiting a breakfast of eggs, sausage, toast, cereal, and beverage choices of
coffee, tea, hot cocoa or juice. The group members from Traverse City are
Pastor Doctor Chuck, Mary Ann, Sarah, Lois, Charlotte, Bob and me. From
California are Marilyn, Sandy and Kim. All the way from Alaska is Julie. Sally
is from LCMS World Relief and Human Care out of St. Louis, MO and is our
leader.
Today the weather was damp, chilly, and overcast. The
church service in downtown Nairobi was wonderful and very uplifting. Pastor
Chuck gave the sermon and our group was introduced at the end of the service by
Pastor Winterle
We went shopping at a mall called the Ya Ya, quite an
eye-opening experience. It was similar to American malls and many of the shops
were closed on this Sunday. Out in the courtyard were the local artisans with
their wares spread on the ground or on blankets. The choices were amazing,
consisting of wooden animals, soap stone items, shawls, jewelry, artwork done on
banana skins and much, much more. The competition was fierce. The pricing was
done by bargaining back and forth. The seller writes a price down on paper,
hands it to you to make a counter offer, and this continues until one of you
gives up, usually me. It was exhausting! I suggested to the gentlemen on each
side of me to let me look around and then come back, but they were not willing
to let me go without a fight.
I finally made some purchases and managed to look around at
the other vendors. All the while I felt very conspicuous, white, and wealthy.
Sally had told us to try not to spend more than half of the original written
offer from the seller. We were bargaining in shillings, but once when I thought
I was out of shillings and needed to use American dollars, the sellers quickly
converted it for me using their cell phones.
Social hour began after we returned. Lois led many in
a line-dancing lesson out in the backyard. The sun was out and the temperature
was in the 70’s. Tonight’s dinner, prepared by Molly, Beatrice and Janet, was
chicken with sauce, tortillas, lentils, and wonderful fresh fruit. We had fruit
with every meal, usually pineapple, bananas and melon. We spent some time
sorting the medications and supplies that each of us had brought from the
states. After, I had time to help Marilyn and Sandy cut up felt Bible
storyboard figures in preparation for tomorrow’s clinic. The thought was we
would entertain the children while they waited to be treated. Things began to
wind down and everyone drifted off to bed.
It’s now October 8th, around 9:00 pm.
What a day! We got up at 6 am. and left around 8:15 am. Eggs, sausage, toast,
cereal, fresh fruit for breakfast, load up everything for the trip to Kibera and
head out. It’s about a ten minute ride. Kibera looked similar to the area
surrounding the dump in Guatemala. Roads are bad and there are no traffic
lights. People are walking everywhere. The average wage is $1.00 a day. There
are row upon row of shop fronts, nothing more than board and corrugated sheet
metal spaces that cost the renters $100.00 a month. I’m told that the shop
owners are often people with college degrees. Unemployment in Nairobi is 40%.
The cost to rent is similar to the U.S. and consequently the population of the
slum of Kibera is pushing one million. The shops may go all day without a
sale, and often the sellers end up out of business.
I started the day doing intake for the clinic….seeing
the people after they had been registered and finding out their “chief
complaint”, then getting blood pressures and pulse. I was also instructed to
ask my patients if they would like HIV testing. We had government employees
helping us, doing the HIV testing, counseling, and interpreting for us. My
interpreter, Florence, at one point in the day saw me munching on a protein
bar. I can only imagine the look on my face, not one of contentment I assure
you. Florence sent someone off to buy me “roasted maize”, corn roasted on the
cob with the husks attached. My initial reaction was “can I eat this?” I asked
my co-worker Julie. She was our youngest member (24) from Alaska. Her husband
was in Iraq and would be returning on November 1st. Julie reminded
me that if it’s cooked, boiled or peeled I can eat it. It was tasty, kind of
tough, but much better than the protein bar!
We settled into a routine and were kept busy. The
people were shy, especially when I asked about the HIV testing. They would duck
their heads and answer very quietly, usually saying no, that they were “ok”.
They had numerous complaints ranging from “sore” eyes, muscles, heads, and when
asked how long they have had the symptoms often said “years”. There were also
skin conditions, cold symptoms, stomach pain, upper respiratory and urinary
infections and diarrhea. Almost the entire dental and vision complaints had to
be referred to the Mbagatti District Hospital that will occasionally have
dental/vision clinics. Considering how they lived and slept and the constant
lack of water and sanitary conditions, I wondered how much we could really
help. Sally had said we were offering them “a month’s worth of better quality
of life.” I tried to keep this in my mind.
The people that actually treated the patients and
determined what prescriptions to write were Mary Ann and Sarah, working as a
team, Bob and Kim, a team, Sybilla, a nurse-practitioner who’s husband works in
the embassy, and Dr. Webb a/k/a Chuck. Each of these four stations was set up
in one corner of one large room in the clinic. Lois was the person responsible
for getting the patients to the “doctors”. She also took photographs and
generally kept the waiting people entertained and in line. Charlotte and
Marilyn were in the pharmacy handing out the medications and Sandy was in the
lab, waiting to do malaria and other testing.
We had about an hour break for lunch, with our friends
from the mission house bringing us food. We were treated to some music by a
male quartet called the Conquerors. They harmonized beautifully, accompanied by
one guitar. Then it was back to work. The Bishop Obare stopped by and shook
each of our hands. We saw a little over one hundred patients today. Not bad!
Back at the mission house we gathered in the dining
room for a de-briefing. I was a little, how shall I put this, reluctant to
share anything. Dirty, tired, hungry and jet-lagged was all I could focus on.
Little by little, after hearing everyone else tell what their high and low
points were, I was able to put my physical complaints aside and say that the
best was the camaraderie and the worst was the chaos at the start. We ate
talapia, potatoes, collard greens, lentils, rice and fresh fruit. More
socializing followed ending with a hot shower for some and then off to bed.
Tuesday, October 9th. The ladies
all wanted a blouse like the one Molly had been wearing on Sunday, so we gave
our orders to Sally who forwarded them to Molly to do the actually shopping. We
set out to Kibera after our usual breakfast, which often included omelets, plain
or with tomato and peppers. Today at the clinic we all felt more comfortable at
what we were doing. The patients had the usual complaints, although Bob swore
he’d never seen such a diverse representation of symptoms. A young man from the
congregation was my interpreter today, and it went well. At the end of the day
the total number of patients seen for the two days was 323. Some of the ladies
of the church had their handiwork for sale out in the churchyard so we did a
little shopping, then loaded up once again for the trip back “home.”
Tonight we were invited to Claude and Rhoda Hogue’s
place for dinner. They live in Karen, about a half hour drive. Also invited
were Pastor Winterle and his wife Lidia (Pastor at the downtown church) and
Pastor Dennis Meeker and his wife Lorna (Pastor at the church in Kibera). We
sat outside and talked and dined on chicken, sausages, potato salad, pasta
salad, baked beans, fresh vegetables, and chocolate cake. Pastor Winterle and
his wife are from Sao Palpo, Brazil, so Charlotte conversed with them about
Brazil as she visits there frequently. Claude and Rhoda were once Lutheran
Bible translators but now work for World Missions and have lived in Karen for
two and one-half years. Lively conversation was held on many topics. Claude
had an interesting collection of Masai pillows, little wooden stands with a
cradle for you head. He looks for them whenever he travels. Lois gave an
amusing demonstration of how they are used. Rhoda had many lovely wall hangings
from a local shop. Julie delighted us with some piano music with Char
accompanying her. It was a most enjoyable evening!
October 10th, 10pm. It’s the end of
another amazing day….full of God’s glory! He showed us beauty in his creation
and He showed us his hungry and poor. We awoke early on safari day. We left
after breakfast, loading up our group of 12 into two tour buses. The drivers
passed out safari hats to each of us and we split into two groups of six and
were off. Our destination was David Livingston’s Safari Resort. It is located
just inside of the Masai Mara Game Preserve.
We were warned about the bad roads we would be
traveling on, but until you experience them, you cannot fully understand.
“Bumpy” doesn’t quite describe them. “Four-wheeling” might work, but the
terrain doesn’t match that description either. Think of rocking back and forth,
sometimes violently, while seated. Two new phrases were quickly adopted.
“N.G! N.G!” for “Not Good! Not Good!” We all learned to take our seats
and hang on at the call of N.G. The other phrase, “O.S! O.S!” was a more
polite version of “Oh s—t! Oh s—t!” This was a warning shouted when it
appeared the bus was going to tip over. Our driver assured us that that had
never happened. Sarah quietly added, “Yet”.
The trip was a long, dusty one. We talked a lot with
our driver, William, and learned that he had been an extra in “Our of Africa”,
“Tomb Raider”, and “Tomb Raider 2”. He filled us in on a lot of local custom.
William is a member of the Kukulu tribe that fought with the British in the
1960’s. He owns his own tour bus and has been driving for five years. He has
been to the United States and would like to become a long distance truck
driver. He was quizzing Chuck about how much he money he could expect to make.
Passing through the local environment was
eye-opening. There were long stretches of vegetation, then beautiful expanses
of plains, hills and valleys. There were small towns consisting of a few metal
buildings hooked together with signs advertising things like “Hotel and
Butchery”, which Chuck found odd. William explained that it was “two things
that people like to do”. (Sleep and eat)
As we made our way across the Great Rift Valley, after
miles of bumps, ruts, washouts, stones and ninety-degree inclines, we stopped at
a gas station for a bathroom break. Sally announced the place as “the end of
civilization”, which made me wonder if our lodge would have electricity. Many
miles later, we arrived, and I needn’t have worried. The lodge had its own
power and water system.
The staff greeted us with wet wash clothes for our
face and hands and cold, fruity tea for our parched throats. The resort was
situated on the banks of the Mara River, and right there, in front of the open
air bar/restaurant and lobby were hippos! We ate a wonderful lunch, checked out
our rooms, and then it was back to the buses to go looking for wildlife.
The first exotic animals seen were giraffes; two adults
and a baby. A jolt of awe went through my body at this sight of beautiful
creatures. I couldn’t believe I was in Africa, in a tour bus, on a safari. We
saw many Thompson gazelles and migrating wildebeast. The zebras were plentiful,
too. We chased after a hyena, but he was very fast and eluded us. Our goal was
to find Simba, and William was always communicating with the other tour buses
out on hunt. It seemed to us that each driver we spoke to had “just” seen them,
but “about 150 meters away”. Sarah tried to get William to tell them that we
had seen five elephants and twenty giraffes – to make us look good. She also
had the idea to throw meat out of the bus like chumming, to attract the lions
and cheetahs. William was not amused.
Finally our patience was rewarded and we came upon two
pregnant lionesses that were sisters. They were so amazing! They were right
next to the buses, but not at all bothered by us and our camera flashes. The
beautiful evening sky and the tradition acacia trees added to the night’s
wonder. It began to rain and we headed back to the resort to de-brief, shop in
the gift shop, eat dinner and make plans to arise tomorrow at 5:30 to go back
out and look for more animals.
October 11th. Sarah and I were up
early and drinking coffee near the river when out of seemingly nowhere, two
hippos thundered past us close by on their way to the river. Started, we both
turned to run, but then I remember the electric fence between us and them so I
stopped to get a picture. All I caught was the second hippo’s butt as he dove
in. I teased Sarah about how quickly she turned to run, but as she pointed out,
I was right behind her. She still insists that if a hippo was ever going to
charge the fence, it would’ve happened to her.
On the safari today we saw a warthog, eland, guinea
hens, an ostrich, geese, ducks, a stork, secretary bird, vulture, water buffalo
and male and female Grant’s gazelles along with the zebras, wildebeasts, and
Thompson’s gazelles. We found a well hidden male lion asleep in the bushes.
All I could actually see of him was one leg. We did not see the cheetah.
William said if the lion is near you will not see the cheetah. We also saw a
beautiful bird called a rose-throated roller and many “swing” birds. Words fail
me in describing how beautiful this area of Kenya is. Our group often commented
on how difficult it will be to try to convey our experiences. Part of it is how
the smells and sounds mingle with your other senses to create such
once-in-a-lifetime memories. Then it was back to the resort for breakfast,
shopping (again!) at the gift shop, and packing up to head back to Nairobi.
On the way we stopped at a Masai village. We were
told the cost to go into the village was $30.00 per person, US dollars. No one
wanted to pay, so it was then decided/negotiated we would not be charged but
could not go into the village. Once that was known, the Masai men danced for
us, very intimidating as they hopped and skipped and chanted, whipping their
headdresses near us as they passed by. Two of them were warriors, something
William told us we would never see anywhere else. To become a warrior, the
Masai boy is sent to live by himself off the land for two to three years. Once
nomadic, the Masai men may have as many wives as they want, and the villages are
now more permanent. There is one wife plus their children to a hut. The Masai
will put his stake in front of the hut he sleeps in each night. Their diet
consists of cow blood mixed with cow milk, and maize. They drain the milk from
the cow and then patch the site with cow dung.
We shopped alongside the village where the Masai were
arranged in a circle, their wares on the ground in front of each. We were told
that the money would be equally divided up among all the villagers, so I had
less worry about getting the best or lowest price. We were preparing to leave
when it was decided that we would be allowed into the village proper. The women
all stood in a row dressed in bright colors and sang for us, very beautiful!
The children were placed in a row as well, my thought was to allow for ease of
photographing. We were able to enter a hut; very small! Only one little hole
in the entire round, four foot high hut to allow the smoke from their fire to
escape. Later, William explained that we had been allowed in without paying
because the Masai were “hungry”. If a tour bus had been there the day before
and paid the $30.00, we would have been turned away. Guess it was our lucky
day!
October 12th. Back to Kibera.
Today I was paired with Chuck up in the clinic. Julie and Sarah did intake.
Bob saw patients, as did Mary Ann, Sybilla, and Kim. Our interpreter was
Christine, someone Chuck had worked with on his last visit to Africa. She is
married and has one daughter. She has had some medical training but told me she
has not been able to find a job for two years. She is a Muslim converted to
Christianity. She said she had a “passion” for health care and would like to
become a doctor or work in Public Health.
A bus of 47 orphans was brought in and suddenly a
light bulb went off over my head! I had found a home for the soccer balls and
pumps that a coworker of mine suggested I bring. Lois took them to the lady in
charge and she was very surprised and grateful. She asked “For us? Oh, thank
you, thank you!” The children were all tested for HIV. Two were positive, one
they were already aware of. Kim fell in love with one of the little girls whose
name was Stella. She talked to Sally about her on the ride home. Sally
explained that Kim or any one of us could sponsor her or another child like
her. Kim also shared that she had “had a moment” while working with the
children. I’m certain there were “moments” for each of us. We just haven’t
been able to share them all with each other.
After an especially good dinner of roasted chicken,
spaghetti with Janet’s tomato sauce, cooked pumpkin, spinach and the always
wonderful fresh pineapple, Chuck set up a slide show on his computer of the
pictures taken on the trip thus far. It was a real treat to review these past
amazing days in Africa and the many faces and places. We socialized over wine
and Tusker beer. We discussed again how the pictures can’t tell the entire
story and my writing will barely scratch the surface. It has truly been the
trip of a lifetime. Sarah and Lois began a massage duel with Sarah targeting
the neck/shoulders and Lois doing the feet. What a treat! We never did declare
a winner. Lois went to the Nakumat market (naked-mart!) with Julie and Kim and
bought six different blankets for gifts. Kim said it was just like a Walmart
and the area it’s in is like a shopping plaza. It’s bedtime. Tomorrow is the
last clinic day.
It is October 13th at 6:00 pm. and
after a long day at the clinic treating over 300 patients. On the way to Kibera
we saw two little boys running with round blue discs attached to a wire. Sally
explained how most of their playthings are hand made. They make their own balls
from plastic bags. It was another cool day temperature-wise. Most days were in
the 70’s, with no rain or brief rain. We held the official dedicating of the
clinic, with Marilyn and Sandy doing the ribbon cutting. Their church in
California donated $30,000 to the building of this clinic.
A young patient of ours, a mother of a two-year old
and eleven-year old, was newly diagnosed with HIV. I could only imagine the
thoughts running through her head. She told our interpreter Christine that her
concern was for her husband and whether or not he would test positive. The
deaths from HIV are down from last year’s 600-700 per day to 500-600. The
government does provide the medications, but the people must sign an agreement
that says they are accepting treatment. They have to go through counseling
before they are able to sign the consent. I don’t have the actual number of
people we tested during our stay, but we believe it was around 500.
Today during a brief lull, I looked out the clinic
window and was able to see a view of the street. I started watching the
people. They were dressed in bright colors in typical American fashion, except
for the women carrying their young in scarves wrapped around their bodies.
There were lots of men with wheelbarrows full of their wares. One was full of
sugar cane and another had shoes. There were stalls of china and live chicken
in wire cages. One man sold wooden Masai warriors dressed in their bright red
plaid blankets. Many of the people were talking on cell phones. We asked about
the cost and found out that once you get your phone, incoming calls are always
free.
Driving the streets of Nairobi is very interesting,
too. There are very few stop lights or traffic signs. It doesn’t seem to
impede the ebb and flow, but the clever use of speed bumps does. They drive on
the right, something they picked up from their British rule, along with a
tea-time that the Government officials practiced while at the clinic.
Then it was finally time to close up the clinic for
good, at least for our group. Another group will arrive next week to take up
where we left off.
Today was a holy day, the end of Ramadan. The traffic
was busy and Muslims were everywhere celebrating. A bad day to decide to get
pizza, so it was quite a while before Sally, Dennis and Lorna arrived back from
getting it. More debriefing and Sally talked about how difficult it may be for
us when we return home. She said this trip can be a life changing experience.
She encouraged us to seek out other members of our group to talk things over or
contact her. Pastor Mark Sell was visiting with us and he and talked about how
some of the emotions we’ll go through are a natural result from the high of our
anticipation for this trip and the stress of the busy week. Not to mention the
crossing of three times zones! We were given much positive feedback on how
quickly we all adapted to the work at the clinic. I pointed out that we had set
the bar quite high for any following groups and Sally laughingly agreed. We’ve
been a wonderfully cohesive group with not a slacker to be found. I think we
all surprised ourselves. We agreed that the experience is not for the high
maintenance type. To paraphrase Sandy, for the people from our group already in
the medical field little really shocks us anymore.
I asked Marilyn how her church had come to sponsor the
Kibera clinic. She explained how Mark Below and Hans Springer back in May of
’06 came and spoke at their church and showed slides of the area and people.
The church had some money not earmarked for anything and many members felt they
wanted to put it to use, not just have it sit in the bank. They also did
fund-raisers, including and not limited to selling lemonade.
Tomorrow we go to church in Kibera to worship
alongside many of the people we treated this past week. Mary Ann just entered
the room and announced with shock, “I just saw Chuck in a towel!” Never a dull
moment. It’s time for me to retire to bed. I’m sad the trip is coming to an
end. I’m so thankful for all the blessing’s God has bestowed on us.
October 14th. My eyes opened at six
a.m. sharp. My body is on Kenya time. I’m fully acclimated only to have to go
through it all over again when I get home. Today is my 35th wedding
anniversary. If someone had told me I would be celebrating it in Africa without
my husband I never would’ve believed it. I read my Portals of Prayer, and then
decided I might as well get up and moving. I’m wondering if I bought enough
Kenyan coffee to take home. Probably not. (I didn’t) Before I know it the
taxis are here to take us to church. I spot Patrick, one of the regular
drivers, so I climb in with him. We arrive in time to hear and watch the choir
practice. Julie starts to record them with her video camcorder. There were six
children baptized, what a great addition to this growing church! Pastor Chuck
gave the sermon about praying without ceasing and they provided us with an
interpreter. Our group was brought up to the front of the church and introduced
and thanked. My “moment” came as the congregation applauded and I looked out at
all those beautiful people! As we drove out of the church yard for the final
time, I wondered if I would ever come back. I’ll leave it in God’s hands.