You are currently browsing the daily archive for June 8th, 2008.
First, thank you so much for your e-mails of encouragement and appreciation. They mean a lot to me. I didn’t know so many people had a link to it because it was kind of an afterthought. However, now that I know, I will definitely try to explain things clearly. My entries might be ADD, but that’s just how I am and I’m usually writing really late at night after a long day so proof-reading doesn’t always happen.
Tonight I got to talk to my family for twenty minutes! I had to walk around the hospital compound to find service, and even though it went in and out sometimes it was still good getting to talk to them! (Mom, I missed getting to talk to you, so you will have to call me back soon!
On Tuesday, I get to observe a C-Section!!! I’ve been advised to start with a “joyful” surgery instead of something like an amputation, but I’m excited for those too! John W. and I are learning to suture (stitch). We are going to practice on real meat too 
. Over the weekend we had a new very very sick baby admitted to the hospital, he’s a triplet and there were complications that I will only begin to tell you about because I don’t know much more- we were just asked to pray in church. (Also there’s a history of every middle triplet here being left to die because of superstition). There was a blockage in his intestines somewhere and his bowels got inverted and, I don’t know the medical terms for it but he was close to dying. He survived the night and pooped this morning (a miracle hah), but keep him in your prayers.
. Over the weekend we had a new very very sick baby admitted to the hospital, he’s a triplet and there were complications that I will only begin to tell you about because I don’t know much more- we were just asked to pray in church. (Also there’s a history of every middle triplet here being left to die because of superstition). There was a blockage in his intestines somewhere and his bowels got inverted and, I don’t know the medical terms for it but he was close to dying. He survived the night and pooped this morning (a miracle hah), but keep him in your prayers.My first day here, over lunch, I was showing off my two swahili words I remembered from the car ride, when Don said (with a TOTALLY straight face), “I only know the essentials like, ‘did you poop last night?’” I immediately made a face of “whaaaat?!” and no one else seemed disturbed and then I remembered they’re all doctors!
Today was a very lazy Sunday. Church this morning started at 9am. Eh. I don’t really know what to say about it. The music was great (led by Ben R. and John F., with Petra on the piano) but I didn’t really connect with the message. I’m spoiled by Tim Keller at Redeemer. The service I attend is in English, but many people attend from all different tribes. Africa Gospel Church is a big supporter of Tenwek Hospital, and many people go to their services after. John led a group down to the bat cave with some bats. Like tennis racket bats. Apparently they send Emma (the dog) in to stir things up and then try to hit them as they come out. I hope he was just playing with me. :-\
Before speaking, everyone here will stand up and say, “I want to give thanks to God for the privilege of being alive.” I really like it because I always stop to think about how I should appreciate life
Part of the service included talk about the food situation. The food crisis around the world is greatly affecting Kenyans. Earlier this year, partially the result of violence and partially the result of droughts, many people did not get their crops planted. Around the Great Rift Valley region, everyone relies on maize, and that won’t be available until September. Almost daily, someone comes asking for food or money. A few days ago, I was sitting and eating my lunch when a woman holding ababy accosted me. She yelled at me for a good 5 minutes and was very pushy. Kenyans are rarely pushy, so this really caught me off guard. Although I could hear her quite well, I had no idea what she was saying because she was yelling in Kipsigi. She was very angry, and I might have given her some of my lunch (and I probably SHOULD have, and in the future I will if I can), but she was so demanding and mean. John W. and I were talking about it a few days later and he said that maybe it’s the hunger and the desperate need that makes them so forceful. (Although it’s rare, people do stop us around the hospital asking for “just a little”). This woman specifically told someone else that before a mzungo (white person) had given her money, so I should too.
In Nairobi, crowds have been protesting the rising food prices and food shortages. Just lowering the price for maize (corn-Kenyan’s most common/basic food) would help greatly. The police said the protest was illegal and people were arrested. In Senegal, Cameroon, and Somalia the food shortages have led to deadly riots. Pray that doesn’t happen here!!
Now, I want to address some specific questions.
What is the food like? For breakfast, it’s very bland Kenyan cereal. I usually add a spoonful of brown sugar. For lunch, we are treated as guests in family homes around the hospital compound (both Kenyan and foreigners). For dinner, we usually have delicious “mzungu” food. The cooks, Helen and Cecilia who work at the guest house, have been taught over the years by missionaries here to make “European” or “American” food. I am not exaggerating when I say I have never eaten so well. The food is never spicy. Although the meat is very very tough. That’s because they wait until the cow is about to die from old age, and do not keep them nutriously fed while they are alive. (Although it’s a great improvement over slaughterhouses!!!)
What are the options for college and higher education? It totally depends where you are. There are many primary and secondary schools through out the country, but the school fees for uniforms (and every school has them) and books can be too high. Also, many families to not encourage their girls to go to school past primary. There is a nursing school part of Tenwek. There are 80 student nurses, and then get a GREAT education! (I will find out more information about medical schools in Nairobi and Nakuru and put it here!
Are there other people here my age? Not really. My usual companions (fellow visitors) include Petra (maybe age 24, last year of med residency, here for a few months), John Wright (Dad’s age, CEO of Tenwek, VERY energetic and entertaining, here for 10 months), and Sam Powdrill (Dad’s age, Med teacher at UK, lived here with his family for 13 years, ophthalmologist, here for 3 weeks). The families include the Roberts, the Fitzwaters, the Bemms, the Spriegels, (but they are leaving tomorrow morning), and the Whites. I am hoping when Dr. White and his family get back, the boys will be with them. There are interns and doctors doing their residency’s, and I have become friends with some of them but they are a bit older (Patti, Agnetta, James). Usually the guest house is more crowded, but people thinking about coming decided not to because of the violence. I’m too busy and excited about everything to get really lonely (although Sophia’s birthday and the twins graduation was hard.) The first few days of waking up with no belongings was kind of hard.
