Monday, January 28, 2008
Update
William and I have continued to remain safe in our home in Kenya. Your prayers and encouragement have meant the world to me. Please keep them coming! However, I wanted to inform you that I will no longer be posting any information related to politics or unrest here in Kenya. If you wish to follow the news please go to http://www.news.google.com and search Kenya. If you would like information regarding William and I please feel free to contact us directly. Again, thank you for all of your prayers, support and encouragement.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
So Blessed!
I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I was today when I opened my e-mail. Yesterday I had sent out an update stating that I was being treated for malaria and had been ill. This afternoon I was bombarded by messages of encouragement and prayers. All of those prayers must explain why I woke up with so much energy today!!! I've decided that by tomorrow I'll be back to 100%.
I was also incredibly encouraged to receive our financial report from ELI today. You see I only had a few weeks time to begin raising financial support before I left for Kenya. I absolutely hate fundraising of any type. One of my fears was that William and I wouldn't be able to make ends meet and would even have to come home for lack of funding. We definitely aren't fully funded, but our basic needs are being met! God's timing is perfect for sure. I was surprised to find that we had even had some donors who I have never met. Thank you God for providing for our needs! And if you should ever wish to partner with us financially please let us know and I will be more than happy to get you the info. Our accountant at ELI is currently on maternity leave. But when she comes back I'm hoping to get setup with online giving.
We continue to hear constant reports of violence throughout the country. Unfortunately our region "Rift Valley" has been one of the hardest hit areas. However we continue to stay safe and a calm continues in our village. Yesterday was an international day of prayer for Kenya. Churches all over the world joined in praying for amani - peace. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
I'm now working at the clinic three days a week. I have two-hour Swahili lessons daily Mon - Fri. Jambo! Jina langu ni Michelle. Ninajifunza Kiswahili, na ninaweza kuongea kidogo tu. Which means "Hello! My name is Michelle. I'm learning Swahili, I can only speak a little now." I can now count into the thousands, name the days of the week, and months of the year. I've got "What is your name? How old are you? What is the name of your baby? Are you sick? Is your child sick? and Where are you from?" down pat! We are working on my interviews at the clinic. "Where does it hurt? How long? How many times?" etc. I'll stop now before I bore you with my entire lesson!!!
Juli (another Family Nurse Practitioner) and I will soon be starting weekly well-child days at the orphanage. My husband, William, asked me today if we are planning to take care of the children from the orphanage at Illula as well. It's a good point I hadn't thought of. They don't have a health care provider there. I'll have to talk to Juli about scheduling some mobile FNP days!
I was also incredibly encouraged to receive our financial report from ELI today. You see I only had a few weeks time to begin raising financial support before I left for Kenya. I absolutely hate fundraising of any type. One of my fears was that William and I wouldn't be able to make ends meet and would even have to come home for lack of funding. We definitely aren't fully funded, but our basic needs are being met! God's timing is perfect for sure. I was surprised to find that we had even had some donors who I have never met. Thank you God for providing for our needs! And if you should ever wish to partner with us financially please let us know and I will be more than happy to get you the info. Our accountant at ELI is currently on maternity leave. But when she comes back I'm hoping to get setup with online giving.
We continue to hear constant reports of violence throughout the country. Unfortunately our region "Rift Valley" has been one of the hardest hit areas. However we continue to stay safe and a calm continues in our village. Yesterday was an international day of prayer for Kenya. Churches all over the world joined in praying for amani - peace. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
I'm now working at the clinic three days a week. I have two-hour Swahili lessons daily Mon - Fri. Jambo! Jina langu ni Michelle. Ninajifunza Kiswahili, na ninaweza kuongea kidogo tu. Which means "Hello! My name is Michelle. I'm learning Swahili, I can only speak a little now." I can now count into the thousands, name the days of the week, and months of the year. I've got "What is your name? How old are you? What is the name of your baby? Are you sick? Is your child sick? and Where are you from?" down pat! We are working on my interviews at the clinic. "Where does it hurt? How long? How many times?" etc. I'll stop now before I bore you with my entire lesson!!!
Juli (another Family Nurse Practitioner) and I will soon be starting weekly well-child days at the orphanage. My husband, William, asked me today if we are planning to take care of the children from the orphanage at Illula as well. It's a good point I hadn't thought of. They don't have a health care provider there. I'll have to talk to Juli about scheduling some mobile FNP days!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Doing Fine
Just want to let everyone know that William and I are doing fine right now. A few nights ago some more homes in Kipkaren were burned down. William and I could see the flames from our front yard. It's so sad to see this happening. The homes that were being burned are (or should I say were?) empty. They belonged to Kikuyus who have already fled for safety.
It is such a complicated situation. The issues run so much deeper than just a political situation. We heard on the news last night that the government has announced that they are going to close the camps where the displaced are currently living. That they are urging them to return home. I don't see how this is possible. For starters most of their homes have been burned down. Secondly many of them would be risking their lives to go back into the communities that have chased them out.
Please continue to pray for Kenya. Unfortunately the day-to-day challenges of life don't stop for political fiascoes. I'm currently working in the clinic three days a week. I'm also taking daily Swahili lessons. Yesterday I went with Juli into Eldoret. It was amazing how "calm" things seemed. We were discussing the difference between calm and peace. With calm the underlying issues are still there and you never know for sure what will happen. We visited some of our community members who are in the hospital. I'm still trying to get used to the drastic differences between the hospital here and the one that I worked at in CA. I'll share some more on that some other time.
Well I'm having company for dinner tonight. Considering dinner takes a few hours to prepare I probably better hit the road. (Home is a fifteen minute walk from where I do Internet.)
It is such a complicated situation. The issues run so much deeper than just a political situation. We heard on the news last night that the government has announced that they are going to close the camps where the displaced are currently living. That they are urging them to return home. I don't see how this is possible. For starters most of their homes have been burned down. Secondly many of them would be risking their lives to go back into the communities that have chased them out.
Please continue to pray for Kenya. Unfortunately the day-to-day challenges of life don't stop for political fiascoes. I'm currently working in the clinic three days a week. I'm also taking daily Swahili lessons. Yesterday I went with Juli into Eldoret. It was amazing how "calm" things seemed. We were discussing the difference between calm and peace. With calm the underlying issues are still there and you never know for sure what will happen. We visited some of our community members who are in the hospital. I'm still trying to get used to the drastic differences between the hospital here and the one that I worked at in CA. I'll share some more on that some other time.
Well I'm having company for dinner tonight. Considering dinner takes a few hours to prepare I probably better hit the road. (Home is a fifteen minute walk from where I do Internet.)
Friday, January 18, 2008
On the Lighter Side
The Front of Our Home, originally uploaded by momentswithmichelle.
Our home is almost finished! We are still waiting for indoor plumbing as well as the kitchen and bathroom. But all of the major construction is finished. We are SOOOO Excited!
The bad news is that we have already experienced an invasion of rats and mosquitoes. But my hero William has killed all the rats for now. We are definitely looking into getting some cats to patrol the house. Click on the picture of the house to see more photos of our home.
Burnt Matatus
Burnt Matatus, originally uploaded by momentswithmichelle.
Along the road to Eldoret we saw many burt vehicles just left at the roadside. It was a bit surreal, as if we had stepped into a movie. Very few intact vehicles were seen driving on the road.
A Changed Turbo
Burnt Buildings, originally uploaded by momentswithmichelle.
This used to be a group of shops next door to our gas station. Even the little kiosk where we used to buy french fries and soda was burnt to the ground.
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