kenyapartnership.org

We have very limited email access for the next several days, so this is being dictated via phone.

On Monday the medical team went to a remote area north of Narock and treated 167 Massai patients, completing treatment for all who arrived. They then had lunch with Counselor Isaac. On Tuesday, they went to Naroci-roci dispensary to treat additional patients and to make calls in people’s homes.

The building team spent Monday and Tuesday at the boy’s home, completing painting of two primer coats and one final coat on the dormitory, building numerous benches, six cubicles and tables for the dining hall. They also developed a plan for plumbing the boy’s home.

Bill Flannigan and Colette Cozean toured the area by helicopter with the Vice President of Kenya and with his constituency who were very poor. Many were on the verge of starvation and the Vice President brought food for the people. They were shown a dispensary with no equipment and one nurse with many patients. They were shown from the air an area of five acres that could be farmed with an irrigation project form the Terra River. This visit made the nightly news and the newspapers.

The next day, still with the moderator of PCEA and the Member of Parliament from Limuru, they met with government officials in the parliament member’s office and around the dining table with other members of parliament. They then drove to Narock to meet with the team, only to be called back to Nairobi meet with the deputy Prime Minister who is responsible for Finance and the acceptance of our containers. That meeting will be held Wednesday morning.

We thank you again for keeping us in your prayers and will communicate again when we get back within email access.

Submitted via phone by Colette Cozean

(my apologies for any spelling errors of place names – kc)

Dear Los Ranchos family,

What an amazing experience we are having! Today I preached here in Limuru Presbytery at the congregation where our coordinator, Peter Kamweru, is a member. I also saw the meeting room that is named after our own, Dick Grace. The congregation was vibrant, warm and I was thrilled to be a part of the worship experience.

Colette participated in a kick-off service at the Church of the Torch for a national PCEA campaign against drugs and alcohol abuse. The PCEA has started a new counseling program in this area at the Presbyterian University of East Africa. The service was attended by the Moderator, key government officials, and many dignitaries.

Tomarrow, Colette and key leaders from Limuru Presbytery are joining with the V.P. of Kenya, Peter Mwathi, the member of Parliament from Limuru, Moses Pulei, and David Githangi, Moderator of PCEA to look at farmland that may be given or loaned to Limuru Presbytery for an agricultural project. The goal of this project would be to provide food sufficiency and employment.

The rest of the team is in Narok and preached in 5 churches today. A particularly moving experience was the baptisms Paul Muresan participated in at a brand new church founded out of our health ministry. The women also had lunch with the Women’s Guild, the men with Presbytery Men’s Fellowship and the youth with youth.

We have felt the prayerful support of so many in Los Ranchos Presbytery and friends and family. I feel God is moving significantly on this trip through our partnership. It has been particularly exciting to see the openness of government officials to our programs and their willingness to join with us.

Submitted by Rev. Bill Flanagan

Today is Saturday and a Safari Day! We went to Lake Nakuru and saw pink flamingos by the thousand, pink pelicans and WHITE RHINOS! We also visited with a new parish in Nakuru.

However, I have completely lost track of the days so I will just report on the political/organizational meetings that we have attended. Our first day here, we were invited to a celebration of a new Catholic health center for women. We were greeted by the Minister for Public Health (MPH) and the Central District Provincial Minister of Health. We were treated like dignitaries with front row seats next to these dignitaries for a worship service (2 hrs) and fundraiser (2 hrs). We also met with the MPH for an hour in her office to discuss our health programs: dispensaries, school immunizations, prevention, clinical trial from drug resistant tuberculosis and insecticide for eradication of malaria.

We have met with the Member of Parliament, Peter Mwathi, who just returned from visiting in Calif. Our meeting discussed how to restart the pyretheum business in Kenya, potentially adding significantly to their income.

We met with the Vice President and his staff. Our discussion focused on farming, water conservation and usage, microbusiness and health. The VP decided to cancel his schedule for Monday and Tuesday and personally drive us through the country to see and discuss needed projects. He particularly wants to show us the first farmland that we can receive for this program.

We met with Children’s Christian Fund and USAID to discuss scholarships, sponsorship orphans, healthcare and our school immunization program. Both were very impressed by our work and plan to include us in next year’s grant program.

Our whole medical team went to the opening of the Nanyuki Dispensary and participated in a wonderful opening ceremony marked by children dancing and singing, presentations from the mayor, PCEA Secretary General, Nanyuki Municipal Council, Nanyuki Presbytery, Limuru Presbytery, Los Ranchos Presbytery, the Minister of Health and the Minster of Local Government. We then proceeded to set up about 10 treatment stations and saw hundreds of patients.

These are a few of the highlights. Tomarrow, the team is doing the following:

1. Preaching in 5 churches in Narok and 1 in Limuru
2. Baptizing the members in a new church
3. Kicking off a new national program for drug and alcohol abuse
4. Meeting with women-to-women, men-to-men, youth-to-youth, etc.

Blessings, Colette

Posted by Colette Cozean

Today was a great fun day! We took all 53 girls from the Girl’s Home to the Animal Orphanage at
the Nairobi National Park. Most of these girls had never seen African animals before. Living in
the highlands, they primarily see goats, chickens and cows. Today we saw lions, a leopard,
cheetahs, monkeys, a crocodile, small varieties of cats, a warthog and crowned cranes.  The
girls were also excited to see a train going by us on the road!  After seeing the animals, we
went to the Kazuri Bead Factory to see how they make those beautiful beads. The girls were
impressed to see all the women working there, thinking it was a place they could gets jobs
someday.  The most wonderful part of the day was the bus ride home, with the joyous sound of
girls singing, and a few cuddled up to us asleep for the ride.

Submitted by Jana Kidd

June 25, 2009

Today the Medical Team went to Karero. We were very welcomed by the people of this village because the last two efforts to make it to Karero had been unsuccessful due to the rains and flooded roads. This trip too had trying moments. It took approximately 4 hours by van to make it to the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Once there, we picked up some Elders in the village. They helped guide us into the bush area where the Masia people were to be treated. The unpaved road into the bush was about 10 kilometers and very bumpy. On the way we passed dik dik’s (a small antelope type animal) and termite hills that reached over 10 feet high! As you can imagine this hills were irresistible to the children of the area to play in! We also passed many of the local people with herds of sheep and cattle.

One van got stuck in a sand ditch and we were rescued and towed by the other. Then a short distance later we got a flat tire. The object that pierced our tire was a stick that the Masia men chew on to clean their teeth! Our drivers were excellent and changed our tire in a jiffy. Of course we all had a good laugh when we attempted to call Triple A!

Once we had arrived to the dispensary, we took a look to see what we were working with. That didn’t take long, because there was nothing in the clinic! All we had was what we had bought with us. The local school children quickly ran up to their classroom to bring down their desks, which we used to treat patients on. We unpacked our supplies and began to set up the pharmacy and make shift lab area. Meanwhile Jana, Elizabeth and Gigi began to discuss our treatment plans with the elders and started to Triage patients. It was very important to the tradition of Masia people that elders be seen fist. By now a line was forming at the clinic due to word of mouth and the fact that some of the people had seen us drive into the area. Most came for treatment, others simply came out of curiosity.

Soon treatment began. Conditions ran the gamut. Mike, Christina and Carol saw patients with many conditions from Malaria, bruciolosis, tooth infections, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, eye infections, fungus, ring worm, amoebas, parasites, malnutrition, runny noses, arthritis, wound infections and the like. We did our best with the limited supplies that we had to help heal these people.

The people of this area were most gracious and beautifully adorned in traditional garb making for a delightful cultural experience. Unfortunately flies flock to this area due to the livestock and everyone especially the children, were covered in flies. It is amazing how they have learned to adapt to this area.

On the way home, emotions were high. We did marvel at the fact that these people were able to sustain in such an area, which by our standards seems incompatible to life. Some felt as though our efforts were not enough? Although true, we wanted to do more, we must realize our limitations and feel satisfied with the good work that was done. Just by showing up to the area alone, these people felt cared for. It was only a drop in the bucket, but after enough drops that bucket will be full.

The long trip home was draining and exhausting. I can speak for the team by saying that we were all at crossroads with our emotions. But, we were all quickly uplifted when we learned that Friday we will be spending the day with the girls at the orphanage, taking them to the zoo and Kazuri bead factory. We will be able to sleep in a little and feel renewed in the morning. We all miss our fiends and family! Love you guys!

Submitted by: Michael Faraci

Hello All from Kenya!

The Medical team has been very busy this week. Here are some of the highlights of our first 3 days.

Monday June 22

The team divided to serve the needs of 2 clinics at Daya and Kahuho. Carol taught at the Presbyterian University.

Kahuho dispensary was somewhat established. Our team of Mike, Cristina, and Gigi were joined by Kenyan health workers and pharmacist Bernice to provide care to approx 50 Kenyans for Hypertension, joint pain and various skin and GI problems. The Kenyans were very happy an grateful for our care

In Daya Sally and Elizabeth were joined by Kenyan Pharmacist Ruth, nurses Grace and Dominic and nutritionist Nancy. The dispensary was provided most supplies by the team and some medicines from the Kenyan government. Approx 80 patients were seen for joint pain, Hypertension, Amoeba, skin issues, worms and respiratory infections. Sally and Nancy conducted a short lecture on body mechanics. It was clear that these Kenyans work many hours doing difficult farm labor by hand. The women’s guild served Chiapati bread, local peas and carrots, cabbage, and local meats-very good. We were joined by their housecat Puss-Puss. It was a great day of care and learning!

Tuesday June 23

Part of the medical team went to Uplands, and part to Nyeri. Michael taught at the Presbyterian college.

The Team to Nyeri (Cristina, Carol, and GiGi) saw 30 people for most of the same conditions posted above.

The Uplands team saw some beautiful countryside with fruit stands everywhere. We also saw herds of goat and cattle.

The Uplands clinic was very established with Dr Sarah and Lab Tech interns seeing people daily. Sally and Elizabeth were able to see several patients along with Dr. Sarah. Individuals wanted to see the American Doctor, although the Kenyans were more than capable.

More on June 24 next blog!

Medical Team-East Africa Partnership

We have been busy for that last few days...
At the girls home:
Water to the sales kiosk is on and working, all of the shelving and benches for the library are
complete.  The roof is on the library and two walls are plastered.  Cubbies for the girl's
belongings are being built.  Tomorrow all the girls and the team are going into Nairobi to
animal orphanage and the bead factory.
The medical team has been 4 hours north to Nanyuki for the dedication of the new dispensary
and saw about 200 patients yesterday.... it will be a great service to the community.
Today the team traveled 4 hours south to Korero Masai village and treated about 60
patients.. many babies and mothers in their beautiful clothing and jewelry.
Lots of time in the vans, but well worth it for the smiles on the Kenyan faces and warm greetings.

Earlier in the week the medical team worked in the clinics around Limuru and the nursing faculty
team members have taken turns lecturing to the students at Presbyterian University.  Tomorrow
they will tour Kikuyu Hospital.

All are well and safe, tired, but energized to be serving our Lord and experiencing/sharing
God's love here.

Thank you all for the ongoing prayers at home.  

Submitted by Carol Harvey June 25, 2009 9:30pm Brackenhurst Kenya

The past two days have been very busy here in Limuru. We’ve been putting in around 10 hours everyday. We have all the bookcases and benches sanded and varnished, and are now hoping for quick movement in getting the library finished, so that when we return here from Narok we will be able to put the books on the shelves. . . well, at least some of them.

The girls are wonderful, joyful and happy all the time, unless they are jealous. They got new school shoes today, the best made in Kenya – Bata shoes. The smiles were from ear to ear. Overall, our team has managed to get a lot done!

VBS was today and that went not terrible, not wonderful either. It rained… hailed and poured when we were supposed to do it. So, instead of doing it all at once, we had to go from room to room, and ended up cutting our lesson very short, getting to three classrooms. Each classroom has around 84 kids. Yes… you read that right, 84. The teacher shortage has reached new levels here.

Tomorrow we go to the animal orphanage and the bead factory with the girls, very excited to get to spend an entire day with them.

Submitted by Taylor Morrison

The team has been very busy since arriving safely very late Saturday evening. Sunday our group sent representatives to five different churches and three of us preached. Olivia (my ten-year-old daughter) and I went to the girl’s home and spent the morning enjoying Sunday School with our new friends. The afternoon was spent getting aquainted with all of the girls and enjoying a wonderful meal of goat, mashed potatoes, cabbage and mixed vegetables, all grown in the extensive garden (if you can call something that big a garden) surrounding the orphanage. All of the girls are amazing, beautiful and loving. It was a fabulous way to spend out very first day in this lovely place.

Day two.

The Mission Team spent the day sorting books for the new library. There was a room full of boxes and it took all day to open and go through them all. We’re happy to report that now they are all sorted. While we were doing this, workers began putting the roof on the library and building shelves. Another project was digging two-foot deep irrigation trenches. Jesse headed up this effort with much help from local men. By the end of the day the trenches were dug and ready for piping.

While the Mission Team was at the orphanage, the Medical Team was hard at work seeing patients and teaching. Two team members taught at two different sites. The students were not quite as advanced as anticipated, but both Mike and Carol were happy with the day’s results in the classroom. A second group of the medical team began seeing patients at a clinic outside of Limuru, about 80 in all. They treated various ailmetns including malaria, eye infections, colds, and hernias.

At the end of the day, both the Mission and the Medical teams came together again at the girls’ home and hung out with the kids for a little while. By the time we returned to Brackenhurst, we were all very tired, but it was a good tired, having done so much good work. We capped off the day with a visit from the Honorable Mwathi, a member of parliment who is considered one of the ten most influential people in Kenya.  He spoke to us before our nightly devotions, passing along a very warm welcome.

Day three:

We began the day with a church service at PCEA (the National Prebytery). We were very warmly welcomed. Gifts were given, photos taken, tea served. It was wonderful to spend time with the people here, and to learn first hand the challenges faced by this nation, but also the hope that they all have for the future. The sincere affection which has developed among people within this partnership is very evident and inspiring. God is good!

It has been a very busy couple of days, but we are thrilled to be doing God’s work. This is an amazingly beautiful country with the warmest people imaginable. What a blessing that we have been blessed with such an opportunity to serve.

God Bless!

Edie Robertson

Geneva Presbyterian Church