Home from Kenya

To all of you who were lifting me up in prayer, thank you. My time in Kenya was amazing. From the beginning of the trip, I could keenly feel the presence of God as so many enveloped me and the mission in prayer. I was truly with a great group of people who were like-minded in making our primary goal the daily pursuit of God's will for our guidance

We spent time in fellowship with believers at Huduma Church in the Kawangware Slums on Sunday before heading to Thomson Falls Lodge, where we would remain for the duration of the week. The children of Kawangware were happy to see us and chased our van around shouting "hawayoo? hawayoo?" quite excitedly.

Monday and Tuesday we worked in a village called Olmoran. We ran a clinic where I practiced osteopathic manipulative medicine alongside a couple of chiropractors. The clinic had been advertised so people knew of it ahead of time and knew that it would be free. This brought many people from several miles around. Because some of us had earned more than what was required for the trip, we were able to also cover the registration fees for the patients. This gave them access to various medications such as antimalarial and antibacterial medicines. Over these two days we were also able to build a water purifier, as designed by Aquaclara. We taught a core group of individuals how to build the units and provided them with resources to continue making the systems. Two months from now, Olmoran should be producing 1040 liters of purified water per day. The hope is that they will be able to make some money by selling the units for a small fee so that more can be manufactured for the community. We also had opportunity for our team members and the local church to share the gospel.

On Wednesday we worked in the clinic in Lorien. Here we adjusted people and paid for their access to medication, but more than that, we attracted people from the area who would not have otherwise received antimalarial medication. Here we implemented an exercise class which was followed by the good news of Jesus for each class. This particular group of people has a past of great violence and we hope that we planted seeds that God will cause to grow.

On Thursday we ran a clinic and again taught a core group of locals how to build the water purifiers, this time in the village of (I think?) Salama. We continued with the exercise classes and the gospel to each group of 4-15 people at a time.

We ran our final clinic on Friday in Nyandarua.

My role on this trip was as one of the clinicians. Essentially, I adjusted people's necks, backs, hips, and limbs. I also had an opportunity to practice some cranial techniques on many children who complained of headaches. Also, I ended up holding a lot of children so their mothers could be adjusted. It was my privilege to be able to pray for and sometimes with every person I cared for. The other team-members did likewise. Although we all took pictures, I was also sort of the group photographer. I was able to take a number of photos that could be used by the organizations represented.

During my time in Kenya I realized that to say that "God has brought me here" meant more to me than His bringing me to the place in the world; I realized also how so many instances in my life were preparations for the work that I was doing. Beyond that, this trip has been a preparation for what is yet to come. I hope that in the journey God is walking me through, my life is not the only one changed. With God, how can it be otherwise?

I am excited about what God will do. If nothing else, I know I want to go back and that I want more. I am eager to continue working in Africa again someday, as God would lead me. I am glad to know of some of the specific needs. There was a surprising need for manual medicine. So many people with back pain and headaches. Many people rejoiced at how much better they felt. There is also a need for medicine in the areas we visited. Some surgery cases too. There is a HUGE need for clean, drinkable water. These people really need Jesus. I was encouraged to meet many brothers and sisters in Christ who care about the needs they have around them. Ministry there is a very real experience. I pray God brings me there again, and I have little doubt that that is my calling.

In summary, I am blessed and tired. I am a little under the weather (my whole family is), and I did not pass my exam. I did, however, already have a good enough grade in the class that I am still passing overall. God is good.

Thank you again for the prayers everyone. It's good to be home, but God's work is never done no matter where you are. :)


Video: http://vimeo.com/9606066