Leap of Faith

Another early morning...breakfast, then up the hill with a lot of heavy breathing and screaming quads in this case. Our altitude is higher than Denver and we're still adjusting. It could be the only quiet time experience of our day other than the time we spend with our LORD. Our team loves to laugh and we have found plenty of things to laugh about. I love it that we can be transparent with each other yet find the humor. Such a love for each other is growing as only God can create in His family.

Paul arranges our days with the CURE hospital staff daily. Through his efforts, each of us has been able to plug into different and unique experiences for the past two days. Has anyone mentioned how thankful we are for “Pastor” Paul – a true shepherd. He has drawn all of us out of our comfort zones through thought provoking questions and assignments constructed to enable us to become more real.

Daniel, Greg, DJ, Michael, and Paul were in the warehouse this morning to inventory once again, an assignment which has been much appreciated by the overseer, Naomi, and the CURE Hospital staff in general. Knowing the “haves” and “have nots” in the warehouse will enable them to know how to better plan for their patients and continue to perform with the skill and excellence which they have come to be respected.

Daniel and Greg spun off after lunch to share their IT knowledge in the business office. They have begun the long process of “cleaning up” the computers there which have become really slow because of viruses and other evils picked up on the internet. What a respect I have for their ability in this area – so alien to many but so natural and second nature to them. They have no idea what kind of respect that commands in most of us.

Michael spent his afternoon with one of the hospital ministers. He actually was given the opportunity to speak to the families in the ward and share his insight into the blessing of community and relationship that he has witnessed in the Kenyan culture so far. He did an amazing job for someone who claims a fear of public speaking.

DJ shared his admin knowledge and know-how with the business office before also being drafted by the ministry team to share his testimony in the ward. They all had a laugh about his name – apparently knowing our slang for “disc jockey” - but ended up taking him very seriously for his testimony of a changed life and secure walk with his Lord Jesus.

Elaine, Hannah, and Kristen were in the Play Room this morning. Many of the children waiting for theater (surgery) come there to be distracted from their hunger pains. They are ordered NPO – nothing per oral – before surgery. Other children have already had surgery and just need “kid stuff” to keep them from being totally bored and distracted from the healing process. We read a book with Francesca, who oversees the Play Room. She interpreted our story of Jonah into Swahili. Her version was about 3 times as long and seemed a lot more interesting than what I was reading!! We all wished we could have experienced it. The kids were fascinated with her storytelling. Afterwards we all made tambourines for the ward to praise the Lord - “Bwana Asifiwe” in their language.

Elaine and Kristen took over for the guys in the warehouse in the afternoon and Hannah had another amazing experience in the operating room. Hannah told us she wanted to look for the little guy she was working with in the Play Room after lunch. He was to be taken to surgery after lunch. The Lord pressed on her heart during the surgery to hold the hand of the child on the operating table. After being given permission to hold this child's hand during the surgery – she was totally shocked and blessed to discover it was the little boy she wanted to “look for.” His face had been partially draped for the surgery.

Beth and Leah were able to join Dr. Bob in clinic at the Kijabe Hospital in the morning. Their experience has been really useful and in demand for both CURE Hospital and Kijabe Hospital. But today was a learning day for them with Bob, who loves to teach. They loved it. After lunch they were able to observe a spinal surgery.

We are so thankful for the house staff: Anne, Grace, Keziah, Samuel, and Steven. They have fed us so well and washed all of our clothes! We will all be coming home a little rounder and certainly spoiled! Bob and Julie spoiled us tonight with home made tortilla chips, which Julie is perfecting (she's there!). They also joined us for dinner. We had great fun sitting around the table, swapping stories, and (of course) laughing. The Mendonsa family's hospitality has been such a blessing to our team. They have shared their hearts with us. God is doing His work through them for the Kenyan people they have come to serve but has also been faithful to stretch and grow them. He is so apparent in their lives! We have also loved their sense of humor and appreciation of the lighter side of life here.

Things to pray for:
Pray for rain as, right now, the entire area we are in is without running water. It is most likely just being rationed, but is a marker on how much Kenya needs God to provide rain for them. Each team member has voiced an area in which the Lord is dealing with them personally. Please join us in praying that God will be victorious in these areas. Please continue to pray for safety & health. Pray for open hearts to serve unselfishly – using our hands and our voices as the Lord leads, seeing through the Lord's eyes, hearing with His ears and loving with His heart. Pray also for the Mendonsa family – for continued strength & confidence to walk the path set out for them. Pray also for an affirmation of their ministry. Pray for assurance from the Lord. We love this family dearly (with a deep, abiding love) and want them to walk in the fulness of all Christ has for them. We are excited to see what He's doing in our beloved.

-Elaine