It’s Friday the 29th and I think it’s safe to say that we are good at cooking in Kenya now. We popped out a few pans of Dutch babies in around an hour instead of three hours like earlier this week :) We are also pretty much experts at making Kenyan chai tea. Now we just need to learn how to do our meals without using a million extra dishes! I’m pretty sure I used the same pot at least five times within our three meals the other day!
It feels weird that we’ve been here for almost a week now. I was expecting to be doing full out evangelism but doing things around the house like cooking and cleaning (especially cleaning!) take up a large chunk of the day. I really like doing it though because it’s really fun doing it with the four of us kids. Also, because I think it really helps Dad out to be able to focus more on his patients and then have fun relaxing doing stuff with us later.
A lot of my time has also gone to playing with Hudson and Jude, Dr. Jones kids who are 4 and 2. I think that is making it easier on them. They are really funny kids and Hudson and I are pretty much best friends. He always comes over to the house to see if anyone of us can do anything with him. We’ve drawn giant chalk animals with him. I went over and watched a movie with him that he’s been wanting to show me since the first day. Two days ago I went to the children’s ward with him Jude and Lauren (who is staying with them) to visit their dad and meet all the kids and their moms. We brought a bunch of farm stickers and a big bag of Obama gum to give to the kids. They loved it!
We got to pray for two little premature babies who weighed 1.4 and 1.06 kilograms and their moms. Hudson’s prayer ended in asking Jesus to heal the babies faster than He has ever healed before :) Yesterday Tyler, Bethany, Hannah, Lauren and I went to the children’s ward and women’s ward with Pastor Margaret to sing songs. She explained the songs when we were done and my dad gave his testimony in the children’s ward. We’re going back on Monday and we are playing in chapel on Wednesday. Sometime next week we’re planning on painting the study room in the orphanage.
Pastor Margaret taught us a lot of Swahili and the different context that certain words are used in. It was kind of embarrassing today though because Sasa is a kind of slang word that the people here use when talking to younger people that means how are you, but I realized that (only today) I’ve been telling people “saba”. So everyone would see me wave at them and say “seven”. I was wondering why people where laughing.
Sharon (the girl who needed the wheelchair) is going home tomorrow so we brought over the chair for her. Amber is a Physical Therapist from Minnesota who is visiting for two months. She taught the mom how to use the wheelchair and how to take Sharon in and out of it. Amber, Hannah, Bethany, Tyler and I all took turns praying for them. The mom was so happy that she couldn’t stop crying. It was really neat and I think God is going to work in their lives even more than He has already!
Tyler and I just got done doing inventory on the sutures that where donated and sent with us so the doctors can keep track of what they have. Tyler and I also got to watch a c-section! The mom had already had two c-sections, but both of her children had died. Doctor Christina (an OB/GYN) prayed for her before starting and I was praying the whole time. It was a little freaky because they had some trouble while pulling the baby’s head out but they cut her stomach open a little more and the baby came out fine! Everyone started cheering and laughing :) It was weird watching after that because while Christina and my dad were clipping things and sewing different innards together Thomas (the Anesthetist) was having a conversation with the lady who was wide awake! It went a lot faster than I thought a c-section would take. Thank God that she has her first living baby!
So looking back I guess God has been using me more than I thought. It’s just that He’s been using me in different ways than I though.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tyler''s Blog entries
Jan 25, 7:22 am
Well, I’ve never blogged before, but here it goes. The trip so far has been very interesting, although we haven’t done too much so far. After we got off our second flight in Nairobi, we went through customs which was surprisingly easy and met our driver Patrick. He drove us to where we were staying that night and was going to be back at 6:00 the next morning. I didn’t get much sleep that night since it was mid day where you guys are, but after probably about an hour of listening to cool animal noises, I kept hearing someone walking past the rooms outside. After a while I caught a glimpse of the guys arm outside from my bed and I thought it might be Patrick. So I got out of bed to ask my dad what time it was when Patrick walked up to our door and saw me in my boxers. He kind of smirked and then told me it was 6:30 and we needed to leave, so we all packed up quick and hopped in the van.
We got to the airport and flew 45 min to Eldoret where we were picked up by the hospital’s ambulance. Laura, the main doctor’s wife, and another guy whose name I forget at this moment picked us up. We then went to the market to pick up some food. Aaron and I found some sun dried fish which they call here Onema, but I’m pretty sure there minnows. So I’m pretty excited to try those out. :D when we left there, we were packing up our food and some kids were asking us for something that I didn’t understand and I didn’t know if I was supposed to give them anything or not or how I was supposed to act so I just smiled and waved and turned around and kept packing the van. Laura went back inside and bought some bread and brought it out and gave it to the kids. Then we hopped in the car and asked Laura if they were homeless and she said yes and that they were addicted to sniffing glue so she would usually get them something to nourish them because if they get money they would just buy glue and sniff it all day. That was sad. But she also said that there was a big need for ministry for these kids, so if any of you reading this think that would be cool, you should definitely pray about it. :D
After this we drove 2 hours to the medical base. It was a little windy and Aaron noticed that a lot of people were wearing jackets. Laura said that they all thought it was cold. I thought it was hot so I guess I have it made here.
We got to where we were staying which is sweet, and we have an amazing view!! I actually woke up this morning at 5:30 and then got up again at 7ish right as the sun was finishing rising and it was sweet! Actually a little bit chilly too. Anyways, last night we went to a bible study and then hung out with everyone. That was cool. There were some kids there, Jude and Hudson, who were crazy hyper. Hudson thinks I’m Taylor. They were going wild and Hudson feels bad that Aaron has only one arm and he really wants Aaron, Bethany, Hannah and me to come to his house and play with him. He was pretty funny.
Now I’m up and hopefully Aaron and I will be able to paint a house. I’m excited for this trip!
Jan 25 at night
Well today was good. After the last post, Aaron and I made oatmeal for everybody. The girls didn’t want to get up though so we just got more for ourselves. After we ate, my dad went back to the hospital and Aaron and I went outside to kick around the soccer ball till they got up. Hudson and Jude were outside and yelled across the yard to us. So we got to hang out with them for a good hour in the morning kicking the soccer ball around and hunting for pine cones and sticks that were sticking up in the ground. They were pretty great. Then I got Hannah and Bethany up and we headed over to Laura’s house so she could show us around. Hudson told us that he would stand and guard the pinecones and sticks till we got back. I told him that we were going to be gone for a few hours so he said that maybe then he would go inside and eat lunch and then come back out and guard the sticks.
First Laura showed us through the hospital. That was pretty cool. People here are huge on greetings, so we got really used to waving and shaking hands. Fortunately for me, they also do the nod here so they understand my greeting when I forget to wave.
Then we were shown through the town close by. They call it the center. Town is what the town is called if you travel to Eldoret. Laura showed us where we could get safari cards and minutes so we can call or use the internet, and where we could get other foods. Pretty much all the little stores sell the same things, so she said she usually goes to a different one each time so she doesn’t give money to just one person. Laura pointed to these vehicles with a big enclosed back on them which were driving through the center, and she said that they were matatus. You can take a matatu anywhere between or to here and Nairobi, and it constantly picks people up on the way. I asked how many people a matatu could fit and she told me that matatu means three more so it can always hold more. She said her son was in one and he said that there were 42 people in it.
Then we headed up to the forest. First we stopped at the public school. We were greeted by all the kids and tried to greet them. Then we went to the orphanage. We were greeted by two ladies there. The first one just come up and gave us a big hug. I guess you’re supposed to rub cheeks on both sides when you hug. The second lady just shook our hands and said hello. We were taken through the whole orphanage. The kids there are so self sufficient. They all grow, harvest, and cook their own food, and milk the cows and just take care of themselves and each other. One kid who had just finished making his food wanted us to take his picture eating.
Then we went to another school a ways further into the forest. We are going to paint some of the school later. They said that they had brushes so we would just have to bring paint and they would let us spend the night if we wanted to. So I’m excited about that. Then we headed back.
On our way back there were some cows walking on the path and Aaron asked if anyone was watching them. There were two little girls who were probably about 5 walking a bit behind them and Laura said that it was probably them.
We got back a few hours later and Hudson was waiting for us. It was pretty funny. My legs killed so I just plopped on the ground and started talking to him. Later we went to the center and took Hudson with us. We got eggs and some fruit. The eggs were more expensive then back home but the fruit is amazing. A larger mango is only 4 shillings. It’s 75 shillings to a dollar, so you could buy 20 mangos for $1.07! I was pretty excited about that.
Well, I’ve never blogged before, but here it goes. The trip so far has been very interesting, although we haven’t done too much so far. After we got off our second flight in Nairobi, we went through customs which was surprisingly easy and met our driver Patrick. He drove us to where we were staying that night and was going to be back at 6:00 the next morning. I didn’t get much sleep that night since it was mid day where you guys are, but after probably about an hour of listening to cool animal noises, I kept hearing someone walking past the rooms outside. After a while I caught a glimpse of the guys arm outside from my bed and I thought it might be Patrick. So I got out of bed to ask my dad what time it was when Patrick walked up to our door and saw me in my boxers. He kind of smirked and then told me it was 6:30 and we needed to leave, so we all packed up quick and hopped in the van.
We got to the airport and flew 45 min to Eldoret where we were picked up by the hospital’s ambulance. Laura, the main doctor’s wife, and another guy whose name I forget at this moment picked us up. We then went to the market to pick up some food. Aaron and I found some sun dried fish which they call here Onema, but I’m pretty sure there minnows. So I’m pretty excited to try those out. :D when we left there, we were packing up our food and some kids were asking us for something that I didn’t understand and I didn’t know if I was supposed to give them anything or not or how I was supposed to act so I just smiled and waved and turned around and kept packing the van. Laura went back inside and bought some bread and brought it out and gave it to the kids. Then we hopped in the car and asked Laura if they were homeless and she said yes and that they were addicted to sniffing glue so she would usually get them something to nourish them because if they get money they would just buy glue and sniff it all day. That was sad. But she also said that there was a big need for ministry for these kids, so if any of you reading this think that would be cool, you should definitely pray about it. :D
After this we drove 2 hours to the medical base. It was a little windy and Aaron noticed that a lot of people were wearing jackets. Laura said that they all thought it was cold. I thought it was hot so I guess I have it made here.
We got to where we were staying which is sweet, and we have an amazing view!! I actually woke up this morning at 5:30 and then got up again at 7ish right as the sun was finishing rising and it was sweet! Actually a little bit chilly too. Anyways, last night we went to a bible study and then hung out with everyone. That was cool. There were some kids there, Jude and Hudson, who were crazy hyper. Hudson thinks I’m Taylor. They were going wild and Hudson feels bad that Aaron has only one arm and he really wants Aaron, Bethany, Hannah and me to come to his house and play with him. He was pretty funny.
Now I’m up and hopefully Aaron and I will be able to paint a house. I’m excited for this trip!
Jan 25 at night
Well today was good. After the last post, Aaron and I made oatmeal for everybody. The girls didn’t want to get up though so we just got more for ourselves. After we ate, my dad went back to the hospital and Aaron and I went outside to kick around the soccer ball till they got up. Hudson and Jude were outside and yelled across the yard to us. So we got to hang out with them for a good hour in the morning kicking the soccer ball around and hunting for pine cones and sticks that were sticking up in the ground. They were pretty great. Then I got Hannah and Bethany up and we headed over to Laura’s house so she could show us around. Hudson told us that he would stand and guard the pinecones and sticks till we got back. I told him that we were going to be gone for a few hours so he said that maybe then he would go inside and eat lunch and then come back out and guard the sticks.
First Laura showed us through the hospital. That was pretty cool. People here are huge on greetings, so we got really used to waving and shaking hands. Fortunately for me, they also do the nod here so they understand my greeting when I forget to wave.
Then we were shown through the town close by. They call it the center. Town is what the town is called if you travel to Eldoret. Laura showed us where we could get safari cards and minutes so we can call or use the internet, and where we could get other foods. Pretty much all the little stores sell the same things, so she said she usually goes to a different one each time so she doesn’t give money to just one person. Laura pointed to these vehicles with a big enclosed back on them which were driving through the center, and she said that they were matatus. You can take a matatu anywhere between or to here and Nairobi, and it constantly picks people up on the way. I asked how many people a matatu could fit and she told me that matatu means three more so it can always hold more. She said her son was in one and he said that there were 42 people in it.
Then we headed up to the forest. First we stopped at the public school. We were greeted by all the kids and tried to greet them. Then we went to the orphanage. We were greeted by two ladies there. The first one just come up and gave us a big hug. I guess you’re supposed to rub cheeks on both sides when you hug. The second lady just shook our hands and said hello. We were taken through the whole orphanage. The kids there are so self sufficient. They all grow, harvest, and cook their own food, and milk the cows and just take care of themselves and each other. One kid who had just finished making his food wanted us to take his picture eating.
Then we went to another school a ways further into the forest. We are going to paint some of the school later. They said that they had brushes so we would just have to bring paint and they would let us spend the night if we wanted to. So I’m excited about that. Then we headed back.
On our way back there were some cows walking on the path and Aaron asked if anyone was watching them. There were two little girls who were probably about 5 walking a bit behind them and Laura said that it was probably them.
We got back a few hours later and Hudson was waiting for us. It was pretty funny. My legs killed so I just plopped on the ground and started talking to him. Later we went to the center and took Hudson with us. We got eggs and some fruit. The eggs were more expensive then back home but the fruit is amazing. A larger mango is only 4 shillings. It’s 75 shillings to a dollar, so you could buy 20 mangos for $1.07! I was pretty excited about that.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bethany's Big Birthday Bash
Bethany 01/27/10
Yesterday was my birthday, which is kind of a big deal of course. :) I had a great day, but it was definitely not like any other birthday I’ve had before. Well obviously, I mean I’m in Kenya for crying out loud!
The day started out with waking up at about 9:00 and starting making breakfast at 9:30. Aaron, Tyler, Hannah and I were very proud of our first successful meal… two and a half hours later when we finally finished making it. :) We’re still getting used to our stove and oven and how to cook around here.
After that we decided to take a half hour walk down to the river. The walk down was really nice, and when we got there we met about ten kids who were very interested in us “wazungu” (white people). We played with them for a little while then headed back up. Notice I said “up.” The whole way back was uphill and we thought we were going to die. Now I know why Olympic runners come here to train, because the altitude is so high. I’m pretty sure I’ve never been more out of breath in my life, and all I was doing was walking up a hill for Pete’s sake. It’s kind of nice to have the altitude for an excuse though. It makes me feel better about myself. :)
When we got back, Hannah, Aaron, and Tyler set to work making my big sugar cookie that I have every year for my birthday. They told me I couldn’t help, but they didn’t know what they were doing so I pretty much ended up standing in the kitchen the whole time telling them what to do anyways. What can I say? I’m a pro at making big sugar cookies. It was quite tasty though. Thanks guys! :)
After that we headed over to our friends Bill and Laura’s house, where we ate homemade pizza and had a little birthday party. She even had a sweet candle that sang happy birthday. It was awesome. :)
So it was a good day. I’ve never had a birthday before where I spent two and a half hours making my own breakfast and got sun burnt, but it was really fun! I’m glad I get to say that I had my 18th birthday in Africa.
Peace out!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mrs. Drown! :)
Yesterday was my birthday, which is kind of a big deal of course. :) I had a great day, but it was definitely not like any other birthday I’ve had before. Well obviously, I mean I’m in Kenya for crying out loud!
The day started out with waking up at about 9:00 and starting making breakfast at 9:30. Aaron, Tyler, Hannah and I were very proud of our first successful meal… two and a half hours later when we finally finished making it. :) We’re still getting used to our stove and oven and how to cook around here.
After that we decided to take a half hour walk down to the river. The walk down was really nice, and when we got there we met about ten kids who were very interested in us “wazungu” (white people). We played with them for a little while then headed back up. Notice I said “up.” The whole way back was uphill and we thought we were going to die. Now I know why Olympic runners come here to train, because the altitude is so high. I’m pretty sure I’ve never been more out of breath in my life, and all I was doing was walking up a hill for Pete’s sake. It’s kind of nice to have the altitude for an excuse though. It makes me feel better about myself. :)
When we got back, Hannah, Aaron, and Tyler set to work making my big sugar cookie that I have every year for my birthday. They told me I couldn’t help, but they didn’t know what they were doing so I pretty much ended up standing in the kitchen the whole time telling them what to do anyways. What can I say? I’m a pro at making big sugar cookies. It was quite tasty though. Thanks guys! :)
After that we headed over to our friends Bill and Laura’s house, where we ate homemade pizza and had a little birthday party. She even had a sweet candle that sang happy birthday. It was awesome. :)
So it was a good day. I’ve never had a birthday before where I spent two and a half hours making my own breakfast and got sun burnt, but it was really fun! I’m glad I get to say that I had my 18th birthday in Africa.
Peace out!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mrs. Drown! :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Karibu (welcome) to Kenya
Jan 25, 2010
The trip to Kenya was uneventful. It was exciting landing in Nairobi and actually being here. The temperature is about 70 degrees and no jackets were needed as we went outside to pack our ten checked in bags, five carry on’s and the five of us on a van to head to the Mennonite Guest House for an overnight stay. Then to bed at midnight and up at 6:00 am for a quick trip back to the airport to travel to Eldoret by plane (45 minutes) and then on to Kapsowar by vehicle (two hours in the hospital ambulance).
Among the ten checked bags were several pounds of items that we will leave in Kenya. This included gifts for the permanent missionaries here sent to us from friends for quick and safe delivery. Also included were several pounds of books donated to the nursing school here. Additionally, I brought along hundreds of sutures donated from the Deer River Healthcare Center which were badly needed.
One other item that we will leave here is a wheelchair that was given to Lois Patton that she cannot use. Hannah and Lois found a blog about a children’s home in the area that deals with handicapped children. They surmised that most likely a wheelchair would be helpful.
We were met at the Eldoret airport by Laura Rhodes. She is the wife of Dr. Bill Rhodes, a long-term surgeon in Kapsowar. They have lived here nearly 12 years, home-schooling their four kids. The last just graduated from high school. She graciously gave up most of her day helping us pick up needed items at the market in town and explaining a little more about life in Kapsowar. She has big plans for the kids as well. After stating several things that they could do she then said “You are only limited by your imagination”. If you know anything about the boys and their imagination, they are in for a wild four weeks.
At the airport Laura noted that we had brought the wheelchair. She then explained that only two days prior she had spent much of the day unsuccessfully trying to locate a wheelchair in Nairobi for a child in the hospital with cerebral palsy who had also been burned badly enough to further hamper her mobility. I noticed that Hannah was grinning from ear to ear as Laura explained the story. God had put on Hannah’s and Lois’s heart to bring the wheelchair and it was meeting a very present and pressing need. Laura was pretty excited as well. The wheelchair is now reassembled and ready for delivery before the girl is discharged from the hospital.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and bible study at the Rhodes home at night. Much of the medical staff were there. Bill (Rhodes) led the study, predominantly from the Old Testament, about how God over and over, through various prophets, puts a high value on about taking care of widows, orphans (fatherless) and aliens. I read ahead in James 1:27 which reads “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.
That immediately took my mind back home to what my wonderful wife is doing nearly a half a world away. For information on that check out. I’m not sure why God has us ministering to other’s needs on separate continents being separated for such a long time. However, He is helping us as we do this and stretching us and strengthening our faith. Thanks for your interest in these journeys of ours and particularly for your prayers.
The trip to Kenya was uneventful. It was exciting landing in Nairobi and actually being here. The temperature is about 70 degrees and no jackets were needed as we went outside to pack our ten checked in bags, five carry on’s and the five of us on a van to head to the Mennonite Guest House for an overnight stay. Then to bed at midnight and up at 6:00 am for a quick trip back to the airport to travel to Eldoret by plane (45 minutes) and then on to Kapsowar by vehicle (two hours in the hospital ambulance).
Among the ten checked bags were several pounds of items that we will leave in Kenya. This included gifts for the permanent missionaries here sent to us from friends for quick and safe delivery. Also included were several pounds of books donated to the nursing school here. Additionally, I brought along hundreds of sutures donated from the Deer River Healthcare Center which were badly needed.
One other item that we will leave here is a wheelchair that was given to Lois Patton that she cannot use. Hannah and Lois found a blog about a children’s home in the area that deals with handicapped children. They surmised that most likely a wheelchair would be helpful.
We were met at the Eldoret airport by Laura Rhodes. She is the wife of Dr. Bill Rhodes, a long-term surgeon in Kapsowar. They have lived here nearly 12 years, home-schooling their four kids. The last just graduated from high school. She graciously gave up most of her day helping us pick up needed items at the market in town and explaining a little more about life in Kapsowar. She has big plans for the kids as well. After stating several things that they could do she then said “You are only limited by your imagination”. If you know anything about the boys and their imagination, they are in for a wild four weeks.
At the airport Laura noted that we had brought the wheelchair. She then explained that only two days prior she had spent much of the day unsuccessfully trying to locate a wheelchair in Nairobi for a child in the hospital with cerebral palsy who had also been burned badly enough to further hamper her mobility. I noticed that Hannah was grinning from ear to ear as Laura explained the story. God had put on Hannah’s and Lois’s heart to bring the wheelchair and it was meeting a very present and pressing need. Laura was pretty excited as well. The wheelchair is now reassembled and ready for delivery before the girl is discharged from the hospital.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and bible study at the Rhodes home at night. Much of the medical staff were there. Bill (Rhodes) led the study, predominantly from the Old Testament, about how God over and over, through various prophets, puts a high value on about taking care of widows, orphans (fatherless) and aliens. I read ahead in James 1:27 which reads “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.
That immediately took my mind back home to what my wonderful wife is doing nearly a half a world away. For information on that check out
Friday, January 22, 2010
We're Off!
Tom, Tyler, Aaron, and Bethany Howard with Hannah Patton are embarking on a trip to minister to the medical, social, and spiritual needs of the Maraqwet people in Kapsowar, Kenya in East Africa. We appreciate your interests in our journey and your prayers for our safety and for the work we will be doing.
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