Thank You

Reflecting on the last four weeks in Kenya I think about the beauty and warmth of the area (relative to Minnesota that is), and the many diseases that I saw either for the first time or hadn’t seen for quite some time. I think about the interesting food that I consumed and morning training runs accompanied up the hills by very interested Kenyan children wondering what the mazungu was doing that early in the morning. I think of the many tragedies that I saw including many untimely deaths of a young mother and premature infants as well as the financial hardships faced by most of the people that I was serving. However, what I think most about are the many people that I met and how they helped me or impressed me in so many ways. This blog is for you. I wish that I could thank all of you but time does not permit. For those not mentioned here I send a heartfelt “Asante Sana” (Thank you very much) and “Mungu akubariki” (God Bless You).

First for the countless Kenyans I met I would like to thank our gracious housekeeper Ednah. You are a humble, warm and hardworking women. Thanks for the invitation to your house. I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it but the kids loved their time there. Thanks also to the chaplains at the hospital. Thanks for tirelessly helping me with the many spiritual and emotional issues that I faced while taking care of patients. In particular, thanks to Pastor Charles and your lovely wife Jane for opening up your home to us. We enjoyed the food and fellowship and will be praying for your sister Eunice as well.

Thanks to Doctor James Kenua for giving me a mini-fellowship on managing HIV patient in Africa, as well as TB and various other illnesses germane to your country. I wish you well with your upcoming marriage and as you pursue training as a surgeon. Working with you the first two weeks made the rest of my time much easier as I was better prepared to treat the medical patients that I saw. Thanks also to Dr. Wilfred Kimosop for your help with the very young and very small babies in Kapsowar. You do a wonderful job with those little patients and and I wish you well as you eventually move on to become a Pediatrician.

Thanks to Michal Yano for not only having us over to your house two times, but for also teaching the kids how to make chipati. That is a skill that will come in handy at our home for years to come. You are a very welcoming and giving person and you taught us all a lesson about what it means to serve others. Thanks to Mama Brian for help with the trek up Mt. Kipkannur and for your shopping advise. You are a survivor, with God’s help. Don’t lose your focus on Him as you move forward raising your young son.

Thanks to the people of the Rorok church. We felt very welcome there and enjoyed the teaching and worship. We will pray for you as you minister to your community and to the kids at your school. Thanks to the teachers at the Shammah school for letting the kids have so many ministry opportunities there. They enjoyed their time working with the kids and meeting each of you.

Thanks to the many translators that I had for the Swahili and Kalingen speaking patients. In particular, thanks to Elizabeth on the men’s wards. Thanks for taking the time to talk with Jonah. I pray that that discussion produces fruit. Thanks also to Alex for teaching me many things about your lovely country. You are a good student and excellent translator. I trust that God will help you as you continue your education at the nursing school. Thank you Festus as well. You are a hardworking and dedicated nurse for the laboring mothers and their precious babies. I hope the stethoscope comes in handy with your future resuscitative attempts. Thanks to Wilson on the Women’s ward. You too, are a hard working and trustworthy nurse. Kapsowar is fortunate to have you working there.

I could go on and on about the many nurses and other staff that I worked with on a daily basis. You all made me feel welcome and made my work at the hospital much easier. You take care of very sick patients with limited resources for the Glory of God.

I turn now to the many wazungu friends that we all made in Kapsowar. First to Drew for being one of my running partners and for your help on things electronic. I will be praying for you as you decide on a career path and practice location. God has obviously given you gifts and I pray that you will use them for His glory. Thanks to Christina for making us feel very welcome at your home for dinner and movies and games. We all looked forward to those times. We missed you when you were in Kijabe. I’m glad that me being there helped you to be able to go. Thanks to Kyle as well. You are a very smart and humble young physician. I learned a lot from you and enjoyed being your colleague. My prayers are for you and your young family as it gets used to life in Africa.

Thanks to “the girls”. I’ll be praying for the match for you Kristen and for your father. Thanks for your help with rounding on the maternity patients. You are a hard-working and dedicated student. I’m sure that you will do well as you further your education. Thanks to Amber for her help with the patients in the hospital and friendship as well. I’ll send some SI and TMJ patients your way now that I know a trustworthy therapist living in the same state. My prayers are with you as you seek God’s guidance for your next adventure. Thanks to Ariella for your indispensable help with the mural and for your meals and laughter and friendship. My prayers are with you as you decide on your career path as well.

Thanks to Dave for being my daily running partner. Don’t settle for a 5K in Alaska. I look forward to seeing photos of the completed project. If I ever get up to Alaska I’ll contact you ahead of time to try to get together and get travel advise.

Thanks especially to the Bill and Laura. You are a very warm and welcoming couple. You both set a Christ-like example for the entire staff. It was a joy getting to know you and work with you and learn from you both. Your testimonies are compelling and your lives are lived for God’s glory. I pray that my life can be the same.

Thanks ultimately to God for many answered prayers. Answered prayers for safety and provision. Answered prayers for ministry opportunities and new friends. Answered prayers for redirecting priorities that are more eternally than temporarily centered. God is so good.