What I have learned in Kenya-Part 1

We’ve been here for over 10 days and have experienced many new things and met many new people. There are several stories that I would love to elaborate on and perhaps I will be able to later. For now I wanted to pass along some things that have struck me as interesting.

Kenyans are very friendly people. They greet you on the street saying “Habari” (literally-what is the news?). The obligatory answer is “nzuri” (good). Even if things aren’t that good. They are very peaceful and smiling people unlike in Russia where it has been said that “Russians smile only when necessary”. They shake hands enthusiastically and look you in the eye sincerely.

Kenyans love to welcome you to their home. We were graciously treated to a huge Kenyan feast by Mikel, a nurse at the hospital, her son Nehemiah who the boys had met playing basketball, and her husband Daniel. Mikel showed us a photo album that she had and I noted several wazungus (white people) in the photos that were taken at various times, mostly at her house over a meal. I told her that she was a very welcoming people to new people. She said “I invite people to my house so that they can tell me thank you”. I found that simple and profound at the same time. Simple thanks for giving of yourself is really what is important. By the way, the food was excellent and many genuine “thank you’s” were said by everybody. I think that was very satisfying for her.

Kenyans are patient people. They wait for the doctor while he is doing other things. They understand that I have other people to see and trust that I will get to them as soon as I am able. They understand that I need breaks as well and so I can take my daily Chai tea and Mandazi (like fried bread) break at 11 am even though I might not be completely done with my rounds. That makes work much less stressful than in the US where I am constantly trying to take care of people’s expectations. How refreshing!!

Kenyans understand what “I’m doing the best that I can” means. Their expectations are reasonable and if they know that the doctor or nurse is trying his or her best then that is good enough. The outcome may not always be what they want, but the sincere effort is extremely appreciated. I tried to help a women deliver a baby last night who had been pushing for 12 hours at an outside hospital. She came to Kapsowar because of her difficulty delivering the baby. I was unable to deliver the baby and so she needed a c-section. Just prior to the c-section the baby was experiencing some distress. As we quickly moved her to the “theatre” (operating room) the nurse looked at me and said “you did the best you could Daktari”. That was very comforting to me. By God’s grace the baby was fine.

Kenyans learn to live without life’s “necessities”. As I write this letter we are without running water at our home. No one is getting all worked up about it. They are doing their best as well to fix the problem. Life will go on. We have been unable to transfuse people blood because the hospital was out. We have been unable to collect sputum tests for AFB smears (tuberculosis tests) because the hospital was out. We have had no electricity at least once. Last night at the hospital there was no running water so I scrubbed with some alcohol like cleanser before the c-section instead of surgical soap and water. On none of those occasions were anybody outraged or questioning or mad at the hospital maintenance people or supply staffers. They accepted it as life in a rural Kenyan hospital and went about their business, doing their best given the circumstances.

Lastly for now, I have learned that life in Kenya is much more enjoyable with my kids (and Hannah) here than it was when I was in Kijabe in 2001 by myself. Having said that, life in Kenya would be so much better with my wonderful wife Cheri and daughters Anjaela and Dasha here as well. I miss them very much and wish that they could be here with us, learning new things as well. They are having their own learning experiences and need your prayers as much or more so than we do here in Kenya.

My entire family thanks you for those prayers. That is really what “doing your best” means. Asking God for help in the midst of life’s unfolding adventure.