Our Last Day in Kenya

So I'm heading up to the hospital to say goodbye to the last of the patients. I wish you all could be here to experience what I've experienced.  The people of Kenya are as diverse as their tribes.  There are over 40 tribes in Kenya.  Commonly, people will ask "What tribe are you?"  No matter what tribe they hail from, I have found the Kenyans to be a patient, kind, and friendly people. They will wait for several hours after they arrive just to get a bed and this is usually after a long bus ride and/or walk to the hospital.  Often, I would go down into the clinic to see a full waiting room.  Everyone would just sit quietly and wait. Not sure I would see the same in the States. Not sure I would do the same myself.

Today, I look forward the most to seeing three particular ladies and their children. They were blessed to get one of the semi-private rooms with only three beds.  The first of these moms I met was Maurine.  Her daughter, Shangwe, had a lymphatic malformation on the side of her head removed on Tuesday.  Maurine is a teacher and has four children; Shangwe is her youngest.  Several years ago, Maurine was a missionary in Uganda where she taught Bible, sewing, and other such classes to children.  She said there are so many orphans because of the civil unrest there.  She worked with two American missionary who were shot and killed while serving in Uganda.  Maurine's husband is also a teacher and recently got a job outside of the country.  Maurine and the children were to accompany him according to the original agreement, but the company that hired her husband has since backed out of that part of the agreement.  So Maurine is dealing with this major surgery for her daughter alone.  Well, not really alone.  Maurine brought her Bible.

God has blessed Maurine with wonderful roommates.  Deborah is Rachael's mom.  Rachael was in for cleft lip surgery.  I first noticed Deborah as she got up one day in chapel to speak.  She speaks like a preacher and it is obvious that she has studied God's Word.  She spoke of salvation being the work of His blood on the cross, not our workings here on earth.  How often I hear that message out of the pulpit at my church.  How awesome it was to hear it here. 

For the remainder of this week, Maurine, Deborah, and I talked about the Bible, doctrine, issues facing Kenya's churches and ours, and every other topic under heaven.  They are moms just like us who love their children and strive to live a life pleasing to our Lord.  They are aware of the snares facing their country economically and spiritually.  I have to admit they surprised me.  Their knowledge of the truth of God's Word surprised me.  It surprised me how quickly we bonded as mothers and wives.

Now meet Caroline. She is the mother of Elias who had surgery on his palate earlier this week.  She spoke very little English, but she understood plenty of English.  So as we talked of spiritual things, Caroline just listened and nodded her head.  I have a feeling that Caroline learned more than any of us.  Dr. White did Elias' surgery and Caroline quickly sensed his goodness and kindness.  She asked to have a picture of him. 

Remember to pray for these women and all the women we met these weeks.  Their lives are much harder than ours and it burdens me to leave them.  I am comforted that they know Jesus and have fellowship with other believers.  There are many here that don't.  Many Muslims came through the hospital while we were here.  Some were kind to us - some were not.  I pray the God will show mercy on all the women of Kenya.