Friends and family,
As we are starting to wrap up our time here at Tenwek, I am sitting
and reflecting on all that has gone on here the last 3 weeks. There is so much suffering and pre-mature
death in this place…. As a result, I always come away with a new respect and
awe for the incredible blessing of life and health that most of us take for
granted. Despite the harshness of life
here, there is an incredible resilience and determination that the Kenyans
exhibit. Once again, I am struck by the
depth and richness of their spiritual life compared with the mostly secular
life that we embrace in the West…we may think our culture and our lives are
superior in many ways, but I have come to appreciate that there is much to
admire about the way the Kenyans live.
They have large tightly connected families and communities with great
respect for siblings, their elders, and their parents. Despite the lack of resources here, the
elderly are at least as well cared for, if not better, than our elderly in the
U.S. It is not uncommon to see 15-20
people gathered in the hospital hallways for any single patient…many staying
round the clock and providing much of their nursing care (feeding, cleaning,
dressing, assisting in and out of bed etc.).
Many of the relatives also stay at the bedside (or even in bed!) with
the patients throughout their hospital stay.
Nearly every family that I have encountered, has also been very
appreciative, and desirous of prayer for their loved ones. In the past, I have let the interns and clinical
officers do much of the praying for patients (thinking that the families would
be more appreciative of hearing prayers in their own language). On this trip, the interns and CO’s have
deferred to me on most every occasion…when I questioned them about this, they
informed me that in their culture, prayers offered on their behalf by a foreign
doctor is seen as an honor and a tangible sign of our “oneness” in Christ. Consequently, I have been much more generous
with my prayers this trip. Sadly, I
cannot say the same about the situation in the U.S. With my American patients, I am expected to
keep my faith “out of the exam room” (in most cases), though I am certain that
this is a profound disservice to patients who are often going through some of
the most trying experiences of their lives.
We have so many resources in the West, and yet deny ourselves that which
is often most helpful to individuals going through suffering and loss.... there
is much that we could learn from our Kenyan brothers and sisters. As on past occasions, I find leaving Kenya to
be bittersweet…I am emotionally and physically spent… but spiritually
renewed. I love this place and these
people, but also miss home, and the simple pleasures of a warm and consistent
shower, the abundance in our local stores and markets, and the many choices of
excellent restaurants, entertainment options, etc. I have enjoyed the rewards of being mostly
“disconnected” from the world, spending time with my spouse, and
guesthouse-mates, and the friendships made with those that I have worked alongside
here. I will miss the closeness of relationships
in this place, but know that if it be God’s will… we will be back here again to
serve, and to make His love known to all…that He might be glorified throughout
all the earth. Marilyn and I are looking
forward to seeing each one of you again soon, even as we begin to miss our new Kenyan
friends.
With love,
Randy.
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View from the back stairs of the guesthouse apartments
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The medical ward team - Erich Langat, Victor, and Linah
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Dr. Tapley and Kiplangat
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