Episode 1: Introducing you to some great kids that I have been spending some time with

Meet Jacquline Adoti!

Affectionately known as "Adoti" or "Dot" this little girl lives at Sister Freda's Cottage Hospital. She has the sweetest smile that lights up her face and she is the most gorgeous little girl. She doesn't speak much, but as she feels accepted and comfortable she opens up.

The exact details of her life story before living at the hospital aren't known but we do know that she lived in Kipsongo with her mother. Her mother is an alcoholic and severely neglected Adoti. She is smaller than a 2-year old child but in reality she is around the age of 4. Sister Freda first saw Adoti when she was doing a medical clinic at Kipsongo. Many times Sister Freda had to take Adoti to the hospital to treat her for numerous illnesses. About a year ago Sister Freda found Adoti laying in the mud, abandoned by her mother. Freda did not think that Adoti would survive the 15 minute drive to the hospital. By the grace of God, Adoti has been recovering for the past year and getting healthier. She is very far behind developmentally but she is making so much progress.

I alsolutely love this little girl and you will be seeing many pictures of her and I in future posts!

1 month down and 2 more to savor!

The past month that I have been in Kitale has been quite an experience! I have seen some of the most beautiful landscape and not 10 minutes later witnessed some of the most terrible living circumstances.

As I look back at the past month, I am overjoyed at the experiences that God has blessed me with. Day to day, we go out and serve at our chosen places of ministry but at night we come back to Pastor Steve’s compound and eat dinner and share about events that happened throughout the day and enjoy each others company! We have a great group out here that seems like it is constantly adding and subtracting members but still seems to get along great!

As most of you know I love medical missions!  Last week we were able to conduct 4 medical clinics in Kitale and the surrounding areas.  It’s incredible to see Sister Freda work- she inspires me to be a kind and caring medical professional. The other day Sister Freda and I spent some time together with a little baby named Anna.  I met little 9-month old Anna my first day at the hospital.  Then she was suffering from severe tuberculosis. Anna was incredibly emaciated and about the size of a newborn baby. My heart broke watching this little baby struggling to breathe. A month and a half later she is recovering and finally putting on some weight.  Its been incredible seeing the changes in her personality and body.  She has no teeth but her huge smile of just gums is contagious!  Sister Freda and I worked with her on holding her head up and sitting up.  Yes, she is 9-months old and cannot hold up her own head. Developmentally she is very behind but already Freda can tell that she has a very high IQ.  

Many of the things I see here are very hard to rationalize and process. Sometimes it’s the medical emergencies at the clinics that impact me but overall it’s the tragedies that are the realities of these people’s lives. My worldview is changing and I hope that I don’t lose any of the insight that I have gained thus far.

You can also check out kitaleleadershipinstitute.blogspot.com to follow some of us crazy kids out here!

Day 21 (Already?)

I have been in Kitale for 3 weekes as of today! I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? I feel as if I have only been here a few days, but when I think back to the flight from LAX it seems like ages ago. My week currently consists of working at Sister Freda's Medical center Monday-Wednesday. I help out in the pharmacy, caring for patients, and when there is nothing to do at the hospital I hang out with the children that live there full time under the care of 2 women that were hired by Sister Freda. Those children light up my day and I care for all of them so much already! On thursday, Ashley and I conduct art classes for the Street kid drop-in center where they have 3 levels of classes. We love spending time with those kids, they are all so sweet! Fridays are pool days! Richard(Freda's husband) picks up the 6 kids that stay at Freda's Center and we teach swim lessons and play in the pool for hours with the kids. We enjoy that so much and the kids do as well!
I am having the time of my life here and I am so glad that I can share it with you! More posts will be coming soon-hopefully!

AFRICAN SUMMER!

Kenya is awesome! I love Kitale and I am having a great time serving here. I can't wait until I can post some pictures and more stories(This will happen once we get internet at the compound)