August 2023 Mission Trip Episode 2

Philippians 2:1-2  "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

I can't believe it's been two weeks since we posted Episode 1 of this Mission Trip.  Time has flown by but a LOT of work has been done...and a little bit of play!  On Tuesday August 15, 2023 we had our second day of medical outreach.

As you can see, there was no shortage of people.  We were allowed to share the gospel message with them, teach them about hygiene and healthy habits, and then the fun began.

Carolyn Stuckey worked tirelessly and joyously at the first station, blood pressure checks.  It was a pleasure to witness her interactions with the patients and the girls.

Tracey Carignan-Westberg made friends of all.  Everyone loved her!

Sometimes you only needed to share a little hope.  This man was blind in one eye and losing sight slowly from what we suspected to be a cataract in the other eye.  After he had gone through all the stations, he came back to just thank us for giving him hope.  He has the national insurance and he was instructed in what to do to get the help he needed before losing his sight.

One patient was not able to walk to the outreach site so our Physician's Assistant, Brenda Gray, went to her.  We had no real help but were able to talk with her and pray with her.  

On Wednesday, we split up into two teams and traveled into the bush to visit the poor and vulnerable identified by the area chief.  All the stories were heart breaking and the conditions were unimaginable, but one story struck the hearts of the team that visited.

This is the home where a family of seven live.  The mother is a drunkard.  The oldest boy is 16 years old.  

We questioned these children a lot about their lives and how they lived.  The girls go to school because they are in primary school and the school fees are low.  One of the boys wishes to go back to school, but there is no money for that.  They stay alone all day as the mother goes into to town to drink and comes home late at night.  This is one of the cases that we will be following up on with the chief to see if anything can be done.  

On Thursday, we had a mass food distribution to the local people around Promise Springs Rescue Center.  The area is in the middle of drought and there just isn't food to be found or grown by some.   

The chief identified the most needy and food is distributed to them but this team didn't want anyone to go home with nothing.  All of these bags are full of maize and beans.  

Friday was our first day of VBS at a primary school in Wyumiririe, Kenya through association with Gospel Seekers Fellowship Church.  We shared the gospel through The Jesus Film and songs.  Crafts were done. Outside games were played and 10 young men professed their faith.

All of these children were also fed a meal.

Then all hard-working missionaries get a day off.  We went to Ol Pajeta Conservancy for a safari.  I was told once that God rewards good mission teams in Africa by blessing them with a good Safari.  We had a GREAT team and God blessed them for sure.  Their desire was to see a lion.  Some of the team had been to Kenya three times before and never had seen one.  Not this time...after driving though trees with leaves and limbs coming into the Safari vehicle, we were blessed.

With elephants against the majestic Mount Kenya.

A curious giraffe.

And the elusive lion...Oh, My!

Stay tuned for the next blog.  There is still another VBS and a farewell party leading up to the departure of the team except Ken and me.  

We thank all of you who donated to make these outreach projects possible.  You have been a member of this team even though not present here and God has touched many through your generosity and love.