Keith's Journal December 2006

dec

Dec 1 Sharon accompanied us to meet with Dr. Dogra yesterday and the Brucellosis results came back at 1/80 and then down to 1/40. So it seems that this is not the source of Ellen’s problem. Dr. Dogra ordered some more blood work which included some different test and has set a Monday morning follow-up. If there is no clear indication from these tests he is going send Ellen to a Tropical Medicine Specialist. Dr. Dogra stated he believes there is something physically wrong with Ellen that is not stress or depression related. She has an inflamed spleen, enlarged lymph’s in neck and under her arms. She continues to run mild/low fevers and has a lot of joint pains and now is having head aches and neck pain. She is very tired and now usually needs to rest in the morning and afternoon. Positive note from the doctor’s visit is she has managed to gain back 2 of the 10 pounds she lost, since we came to Nairobi. After the doctors appointments we meet with Kevin and Sharon and discussed the situation and options. At his point while we are not happy with the lack of a diagnosis we all feel comfortable with Dr. Dogra’s plan. Dr. Dogra did not release Ellen to return to Shirati, he did release everyone else. After much discussion it was decided Keith will take a night bus to Shirati on Monday Dec 4. Ellen will stay at the Guest house and the kids will go to our friends the Gandi’s. I will return to Nairobi on Dec 18 and the Hummel family will attend the annual Mennonite retreat. This schedule will allow Ellen to continue to have follow medical work done without child care responsibility and will allow Keith to meet deadlines for projects at Shirati. This plan is of course subject to change based on Monday morning’s doctor’s report.
The Gandi’s have loaned us a cell phone for Ellen to use when I return to Shirati. The number is 245 734756051

Late in the afternoon I took Leah, Alex and Gerry out to Limuru for the wedding rehersal for Sam and Betitirse wedding. I stopped at the gas station to fill up on the way. As the attendent started pumping desiel I went to get my wallet out. I found I had left it at the Guest house. Luckly I had some cash in my pocket anoungh to pay for what was already in the tnk. We had to go back to the guest house to get my wallet and pass port etc. We were suppose to be there by 4. We ended up getting the at 4:15 and were the second people there. I should have know it would be on African time. S & B came around 5:30 and the rehersal started about 6. The kid were not happy. It was cold and rainy. They had to learn the dance that everyone was to do coming down the ilse and it got changed several times. They were also hungry since we thought everything would be done by six. The grooms nearly revolted at constant changes in order and steps. Things finally wound down around 7 and we headed back to Nairobi. The rehersal was nice because we got to see a lot of people from Brackenhurst language school. Many of the staff and language tutors were in the wedding since that is where B works. Kids and I went to the Sairt center for dinner everyone picked something different from the food court. We got back and Ellen had gotten a lot of rest.

Dec. 2
Sams wedding

Dec. 3
Hymn sing, Sue Evens, basket ball with Gerry, Christmas fair with Ellen and Gerry, Kids to Yoders for ice cream, Ellen and I diner at the Meditratanion. Talked about life and what would make us happy

Dec 4
D. Dogra, results, referal to Dr. Saga, Ellens CT scan. Sick etc. Ellen ask me not to go back to Shirati and leave her alone

Dec 5.
I had to go down to Nyaha House to get our visas extended. This went pretty well. Then I had t go over to Times Tower to get the car importatin extended. This was about a ten minute walk. The differenc ebetween the two buildings was amazing. Nyha house is all visa and imigratin related. Times Towers is the revenue authority, taxes customes etc. At Nayha house yo just walk in no security. At Times Towers you have to wait on the sstreet and then pass through a security screening check point where everyone has to be swept with a metal detector. Then you have to check in with security and get a pass, you have to leave your passport or idenity card if you are Kenyan. Then you go throug another round of security. It was a little unerving.

Riot police and army guards. I walked right though the middle of it. Well actually down the middle of the sreet. All the demonstartions were going on on the sidewalks. The riot gurds and army weresweeping people down the side walks I was caught up in it but quickly decided the street with the cars was better than running with the crowd. It was an interesting walk after the police and army folks were past me. The street was empty. When I got to the end of the street and went to turn on the next street two bi army trucks pulled up. Being a forienger really helps at times like this. I just kept walking not much I could do. I even had the nerve to wave at the guys. Anyway the street I turn on was were all the action had taken place. There were shot gun shells every whereand a couple more army trucks. I considered picking up a few shells but thought better of it. One of my more inteligent decissions of the day. There was a large group of militry at the other end of the street holding back reporters and the on lookers. So there I was walking down this street totally alone. There was no one else on the street. I got to the other end and the army folks parted and let me through. Post script. The events of the morning were Front page of all the papers. The Nation had 4 pages of pictures. Now of me. I think that is good?

From Ellen
Hello everyone. I hope this finds you in good health!!!

HEALTH UPDATE:

My health issue saga continues with less clarity than when it began a month ago
Went to the doc’s again this morning and now we are back to square 1 again!!! The brucella levels leveled out last week and dropped this week. This is good and bad. Good from the standpoint that my body has been able to fight that one off, and good that I don’t need the nasty treatment for it, but bad that something is definitely going on and no one knows what it is. I had to get more blood work done today and I go back to the doc’s again on Monday. He said that if he is unable to figure things out then, he will refer me to some specialists. Keith asked him if I can go back to TZ on Sunday and the doc gave an emphatic “no”. We had a long meeting with Kevin and Sharon afterwards and all agreed that it’s very frustrating not to have answers, but maybe the Lord is testing my patience (exactly how many more lessons in patience do I need??? I thought I was a pretty patient person to begin with!!!). When the doc told me today that it is not brucellosis, I almost cried!!! It has been a number of weeks, a lot of tests, a lot of being stuck in limbo, and a lot of aches, pains and fatigue with no answers. Keith will be returning to Shirati for a couple of weeks, the kids will be staying with friends, and I will remain at the Guest House for who knows how long. Perhaps Monday will bring more information as to what to do next. I’ll keep you updated.

AFRICAN EXPERIENCES THIS WEEK:

The other day we went to the TOI market which is several blocks of used clothing for sale. Much of it is from the US. I always wondered where places like Goodwill and thrift stores sent the stuff they don’t sell. Well, I have found one of the places. There are usually Goodwill tags or thrift store tags still on many of the things. I guess the Kenyans buy this stuff somewhere and then turn around and sell it to the public. I have yet to feel comfortable enough to ask one of the vendors how this works. Anyway, this is the second time I have gone and I love it!!!! I miss thrift shopping so much and I just can’t justify paying expensive wazungu (white folks) prices for new things. Wal-mart type stuff here is like the price of brand name items at home. I was looking for shoes for Leah for the wedding and had walked many blocks in the mud, bumping and slipping and dragging Leah along (who was whining “why can’t I buy those new shoes in the store?”) and finally I spotted a good pair. It was quite a challenge for her to try them on…we are out in an alley that is wet, slippery and muddy, people everywhere. The guy put her up on the table on top of all the shoes, carefully removed her muddy sandals, put the new shoes on, put a small piece of plastic on the ground so she could stand up and this was the way it was done. Of course she loved them as they have some sparkly stuff on them which will match her wedding-party dress perfectly. We bargained on the price and paid $5 for them. They are actually not used but new. The guy carefully got Leah’s yucky sandals on again and we were off, very satisfied customers. About 10 feet down the crowded alley, Leah completely wiped out in the mud…head to toe, her dress soaked in mud. She started crying, heck I almost cried I felt so bad for her. I tried to wipe some of the mud off with the plastic bag that the new shoes were in which was not at all effective!!!! Luckily after we walked a bit we found a guy with some water and a sponge who cleaned her up ok. Thank the Lord for unexpected blessings.

I had to force Gerry to get some new clothes. He wears the same shirt (of which he has 2 duplicates) and same 2 pairs of shorts every day and it is driving me nuts. The holes have been patched and re-patched and now are too numerous to mend. Luckily after several unsuccessful attempts, I spotted a nice shirt which is THE COLOR, that greenish brown that matches the color of his eyes. This is Gerry’s COLOR and we must not deviate from it. Thank the Lord that someone had chosen to sell that particular shirt that day. Gerry was still not happy to buy the shirt, but I knew it would grow on him. Last night he actually admitted that he was starting to like it and he is wearing it again today…a sure sign of Gerry’s approval!!! What a funny child. The shorts were less successful purchases and they will remain unused until the day his other 2 favorites mysteriously disappear forever…a day which is approaching quickly.

MY SOAP BOX

As we were leaving the TOI market, a little boy was begging for money. At first I said no and blew him off because I was haggling over a price with a vendor. A few minutes later I saw him again and noticed his ragged clothing and shoes which were so worn through they barely covered his feet. I went up to him and told him I wanted to get him some food. His face lit up and he ran to the duka (shop) which sold bread. I bought him a loaf and a container of milk. He was so happy. He ran off and Keith and I watched him as we left the market. I still had my doubts as the skeptical side of me thought he would try to re-sell these things for money to buy glue to sniff, which is a big problem here. We saw him go behind a car and share his food with his family!!! My heart screams with mixed, conflicting emotions. I am angry that this child has to live this way. It is not his fault, but whose is it??? I am angry that I come from a culture of excess. Some folks acknowledge it, most don’t; most don’t care…but no one wants to change. Whose fault is it??? I don’t blame my fellow Americans for the lives they live. I am just as guilty if not more so than most as we have a beautiful farm and we left a very comfortable salary/lifestyle. We live the life we know and I don’t see that as anyone’s fault, but on the other hand I do not see many people from home who really WANT to know what life is like for other people and what they can do to help them. It is like people are so caught up in this cycle of work / busy-ness / buy-a-bunch-of-stuff-that-we-really-don’t-need-that-still-doesn’t-make-us-happy thing that just goes round and round. I am very sad for people. I am sad for those here that suffer from poverty and sickness, but yet these people seem happier than those at home. Maybe it is because they are truly thankful for each day. I am also sad for people at home because there is no one that comes to my mind as a truly happy person. Sure, I know many that are satisfied with life, but I can not think of anyone that when I look at them I just know they are happy. Perhaps we put too many conditions on our happiness and forget that life whether good or bad is reason enough itself for happiness. We are too caught up in all this “stuff” to notice. I have even gone so far to think today that God has put me in a position to reach many people in Africa and at home, why? I may never know, but maybe it is to touch just one life that will help bridge this huge gap. Maybe, just maybe, someone out there will read something I write or listen to a story I tell and decide to change something in their own life for the better. I have gone even farther to think today that maybe this extended period of sickness/diagnosis, etc for me is a way for me to quiet all the other distracting “stuff” going on and perhaps spend some time meditating on ways to effectively “touch” people at home. At some point, we are coming home sometime to do a speaking tour for the Shirati Hospital, but what if it is supposed to be much broader than that?? I can only do what I feel is what the Lord wants me to do. Unfortunately, the Lord never calls me directly on the cell-phone. I wish I had clearer instructions. Who knows??? My soap box issues of the week.

Much love to you!

Ellen


Dec 10
Church was great today. The songs just brought joy to my heart. Of course the service and songs were in Engish which makes a big difference. The sermon gave me real pause to think about myself and how we as a family and I personally are using God’s gifts. God gave me specific talents, creativity and skills and he wants me to use them. The pastor tlked about not fullfiling God’s purpose. I had felt good about my time in Shirati. A lot has been acmplished there but I have this deep sense that God expects much more from me before I return to America. I clearly sense he does not want me to stay in Shirati but rather my sense is he wants me to do something on a larger scale to help a larger larger group of people. Maybe it is just my ego that desires this but I keep feeling the same tug as I work at dicernment. I have been approached with several potential offers to run hospitals or start up hospitals. One is in Afganistan and it really tugs at my heart. This country has been through so much and I could do so much there. However it is a very turbulent and dangerous place so how could I take the family there. But then I hear God’s voice and I am with you. You are my child, go where I ask and I will bless you. God does not promise us a life free from pain, sorrow or free from bad things. Instead he promises he will walk with us providing for us according to his needs and plans. So what if it is God’s purpose for my life that I go to Afganistan and I choose not to out of fear. What will I have lost? What could God have done through me. How often have I taken the easy road in life. How often has God been disappointed with me even though I am living a good christian life and following Jesus. Does’t God want and expect my best not just my ordinary regular everyday getting by on the least possible effort and still meeting the rules.

Dec 18
Well today was the highlight of my 1 ½ in Africa working with the leadership team. Today 6 US Emabassy folks and 5 Tanzanian Governmentt officials came to visit Shirati to review the Airstrip proposal and other needs at the hospital. They were an hour late because they miss judged the time from Musoma to Shirati. They could not believe how far and remote we were. Birai, Maira, Andrew and Ogoya kicked some serious ass. They were assome and again clearly demonstarted their capability to lead Shirati Hospital. Birai and Maira lead the meeting, I was actually not at the table but over in the corner due to space limitations. I had worked with Biari to keep the meeting as brief and as American as possible. He did an excellent job. Larry Richardson who we met in Dar was there with his BOSS Laura (Lt Cornal) who is in charge of the entire attache department. Larry remembered Birai from the Dar meeting(but not me, which was a great sign to me that I did not talk to much during that meeting) and they had good exchange. Laura and Birai did most of the talking. We then went to the airstrip and spent about ½ hour looking at the project. God was really with us. I had told Biari to get someone to take their cows down to the airstrip in the morning but he could not find anyone. Well as we drove around the corner the strip was filled with cows, goats and sheep. Biria and I looked at each other and smiled it was one of those throw yor hands in the air and shout for joy. Laura was riding in the car with us and she ask what the planes do when this happens. Ogoya was driving and said well Friday when the Flying Doctors came the plane had to circle the field three times while the hospital guard cleared the field. Laura said you need a fence aound the field. The rest is history. The fields was flooded from all the rain this weekend ant one of the cruisers almst got stuck.. The embassy had brought an Army Corps engineer to look at the project. Ogoya and the engineer walked and drove most of the runway. Birai and Maira talked with Larry and Laura. I was extremely quite. Birai told me after the meeting I only interjected three times anther great sign. As the discussion progressed they became more and more excited about the project. We told them this was our third priority behind the water project and hospital renovations. The engineer said the budget was not enough to do the project . Birai explained that the budget we submitted was a minimal bugdet because it is only our third priority and that the orginal budget we got for the airstrip included a lot more. The contractor that prepared the quotes was there so they talked to him. They ask for a copy of the larger proposal. While they are making no promises they told us their plan is to sell this as a training project for the corp of engineers. They want to put in a longer runway and pave it put a fence and small building up. We went back to the hospital had drinks and light food talked a little more abut the project gave them the water syatem and hospital renovation proposals and reminded them the runway was at the bottom of the hospital priority list. Birai told me as he and Laura were walking to the car she told him she would be back and they are goingto do something for the hospital. Finally the TZ gvernment officials had brought Star TV along. We thought it was just the Regional commissioners office recording the visit. At the runway they interviewed Dr. Maira and in the office they filmed Birai. At the end of the meeting we were told there will be a segment tonight or tomorrow on the national news. First time anyone from the hospital has been on national TV.
Today, the staff (not just the leadership team) was shining; I could see the pride and sense of accomplishment in them. The only sad part of the day was after the meeting as we debriefed they asked me why I did not have anything negative to say about the meeting. I told them because the meeting went great and you guys did an outstanding job. Their response was missionaries always have something negative to say they don’t think we can do thing ourselves. You are so different. It was just a downer to hear that statement again. We really need to change the message we are sending to the people we are here to serve.