Now at ANU

Jambo!!! Habari?

Hello!!! How are you??? We are doing great! The past two weeks have been quite an experience. It is hard to describe what we have seen the past few days. We were in the city of Kisumu and the outlying areas. We set up clinic at different churches and schools and saw about 240 people a day. We targeted OVC (orphan and vulnerable children… program with grant from States) children and saw caregivers and their families. We did basic care and had basic meds to give them, since we didn’t have a MD. It was a joy to serve them and meet people from the rural villages, yet wish we could have done more. Jeremy and I were “pharmacists” primarily, by this we mean we gave them the meds that the nurses wrote for (very different, huh?). The roads are something to mention… they are awful and by that we mean sometimes dirt and sometimes paved, but either way they have continual pot holes. I heard that some tire companies test their tires here because they are some of the worst roads in the world! Sometimes its better if you just drive on the shoulder and off the road. And cows, goats, people, donkeys, bikes, matatus (buses/vans) and chickens cause for lots of swerving. We say this only to give you an appreciation for your curious drivers, laws, lines on roads and construction zones even.

The missionary we were with was such an encouragement to us and its great to hear how God is working through them to counsel young people here and minister to the children of Africa.

So after six long days of clinic all day we went on safari at Masi Mara Game Reserve. We saw zebra, elephants, giraffes, wildebeast (it’s the great migration and there were tons in the park!) baboons, monkeys, lions, gazelle, impala, elands, cape buffalo, hyenas, cheetah and lots of birds! It was a blast and a dream come true for Jeremy! Kristin visited a Masi village too with several from the team. Just some info they drink cow milk and blood and that’s it. We danced with them and had a jump challenge dance where you try and jump higher than the other. It was a blast and so interesting to see how they live.

We arrived at Africa Nazarene University (ANU) today and will be here for a month. The campus is beautiful and there are some amazing buildings. It has grown so much in the last few years due to much work and witness teams. We felt lost at first, but have been welcomed by many. There is even another young couple here volunteering from the States. They have been working on organizing some intramural games and we got to play softball with them tonight and eat dinner at the school cafeteria with them. Jeremy may be helping him with the sports, as well as an agriculture professor. Kristin will be in the clinic but we don’t know much yet. Tomorrow we will begin figuring out ways to serve and schedules.

We are doing well overall and have been enjoying Kenya! The missionaries kept saying we were naturals and we were adapting well. We hope so. We have loved getting to know the people and they are welcoming. For the most part. They also like to pressure you to buy their stuff. Bargaining in the market is a work out, but you walk away with stories! Its been fun and we’re learning how to get a good bargain. J

We appreciate your prayers so much. Kristin has had a sinus cold, but other than that we have stayed well and are grateful. Pray for continued health and energy. We also would appreciate your prayers surrounding relationships we build with those on campus with the students and faculty. Thank you for your prayers and love! We miss home, but are enjoying making new friends and seeing what God is doing here.

Love,

Jeremy and Kristin