Kenyan Health Care workers

Let me introduce you to the graduated Health Care workers from Kenya, trained by Medical Mercy:
Peter, David, Reuben, Shadrack, Boniface, Jackson, Ruth, Wilson, Nuru, Priscilla, Simon, Pastor Daniel, Nathaniel, Esther, Elvis, Joyce and Josphat.
Well done and congratulations!!
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya Medical Mission Final Thoughts

As it began, so it ended. With excitement and gracious giving we finished 5 days of clinics in Kenya seeing 1476 patients and completing the training of 17 Health Care workers. And this morning I had breakfast with Pastor Daniel, one of the HCWs we trained and who is the pastor of a community where we have about 200 sponsored children. He affirmed that what we did here this week is God given, and God driven.

I came to Kenya 1 year ago exactly to give a 1 week course to these pastors and teachers that worked with us this week. It was the first part of a 2 week program I developed several years ago to train them to be Health Care workers. To be able to recognize a sick child, start basic treatment, and know when to transfer to an advanced health care facility.. This week was the second week of their training, their “practical” or “skills” training, where they actually worked with us seeing patients and putting into practice what they learned in class. The training was intense. The learning curve steep. The excitement and the commitment of the HCWs solid. The US medical team members (Lara, Melissa, Sarah, Heather, Deanna, Aimee, Anne, Glenda, Stephan, Michael, Kelly, Sue) were instrumental in the success of the program. They worked tirelessly, teaching patiently and  slowly, taking time to explain what the HCWs were seeing. By the end of the week, the HCWs were seeing patients on their own. They also learned how to dispense medications, and to do a nutritional assessment. Last night, we had a graduation dinner and ceremony, handing out their certificates and each received a medical bag filled with medical supplies and medicines that they were now going to use in their projects. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful week. Pastor Daniel shared with me this morning that he saved a woman’s life a few months ago because  he had learned the Heimlich maneuver last year in the course. He had in turn taught it to his community members, and 2 of  them had used it on family members who were choking on food. Pastor Daniel said that he and the other HCWs stayed up late last night and talked about all that they had learned and did this week. He shared that many of the parents of the children seen this week were touched by the fact that one of their own, their community pastors and teachers, were giving of themselves to help others in ways that were never expected. The patients and parents were comforted by the fact that the hands that were touching them, were hands that were known to them and part of their culture. Pastor Daniel said it finally made sense to him and the other HCWs what I have been sharing with them all this week: the most powerful tool or medicine that they will bring to their patients is themselves. Affirmation given that what we did was blessed and bountiful. The children of MoM are better for it. The villages and the communities are better for it.

What is it that brings us back to countries like Kenya? What is it that brings us to a place of humility in our hearts when we see what we have and what we are blessed with, and how we are sometimes not good stewards of our given gifts? For me it is the realization that all that I have is meaningless unless it is used for a greater purpose. The purpose for which it was given: to serve and to be His light. We did that this week. There is no greater reward than to give and know that it is given freely without need for anything in return. The great irony in it all is that I do so more readily in the countries we go to, than I do in the US. Hypocritical yes. But I am trying to do better, and openly confess my shortcomings. This week, being with the forgotten children and the HCWs have shown me once again, that I am not really all that I make myself out to be. Being humbled is a hard taskmaster and one that I am not very good at, but I am getting more used to it.

So how about you? I trust that the gifts and talents given you are well used and freely given. Look in the mirror with me. Do you see “what” you are, or do you see “who” you are?  You may be surprised.

In all things give thanks,

David                             

Kenya clinic day 4

And so it began. We stopped to buy more meds, having run out of some that we expected would be needed where we were going, and we were right. Over 200 patients later, we were glad we did.
Greeted by singing children, we expected an easy day of it. It was for the most part. A minor emergency here, a procedure or 2 there, and patients lined up for what looked like blocks, kept us busy. The HCWs became more comfortable with their roles as servants to those who came to them for help. They became comfortable with their physical examination skills.
The US team has been remarkable. Each a teacher, bringing with them their experience and knowledge, freely shared.
There are many things in this world that gives us satisfaction. Being in the countries MoM serve, caring for the children, teaching HCWs who will stay on and make a difference in the children's lives, and serving Him, is satisfaction guaranteed. I can think of no better way to live my life.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya thoughts

A different type of entry this time. Sleeping can wax and wane, then receding into wakefulness for hours. All this may be due to jet lag, or just a sense of searching for questions asked. We're here after months of planning, the date set a year ago, a lot of coordinating, emailing, purchasing, and organizing. Kelly has lead the charge in all of that and has shined through once again.

Now here's the issue. When we arrive in places like Kenya, how do we center ourselves on what is important, or more importantly who is important. Prayer, being ever vigilant of whose we are and why we are here, and obedience to a calling. Medical Mercy is about all of that. Do we do a good job of it? I would think we do. So here's the question. When we go back to the US, we have our families, friends, jobs, activities, hobbies, and everything that we put into our lives to make ourselves happy. There it is: "Make us happy". What would it be like if we went back home with the same mind set that we have here, obedience, giving, charity, kindness, love and grace...all the time, never ending, always present. Being here in Kenya is bringing out the best in us. It feels nice and warm, heart filling and rewarding. We head off to another clinic in a few hours. We'll feel loved and will love back, caring for those less fortunate. I wonder, just wonder, if I am like that all the time in the US. Silly me. I'm not. And that is what keeps me awake. Trying to understand how easy is to be so wonderfully giving to the children and families we see in the countries we travel to, and how hard it is to do the same in the US. I say all this out of open confession. I am not always who I want to be. These trips do however reinforce the fact that I am perhaps a little better because of them. Humility remains paramount in my life. For without Him, I am only who I think I am and not what He has made me. All that said, maybe I can catch a bit of sleep now.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya clinic day 3

A much better day. Really. Almost 300 patients today, all outside with the wind blowing and the tarps a'flying. The clinic ran smoothly, the HCWs made significant progress, and all was good in the world. We were gifted with traditional Kenyan ware and with love from the children. I'll say it again. A wonderful day serving those who asked for nothing, except acceptance and love. Short message tonight. Time to recuperate.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya clinic day 2

Sometimes, things just don't seem fair. And today was one of those days. We saw just over 200 patients, in a village far from any paved road, about an hour and a half outside of Malindi. It was remote, a few mud huts and a lot of vegetation. The Kenyan HCWs and the US medical team worked together seeing patients, with light drizzles of rain and bursts of sunshine taking turns throughout the day. We saw lots of malnutrition and a host of other diseases, and we all agreed that the children we saw today were sicker than those we saw yesterday. There was also a clear difference between the health of the sponsored children and those who weren't sponsored. The sponsored children were sick, but the others were much sicker. Gives some affirmation that what MoM does for their children gives them at least a much better chance at life. And so what about this "life isn't fair" issue? Without getting into details, we saw 2 children who had significant medical issues which could have been addressed and the children made better, but due to circumstances, they were not going to be able to be helped. They were un-sponsored children with complex medical issues that would involve a great deal of resources, time and commitment. The sadness of it all was that if done right, both would be able to go on and life better lives. We struggled with the questions of should we jump in and start the process of diagnostic tests, referrals to specialists, and recommending advanced medical care, or leave well enough alone, knowing that unless we did this right and committing to see it through all the way (years of specialized medical care, etc), we were only giving false hope for a better tomorrow. To start a process and then abandon it half way through just doesn't make sense and just should not happen. There is a right and best way to do things. And the right and best thing to do here was to leave well enough alone. Sounds cold and uncaring doesn't it. But here's the question I pose of you: would you have done anything different and if so would you have been able to make a 100% guarantee of full commitment? Because if you couldn't, that child living in the bush of Kenya, will be waiting for the promise of cure and a better life, becoming more and more disillusioned with life than he was before. There is nothing more heart breaking than a broken heart from a broken promise. So we decided as we did and that is the reality of third world medicine. There are just some things we just can't do. You turn away and hope that they don't see the tears in your eyes. Life isn't fair is it. Today was bitter sweet. We helped a lot of children, were gifted with colorful T-shirts from the village and walked away from 2 who needed more than we could give. And I'm so sorry for that. Can 2 children with very special needs find it in their hearts to forgive? I hope so.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya clinic day 2

Sometimes, things just don't seem fair. And today was one of those days. We saw just over 200 patients, in a village far from any paved road, about an hour and a half outside of Malindi. It was remote, a few mud huts and a lot of vegetation. The Kenyan HCWs and the US medical team worked together seeing patients, with light drizzles of rain and bursts of sunshine taking turns throughout the day. We saw lots of malnutrition and a host of other diseases, and we all agreed that the children we saw today were sicker than those we saw yesterday. There was also a clear difference between the health of the sponsored children and those who weren't sponsored. The sponsored children were sick, but the others were much sicker. Gives some affirmation that what MoM does for their children gives them at least a much better chance at life. And so what about this "life isn't fair" issue? Without getting into details, we saw 2 children who had significant medical issues which could have been addressed and the children made better, but due to circumstances, they were not going to be able to be helped. They were un-sponsored children with complex medical issues that would involve a great deal of resources, time and commitment. The sadness of it all was that if done right, both would be able to go on and life better lives. We struggled with the questions of should we jump in and start the process of diagnostic tests, referrals to specialists, and recommending advanced medical care, or leave well enough alone, knowing that unless we did this right and committing to see it through all the way (years of specialized medical care, etc), we were only giving false hope for a better tomorrow. To start a process and then abandon it half way through just doesn't make sense and just should not happen. There is a right and best way to do things. And the right and best thing to do here was to leave well enough alone. Sounds cold and uncaring doesn't it. But here's the question I pose of you: would you have done anything different and if so would you have been able to make a 100% guarantee of full commitment? Because if you couldn't, that child living in the bush of Kenya, will be waiting for the promise of cure and a better life, becoming more and more disillusioned with life than he was before. There is nothing more heart breaking than a broken heart from a broken promise. So we decided as we did and that is the reality of third world medicine. There are just some things we just can't do. You turn away and hope that they don't see the tears in your eyes. Life isn't fair is it. Today was bitter sweet. We helped a lot of children and walked away from 2 who needed more than we could give. And I'm so sorry for that. Can 2 children with very special needs find it in their hearts to forgive? I hope so. I'm asking for it.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya day 1 clinic

Amazing day. About 1.5 hrs out of Malindi, all dirt roads, we set up a clinic, examined patients (almost 300) outside under a tent canopy, and dispensed pharmacy from a mud building. The HCWs worked with us, using what they had been taught in class, and seeing patients. We weighed and assessed the nutritional status of every child we saw, identifying 50% of the children we saw as malnourished. The usual diseases, malaria, pneumonia, skin rashes, TB, a few suspected cases of HIV, and parasites, made up the most of what we saw. Children got a meal of rice and beans at mid-day, and off they went. The afternoon clinic was much the same. Another day of practicing medicine in Kenya. So different that what I was doing just a few days ago in the US. Taking care of severely ill and injured children in a 10 million dollar pediatric intensive care unit, with everything I needed. Today, it's dirt and sand, medicines out of boxes and baggies, a generator driving a computer we're using to input the nutritional assessment data, mud huts, mosquitoes, no bathrooms, children who haven't seen a doctor ever, and the life expectancy of these children of about 35 years. Go figure. Is one place better than the other? Of course the technology and the immediate availability of things needed that I have in the US would trump what we have now. Not so. What we have here is not always available in the US. Acts of giving with wanting nothing in return. Covenant relationships. No insurance forms, no billing, no co-pays. Just agape. The act of giving love without need for anything in return. The HCWs are showing it. Their first time holding the hand of a patient who has come to them for help. And they have taken that hand and held on tight. Unafraid, graciously and caring. It is so wonderful to see. We will leave behind a group of dedicated teachers and pastors who have accepted the role of caring healer openly and selflessly. It's really has been an amazing day.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya Day 1

We arrived in Malindi and went right into teaching the review course for the Health Care workers. 4 hours of lectures and practicing physical examination skills. We're all tired. Clinics start tomorrow. More tomorrow. We all can barely stay awake.
In all things give thanks,
David
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kenya arrival

We made it to Nairobi. Midnight here. 1000 lbs of medicines and suitcases and team members. 1 suitcase and 1 med box lost. Sleep for a few hours then catch a plane to Malindi. We have just begun.
In all things give thanks,
David

Kenya: August 20-39, 2010 - -It begins.

Somewhere, there are children who haven’t really had a good night’s sleep, possibly because they are hungry, sick, alone, or scared. And that somewhere could be anywhere. The US, Europe, southeast Asia, and Africa. Tomorrow, Medical Mercy leaves for Kenya to be with those children. It’s been an interesting process. The team came together, a few had to drop out, medications ordered, some didn’t arrive, 100,000 vitamins are tied up in shipping somewhere here in the US, we found 100,000 vitamins in Kenya that we are purchasing last minute, we found out that extra luggage will cost a lot of money, flight connections coming home are tight, we hired a truck to take all our stuff from Nairobi to Malindi due to the small aircraft that we’ll be flying with that truck driving 10 hours to get stuff to us on time to start clinics (hopefully), packing over 6000 unit doses of prescriptions, preparing for 5 hours of lectures to be given to the Health Care Workers for review, and…the list goes on. But, is all that important? Not really, because from where I sit, the team that is going, has everything they need. Him. I have always said that the most powerful tool, the most powerful medicine that we bring to the bedsides as caring healers is…ourselves, and what we have in our hearts. Grace, compassion, empathy, understanding, trust, integrity, and love. We are silent servants taking hold of the hands that have reached out to us for help. We leave tomorrow. We’re privileged to be able to go and hold those hands.
In all things give thanks,
David

Kenya Medical: August 20-29, 2010

I just heard the news. Medical missionaries killed in Afghanistan, reasons given by the murderers: evangelism. So very far from the truth. So very far from any understanding of how such hatred can make people do what they do.  But so it is. We, team members of Medical Mercy, have found ourselves on some occasions (Cambodia, Egypt, Mozambique, Haiti), falling within the boundaries of such hatred, within the boundaries of danger, but thankfully protected by common sense, trust, planned security, preparation of the team with clear instructions for evacuation, code words to be used, and faith. Yes, faith. No different than the medical missionaries who were murdered.  And so how is it different for us? It isn’t really. We open ourselves up to danger, understanding that it is there, praying that it doesn't happen, and thankful for when it doesn’t. I make every effort to make sure the team is safe and protected. Many of the members on trips have seen  that. Many too, are unaware of what is happening behind the scenes, without their knowledge, to keep us safe. And yet, even with all that, anything can happen.

With all that, we depart for Kenya August 20th. Right now the team stands at 14 members. The team members are caring souls, who give of themselves to serve others. We will be working along side the 16 Kenyan teachers and pastors who I trained last year  to be Health Care workers. We will be seeing over 2000 patients in 5 days. We will be traveling to the coastal area of Kenya, Malindi,  going to more than 8 projects, all of which are desolate, isolated, poverty stricken, and burdened with disease. Over 1200 forgotten children. Forgotten for now, but not for long. We’ll be there to make sure that they are given every chance to live a long and cherished life.

This will be quite a journey. Just wait and see.

In all things give thanks,

David