Happy 2017 to everyone!
I know most of you knew that I was going to try to write a daily journal. However, it has been quite busy here and I will fill you in on the highlights of the last few weeks.
December 13 and 14 were special days. Several people had donated things that they wanted to be given to the work of God here in Kenya. We wanted to give a gift to each family in the churches too. So with money that was donated, we bought sugar, tea leaves, flour, salt, cooking oil, and rice. We went to the churches where a message was given to each one.
“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; Naked and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me.’
Matthew 25:34–36, 40
And the King shall answer and say unto them,‘ Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.’”
The people were very grateful and said that they have been shown Jesus in a whole new way than ever before. The Word of God was not only preached, but food was given to each family and some clothes were handed out to each person as well. Mothers of young children were very happy to dress their children in new clothes and shoes. The joy on people’s faces could only come from Jesus’ love to them. To those of you who donated these items, I want to extend a huge thank-you on behalf of the Kenyans for allowing God to use you to help share His love with those who don’t have as many of the physical blessings most of us take for granted! They pray God would bless each of you richly!
December 16, 2016
We went to buy the medicines and supplies for the mobile clinic that we were going to hold. Because it was several boxes, we took them to the location of the mobile clinic on December 17, 2016. It was about a 3-hour drive to the mobile clinic location in the rocky terrain of western Kenya. There are absolutely HUGE rocks scattered over the country side. It was a beautiful day, and we were able to get the “pharmacy” room all set up, ready for the first day of the mobile clinic on Tuesday, December 20, 2016.
We returned home and received word in the morning that a lot of things happened that we were not expecting. Someone had broken into the place where the medications were. (When we got there on the 19th we found out that none had been taken, praise God!) The burglar also beat up the watchman. At the pastor’s house where we stay, the pregnant sheep was also found missing in the morning. Each person had a lot of different emotions upon hearing this news.
As I reflected on the previous clinics we have held, each time there was something major incident that happened before. Before the clinic last January, I had broken my foot and was unable to walk well for several days. Many men of God told us God was doing something great and Satan fights hard to stop the work of God. So this time, yes, I was sad and wondered “what next?” but I also knew that this mobile clinic is the will of God, and Satan was just getting upset and was fighting us.
So that Sunday just like any other Sunday, we went to worship God with other believers. It was a blessing to go to the house of God in the middle of sugar cane fields and worship and praise our Father in the midst of this trial. This is something God has been teaching me and is patient as I continue to learn.
December 19, 2016
After hearing about the “pharmacy” being broken into and not knowing if the medication was gone, we knew we had to purchase more medications for the mobile clinic. In a situation like this, we just pray and hope we have enough medications to help the people God brings. On the way home, we picked up the team who was going with us to help…two nurses, a lab technician, and a pastor. We picked up a few more things at home, and then we were on our way. We took the remaining medications, food supplies, drinking water, and more supplies for the next few days.
The mobile clinic was held December 20 to 22. Those days were filled with a lot of activity, serving a wide range of ages and people with a variety of health conditions. There are some patients that stand out in my mind.
At the last mobile clinic, a very young baby was brought in who had not had a bowel movement in about 3 weeks. We bought special medication for him, and after 3 doses, on the last day of the clinic in the evening, the mother brought back the baby and said he had a bowel movement! Everyone was praising God for what He had done. The mother came back this year, and I was able to see the baby was a fairly healthy little boy. I was very excited to see him! The mother kept telling me how grateful she was for the help she and her baby had received.
Another situation from the last mobile clinic was a young girl who was seven months pregnant from rape. She was very sick, and her situation touched our hearts deeply. She also came back this time and was very happy when she saw us. We were filled with so much joy when we saw her and her precious baby! God had definitely done a work in her and her baby’s life that kept them up to now. We praise God for His work!
There were several children who were brought who had very high fevers from malaria. One child in particular was shaking a lot from the fever and pain. We immediately administered some pain and fever reducer and antimalarial medication. The child went out and lay on the grass in the sun. This child was about five-years-old. I went out there, after helping another patient, to check on her. She was still shaking a lot, and it hurt my heart to see her in so much pain from the malaria that was overtaking her little body. I put my hands on her and started praying that there would be calm and the pain would be taken away in the Name of Jesus. After being with her a couple minutes and praying over her, she got calm and she was able to rest much better. Praise Jesus!
One morning when I walked to the clinic, I found a young boy—about four-years-old—crying and writhing in pain. I talked with his mother, and she explained his stomach was hurting. Again I felt led to pray for this precious boy. I laid my hand on his stomach and started praying for the pain to go away from him. After a short time, he was not writhing in pain as before. We also gave him some medication for his stomach and pain. I could tell Jesus had also touched him, and we were so grateful!
There were many children and adults who came with large wounds from various sources. One middle-aged woman said she had stepped on a thorn several years ago and it had affected her foot. Now one foot was about 3 times the size of her other foot. There was a large deep hole in her heel, and the flesh was visibly rotting away. It was very sad. She was a beautiful woman who had a “lame” foot. We prayed for her, cleaned her foot and used an unna boot to wrap her foot. We told her to return the next day so we could monitor her progress. When she returned the next day, she told us that up to then, she had been dealing with constant pain in her foot, but today it was almost completely GONE! God is good! Please pray for her continued healing.
Another middle-aged man came with a large wound that had been on his leg for a several years. He had previously sought treatment, but nothing was helping him. We cleansed his wound, applied some natural antibiotic salve and wrapped it in an unna boot. His report the next day was the same…the pain he had experienced continuously before was greatly reduced! We praise God for His healing in these dear people’s lives!
One young boy, about six-years-old, really touched my heart. He seemed to be a very healthy little boy. When his father told us to examine his feet, we realized why they had come. His little feet were infested with jiggers. The flesh on his little feet and toes was being eaten away. We soaked his feet in some bleach water. After a few minutes, we let his feet air dry. We could watch as the spots changed, and some jiggers came out. I love that little boy very much! We sent some supplies home with them so he could continue the treatment.
A girl with Down syndrome I remember from the last clinic returned. She was sick again with skin infections. She needed an antibiotic injection as part of her treatment. Most people don’t like injections, and she was one of them, so we had to hold her to give the injection safely. Afterwards, I gave her a hug and told her the medicine would help her get better. She just leaned in close to me and didn’t want to leave. It was a pleasure to hug and hold her close for a few minutes.
These are a few of the many different situations we encountered in those three days. We saw a total of around 500 patients. We believe God was honored and glorified in the three days and pray God continues to touch the hearts and bring health to the bodies of the patients we saw. We want to thank each of you who has donated money to make these clinics possible. We also greatly appreciate all the prayers you have prayed on behalf of the ministry and the work of God in Kenya!
To God be the glory,
GREAT THINGS He has done!
December 25, 2016
Christmas Day, we all attended a church in the mountains of Kenya. We walked on footpaths a little way. There were a lot of children who walked with us. The service was real blessing to each one. They prayed a special prayer for Dad and Mom and our family for safe travels and spiritual protection. During the service, I had children on my lap and standing next to me. God uses children to minister to the heart in ways others cannot. After the service, we were served a meal of rice, beans and some meat.
There were some huge rocks around there, and we went climbing. Those dear children kept holding my hands and walked with me all the way to the top. The view from the top was breathtaking! We could see for miles. Such beautiful scenery of mountains and valleys with small houses scattered around, rows of a variety of tropical plants and trees. It was a good day! In the evening we had a big meal of chicken, chapatti, and more in celebration of Christmas and also before Dad left. Dad, Mom, Nehemiah and Abigail returned to Michigan on December 26th.
May you each be blessed in the New Year as you follow God’s leading and serve Him where He places you.