"Please"

 

Liam is adding to his sign language vocabulary! He now knows how to say "Please." You rub your chest in a circular motion. So, now he can say "more please." It is precious. Here he is eating big boy style. He likes steamed carrots in little chunks like this. Next on the list: "thank you!"

Kitchen helper

 

I can not take credit for this idea. Jan suggested I bring Liam's pack n play into the kitchen to give him a place to play that is safe. Friday I did quite a bit of baking, and after constantly telling him "no" I thought I would give this a try. Well, it worked great! Liam was pretty much entertained for about 30-45 minutes, which is a long time for a 10 month old! He banged around with his spoon and bowls while Mommy did the same!

Kenya walking - video

Here is a short little video of us walking in Kenya! This is actually from last weekend. Logan spent most of this weekend in bed sick. We still don't know exactly what he has. Malaria has been ruled out for sure. Possible flu. Pray for his recovery and Liam and my protection against getting what Logan has. But, for now enjoy our little guy!

Call (medical)

Here is a typical night of call at Tenwek:

Thursday night started around 4:30 with a simple case of an older gentleman with hematuria. He was doing OK other than that, so we set him up for cystoscopy. The differential here is a little broader than in the States. Think stones, infection, or tumor, right? This could definitely be bladder cancer, and partly due to the overwhelming amount of pathology here, I find myself starting to assume the worst condition possible in my differential. But, don't forget schisto!

I've actually gotten to pick up a lot of urology here recently, because we've had a visiting urologist here for the past 2 weeks, as well as Dr. Okorie, a Nigerian urologist serving at a mission hospital in Kenya, who has been teaching me a lot for the past month. So besides the general abdominal cases, wound debridements, skin grafts, I&Ds, I've gotten to do several urology cases. I say "I", but several of these cases were so specialized, it took the two urologists to accomplish, and I just helped hold things out of the way.

For example, one patient in particular has been with us for awhile now, and has been the recipient of several of the cooler urology cases. "E.L." came in with blood in his urine about two weeks ago. I did the cystoscopy, until we came across a tumor in his urethra that was probably extending down from his bladder. It got so bloody, we couldn't see anything. We were going to do a suprapubic cath, but his bladder was shrunken down, so we did an open cystostomy. He was in obvious renal failure, and we saw hydronephrosis in an ultrasound, so we went back and did an open nephrostomy. His renal failure cleared very quickly after that. In the meantime, his pathology came back from the biopsy we took of his bladder: high-grade urothelial carcinoma. This is not good news for the patient. We then did a radical cystectomy and created an ilioconduit (this is where I held things out of the way). The visiting urologist said this is the urological equivelent of a Whipple's procedure. The good news is, this man knows the Lord, and knows where he is headed after his life on this earth is over, no matter how long that is.

But I have digressed. Back to call.

We had two radius/ulna fractures that came in almost together, which we reduced and splinted. Another guy fell off his motorcycle and fractured his leg, which we just splinted. Then a couple RTAs (road traffic accidents) came in, also simultaneously. After putting in a chest tube, several FAST exams, and closing up some minor lacerations, it was well after midnight. As I daydreamed about making the walk back down the hill for a few hours sleep, two more came in leaving a bloody trail from their wounds as they wandered around Casualty. The night had definitely saved the best for last.

Apparently, these two brothers had been drinking, and gotten into a fight with their other brother, who was holding a panga (think Kenyan machete). He cracked one brother across the skull -- well, "across" isn't entirely accurate, more like "through". The other brother had time to raise his hands in defense as he received a chop on his mid-forearm that went down to his ulna.

They both needed to be taken to the theatre for a washing out of their wounds and to see what could be salvaged. Then the dilemma of limited-resources rears its head: there are two urgent cases, and only enough staff overnight for one operating room.

The brain was the higher priority, and needed to be rushed to the theatre. A 3rd year general surgery resident serving here for a year was going to tackle that. "You think you can sew this arm up here in casualty?" he asked me as we looked at this man's gaping arm drip-drip-dripping on the floor.

"...Sure!"

With little light, I leaned over this arm and began. I washed the wound out and explored it, but everytime I removed the gauze from the wound, it filled back up with blood. I couldn't see a vessel. I thought, this guy is going to need a transfusion, if he doesn't bleed to death. In my inadequacy, God's glory was made manifest. I'm reminded of the childhood poem:

Little one's to Him belong
they are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. And as I started sewing, practically blindly, the bleeding just stopped. I could wash it out better now, and see very clear bundles of fascia that wrapped around his extensors. I was able sew them very easily, and after that initial feeling of fear and helplessness, he went back together very nicely.

The next day, I got to talk to him about Jesus, and about forgiving a brother that has sinned against you. He said he had no animosity against his brother and wasn't plotting any revenge.

Please continue to pray for me to be as weak as is needed for the Lord to be glorified here.

Safari Simba

 

All tuckered out

It was a long hike full of mooing and pointing. He did well, but just ran out of steam!

A lovely walk

 

We took a long walk on Sunday afternoon. We went to the waterfall, which is not far from our house. Here I am at the waterfall. We attracted a group of kids as we walked. When I stood to watch the water. They crowded in on both sides of me and were touching my arms and hands. This girl in the bright shirt especially. I told her I liked her earrings. She may not have understood, but I think she got the idea. They just look at us and laugh! Not like making fun, but just embarrassed to be this close.

We then kept walking, probably about two miles, across the river and made a big loop back to Tenwek. We passed many people who waved very friendly at us and pointed at Liam in the backpack. My legs were sore when we returned, so I was thankful Logan was carrying that little guy! The walk was a little long for Liam. He fell asleep right in his backpack carrier. He just slumped over and snoozed to the rhythm of Logan's steps. Perhaps we can post a picture of that as well. Keep praying for us! Much love,
Julie

Sounds of Africa

 

I loaded this as a video so you could hear not only Liam's cute "moo", but also you can hear the children playing and speaking Kswahili in the background. However, it only saved as a picture! Sorry!

Hakuna Matata!

Well, it was another wonderful weekend. No worries. Hakuna Matata. I love the weekends because Logan is home. Logan has been pouring over surgery books anytime he is not at the hospital. He is learning alot, and getting some good experiences. I miss him during the week, and it's so fun to watch him play with his son when he gets a chance. Liam loves his Daddy!

We have gotten some feedback on you liking hearing about our daily living, including time in the kitchen. I don't want to bore you, but am glad to post more of our adventures, which for me, is much time preparing for, cooking, and cleaning up after, meals.

Last weekend after church we were craving Yen Chings, which is right by James RIver Assembly in Ozark. Here in Kenya, if you want it, you have to make it! So we went online and found a recipe for General Tso Chicken at allrecipes.com. We ended up having to substitute, or leave out, several things because we did not have them, but it turned out really well! A little sweeter than what you might find in the restaurant, but we were pretty darn proud of ourselves! Another first last weekend, please don't laugh, was Basmati rice. I am kind of a Minute Rice type girl. So we learned how to soak the rice, drain it, cook it (for longer than 5 minutes), and whole thing!

Twice this week I made Indian curry which is a tomato and broth based sauce with tons of spices - turmuric, cinnamon, mustard, paprika, curry powder, garlic, onion, cloves, not sure what else, but literally the spices almost filled a whole cup when measured out. One time I made it with chicken, another time with (fresh) green beans, carrots, and potatoes. I even took a swing at making Chapati on Saturday! Chapati is an African or Indian tortilla-like flat bread. Levi asked for the recipe, so here it is.
4 c flour (wheat, or all-purpose)
1 t salt
1 t baking powder
Mix. Cut in:
3 T Shortening
Add 1 1/2 c warm water, mix well. Knead. Let rest 10 min. Divide into 14-16 balls. Roll into thin, round circles. Heat dry skillet to med heat. Fry until light brown on both sides.

Now this is from a cookbook, but Nancy our helper makes them with olive oil both in the batter and in the pan. So, hers are oilier than mine were. This above recipe is actually very much like tortillas. I will get Nancy's recipe and give you that. Hers is probably more "authentic" as done in a typical home. But, now I know what recipe I will use for tortillas when I make Mexican!

I made peanut butter cookies this weekend, which tasted like home. Logan said it made him think of Christmas for some reason. Maybe Jan made those cookies around the holidays.

This week we will try cashew chicken or orange chicken. It seems I make (or even try) Asian more than most here. But, we love Asian food! Perhaps now we won't have to go out to eat as much when we get back home!

One more bit of good news before I sign off: Liam slept all night last night! Hopefully he is officially adjusted now. We both celebrated this morning when we realized the last time we were awake was when we were tucking ourselves in our mosquito net the night before. Yea!

Liam continues to be a hit with the neighborhood. Last night he was at his perch at the front door and about 7 or 8 kids came up and were talking to him and tapping on the glass, just like you would do at the zoo. One was so bold as to start to open our door! I think she would have come right in if Logan had not met her at the door!

We found out that Liam's name in Swahili would be Simba. Simba means Lion/Strong Warrior. Liam means Strong-willed Warrior. Perhaps we will just call our little cub Simba while we are here in Africa. Hakuna Matata!

Mothers and Babies

Well, we have been here about 3 weeks. I took a big step this week. I left Liam alone with our househelper, Nancy. She is Kenyan, about 25, and comes to help me around the house everyday. After spending time with her, I am now comfortable with her watching him. I'm sure the Moms can understand why it was a big step to leave my baby with someone new in a new place!

While Nancy watched Liam the past couple days I have been helping clean out a storage room that holds donated clothes for the orphans. It is not far from things I have done at my house, garage sales, church, etc. Just here in Africa there are different kinds of bugs hiding in corners than I get to see at home! :)

This morning was pretty special. I again ventured out of the house without Liam. But this time I went to the nursery at the hospital. You see, they need help caring for the babies and feeding them every three hours. I started by putting a smock on in the hallway outside the nursery. When I walked in, I was greeted by the sound of tiny little cries and a warmth in the air for their little bodies to stay cozy.

I walked around the room looking at all the little ones. I couldn't help but think about what their bed would look like in the States. They would likely have around the clock care, maybe one nurse for every 2 or 3 babies. The newborns would have practically everything that has been invented to help them make it. Many of you have seen the NICU at an American hospital. Here at Tenwek, each baby lay in a wooden bed, reminiscent of a trough really, on a little pad and a blanket. (I couldn't help but think of the "trough" our Savior laid in when he was an infant.) There are no diapers, they just change the bedding underneath them when they go to the bathroom.

I held and fed a tiny little girl. She and her twin brother made it through birth, but their mother unfortunately did not survive. The fathers do not normally come into the nursery, so these two needed some extra love.

The process of feeding the babies goes something like this: Take a little plastic medicine cup (like what would come with a bottle of Nyquil), dip it in a cleaning solution, and do the same with a baby bottle that does not have a top. Mix hot water with formula in the bottle, just like you would in the States, and pour a small amount into the medicine cup. After it cools a little, scoop up a sweet little Kenyan baby.

I took my precious little twin in my arms and she actually drank out of this little cup! The nurses said it does not take as much energy to drink from the cup than it does sucking from a bottle. Some of the babies are very weak. My little girl would not stay awake! It reminded me of Liam when he was a newborn and would not stay awake for his feedings! I fed her for about an hour while the moms came in and out doing the same procedure with their little one, or nursing them.

All the moms come to the nursery to feed the babies instead of the babies going to the moms' rooms. Feedings occur at 9, 12, 3, 6, 9, etc. around the clock. Looking around at the mothers, I just felt for them. I know how overwhelmed I was when I had just had Liam! And I was in the lap of luxury surrounded by wonderful nurses, doctors, and family to help me every step of the way. I fought back tears the whole time, and the moment I left the room I could not help but burst into tears. Wow. So powerful.

One mom who also had twins, was having trouble nursing. Her supply was not coming enough to feed both babies. This would be not ideal for a woman in the States, but formula is always an option. Here in Kenya there is so much pressure, no it is vital, that they are able to nurse because formula would be way too expensive for them. But, many of the moms are malnourished themselves. Hopefully I can go back and encourage her as she nurses her babies. It is a tough thing to get used to! Much less while sitting on a short wooden stool crowded in a room with 15 other women feeding their babies and nurses and a couple white girls bustling around the room.

It doesn't matter where you are in the world. I think there is just this bond and understanding that mothers have. It is a beautiful thing that the Lord has gifted to women. Perhaps sometime I will take some pictures so you can see these precious little faces. Today, it just didn't seem right. The moment was so much powerful than a camera could capture. I pray I can do more to help these babies and moms, while continuing to give my baby the best care I can give to him.

Liam mooing (video)

Here is a video from us on the road back from the dukka. Liam has learned how to "moo" since coming to Kenya. He also just started pointing at things. So now he can point at cows and moo. Perfect combination.

In the kitchen with the Banks

This weekend we got busy in the kitchen! I woke up Saturday morning and made pancakes from scratch. Yes, that is a first for me. I am a "Hungry Jack" or Bisquick girl. So I was proud that I made them with flour and baking powder, and the whole deal. They tasted alot better than the mixes, I will say that! I also made cookies in the afternoon to try out our oven. There are symbols on it that we don't know what they mean, and it is of course in Celsius. They went well and tasted delicious!

So Saturday night, we thought pizza sounded good! We walked to the Duka (previously pictured) to get some Cokes to go with it. Logan totally took the lead on the pizza. My Dad taught him the Larry secrets to pizza before we left. Logan made the dough, let it rise, kneaded it, rolled it, and baked it on both sides. He also made pizza sauce by reducing fresh tomatoes, basil, parsley, onion, garlic, and I'm not sure what other goodies! That aroma filled our place. We brought pepperoni from home, and we were so thankful that we did. With the pepperoni, we chopped up red, green and yellow bell peppers. We topped it with freshly cut mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. We baked it in our little oven and sat on the floor and just watched bake. It was such a fun night! We didn't actually eat until about 9:30, but let me tell you it was worth the wait! Oh, it was soooo good! You would never believe it was Logan's first pizza. It was perfection. We both are becoming more acquainted with the ways of the kitchen. I thought I was decent in cooking, but am finding out that I am "decent" for my generation. We are dealing with how things were done a couple generations ago! It's good for us.

Logan has been very busy with surgery. He was on call last night for his first Kenyan call! He only came in to sleep a couple hours, so I do not even know how it went yet. Hopefully he can blog this weekend to give the medical updates. We appreciate all of your prayers and support! Love you all,
Julie

To Market, to Market

 

Saturday we decided to walk to the "Dukka", or store to buy some sodas. They come in old glass bottles that you trade in. We got Coke, Fanta, and Bitter Lemon which tastes like Fresca. On the way home, we wlaked right by some cows. We have a video of Liam "mooing", but have not been successful uploading it. But here is a still shot of the backpack in action on the streets of Tenwek!

Liam walking (video)

I think we finally figured out video. Enjoy a little Liam walking around our livingroom.

A Week of Firsts

I just finished my first week of surgery here at Tenwek. It has already been a great experience. I've seen some amazing medical cases - things you may never see in an entire career in the States. Here's a quick run-down (get ready for some medical jargon):

I helped repair my first inguinal hernia, my first femur fx ORIF with a SIGN nail, first supracondylar fracture with pinning, several pediatric burns ranging from 8-45% TBSA, so I've gotten to do some skin grafting.  I've hung out with a urologist for a while, we've done some cystoscopy, suprapubic caths, retrograde urethrogram, my first bilateral orchiectomy, rectal biopsy (to dx Hirschprung's), repair of anorectal malformation, and a vesicovaginal fistula repair.  I also helped place my first VP shunt.

I'll mention one case in particular, that took place on the operating table you see above.  On Thursday I was called to see a lady in Casualty (the ER) who had been to another facility a week prior for a D&C after a spontaneous miscarriage.  She had been fine until a couple days ago when she had sudden onset abdominal pain and vomiting.  She had actually been to our ER at Tenwek both days previously but was sent home.  This day, she just looked sicker and the surgical resident that saw her thought we should do surgery.  I examined her belly and wasn't impressed.  She reported mild tenderness upon palpation, but looked unphased, and had no rebound or guarding.  She looked exhausted, but it didn't look like an acute abdomen.  We debated some possible causes of her pain, from ascaris to typhoid, and decided the most likely explanation was a complication from her D&C, which meant we really needed to look inside anyway.  So we decided to take her to the theater (the OR).  We prayed with her before we started, something we do before every surgery, and opened her up.  This was another first for me: exploratory laparotomy.

What we found was a week's worth of bowel in her abdomen.  Not only had the outlying facility perforated her uterus during her D&C, they perforated her small bowel as well.  We repaired the uterus and the small bowel and irrigated with 10 liters of saline.  Her bowels were swollen and inflamed and coated with fecal material.  We even identified some of the local leafy plants that are commonly eaten here.  After we closed the abdomen, we started her on the broadest spectrum of antibiotics available here.  So far, so good.

Thinking about the mess that was inside her belly, I'm amazed at how unimpressive her physical exam had been.  This serves as a reminder to me of the strength and resilience of the people we are caring for here.  I'm thankful we went ahead and decided to take a look.  I'm not sure what the outcome would have been if we had waited any longer.

Please continue to pray for us, and for the patients we are caring for.  Stories like this one take place every day.  There is no shortage of pathology here at Tenwek.  But as Jesus said in Luke, chapter 5, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

At the end of that verse He says, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  Jesus, the Great Physician, can heal not only the body, but most importantly, the soul.  Please pray that I won't be the only Physician that my patients meet during their stay here at Tenwek.

MVP so far...

This backpack is the MVP of our stay in Kenya so far. This picture is actually taken on Christmas in Branson when we got it. But, this is how I carry Liam around everywhere. He loves it, I love it, and people we pass love looking at him! Sometimes they are surprised and even laugh because they just think I am carrying a backpack, and then they see this cute little head poking out! Logan even carried Liam in the rain and he stayed dry under the built-in rain sheild not pictured. I'm sure we will have pictures of us here in Kenya in action, but for now, you get the idea! Thank you Luke and Tracy!

The back door

Here is our back door which is in the kitchen. It leads out to a little alley which leads to our washing machine. This is also the door we go out when we fetch rainwater, which we boil, cool, and then put through the filter you see here. That is the water we drink, brush our teeth with, and use to bathe Liam!

No, No Liam!

Here Liam is perfectly demonstrating exactly what he does in the kitchen. This boy, I tell ya! It's either the stove nobs, the trashcan, or under the refridgerator! All not good places for my sweet ten month old. Don't worry, I watch him very closely.

Dining Room

This is where we eat our meals! This is one of the windows that the little kids smash their faces against to watch us! You can see the fireplace on the left. The fireplace separates the two rooms and you can walk around on both sides. Liam likes to do laps around the whole thing. He also loves to push these chairs so they make a loud squeeeeeek!

Liam's Room

Here is Liam's room. This dresser is borrowed from a Missionary here whose youngest just outgrew it. There is a changing table built on top, so it is perfect. Here is another bag of toys! he knows right where the stash is! His bed is like a tent and completely zips up so the mosquitoes do not get in. We tried the ole normal mosquito net, but he pulled two nets completely down into his bed! Strong little guy.

The Living Room!

This is our living room. You can see the front door and then a big window. We have previously posted the view from our place. I keep a bag of toys in this room for Liam to play with throughout the day. He is so busy! Oh, the brick you see in the corner of the shot is a fireplace. We have not used it yet, but perhaps when it gets colder.

Our place

Ok.  I found a way to post a picture!  But I might have to do one per post.  Sorry!  I will get all this figured out with our tricky internet connection.  For now, enjoy Liam!

Pictures!

Starting on the journey!  Kari was able to fly with us from Springfield to Dallas.  It was great to have her help starting out.  Overall Liam did great on all of our flights.  He was the cutest little "deer" anyone ever saw!

In Nairobi we stayed at the Menonite guesthouse.  We all three, plus 5 totes squeezed into this little room!  Liam is smiling even through his sickness.  He was a trooper.

This is the Rift Valley.  We drove through this going out to Tenwek.  Gorgeous.

Lambskins just like this were for sale the whole drive out.  This made me laugh because mom bought one just like this in the States and cut it into pieces for Liam to sleep with.  Little did we know we could've bought the real deal right here!

This is the view from our door.  We are on the bottom of two levels.  Straight ahead is a little fence that the cows come right up to and "moo" for Liam.

This is zoomed in across the river.  Still from our front door.  On that road we see vendors, donkeys, cows, and many motorbikes throughout the day.

Adjusting

We now have slightly more reliable internet in our apartment, so this is my first time to blog!  Logan is at work.  Liam just went down for a nap.  It has been a slower adjustment than I had anticipated.  After we all three could keep food down, I was thankful.  I have been trying to "feather our nest" as best I can.  With no feathers.  When we arrived we had no shelves, dressers, drawers, or any "surface" really to put things in or on.  The people at Tenwek are so nice and helpful though.  One missionary wife found two old broken dressers in storage.  We bleached them and decided to use them broken.  If someone comes to fix them great.  If not, great.  Liam was so cute "helping" Logan move it into our bedroom.  I will try to upload the little video I got of it.  Speaking of Liam...

He is trying to get his sleep patterns transitioned still I think.  He takes a few very short naps in the day and wakes up through the night.  Pray for guidance for me as to what to do with and for him.  He is slowly getting used to his new home, but many times clings close to me.  He calls me "Mimimi."  It's cute.  Much of my time is spent steering him away from shoes he loves to put in his mouth and outlets, which are much bigger here for little fingers!  I taped a couple this morning, but I should've done it out of his sight because he marched right over and took the tape right off the wall!  He is walking 95% of the time.  Hardly any crawling anymore.  He likes to push chairs around, which makes a fun screech on the concrete floors!  We have cows right outside our door, so I take Liam to visit them.  I say "moooo" and he makes this big "mmmmmm" sound.  Now when I read his book that has a cow in it and moo, he makes the same sound.  He is so smart!

Today I am having tea (or Chai) at 10am at the Manchester's house.  She is a career missionary who hosts a bible study for new missionary wives once a week.  Then we have lunch at another missionary house, the Spreigals.  Everyone has been so hospitable.  I have not cooked a big meal yet.  I think tomorrow I will tackle it.  I can do it.  I can do it!

Well, there is much to write, but also much to do.  Perhaps another day I will be much more eloquent and insightful.  For now, we will just go with my random thoughts.  Love to all!
Julie

The View From Here

Liam loves to crawl over to the door, play with the curtains, and look out at our amazing view.

Answers to prayer:

First, all of our luggage made it.  We checked 9 items, including 2 bags which were ophthalmic medical instruments that were mailed to us before we left.  Five items were waiting for us in Nairobi.  Our five trunks.  But not the two medical suitcases, nor the stroller or carseat.  The next night the carseat and one medical suitcase arrived.  The carseat came just in time for our ride out to Tenwek (which was amazing, I didn't even mention last time, but we saw 3 or 4 different groups (herds) of zebras, 1 group of gazelles, and 1 group of giraffes!).
Then today, the other medical suitcase, and Liam's stroller arrive at Tenwek delivered from the airport, what an answer to prayer.

Second, we are all feeling better.  Liam started getting sick in Nairobi, but he is great now, and sleeping better, I think the jetlag is wearing off of us all.
I'm feeling much better and was able to have the medical orientation at the hospital today.  I saw my first patient in Casualty (that is the ER).  Status epilepticus.  Also saw blindness from CMV retinitis.
And Julie is still getting over it some, but is about 75%, on her way to full recovery.  Thank you for your prayers.

Julie is going shopping in Bomet tomorrow.  I'll have some more orientation.  Pray for me as I start a 2-month rotation in surgery on Monday.

I was going to include the view that Liam was looking at, but this picture took so long to upload, I'm going to have to wait until next time to show you the beauty of Kenya that we see everytime we look outside.

In suspense?

At Tenwek

[Internet is still sketchy so I'll keep this short until I know more about it.  Pictures to come later.]

We safely arrived at Tenwek yesterday afternoon.  Liam had picked up a stomach bug on the flight or in Nairobi, and is already doing better from it.  But he passed it on to Julie and me.  Last night I started having symptoms and Julie today.

So our first full day at Tenwek was one of zero productivity.  Mainly rest and hydration.  I wanted to get started right away, but was wisely counseled to wait until I'm well or I can make it worse for myself.  It reminds me that it is not about the talents that I bring, but about letting the grace of God work through me.

Pray for a quick recovery for all of us.  We appreciate your prayers so much.

In Nairobi

We're here in Nairobi!  We landed last night.  We are all safe.  Liam did an amazing job on the flight, better than could be expected.  Thanks to your prayers.  It's beautiful here, we'll attach some pictures as soon as we can.


We had a really fast turn around in London, so we literally RAN to our gate.  We figured some of our stuff (if not all) would get left behind).  When we got to Nairobi, some things hadn't made it.  But all 5 of our totes made it, by God's grace.  But not the car seat, stroller, or the 2 other suitcases with medical equipment.   Hopefully the rest of the luggage arrives tonight on the next plane from London. 


Right now we're staying at a Mennonite guest house in Nairobi.  Which has wireless!  So here I am.  Julie is out shopping for food with some other missionaries from Tenwek, and I am babysitting Liam.  We both have jet lag, so we don't know what time it is.  When Julie gets back we'll meet some other missionaries from Tenwek for lunch, and then we'll all go out this afternoon and get some more stuff for our 5-month stay.  Then tomorrow we drive the 4.5 hours out to Tenwek.  


This is just a quick note to let you know we've arrived safely.  We appreciate your prayers so much.  Thank you and please keep praying.  Doing this kind of thing really makes us realize how much we rely on the Lord for absolutely everything.  Because so much is out of our control.  I think we can become a little too self-sufficient in the States because we have so much available to us.  But even just on the flight over, I sensed how much we needed God, and also how in control He is.  I hope this blog can make that reliance fresh in your life as well.  


Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.  jeremiah 9:24

Happy New Year!

We were sitting around the table at the Bratvold's, playing Ticket to Ride, European edition, when Liam woke up around midnight and started screaming in the other room.  We decided he wanted to get up and celebrate the new year with us.  We had a great time playing games with the family tonight and recounting God's guidance and blessing over our lives in the past year.

You can see Liam joining in the fun.  Now he will clap when he hears people cheering, it's adorable.

We shared what amazing things God has done for us in 2009, and prayed his blessing and guidance through the ups and downs that are sure to come in the new year.  Who knows what's in store for us in the next 12 months?  Only God.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11