Climb Every Mountain

We have completed day two of our Kericho trip. Today we spent the day at Nancy's home. She and her family have been looking forward to this for weeks. She was right, they do live on a hill! In fact, the car could not even make it up, it was so steep. So we parked at the bottom of the hill and walked up. Nancy's mom was waiting for us. She came right up to the window, reached her arms inside and said "Come, baby!" Before I knew it, Liam was in her arms outside of the car and making his way up the green hill to their home. I jumped out and decided to follow closely behind. Logan and Lawrence (our driver) brought our things behind us.

Over the course of the day, there were probably 35-40 people (family and friends) at Nancy's house today. Nancy had told me ahead of time that it would be nice to bring some sugar and flour as a gift for the mother and sweets for the kids. I also wanted to bake something, so Friday night before we left I made over 100 cookies to bring for her family and Alfred's family. Alfred's family did not eat them while we were there, but Nancy's family made a big production about gathering to eat the cookies I had made. They wanted desperately to give one to Liam, so I allowed it. Liam was not too sure at first, but of course loved it once he figured out how to eat it. He does not have sugary treats very often.

The highlight of the day was taking a long hike all the way up their hill after a very large lunch. Just so you know, once you make even the slightest dent in your meal, they quickly refill your plate and cry out "Eat! Eat! More! More!" We were so full we could have passed out, but the walk was even better.

The "hill" is actually the highest point in the whole region. It was like hiking up a small mountain. From the top, we could see three different Kenyan tribes: the Kipsisgis, the Kisii, and Luo (Obama's tribe). In fact, we could see all the way to Lake Victoria, which is almost 80 kilometers away! We could even see Tanzania! It was absolutely breath-taking. Pictures never do scenery justice, but we are posting a couple nonetheless. If you click on the picture, it will magnify, and you can see me walking up the hill. I was slower than Logan because I stayed with Nancy who is very pregnant. Also, the children all wanted to hold my hand. They would fight to get to hold it. If they were not holding my hand, they were behind me jumping up to feel my hair. So I was trying to hold about 6 little hands all while climbing a steep, rocky hill in a floor length dress! It was worth it though. I will not forget that view. Liam, however, fell asleep on Daddy's back. I was so thankful that he did because I was worried about him not getting his nap in today.

Speaking of, Liam did AMAZING! We are constantly impressed with his little personality. He just waves at everyone and goes to anyone who wants to hold him. He was the star of the show today. Everyone wanted to feel his skin. They just examined him so closely thinking it was so funny how pale he was. They fed him probably 6 or 7 bananas! He loves "nanas."

We've had a great time so far, but this is all leading up to the main event tomorrow. We're going to a Kenyan wedding! Raymond, Alfred's brother, is in the wedding party and has invited us. This will be an experience. As we understand, it is an all day affair. We've tried to find out, but there is no clear "start time." It just happens when it happens. Hakuna Matata!

Easter in Kericho

Happy Easter! We are on an adventure this weekend! While our friends in the States are hiding and finding colored eggs in green yards, we are plucking tea leaves from the greenest fields you have ever seen!

Logan and I left this morning from Tenwek with Nancy and Alfred in a hired car. We hired a driver, Lawrence, who happens to be one of our neighbors, living right next to Nancy and Alfred. We were not 50 feet from our front door and Lawrence stopped the car and asked Logan, "Do you want to drive?" Are you kidding?! Logan jumped out of the backseat and took the driver's seat on the right side of the car. He did a great job, but had to pay close attention because this was the first time he had driven on the left side of the road. Also he had to shift with his left hand. The funny thing was that he kept turning the windshield wipers on when he was meaning to signal for a turn. Alfred, Nancy, and especially our driver Lawrence were so impressed with how skilled Logan was. I know it felt good for Logan to drive again, too.

Two hours later, we arrived at Alfred's home outside of Kericho town. He is the 6th of 9 children. Their family lives on a small tea farm. They gave us a tour of their tea field and showed us how to pluck the tea leaves. You only pluck the top three leaves, two are big and one is small. It was raining as we slushed through the muddy field but Liam was shielded in our nifty backpack. After taking chai with the family, we checked into the Tea Hotel in Kericho.

The Tea Hotel was built in the 1950's and is considered the nicest place to stay in Kericho. It has a certain charm to it, and we can tell it was very nice when it was built.

We spent the afternoon at the James Finlay company. Raymond, Alfred's brother, works in purchasing. Most employees live right on the compound, which is gorgeous surrounded by lush tea fields. We enjoyed a meal of rice, potatoes, spaghetti, beef and carrots. Nancy cooked our food in small coal stoves which are just off the ground. I had to watch Liam like a hawk. I can see why there are so many burns affecting Kenyan children. There are open fires, or at least hot coals, in most homes. But, Liam just went outside and made friends with the neighbors.

We were able to take a tour of the flower department of the Finlay company. They grow, package, and export millions of flowers. We were given white "visitor" lab coats and took a tour seeing the roses from picking, to cutting, storing, and eventually packaging. In one refrigerated holding room, we estimated there were over 400,000 flowers, and they are constantly moving more in and out. This was one thing I know my mother would have loved! It was so interesting! Even Alfred and Lawrence were like little kids on a field trip pushing their way to the front of the line. I don't think they would be given the opportunity to tour, had they not been accompanying the "mzungus".

We are exhausted and ready for bed! Tomorrow will be a full day as well. Nancy is so excited for us to go to her home and meet her family. She said there is a hill where she lives. For days the children in her village have just been watching the hill for the whites to come walking down to where they live. I know they are excited for tomorrow, and so are we! More to come...

From Peds to OB

I finished Peds last week and started OB this week.

Peds was a lot of fun. I enjoyed working with Eric McLaughlin and Alyssa Pfister, two of the Samaritan's Purse Post-Residency Fellows that are here for 2 years, as well as Chuck Bemm, the long-term pediatrician here. I also enjoyed working with and teaching the interns that are training here. There are four interns on each service (Medicine, Peds, OB, and Surgery), for a total of 16. They spend three months on a service, so they will train here for a year. Here I am recently rounding on the Peds ward with the interns.

I just started Obstetrics this week.  I am really enjoying it so far.  There are four interns on the service that have been doing OB for three months now, so they all generally have a pretty good handle on things. Next week a fresh group of interns will start OB for the first time, so it will be an adventure getting them up to speed.

I just finished a c-section on a very sick patient today.  A 28 year-old, gravida 6, para 5, at 38 weeks gestation, with the pregnancy complicated by rheumatic heart disease was admitted a couple days ago with edema and shortness of breath.  She was in congestive heart failure.  She was started on digoxin and lasix.  But this morning her heart rate sped up abnormally (in the 220's).  My concern was that she was in atrial fibrillation.  One of the frustrations of working in a resource-limited setting is that resources are limited!  For example, I had heard that there were a few EKG machines in the hospital, but I don't think I've ever actually seen one.  I've seen a few EKG's so I know they must exist.   Today, however, was not a frustrating day.  We found the EKG machine quickly, which showed p-waves and was regular, so no A-fib, just a vigorous sinus tachycardia.  You could even see her heart tapping out this ultra-fast rhythm on the front of her chest.  I needed to slow down her heart rate.  Her blood pressure was already borderline low, but I decided to give her labetalol (a beta-blocker which slows down the heart, but can also lower blood pressure).  Her heart rate very quickly came down to the low 100's, and her blood pressure remained stable (that is, it didn't get any lower).  Now that she was stable for the moment, and with these risk factors, we rushed her to the theatre for an urgent cesarean.  The baby came out fine, but after the intern manually removed the placenta, there was a lot of bleeding from the posterior wall of the uterus.  It looked like possibly an accreta, but I'm not actually certain.  With a few quick stitches and a lot of pressure, the bleeding stopped.  We were this close to doing a hysterectomy.  Right now, she looks fine.  The baby was small for his age, and had to go to the nursery.  I'm thankful I was here and able to help this mother.  Please remember her and her son in your prayers.  She still has rheumatic heart disease and things could get worse before they get better.  Thank you so much for your prayers while Julie and I are serving here.  We're now over halfway through our time in Africa.  Pray that we'll learn and experience everything God has for us during the rest of our remaining time here.

One small step for Liam; one giant leap for Mommy

Liam is expressing his freedom! He walks, no runs, everywhere! Today I probably was the most "hands off" I have been since we have been here. For the most part, he is perfectly steady on his feet. He loves to explore his surroundings. He would walk and walk as far as he could if there were space.



In the morning he walked up and down our sidewalk and front yard for a couple hours. He watched ants crawling, picked up leaves, and mooed at the cows. The kids in the neighborhood were out playing and he tried to keep up. They were running while rolling a tire. It reminded me of the movie Pollyanna where the little boys did that for fun. The kids around here have to make games out of whatever they find. The boys would run past Liam and he would take off as fast as he could. It was cute, but he never did catch up!


At our house, you have to step up on our porch to reach our front door. Liam was playing with my keys and wanted to put the keys in the door. He tried to strrreeetch his arms to reach from the sidewalk, but soon determined he would have to learn to tackle the step to reach the front door.



Within minutes he was climbing up the step no problem. The problem came when I turned my head for ONE SECOND and he tried to go down the step. Ooopsie! He fell. He was not hurt, and did not cry. In fact he kept wanting to do it again and again.

Here comes the giant leap for Mommy. This whole playing outside thing makes me nervous! He falls, he gets dirty, he might pick up a bug and try to eat it. I was expressing these concerns to Logan over lunch. He laughed and shrugged and basically said "get used to it. Liam is going to get a lot dirtier than he gets right now." Rick and Jan have many stories of Logan getting in trouble, getting dirty, and I'm sure eating a bug or two.


Later on in the evening, the three of us took a walk to the "upper compound" where all the Missionaries live. This way Liam could run and jump and play with his friends. The kids and dads were just wrapping up an all out war with water balloons and buckets of water. I have to admit I was slightly glad we missed it. What if Liam slipped and fell?

Wellllllll, fall he did. The sidewalk was soaking wet of course. He was just walking along and boom! We heard the sound of his little face hit the sidewalk. He cried immediately, and yes I did rush to pick him up. Even Daddy was a little concerned! We got some ice to put on his swelling forehead. Actually we were lucky if the ice stayed on there a full 3 seconds. Mostly the cold bag was just a new toy for Liam.


We gave him some children's ibuprophen, milk, lots of kisses, some dinner and put him to bed. He is fine. A little red and swollen on his forehead and nose, but fine. Logan again reminded me that this is the first of many. Who knew a tiny little 12 month old step could be such a giant leap for a Mommy's heart?

Surprises!

Yesterday was the big THREE-OH for me. Thirty years. I thought it was just going to be a quiet day and perhaps a little reflection. Our house helper, Nancy, so kindly told me the day before my birthday in her Kenyan/British accent, "You are increasing in weight. You have grown fat since you have come. Just ask Logan, he will confirm for you." Logan most certainly will not confirm! He better not.

While we celebrated Nancy's birthday at her house the 24th, I explained to her that a comment like that is not a compliment in our culture. (Especially the day before a woman turns 30, my goodness.) For them, to be thin means you are not eating well, or can not afford proper food. If you are heavy, then you have money to buy food and are being taken care of. Someone told me it could be a kind of backward compliment for herself and her cooking for us, specifically Chapati, my favorite. So, I shook the comment off. (ok not totally because here I am still thinking about it two days later.)

Back to my birthday. I had a wonderful morning. Liam and I joined Logan at the hospital. When we returned home, Liam's present to Mommy was a long nap! That gave me an opportunity to email and enjoy my sister's Happy Birthday blog!

Every Thursday afternoon, I teach a dance class for the young Missionary girls. The class deserves its own blog because it is such a blast. I promise that will come in the future. But yesterday, we began our class as usual doing the ballet positions, plie, pointe tendu, rond de jombe and others. All of a sudden, the moms and other long term women bust through the door singing Happy Birthday carrying a chocolate cake topped with a ballerina mouse one of the girls had. I was shocked! The girls squealed and pulled out beautiful homemade cards. They were full of wonderful pictures of us doing ballet, and one student even drew out every single position I have taught them! Since it was a surprise, I did not have a camera, but I gathered the cards and sweet gifts for you to enjoy.

They freely gave precious candy, lotion, Crystal Light, and even PopSecret popcorn! Claire said they only have three at their house, but she wanted me to have one. My heart was overflowing, and I am tearing up now even as I write. To keep a family atmosphere for the MK's, they call long term adults Aunt and Uncle. So many of the cards said "Aunt Julie." I felt so loved!

In the afternoon I had a leisurely visit with Linda Spreigle, an amazing long term wife. She is one that could write a book with all the things she does in the community. She really has a heart for Kenyans. I have seen her tear up talking about witnessing Kenyan residents grow and learn in the hospital even now after seeing it many years. She has been in Africa all of her adult life, so there is much to learn from her.

My only request on my birthday was that Logan make his yummy pizza! Not only did he make a mean pizza, but he did it while entertaining Liam. That is no small feat to cook while keeping our little guy out of trouble.

He let me enjoy a shower I did not have to rush through. Logan's pizza gets better and better! We blogged about our first pizza experience. It is still just as much fun, but the process is getting easier. We enjoyed pizza by candlelight, and then I headed to bible study.

All the new missionary women take part in a bible study each Thursday night lead by Theresa Manchester. It is always good to study the Word and share in the stresses that we are experiencing here in Kenya. Before I headed home, Alyssa casually said "hey do you want to borrow a movie or something for your birthday?" I shrugged and said "sure." I heard Alyssa had some episodes of The Office. We walked in to her place and SURPRISE!

Her living room was full of people wishing me Happy Birthday! Logan had gotten with the McCropDers and her and planned the whole thing! Rachel made a cake and Heather conspired to store the ice cream Logan bought. Ice cream is such a treat! He took a matatu to Bomet and bought three kinds for the party. The most intriguing was a bright orange kind called "Kesar Badam Pista." It includes saffron, pistachio, almond and cardamom. Just a reminder that no, we are not in Kansas anymore!

When I blew out my candle, I was careful to hold my hair back, so as not to do a repeat of my sister's 30th candle disaster! Logan had to tackle Kari to pat out the flames on her hair!

I finally got to open the presents from family that had been torturing me for a couple weeks! Kari had sent "flirty thrity" gear that I had given her at her party! So I proudly wore the sparkly 30 necklace.

Logan got me a french press for coffee, Obama gum (Obama is from a Kenyan tribe not far from here), a Swahili/English dictionary and chopsticks! Jan and Rick sent two seasons of The Office, so I didn't have to borrow from Alyssa afterall! My parents sent a bag of Churchills Sinless Pastry decaf coffee. Let me just tell you, that one got passed around the room and every person put their face up to the bag and smelled, just dreaming of how good it must taste!

I will never forget this birthday. My 30th! In Africa! Thank you to all my friends here who blessed me greatly, family and friends back home for sweet emails, cards, and gifts, and my wonderful husband. Logan worked hard to make me feel special and adored. And I do! Love you all.

Take Your Son to Work Day

Today I officially declared "Take Your Son to Work Day." Liam and I went to the hospital at 10:30 this morning to "take chai" with Daddy. The hospital, and the rest of the compound, comes to a screeching halt at chai time. We had chai (which is tea leaves brewed in boiled milk) and mandazis (similar to a donut that is not sweet.) We passed Liam back and forth between us. Logan told him all about what he was seeing around him at the hospital. We sat outside of the little cafeteria they have. It is for patients' families, doctors, or even the patients themselves.

Liam was enthralled by a little boy at the next table. He was probably 2 or 3. The boy kept saying "Toto, toto?" which is swahili for baby or child. Liam soon wandered off and headed straight to the Peds ward. He drew quite a crowd as he walked through Tenwek like he owns the place.




He waved to everyone he saw! The kids loved seeing him. They laughed and laughed! Logan scooped him up and carried him through the wards and proudly told his patients that this is his son. Liam brought some smiles if just for the few minutes he was there.


We even took the opportunity to weigh him Kenyan style! He weighs 9.8 kilos. (multiply by 2.2 to get the lb conversion).









This was not his "official" 12 month doctor's visit, but we have a doctor living right in our home, and he assures me that Liam is doing great! Still "tall and thin" but walking forward, backwards, and sideways (when he chooses to be shy.) We counted about 24 words that he says. The most common are "Mama" and "No, No." A new one is "belt". He loves to play with Logan's belt.

Some people have asked us, "Is it hard being in the third world with a baby?" I would say it would be so much harder without Liam. He is a breath of fresh air, not only to us, but also to all the nationals he sees. Their eyes always light up and they grin when they see Liam. He's loved all over the world!

Shamrock Shakes and Missing Shoes

Well Liam and I both had a first on St. Patrick's Day. Liam's experience was much more fun I'm sure! He had his first milkshake! The Roberts hosted a Shamrock Shake party for all the Missionary Kids. It was fun seeing everyone dressed in green.

Liam has the cutest all green safari outfit. I dressed him in it early that morning and put on his new brown boots that were purchased before we left the states. He looked adorable! At snacktime, he kicked his shoes off under the table. When I got him out of his highchair, he picked one up and took it to the other room. I cleaned up his tray, bib, etc. Soon it was time to get ready and head out the door to the party. I changed his diaper, but then I could not find that shoe! I frantically started searching everywhere. I ran quickly all over the house. Liam followed me from room to room. I wished he could tell me where it was! After searching as much as I could, I chose another pair of shoes (that, of course, did not match).

 

When I returned home from the party, I turned our house upside down. I mean I looked everywhere Liam can reach, and even some places I don't think he can reach. I got down on the floor in every room, looking under chairs and beds. I looked in all the trashcans. I even looked in the toilet! He had been going in and out of the house that morning, so I even looked all over outside. I had Nancy ask the neighborhood kids if they had seen it.

Finally I assumed it was left outside and stolen or carried away by roosters. There literally was nowhere it could be inside. I looked, Nancy looked, and Logan looked. I think perhaps Riley and Luke looked a little! I have to admit, I was in a little bad mood that day. These shoes are really nice. My parents bought them for Liam before we left. What would I tell them? Would I even tell them at all? I realized this was the first of many lost things, especially shoes, even as I was trying to get out the door. But, how was I unsuccessful on my first lost shoe? I am "the finder" of my family!

Well, 24 hours later, Nancy walks in the back door holding a sweet little brown shoe! I rush to hug her and thank her! Where was it?? It had found its way into our dirty clothes basket that was in our closet. Ahhhhh, yes. I did not look there. I should have thought of that! He does get clothes out of there often. Thankfully the shoe did not get washed.

So, all in all it was an adventure! I'm sure he will lose many more things in the future. And Liam did not mind that his shoes looked a little silly at his Shamrock Shake party. He was just enjoying the ice cream!