Long Overdue....

So surgery at Tenwek is going well.  The orthopaedic team is very busy, often having over 40 patients on our service with 10-15 or so needing a non-elective surgery at any given time.  I have worked hard.

Today was very restful.  I woke and talked to a very nice lady who with her husband was helping in a village for 6 months when she was handed a 15 month old that weighed less than 5 pounds.  For the short story she started taking care of the child that a grandmother couldn't raise and her twin sister was also brought for IV fluids and food.  She has 100% family approval for adoption with a commitment to raise the children as dual citizens, but is still fighting a custody battle with the Kenyan government adoption program.  Her husband and other children have been in the states and have been divided off and on for the last 1 year with another 6 months+ to go.  Please pray for this family.  The girls are adorable and doing well.

I have had really a dose of what residency could be like.  Lots of logistics in managing patients, helping make decisions on care for patients, changing dressings, updating medications, teaching patients and helpers on how to take medicines, participating in surgeries, holding reductions, casting fractures at 2:30 am, answering questions about homeopathic herbal remedies, scrubbing legs, sewing up ears, and getting questioned by American chief residents.

I love it.

Last weekend I went to Kisumu and saw people from my trip in 2009.  It was such a blessing to surprise Mary(she has her son with her now) and Ephantus(the new program director, Oke is back in Nairobi and has a second child), and ride along with Jakes (who is much more confident in his English).  So many great things are happening there.  17 children are off the streets and no longer snorting glue, 19 churches are involved up from 5 before, a new rural location is added, a medical clinic is supporting the healthcare needs of the many people involved in this growing empowerment movement, and  many widowed ladies are now able to provide for their children.  The impressionable elderly lady that proposed to me 4 years ago is doing well and still leading her church in giving and service while raising many of her grandchildren.  The focuses are shifting towards vastly expanding the work to prevent children from getting to the streets by using their church family as a network of support.  God has blessed this ministry immensely.

Many of us on the orthopaedic team (including two attendings, a short and long term) are leaving this week.  Please pray we are able to help as many people as possible and that Lord would use the work to glorify His name.  Pray that the census would reduce so that those left will not be overwhelmed.

God continues to bless me with great mentors and conversations about what faith journeys look like when you surrender your own wants and desires.  I am thankful for the time to tangibly be molded during this crucial transition point in my life.  He has also given me many people to encourage out of the abundance He blessed me with.

Check back.  More to come tomorrow!