Christmas at Tenwek

I enjoyed a Christmas full of activity in Kenya this year. No snow but still many familiar old traditions and new memories and traditions as well. Without all the hype of commercial Christmas, it seemed easier to reflect on Jesus' birth and the reason we celebrate. These are pictures from our visit to the orphanage (the kids sang English and Swahili Christmas carols for us), Christmas Eve with some other Post Residents, Christmas Day caroling at the hospital and having dinner with the Manchester family (including homemade peppermint ice cream!).

Great Rift Valley

Although some things are not too different for me now (nice house, electricity, warm water, good food), driving through the Rift Valley en route to Nairobi is quite a change of scenery - see above picture. We saw zebras, baboons, and gazelles just off the side of the road (plus cows, goats, sheep). I enjoyed the trip for more than just the scenery, though. I realized I haven't been more than a mile from my house in almost 6 weeks! It was good to have a few days off from the hospital and to see more of the country. I also enjoyed the shopping (those of you who know me may be surprised at that statement but when you haven't shopped in 6 weeks, your perspective changes!). I found a 2 foot Christmas tree and some other decorations and presents in addition to groceries. It was great to welcome the McLaughlins to Kenya as well - there are now 6 physicians from Samaritan's Purse's post residency program at Tenwek (see the below picture and http://www.mccropders.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dangalatkenya.blogspot.com/) which is very fun. It's such a blessing to be able to share this experience with others.

The weekend came to a bit of a sad conclusion, though, as I found out one of my favorite patients died. KB was 14 years old and suffered from a chronic rheumatologic condition (maybe Lupus). We had actually consulted several pediatric rheumatologists in the States via email on his case. He was admitted a couple weeks ago with a likely pulmonary embolism and was improving until Thursday when he took a turn for the worse. I always enjoyed greeting KB in the mornings - he spoke English and always said he felt "better" - he never complained no matter what pain he was in. It is comforting to know, though, that KB prayed with the chaplain to receive Christ during this hospitalization. Please pray for his family. (His picture's below.)

Swahili

Unfortunately my Spanish is not very helpful here, but I am enjoying my Swahili lessons - only 4 hours a week at this point, but it's a start! I can now ask, "Is the baby breastfeeding well?", "Do you want to go home today?", and "Is he eating?". One of my favorite parts of the work day, though, is going around the ward and greeting each family - handshakes and greetings are very important culturally here and thankfully I can do both those things :) in Swahili and Kipsigis (the local tribal language). I have also learned two Bible verses in Swahili - John 3:16 and Psalms 46:1 which is:

Mungu kwetu sisi ni kimbilio na nguvu, msaada utakaoonekana tele wakati wa mateso. Zaburi 46:1 (Translation: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.)

This verse has been an encouragement to me especially when faced with much more frequent patient deaths than we see in pediatrics in the States. I have also been able to share the verse with a couple Kenyans. But as my language skills are inadequate, I'm very grateful for the chaplains who can minister to the patients and families in their own language, especially with critically ill and dying patients. The interns are also very helpful with translation and praying for patients in their language.

On a lighter note, besides Kipsigis and Swahili, I am also learning some British English! Flashlights are "torches". Pants are "trousers". The emergency room is called "casualty". One of the interns used the word "chap" when referring to a patient yesterday. And dates are written day/month/year (ie 5/12/09) - takes a little getting used to!