Another Update from Kenya
23rd July, 2010 - Posted by Dave Redelfs -
Greetings from Kenya! We are all doing well and enjoying a lazy morning after our last day of medical camps. Praise the Lord, the last day went fabulously. We were able to treat every person that came to the clinic and we had the tent down in record time before the rains came. Tara, who has been with 10 Open Arms Medical Clinics, said that this was the best last day she has ever seen. In total, we saw and treated 1,850 people this week.
And that’s where the fun starts. We loaded up the bus with all of the equipment and the people just as the raindrops started falling. The Kenyans were all telling us to hurry. Faster, faster, they said, the rain is coming. We raced out of there, praying that we wouldn’t get stuck on the muddy road…again. When we made it past where we got stranded Thursday night, everyone cheered. But we weren’t out of the woods yet. We drove through Kambi Teso and began heading up a big hill. The bus just couldn’t get enough traction and its wheels started spinning. We backed up and kept trying, but no luck. So, everyone threw on their rain jackets and got off in the pouring rain. Thank God we were stuck right next to a small tin shop used for grinding maize. The owner let us take shelter in his shop so some of us squeezed inside with a couple of Kenyan children and the rest huddled under the overhang outside. The men worked valiantly to get that bus out of the mud, but it kept sliding down the hill and closer to the shop where we were all taking refuge. We moved the children to the back because it looked like the bus might tip over and land in the shop! Thankfully it didn’t, but its back end did end up deep in the ditch with no way of getting it out.
Six of us went with the Open Arms bus that was carrying most of the equipment and the rest of us braved the weather and the mud and headed out up the road, walking. The locals got a good-natured laugh out of us. Welcome to Kenya life, they were saying. Many also told us they were very sorry. We didn’t really mind, though. Our team is so good natured; I have been very impressed with everyone’s attitudes. It’s all part of the adventure! So we walked. When we reached the main road, Dave came back with the truck and about 16 of us loaded up, six or so in front and about 10 standing up in the back. It was true Kenyan public transport. We held on for dear life in the back of the pickup in the pouring rain, yelling and screaming and laughing, as we bounced down the road over potholes and mud puddles. I think we were the funniest sight most of the Kenyans had ever seen. Sadly, there wasn’t room for everyone and a few of our men had to keep walking. I think they walked a mile or so until they hit pavement and the matatu, a public transport vehicle, came and picked them up.
Those of us in the truck were cruising along nicely until we reached downtown Eldoret. There was the worst traffic jam I have ever seen in my life. We were stopped at a four-way intersection, and each street had been turned into a one-way road with all the cars’ noses facing the center. No one was going anywhere. There was no accident or anything, it was just that crazy, impatient Kenyan driving. We were stuck there for about 45 minutes, shivering and laughing in the back of the truck. Thankfully, some of the women had packed some snacks! Just to make the situation even more hilarious, we had been stopped right by a Muslim mosque and the call to prayer went off right as we pulled up.
The only reason we got out of the traffic jam was because Kennedy, our wonderful interpreter from the medical camp, jumped off the back of the truck and begin directing traffic. It was a difficult job but he was finally able to clear a path for us and we went on our way. We reached the office, were met by the matatu that had picked up our men that were walking, and headed back to the village.
Needless to say, it was an eventful night! Like I said, everyone had great attitudes and even seemed to enjoy the experience. And praise the Lord, when we got back to the Open Arms Village there was electricity! They have been waiting and praying so long to see electricity come to the village and it is finally here. They are still struggling with a water shortage, but we believe God that that will be cleared up soon. He has taken care of everything else!
I apologize for the lengthy post. We thank you all for your prayers. Rest assured that God is changing lives, in Kambi Teso and among our own group. Please keep remembering us the rest of the week, for grace as we work with the street kids on Thursday and for a safe journey for those who are heading home this weekend.
May God bless you and keep you all,
The Open Arms Team
Posted on: July 23, 2010
Filed under: Eldoret
2 Comments
Linda DeKrey
July 29th, 2010 at 4:15 am
the wheels onthe bus go round and round. The team and I sang that alot. The wheels did not always go round and round and the Lord provided Eldoret with plenty of orange mud. However, just one Africian sunset reminds you that your are in God’s country. If Heaven looks anything like Africa I’m first in line to go! The hand of a voiceless child lets the Lord roar inside you. Your first whitness of HIS healing and miricles reminds you HE can do anything. I challenge you..step out of your comfort zone, I did. Take that leap of faith, come see what God has in store for you, I did. I even learned to be still, quiet nd hear our God. If I can, you can. My friend it is all in Africa, come, renew, be blessed. Come
Linda DeKrey
July 29th, 2010 at 4:33 am
one more thought since my body is still on Kenyan time, and those who know me, know my computer messages take some “decode-ing.’ In my defense, my computer is only typing a letter here and there so please excuse typo’s. So, many know I always carry OAI cards. David has not given me a position at OAI so I gave myself one. I’m the official card passer-out-er! Even on this trip the Lord blesses me with strangers talking to me. Well, ok I talk non stop we know that!!! But, honestly where ever i go, anywhere, I ALWAYS meet some one and they ask me for a OAI card. So, if you feel you have no “skills” to do a team you do. The card passer out-er job I will share. God will bring people to you, just like me a lay person, to spread the Good News and all about OAI. This team trip I’m proud to report 19 cards were asked for and strangers blessed ME for going. Come on!!! It will change you forever, come to the Village………come home.
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