Tenwek Days

   Tenwek is a place of beauty, grace, hard work, and years of dedication and perseverance. We have very much enjoyed this place and its people. I'm actually a little sad to leave so soon as tomorrow will be our last day here. We decided to leave a day early in order to go to the Masai Mara. Everyone keeps raving about the beauty of the land and animals and says we must see it before we leave Kenya. Because we aren't 100% sure that we'll be back, we decided to take the opportunity.

 

   This past weekend was filled with lots of visiting with both short and long-term missionaries, Kenyan nationals, and people like us who are just passing through. It has been really nice to have time to rest and relax and soak in all that is happening around us. Being here in Kenya, and talking with so many people who are in the midst of medical missions, keeps both Jason and I almost constantly thinking and talking about the future. We continue to struggle with all of the unknown and our minds are filled with questions. However, we are also learning the importance of placing every aspect of our life - both present and future - continually into the hands of our Lord. I'm learning that this must be done daily, hourly, and even moment-by-moment at times. I long for my heart to fully trust and worship God at all times. Only He can change my restlessness and fears into peace and contentment. Only if I let Him...Only if I come to Him and ask...

   The past two days have been spent gathering further data for the Wilm's project, attending teaching sessions and meetings at the hospital, talking with the Principal of the nursing school about teaching opportunities here if we return, and spending time with the babies in the NICU (nursery). We've also enjoyed continued visiting with people over meals, and Jason has been involved in the OR and clinics. I've had a lot of time in between these activities to read and relax. I've read two books since we left the states, and I'm about to finish another. I've really enjoyed having time to read again.

   One of my favorite things to do here is hold and feed the babies in the nursery. Many of them weigh only 2-5lbs. One baby in particular has captured my heart. Her name is Eunice and she is an orphan (born and found in a toilet). She is only 3 1/2 weeks old and weighs about 3 1/2 lbs. She was brought here by a near-by orphanage because of diarrhea and malnutrition and will return there when well. I've been feeding her whenever I get a chance to go over there. She is still so skinny and tiny, but she eats well. My heart longs for Eunice and babies like her to be loved and cared for. I wish I could take her home with me... Speaking of Eunice, I'm going to go feed her one more time this evening before dinner. Because of the difficulty in sterilizing bottle nipples, they feed her out of a little measuring cup. It is amazing how she can drink from it so well with just tipping it into her mouth. 

   Well, I'm going to head out but hope to update again soon. If I don't get a chance tomorrow, then I will update on Thursday when we return to Nairobi from the Masai Mara. It should be a great experience from what I hear! 

    Love in Christ,

         Meridith