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Kenya 2013 MBF Medical

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Kenya – Medical Mission September 2013

Summary

Thank you for reading my summary. You may want just the highlights, then just read the

paragraph below or you may want the whole thing or just parts. The parts are; Trip, Kenya, People and Feelings. They cover the details of the trip, facts about Kenya and my experience, important people to me associated with the trip, and my feelings, reflection and personal learning’s. If you want to see more pictures see my Facebook site or my scrapbook on Shutterfly.

I went with a team from the US to Kenya to do medical mission work in September 2013. Worked in a hospital, went on a safari and worked in a rural clinic. I meet a lot of great people and learned to love the people at home more as well as meet new friends whom I am trying to keep in relationship with. I learned a lot about Kenya, it’s culture and people; personally. Personally I learned a lot about myself though prayer, reflection and pain.

Again thank you for your time in reading and I look forward to hearing your stories. It is through our growth together that we can better serve this Lord, Jesus Christ.

Trip

I received an e-mail from Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) in May of 2013. I had already started to look for some opportunity to go back to Africa in 2014. The Lord was just a little ahead of me. It is great to get these hints along the way. The next blessing was Angela, she agreed to take care of Ann (my 85 year old mother), while I was away. I was taking care of her grandson, Alex and it worked out great. I got the hints and started to prepare.

A few insights for me were: going to a new country, going with new people, and medical focus. It would also give me more insights in doing medical / nursing or engineering / maintenance. Both can serve the Lord, but needed to go as an RN if really wanted to do medical mission work.

I got a reality check from my friend, Barbara Nagy. Barbara is a missionary in Malawi and I have been her friend for several years and have served with her. “People love you and you can make a good missionary,” she shared. She also suggested that RN’s are needed and better accepted if they are registered in the US. She also had a few suggestions to improve. Long hair is not preferred by the African Presbyterian Church. They prefer a more conservative look for men and women. I need to be aware of drinking alcohol and should be careful in joking and kidding around with women. This hurt at first hearing, but growth usually only comes through discomfort. So, I cut off my shoulder length hair and sent it to Locks of Love. That was easy. Now, I stopped drinking two weeks prior to going and did not drink at all during the trip. This was harder. Now about joking, I am just a jokester. I did better but still kidded around, especially when it came to dancing during worship. So, two out of three is not bad. During the trip I learned more improvements to make me a better Christian.

The mission trip with MBF was going to be a medical mission trip. This was another clue along the way. Do I do nursing or not. It was great to be with a medical focused mission team. We had twelve members, just like the disciples. Team members were from all across United States and varied medical experiences. We had doctors, nurses, therapist, teachers, and family members. We did not meet until the start of the trip in Kenya. Our leader, Eve Tolley was a great, laid back leader, who had planned and kept planning all the details, so it looked effortless. But it never is. She labeled us the “God Team” and we were a good cohesive team. No medical hierarch or stigma, if it needed to be done or said someone stepped forward and worked together to best serve the Lord. That was our focus and helped keep the group centered.

The trip was from September 13 to October 12, 2013, about a month. The first two weeks was with the team working at Tumutumu Hospital, the second two weeks Caitlyn and I worked at Sugarbaker Memorial Dispensary. Both the hospital and dispensary are in Nyeri, Kenya. Nyeri is about 2 hours north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The first two weeks were scheduled and well planned the second two weeks were open and flexible. During my time at the hospital I worked as a nursing assistant in the male ward. At the dispensary I helped build steps, fence and hedge. Between the first two weeks and second the team went of safaris at two locations; Samburu and Sweetwater. Transition from missionary to tourist was discomforting. To aid in the transition I tried to stay focused on people and not actions. I made friends with staff and other guest.  One of the team’s quotes for the trip was, “It is about Being not Doing.” I tried to be genuine in my being with others and less focused on what I was doing. The work is not near as important as the relationships and experiences, especially the spiritual experiences and insights. I hope you get a feel for these experiences and insights from this trip summary.

Kenya

I had never been to Kenya, so doing a little research and reading, learned more about the country. A great book about Kenya from a personal prospective is– Unbowed, by Wangari Muta Maathai. I read it on the plane trip over and finished while I was there.  Here are some of my insights and Wangari’s with a little from Nelson Mandela.

Kenya is about the size of Texas and has more Presbyterians (4 million) than all of US (3 million). The Presbyterian Church Eastern Africa (PCEA ) is the dominate church in Kenya. Church growth appears to be high in Kenya. Churches are growing and are also very active in their communities by running hospitals, like Tumutumu and Sugarbaker and orphanages. Over 80% of the population (44 M) is Christian and they do not mind telling you that they are a Christian.

The people are educated with English and Swahili is spoken across the country. But there are also tribal languages, like Kikuyu. So, I started to learn Swahili, but also learned a little Kikuyu. The main thing to remember is to listen with your heart and not your ears. I could understand more of the meanings vs. the words. One day John and I were downtown Nyeri and he was just talking away to me (the only white person, mzungu in the town) in Kikuyu. People stopped him going down the street and asked if I understood what he was saying and he would tell them, yes. This was a great feeling, to be in the club. The current day definition of mzungu is “white person”, but the original definition was “one who is spinning round in the same spot, dizzy.” I call it “deer in head lights look”, maybe that is the look we white people have on our faces when we are in Africa. It is eye opening.

Kenya has over 43 tribes. They appear to have strong communal connections, especially in rural areas. The tribes have their differences and appear to be the lines for political divide also. Most of the people I was with were from the Kikuyu tribe. People appear to have a stronger since of community and they even have a word for it, ubuntu.  Nelson Mandela states part of the meaning as, “what are you going to do to enable the community around you and enable it to improve.” Other definitions are, “I am what I am because of who we all are,” and “you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. We are interconnected. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality, you have to be generous.” People in Kenya have much less (physically) than we do in US but they have more of a since of community and caring for each other. I felt they are more spiritual than we are in US.

It is getting harder and harder to care for each other in Kenya when the countries unemployment is over 40% and in Nairobi (about the same size as Los Angeles), is over 60% (LA is about 10%). Therefore people have to share more or take more from each other. This conflict can be felt in the caring for each other and the increase safety and home protection. I always felt safe, but I am the mzungu and had lots of people watching and caring for me.

Safari’s are a big industry in Kenya and are known as the best in the world. The Maasai tribe is the main tribe in the safari areas. We were close to Mt. Kenya, the second tallest mountain in Africa. But it had clouds around the top most of the time. I did get a good look early one morning.

People

There are three main groups of people: team members, Kenya friends, and people left behind, I want to share about. My prayer is that I continue warm bonds of Christian love with these friends and loved ones.

The team was Eve, Glenn & Jackie, Cinny & Bill, Tim, Shelley, Caitlyn, Ann & Chuck, Carla and me. Yes me, “sometimes you need a little Meach and sometimes you don’t.” I was my silly, loud self and worked hard to be a team player. I pushed the group some, but hopefully not to the point of making them mad. Eve was happy with me taking a lead on some task and she was also comfortable telling me to back off. Glenn learned to use the Meach personality and traits and was comfortable in his role as a non-medical person, facilities on a medical mission trip. God used us all in and with our gifts.

Bill was the surgeon who was called by God to operate on a young boy who had contacted him in US and just happened to be ready for surgery when this trip was scheduled. God does have a plan we just have to sit back and let him do the work and not us. Bill and I were able to tell jokes with similar experiences and outlook on life. Tim (USNA) and I (USMA) were old cadets hooking back up and telling stories. It was great to get to know the non-doctor side of Tim. Faith and trust in the Lord is big in his heart. A wonderful experience with Tim was, praying and laying on of hands on David and Jessie the mother and father of the young boy Bill operated on.

Caitlyn was the bravest. She was working temporally at MBF and saw the trip and said, “I’m going to Africa.” Her faith and trust in the Lord is outstanding. She graduated from Wake Forest and is applying to Physician Assistant schools, so she was interested in the medical side and also children. But the most trusting part was she agreed to stay with me the second two weeks. She got the aftershock of knowing the silly David first, then seeing the serious David. Once you see the silly one, it is harder to accept the serious one. We had to adapt to the life alone at Sugarbaker from the group life at Tumutumu Guest House. We now had no schedule, no meals planned or prepared and lots of unknowns with the clinic and surroundings. We had a few hick ups at first but we each found a path that was workable, but was not the best spiritually. Caitlyn focused on the children and I focused on a new fence for the clinic. You see we are doing vs. being, opposite of what we said we should do. I pray for Caitlyn today and hope her experiences at Sugarbaker were insightful, meaningful and overall positive. It is these close relationships I have to be more aware and focus on loving and caring for them over and above myself.

My family back home loves me and care for me. Angie was so kind and loving to care for Ann, my mother. It is not easy caring for an 85 year old woman. My brothers and their families also helped and I am grateful for their love and support. When I was in Kenya there was an attack on a mall in Nariobri. Angie sent me a text that read, “Come home now.” My church family also provided support. Bill Cain especially supported and prayed for me as I journeyed out.

The sewing ministry quilts are such a blessing and I was privileged to be able to give them away to Emily (head nurse at Tumutumu Hospital), Geoffrey & Gladys (90 year old couple, house call), Serah (Sugarbaker receptionist), and Miriam (host at Tumutumu Guest House). I am grateful for all who supported me directly and indirectly in this mission trip and reaching out in faith to serve others and grow in my faith in the Lord.

Others that I met who live in Kenya include: Nicholas, Emily, Virginia, Jack, Serah, Grace (student), Grace (nurse), Peter, John, Samuel and many many more. I tried to write down each one’s names and remember them.

Nicholas is the medical officer at Sugarbaker. He is a very sweet and kind person. He showed

such love and caring for the patients. I will not forget him caring for Geoffrey & Gladys in their home, two deformed girls at the orphanage and doing back flips in the yard at the clinic. Serah is the receptionist at Sugarbaker. She presented the heart of the clinic as caring and welcoming to patients as they arrived, but she had a hurt from her husband leaving her. We shared our experiences from separation / divorce and I pray she finds comfort with the Lord as she and I both move forward. John was my buddy at the clinic. We joked and he spoke mainly Kikuyu to me and we understood. He is very proud of the landscape at the clinic and I was honored to work with him on the new fence and steps between two of the yards. But most of all I was glad to worship and dance with him at his church. I was able to meet his church family and they welcomed me, including his wife and child. John is also caring for his brother’s children and has a heart for always helping others, Wachira is his tribal name and when I heard it I always knew it was for the good and kindness he had shown them, I could hear it in my heart.

Emily the head nurse at Tumutumu reached out to me at our first meeting, we shared our faith and faith journey. She showed such care for others including me. I enjoyed Caitlyn’s and my visit to her church. We did a lot of dancing, singing, worshiping, auctioning and just loving the Lord for more than four hours. Felt like only a short time when you are with one’s you love. Grace was the male ward head nurse at Tumutumu; she treated me like one of the other staff. I greatly appreciated her telling me what to do in Swahili. She said she said it in English but others confirmed she asked me in Swahili and I knew “…. strappie…” was “I need tape”. She also encouraged me to continue in nursing. She and Emily both commented on my caring and nurturing spirit for patients.

While serving on the male ward, I was accepted by the staff and work and did as they did and needed. Several of the patients are on my heart: George, blind man, big man and young man with HIV. George was assigned to me right away. He was big and incontinent. I loved feeding and caring for him. One man wanted to know more about my family and I got to meet his when they visited. The blind man got tangled in his clothes going to the bathroom, I help him find his way and go to the bathroom. I told him I was white and he said he knew it. The young man was dying for HIV and other complications. I tried to provide some comfort. Death was common on the ward. Thanks to Emily, Grace, nurses and students working to comfort others and letting me work beside you in showing the love of Christ.

Jack is the MBF African contact. He is very knowledgeable and focused on helping the hospitals in Africa. He was kind to reach out to the team and to Caitlyn and me, later. I enjoyed our dinner at Outspan, where Jack and Nicholas were the minority now but we were very happy being together eating and visiting. Virginia had Caitlyn and me to her home with her and her son for dinner. It was such a warm and caring atmosphere. She is on the board of Sugarbaker and is a big support to Nicholas. Her mother just died and I continue to reach out and share with her.

We visited and meet many students and children. Two stand out for me Grace and Peter. Grace is a young lady at Tumaini Children’s Home. She reached out when I first arrived and my heart says to stay connected and reach out to her. Peter is a young man at Huruma Children’s Home. He wants to be a lawyer and shared with me his medals for track and his room. I am still reaching out to him and Grace. One at a time, I pray for their growth and development.  The number of young adults in Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. We need to provide productive opportunities for them; the alternatives are not near as positive.

God reached out a special hand to me as we were leaving Kenya. Samuel is an older man

Samuel & Priscilla

(70’s or so) who loves music and would come to the Guest House at Kikuyu Orthopedic Rehabilitation Hospital in Nairobi. We would stay a night at the Guest House when flying in and out of Nairobi. We had meet Samuel when we came and I had told him when we were leaving and that I would be back. We came back on Thursday night and flew out on Friday afternoon. So, I thought well I will be sitting around all Friday morning, then shows up Samuel. We had breakfast together and he invited me to his home after he went and played for the hospital staff chapel service that morning. I asked to join him at chapel and then go to his home. We had a nice service at chapel, the sermon was about serving your neighbor even if you did not like them. Then Samuel and I rode his motorcycle to his house. We had a great visit with his wife Priscilla. He was so glad I would visit in his home. His own brother who lives in London would not visit his home. What an honor to be welcomed in someone’s home and life. I got an e-mail from him today and am excited to have a new friend in the Lord.

Feelings

Baraka, mean “blessing” in Swahili. I have so many blessings from this trip. Some are a little painful. But as I learned in Junior High School, God can speak to me through pain. I felt some pain and pray for growth from this experience.

I twisted my knee during a skit at the Deaf School and the pain helped remind me to slow down in the caring for the men in the hospital ward and caring for the other team members. I felt physical pain building the steps and fence at Sugarbaker, which was reminder to slow down and focus on being vs. doing, as I should be doing more of now. United States way is fast and focused on doing, Kenya’s way is “pole, pole” or “slowly, slowly” with more focus on being together. Slow down David enjoy the walk and serving the Lord with others.

Enjoy worship, worship with song, dance and your heart. It is OK to say you are a Christian. I loved introducing myself as a believer of Jesus Christ; continue to do here at home. Don’t be numb to life and your faith.

Alcohol can make me numb. I need to control my drinking more or stop all together. Physically, if I am doing mission work later in life I need to be more physically fit and not so heavy. My physical possessions are also to be used best to glorify God. I need to challenge more of my funds and what I really need vs. what God wants me to do for others with these funds.

Be more concern and caring for those right next to you. Learned so much from Caitlyn and how I need to be more aware of those right in front of me and provide them comfort and care in their times of pain.

I am so glad I felt more connected to nursing and am going back to get my nursing degree and certification. It feels right in my heart to be a nurse and care for others here or in Africa or where ever. God will be with me.

Trusting in God and judging actions more as what is best for Christ than David will do me a world of good. I am thankful for God allowing me to travel to Kenya, serve others and to grow in my faith and trust in him.

So, what do I do now? Do the personal changes: regarding close relationships, church,

drinking, health, Christ vs. me. Keep in touch with new friends in Kenya, strengthen relationship now and build new with church family. Tell the story, share your adventures and learning. Be vulnerable and take the pain and grow from it. Go again when the call from God is felt.

God's Way...... Listen, Malawi 2011

God’s Way ……. Listen
Nkhoma, Malawi Africa
June 2011

"Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."-1 Peter 4:8-11

Thanks be to God for allowing me to journey with him to Malawi Africa. It was a joy to serve in Malawi and I learned more how to listen to him and follow his way. The old saying, “Plan your work and work your plan”, is not applicable with God’s plan for us. Being open to and changing with God’s plan is more important. During the month of June, 2011 I experienced many blessing and lessons that I would like to share with you, as I tried to listen closer and follow God’s plan.

Quilts

One of the first lessons was with the ten quilts donated by Bethel Presbyterian Sewing Ministry. They are beautiful hand made quilts with the love and care from the women of the church. I thought I was going to need a tent, mattress, and sheets to live in a village, but a day before going Barbara Nagy, the missionary / doctor who lives in Nkhoma sent me a note saying I may not need the camping supplies. Well this changed my packing a great deal and allowed me to fit eight of the ten quilts in my bags.

The quilts were a great blessing to those who received them. Barbara and I wanted to give them to individuals who expressed the love and kindness of Jesus Christ to those around them. One was given to Justice Khinthi. Justice worked closely with me on helping others in the hospital, village and homes. He was having some struggles with site contractors and needed some extra love and care, which the gift of the quilt brought him. What a wonderful gift.

Sam Kabota is a clinical officer and head of the village clinics. I have been in surgery with Sam and he is a great teacher and caring person. He is Malawian and is a loving connection between the hospital staff and the patients. He has a great laugh and loves the Lord. The head nurse for the hospital was also a recipient of a quilt. She also shows extra love and compassion toward patients and appreciated the gift of a quilt.

Another quilt was given to Daniel Chimutu and his wife Mary. Daniel is a clinical officer in the orthopedic ward. He is going to medical school and I was asked at the last minute to pick up a laptop computer for him and deliver it to him. It was a gift to him from Della Wortham, a previous volunteer who wanted to help Daniel in his quest for becoming a doctor.

Daniel was a joy to be with he made sure I experienced Malawian main staple, nsema. Nsema is a corn flour made into patties that you use to eat with or if you don’t have anything else it is your meal. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, so not every one has a choice on what to eat or have any thing at all to eat.

Daniel had me in his home with Mary and is son. What a joy to be with someone in their own home. The little boy was tired and feel asleep and was carried to bed by his mother. Mary works with an orphanage for about 5000 children. The children live in individual home in villages around Nkhoma. They are able to stay connected with a family and continue to get the care need for a child to grow. Life in Malawi is tough and average life expectancy is 43. What a blessing to be with a family as they grow and adventure into the world of medicine and care for children, together.

A quilt was given to Barbara Nagy. Barbara is the main reason I go to Malawi. She has been a doctor in Malawi for seven years and continues to live there with her three daughters; Melia, Anna and Happy. Barbara is also a missionary for the Presbyterian Church, USA. She is primary supported by Western NC Presbytery. Melia and Anna were away at school in Kenya while I was visiting but Happy was home and a joy to be with.

I feel God lead me to help Barbara as I can by making her life a little easier. So, I do “honey do” things for her in her home in both Malawi and Morganton, NC. While in Malawi I helped repair the front and back door, replace torn screens, build a garage door kick-stand, paint, repair a cabinet and my favorite was to repair the gate I had made in 2009.

While working in Barbara’s home I was helped by Happy. She is six year old, bundle of joy, always smiling and laughing. We had great times together fixing things, telling stories and just laughing out loud.

During my past two visits to Malawi I had heard about Harvest Sunday. A Sunday, usually in June where all the villages of the church bring in a portion of their harvest. Well, I finally was able to attend Harvest Sunday. It was a blessing to see all the villages come into the church from different doors carrying there harvest. Items included, corn, goats, sugar cane, cabbage, and many other vegetables. It was at this time I was able to give a gift from our village; I gave one the quilts the ladies from Bethel had made. It was an honor to make our village’s contribution.

Meals Together

Eating in Malawi is a sociable event, just as in most places. I was privileged to dine in several homes. They included the Chimutu’s home, Barbara’s home, TerHaar’s home, Kuchapala’s home and Victors home.

Barbara was so kind to have me at her home many times for a meal and scripture. We were reading about the Kings in the old testament. Happy and I would listen intently as Barbara shared the old old stories, usually Happy and I would make up some more stories and sing some silly songs.

Singing and scripture is a part of the TerHaar’s family meal time also. I had a great visit with Reynier and Willeke. We talked about our families, faith and marriage. It was nice to have a genuine conversation with other Christians and sharing our journeys. I was able to share some of my loss with divorce and some of my joys from volunteering, taking care of my mother and being able to do mission work in Malawi.

Banaya Kuchapala (Kuch) is a maintenance supervisor for the hospital. He was my guide and friend for most of the construction work. He took me under his wing and helped with most of the projects, especially the work in Mlanda. Kuch and I have known each other since 2007 and have tried to keep in touch. I am able to help with his children going to school. He invited me to join him in his home and village for a meal.

His wife, Alda and son James joined us in a room of their home for nsema, relish and eggs. As with all meals with Kuch and others we prayed. Most of the time we prayed in Chichewa, but this time Kuch prayed in English. I brought several gifts, a hammer, bread, peaches, and a wood carved nativity scene. We set the three wise men up, the Sheppard, animals, the star of Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Then we started to sing some Christmas songs, same tune different words. We also danced to some of the song. The village chief also stopped in for a visit and welcome. It was great to be invited into someone’s home and enjoy the love of Christ together.

Victor’s home was one of the three nurses’ homes we painted at the Mlanda Medical Clinic. Victor was so appreciative for us coming to paint his and two other homes. The homes had not been painted for over 20 years and were dark brown from hands and skin oil. We were given enough paint for one house, but we made it last for two houses. Every one helped; the homeowners helped, two painters from the hospital – Jabas Kapula and Greento Chalera, Kuchapala, Lapous (Barbara’s yardman) and myself. Even the driver helped who came to pick us up, he brought more paint, so we were able to paint most of a third house. Lots of hard work for the Lord, God’s plan.

Not only did we work hard but we were able to go to the village store at night for a coke or fanta. It was fun to be part of the community, even though I stood out as the “mzungu”, white person. Chalera was always a steady hard worker, but when we got out he could tell some stories, I never knew what they were but we all laughed and laughed at them. Great feeling to be with others and share a brief part of our lives together.

I was so glad to have spent time in the village. Especially with Victor and his family. One day we were eating and chatting and he looked at me and said, “what are you thinking” and I share my thoughts. I was thinking about how pleasant it was to be sitting with friends, his family and neighbors outside in God’s glory. It was nice to just be in each others presence and not have to be any where else. Near the end of our stay in the village after Victor’s home was painted and every thing moved back in, we stood together holding hands and looking at his newly painted and repaired home. It was a time of thankfulness and kindness with each other. It was a very special gift for him to share with me his appreciation.

Little Whispers

I wanted so bad to stay or go back to the village but God had other plans for me. I was able to stop and listen more to God this trip to Malawi. I appreciated the comfort from trying to listen and do as God wanted me to do. God’s way not mine. Some of the little whispers were: Mary Elise’s home, Abusa’s Home, Nurse supplies, Lumber, Excell, Ball caps, Empty Box, and Happy Hugs.

Mary Elise is an older nurse who lives in an apartment at the Guest House, where I stayed. She needed some help keeping bats from coming down her chimney. Well that was not all she needed help with, she need her tub tile repaired, painting in two bathroom, curtains hung in four rooms and a new light fixture. Seems like easy task, but supplies are at least a day or two away and is at least a day to go and pick them up in Lilongwe. But I felt God’s hand to help Mary Elise with these items and prayed she would feel the love of Chirst. Well not every time did I feel the love and stopped and tried harder to share love with Mary Elise.

Near the end of my visit I saw Kuch and Chalera carring a ladder around 10’oclock, tea time. I asked where they were going and they said they were painting their Abusa’s house. Abusa is Chichewa for pastor. So, I took the hint from God and said, I will help them paint their Abusa’s house. The next morning was Wednesday Chapel at the hospital. I arrived on time but no one was their but the hospital Abusa, Rev. Laston Kachumba. So we visited and chatted for a while, then I asked him if Kuch and Chalera were painting his house. He said no, but he need some work done in his home. The Chapel service started, which included a part where Rev. Kachumba sang and danced as part of the worship. I love the dancing. He and I meet at his home for tea where I learned of the disrepair of his home. The worst was his bathroom. It needed tile and painting, it was a mess.

I took the hint from God and started to work, I only had two days to get it all done before I left. No way could I do it but I started out again with God’s help. First day was frustrating could not get to Lilongwe to get supplies, so started scraping the walls. Rev. Kachumba’s son, Noah helped me as we took off more than half the wall back down the original concrete surface. Ok, now got to re-plaster before painting.

Thank goodness, no thank God that I had made friends with Lukas, the tile man. He had helped with Mary Elise’s home and so I asked if he would help with the Abusa’s bathroom. He agreed but would like a cell phone as part of his payment. Now, I have to get the supplies to do the work, along with a cell phone. The next morning I find a ride on a flat bed truck going to Lilongwe to pick up supplies for the nursing school (more on this adventure to come). I was able to get all the supplies and cell phone to get the job completed. Friday, the last day I would be available, I made all the arrangement for Lukas to do the tile and plaster work and Kuch or others to paint the bathroom. The work was completed after I left Malawi and that the Abusa’s home is a little better to live in. I was also able to buy more paint to help Kuch and Chalera to paint another room in their Abusa’s home. God’s hand was again at work with me to better understand his plan for me to trust in him and walk in his path.

Now back to the trip to Lilongwe, like every other trip there you try to do a million things in one visit. I needed supplies for the Abusa’s house, a cell phone, gifts from the wood carvers, and groceries for Barbara plus all the items needed by the nurses. Little did I know the reason for the flat bed truck was that they needed tons of stuff, like: flour (1000 lbs), beef (800 lbs), chicken (800 lbs), boxes of paper, sugar (200 lbs), etc. The truck was full and we did not get it unloaded until about 9 PM after starting out at 9 AM. Long day but the Lord provided at his pace and way. Oh yea it was great to help with the supplies and men on the truck that day. I was able to live and share my life with them as we worked and road together in the back of the truck.

On a previous trip to Lilongwe we made many stops, as always but we were running out of time to buy lumber. The lumber yard closes at 5 PM and we got there right at five. The gate was open so in we drove in. The lumber yard workers were waiting for a shipment to come. We chatted and said we only needed seven 14 foot 1” x 8”. They agreed but could not give us a receipt, fine I made my own receipt and off we went. One more for the team. Yes, I was praying we would make it on time to the lumber yard. Thanks again.

The wood was used to make new benches for the patients in the Eye Hospital. Mark made the benches, he is a carpenter from Holland who was in Nkhoma with his wife Maretta, who is a medical student working in the Eye Hospital. The benches were so nice that the Main Hospital started asking for some bench, also.

It is strange how things you have learned in your past come back to help you in the future. Twice I was asked to help with Excel spreadsheets. Barbara needed to analyze the infant mortality for the pediatric ward. I made the spreadsheet and taught her how to use it. She has lowered the mortality to 2% which is substantial below the national average for Malawi of 12%. Hopefully this little bit of help will save other lives.

The second request came from Henny Schmit. Henny and his family have lived in Malawi since 1989 and he was responsible for the Water System in the Nkhoma area. I was able to help him build a spreadsheet to simply his monthly billing. It felt like magic sharing with others and seeing the joy come across their face as they see how it can be done so much easier and faster. I was appreciative of my past experience and ability to use to help others now.

My past experiences with the Greensboro Housing Authority and Love INC made it much easier to work in a persons home that was filthy, roaches, spiders, droppings, and even chickens. Some of the house in the village were very dirty and you just get down on your knees and clean. God thank you for the past experience in people home before, so that I can help others in need, today.

Helping others were the men in blue jump suits. They are the custodians of the hospital. I was able to give most all of them a ball cap. Tommy Burleson had left 20 to 30 ball caps. So, I started giving them away to the men in blue as well as other workers, including Lukas and other professions that help me along the way in Malawi. Gifts of ball caps, little gifts from God, thanks.

Children in Mlanda village were very curious with our work, especially our trash. We replace door locks and handles, which came in a box with plastic bags. The children were excited about their new toys, empty bags and boxes. One of the boys took a box, added bottle caps to make four wheels and a smoke stack, put his prize rocks and other goodies inside, added a string and how had a new toy truck. What a gift. What a way to see the good in all, little whispers.

Many little whispers came through Happy. She was such a joy to be with. The last day was sad for us both. I showed up to say good-bye to her and Barbara. Barbara had been called to the hospital but I did not know that at the time. So, Happy and I just sat on the couch and held each other, both sad and never had to say any thing. We held each other and began to say our good byes with one or two more laughs before I left Malawi with our little whispers. Thanks be to God.

So What

God has blessed me with these opportunities to learn and grow. I have tried on this journey to listen more to the Lord for the joys he has laid out for me. I tried to share more the word of Christ in my language and actions. I am grateful for all that God has given me and know my walk today is closer to God than my walk before my trip to Malawi. Looking and listening for God’s next call, big or small I hope to see them all.

Jesus said, "Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." -Luke 22:27

Photo Book - Weedon Family Reunion

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Photos - Malawi 2011 - David

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It's Relationships

Malawi – 2009

It’s Relationships: May 20, 2009 I joined eight other Presbyterians to visit and work with Barbara Nagy in Nhkoma, Malawi. This was my second trip to Nhkoma and was excited and pleased to meet friends I had been with and worked with in Nhkoma. Some I recognized and others recognized me, either way the relationships were strengthened. I was strengthened by the long distance relationship and common bond to help others.

Dr. Barbara Nagy is a PCUSA Missionary as a pediatrician at Nhkoma Hospital. She has been there for over five years. She has three beautiful daughters, Melia, Anna and Happiness. Barbara is the main reason for this visit. It is to be with her and her family and help out in a small way to make her ministry successful.

Our team of Presbyterians has been visiting Barbara for five years. The visit was coordinated by Grace Boyer with Western NC Presbytery. Grace was also one of the team members. She provided spiritual depth and leadership to the group. Other members of the group were Tom Kilgore, Teresa Locke, Tommy Burleson, Alice Salthouse, Hong Byun, Hisup Byun and Jonathan Axtell. Tom, Teresa, Tommy and I had been before and were able to assist and share with Alice, Hong, Hisup and Jonathan our experiences and experiences in Nkhoma.

We worked on various task at the Hospital, Barbara’s home and at a village clinic. The work was meaningful but the thing that struck me was that it is not the work but the relationships. To illustrate, we were painting beds one day. I was over painting away, seeing how fast I could paint. On another bed was Kuchpala and Greento. Kuchpala is the hospital maintenance man. Greento is the hospital painter. They were painting but they were talking and visiting the whole time. Then two other men came over and sat next to the bed and joined the conversation. They did not even help paint. I finished painting my before they were even half way done, then I started another. The day of painting continued this way for the day. It hit me at the end of the day, I missed a great opportunity. I missed strengthening my relationship with these men and sharing Christ love with each other that day. It is the relationships and not the task or the things of life. Thankfully, I was able to go to a village clinic with Kuchpala and Greento in the back of a pick up truck and paint a house for the clinic medical director. I was able to share time with them, share a meal, share family stories, and share the love of Christ with each other and with those around us. I thank God for this experience and enlightenment.

Hong and Hisup are from Texas and originally from Korea. They were a joy to be with. They brought song sheets and great voices. We sang most every night after our devotions. They share a special singing of “In The Garden” at the dedication gifts that were brought to the new school. They had such love in their voices as the children played in the background and all were happy to share with others. Hong and Hisup were troopers in leading the climb up Mt. Nhkoma. One of the more special times was learning of the struggle Hong had as a child in Korea after the Korean War with his mother. He saw the children and mothers around the Hospital Guest House where he and others were painting. He remembered sleeping on the ground and little to eat, just like those around him now at the Guest House.

Jonathan also helped with the Guest House, where he met Grace. Grace was one of the guest. She and four or five others would share the one 10’ x 10’ room with out any furniture. Their belongings were simple and few. Each guest is there to care for a person in the hospital. They need to provide food, medicine and needs for the patients. This was Jonathan’s first visit and was eager to learn and absorb. He was our group photographer and helped compile our 4000+ pictures. I enjoyed his excitement and continued connection with this family back home. He was so excited about collecting coins for his children and having clothes made for them.

This was Jonathan’s first visit. It was also Alice’s first visit. Alice had a special mission for this trip. A week before we were to go she was asked to go to Kalamazoo Michigan and learn how to install, run and operate new lab equipment for analyzing blood. Barbara said this lab analysis will save many a lives due to unknown causes of illnesses. Alice was apprehensive and excited about setting up the new equipment. She quickly got the equipment set up and running and working with Femka and Edmond. Femka and Edmond would operate the equipment after we left. They both came to our home and sang and prayed with us. Christ hand working through these works of setting up lab equipment. Alice had also adventure of trading and buying a drum and other items. She and Teresa traded on the street of Lilongwe for a drum the scene was crazy and as the continued to negotiate more vendors surrounded them. Finally Teresa set a deal and the drums were bought. Later Alice negotiated her shoes, bag and other items for vendor wares. Life in the Malawian shopping experience.

Teresa has been to Malawi several years and loved during her exercises with Alice in the morning and I think evening also. Teresa has a special gift for the children and had brought beautiful pictures of children to be hung in the children’s ward. Barbara wanted to give examples of children who are alive and well, so many of the children die from malaria, HIV and poor health. Teresa and Tom were our group leaders.

Tom, like Teresa has been there several years. Tom’s gift is painting and has painted murals and the hospital mission statement in many places. This year he helped paint the guest house with the same love and detail he had done the other painting. Tom appeared to be especially excited about the school and supplies we brought. The teachers and students were so excited about the supplies: books, puzzles, pads, learning tools and dress up clothes. Suffer the little children unto me.

The children in Ministry of Hope are all HIV orphans. We stopped and visited and held the babies. I got to spend some time with Chisomo. He is a baby boy about a year old. His birthday is 5/27/08. We told no stories or shared family history. We just shared time together holding and being in the sun. Thank God for the simple pleasures of life. I was also able to visit with Edina Nlahoma and Felesta Harry who are responsible for patient intake. Last visit in 2007, I worked with them doing intake, which I do here in the Free Clinic. This year I brought them a blood pressure cuff and taught them how to use it and set a limit for very sick patients. Later on in my visit Mrs. Harry was working in the laundry and I visited and laughed with her.

Everyone knows Tommy. Tommy is very tall in height and very deep in spirit. He shares his story through life in the NC Mountains, basketball and a life committed to Christ. Tommy has a gift of electrical repair and did a number of repair items in the hospital. Tommy is always the one who the vendors see and he easily shares with them. When we were at the wood vendors, we were set to go and one vendor was pushing an item for he to buy. Eventually, Tommy said yes to the item. It was a word caring of Noah’s ark with all the animals two by two. Then Tommy gets in the van and we pull away. The says, “I really wanted the Nativity scene.” We all laugh and make the new parts for the animals to make the Nativity scene come alive for him.

We had a wonderful trip and experienced the love of Christ through many like: Matrin the cook and housekeeper, Beria, Matrin’s sister and Barbara’s cook, Benson our driver, Rehiner the medical director, the school teachers, the doctor and nurse who came and taught us songs and played the drums, worship in Nkhoma Presbyterian Church, hospital Chaplin and his wife, Philip and his son Happy who made the drums and shields I bought, and Mr. Mkukumira the Mvera clinic medical director.

The most significant relationship was with Barbara and her family. She is in the middle of caring for a community with little supplies and means to care for them. She is adopting Happiness and having to deal with the arduous process of village culture and adoption bureaucracy. I was able to stay with Barbara, Anna and Happy for several days. It was pure joy to see a loving family, time of prayer and devotion and caring for one another. What a blessing to be invited into someone’s home. I will treasure my times there and being a part of this family. I makes me reflect on my own family and the need to be with each one of them. God gave us family as our core support group. God bless our father and have me be the best father possible to my children.

It is the relationships. It is not the doing or the things we have it is the time and love we share with each other. I am grateful for the support and prayers for this trip and appreciate the growth in focus on God’s love verses our material worldly items. God be the Glory, Amen.