LATVIA, ESTONIA, AND BACK TO KENYA

MAIZE DISTRIBUTION

In the market at Kadawa maize ordinarily sells for about 40 Kenya Shillings (KES) for a 2 kg tin.  Because of the drought the cost has skyrocketed to about 120 KES per tin.  Many cannot afford to buy it, and they are at the end of their last harvest of food that they would have planted on their own patch. Thanks to the generosity of many people, recently we were able to buy several large (80 kg/176 lbs) sacks of maize to distribute to some of the poor and destitute in the village of Kadawa.  

The distribution wasn't announced ahead of time and after church on that Sunday the persons who were selected were called back to another room in the church, where they were given the maize.  Such surprise!!!  Violet received messages and calls for many days afterward thanking everyone for the food.  In all, 300 families were helped with either 6 or 10 kg parcels (13 or 22 lbs).  Some folks hadn't eaten for 1 or 2 days and the food was most welcome. The day it was distributed the people called it Miracle Sunday. The next harvest will soon be in (late July or early August).

One lady left after receiving her maize, but came back and stood in front of the group and prayed aloud for the people who sent the food to her and the others.

PRAYER MISSION TO LATVIA AND ESTONIA

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are known as "The Baltic States".  Their Western borders are on the Baltic Sea.  Being very high in the Northern latitudes they are very cold in the winter and have a short growing season.  In June it is still light out at 11:15 PM and the sun is up at about 3 AM.  Conversely, winter is very dark for a very long time each day.

   LATVIA - RIGA

We went to Latvia on June 28 to join our friends Carl and Elizabeth Harper who are from Lancaster PA.  We spent a week with them  going through Latvia and into Estonia.  As our team leaders, they were taking us to various YWAM (Youth With a Mission) projects and ministries with whom they are acquainted.  We are so excited to report that there are many new, creative and cutting-edge ministries ongoing and developing.  We had the privilege of praying for and ministering to them.

Notable amongst them in Latvia was a young woman in her early thirties named Tatyana (Tanya).  She has started the Karosta Children's Day Centre.  Karosta is the most underprivileged area in the vicinity of Riga, the capital, and largest city of Latvia.  The children are from broken homes, abusive situations - physical, mental, emotional and sexual - homes where alcoholism and drug abuse is rampant.  The centre is in an old barracks on a former Russian naval base.  She also has a children's club there, and the children are also taught and ministered to by a Russian pastor whose church is in the building where the children's centre is.  She feeds them one meal every day. She has several volunteers working for her and now has 4 paid staff. Her vision is to build a boarding school for these deprived children.  Her background is the same as these youngsters.  Her father was an alcoholic; she was abused physically and emotionally, she was raped twice. She had a baby and married at sixteen; her husband continued the abuse.  She heard the gospel and accepted Christ as her personal saviour and deliverer.  Eventually she realized that she wanted to and could receive her education, and now has a degree in psychology.  She is a woman of faith and vision.  She knows that the Lord has called her to this ministry and she is passionate and strongly determined.  Being with her and hearing her vision as well as her personal testimony we are convinced that she will see her vision come to pass and it will spread to other areas of the nation.
     THE VIOLIN
Tanya's daughter wanted to play the violin.  Tanya was determined that her child would go to music school and learn.  She took her by the hand, went to the music school and told them that her daughter must learn to play the violin.  The school took her and the child showed great talent.  However after awhile the school told her that they could no longer teach her because she needed a larger violin.  Tanya knew that this child was to continue her music education.  She took the girl to play her violin in the street.  Her talent attracted a passing journalist, who, after hearing her story, took her photo and put it online with her story.  One day, a Jewish man in Germany  happened across the article and photo and he was so moved by it that he sent money for a new violin.  The girl was able to return to school and continue her education.  God is amazing!
   LATVIA - WINGS FOR WHEELS

EVELYN

STAFF MEMBER

Evelyn and Kaspars, a young couple, have a ministry to mobile-challenged persons - working with individuals in wheelchairs and those with cerebral palsy.  All have normal intellect, although some are a bit slower to learn than others.  Several years ago Evelyn was in a conference where one speaker gave the following facts.  If the mobile-challenged were a people group they would be:
-  The third largest country after China and India;
-   The poorest country
-   The least employed
-   The largest unreached people group.
She felt called to have a ministry to the mobile-challenged community.  KasparsYaaaaay God!!  During the camp they teach crafts, have games, do physical therapy (some have never had any), work on socializing skills, and will even take all of the "campers" rafting on the nearby river.  The name of their ministry is WINGS FOR WHEELS! (Clever!)

There are no public facilities in Latvia for handicapped persons; i.e. no handicapped accessible public transportation, entries into building, bathrooms, and many places that have more than one story have no lifts (elevators).  Often these individuals stay home and do not go anywhere or do any socializing.  For some of the ones in camp it is the only time they venture outside all year.

Evelyn and Kaspars' vision is to have a centre in Rigal where the disabled can be brought and receive help.  Based on their passion, commitment and the favour of God on their ministry it is a certainty to see their vision fulfilled.

   ESTONIA - TALLIN
Now we introduce you to Marillo - a Brazilian who also spent much of his teen years in the USA.  He is a member of the YWAM leadership team in Estonia.  One day in prayer, when in YWAM training for ministry, he had a vision.  In that vision he saw many, many white people and he heard the Lord say to him that He was calling him to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  He had no idea what or where these places were - if they were the names of towns, or what they might be.  He deduced that since the people were white it might be somewhere in Europe.  However, he was certain that the Lord was calling him.  Shortly afterward he was in a morning worship service at the YWAM training centre, when the leader stopped and pointed Marillo out saying that he had a word from the Lord for him.  He said "Marillo, you are called to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  This leader had no idea of the earlier vision that Marillo had seen.  Marillo had just arrived shortly before we met him and was super-excited to learn Estonian immediately!!!

                          

Marillo, Elizabeth, Cheryl

Old Town Square, Tallin

BACK TO AFRICA

 We return to Kenya on the 26th of July.  We will stay in Nairobi for 3 days to have meetings with various people and businessmen.  Then off to Kadawa.
The rains came and forestalled the completion of the caretaker's house/barn due to inaccessibility (no vehicles could get to it because of the mud and soft ground) but the rains have stopped and work can resume.  Marty is excited to see to the plastering and painting, etc.
The corn crop on the Widows Farm has done very well.  There are trenches dug around the perimeter and also a large one across the middle of the field.  The purpose of them is two-fold:  1. To catch rainwater which then can seep under the crops by osmosis, thus supplying moisture; 2. To keep the top soil from washing away.  In addition we feel that the Lord has especially blessed this crop so as to have an increased provision for the widows.   You can see the photo of one of the ears of maize and it looks really healthy.  The maize is left on the stalk until it dries (about 99% dry).

That will be the end of July or early August.  Then it will be harvested by hand and the husks removed, the kernels removed and spread out to dry and then stored in 80 - 90 kg sacks until needed for distribution.

We will be having another eye clinic while there and have a nurse coming along with us, with her daughter to help at the clinic.
Jeremy and his daughter Kirsty will be coming in September to further minister to the villagers and make other plans for the future.

Blessings and Much Love to you all!!!

John & Marty

NEW LIFE IN KADAWA - SAVED LIVES IN KADAWA

A NEW LIFE FOR CHRISTINE

Here is some WONDERFUL news!  Christine, a young woman in the village of Kadawa, developed an ugly condition on the side of her face. She was grossly deformed.  This condition is  known as keloids (key loyds); they are scar-tissue gone amuck.  One of the places they happen is the ear.  We aren't certain how hers developed. Most likely she had a wound of sorts on her ear and the scar developed into a keloid.  We happened to see her in church one day and asked what had happened to her.  We also asked if anything could be done about it.  Apparently an unsuccessful attempt had previously been made to fix it.  We inquired and found out that a surgical procedure was possible, but she would have to go to Nairobi for treatment, and surgery.  Hesbone and Violet approached her and asked if she would consider having the surgery and other treatment to remove the keloid.  She agreed.  The logistics of finding the surgeons, getting her there, finding a place for her to stay, and the follow-up care are incredibly complex.  But they were able to make all of the arrangements and we were able to get her there and back.  How they manage to do such things we don't know, but they are an amazing couple who dearly love their people.

We just found out that Christine's husband has not had anything to do with her for quite some time - he has been out of the picture entirely - probably for two reasons:  1.  The disfigurement was very ugly; 2.  Disfigurements or other physical disabilities (deformities, crippled limbs, etc.) are often considered to be the result of a curse. 

Christine has been home for while, and is under doctors's orders not to be working and lifting and is to take antibiotics and pain medicine (she has been in a lot of pain).  The "not working" is very difficult for a village woman and she hasn't been following orders very well; however, Violet has pretty much convinced her of the serious necessity for her to follow the doctor's instructions.  She was very upset over the fact that her husband had not come to see her.  But she also is very happy with the results of the surgery.  See the before and after photos.  We are told that the scar has faded a lot since the photo was taken.

AND - this past Sunday, her husband came to church, came to the front, and publicly thanked everyone for what they had done for his wife.  Yaaaaay!  It would appear that her marriage is also being restored.

We happened to have money in the budget that made the surgery possible.  We were also able to pay for another woman's urgent surgery about two years ago. We know that  there are many medical needs in the village and, although we have been able to help some of them, we see the real need to establish a hospital/medical fund; i.e., a specific account for meeting hospital and surgical situations.  If you would like to help establish such a fund please get in touch with us by e-mail at: johnandmartys@aol.com. We will give you the details for designating and sending it.

DROUGHT AND FAMINE - LIVES BEING SAVED BY MAIZE FROM THE FARM

We have recently been told that there is a serious drought and resulting famine in Kenya. Whereas maize usually sells for 40 Kenya Shillings (KES) for a 2kg tin, it now costs 105 KES per tin - entirely unaffordable for these women (there are 82 KES for $1 U.S. or 141 KES for £1 GBP).  But, here is some more WONDERFUL news!  It was reported to us that the destitute widows - for whom the farm is being developed - have been receiving a share of maize harvest from the farm, along with 40 litres of water a week.  Lives are literally being saved as a result.  We don't know how long the supply will last, but we will distribute it until it is gone.

The rains have come and, hopefully, some crops will survive.

These very recent photos, taken since the rains began, are of the most recent maize crop on the farm (planted in March).  It is so tall and healthy!  You can see one of the reasons - we have had trenches dug around the field and across it in a few spots.  When it does rain, these trenches fill up with water, serving a twofold purpose.  Catching the rain that way keeps it from washing away the topsoil, and the water gradually seeps under the crop to water it.  This crop will be harvested in August.  The cobs are allowed to ripen and dry on the stalk.  We plan to plow more land for maize and also grow other crops such as fruits and vegetables.

      

CARETAKER'S HOUSE/BARN

Further progress has been made toward the finishing of the house.  The roof has been put on, and the doors and window frames have been delivered.  There is much to be done yet, such as plastering, painting and wiring for electricity, an outdoor toilet (and Ecosan - more on that later) and a clothesline for the lady of the house (at Marty's insistance).  NO, THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY! But, it is coming into the part of the village closest to the market and there is promise that it will eventually get to the church and our land. Therefore, we are wiring it in faith believing that we will have it.  

Well, there you have our latest news - we hope you enjoy it.  We will keep you up to date!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for:

     *  The end of drought and famine 

     *  Provision for villagers in Kadawa despite the drought and famine

     *  Our preparations for returning to Kenya the end of July

     *  Our health and stamina

     *  Provision of funds for hospital/medical needs

     *  Provision of funds to complete the caretaker's home/barn

     *  Provision of funds for the water tower/tank

     

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES LATELY

FUND-RAISING EVENTS

John Warming Up Before the Race

ABOUT THE FARM

Emmanuel Christian Centre, in Lichfield, England, held a Lenten luncheon to raise funds for the farm.  The meal was soup and bread, but the people paid for it as if it were a full-course meal.

Venetian Bay United Methodist Church in New Smyrna, Florida, held a 5K race/walk and a portion of the proceeds went to the work in Kadawa.  John won a second-place ribbon for his age group and Marty won a first-place trophy for her age group.  We both walked the entire course (except Marty made a mad running dash the last 10 yards).  There are only 2 photos of marty (TERRIBLE ONES).  The one coming through the finish was the second go-around - she really made it 55 mins. + a few seconds (after having stopped to chat with friends at one of the water stations).  It was such a surprise to get the prizes that a quick photo was nearly impossible, so John's head got cut off.

                                                                                     We've sent you a lot of information via snail-mail recently, but it's time to put something on the blog.    


JOHN IN KADAWA IN JANUARY

John went to Kadawa in January with Jeremy on a management trip, to see how progress was coming along on the farm and to encourage the continuing development of the various projects.  

He met with the Widows Farm Committee and the work continues - with a few hiccups here and there -  and a rhythm is setting in. 

     THE WELL

We told you about the shallow well digging process in our last blog, and of the delays in the process (that's Kenya).  But here is some updated background about the development process and completion of the well.

Much of becoming a mzungu (white person) farmer in Kenya is learned by the need to know and the need to have. We have several sponsors for banana bushes (they are not actually trees) for the farm. Bananas are a year-round crop and will feed many widows and are also a cash crop. When we planted the first two roots we learned that bananas require copious amounts of water.  The closest source would require someone to walk about 1/2 mile round-trip carrying a 20-litre bucket of water for each plant.  NOT  PRACTICAL! (or humane).  So, there was something new we learned (the need to know).  We realized that a well was a critical necessity (the need to have) - a shallow well, which is hand dug.  We interviewed and got estimates from 3 contractors and selected the man for the project.  Here is the neat part! We had not shared this need with anyone, and had no money.  Yet we believed that we were to go ahead and begin to dig the well.  Within a few days after we began to dig there were two deposits made into our African account that covered the cost of the well.  The well is completed!  Here are photos of the well from day one to completion.

  

The contractor has recovered from his illness, (which was mentioned in the previous blog) the concrete rings are in place, and the cap has been put on.  The water is very close to the top and right now is being hoisted by a bucket.  Our goal is to get a portable generator and pump, and build a tower with a tank to store the water.  We will also purchase drip lines (thin hoses with small holes in them) and run them down the furrows of the crops for irrigation (insuring crop growth).  The following photos show the water level - before the rings went in - and the finished product.

THE CARETAKER'S HOUSE    

With the ongoing development of the farm it is necessary for us to have someone on the land 24/7.  We also need storage for seed, fertilizer, the generator and other equipment, and the crops.  So we have begun construction of a caretaker's house/barn.  Once again, we learned the need; we hired an architect to draw plans, and felt that we were to go ahead a begin construction - with no money and without telling anyone of the need.  Within days there was money in the account to pay for the foundation, which was poured the end of 2010.  Laying the foundation was an engineering feat because of the type of soil; concrete pillars had to be poured deep within the ground before the slab was poured.  Then we sensed that we should authorize construction of the walls and we received enough money to cover those expenses.  The walls are now complete to roof level; however we must put in the metal windows and doors before we can do the roof.  See the photos below of the house/barn so far.

In the background you can see the church.  Below you can also see the completed well in proximity to the house.

 

THE SECOND CROP

The second crop was harvested in January.  The second maize crop yielded twice the amount of the first one due to improved planting methods and fertilizer, along with the fact that the land had been improved by preparing the soil for the first crop.  There was also a bean harvest with the second crop; the beans had been planted in the furrows next to the maize.   Joel, the overseer of the distribution of the harvest, has seen to it that the destitute widows have all received an equal portion of maize and beans; also, assuring distribution of water to them.

A third crop was planted in March and we will see it harvested while in Kenya this year; we will also be there for the next plowing and planting.

The younger widows, who have formed a committee that sees to it that the work is done to plant and harvest, want a small piece of land to plant a cash crop (food that can be sold at market) to raise money for a medical and transportation fund.  The purpose is to have money to get the destitute widows to the doctor or hospital for medical treatment.  When they shared their vision with us we immediately told them they could have a quarter acre of the farm.  That project will be further developed when we return to Kenya in July.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please Pray for:

•      Our Stamina
•      Perfect Health
•      Funds for a roof, doors and windows for the house/barn
•      Safety as we travel to Latvia for a prayer mission
•      Safety as we travel to Kenya in late July
•      Requests from The Destitute Widows:
• How to sustain self and grandchildren
• How to educate their grandchildren
• How to cope with loss of children
• New roof, or new house
• Health
• Food/water

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR LOVE, AND YOUR SUPPORT

BLESSINGS,

John and Marty

PLAYING CATCH UP

WE WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!


THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LOVE, PRAYER AND SUPPORT!




THE WELL

When we left Kenya the well was very deep and the plan was for the culverts (concrete rings) to be put in place - to line the well.  Shortly after we got home the rainy season set in - the latter rains - and all work had to stop on the well.  We were able to contact the contractor on Monday, Dec. 7, and he has told us the digging in complete, but the well is not finished.  The rainy season is over and work can resume; however, he has been ill - was hospitalized for a month -  and unable to supervise the completion of the work.  Additionally he reported that the culverts that were sent are the wrong ones (not a big surprise - that's Kenya) and he is waiting for the new ones.  They require a month to cure before they can be transported.  He reported that the water is 3 feet from the top of the well.  This is amazing!!!  Here are photos of the digging process.  A man sat on the ground and began digging with a hand tool, like a pick.  He merely dug around himself in a PERFECT CIRCLE, and absolutely straight down.   Mind you - he was not using any kind of measuring device, yet this hole was the right size for the culverts to eventually be inserted - approximately 39.2 inches.  As he got deeper and deeper his partner would lower an old make-shift bucket down by a winch and bring up the dirt and eventually the mud and water. Every couple of days we would go look at the progress.  The hole was so deep and dark that we couldn't see the man down there - we would call out to him and ask if he was there, and he would reply.  The only time we could see him was at high noon when the sun shone down the hole.  After water was hit, before he would enter the well he would have to check for snakes and other small reptiles - they are attracted to the water.  We had enough trouble thinking about those potential snakes without asking just what those small reptiles might be in there.  As the well got deeper it would take them a few hours to winch up all the water so that the man could to down to dig some more.  Additionally, sometimes when digging wells the oxygen level gets very low, so the digger can only be down for a short time.  In some cases there is special equipment to get oxygen down to him - it wasn't necessary with our well.

HE'S HIT WATER

THE "BUCKET"

RETURNING TO KENYA

John will be returning to Kenya on January 11 with Jeremy Bell from Emmanuel Christian Centre in Lichfield, and I will be going to the States.  By the time he gets there the well should be complete - lined and covered with a concrete slab that has a manhole for maintenance purposes.  

FOOTBALLS, BASKETBALLS AND VOLLEYBALLS

Jeremy came with us he brought some unexpected gifts.  Before he left the UK his 18-year-old son, Josh, told his dad that he really should take some footballs (soccer balls) for the kids.  So he bought several, deflated them and packed them, along with a pump.  Boys all over the world love to play football - even in the village the boys know about Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal. (All well-known and highly successful soccer teams for our American friends.)  Needless to say, there are no footballs for the kids in Kadawa.  While there Jeremy and Marty also went shopping in Kisumu for Volleyballs and Basketballs. 

The Sunday school class totals about 180 kids and the secondary school across the road has given permission for the children to meet on the field out in front of it.  So, one Sunday, Jeremy went over while church was being held to give the kids these balls.  You should have heard the squeals, laughter and hollering!!!   It took the boys a split second to form football teams,  and boys and girls to start batting the volleyballs around and tossing the basketballs. What a delightful sight and sound it was.  John and I quickly left the service to go watch and take photos.  The youth leaders quickly appointed one or two youngster with ongoing responsibility to collect the balls after use, and store them in the church.

THE LAND

The bean crop was recently harvested on the Widows Farm and the maize crop will be harvested the end of December.  Some maize from the previous harvest, which was being stored until the cost of maize went up and was less affordable to the widows, is now being distributed amongst the destitute widows.  They are receiving 3 tins each (a tin is about 1 kilo, or roughly 2 pounds).

       CARETAKER'S HOUSE & STORAGE BARN
       We will soon be starting to lay the foundation for the farm caretaker's home and the
       attached storage barn. We hired an architect and have plans for the home and store.
       The structure will cost approximately $13,500 (£9000); there will likely be a rise in
       the cost of building materials due to inflation. If you want to help us with this next 
       phase of the project you may send contributions to our regular channels.




                                        BLESSINGS & MUCH LOVE!!!!

YOU DON'T PAY - YOU DON'T LEAVE

SURGERY - HOSPITAL EXPERIENCES

You would think that we would realize this by now, but it is nearly impossible to anticipate things that we have never dealt with before.  Even Violet has been taken off guard by the little extras here and there at the hospital (not much - $11.00 for something obscure, or some medicine that we didn't know about).  Transportation is a real issue.  Here are examples of incidentals: Some of the people must ride a matatu, which costs both ways and then they need a lady to go with them to help them through the hospital system and even get them to the bathroom, then she ends up needing to eat (reasonable need) while she's there getting them admitted.  (Just getting them admitted is an all-day affair.) Then we find that they need eye drops for three weeks, then they need to come back to the hospital for a follow-up check (more transportation money) and then need more eye drops for three  more weeks.  Of course there is the need to buy them a dish and cup and spoon so they can eat (not much money).  Anyhow, we have figured an overall average of $100 per patient.   I went with Violet one Thursday to help her get Mary and two widows out of the hospital, and it took hours; a lot of the time was due to being sent to wrong places within the hospital, getting to the right place but it being closed so everyone could go to lunch, then clerks that took forever to fill out a simple form.  No one is discharged until the hospital is paid, so just waiting at the billings office takes forever. When we get to the gate we have to present all of our paper work to prove the bills are paid before they will open for us to leave with the patients.  If the bill isn't paid, you don't leave, and you get charged for each day you are there until you do pay.

You can read the prices for the services in the hospital.  These prices are posted everywhere.  In this case, on the wall in the eye surgery ward.  The prices are in Kenya Shillings which equal approximately 80 KES per 1 US Dollar or 125 KES per 1 Pound Sterling.  For example: the daily bed charge is $2.50 or £1.60

We have done approximately 8 surgeries.  They are all paid for.  There were 19 people, but 26 surgeries altogether (some are in both eyes).  However, we have found that two of them that were admitted couldn't have surgery.  The one has nerve damage in both eyes that can't be corrected - she has been prescribed medicine that is supposed to improve her retinas.  The other is little Mary - this is really a sad and 

frustrating case.  She is the one with a corneal adhesion.  The doctor was really anticipating a simple corrective surgery.  However, after she was admitted and they did further tests they found that it wasn't a congenital problem as they first thought.  Instead she had injured her eye and never received treatment for the injury.  The doctor said that had she received medical treatment her eye could have been healed.  Now it is too late - the damage is permanent.  Her other eye is normal.  You see - a lot of these folks don't even think in terms of doctors and treatment.                                          Chances are good that nothing was done, or maybe there was some folk medicine, or she was taken to a witch doctor.  Yes, this is common practice - even some of the Christians still rely on both systems; i.e. if God doesn't work, we'll try the witch doctor.   

If we were in Kenya for 6 months Marty could see herself spending most of her time doing administrative work/follow-up,  and also grunt work just to make sure that these people were being carefully monitored.  Some of them have never even been in a hospital in their lives, and Lorna had never seen a flush toilet; sit-down type or squatty potty (yes some of those are porcelain and do flush).  So they have a hard time once they are outside of the village.  I don't know, perhaps it is like taking a young Amish person from the farm in very rural Lancaster County and plunking them in New York and expecting them to get themselves around some of the systems.  Then there are issues such as we found out by chance one Sunday. Because of her bad eye sight, then her surgery and being told not to do any hard work - Lorna hasn't been unable to "dig" (plant any maize or vegetables) nor has she been able to get to market to sell rope (which she still managed to make somehow even though she couldn't see, and we suspect some people may have put coins in her money box or whatever she used to keep her money).  So, she had little or no food.  We think a nephew has been helping her a bit.  Well, the Lord kept Marty dreaming about feeding Lorna all Sunday night.  We had some food items in the apartment, but we knew she should have some beans and maize.  So we asked George,  who  lives near the market to get those things for us.  He is one of the leaders in the church. The 3 of us went to her hut, way back in the bush, to give her the food; 8 kg. of maize, 2 kg of beans, 1 kg of sugar, 200 gr of tea and 500 gr of salt.   She was a very happy old lady and was praising God.  Marty didn't tell Lorna that the Lord had been interrupting her sleep all night on her behalf.

The Eye Clinic at the Provincial Hospital

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LORNA?  

There are some amazing things happening because of Lorna.  This lady is well known in the village and at the market.  Some people have known her for years. They knew her husband, they knew how badly he would beat her and how he would get her up at 3 in the morning and force her out of the house to work.  Just before we left, an old woman who is related to Hesbone asked him "What has happened to Lorna"?  Her transformation is so very apparent that people are talking about it in the village and want to know what took place that changed her so?  

FUNDING FOR THE EYE CLINIC EXPENSES

Violet continues to see that the cataract patients get to the hospital every other Wednesday.  Funds are coming in to pay for the operations, and all of the attending expenses, as well as for glasses for those that the doctor prescribed them.  It looks like we may even have a good financial start for another eye clinic next year. Several people in the village have asked if we are going to have another one. Thank you so very much to all of you who have contributed.  We believe that this has been the most important and rewarding project that we have been involved in.  It is hard to express our feelings in seeing people regain their sight and hear their testimonies.  We wish it could be shared with you.  Perhaps we can figure out a way to do that.  With all the modern technology we just need to be given some thoughts and direction.  Perhaps we can video something and put it on YouTube.  Any suggestions???

BACK FROM KENYA

We have returned to the UK and we are taking care of some medical appointments prior to returning to the US for the next "download" of the little computer (defibrillator) that the doctors have put in John's chest as a back up in case his heart should ever give him problems.  By next year he should have a hand-held device that will communicate/download the data that the doctors need via satellite - from anywhere in the world that we may be.  Amazing!!

We have pretty much developed our routine for going through security at airports.  John has a card that explains the defibrillator in his body and the security personnel take him around the security scanner and then do a body search, being very careful not to hurt him.  Except, of course, at the International Airport in Nairobi - Kenya's largest airport.  There they just unplug the scanning machine for him to walk through and then plug it back in once he has passed - then they search him.  Meanwhile in each airport Marty has to see that his carry-on luggage, coat, belt, shoes, laptop, loose change and camcorder get through - along with all of her things.  Then she has to get them all put together (more or less) and get the things off the conveyer belt so as not to hold up all the other passengers.  Grace, grace!!

  

John celebrated his 70th Birthday just after we got home; we had a lovely meal with his three children and daughter-in-law.  A good time was had by all!

Blessings, Grace and Peace,

John and Marty