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Published: April 14th 2008
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Nakumatt
Tony outside of the Nakumatt superstore. 4-13-08
It’s Sunday afternoon, and I have found time again to sit and write a blog. Yesterday was another day to get settled. We drove the one-hour drive to Meru with Bill and Jane, a British nurse who has been volunteering here since August. She plans to stay anywhere from 1-3 years. I will be working with Jane on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the medical ward, giving care to patients who are dependent. It was very interesting talking with Jane about the situation of care in the hospitals in Kenya. It seems Kenya has much of the same issue as we have in the US of focusing on the medical care of patients, but often neglecting the comfort and cleanliness aspects of Nursing. This problem in the US is bad enough, but here there are no nurse aids, since there is a law stating that anyone providing care to patients must be trained as a nurse. So, it is a real problem. She said she was giving me all of the bad news upfront, so I will be pleasantly surprised once I begin working... Once in Meru, Jane left our group to meet up with another missionary volunteer who is
Elephants on the road!
Here is the family of elephants we saw between Meru and Maua. a woman living in a remote area doing work with deaf children. They try to get together whenever they can, as they have become good friends. Bill shopped with us at the Naku Matt, a Walmart-type grocery store where we bought lots of supplies (hopefully all we will need while here!). According to Tony, those of you who came to Kenya last time will remember this shopping center as quite the saving grace! Now we’re all set for the next 6 weeks!
Also in Meru, Tony was able to purchase a clerical collar, as he was advised it will be good for him to wear one as he travels around with the bishop and youth director. He bought it at a Catholic bookstore in Meru, and was very excited to find 2 beautiful silk stolls (sp?), which were about $10 USD each, and were hand-embroidered. He bought a purple one for the Advent season, and a green one for the Church Year.
On the way home from the Naku Matt, we saw a herd of elephants as we were driving through the Meru National Park. Bill was very excited, stating he has always heard of elephants being seen in
Village
A small village between Meru and Maua. that area, but never having seen them himself. There were about 8 adults and 2 baby elephants. They were raising their trunks to us, and flapping their ears. Apparently, this means, “this is my territory, stay back!” So, we just took some pictures from the car!
Last night the Savutos had us over for dinner and a movie. It was very pleasant spending time getting to know them. We are learning so much about missions in the UMC, and about the church and culture in Kenya. I was shocked to discover that Maua practices female circumcision on 92% of their women! Apparently this is down from 98%, and it is continuing to decline as more women in the area become educated.
This morning we attended the English service at 8:20 (it officially starts at 8 am, but we did not arrive until later, as we were told it is a very flexible start time). They have 3 worship times on Sunday mornings: an 8 am English service, 10 am Swahili service, and 12 pm service in the local language of Kimeru. We enjoyed much singing and praising, then a sermon in English, then more songs before being dismissed
Beautiful vista
An overlook of the Meru National Park as seen from the road. for the day. We walked back to the hospital compound along with David and Mary, British volunteers who have been coming to Maua since the 1990’s to do mission work. David is a surgeon, and Mary was a nurse, but she has not practiced for quite some time. Now she is helping to organize the supplies and Pharmacy, and it is possible that I may be assisting her in this during my time here. They invited us in to their “cottage” for coffee. We enjoyed our conversation with them, and they invited us along on a walk into the hills to see a waterfall which is close to the town. We plan to meet up with them this afternoon, and are looking forward to a small hike!
4-14-08
We had a lovely hike yesterday with David and Mary! After the hike, we had them over to our apartment for Tony’s homemade apple pie. It was lovely to get to know them.
This morning we attended the chapel service at 7:30 and were introduced to the staff of the hospital. I am meeting with Mary, the head nurse, at 11 am to discuss what my duties will be
Parson Brown
Here is Tony in his clerical collar! while we are here. Tony will be meeting the computer/tech guy at 10 am, and we have a short break before then to go over to the internet café to post this blog.
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Jason Farmer
non-member comment
Maua hospital
Great pictures! I'm so glad you guys are doing well there. We've been keeping you in prayer privately and on Sunday mornings. You'll have to keep out for those choir robes in all of your travels around Kenya Tony!! You never know where they may turn up:-). Blessings!