This evening I was taking a walk & was overwhelmed by the beauty of this place. As the rains have come, the landscape is transforming. Everything is green, the river is rising & the corn is covering the country side. As I was walking & thanking God for His provision, I was greeted by two little kids. When I say “greeted”, I mean they ran at full speed with muddied, bare-feet & outstretched arms to hug me. I should probably mention I’ve never met these children before. I’m guessing the rule of not talking to strangers does not apply here. Needless to say, their hunger for attention & uninhibited embrace grabbed my heart. God used those two precious children to remind me of His great love & why it is that I am here.
Over the past months, there have been many moments filled with reminders just like this one. Without a doubt, this is a journey of trust filled with unexpected surprises. There are many obstacles & challenges along the way, but there is also an overwhelming sense of the favor of God. I’m experiencing the truth that indeed “eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). In reflecting upon how this verse defines so much of my life these days, I wrote these words.
As the plans I’ve made are all stripped away,
I find what I’ve been searching for.
The longings within my heart-
Are clearer than ever before.
As I sit within the meadows,
And I dance through the streams.
With Your Presence forevermore,
I’ll live what I didn’t dare to dream.
What my ears have not heard.
What my eyes have yet to see.
What my mind could not comprehend.
You’ve already prepared for me.
Community Health Projects…
There are several exciting projects currently occurring within the ELI Health Ministry. For me, it is really a blessing to watch this community catch a vision to implement practices that promote better health for themselves & their families as well as to care for those who are sick within the village. I want to share about 3 projects that are taking place, and I ask you to join me in praying that God will use these efforts & bring new ideas for further development.
Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) Training.
As I shared within a previous newsletter, it is estimated that at least 80% of births, within the village of Kipkaren, are conducted in homes by untrained traditional birth attendants (TBAs). TBAs are women who have learned delivery methods through the experience of older women. Because there is a greater risk for the health of both mother & child in delivering at home, the need to empower TBAs with more knowledge was identified.
In 2004, 35 TBAs successfully completed a 16-week TBA training taught by the ELI Health Clinic staff. In March, I had the privilege of partnering with one of these TBAs in a home delivery, and I tell you it really was a blessing to witness the combination of her years of extensive experience & newly gained knowledge put into practice.
In June, we are beginning our second 16- week training for another group of TBAs within Kipkaren as well as a training in a neighboring community. The course will include topics such as hygiene, HIV/AIDS, delivery complications, when to refer the expectant mother to the clinic, mother & child nutrition, family planning, and many others. At the end of the training, there will be a final exam. Because many of these women have not have the opportunity to go to school and do not read or write, it will be their first exam and will be conducted orally. For those who successfully complete the course, there will be a graduation in which each TBA will receive a certificate and a metal box filled with basic supplies to carry with them when conducting deliveries.
Home-Based Care (HBC) Caregiver Training. We have just completed an 8-week training for people to learn more about HIV/AIDS and how to provide home-based care for those who are sick within the community. It was exciting to watch the HBC committee teach the course with so much passion as well as the community members applying themselves to learn with so much dedication. In addition to learning within the classroom, the community members went into the homes of the sick & had an opportunity to implement “hands on” what they had learned. There are 31 who will graduate from the course this coming Saturday. In the weeks & months ahead, the HBC committee will be partnering with those newly trained caregivers to mobilize care for the ever growing need within Kipkaren & the surrounding villages.
In 2 weeks, there will be another caregiver training for 25 people, from churches in the surrounding areas, to come for a 3-day intensive course. Please pray that God will use these trainings to enable those trained to reach out to their neighbors & family members with the love of Christ.
Malaria Prevention Project. During the rainy season, malaria is a huge problem within this area. In 2004, the ELI Health Clinic treated 786 adults & children with malaria. Even this past week, there have been 2 small children who have died while under treatment and another hospitalized due to malaria. Recently we have been able to purchase mosquito nets, at a dramatically discounted rate, to distribute them throughout the community.
Please pray that God will bring new ideas to break the cycle of malaria as it causes so much suffering within this community.
Blessings to you…Thank you for your continued prayers & support. Know that they are needed & appreciated so very much.
