Today was the best day ever. I did many exciting things and had tons of adventures. I went with Melody to hold babies in the nursery. All of the babies were very young (Melody held one that was born the day before) and very small. They weighed barely anything! I had a lot of fun doing that. And then I went down to a creek with some friends and my sisters. We didn’t swim this time but plan to the next. Well, I had better go I am on my way to baby sit a 14 month old baby as a ministry to one of the families.  She (the mother) told me that they never get the opportunity to go out or on a date because of limited childcare. I feel very honored to be able to help them.

Georgia

Hey everybody,

My dad started surgery today at a missions hospital and there were a couple emergency calls because of fighting between tribes.

The devil has tried to attack me in different ways trying to stop me from working for the Lord. Liv and I met some new friends named Kayla and Abby. We just got back from playing night tag at one of the missionaries’ houses.

Love,
~Sophie~

Hey Everyone! How is everything over in Texas? I hope everything is going fine, I am doing great.

I have recently arrived at the hospital. Yes, I am so excited that I am finally here. There are so many kind people here so far I have made many friends. There is Melody who is 12; she is very kind. Melody has taught me so much about the mission and the people here. There is Andrew who is 13 as well, Jamie, who is 8, Peter, who is 12, and Adam, who is 16. They have been so friendly and kind to me.

Our house that we are staying in is unusually large for mission house and so comfortable (feels like home). We have some people that are helping us get adjusted at home too. There is Richard, who is helping us cook. He is so kind, and there is Milcah, who is helping us around the house with cleaning and such. You have to collect rainwater for everything. Even the laundry- you have to pour it into the washing machine and then line dry everything!! They are both from the Kipsigi tribe. I love them both, they are so very kind.

Well that’s all for now,
Georgia Grace

We finally made it to our destination! Early Tuesday morning we boarded two small Cessna airplanes for the last leg of our journey from Nairobi to the mission hospital we will be working at for the next month. The flight took us over the beautiful Rift Valley of Kenya. I (Paul) didn’t see much of the scenery because I had my eyes closed the whole way! I do not like small planes! Our pilots (Matt and Jay) are men who have dedicated their lives to help fly missionaries in and out of remote locations, deliver food and aid, evacuate injured patients, etc… What an important (and often overlooked) role in advancing God’s Kingdom. We are thankful to the African Inland Mission air ministry. We enjoy a smooth landing (laugh)on a dirt strip (after we chased the animals away)!

Dr. Russ (a long term missionary surgeon and friend) met us at the air strip and drove us 35 minutes to the missionary compound–a 300 bed hospital with 5 busy operating rooms serving a large portion of western Kenya. Once we were settled and had lunch…Dr Russ asked me to come assist him with an emergency surgery. As many of you know, the situation in Kenya is somewhat tense with a lot of ethnic, political and tribal tension. The patient was shot with a bow and arrow and had a penetrating arrow injury to his left flank. What a privilege it was to listen as Dr. Russ prayed over the patient, prayed over the operation and then we repaired his injuries. Needless to say, less than 6 hours after being at the mission hospital I had my first ever arrow! (See the pics!).

Jenn has done a marvelous job “setting up shop”–she is unbelievable! The kids are doing well. They finish their school work and then have lots of other missionary kids to play with. I have been very busy in the OR.

It’s 8 p.m. Wednesday evening…you guys are in Wednesday night service and I’m heading back to the OR for another emergency. Keep us in your prayers. We will try to stay in touch often. Thanks for all the comments and encouraging words.

Blessings to all!
Paul