It has been about two months since Wes and I put out our last blog. A lot has happened in that time so I will try to give some updates not only with what is going on in Kenya where Wes continues to stay but also with the medical issue I came home for. Because I am not at the Mission experiencing life first hand as I did when there, I will try my best to relay the things Wes tells me. We do talk almost every day – thank goodness for technology!

I arrived home on February 27^th and a few days later was seen by a urologist in Bismarck. After a few more trips to Bismarck for various tests, I had surgery on April 1. It was known going into the procedure that my left ureter (tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder) had a narrowing/stricture but it was not known why. There are various reasons with the most common one being another vessel lying on top of the ureter causing a partial obstruction. The reason for my stricture was that the ureter was scarred - something I probably have had since birth. During the surgery, two inches of the ureter had to be removed in order to get all of the scarred portion. Because that much had to be removed, the ureter no longer could reach the kidney; therefore, the kidney had to be moved down, stitched to the psoas muscle (large muscle in the back) and then only could the ureter be attached back to the kidney. A stent was placed inside the ureter to move fluid from the kidney to the bladder while the ureter heals. I ended up being in the hospital for four days. The stent they placed will be removed in a couple of weeks and honestly I can't wait until it is out as it quite irritating to the bladder – one definitely knows it is there! My days are spent drinking lots of water (3 liters a day to keep the stent from encrusting), numerous trips to the bathroom, taking it easy and resting. I will have a three month checkup in July at which time additional testing will be done to determine the success of the procedure. For now, I stay here at home. I am most grateful for the gift of our sons, other family members, and friends who have helped us out in the way of driving to and back from Bismarck, meals, visits, cards, and most of all for the many prayers. 

As mentioned above, Wes remains in Kenya for now and will stay there at least until after my three month checkup in July. The decision for Wes to stay in Kenya or come home with me at the end of February was not an easy one but it was the best one for us. I knew from phone calls to the urologist's office in Bismarck while I was still in Kenya, it would be at least another month after my initial consultation before I would have surgery if surgery was deemed necessary. In the end, Wes can do far greater things in Kenya helping at the Mission being of service to others than he could here watching me sit on the recliner and sleep! That being said, I do need to clarify a rumor that has been circulating concerning Wes staying in Kenya. It has been said that he stays there because he was not allowed to come back. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Our Director has been the most kind, gracious, and understanding man and for that we are grateful. It was a decision that Wes and I made together, one that we were allowed to make on our, and one that was best for us - it is very important for us to make that clear and why I am mentioning it here. 

The work of the Mission continues serving the children through the Orphan Education Program as well as the other programs. Before I left in February, we had just started to give boiled eggs to the orphans at Manga where there are about 50 of the 450 orphans. The goal was to be able to give out boiled eggs every weekend but in order for that to happen the kuku (chickens) needed to ramp up production and Wes was happy to report that the kuku came through! There are approximately 20-25 hens laying eggs to the point they can give out an average of 100-125 boiled eggs every weekend which is enough for all to receive an egg and get some extra protein in their diet. 

In April, the Mission gives out academic awards to those students who performed well in their studies during the 2023 school year. April is the month chosen because it is the first time the children are on break from school – the school year consists of three terms with a month break in between each term. Academic awards given by the Mission are probably not what most students here in America would think of as an award but the students there are quite happy to receive these awards. Goats were given to students in Form 2-4 (sophomore, junior and seniors) who had a final grade of C+ or better last year. For the primary students, a chicken was given. A total of 36 goats and 10 chickens were awarded. Per Wes, the reason for so few chickens compared to previous years was because the government has changed the grading system and some adjustments were made. 

Also during the April school break, solar lamps were given out. Solar lamps, mattresses, and blankets are given out on a rotational basis and this year it was the lamps. The lamps are given so the students can study in the evening as a lot of homes do not have electricity and it gets dark by 7 pm. 

The Water with Blessings program is going strong with Lilian, Emma, and Wes continuing to conduct two trainings a month, follow ups, making home visits, and handing out blankets and 210 liter water drums to those who qualified. The rains this month have forced them to make alternate plans at times due to not being able to reach an area but they forge on. They go out at least three days a week. 

Friday's continue to be medical day! Currently there are around five orphans that continue to go to therapy of some sort, eye exams, or checkups from previous medical issues. Depending on where the medical appointments are and how many children need to go, Wes will pick up Emma along the way so she can go with some of the children for their appointments while he takes the other ones – it is a team effort. This past week, Wes sent me a video of Joyce which brought immense gratitude and tears to my eyes. Joyce is about 3 ½ years of age and up to this point in life has never spoken. When you tried to speak to her, she would never make eye contact and no sounds ever came out of her mouth. During our last Wellness Seminar in December, the doctor felt that Joyce could possibly be helped by going to therapy. Eventually we were able to find a doctor who would see Joyce. Wes has been taking Joyce and her guardian to therapy once a week for the past month or so and in the video he sent, Joyce is looking at Wes, smiling, and she spoke four very distinct words: mama, dada, bye, and kuku (chicken)! These are the moments that I truly miss. 

After I left Kenya, the weather did get very hot so I am grateful that I missed that part. Wes was usually cold and for him to tell me that he would sweat just sitting and doing nothing, I knew it was hot! So far in the month of April they have received over 21 inches of rain! April is the start of the rainy season but the sad thing that is in several areas of Kenya there is much flooding due to torrential downpours – too much rainfall at one time. I try to keep up with the news over there and was saddened when reading about and watching videos on the BBC where the people in the slum areas of Nairobi were on the roof tops of their shacks seeking shelter because of the flooding – the poorest of the poor are affected the most. The heavy rains are expected to continue for another week. So far over seventy people have died from the flooding. 

The electricity situation is like it was before I left – off and on and more off than on! The rains are the biggest reason for no electricity but according to Wes there are days where there is no obvious reason – things haven't changed since I left! He was happy to report the generator has been turned on a couple of times even though school is not in session. 

The new shamba is slowly taking shape. A security wall was started around the middle of February and is almost finished. A cement pad has been poured and a structure will be built to house the generator and the water treatment system. The screens inside the house have been finished and after a few other things are completed, they hope to move into the house by the end of May. 

Please know that we keep you in our prayers and ask that you keep us, the Mission, the orphans, and those we serve in yours. Mungu Akubariki! 

Photos from the past few months can be seen in the album section by clicking on the link below. If unable to view the photos using this link, you can still view them by going to St. Joseph's Parish Website and scrolling down to the section titled Kenya Mission – Photo Album. The website: www.stjparish.com

https://stjparish.com/photoalbums/4-27-24