A great day!
Jambo! Habari yako?
That means Hello! How are you? In Swahili. That is about all the Swahili that we have learned so far, besides Msungu, which means white people. Every time we drive down the roads through Kenya the little kids run out to the road and scream that at us. It puts a smile on all of our faces. One thing we have noticed about Kenya is that there are people everywhere, especially lots of kids. Imagine driving to Lubbock every day and seeing nothing but people on the road. It is crazy. We also see lots of animals on the side of the road, like cows, chickens, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Today we even saw a camel. There are also monkeys playing in the front yard of our hotel. This is the most beautiful place we have ever been to, the people and the scenery. There is also a lot of sadness here with so much poverty. We have met so many amazing kids and adults. The first orphanage we went to in Londiani was really hard. It hasn’t been running for very long and is dirty and unorganized. But today and yesterday we were in the orphanage in Sondu which has been there for six years. There is an amazing difference in that six years and it is amazing to see how far they have been able to come in such a short time. The people can take so little and go so far with it.
We were very impressed with the clinic they have set up at the orphanage in Sondu. We have been working with the medical team and this clinic made it much easier on us today. We have seen a lot of really heartbreaking health situations but also some very strong people. In Londiani, we treated a precious little girl who was HIV positive, and also a four year old boy who was partially paralyzed, probably due to a brain tumor. There were less serious cases in Sondu, but Dr. Doke did have to pull a couple of teeth. One of the little girls had her tooth pulled without any pain medicine and didn’t say a word. Their tolerance for pain is just incredible. We complain about the smallest of things, but they may go half of their lives with something very serious and not let it really affect their daily lives. Most of the cases were quick fixes where we could quickly improve their lives, such as giving them glasses or pulling a tooth. It was little things like that that could make such a difference in their lives. Even though we don’t get to do the VBS, we are still able to get to know the kids and make them laugh. It’s nice to know we are doing something that is very helpful to them. Even just our presence there is so meaningful to them.
Every time we leave an orphanage, it is so hard to leave the kids. Even with the short time we have at each orphanage, we still have plenty of time to make an impact on them, and for them to leave an impact on us. They are all such amazing people that have been so welcoming to us. It is going to be very hard to leave Kenya at the end of this trip. The people of Kenya have broken are hearts, but we have also learned a lot. They have taught us how to love and how to be joyful. We have seen Christ in so many people and we can tell that Christ is such a strong force in this country. Today was a really great day at Sondu, and we are excited about our last orphanage experience tomorrow.
Love and miss yall,
Sarah Horton and Hilary Stovall
That means Hello! How are you? In Swahili. That is about all the Swahili that we have learned so far, besides Msungu, which means white people. Every time we drive down the roads through Kenya the little kids run out to the road and scream that at us. It puts a smile on all of our faces. One thing we have noticed about Kenya is that there are people everywhere, especially lots of kids. Imagine driving to Lubbock every day and seeing nothing but people on the road. It is crazy. We also see lots of animals on the side of the road, like cows, chickens, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Today we even saw a camel. There are also monkeys playing in the front yard of our hotel. This is the most beautiful place we have ever been to, the people and the scenery. There is also a lot of sadness here with so much poverty. We have met so many amazing kids and adults. The first orphanage we went to in Londiani was really hard. It hasn’t been running for very long and is dirty and unorganized. But today and yesterday we were in the orphanage in Sondu which has been there for six years. There is an amazing difference in that six years and it is amazing to see how far they have been able to come in such a short time. The people can take so little and go so far with it.
We were very impressed with the clinic they have set up at the orphanage in Sondu. We have been working with the medical team and this clinic made it much easier on us today. We have seen a lot of really heartbreaking health situations but also some very strong people. In Londiani, we treated a precious little girl who was HIV positive, and also a four year old boy who was partially paralyzed, probably due to a brain tumor. There were less serious cases in Sondu, but Dr. Doke did have to pull a couple of teeth. One of the little girls had her tooth pulled without any pain medicine and didn’t say a word. Their tolerance for pain is just incredible. We complain about the smallest of things, but they may go half of their lives with something very serious and not let it really affect their daily lives. Most of the cases were quick fixes where we could quickly improve their lives, such as giving them glasses or pulling a tooth. It was little things like that that could make such a difference in their lives. Even though we don’t get to do the VBS, we are still able to get to know the kids and make them laugh. It’s nice to know we are doing something that is very helpful to them. Even just our presence there is so meaningful to them.
Every time we leave an orphanage, it is so hard to leave the kids. Even with the short time we have at each orphanage, we still have plenty of time to make an impact on them, and for them to leave an impact on us. They are all such amazing people that have been so welcoming to us. It is going to be very hard to leave Kenya at the end of this trip. The people of Kenya have broken are hearts, but we have also learned a lot. They have taught us how to love and how to be joyful. We have seen Christ in so many people and we can tell that Christ is such a strong force in this country. Today was a really great day at Sondu, and we are excited about our last orphanage experience tomorrow.
Love and miss yall,
Sarah Horton and Hilary Stovall
posted by Paul at Thursday, July 23, 2009
3 Comments:
To the team in Kenya,
Through tears and smiles I read the last blog. Mostly because it was partly written by my Sarah but it was so beautiful to hear about your influence on the people in Kenya. I also love how the people of Kenya are making an impression on you that you will never forget.
Post pictures soon! Love to all of you but especially to my SARAH!!
Tammy Horton
Thank you for sharing. You are describing the people we learned to love. God is doing mighty things there. God bless your efforts and the remaining part of your trip.
Give our Katelyn a hug. Cherie
I love you Sarah and Hillary! You girls ROCK! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments. Give everyone a BIG hug for me. I miss you bunches and can't wait to see pictures. Corey, I loved talking with you today. See you next Friday!
Hugs and Tugs, Me.
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