Some food / meal memories

A few folks in our group joked about me taking pictures of our food / meals. But, I wanted to remember it! We had chicken once the whole week. All the vegetables were fresh from the farm and our meals were prepared from scratch. Overall, I would say the food was a bit bland but delicious.

A luxury to many Kenyans

Fresh from the tree

Delicious fresh pineapple almost daily. The core that I have always know as hard and tasteless, is soft and delicious - almost melts in your mouth!

Very good ... I would buy it here if I could!



Chapati - a round, flat unleavened bread cooked on a griddle to a soft brown color


The purple potato - ndũma (taro root) known in Kenya as arrowroot and Kachumbari (Cabbage salad)

I don't know how these potatoes were cooked, but they were delicious. Baked? Fried? Crunchy outside, but not greasy at all.

We had green beans almost every day and every time with this tomato base.

Ugali - a semi-hard cake made of maize (corn) flour or millet flour. It's a favorite meal for all Kenyans. Served with a tomato stew, kale and fresh pineapple.

We up and running!

MIRIAM's JOURNAL

Monday, January 31st

I didn't sleep well last night (for all the reasons I have already mentioned - too hot, barking dogs). God, give me strength to get through the day.

I'm excited and as we walked towards the clinic, a line had already started forming. Initially, we were told that we were going to be seeing all the kids from the orphanage for exams. Well, that changed when we arrived at MCF a couple of days ago. The kids at the orphanage are very well taken care of. When they arrive at MCF from the streets or their poverty-stricken home, they are given an intake exam and any medications and treatment they need. Every 6 months, they are all given deworming medication. They are treated if they need medication, have malnutrition, HIV or any illness. So, we learned that the word had been sent out to the neighboring communities that we were going to be at MCF and "open" to see anyone. We were still going to see all the kids, but it was going to be for a quick exam by a nurse and see a physician, if needed. We also had a toothbrush and toothpaste for all the kids.

The morning was busy, busy. Some patients had walked up to 6 hours to be seen. One baby was really sick, needed an IV and was sent to the hospital (2 hrs away) to be admitted. Dr Neil treated a broken collarbone - it was an older gentleman who had walked 2 hours to be seen for an eye problem and he fell. There was a lot of high blood pressure's ... ie. 220/110, 200/98; parasites, malaria, typhoid, rashes / ringworm, etc. It was challenging to use interpreters for everything; especially if the interpreter had a hard time with medical terminology or with trying to triage and figure out what what going on with a patient who had multiple complaints. After a few hours, we started to get into a bit of grove and the day flowed pretty well.

Things finished up about 5pm and we went back for a shower and to relax before dinner. We are told the clinic will get busier as the week goes on and more people hear about us. I'm looking forward to more interesting days ... more people to help and show God's love to through our work.

SARAH's JOURNAL

Today was our first day of clinic. I'm exhausted after a busy day and very little sleep last night. The dogs kept waking me up as they chased and barked at bush bunnies (bigger than a squirrel, smaller than a monkey; even though many of us guessed them to be monkeys from the squealing sounds they make). Apparently, they have big round eyes but are rarely seen as they are nocturnal.

Anyways, back to the clinic ... a massage room had been set up for me, but I was kept very busy coordinating the flow of patients to intake, the the nurses, to the doctors and to the pharmacy. It went smoothly overall and was a good "practice" (if you will) for the anticipated increase of patients expected for tomorrow. They estimate quadruple the number seen today, as word spreads of the free medical clinic. One mother and daughter walked 6 hours this morning to be here. They have no other access to see a doctor. In addition to seeing members from the surrounding communities, we saw the Baby group and Grade 4 from Mully Children's Family. The children are given a check-up and some vitamins.

It felt so good to hop into the shower at the end of the day today ... waiting for dinner now and then will fall into bed!

The MCF medical clinic

We set up 4 exam rooms ... one for OB/GYN doctor and the rest for general exams by the other 3 physicians. The clinic had a pharmacy they used, but didn't want us to work out of that pharmacy. We had brought a bunch of medications and they had boxes of other donated medications -- so, we set up a "pharmacy" room. There were waiting benches at the front, side and back of the building. We would typically be working with 2-3 triage stations at the front. A staff lab tech would draw blood and then run the tests. After a couple of days, we realized that lab tests would be much more efficient if we were able to have someone help. So, I worked in the lab for 2 days drawing blood and praying for God to keep me safe. I was drawing blood in a small hallway; small sharp disposal container; I had to manually removed the needle and throw it away. God protected me and I had no needle pokes (neither did any of our group).


The OB/GYN room


Our pharmacy


The infirmary or otherwise known as overnight / observation beds

A peek into a couple of the exam rooms


The lab - an incredibly small room

Malaria slides drying on the window sill (open window of course)

An HIV test

A day of worship

MIRIAM's JOURNAL

Sunday, January 30th

And getting ready for our medical clinic to open!

Day summary ... breakfast, church, visit, lunch, unpack bags and organize the clinic, visit, dinner, more clinic organizing, shower, journal writing, read and then to sleep!

I slept well last night and felt great today. I had been very warm at night and that has made it more challenging to sleep well. And then, there are a few dogs that like to have barking contests during the night and, another high pitched barking/squealing sound, which we learned are noises from bush babies (do a search - there is such a thing!). Anyways, Sarah and I are both on top bunk beds with mosquito netting, no fans and closed windows (no screens) ... did I mention that it's pretty warm at night?!

Church this morning was amazing. Incredible to see so many children singing and praising God.

The clinic organizing went well. It's tough trying to plan and organize for a lot of unknowns. We don't know how many people we will be seeing. We are taking a guess at the kind of illnesses and diseases we will be seeing and treating. We don't know how sick people will be. But, God has brought us here and He is with us. It's hard to just trust God when we are such planners by nature of the job.

Tomorrow, breakfast will be at 715am (versus 9am today) and then we will start our clinic at 8am.

We have not had that much of an opportunity to interact with the children here at MCF yet. They keep the kids on a very busy schedule (less time for them to find trouble). And, we've been busy too - touring and getting settled. It blows my mind how organized and happy everyone is here - staff and kids. It is truly a big family environment ... a HUGE family!

The German teacher who is here teaching for 6 months, let me borrow her phone this evening to call home. It was SOO good to talk to Matt and hear Caitlin and Mackenzie's voice. They screamed with joy when they heard my voice "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY" They are doing well with Matt and grandparents ... I miss them like crazy, but I'm trying to focus on enjoying every minute of my time here.

Sunny, peaceful, relaxing ... feelings and emotions are close to indescribable.

SARAH's JOURNAL

This morning at church we were asked if we (as a group) had a song to sing for everyone. After listening to their beautiful voices, harmony and dance, we answered that our team speciality was to practice medicine, NOT singing! We would have been horribly embarrassed at our lack of harmony! LOL!

After lunch, we headed to the clinic to unpack and organize for the week ... one hiccup is that the deworming and malaria medicine has not yet arrived - there are few doses available here, but not nearly enough for what we anticipate needing. At the end of the day, there was no clear answer as to when it is expected to arrive. The mentality is definitely more laid back then in America!

Today, Dr Charles Mulli spent some time with us - when he arrived at the gate (home from Nairobi), a large group of children ran after his car, yelling "Daddy, Daddy!!" Even as he got a coffee and sat down to rest, there was a smile, a high five and candy for each one that acme to say hello. What love he showed to all and the example he sets by his actions.

Our accomodations

It was a wonderful guest building. Sarah and I shared a room ... for the first time since we were about 16 years old, we'd share a room and be around each other a lot for about 3 weeks. I think we were both a little nervous about it, but didn't voice that. Over time, we Looking back, it was the best ever ... I only wished she lived next door to me!
We had our own private bathroom in our room; hot water in our shower; flushable toilet; clean water (for brushing teeth,etc)

Tour day

MIRIAM's JOURNAL

Saturday, January 29th

915pm - settling in for the night after a long day of tours.

We started our day with a breakfast of peanut butter and pineapple jam sandwiches; fresh pineapple and fresh tomato slices; tea and coffee. I was intruiged by the pineapple jam and found it to be mild and delicious. If you ever have a chance to try it or buy some, give it a try!

As I mentioned, today was a long day of tours; a lot of walking; a lot of information; and, I soaked up the sunny, warm weather - it's absolutely wonderful.

MCF currently has 5 facilities / locations

-- MCF in Uganda, Africa: a food station to help children at schools who are not fed at home

-- MCF Nairobi: a food station for school children

-- MCF Aldorette: a shelter and home for those that lost homes during post-election violence in 2008 - over 300 people had been brutally killed in the clashes while 350,000 people had been displaced from their homes in various provinces across the country

-- MCF Yatta: we toured this site
- about 200 acres
-started 2 years ago as a shelter and home for "child mothers" (young girls who are pregnant or have had a child), and prostitutes from the street
- 450 women, children, some men and families live here now
- farming, greenhouses, irrigation system, 3 dams, fish farming, cowns for milking (by hand), chickens. They have 5 chicken barns and recieve and sell approx 800 chicks / hens / week) They rotate them through the barns to raise them to keep this as a continual process. Approximately 1000 eggs are collected per day. Children at Yatta and Ndalani get 2 eggs per week (unless they have HIV or are malnutritioned, then an egg a day)

-- MCF Ndalani
- about 158 acres
- school licence and classes for standard 1-12 (ie Grade 1 = Standard 1)
- farming: they grow 95% of their own fruits and vegatables
- irrigation systems in place
- the children bathe in the river (they have a schedule they follow)
- 650 orphaned children live here

I feel like there are so many facts and so much information that we were given - hopefully between my notes, Sarah's and April's, you can put it altogether!

Feeling confused ...

~MIRIAM

Friday, no, Thursday, no, FRIDAY! January 28th - wow, so confused on my days!

Last night, hot shower and bed .... ahhh - it felt so good to lay down after our long flights. After a good night of sleep, I work up this morning feeling refreshed and so excited. I am really here, in Kenya - AFRICA! A breakfast was waiting with fresh cut fruit - mango, papaya, pineapple, bananas; freshly squeezed mango and passionfruit juice which is delicious.
While Sarah took a morning nap, a small group of us went for a morning walk. Beautiful warm sunny weather. Right now, as I sit here, I'm listening to incredible African music. We are awaiting the bus to take us to Mully Children's Family in Ndalani. Charles Mulli has just arrived and was an honor to meet him. After reading his book "Father to the Fatherless" - I am so amazed with his passion for God and for helping kids and his country.

EVENING

On the way out of Nairobi, we stopped at a supermarket to pick up a few more items we anticipated needing for the clinic. Then, we started our drive to Ndalani. We were told it usually takes 2-4 hours. It took us about 4 1/2 hours. There was a lot of construction in Nairobi area. Amazing to see building scaffolding with big sticks. And, so many people walking or biking along the roads; people selling everything you can think of everywhere ... sugarcane, water, all kids of clothing, seriously, everything you can think of I'm sure was in the "market" area - this being an area anywhere on the side of the road. Driving is crazy. Drivers are on the "wrong" side of the road and the drivers seat is on the right side. Totally backwards to what I know. And, if there are outlined lanes of traffic, they might be merely suggestions. Everyone seems to weave every which way; no signals; some horn honking; so many times I thought there would be an accident and there was maybe 1/2 an inch to spare!

Another LONG day of travelling. My body immediately started to ache with the recent memory of sitting for so long the previous day(s!) What beautiful countryside we saw as we drove. Fields of pineapple, french green beans, coffee trees ... lots of cows, goats, donkeys, a few camel ... all walking beside the road, in the fields, crossing the roads ... the shepherds were of all ages - some elderly, some didn't look much older than 5-6 years old.

I learned that it takes 3 years for a pineapple to grow. I never knew that about the delicious fruit I enjoy so much!

We arrived at MCF (Mully Children's Family) late afternoon. We were shown our rooms and had a chance to unpack our bags before an intro meeting and then dinner. For dinner, we had rice, lentils, and fresh green beans in a tomato sauce - the vegetables and lentils were fresh from the farm. A yummy dinner! The mosquitos and bugs started coming out as evening set in. We got out the bug spray, closed our windows and set up the mosquito netting over our beds. I'm already feeling how warm our room is and I hope this won't put a big damper on the sleep for the week! There are no screens on the windows and we tried to tape the nets to the windows, but they just weren't holding well ... I wasn't going to take the chance of them falling down when I was sleeping.