On the way!

<<Final Goodbye From Ndondo Mulli>>.

Ndondo Mulli, daughter of Dr Charles Mulli, came to give us a final note of appreciation for our visit and our giving of ourselves, 

.

“something that is intangible, and cannot be described or quantified”.

.
She said:

“Years of life experience, professional qualifications from a diverse team, taking personal vacation time to serve us in Kenya at MCF is so appreciated by the community, MCF beneficiaries and the MCF organization.”
.

<<Sweet Side-Note:>>

.
Ndondo was in Canada during the Mully movie screening and the “Canadian Safari” with the singing group’s tour.
. 

She had struck up a friendship with Team Member Rob’s granddaughter Rebecca, and they still correspond.

.

We appreciate Ndondo’s kind words and her warmth and genuineness of character.

.

.

The MCF Choir serenaded us out the final night:

.

Final Clinic Day! 

Tuesday July 12, 2016.

Today was our final clinic day.

.

Final patient number was 2410.

(Today we saw 214 patients.)

.

We saw a lot of patients and dispensed a lot of medicines.

.

Lots of patients needed dental and optometry services but we didn’t have that expertise to offer this year. (Maybe our team next year will?)

.

So many memories…

.

Bittersweet.

.

.

We worked hard for almost 2 weeks, travel, prep, organizing, clinic setup, clinic days, cinic take-down.  7 intense days of clinic and surgeries.

.
.

Today we had a few surgeries & surgery follow-ups (dressing changes, checkups).

.

<<Big Facial Surgery:>>

.

One handsome 44 year old male had a lipoma that significantly disfigured his face.

.

He was healthy otherwise.

.

The results were wonderful!

.

.

The gentleman was very pleased.

.

.
<<Cleanup, Takedown and Shutdown>>

.
At the end of today, we spent it cleaning the clinic. 

.

Organizing. Sanitizing. 

.

Thinking about what equipment to leave here & what equipment we can bring back to setup and train the next year’s team.

.

It is always emotional to close something up and turn a page.

.

This was special.

.

An intense experience together.

.

A half a year’s preparations and a couple of weeks together going through hurdles and problem solving…to serve others. 

.

We appreciate all the love and support from MCF and gracious host/leaders:

(Peter, Rio, Immaculate, Susan, Timothy, Mary, Angela, Maggie & young girls:  Ndanya & Mmelu)

.

As a symbol of renewal, growth and seeing each other again, we helped to plant some trees at the Yatta Campus, before we left to go back to Nairobi:

.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

We reached out to our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, to let him know about our “Christian Medical Missions Trip” to Kenya/MCF.

.

This is what his office said:

.

.

We represent!

.

.

<<Leadership – John Maxwell Course>>.

Four team-members Adrianna, Melodie, Sam, Rob were involved in delivering the “John Maxwell leadership course” to various MCF beneficiaries and students.

.

They completed “Book 1″which is comprised of a 6 part course.

.

Certificates will be issued to the students after they complete the practical sessions:  they now have to train 5 others before they get their certificates.

.

All of them reportedly had a great time and built some great relationships!

.

The students were attentive, wanted to learn and had great enthusiasm.

.

Leaders: 

Sam, Hannah (helper), Adrianna, Melodie. Rob.

Great job everyone!

<<Let There Be Light!!>>.

TEAM TUMAINI BRINGS THE LIGHT TO MCF!

.

Team Members Sam, Sammy, David, Rob helped to complete the assembly and installation of 4 solar lights systems.

.

They are approximately 15 feet high LED based, rechargeable, and their energy source is solar power only.  They are set on timers.

.

The lights are to all be located on the MCF Yatta Campus, each at strategic locations and walkways and areas for little children, the young mothers, the staff.

.

Each light has a 9 metres diameter coverage.

.

There are a total of 10 light systems to install, and the MCF staff have learned from our team members how it is done, and their onsite staff  are now fully capable to install the remaining 6 themselves.

.

Backstory: 

Sammy was inspired with this idea years ago and upon getting approval from MCF, he had ordered parts and had everything shipped/delivered.

.

He finally had the chance to return to guide the installation this year!

.

Thanks for all the hard work guys!

.

You make us so proud!

.

.
“there is a race to be run,

there are victories to be won.
give me power,

every hour,

to be true…”

(A song sung by MCF choir)

Those flip-down meal-trays on the back of those cramped airplane seats have a little indentation in them to put your coffee cup so it won’t slide around.

.

But when I put my cup of hot coffee down, it caught the edge and tipped over and went ALL OVER MY CARGO PANTS!!

.

.

Gross.

.

.

Coffee stained. Dirty. Ugh. Simply unpresentable. Can’t take me anywhere.

.

“I can’t wait to change”, I muttered to myself.

.

.

.

Round and round.

.

Luggage pickup area, and the carousel went round and round.

.

My brand new large silver hard-case luggage with an orange luggage strap was yet to be seen.

.

.

We had received all 31 boxes of medicines.

Plus several other hockey bags. Plus all personal luggages and carry-ons for 37 team-members, were all accounted for…

.

Ready to go!

.

Except… three of us were missing our large luggages.

.

After some time, we checked with customer service.  

.

Confirmed.

.

Only three bags did not get loaded at the Charles Degaulle airport during the Paris stop-over. Mine was one of them.

.

.

“Don’t worry, you will get it delivered to your door as a courtesy by tomorrow” they said in their lovely & polite African accent.

.

.

We went to the Guest house in Nairobi.

.

The next morning we arrived at MCF Ndalani. 

.

We met the children. Fun. Singing. Smiles. Meals. Photos. 

.

.

“Oh how interesting, oh how THEY LIVE” most of us thought.

.

After each visit.

.

After each event.

.

We would go back to our rooms and get washed up. Write. Reflect. How interesting. We will do our best to help them while we are here. We celebrate with them.

.

But ok…

.

I am still walking around with coffee stained pants – my only 1 set of pants.

.

Next day, no luggage.

.

The day after that, no luggage.

.

Now NINE days into a THIRTEEN day trip …

.

“A few days more and we will be going home!” I thought.

.

But I have been living on 1 pair of pants, 2 underwear, 2 shirts..total.

.

Hiking. Working. Seeing patients. Eating. Walking. Interacting. With the same pair of coffee-stained pants on.

.

I just felt UNCLEAN. 

.

Everywhere is reddish brown dirt and sand … the play areas and paths.  

.

It’s not like back in Toronto. The concrete jungle. People watering their asphalt driveways.

. 

This is Africa.

. 

Just like in Bible times, every place you go, you wash hands and feet as a custom as you enter a home to visit. Jesus washing the feet of the twelve.  It’s just a dirty dusty world.

.

.

Yes, I was busy, working and coordinating the triage team … distracted with the busyness of work tasks, but inside I was a bit upset at the logistics of the airlines.  

.

What happened to “delivered to your door tomorrow”?

.

.

As I was walking back to my room, from a long day at the medical clinic, I thought “I share a room with 6 guys… each with their nice luggages and fresh clothes, but I was the only one that needed to plan for daily hand-washing of my laundry!”

.

.

Hmphh!?

.

“Unfair!”

.

.

Then FINALLY it caught me…

.
As I walked past the little kids. The orphans on the grounds. Sitting in dusty pants, shoes with seams ripped, knitted cardigans with American logos and brands. Ill fitting donations. Just playing with sticks and rocks in the dirt. Chickens and dogs walking around. This is their lot in life, at this time. Full-time, 24/7/365.

. 

(the above family sleeps on the concrete floor shown in this 4’x8′ area.)

.

I felt God telling me something:

.

“Now you know.”

.

“Just zip it.”

.

“You have 1 pair pants, 2 shirts, 2 underwear…. ”

.

“AWWW … POOR BABY”

. 

“Nairobi has 4 major slums. Slums that house millions and millions of people. People live with only the tattered clothes on your back as they feel hunger pangs and struggle to survive.”

. 

“So – you may not have your fresh laundered clothes from your luggage. A tough two weeks in Kenya. With coffee stained pants.”

.

“Boo.

Hoo.”

.

.

“But how about them?”

.

“You can simply stop complaining now.”

.

I felt humbled.

.

After that realization, 10 days into the trip, I got word that my luggage was received and was in the hands of MCF staff.

.

.
There is a principle: “Locard’s Principle” which states when two things make contact, each received a bit of the other. A trace is left from one onto the other. Contact. Interaction.

.

We came here to interact with them.

.

.

Now I know JUST A BIT of how it feels.

.

A bit.

.

I will be leaving in just a couple days. Back to sterile clean Toronto. We live such a blessed life in Canada. The first world and our first world problems. 

.

My barista ruining my day by putting too much “ice” in my iced pumpkin spice latte.  Stuff like that.

.

Really makes one think.

.

There is a scripture that comes to mind…

.

.
A Relevant Verse:

.

“And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

.

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? 

.

And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 

.

Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 

.

But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions. 

.

And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

.

And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
   – Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭16-26‬ ASV

CLINIC DAY 6 – Monday July 11, 2016
We saw exactly 400 patients at the medical clinic today.  Second last clinic day!

.

(cumulative number seen to date: 2196)

.

Notable:

.

One patient seen was 105 years old!

.

One team-member noted: two young boys walked an hour, unaccompanied, to come to our little free medical clinic.  How fragile we are.  

.

(CAUTION: the following medical images that may be considered graphic may not be for all audiences and are included for educational purposes)

.

Numerous cases of tropical were identified and diagnosed. Medicines were prescribed accordingly.

.

Three surgeries were performed:

.

1. A cleaning of an abscess on a man’s gluteus area:

.

.

2. A removal of “chick pea” sized sebaceous cyst on a scalp:

.

.

3. The removal of a large symptomatic lipoma on a male’s back between the deltoid and the scapula. It was the size of a clementine. It appeared only 1 year ago, grew very rapidly and was now affecting his life.

.

Dr Victor, seasoned surgeon and Chief of Urology at Mackenzie Health Centre in Richmond Hill, who led most of this week’s surgeries made a few comments about our team:  

.

“One modest doctor’s office has been converted from a doctor’s office … to an operating theatre … to an emergency room. In our short time, we have used that room several times for surgeries.

 I am so proud of our team… teamwork, unity and everyone is just so keen – rushing to help with cheerful readiness.”

.

Note:  One if the translators helping to communicate with patients during surgery, all done via local anaesthestia, had fainted and hit his head when a surgeon pulled out the scalpel for use!  We hope that he is ok and recovers well.

.

This afternoon after clinic, a few went to hike to level 1 of Mully Mountain.

.

Our solar light installation team successfully installed one complete full light that will illuminate a key walkway on the Yatta campus. There are a total of 10 to be done. We now know the technical installation technique and the local staff can do it even after we leave. 

The Leaders teaching the John Maxwell course to local students are making very good progress and their students are very appreciative.

Many of the small ailments:  splinters, scrapes, stomach bugs, sniffles on the team are now all better!

.

Tomorrow:  The last clinic day!

.

.

.

Dear brothers and sisters back in Canada.

. 

When I think of you, I thank God for you and the thoughts, prayers and support of all our friends back home.

.

We are doing fine. In fact we are quite happy to be back in Kenya to see all that God has done here since our last visit. We are impressed with God’s development of MCF here.

.

We are so glad to be part of this team.  

.

We work well together and we find much joy and inspiration to have so many youth on the team that are full of energy to serve God.

.

It has been fantastic working with these younger people.

.

Rob even had the unique opportunity to observe a surgical procedure.

.

.

Marianne has been serving as a nurse and a triage coordinator for one wing of the hospital.

.  

Marianne was especially thankful that a recent case of a young mother with DKA (diabetic keto acidosis) was identified by an astute tram member who is a seasoned emergency room physician and Marianne was part of the team that helped stabilize her and then transport her 30 minutes away to the town of “Matuu”. Changing IV bags on that bumpy ride was certainly a challenge for Marianne.

.

Upon arrival at the Matuu hospital, it reminded her of how richly blessed we are in Canada. People walk for hours and pay many days’ wages to see doctors here. In Canada we have access to healthcare at every corner and often are tempted to complain about service and wait times.

.

The elderly mother of the patient we transported was able to express her deep appreciation to us for saving her daughter’s life.

. 

We are humbled by the opportunity to serve here.  

.

We also trust in God as we know there is only so much, that we – as men and women can do here.

.

We again thank you for you love, support and prayers.

.

Your brother and sister in Christ,

.

– Rob & Marianne in Ndalani, Kenya.

Sunday July 10th, 2016.

Today, a welcomed day of rest.

. .

We attended church at Yatta Campus of MCF for church and for a tour.

. 

This is the campus houses young single mothers.

.

The campus is modest but encompasses a lot of service offerings:

.

.

1. Vocational, career skills training for mothers to build financial independence:

     – hair styling/braiding

     – computer lab

     – sewing/tailoring/seamstress training

2. MCF headquarters/multipurpose rooms.

.

3. Greenhouses.

.

4. Farm fields.

.

5. Five water reservoirs:

.

6. Childcare facilities:

.

We joined them for Sunday Service.

.

Lovely sounds.

. 

Happy. Lively. Celebratory.

.

.

.

.

<<BENEFICIARY TESTIMONY: “Rio”>>

.

.

One of the MCF leaders that is helping to host us was an MCF beneficiary himself. He goes by the nickname “Rio” because of his love for soccer.

.

Rio is a handsome and tall thin young man.

.

Nairobi has 4 big slums.

.

Rio grew up in the second biggest slum of Nairobi called: “Kibera”

.

Life was hard.  

.

They often went without food. Their mother had three children to support.

.

Rio often roamed the streets to gather firewood to sell. The family was also affected by alcohol.  

.

The family had no funds to afford Rio an education.

.

An MCF worker named John Maina met Rio and his family and introduced them to MCF in 2009.

.

Rio was provided schooling, training and opportunities via MCF.

.

Rio wants to use his skills to give back. For now he is a youth leader at MCF.  

.

Rio shared that MCF has allowed him to feel the pride of being part of a family, having loving “adoptive” parents, being educated, feeling parental love, having many brothers and sisters.

. 

Rio is now in the second year of university, studying business.

.

The way Rio delivered his testimony was very “matter-of-fact” and unemotional. Some if his childhood friends have already been killed, he states, sadly. Maybe that fate was averted for him. The harsh reality of a slum survivor helped by MCF and its programs and services and previous beneficiaries. 

.

Now, a plan and hope.  

. 

Hope to someday to give back.

.

He already is.

.

.

.

<<BENEFICIARY TESTIMONY: A Young Mother>>

.

.

We also heard from a young mother & MCF beneficiary presently living at the Yatta campus.

.

She shared her life story with us which involved complex cultural & heart-wrenching facts:

.

– she was born into a tribe which has certain culturally accepted practices..

– being arranged for marriage at a tender age

– female circumcision.

– a dowry being paid.

– married at age 16 to a much older man.

– polygamy: the husband had 3 other wives

– a bad marital situation.

– giving birth to 2 children.

– a husband unable to support her.

.

Fortunately she was introduced to MCF’s Yatta Campus and its young mother program.

.

She is now a happy young mother with skills training and she has aspirations to open her own storefront.
…