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Cody working in the Pharmacy
Cary receives a Goat for KR.
Team 1 attends George's Church
Witch Doctor scars
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To see team slideshow click here
Team Email Feb. 17 2009  I’m Maureen, a pediatric RN from Minneapolis. The joy and love of the people in Kenya is beyond words. The simple life and rustic conditions do not deter these people from giving the only thing they have to give- Love. With the women of this place, I hold hands and give hugs as if we have been friends for years, and feel a closeness and a responsibility to help and provide everything I can in the short time I get to be here. At clinic, I have felt intense emotions of joy and sorrow for the people I have seen. The pride and joy I felt when I diagnosed an infant with extreme dehydration, one who perked up as soon as a IV fluid was provided. To extreme sorrow for the 8 year old child, sitting alone, on the dirt with only a lantern for light, with no clue as to when her parents would get home. I came here to help these people, and found they helped me as well. These people have opened my heart, and shown me what it is to love so openly without inhibitions and show such emotion without boundaries.
 My name is Dana. I am a CRNA from Madisonville, Ky. God blessed me with the opportunity to come to Kenya to serve wonderful people I need. The hospitality, love, and acceptance shown by the people of Kenya is overwhelming. I cannot begin yet to process the experiences of the last 3 days at the clinic, so much need yet so much joy and gratitude. Kenya Relief is certainly the hands and feet of Christ for the people in Kenya. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate.
Day three in the clinic, and I was finally in my groove. We probably saw over 300 patients today – diagnosed lots of malaria, intestinal worms and other “fun” things. One small boy’s distended belly was covered in tiny scars. I asked his mother what that was from, and she told me that the witch doctor had cut him and rubbed his stomach in herbs to heal him. Similarly disturbing stories were repeated through the day, but praise God we were able to help most of them. The need is great. And the Kenyans are so endearing. I will be sad to leave tomorrow, and I pray that God allows me to return again next year. Please pray for the people in Migori, the kids at the orphanage, and our missionaries. Thank you.
Stacey McBryde, RN
North Little Rock, AR
Team Mail …………Feb 16th 2002 Today was the beginning of our second day at the clinic. We began the day with a hearty breakfast filled with the chatter of the Brittney’s Home of Grace children in the background. Shortly thereafter, we were greeted by their smiles, hugs, love and joy. These children are wonderful, they have nothing but unconditional love for everyone they meet. Your presence alone puts a smile on their face that lasts the entire day and certainly well beyond the time after you leave. Next we began our short journey to the clinic. Again we were greeted by the appreciative faces of many who have come for care in the clinic. It is hard to explain the feelings that these people/patients place in your heart. Smiles, hand shaking, and even hugs from many who have walked miles to receive care. As you enter the doors of the clinic, you can’t help but feel like you’ve entered the presence of something where things occur beyond explanation or reason. Boundaries are dissolved and team work is ever present around every corner and in every situation. Everyone is greeted with a smile, love, and great appreciation. I have met so many wonderful people! It is amazing to see people who have little to nothing in monetary value, but possess a faith and trust in God and those who serve him. This faith and trust is greater than anything I’ve ever seen. This mission trip has opened my eyes to many beautiful qualities that these people possess. Kenya relief is one cause that I have been happy to participate in and will for many years to come. This is one great day of many here! I relish today, look forward to tomorrow and the days to follow. My highlight for today is that I’ve been the only known person on this trip to spear the Maasai head of security (with a 23ga needle) and live to tell about it! Gram M. Cotton, CRNA, MNA Florence, KY Kenyarelief.org Team 1 Mail Feb 14th, 2010 Last night we arrived at the children’s home to the kids’ welcoming us with song and dance. They are so loving and beautiful. They put on a show for us – so entertaining. I’m very impressed with the kids. Today we went to a JOY-FILLED church service – loved it. One of the highlights was when the church members gifted us with a sheep. They plopped it in Cary’s arms! This afternoon we visited the local public hospital. The conditions were hard to take in – one nurse to about 16 beds (and some beds have more than one patient!); having to hand wash all the dirty linens; much more. My words are not sufficient to describe it. We take so much for granted in the U.S. These kind people have so little, SO LITTLE, and yet they are joyful. One part of the day that really hit me hard was picking up a toddler about the age of my own daughter. It struck me how blessed I am and that this trip isn’t about how I’m going to help these people, but how they are helping me. Stacey McBryde, RN North Little Rock, AR After a long trip with many flight delays and the inability of our fearless leader to join us due to a almost expired passport, a flat tire on the long ride from Nairobi, an drunk Kenyan trying to kiss and hug on one of our female team members we were received by some of the older girls from the orphanage with warm wash cloths and much love followed by the cutest program by the boys and girls here at Brittany House. The girls sang a song and did a comedy skit about how they came to the Brittany Home of Grace and the boys did a very lively Masai war dance they choreographed (It was the cutest thing I have seen in a long time). I have never seen such poverty as I have seen here in this country and yet they seem to be happy and hopeful. Warm hearted people for the most part. God is showing me so much and teaching me about being happy with what I have. Wonderful church service this morning. God is good. Shari Mc Graw Huntsville, Alabama Jambo, It is so good to be with all my Kenyan Friends. The children are doing so well and growing so fast. You can see the joy all over their faces. We had a great day at church. The people were so welcoming. We are looking forward to our first day of clinic and eye surgery. Two patients have arrived this evening for their eye surgery. They will spend the night sleeping on the porch of the clinic. They travel on foot for many miles to have their surgery waiting 12-14 hrs. without complaint. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare to treat many patients tomorrow. Cheryl Carr, RN Pleasant Valley,NY Jambo! Hello from Kenya. We have had a wonderful two days visiting with the children at Brittany’s Home of Grace and touring the area on the way to and around the orphanage. The orphanage is beautiful, and the children are so friendly and happy to see us that it’s shocking to hear the accounts of their past lives and the circumstances that brought them here. The disparity between what we consider everyday conveniences and the lives led by most of the people is in Kenya immense and immediately apparent. Much of what is considered the poverty in America would be a luxury here. The Migori public hospital does not even have a washing machine, hot water to clean soiled linens, or even a decent mop. But the Kenyans’ beautiful spirits and graceful attitudes provide hope for a better tomorrow. In the words of the pastor at the church we visited today, “In God we know that we may not be somebody today but we can be somebody tomorrow.” The Kenyan’s we’ve met do not complain and do not expect help, but they are grateful when it’s offered and accept it with humility and generosity in return. For example, the church we visited gave Kenya Relief’s leader Steve James a goat as a present in thanks for helping them acquire doors and windows for their church building. Most everyone knows and loves Steve James. It is clear that Kenya Relief has made an tremendously positive impact on local the community of Migori and the success here has been shared in many parts of the country in large and small ways, especially though medical clinics. Our group is looking forward to tomorrow and beginning the real work we came here to do – running a three-day eye surgery and general medical clinic, where we’ve been told to expect more than 1,000 patients. There’s much work to be done, and much more needs to be done to accomplish Kenya Relief’s vision for providing a sustainably better future for the people this area through the work of the orphanage and its missionaries, providing education, health care, social work and support programs, sharing resources like clean water with the community, and so much more. Everyone has a place to contribute to the wonderful team we are on this week, even those of us not medically trained, and everyone has a place in Kenya Relief who cares about improving the lives of the world’s most poor. Come to Kenya as soon as you can. It will certainly change your life, and you are sure to make a difference in someone else’s. Kristen Holmes , Hanceville, AL |
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Steve Blocking eyes prior to surgery
Team Emails
You can click on a picture to see a larger view.
Sheryl circulating before surgery
Dana blocking eyes prior to surgery