Trip to Nairobi

Many of the kids at the house have been having some medical issues. So this week we set off to Nairobi to get scans and see doctors and were determined to leave with everyone settled and on the path to recovery. 

Lillian was born with spina bifida. No one has taken her for treatment so we decided to take her to see if there was anything that needed to be done. We went to a mission hospital called Kijabe that is just outside of Nairobi. We were impressed with the clean facility and compotent doctors. After X-rays, an ultrasound and an MRI it was confirmed that her case is a mild one and that she does not need surgery, but we will keep an eye on her to make sure that things don’t change and that she continues to thrive. 

Japheth was also having some medical issues. If he is fed and is in the seated position, he vomits frequently, but if he is lying down there is no problem. Reflux issues are common in children with Autism, but given his history of being burned by his abusive step-mother they wanted to check to make sure there was not more damage. So he underwent an endoscopy and they ruled out an esophageal stricture and anything else that would need immediate treatment. We were also advised to keep a close eye on him and in the future he may need an operation, but for now he will take an anti-acid and some other medicine to try to reduce the vomiting. 

Augustus had an umbilical hernia that was operated on. We took him to a hospital for outpatient surgery and he is already recovering nicely after just one day. We were told that if it was done early, there is a lesser risk of complications in the future and we are glad that he is already feeling better. 

It was a blessing that everyone was given proper treatment and that we finally have answers to some of their medical issues. It was also great to see how lovingly these doctors treat the patients here. We were given discounted rates on the procedures once the doctors heard about the work that is going on in Kitale and that children with disabilities are being served at Precious Kids Center. It was not only a blessing to make new friend and connections with doctors in Nairobi, but to finally have answers. Please continue to pray for Augustus, Lillian and Japheth as they continue to heal and live with their medical issues. 

Pascal

I know it’s been long since I’ve blogged, but a lot has been going on around here. Building is underway and there is lots of work check up on there. There are so many kids that we are working to support their parents to give them proper care from their homes and all the kids closed school and we have a full house for the holidays. There are so many stories to tell, but one has been stuck in my head these last few weeks. 

Pascal came to the house about two months ago. He left his some and set out to live independently on the streets of Kitale town. Boys who live in town struggle to survive, they fight with each other, they sniff glue and they are so used to hardship that it seems like the norm. Pascal has been doing great, working hard in school and adjusting well. Last week he had a minor setback. The littlest things can set him off and he bursts into tears, but this time it was too much for him to take and he ran back to town. 

I heard the news and set out to find him, which was easier than I expected. He had been gone a little over an hour and he was already filthy, sniffing glue again and running around town with his old friends. The other boys helped me find him and brought him to me. He was scared and confused and instantly burst into tears. A few little things set him off and the only way he knows to cope is to run. We talked, told him we would sort out his issues and that he needs to be open and honest with me and the other staff if there is a problem so that we can help him address it in a more appropriate way. I gave him a choice to stay in town or come home. I knew that forcing him to come back would only result in the same behavior. He grabbed my hand and started walking out the door and said “Let’s go home.” Since then he’s been doing well and hasn’t tried to leave again and is back to his normal joyful self.

I couldn’t help but think that this is how we act with God. He’s taken us from the gutter of life and introduced us to the good life with him. But when we have a minor setback, something goes wrong or someone discourages us, we run. It’s the only way we know how to deal with such a big God being directly involved in our seemingly insignificant lives. But God takes us back lovingly. Gives us instructions and welcomes us back with open arms. As I was talking to Pascal that was all that I could think of. That God loves each and everyone of us as much as I love these kids at the house. He doesn’t just let us go, he looks for us and gives us the choice to come back for him. If not, he will patiently wait for the time when we decided on our home to run back into his open arms. 

Please keep Pascal and the other boys that have recently made the choice to start a new life and adjust to that new life that God has provided for them.