Today we saw 460 patients.  We were so busy that I didn't even take any pictures so I have nothing to post.  I will say it is still amazing to watch people see clear for the first time.  Even with the reading glasses.  And surprisingly the number of Christians that have come through is very high, so were doing more confirming of faith than witnessing to unbelievers.  Praise God for that!  I will share one of my conversations with you though...
Me-"When you die what will happen to you?"
New friend-"I'll be in the forest"
Me-?????  We had a little chat!
Looking forward to an end tomorrow.  Although, since it's the last day there is the potential for twice as many people as today.  I am so glad I brought my roller skates.
Please continue payers for our team, our last day of mission, and our travels.
Love you all,
al

Day two in Kitui

Day two of clinic today.  Yesterday was a bit slow, 200 patients.  Not as many people as we had hoped, but that allowed us to learn our jobs well and get to know the local volunteers.  Their are eight of us in our group and about 15 local volunteers that help us and translate.  Today we saw 260 patients.  Better than yesterday, but still waiting for the "rush".  Tomorrow a speaker truck is headed out around town.  We told the driver to say it will be the last day, that way people will come and not all wait till Friday!

We start the process with registration and evanelisim which is manned by the local church volunteers.  (A new Lutheran church plant was started here in Kitui 2 months ago)  

After check in they head to triage.  Pastor and Thomas and Sybil and Philip assess the patients needs  and direct them to their next stop.  They also take the opportunity to talk to them again about God, our salvation, and His grace.

After triage, they head to either the Doctors, reading glasses, and/or vision screening and distant glasses construction.    I have been pulling the lenses after the refractor assessment.  Rich and Rose have become very efficient at putting custom glasses together.  And when we are not busy, Rose gives Swahili lessons.  I anticipate Rich might move to translator by the end of the week.

The reading glasses station is the most popular.  The gals running it stay very busy.  It has been awesome to watch these patients put glasses on for the first time and being able to see!  So cool!

   We end the day with praise and prayer together.  David leads us in song.  And as always it's full of the African spirit!  Not even the Lutheran influence can suppress that!   It is awesome.  I wish I could bottle it up and bring it home.

Now it's, dinner time.  So I need to refresh and then to bed early.  Oh, one highlight of the day...I got to hold baby girl named Michelle!  Yep, you guessed it, after M Obama!  I have a lot to say about that, but not wanting to cause a cyber fight I will keep to myself.  Let me just say, this week while I'm in Kenya, is the only time I am glad for Obama's win.

Sleep tight all!  Don't let the bed bugs bight.  Keep your nets closed and the squitos out!

love  and prayers,
amy lea

Day of rest in Nairobi??

This is the whole crew leaving the airport in Nairobi.  60ish people and a lot of totes.  Everything/one accounted for.

Settled into the hotel in Nairobi and straight to bed.  A full 4 hours of sleep before the breakfast bell was ringing.  Sorta.  We were ready, staff was not.  Welcome to Africa!  An hour later we had breakfast and hit the road for a driving safari right in the heart of Kenya.  75 square miles of African plains.  It was so amazing!  Everywhere you looked there were animals.  We ended up seeing 6 lions, 7 rhinos, tons of giraffe and zebra, and hundreds of different antelope.  It was so beautiful!  We were all amazed at works of God in this place.

`

After the safari we had lunch and did a little pre trip shopping (some souvenirs and some supplies).  Back at the hotel we worshiped together as a group before dinner.  A guest band The Conquerors led us in praise!  It was great to see you Lutheran Africans praise through song.  What an inspiration.  Prayers , dinner, and good night.

Today we are taking a 3 hour drive to Kitui,  our home for the week.  And with that I've got to  get my bag packed and get to the van.
  Hopefully I'll have wifi at the hotel and will chat at you all later.  Blessings to you!  Happy Sunday! Parise The Lord!

amy

Here I go again!

Ok, here I go again.  I'm leaving for Kenya today!  And for all of you that were wondering, I did get my bag packed.  I finished this morning!  So this trip is just me.  Just me from my family that is.  I am traveling with Trent and Richard from church.  We will be meeting up with a group of 8 from Trinity Lutheran in Chicago.  From Chicago we travel to London and then on to Nairobi.  Our mission for this trip is eyeglasses.  We will be screening for eye problems and fitting people with new eyeglasses.  And witnessing too of coarse.

As you all know I am a procrastinator times ten.  I hadn't thought much about getting ready for this trip until about a week ago.  Last week a dear friend, Cindy, had traveled to her home away from home in Senegal.  As many of you know that is where Brian first met Fatou as well as Pastor Mendi.  Susan is Pastor Mendi's daughter who B did scoliosis surgery on this past July.  We spent the month with Pastor and Susan during her recovery.  My family grew to love them both.  Anywho, Cindy got to meet Susan in Senegal on this trip last week.  She posted a picture of her, healthy and happy!  It brought tears to my eyes.  I hadn't even realized I missed her that much.  What an amazing example of God's hand at work!  That moment got me excited about my now trip to Kenya.  Though the mission is different, I know the lessons, experiences, and relationships will be equally as rewarding.  Serving my God and His people...awesome!

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

So, with that I ask for prayers for safe travels for our group, God's guiding hand, and a fulfilled mission.  If internet allows, I'll keep you all posted.

al