Tenwek, Final Photos

 As you approach the hospital, the sign declares their motto, "We Treat, Jesus Heals" Their everyday words and actions declare their belief in this statement. Above is the main entrance to Casualty, aka ER, with seven beds 2 feet apart. This is the regional trauma center and it can be like nothing you have ever seen.

 The facility consists of a number of building constructed over the last 60 years, connected by outside awnings. Here are two of the newest. In the foreground is the CT scan which opened last year. Behind it is the new Theatre (aka operating rooms). There are five which opened in 2005. The second floor is a small library and conference rooms. The larger, circular building is a large amphitheater opened at the same time and underused. With the new training programs, it was hoped this would be a center for regional medical conferences. That has not come to fruition yet.

 The Guest House for visiting staff and students. There are about a dozen rooms and apartments. Cost is $22/day including three meals. How's that for a deal. You can make out the banners on the railing. Almost all ACC and SEC schools represented. Mike, there's a big "O" with a reddish background. Didn't know if it was Ohio State or Oklahoma.

 Someone was planning my arrival, just outside my door was a homecoming greeting.

Home. Interior of my room complete with mosquito nets. Simple but clean and comfortable.

 If you were at the fountain at the CT courtyard and looked down (about 30 degree incline)  you would see the chapel. These steep sidewalks are filled with patients including those on stretchers being wheeled to x-ray, the GI lab or surgery

 This is the GI lab converted from one of the two operating rooms they had from 1985-2005. I'll share details at a meeting with MGG. Probably the second Fri at noon before we restart the noon CME conference.

 I could share a number of stories about missionaries. This is Barbara Pinkley who came to Africa as a young, single, community health nurse and midwife over 30 years ago. She help establish the nursing school at Tenwek 25 yrs ago. There are now about 24 students/year. The total cost of the 3 1/2 yr program is $7000 including room and board. All graduates are committed to work at Tenwek for, I think, 3 years upon graduation. Because they are so well trained they often go to higher paying jobs after their obligation is completed. At Tenwek, nurses start at about $210/mo and max at about $350/mo. For comparison, general workers make about $60-100/mo.
As always, the goal is to train nationals to assume responsibility. They are essentially there. The school recently hired it's first national principal, one of its own graduates and Barbara is the last missionary on the faculty.

 The new nursing school building was opened in 2000. It has a bigger library than the hospital and it is the cleanest and most well kept facility (with maybe the exception of the hydroelectric plant which I'll tell you about later). What else would you expect from nurses, right? Got to love them!
Below is some of the landscaping. They hired their own team, separate from the hospital. An oasis.

 Above is the GI lab team, photo randomly out of order. There is one RN, Mark, second from left- tallest, thinnest, sweetest among this precious group. Kenyans are a gentle, soft-spoken people. Between that and their unique accent (when they're speaking English and not Swahili or Kipsigee) focus is required.
Man in the sport coat is the chaplain who led devos on Fri morning and met with patients with particular spiritual needs.

 There is a street that stretches about 90 degrees around the parameter of the compound on which you can find all the conveniences of home. Above, Macy's

 Kroger

 The butcher shop.

 There are several events orchestrated by God which had a major impact on the growth of this ministry. The first was a visit by Franklin Graham in 1987 as the head of World Medical Missions. The book tells how that occurred and the impact it has made. There's funny story of the first meeting of Dr. Steury and Franklin Graham who was then a fairly young man. Dr Steury relayed the story of the financial and staffing struggles  of the previous 30 years and the needs to make the mission flourish. Then when Mr. Graham responded, suggesting he could help in a major way, Dr. Steury- so involved in Africa that he had no idea who Franklin Graham was- asked an associate why this young man was so confident!
The next big event was the completion of this dam and hydroelectric power plant in 1987, giving the hospital reliable power for the first time. Prior to that, there was unreliable power for about 7 hrs/day, often needing to be supplemented by generators (the only source of power for many years). Now, it's like the west with electric almost all the time. If there's drought, they have to use the local power at ~ $30,000/month and still unreliable. A second turbine has been ordered and will be running within a year, making them power independent expect during the worst drought.

This is about 200-300 yds from my room and you can hear the waterfall in the still of the night from the balcony.  

 Rapids downstream. Muddy river used for drinking (after much filtration and UV if for drinking), laundry and local bathing on Sat whether you need it or not

 Kids everywhere. In uniform, private schools which abound, used by all who can afford them. Public education approved for everyone about 6 years ago to 8th grade- if available, so not guaranteed. Much overcrowding. Students are committed. No school on Sat and Sun but frequently find them there being tutored by upper classmates.

 Three children approached me with, "Pay for photo?" My response of  "No, this is to show my friends in America how precious you are" resulted in this crowd of responders. 

 The Sat. after I arrived, a group of us hiked a couple of miles and 1500 ft (to nearly 8000 ft) to Motigo. We passed a number of kids along the way with the ubiquitous, "Give me sweets". No "please" or "thank you" when I gave them some of the soft peppermint balls I had specifically brought for them. Lots of grabbing. Well, Captain Cattau saw an opportunity for a little, very little, lesson on discipline.  So, after we got about a dozen following us, I told them there would be no more candy until we got to the top of the hill and only for those who could follow instructions. So, there they were, at the top of the hill, in a straight line, hands out, quietly waiting their turns. These guys are fast studies.

 Unfortunately, this was an very overcast day. I should have made the effort to go up again or know how to use the camera. But, this what I got. Half way up, I took this picture of the Tenwek compound.

 From the top there was a 360 panorama of this beautiful farmland with crops planted on pretty steep inclines with no terracing.

Well, midnight and not a single call from the hospital yet. Another kindness so I could get this out.

I've had to gently correct my Kenyan brothers and sisters when they thank me for the "sacrifice" of being here. During the time God has given me, I've use the talents He has granted me, supported by a wife and resources with which He has blessed me. All that I might have the privilege of being obedient to His call and being used by Him, all for His glory. This was no sacrifice. This was another of God's unending kindnesses, an incredible blessing on several levels.

I hope to have the joy of sharing more with those who are interested in what God is doing in the world. I'm particularly excited for those of you who are medical specialists who have not found a missions venue that fits your medical skill set. This may be just the opportunity for which you have been praying.

Again, thanks for your prayers. 

Thankful to be, In His Grip.
Blessed to be, Yours and His.

Ed Cattau