Mission to Maua Week 5

We are aware that the days are getting longer and longer in Pocatello.  Here, the sun still comes up at 7:00 am and goes down at 7:00 pm.  It has not rained for two nights however, so we must be moving into the dry season.  Altogether, Maua has had 40 inches of rain since mid-April.

We have three new medical students and a new doctor, all from the University of Texas, Galveston.  Three of the four are of Korean ancestry and the other of East Indian ancestry. They are all US citizens and have lived in the US most of their lives. I wonder if there is a different kiswahili word for Asian. I suspect that wazunga means anyone who is non-African.  It is strange to me that everyone can tell that I am a visitor solely because of the color of my skin.  In Maua, any white person must be at Maua Methodist Hospital because there are no tourists here.

Last Sunday we had the wonderful opportunity to deliver some of the medicines we brought to Mboroga Dispensary at Ntugi.  These medicines had been requested by a nurse from the area, Mary Mbai, (Roger had once worked with Mary in the Rwanda refugee camp.)  We were met at the Methodist church near the dispensary by Mary’s family and a delegation of church leaders.  The church service was a very traditional one in English combined with a rousing celebration including music by three choirs, and dances by a women’s group and a youth group.  They even pulled Roger and me up to dance with them!

Following the service we walked to the site, donated by a church member, which will house a small home for the infirmed elderly and also a multi use conference center. This is a project of the Mens Fellowship of the church.  Adjacent to this project is the new dispensary, built by the Kenya government.  Also, and still under construction are a maternity wing and additional clinic rooms.  Eventually, when all is completed and operational, the dispensary will serve a population of 150,000 people scattered throughout the valley.

Because the dispensary is so new, they are awaiting the government certification required before they can receive medicines.  Presently, they are depending on other dispensaries to donate the little supply they have, so they are especially thankful for the medicines that we brought.  Roger spoke with the two very capable nurses about their vision for the dispensary and how they looked forward to using the medicines.

While we were touring the dispensary and other buildings under construction, others were preparing a big dinner for all of the people there.  We were honored guests and they certainly made us feel welcome.  Several people made speeches regarding their role in the project and we were given some gifts representative of Kenya. Then everyone adjourned to the open area where Roger handed over the medicines, contributed by so many of you.

When I say they made us feel welcome, it’s hard to explain how vigorously they did so.  Those women are strong! They grab you, hug you, and shake your hand – all with almost bone-breaking strength.  I fear that many of them expect a follow up letter or phone call.  As we drove away, several of them were singing and dancing and waving good-by. We’ll certainly not forget them.