Yesterday I went to the region of Ombeyi with Pastor Martin and Mary. It was a really nice day. The first several patients lived by rice fields. It reminded me a lot of north and west Sacramento. Flat with large flooded rice fields for miles with hills in the distance much like the coastal range. The biggest difference was they were doing all the farming with manual labor. They also had cows, goats and donkeys in small fields between rice patches.
Ombeyi Rice Fields
Grazing cattle
The rest of the patients were close to large sugarcane fields, bringing to mind the sugarcane fields on Maui or Kauai. Beautiful countryside. Like the first day, we drove on mostly dirt roads and needed to walk quite a distance to get to the patients’ houses.
Looking at sugar cane and hills in the distance
Martin & Mary competing with cows to deliver food
We saw 10 patients; it is getting much easier. I am becoming used to their very small houses with no running water and outdoor “choos” (pronounced Cho with a long “o”) which are Kenyan outhouses. It is the way they live and unless they are sick and/or in a great deal of pain it is a good life for them.
I can now focus on the care we are providing to help those in need. HIV and TB can be treated and managed with the proper medication, food and nutritional supplements. The other ailments many have like body sores, cancers, meningitis, etc. are usually the result of compromised or weakened immune systems, or patients not taking their medication properly. Education is constantly reinforced. Most of the time, with proper treatment, our patients recover fully if they get help soon enough.
Ted – a new patient with TB
Michael – Wound of foot
Tabitha – Meningitis and now TB
Lona – wounds on private parts.
George & his family
George has a terrible wound
Along with treatment, providing love, prayer and spiritual guidance to the patients gives them hope knowing God can provide miraculous healing even when a case seems hopeless.
Marisa – Learning the hope of Jesus from Martin
Delivering food to a patient
I’m beginning to see more why our team does what they do and what keeps them going. Most times they can facilitate healing and greatly improve the lives of our patients. These patients become well and can return to their families, keeping their children from becoming orphans! And most importantly they get to spread the word of Jesus Christ.
Until next time, Ed Mosbaugh, on behalf of the entire Love Matters Most team
