Friday, January 2, 2009

Outreach Clinic in Maasai Land

Sorry it has taken us so long to update the blog! The Internet here can make things a little difficult. We are not complaining! We are very thankful that we have a connection that allows us to keep you updated on our journey!

On November 29th the Hospital held another outreach clinic in the Great Rift Valley. The area were the clinic was held was about 80 km west of Kijabe. The land here was very flat and dry with a few out cropping of hills. The Maasai tribe live in this area. This tribe has largely managed to stay outside the mainstream of development in Kenya and still maintain large herds of cattle along the Tanzanian border. They are nomadic and move their herds to where ever there is grazing. They even enter the large cities looking for grass.
Our whole family went to help with the clinic. We traveled with the group from the hospital on Friday evening. We arrived after dark and set up camp. The clinic was being held in a small school. As we were setting up the tent several kids from the area came to see what was going on.
The next morning we helped set up the clinic rooms, pharmacy and the shade structure used as a waiting area. Baxter helped direct people to different areas. Linda helped in the Pharmacy. I helped get people into and out of the exam rooms. Tracy and Emily played with the local children and Luke explored the area with some of his friends from school. Over 600 people were seen! All services and medicines were free. There was a worship and praise team singing and worshiping with the local people all day! Several people gave their lives to Christ on this day!
After a long and hot day we enjoyed a cool evening watching the stars and reflecting on Gods awesome creation!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Many of the patients were small children. It is not uncommon the see very young children taking care of babies.

This picture was taken on Sunday as we were leaving. The local children did not want us to leave! They enjoyed playing with our children.

This was the sun rise over our camp on Saturday. It was very beautiful!


Here is one of the dentist from the Hospital pulling teeth. The chair the patient is sitting in is a desk.

Here are two local elders from the area. The Maasai are know for the blankets they wear. Because they are nomadic they use them as covers at night and as clothing during the day! No bags to pack!

Here is Linda with two of the ladies who prepared the meals. The Maasai wear all types of beads. They wear very large ear rings and necklaces. Linda is wearing a bracelet that one of the ladies wanted her to try on.

This is the inside of the kitchen. Notice the large spoon being used to stir the pot!


This is one of the exam desks. There were seven in one room! Notice the large knife the father is wearing!

This was the worship and praise area!
Emily is playing with the local children. They loved to feel her hair and play with her doll!

The local men slaughtered four goats over the weekend! The man in the red hat ate the heart of one of the goats shortly after it was killed!

This is our car and our tent was the gray and blue one.

1 comment:

Jane said...

What an adventure! I know the Lord is working in many ways in your lives and the lives you are touching! Can't wait to see you'll in March! Love you, even in Africa, Aunt Jane :)