From Home

After 46 hours travel time -- 23 of those on a plane -- I am sitting at our home computer trying to put together all of my adventures of the past few days. I really had an amazing time in Nairobi and in Webuye. When it comes to expressing them I feel at a loss, but I'll try.

I arrived in Webuye last Wednesday. On Thursday I was on the pediatrics ward, which is actually 8 large rooms with about 8-12 beds apiece all linked by a wide hallway, no doors, no curtains. There were 42 kids, mostly with malaria (which is a mercy because malaria is not communicated by human to human contact), but at times they have had over 100. We saw cases of meningitis, AIDS, and TB as well as possible cases of typhoid and leukemia.

On Friday I went to school with a friend who teaches reading. So I read (in English) with the older classes. Over the weekend we went rainforest hiking, complete with muddy water up to your ankles, mud sildes :0), and monkeys in the canopy. That was wonderfully relaxing.

But I have to say Monday was the most 'stand out' day. I got to watch my first C-section! I'll spare you the details. But both Eunice and her son are doing well. That afternoon I finished up packing and the next morning drove to Eldoret to catch the plane, thinking my adventures we over. That was when I got locked in the bathroom. I did the only thing I could think of -- bang on the door and call for help. It took about 10 minutes but someone finally did let me out.

Gratefully, that was the most eventful 10 minutes of my entire journey home. (Thanks to all of you who were praying!) I feel at bit like (this is how my host in Webuye described it) I've been trampled by an elephant but so happy to be home. You know, I don't think my outlook on life could ever go back the way it was before Kenya. Maybe there will always be this 'tugging' on my heart for those people, so welcoming and indomitable. That word (indomitable) was from the man sitting next to me out of Nairboi who assured me that once those kids got a hold of my heart -- I would be back. Well, whether he is right or wrong, I know I can never be the same again.