Hi Friends,
Thanks so much for following our 1st blog of one of our trips. I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as I did. It was really nice to be able to share the moments and feelings as we were going through them.
I thought that I would send one last blog. Our time in Kenya was more than I could have hoped for. I totally enjoyed traveling with each and every one that went this year. I have actually missed the daily piling into the vans with everyone for the day's schedule. But I also missed my husband and family here in the states and I'm glad to be home and able to catch up with them. It looks like my grandkids have grown at least an inch!
Every time I go to Kenya I am so excited to be returning and visiting with the friends I have made that really have become family to me. We have such a short time to spend together and we always try to squeeze the most out of each moment. Even having just come off that long flight and dealing with the jet lag, I'm already thinking about the next time I will go back.Kenya is truly in my heart and I don't want to lose touch with those I have met there.
I have some sad news to share with you though, and I am having a hard time dealing with it myself. On the day that we were to leave Kiminini, our friend and OWI president, Alice received a call that her 13 yr old niece Emma had gone into a coma and was rushed to the hospital. She did not come out of it, but passed away a day later. The reason was an enlarged heart due to Rheumatic Fever. This was a terrible tragedy that rocked our team. We were so up with all the wonderful things that had happened throughout the last week. It just was such a shock. I wished I could have been there for Alice and her family while they had to prepare for the funeral. On top of the grief they had, the expenses were high so as a team we donated to the cost, and prayed for Emma's family. It seemed so little for such a huge loss.
Now I wish that was all but its not, just 3 days after our return we received a text informing us that one of our own orphans, Lorna Nekesa sponsored by OWI, had died that day of the very same thing as Emma. She was 14 yrs old and was going into the 8th grade. On the Orphan Day she and the other orphans had performed songs, poems and recited verses of the Bible to us. Lorna actually recited almost one whole chapter of the book of Luke. I remember thinking what a memory and a dedication to the Word of God. We celebrated those orphans that were moving on to secondary school with congratulation cards and she was one of the 5 to receive one. It was a wonderful day and Lorna was a big part of it. I don't know all the information but the Social Worker who works with our orphans, Patrick, sent an email on some of the specifics. On the day of the medical clinic for the orphans, the doctors discovered a problem with Lorna's heart and sent her to the district hosp where she stayed for one week. They discharged her right after we left claiming she was well. But she was not, Lorna died just 5 days after that. I can't hardly believe it, I feel almost disbelief over her death. OWI has had this program for over 18 months and frankly I didn't even consider that this might happen. People die all the time but I wonder if these 2 girls developed this specific problem because they couldn't afford to see a doctor in the beginning stages of whatever caused their enlarged heart. What keeps going through my mind is, what can I do to help stop it. I'm not doctor or nurse and I don't even understand what happend to Emma and Lorna but my eyes are opened to this and II want to try and do whatever I can do to help parents raise healthy and happy children. Seems like a huge endevor but I know that with God's help, we can do anything! Please be praying for these 2 families. Although I don't have a picture of Emma, I do have a couple of Lorna that I would like to share with you. One from when she started in the orphan program and the other from the Orphan Day celebration just last week. My peace is that she is in the arms of the Father and there is no more pain for her.
Thanks for going on this journey with me
Hugs,
Debbie
Our one hope is that God is in control and He cares for each and every one of us. I can't comprehend this completely but I know He is a good and loving and fair Father.
--
Debbie
"We are moved by our love for Him!"
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