Magumu

 

We are thrilled to finally begin chronicling about our adventures in Kenya! Not only was this our first mission trip as a family, but it was also our long-anticipated first venture into medical missions. We returned from this extraordinary trip with countless memories that can’t possibly be condensed into one blog post, so we’ll take things one step at a time. In addition to the medical work, we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy hearing about the Kenyan people, the African animals, and hilarious tales of bathing in basins, traversing mountain passes, various vomiting, and our beloved Grammy in socks and sandals!

We’ll start with a look at the medical care I had the privilege of being a part of, with each of the next few posts showcasing a different town or setting. Enjoy!

We started our Kenyan adventures in the tiny village of Magumu. Here I worked in the dispensary run by the local Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mercy. The solitary nurse who works at the dispensary typically sees about 3 patients per day. However, when it was announced at Mass on Sunday that a doctor would be present the next day, we were busy until closing time! I was privileged that day to care for a pregnant woman with a lung disorder who had had no prenatal care.

 

While in Magumu I also did newborn and child exams right in the church yard, where the local children (on their Christmas break) spent most of their days.

On market day we set up a chair right in the outdoor market and had an excellent turn out for blood pressure screenings. I’m pretty sure all of the female vendors stopped by.

During these simple encounters I was able to counsel multiple people who were unknowingly walking around with dangerously high blood pressure. We had been in Kenya less than a week and I was already living my dream as a doctor—it was more than an honor.

Stay tuned for frequent mini updates about each place we were privileged to visit and minister to!

If you pray, when you pray, pray for us!!!