I recently returned from a trip to Kenya where a team of people did some work on a medical clinic to ready it for opening, did veterinary work with herdsman, did recreation in some local schools, taught in a seminary and led a pastor’s wives retreat.
I have to tell you that it was one of the most profound experiences I have ever had, and I wanted to say thank you to all of our customers because you helped on this trip.
One of the things that takes place everyday in Kenya is that children die from malaria born by mosquitoes. We obviously prepared with malaria medicine, mosquito nets, and repellent, but these things are not readily available where we were at for the locals. I met a young man who was watching a second child die of malaria. His first child died 2 years ago and now he watched helplessly as his next child was in the hospital clinging to life. You see when you go to the hospital you get a bed to die in. . .food, blankets and medicine all come at a cost. The hospital had the drugs to heal his daughter, but he had no funds to pay. When I asked him if she could get better with medicine he told me, “Oh yes, but it is so much money. We will just rely on God for this.” I asked how much it would cost thinking I might be able to get the money from the collective team. His reply killed me; $60. I went to my pack and got out money from you guys and gave it to him. $60 saved a life. As I tried to sleep that night I began to cry thinking of my own loved ones and what it would be like to need 60 simple dollars.
Later that week I fed orphans and impoverished children who looked just like the kids you see in the commercials. Distended bellies, hollow eyes and dirty faces looked up at us. They are fed through a ministry at local churches 3 times a week. I hope I never have to see it again. For many those are the only meals they will eat. You can feed one of those children for $5 a month. $20 feeds 4. $100 feeds 20. You get the point.
Thank you for supporting us. Thanks for understanding when we said we were going to be out of the country. Thanks for praying for us.
Two parting thoughts: 1. If you would like to make difference remember you don’t have to save the world. Just save one. Go to Church Missions Network and consider giving a donation to feed or clothe someone. Consider going with them this summer. 2. Read Kisses From Katie to see how one Nashville girl is a living difference in Uganda. WARNING: You may cry so read it in private!