When the team of 19 missionaries returned home in mid December, most were not sure who received the greater of God’s blessings.  Was it the many Kenyan residents who received medical aid along with the 130 children who attended the VBS, or was it the weary members of the 2008 Team?  Only they know for sure!

The 2008 team from Georgia and South Carolina departed from Atlanta on December 4^th as affiliates of Life for Children Ministry, with plans for medical clinics in both Kisumu and Wachara, and a VBS for the 121 orphans. The medical team consisted of three medical doctors, an oral surgeon, and numerous support personnel from the Dalton, Georgia area.  An EMT and a pharmacist from Winder, GA also joined the group. Our hats are off to those who worked tirelessly to evaluate and treat the endless lines of suffering adults and children in Kisumu and Wachara.

The one-day clinic at LCM’s offices in Kisumu started early on day two and lines grew quickly. Although the clinic was primarily directed toward LCM’s orphans and family members, many others from the community were seen as well. During a short break at noon, the team and those waiting to be seen participated in a wonderful worship service led by Dick McClain, from the headquarters of The Mission Society in Georgia, who was in Kenya for a World Ministries Conference. The group was treated to lively Kenyan praise and worship music where the powerful presence of God was warmly felt.  Unfortunately, as darkness closed in at days end, the team was disappointed in that other community members had to be turned away.

Early on Monday the team headed west to the small town of Homa Bay where they would be housed while holding the second medical clinic in the remote village of Wachara, about a 90 minute drive over very poor roads. This region, with no running water or electricity, is home to half of the orphans supported by the ministry. The clinic was set up at in a rural elementary school where a large crowd was already waiting. 

In both clinics all adults and children were offered free medical care and prescriptions, dental care and vision assistance for sight evaluations and reading glasses, which  were supplied by Dalton First United Methodist Church (Dalton, GA). Between the two medical camps, the team evaluated and treated approximately 600 adults and children.

After the first day of medical treatment in Wachara, the LCM orphans boarded a bus with four adult team members and headed to Kisumu for a three day Vacation Bible School.  Although the five-hour ride on very rough roads seemed longer, the children treated the team members to some wonderful singing that made it very worthwhile.  The VBS was more like a three-day camp with the children housed and fed at a high school facility in Kisumu.  It was directed and funded by St. John’s United Methodist Church (Aiken, SC). Many activities filled the days for the LCM orphans from both areas, including some well-needed free time. For many of the children, this was a vacation from their normal days filled with searching for firewood and hauling water. For the children from Wachara, especially, it was the first time any of them had seen running water from a faucet or shower head, first time to sleep on a mattress on a bed, first time to sit on a chair at a table and eat with plates, cups and utensils, their first shower with a bar of soap, and their first inside toilet with a flusher, running water and bathroom tissue. Three meals a day plus afternoon tea was a rarity for many. The team participants in the VBS were blessed each day by the warm smiles and wonderful music of the precious children. After three days it was hard to say good-bye, but all departed with the assurance that many of the orphans had experienced the love of Christ and returned to their homes with a brighter hope for the future.

This trip also included a couple of once-in-a-life time opportunities for the team. On day one, the Team witnessed the wedding of Michael Agwanda and Lollah Molla. The morning ceremonies were concluded with a wonderful afternoon outdoor reception. On day six, the team witnessed the dedication of the Ministry’s first economic development project, a posha mill (corn grinding mill) funded by The Mission Society.  And, on the last day of the trip, the team witnessed God’s creations in the beauty of the Masai Mara game park and the abundance of the native wildlife – including lions, elephants, giraffes, and many others.

The long trip home was bittersweet. Everyone was looking forward to seeing loved ones at home and getting back to some of the creature comforts we so take for granted, (flush toilets, hot water, ice, smooth roads, etc).  However, the time on the plane did provide an opportunity to reflect on the lives touched and relationships built.  It was also a time of thinking about the thousands of young ones living on the streets of Kisumu still trying to make it from one day to the next and a time to talk about what we can do to make a difference in their lives. This of course led to discussions of plans for “next year”.

Although the dates have not been set or the objectives finalized, it is not too early to begin making your plans. Is 2009 your time to GO?  Plan ahead and join the 2009 Team and touch the lives of our LCM orphans in Kenya.  We are sure you will be Blessed way beyond your expectations!

                      Special Note:

            The members of the Team also wish to express their appreciation to the members of the Kenyan Board of Directors who were on site and assisting wherever they could.  Also, it was evident that the local staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare, in advance, each site with materials, supplies, and equipment.  They performed many services as drivers, baggage handlers, runners, translators, prayer partners, group leaders, and tour guides, to name a few in order to assure the success and comfort of the Team throughout their stay.  Many thanks to you all.  God Bless.