One Boy's Fight for Survival, March 30, 2011

Hello friends,

I am writing from the City of Eldoret now.  It has been  a while since i updated you on Kigen's progress.

I don't have good news yet.  What the doctors have been doing so far is cleaning the boy, and his brother together. The kids are very clean.  But they are yet to come up with the best medication [treatment] they had promised.

I was able to talk to the person in charge of the ward and he told me they are waiting for the report of doctor in charge of plastic surgery .  A 'lady' of Indian origin, she has refused to give up on Kigen, which warms our heart so much.  She was the one who admitted to us also and she had given a hint of some surgery,  but she was waiting the report of the other doctors.  What I found out though is that, they are taking the utmost care not to do something that will worsen the situation.

I do believe though that finally he will be able to get some help.  Some of the wounds have healed and i found him moving and eating.  I am just hoping that he will be able to get better someday.
 
Otherwise you have a great day and God bless.  Please continue praying for his mother and her children.  I feel heavy in my heart for them.

This cost of this medical mercy mission  is stretching us. We gratefully accept donations to assist in little Kigen's medical needs.

See the donate button to the top right of this blog.

Updates on his treatment will be posted when they come available.

Many blessings.

Photo credits: All photos the property of  Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back to this site. 
Many thanks and blessings.

Kigen Update, March 13, 2011

Kigen is doing better. I went to see him in the hospital today. He was asleep most of  time I was there. His mom told me that he was better and he is getting some ointment for the wounds and some medication for his ears and eyes.

On my way to visit little Kigen at the hospital.

The younger child Tikitiki, is doing much better too. He can now see and they look very clean. Praise God. The mother has also been able to make friends.

On my way to the hospital.

Taking some food and milk to the hospital.

We thank God for the doctors who were able to give the two boys one bed to stay in together as a family. Initially, they were given different wards because of the age difference. In this hospital, people are sharing beds because there are so many who are sick now, and there are limited spaces to put them.

Another update is that Kigen has received blood into his system. The skin specialist has been booked for tomorrow (Monday) and Wednesday is the surgery day. Just note that things can change without notice here in Africa so we will update you when the actual surgery and skin study is completed.

Praying for little Kigen

Nonetheless we praise God for keeping this family well. The mother left behind a sucking child in the village where they live so we are just glad she is here though she had some pain in her breasts earlier this week.

Continue praying for us all as we live here in Eldoret.

Many Blessings

We gratefully accept donations to assist in little Kigen's medical mission.

See the donate button to the top right of this blog.

Updates on his treatment will be posted when they come available.

Photo credits: All photos the property of Missions of Hope, Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back. 

Emmy Launchs New Album in Eldoret

My time in Eldoret is mostly going to the hospital concerning little Kigen's care, and back to my hotel. But I had a change in routine this Sunday,

After a visit to church then to the hospital, I was happy to visit the launch of a new album by Emmy Kosgei. Emmy is a renowned gospel artist in the country of Kenya though she sings mostly in the Kalenjin language.

I was happy to see her father the Rev. Jackson Kosgei, who has been in a wheelchair since he was young because he had polio. He thanked his wife for accepting to marry him, the way he was, and now his kids are making him even more popular.

He himself is a great speaker and very knowledgeable speaker.  He is now pursuing his Ph.D studies even though he started Grade one when he was 21 years old!

I have been able to make friends in Eldoret and it is a great place to be. Enjoy the pictures of the launch.

Have a great day.

Blessings for Kigen

We arrived in Eldoret, Kenya with little Kigen's family and went straight away to the hospital.

Driving to the hospital in Eldoret.

The hospital signage is in sight.

At last we are at the hospital.

I take a photo to commemorate this trip.

I just want to praise God for His faithfulness.  My heart is now 'free'.  I can now eat a bit as I know Kigen is in the doctor's hands and in God's hands as well.

This bag was donated to Kigen's mother on the streets of Eldoret.

I also want to thank God for the bag that was donated (blue one in photo) by people in the streets of Eldoret. We had realized that Kigen's mother came on the journey with an old bag, so we decided to buy her a new one.  Instead, it was given to us for free!  In addition, close to 500 Kenyan shillings was donated right there on the streets for this boy and his mum.  God really works wonders.

It was a more touching moment for me as I felt God was telling me "I will take care of this situation" and I felt really that I am just a tool/ instrument to be used for God's purpose.  The doctors too were so kind.  We did not even queue! [If you know Africa, you know what this means].  We were welcome everywhere we went and I must praise God for that.

Little Kigen being escorted by the nurse.

What is next now is that Kigen was given a dressing up by the doctors and is awaiting surgery (if I understood what they said well).  He will need three practitioners or doctors to be able to treat him.  First will be the one's to deal with the skin (there is a scientific name for it), those to deal with eyes, and another part, I forget but I guess general health.

The doctors here were so much touched too with the amount of courage the boy has.  They were saying that they are seeing for the first time, something they were just reading in the books when they were in medical school.

The boy Kigen is upbeat, and he raises our hopes for his health.  His younger  brother too is here with us.  He was not feeling well, too.  So he is here for check up; especially for his eyes.  He kept asking for him [his older brother Kigen] when they were with different practitioners.

We did mention to him [Kigen] of the many people praying and supporting him for his medical needs. He said, he is so much grateful and "TOROROT (Pokot for "God Bless you abundantly".)

We still have need of donations if you are able. However small or large, they will be much appreciated for we know they are coming from your heart.  You can click the donate button in the upper right side of the blog.

Thanks so much again.

Photo credits: All photos the property of  Missions of Hope, Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back. 

Heart for the Pokot

Hello friends,

I'd like to share with you a small update on my travels to Baringo and Pokot country here in Kenya.  I went there to distribute food supplies to people who have been hit hard by drought.

People gather and await the food distribution.

The women are especially excited.

It's hot here.  Water is very precious in this dry climate as it is very scarce.

The team and I had a great trip and loved everything that we did there for the people.  We would like to thank the US government for donating the relief supplies for us to take to the people and also for their relief work to assist many other people here in Kenya.  We are so much touched by their generosity.

We travelled by day and night to get to our destinations and we arrived safely.  The land rover we travelled in is over 20 years old.  We were able to make it to these places though the land rover did have a lot of heating problems....with the engine.  We would have to stop after a few hours of travel along our journey.

Along the way, in a place near Kamurio, we met this small boy named Kigen. He is 9 years old and in serious  need of medical help.

The little boy we want to help is covered by the blanket. We prayed for him and his mother and siblings.

If you can help us help him to get to a medical facility for proper diagnosis and help please click the donate button on the right side of this blog.  We would like to get him to the nearest hospital in Eldoret. We need a miracle to help him and for his healing. Please join with us.

Enjoy the photos.
God Bless

Photo credits: All photos the property of  Missions of Hope, Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back.