Sunday, March 18, 2012

Edwin's Travels

Hello,

Edwin


I hope you are doing great. I just want to give you a little update on what is going on here with Edwin's treatment.

I have been trying to help Edwin wherever and however I can. This has meant 3 travels to Nairobi this week and also to Tenwek, and  one more again to Nairobi where they have done several tests on Edwin's chromosomes, and other tests.





We are waiting for the results that were sent our of country for consultations. Our hospitals do have the technology and know how on dealing with the disease.

Edwin's newly married brother and his child stand outside the family home.

Edwin's father reads the  medical report of his son.

Edwin stands overlooking the family farm.

Please continue to pray for Edwin both for healing and for the finances needed for travels and medical treatment. 



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Thank you!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Edwin Goes to Nairobi (Update 2)

Sorry for not updating sooner about Edwin.  Since I last wrote about Edwin we have been doing a lot of travels back and forth to Nairobi.
Finding our way to the clinic.

Edwin is back in Nairobi again today after just having been there 1 1/2 days ago. Things are moving fast and it is difficult because we have a long journey to and from Nairobi to get treatment.  Today, the check up will concentrate on the chromosomes, and again, in 3 days we will need another journey to Nairobi to get the results.

Waiting to see the doctor.

That is the picture from here at the moment. Continue praying as we need to be able to cover the cost of the treatments and travel back and forth to Nairobi for outpatient treatment and medicines. We are now waiting on the Lord to move on hearts.

This is the pharmacy where we bought the medicine in Nairobi.


If you can help Edwin directly with your finances, please send your gift to us via Pay Pal (see link top right of this site).
 We need to raise at least another $100 Canadian by Saturday, March 10, 2012 for Edwin's next trip to Nairobi where he is being treated as an outpatient.


We hope to hear from you soon.
You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons 
at the bottom of this post.
Thank you!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Edwin Goes to Tenwek



The travel to Tenwek with Edwin for further testing went okay. Though all the medical testing and analysis took almost the whole day. You can read the first part of Edwin's story here.






Nonetheless the good thing is that tomorrow we travel to Nairobi for his treatment.
Pray that all that is needed to facilitate the travels are available and the money for the doctor there as well.








Otherwise we are pleased with the attention the Hospital accorded us.









You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope
by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Edwin's Story

The young man's name is Edwin and he is 21.  Recently,  Missions of Hope has helped Edwin to have a Bone Marrow Aspiration test done at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya.

The medical report says that Edwin has a massive hepatosplenomegaly and is recommended to have a peripheral smear for conclusive opinion of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. This is a serious condition and he needs help for further diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.


Most Kenyan families cannot cannot afford the cost of medical testing and treatment. Edwin's mama has already sold almost everything they own to get her son the help he needs.

We pray for someone who could help Edwin and his family to continue getting the medical help he needs for a final diagnosis and to get medical treatment as soon as possible.  The more people who know about Edwin, the better chance there is that he will get the help he needs. 

We are asking if you would share this story as widely as you can.  If you look at the bottom of this post you will find share buttons. It is very easy to share this story on Facebook and Twitter or via email with your friends.  You can even write a post about Edwin for your own blog and share it with your friends.

If you can help this boy directly with your finances, please let us know or simply send your gift to kerichojoy[at]gmail[com] via Pay Pal. We also value your prayers.

Thank you so much!

 

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 29, 2012
I will be taking Edwin to the doctor tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss his preliminary test results and next steps. Please keep us in your prayers for the miracle we need for his treatment and healing. 
God bless.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Visiting the Samburu People

Hello,

I had a short visit to the Samburu people in the Maralal region of Kenya.



Near Marsabit, Kenya. Can you see the zebras under the shade of the trees?
Another photo near Marsabit, Kenya.  This time people are sitting on the grass.
At Maralal Safari Lodge, Kenya.
Having a drink of mursik (curdled milk made in a calabash).with lunch.









Our goal was to see the need for development in an area where less than 2% of the population receives an education.  This is a place where even the Mayor of the town we visited is starting grade one!



This region is really lacking in development though I found countless NGOs in the county.


The bulletin board at the lodge is full of information for the traveller.

My assessment of the county is that it needs prayers,  schools and water.

 

One good thing I did see is that someone started a greenhouse in the region. That was a happy moment for me when I saw the greenhouse.

The greenhouse.
In pastoral communities you see goats everywhere. These ones are grazing by the water tanks  which are located near the greenhouse..
It's great to see tomatos growing here!
Here I am with with my Samburu guide.
Enjoy the pics and please pray for these dear people.

A photo on the bulletin board of a tourist riding a camel.

Join others for Scenic Sunday hosted here.


Join others for Our World Tuesday here.



You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the 
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of this post.  
Thank you!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Urgent Appeal

Dear Friends,

We have an urgent appeal for a young student, named Jeremiah Lokol who lives on the border between Turkana and Pokot areas; one of the poorest parts of Kenya. I met him in September when I was on a food relief mission to the people in that area.


Turkana people waiting for food relief
Jeremiah


Jeremiah has just been accepted to the top school in the country and this has made my day with this news.  But he needs tuition and school uniform costs in a matter of days (by the end of this month) so I am making an URGENT appeal to everyone.

Sadly, everything that Jeremiah's family had was stolen by their neighbours just around the time the parents were planing to sell some cows and goats to pay for his education. Some of you will know that in this area the people are pastoralists and they suffer from cattle raiding.

Standing with some Turkana women holding their water cans.

As the boy comes from a family of  9, it looks like his dream of attending the school which is located in Kikuyu town near Nairobi, might not become a reality. He might lose the chance of joining this great school and achieving his dream of becoming a pilot after finishing high school.

What we need to do is gather everyone's support to ensure he can go to school. He needs everyone's support to make this possible.

The fees and costs for term one are 24,943 Kenyan shillings ( $304 Canadian, $275 Australian, $292 US, 222 Euros, 187 GBP) There are additional costs of 6695 Kenyan shillings for school uniforms ( $81 Canadian, $74 Australian, $78 US, 60 Euros, 50 GBP and some modest amount for travelling to the school and making sure he has the other clothing and bedding he needs.

I am praying to God for someone to come forward and answer the prayers for this family and this boy.

Please pray with us and help to raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post. If you can do more than pray, please donate now at the donate button (see top right of this page).

Thank you and may God bless you.

Jonah

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Changing Lives


We continually monitor the work of this lady--Mama Linet since giving her start up funds to get a small business going. She is the one with the little girl, Linet; the one with a cleft palate.


Mama Linet's business is booming (according to her).  She has rented one more room so she can use one for her business of selling charcoal and omena (small fish).  She also sells cabbages to her friends and neighbors.  I'm so glad she has been able to pay fees for her kids who are going to primary school.



With the little help we've given her, I am seeing a big sign of moving forward and lifting herself and her family out of poverty through small business.

Please continue to pray for her.

At the same time, continue to pray for the medical student Kipngeno.  Kenya desperately needs young men and women who will study and train to become doctors.  Kipngeno went back to school today with only 10% of all the fees he needs.  We are trusting God for a breakthrough for him. 


Many thanks for praying with us for these needs.
Jonah


You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the 
share buttons at the bottom of this post.
Thank you!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

December Missions in Photos

Helping a young mother start her charcoal business so she can support her family.

She has her charcoal lined up for customers.

Everyone is eager to see what we have brought. We usually bring sweets for the kids.

This woman is showing me her crowded living quarters. There is no room for cooking inside.

She cooks for her 5 children outside where these stones are.

The main things I bring for the people are mosquito nets to protect them from malaria. I also bring blankets to keep them warm as their shelters are not adequate to keep out the wind and rain.

These are the makeshift shelters they live in. There are about 35 families here.

Someone is always in need of medical attention.

Even the smallest things can make a big difference to the health of the children. These people are too poor to buy even the cheapest of medicines.

I brought sweets too. Even the adults like these little treats.

The Missions of Hope also provided food relief on December 24, 2011. If you missed it please see my last post.


You can help us by donating whatever you can so we can continue these kinds of relief efforts.
The donate button is on the top right of the screen.


If you cannot give, we would really appreciate if you can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post or any other post. Thank you!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas for the IDPs

Helllo,


I had a busy day going on a quick Christmas mission taking gifts to the IDP camp near where I live.  I managed to secure some volunteers to help me out.  I'm glad I could make it there before Christmas.



It is so sad to see the situation these people live it.  Indeed it is so heartbreaking.






I want to tell you of the love these guys have for you after you gave them these gifts. They are so grateful for the gifts, especially at this time of year.




I wanted to get this report up before Christmas passed and to upload a new slideshow set to music in my language, Kipsigis.



We look forward to hearing from you again.
Please feel free to comment here or on youtube.

You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post or any other post. Thank you!