GOYA Ministries Jan 2011 Medical Team

Finally on the blog. Thanks everyone for your patience. The first two days were all about air travel survival. The students have been real troopers. No real complaints and very willing to cooperate. The teamwork of this group has already made us proud. Some of it has to do with the Kenyan people who are most gracious and very appreciative of whatever service or help we offer. We enjoyed a safari the first day to the Rift Valley, "the cradle of civilization". I hope my tons photos will help you understand the immense size and beauty of the area. The students had a blast looking for animals while standing in the observation vans. Oh, by the way, there are no drivers on earth as fearless as well as assertive as the Kenyan drivers. It's a fast carnival ride with near misses everyday. Lake Nacuru is the lake you see in Out of Africa and is worth the 2hr. drive one way. New Years Eve has most of Nairobi doing the countdown in a church along with sermons and long chants and song. The three soccer stadiums were filled for the event. We spent the evening until 1AM with the poor in Mitumba slum. The next day we toured the shack-like homes of the 30,000 residents. The children flocked and clung to the students as we approached with tiny voices shouting "How are you...How are you". Some had never seen a white erson and were a little afraid of my size but once they touched my hand they compared it to their own and then they all piled on. I'm skipping the hospital tour explanation for now to tell you of how wonderful our first day of clinic was for the people. The students took inventory of what was available, set up registration, assessed the patient or child, sent them to the physician, then fill pharmacy orders and had the Kenyan nurse do the patient education of med. ed. I was so filled with pride I could burst. And then to see them joyfully walking the two miles back to the YMCA...WOW, what kind of students did we produce!!! I'm well. Family please know I'm thoroughly joyful. Hope I can write again in a day or two. More clinic days ahead, maybe 400 patients will be seen. PS ...I contacted the Maryknoll Sisters in town and they remembered my aunt. Love to all. Keep up the thoughts of peace and prayer. Dave