Trying to post a few pictures here and they are all in reverse order. Can't be picky here people

The first photo is of the area that we turn into the ICU. We got in this morning an spent all day first seeing what they actually have, clearing out what isn't useful, and then sorting and organizing what we need. It was a good full day. And the stuff they have here can be very random. They really never throw anything away so there is a lot to do. And I had time for a walk this morning to enjoy this beautiful place. 

The next photo is of my walk from my house to the hospital. And the last is of some acaia trees from the ride here yesterday. 

Allright gonna get some rest. We are doing a sunrise hike before the week gets going so I have an early start tomorrow. The rest of the team will arrive and we will unpack them and then meet to figure out our first patients. 

Back in my second or third home

I am back at home, or atleast in one of my homes. (I like to consider Italy my other home)
We made it through all 4 legs of our travel-from Nashville to Dallas to Dubai to Nairobi and then the drive to Tenwek. All went really smoothly...got our bags all here safely and navigated through the newly pieced together airport after the recent fire. And no issues in Nairobi.
No matter how many times I get to make the drive from Nairobi to Tenwek I am struck by several things...first the immense beauty in this country. We drive through the Great Rift Valley, which is quite amazing, but the countryside otherwise is spectacular. I am also struck by the normalcy of life here and how different that is from our life. As we drive we see children running to and from school in their uniforms and knee socks, we see donkeys driving carts full of some type of commodity, we see many many people walking down the dusty roads, people out on the side of the road selling buckets of potatoes or roasted corn. The worlds are so different, yet every person I meet or even just catching strangers' eyes there is so much joy and hope lying beneath. This hits me each year I am here and this year is no different.
The internet is being poky so I can't get any pictures uploaded. Maybe tomorrow...
We will spend tomorrow unpacking and organizing the ICU.
Oh and I have to brag on our Kenyan nurses. We walked into the ICU this afternoon and they had done three adult mitral valve repair cases this week-all of which were still in the ICU (they have been doing these since we left last year). All three patients were out of bed sitting up with a nurse at their side...doing things like incentive spirometry or getting vitals. I felt like a proud Mom! It is so unbelievable to see how much growth and learning has happened here since we started this project in 2008.
More tomorrow hopefully

Let the Journey begin

First flight is down and we are sitting in the Dallas airport waiting for our flight to Dubai and then Nairobi. 

It is crazy that it is this time of year again. When we start planning in May it feels so very far away and the time always sneaks up on me. 

A wave of nerves hit me yesterday when I remembered I am entering into being in charge, being the person everyone asks questions of, and of hoping I remembered to get all of our icu supplies.  But I am comforted to remember as much as I think and act like I am in control someone bigger is. I will rest in that as I am hopefully able to rest on the upcoming 14 hr and 45 minute flight. 

The view from the window this morning made the early morning wake up call worth it. So much beauty in this world. 

Fear and Faith

In church and small group we have been following Tim Keller's book Jesus the King which is about the book of Mark. Fear has been a topic of several sermons and chapters and has been on my mind for the past few weeks....realizing some underlying fears and realizing that I don't truly believe that God is enough when it boils down to it. Fear and faith are opposite sides of the coin and so much of my life happens on the fear side, whether I realize it or not. My fear is exposed in my thoughts in a large degree, but also in my actions.
As my trip approaches I realize the fears that I carry with this trip and I end up carrying the weight of those fears instead of flipping the coin and having faith that God will provide. As always this trip brings its own set of challenges and blessings and I anticipate what God will reveal in this time. And I am glad that I have had these months leading up to the spend time with this idea.

Aaahhh

Kenya is fast approaching. Somehow it always just springs up. In the summer it feels like there is so much time and now it is almost here. Two weeks! Hoping and praying that all the time, all the lists, all the work is going to have covered all that we will need for that week and a half. In times like this I am humbled yet again to remember that as much as I plan and work it is all gods project. I am a part, yes, but he is in control. Hoping this beings rest and peace. 

Beach

I am lucky. Or blessed. Whichever word you like to use. 

I have several friends here who know me well; who have known me through the hard times of past years, who have walked with me as I have grown, who have laughed hysterically with me, who have cried with me, who know so much of my history that we can fall in step easily. 

I went to the beach with some people who fall into this category. And it was wonderful. Ridiculous, real and wonderful. 

AT

Last week Dad and I met for or annual AT hike. We had to postpone this spring since I was enjoying the PNW. We had an addition on this trip-Jen!

We were on the trail for three days and had great fall weather. 

Hiked 20 miles...my old body wasn't used to wearing a pack for that many miles so I am still feeling the bruises on my body! 

The leaves haven't quite started turning but it was beautiful nonetheless.  I was impressed that my phone camera could catch all the beautiful layers of mountains in the smokies 

I love these hikes with Dad. It is one of my favorite times of year. Looking forward to adding more miles next spring.