Monthly Archives: August 2015

Our time at Kimbilio is at an end and we have made so many new friends and memories. Here are our top 10:

We are nearly half way done with this week–how time flies! We are still focused on what needs to be done here and how we can continue to serve the patients and staff here at Kimbilio. We continue to be amazed at God’s beautiful creation around us on our walks to and from work and on our weekend outings. But something David Tarus has told us on more than one occasion has stuck with us–Kenya is a beautiful place, but the real beauty is the people. It’s easy to be mesmerized by a sunset or thunderstorm, but it’s even easier to get lost in the warm eyes of a patient whose pain has finally stopped or in the laughter of a child.

We have been challenged by our hosts to finish well and not go home before we leave.  I am certain this team will stay present to the end.

Today I am going to write about the beautiful countryside of Kipkaren, Kenya where Living Room International’s Kimbilio Hospice is located; and where we have all been staying for the past seven days. Kipkaren is located approximately one hour drive from the town of Eldoret, Kenya. The drive begins on one of the main paved roads leading out of Eldoret which comes to a turn into many dirt roads. The dirt roads are made of clay which is only drivable by the most rugged of vehicles and 4-wheel drive is a must!

This Monday morning began like any other Monday. Alarms went off, the sun rose, and we gathered to eat breakfast. However, this day soon became very special. We were picked up and driven to Living Room for Monday morning devotionals. Here, brother Bishop David Tarus shared an incredible insight to the passage from John 6: the feeding of the 5,000. He said, “We must know our role.”

Over the last few days, our team has had the opportunity to do so many great things! On Friday, five of us went with the outreach team to a neighboring community in Osorongai while two of us remained at Kimbilio Hospice (LRI). At the outreach, we treated 18 patients with the help of the  awesome translators and Kenyan physical therapist, Nancy. We have seen quite a variety of diagnoses since we have been here, which has both challenged us and pushed us to be better therapists. Friday evening, we had the opportunity to go to the Empowering Lives International (ELI) Kipkaren Children’s Home (www.empoweringlivesinternational.org) where Jacob gave a short devotional for the kids and Kimmi distributed the Bibles that her church had donated for them.

The sense of community here in Kipkaren is so rich and welcoming. There is always a full round of greetings every time we see someone–people we know around the hospice and people we don’t know that we pass on the road on our walk to Kimbilio Hospice (aka LRI). And we are accustomed to having “family” meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Yesterday we had our first opportunity to work with the physiotherapists at Living Room International (LRI). A few announcements were made in the community over the weekend reminding people that PT services are available through LRI, so many came to both the outpatient clinic and the community outreach yesterday.

Jambo! (hello!) 
After  4 different flights and a few hours driving through beautiful urban and rural towns, we have made it to the Living Room in Eldoret, Kenya! We could not be more excited! The people of Kenya have made us feel so welcomed and loved! When we arrived at the Living Room, the hospice we are serving at, we were greeted by the staff singing and dancing! They are such a wonderful group of God loving people who shine Christ’s love!