Nyasaye Oqwedhu! May God Bless You!

I honestly don't know where to begin. SO many new sights, sounds, thoughts. New struggles, new lessons, new burdens, new praises... But I'll do my best to keep you all updated with the most descriptive but concise words (because I tend to be wordy). 


Traveling with Emily and Shelley was the biggest blessing! I would have had a lot of trouble (and boredom) without them. There was much laughter and joy throughout our flights and car rides! I have now been with the Okongos for 6 days, but time feels so different here so it seems like weeks! Week days we're in the clinic working with David. He owns a clinic in Sondu which is a short drive from his home in Kandaria. We're learning about the medicines and common diseases here and what positive blood tests look like. Almost everyone who gets a blood test tests positive for Malaria- which is easily treatable with medicine (but not everyone can afford the medicine and many people do not even come in to get tested.) I usually work the front desk which is a pharmacy, and the biggest challenge I'm having to overcome is the language barrier. Most people speak Swahili and many can speak English but there are four different tribes that are common in the Sondu area (and each tribe has their own language). I'm learning new Swahili words and phrases everyday, and I'm also learning a lot of Luo, David's tribe. Thankfully David comes to the rescue any time there is a problem with communication, but I would LOVE to be able to communicate with the people better. Praying for increased understanding and ability amidst this barrier! But I'm learning much perseverance through it all.


The lifestyle here is a much slower pace than mine in America, and the first two days I didn't know how to react to it. I didn't know what to do with my time. But I've grown to truly LOVE and appreciate this new way of life! The big smiles from everyone in town, the dancing, the generous hospitality, the humble people, the simple living... It's all so different from America, and it's so beautiful! Building relationships has been a big part of this past week- with David and Justine, with David's parents and siblings(David's parents live next door and many of his brothers live nearby. David is one of 16), and with people in the community. 


David and Justine are truly incredible!! Some of my favorite parts of the day are when I'm sitting down talking with one of them and learning about their lives and Kenya's history. A beautiful story that represents David and Justine well is a story about David's organization, House of Hope. He told me that before House of Hope was started, he and Justine only ate sukuma wiki (kale) for one month in order to save money to put towards the organization. One of the last days of their month of eating sukuma wiki they came home and found talapia at their doorstep- a true sign that God cares about little details of our lives! (House of Hope is an organization that supports 36 orphans right now, and a clinic will open up at the end of July. He also hopes to build a school there.) 


Some highlights of the trip so far:
-visiting David's son at his boarding school. We had a picnic with watermelon, friend chicken, and chapati. mmmmm :)
-going to David's church- experiencing the beautiful simplicity in which they worship God!
-climbing the mountain behind David's house Sunday afternoon 
-visiting the Kandaria women's community meeting (They meet under a tree and make baskets and organize things for the community. They greeted us with loud singing and much dancing! We learned how to weave baskets, and David's mom showed us how to balance a basket on our heads! 
-the mornings are my favorite- grab some chai tea and watch the sunrise:)Words cannot describe the beautiful view from David's house. Kandaria is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!




I'm learning about so many different needs in Kenya and just trusting the Lord to direct my time, my money, my prayers, my actions where He desires.


I can't thank you all enough for you prayers and financial support for my trip!! 


Burdened on my heart right now that I ask you all join me in praying for-
- House of Hope and all that it encompasses. (Pray for the orphans who have lost their family. I've met one of them. He is in 10th grade and has lost both of his parents and 5 of his siblings. Pray for the upcoming opening of the clinic, and that God will provide nurses, doctors, and all the medical supplies needed. Pray the the extra land to be provided to build a school.)
-Sweet little Immaculate. A girl who lives near David's house, and I don't know much about her and her family but I know she's in difficult living conditions. She picks up trash all the time and sucks on the wrapper to get the after taste of what food was in the wrapper, and she is one of the most joyful children I've ever met!!
-All the people in Kenya of are following false leaders and false teachings. I'm learning more from David each day about how everyone here believes in God and most proclaim to be Christian, but many churches here do not even follow the Bible. One person will decide that God has spoken to him, with create a little church and people who do not know how to read or who do not know much about the Bible will follow this false teacher. There are churches EVERYWHERE here, but the number of churches who actually are rooted and grounded in the Truth of the Bible are few.


Praying for each of you that, you all are blessed by the Lord and filled with so much JOY JOY JOY!!
I love you all dearly!!
Caroline Atieno (My new Luo name!)