It was a hard road that brought us to Tenwek in 2006, but like many difficult journeys we were left changed in the end.
The Bemms came to be Missionaries to Tenwek hospital in 2004. I had met Chuck and Amy Bemm when I was a pre-med student in undergrad and had shadowed Chuck, a pediatrician, at the Christian clinic he worked at in Pittsburgh. I also worked at the clinic during a summer while I was in college. Before the Bemms left for Kenya they encouraged us to come visit and for Andy to do a rotation at the hospital while he was in medical school. We were excited to go, but in the midst of planning our trip we found out that I was pregnant and decided it would not be a good idea to go since I would be to far along in the pregnancy.
About a month later, Chuck came back to the states to take his boards and we met with him and talked about their experience in Kenya. We were sad we couldn’t go and visit them in Kenya. I told Andy that if anything happened with our pregnancy, that we should do everything that we could to try to go to Kenya.
A few weeks later we had a miscarriage. It was a very difficult time for each of us and trying on our faith and marriage. We named our baby Miriam and said that she was in Heaven watching over us and our future children just like Miriam in the Bible watched over her brother Moses.
We went forward with our plans to come to Tenwek. The day we arrived we had dinner at the Bemm’s house. Chuck was late for dinner and when he arrived he was so upset about a little baby in the NICU that he had been working with named Moses. He had been found in the river and was having complications. He was not expected to live through the night. As Chuck and Amy talked we gathered the Bemm kids and prayed for baby Moses.
He made it through the night but everyday fluctuated. I felt a special bond with Moses and prayed for him constantly. I sewed him a positioner and provided some occasional range of motion. He was so fragile and my first NICU patient. The only thing of meaning I could do was pray.
After 2 months of being in the NICU, Moses was healthy enough to go to the Baby Center (an orphanage run by World Gospel Mission) The Bemms, along with Andy and I drove the 4+ hour drive to bring Moses to his new home.
I wanted to adopt Moses, but as I looked into the process and laws in Kenya, and spoke with others, I realized it would not be possible unless we were willing to move to Kenya for a year or more. With Andy’s training the only way we could do it is if we were apart for a year.
I have prayed and longed for Moses for the past 3.5 years. When the Bemms were in the states for furlough, I learned that he had still not been adopted. Part of me was still hoping that Moses would be able to come home with us one day. I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear that he was adopted and lived in the next town.
I got a call from Amy that Moses and his family were at the hospital to do some paper work! I could not believe it! I just wanted to cry, God is so faithful to let me have this opportunity to see this boy who I have prayed for all these years. I will post pictures of Moses when he was a baby and now, he is so BIG!
I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to see Moses. Meeting Moses in 2006 helped me heal from our miscarriage. Because of our miscarriage, it opened the door for us to come to Kenya, and I knew my baby Miriam was watching over baby Moses.
My Girls
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Well it has been a whirlwind week for us but we are finally settling in a bit. I am sad I can't upload pictures, but I will make sure I do as soon as we get back. Here are some highlights from the week.
- Moved into a different house on the campus. We are now sharing a two bedroom house with the Sawatskys. This makes cooking and taking care of the kids much easier, but it is a challenge with having two toddlers in the house with sleeping. Christon and I spent Wednesday morning packing up all of our belongings and food for the month and moving it across campus. Thankfully we had help since we had the two little ones with us.
- Our computer bit the dust
- Prepped our food for the month: cut and bagged chicken, shredded cheese etc.
- Hail and rain non stop followed by our power being out for 24 hours. We had to move all of our food back to the apartment so it didn't get spoiled.
- Bible study at the Whites house for visiting staff and Kenyan residents. It was a great time of worship and fellowship.
- I (Reena) got to work with some babies in the NICU with feeding and assessing range of motion. I am loving working in the NICU here.
- Andy has been working hard in the pediatric unit, he covers inpatient floors, NICU, and outpatient clinic. He has seen some very interesting cases.
- ***** We got to see MOSES!!!! I will write more about him later, but he is a little boy that we met last time we came to Kenya. He was not expected to survive (he was found in the river) but he made it and he was recently adopted by a family in Bomet. They came to the hospital to do some paper work and Amy Bemm called me so I could see him. He is so big now. God is so good. I have thought about him so much these past 4 years and I am so happy that he his with a family that loves him.
Nairobi Grocery and off to Tenwek
(Our computer is broken so we have limited oppurtunity to blog, also connection is not that great so we can't upload pictures, but I will when we get back to the states)
Arathena was a wreck during the night. She hadn’t eaten very much on the plane. Luckily we bought some water at the airport. During the night she was so hungry and we didn’t have any milk or food, but we had water and cheezits so that helped till morning.
We had breakfast at the Guest House and then we were off to do our shopping before we headed to Tenwek. I prayed that we would have a car seat today since the road to Tenwek is so bad and when the driver pulled up we did!
Our friends the Larsons who were missionaries to Kenya had prepared us mentally for this day. Alysia insured me that I would be able to get everything I need at Nakumatt and I was prepared for an intense shopping day.
As we pulled up to the store I quickly realized that this wasn’t NakumattJ I asked the driver if we were going to Nakumatt and he said no, I should be able to get everything I needed in this strip mall. He pointed to the grocery store, the butcher shop, and a produce market…AGH!!! I decided to check out the grocery store, I took one step in and walked right back to the driver to see if I could change his mind. He explained that Nakumatt was out of the way and we would hit traffic so I agreed and Christon and began our shopping spree as the boys watched the children.
A few hours later…J we bought as much as we thought we needed, had a quick bite to eat at the Java House, and we were off to Tenwek.
The roads have improved immensely since the last time we came in 2006. We took Dramamine for the drive, but I don’t think we actually needed it. Our driver made great time and in about 3 hours we were at Tenwek Hospital.
We dragged up all of our bags to our 3rd floor apartment. In some ways our one room studio apartment was better than I expected. There was a microwave and some basic cooking utensils. On the other hand, it is had to only have one room with kitchen, bed, and table when you have a child because there is no place to put them for nap or bedtime unless you are going to sleep at the same time they do.
We unloaded some of our groceries and then had a tour of the hospital. After dinner we just went right to bed. Arathena again had a hard time sleeping at night so we were up a lot. She loves milk when we are at home but will not touch the milk here. I am scared she will lose a lot of weight during this trip since she is a picky eater.
Arathena was a wreck during the night. She hadn’t eaten very much on the plane. Luckily we bought some water at the airport. During the night she was so hungry and we didn’t have any milk or food, but we had water and cheezits so that helped till morning.
We had breakfast at the Guest House and then we were off to do our shopping before we headed to Tenwek. I prayed that we would have a car seat today since the road to Tenwek is so bad and when the driver pulled up we did!
Our friends the Larsons who were missionaries to Kenya had prepared us mentally for this day. Alysia insured me that I would be able to get everything I need at Nakumatt and I was prepared for an intense shopping day.
As we pulled up to the store I quickly realized that this wasn’t NakumattJ I asked the driver if we were going to Nakumatt and he said no, I should be able to get everything I needed in this strip mall. He pointed to the grocery store, the butcher shop, and a produce market…AGH!!! I decided to check out the grocery store, I took one step in and walked right back to the driver to see if I could change his mind. He explained that Nakumatt was out of the way and we would hit traffic so I agreed and Christon and began our shopping spree as the boys watched the children.
A few hours later…J we bought as much as we thought we needed, had a quick bite to eat at the Java House, and we were off to Tenwek.
The roads have improved immensely since the last time we came in 2006. We took Dramamine for the drive, but I don’t think we actually needed it. Our driver made great time and in about 3 hours we were at Tenwek Hospital.
We dragged up all of our bags to our 3rd floor apartment. In some ways our one room studio apartment was better than I expected. There was a microwave and some basic cooking utensils. On the other hand, it is had to only have one room with kitchen, bed, and table when you have a child because there is no place to put them for nap or bedtime unless you are going to sleep at the same time they do.
We unloaded some of our groceries and then had a tour of the hospital. After dinner we just went right to bed. Arathena again had a hard time sleeping at night so we were up a lot. She loves milk when we are at home but will not touch the milk here. I am scared she will lose a lot of weight during this trip since she is a picky eater.
Nairobi or Bust
We are on our way! Five checked bags, 3 carry-on bags, 3 personal bags, and a baby stroller all at regulation weight and size. It definately took some doing but we are all packed and as ready as we are going to be. We were able to fit all of our clothes in the carry-on bags, that way we had room for the medical supplies, books, and items the missionaries at Tenwek needed.
When we had our layover in Paris, Arathena didn't like the milk, we later learned why. At the last hour of our journey she threw-up all over the place. Most importantly she threw up all over her favorite pink blanket and her toy dog Reggie that she got from Dan and Tara :(
Once we got to Nairobi we spent 1.5 hours in line to get our Visas. At this point we are going a little crazy with the long journey (17 hours on plane, 2.5 hours in Paris with 3 bus rides to get from plane to gate and back onto plane), but fortunatley we got all of our checked bags and literally walked right through customs without anyone stopping us to ask questions. I think it is because we looked so pathetic with all of our luggage and child in tote.
There was a sea of people as we exited the airport, but Andy spotted our Samaratin's Purse driver who had a name sign for us. We were told that we would have a car seat in Nairobi, but our driver had never heard of a car seat:) I decided I would just hold onto Arathena for dear life as we traveled to the Mennonite Guest House. No car seat, let alone lap seat belts, don't go well with my profession, but that is what we had, so we made do. We arrived at the guest house around 11 pm and met our friends the Sawatsky's there. The Sawatskys are friend we made in Pittsburgh while Andy was in medical school. They have a 1 1/2 year old son named Eli. Adam is a 3rd year Internal Medicine resident at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and he will be working in the medicine ward at Tenwek. Christon and I will be helping each other with cooking and childcare.
As Andy and Arathena sleep, I am frantically making my shopping list and planning meals for the next month. I had already thought about meals but tomorrow is my big day! Food for the month…agh! There are supplies at Tenwek, but not much locally.
Arathena did as well as a 2 year-old can do on a 17 hour plane ride with one short lay-over. She didn't cry which we are thankful for, but she was restless at times.
When we had our layover in Paris, Arathena didn't like the milk, we later learned why. At the last hour of our journey she threw-up all over the place. Most importantly she threw up all over her favorite pink blanket and her toy dog Reggie that she got from Dan and Tara :(
Once we got to Nairobi we spent 1.5 hours in line to get our Visas. At this point we are going a little crazy with the long journey (17 hours on plane, 2.5 hours in Paris with 3 bus rides to get from plane to gate and back onto plane), but fortunatley we got all of our checked bags and literally walked right through customs without anyone stopping us to ask questions. I think it is because we looked so pathetic with all of our luggage and child in tote.
There was a sea of people as we exited the airport, but Andy spotted our Samaratin's Purse driver who had a name sign for us. We were told that we would have a car seat in Nairobi, but our driver had never heard of a car seat:) I decided I would just hold onto Arathena for dear life as we traveled to the Mennonite Guest House. No car seat, let alone lap seat belts, don't go well with my profession, but that is what we had, so we made do. We arrived at the guest house around 11 pm and met our friends the Sawatsky's there. The Sawatskys are friend we made in Pittsburgh while Andy was in medical school. They have a 1 1/2 year old son named Eli. Adam is a 3rd year Internal Medicine resident at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and he will be working in the medicine ward at Tenwek. Christon and I will be helping each other with cooking and childcare.
As Andy and Arathena sleep, I am frantically making my shopping list and planning meals for the next month. I had already thought about meals but tomorrow is my big day! Food for the month…agh! There are supplies at Tenwek, but not much locally.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Let the adventure begin
From the receipts I could find so far it looks like we have made:
7 trips to Walmart
2 trips to Target
2 trips to Babies R Us
2 trips to the Pharmacy
2 trips to the Children's Hospital pharmacy
2 trips to Best Buy
2 trips to the Dollar Store
1 trip to Marshalls
1 trip to Gabriel Brothers
Not having to shop till we get to Nairobi will be priceless. But then we will have to shop for all of our food for one month!
Our bags are packed, our house is semi-clean, looks like we are actually doing this. I tried to get my 6 mile run in this morning but didn't have it in me. The day after we get back from Kenya Andy is running the Pittsburgh Marathon and I am running on a relay team. I was hoping to get my miles in before we head out but looks like I might be running in a skirt:)
The first trial of anti-malaria meds did not go so hot for me. I started vomiting violently and was out of commission for an hour or so. All the memories of being sick in Kenya swarmed back to me. What am I going to do if I get sick this time? I have Arathena to care for. Luckily we were able to get another medicine for me, unfortunately it cost $320 for the month...which we didn't budget for:) I am worried that Arathena isn't handling her meds either, she has been out of sorts, but the medicine she is on is the only one that she can be on, so she has to take it.
Since we had most of our bags packed we headed over to the Easter Egg hunt that our church sponsored for the community of Millvale. It was a lot of fun and so nice to see everyone one last time.
We are off to the airport...Arathena has not napped:) here we go
7 trips to Walmart
2 trips to Target
2 trips to Babies R Us
2 trips to the Pharmacy
2 trips to the Children's Hospital pharmacy
2 trips to Best Buy
2 trips to the Dollar Store
1 trip to Marshalls
1 trip to Gabriel Brothers
Not having to shop till we get to Nairobi will be priceless. But then we will have to shop for all of our food for one month!
Our bags are packed, our house is semi-clean, looks like we are actually doing this. I tried to get my 6 mile run in this morning but didn't have it in me. The day after we get back from Kenya Andy is running the Pittsburgh Marathon and I am running on a relay team. I was hoping to get my miles in before we head out but looks like I might be running in a skirt:)
The first trial of anti-malaria meds did not go so hot for me. I started vomiting violently and was out of commission for an hour or so. All the memories of being sick in Kenya swarmed back to me. What am I going to do if I get sick this time? I have Arathena to care for. Luckily we were able to get another medicine for me, unfortunately it cost $320 for the month...which we didn't budget for:) I am worried that Arathena isn't handling her meds either, she has been out of sorts, but the medicine she is on is the only one that she can be on, so she has to take it.
Since we had most of our bags packed we headed over to the Easter Egg hunt that our church sponsored for the community of Millvale. It was a lot of fun and so nice to see everyone one last time.
We are off to the airport...Arathena has not napped:) here we go
Friday, March 26, 2010
We are off
So we are off to Kenya tomorrow. I have about a million emotions running through me. The most prominent being, “What in the world are we doing? We are CRAZY!” I am a little anxious to say the least:)
Arathena has been a wreck this week, I am praying that she will do well with all of the travel and adjustments with time and culture that are ahead of us.
I have been super emotional this week as well. I wasn’t sure why and I couldn’t put my finger on it. The more I thought about it the more I realized the hardest thing for me about leaving is leaving my mom. I can’t count how many times my mother has unbuckled Arathena’s car seat base without me knowing only to have Arathena’s car seat completely fall over when I drive. Or the number of times I have had to call “clean-up in aisle 9” at Target because one of the Dynamic Duo (Arathena and my mom) spilled something. Arathena and my mother are a pair, but they are my pair. My mom has Alzheimer’s and I am so sad to leave her. She does drive me crazy more than I would like to admit, but I love her so much. I don’t know how she will do with us being gone. Her brother in NJ will be watching her for a few weeks but I am scared that she will not do well with that change. I have wrestled with this for months; do I go, who will watch her, what if she gets sick? At this point I feel even though I don’t know why I am going to Kenya, it is ok, and God will take care of my mother because He loves her. This is where I need to trust and have faith.
We were asked to keep a blog/journal so that when we come home we can debrief with World Medical Missions about our trip. I really don’t know what to expect this time. I know that for 2 weeks the Bemms will be away and Andy will be the only pediatrician at Tenwek hospital and that will definitely be SCARY. I am hoping to help out in the therapy department but since we have Arathena this time we will see how that goes.
I am excited to see our friends in Kenya, but sad to leave such sweet friends here in Pittsburgh.
Arathena has been a wreck this week, I am praying that she will do well with all of the travel and adjustments with time and culture that are ahead of us.
I have been super emotional this week as well. I wasn’t sure why and I couldn’t put my finger on it. The more I thought about it the more I realized the hardest thing for me about leaving is leaving my mom. I can’t count how many times my mother has unbuckled Arathena’s car seat base without me knowing only to have Arathena’s car seat completely fall over when I drive. Or the number of times I have had to call “clean-up in aisle 9” at Target because one of the Dynamic Duo (Arathena and my mom) spilled something. Arathena and my mother are a pair, but they are my pair. My mom has Alzheimer’s and I am so sad to leave her. She does drive me crazy more than I would like to admit, but I love her so much. I don’t know how she will do with us being gone. Her brother in NJ will be watching her for a few weeks but I am scared that she will not do well with that change. I have wrestled with this for months; do I go, who will watch her, what if she gets sick? At this point I feel even though I don’t know why I am going to Kenya, it is ok, and God will take care of my mother because He loves her. This is where I need to trust and have faith.
We were asked to keep a blog/journal so that when we come home we can debrief with World Medical Missions about our trip. I really don’t know what to expect this time. I know that for 2 weeks the Bemms will be away and Andy will be the only pediatrician at Tenwek hospital and that will definitely be SCARY. I am hoping to help out in the therapy department but since we have Arathena this time we will see how that goes.
I am excited to see our friends in Kenya, but sad to leave such sweet friends here in Pittsburgh.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Getting Crafty
When I heard my sister-in-law was pregnant, I wanted to make something special for the baby. I had never sewn anything except for a drawstring bag in home ec class. My friend Lisa convinced me that I could make a blanket and I am glad I did. The blanket turned out nice and I learned a lot about sewing along the way with all of my mistakes:)
I hand stitched all of the circles onto the blanket
Blanket for baby Piper!
Blanket for my nephew Max
I hand stitched all of the circles onto the blanket
Blanket for baby Piper! My friend Lisa is a creative guru and helped me figure out how to make Max's blanket. She was also due at the same time as my sister-in-law so I made this blanket for her daughter, along with a bundle me
My friend Lauren also had a baby due first week of January! I made this bundle me for her, I have some burp cloths on the way:)
I found this doll house at a church yard sale for $5! Sarah V. spotted it and I could not have been happier. My plan was to fix it up for Arathena for her Christmas present. I didn't get to it till the night before Christmas even though I had the house for several months:) It is not done yet, but it is looking good so far. I was hesitant to paint the house because it is beautiful wood, but there is water damage to it so we decided to go ahead and paint it.
Water damage
starting the staining process.
My friend Lauren also had a baby due first week of January! I made this bundle me for her, I have some burp cloths on the way:)
All babies have arrived safely and I am so glad that they are here!
I found this doll house at a church yard sale for $5! Sarah V. spotted it and I could not have been happier. My plan was to fix it up for Arathena for her Christmas present. I didn't get to it till the night before Christmas even though I had the house for several months:) It is not done yet, but it is looking good so far. I was hesitant to paint the house because it is beautiful wood, but there is water damage to it so we decided to go ahead and paint it.
Water damage
starting the staining process.All of the rooms are painted, we just need to finish tiling the kitchen and bathroom:) Grandma and Grandpa bought Arathena a cute furniture set and great grandma gave money for Arathena to buy a little doll family. I will post pictures when we are all finished.
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