You will keep in perfect peace

Him whose mind is steadfast

Because he trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord forever,

For the Lord God is the Rock Everlasting.

Isaiah 26: 3-4                         

Habari yako, rafiki.

As I sat this August and September on our lovely front porch in La Grange Park, I read those

Autumn in La Grange Park, IL

words from Isaiah again and again.  Over the past 6 months, Leland and I have made many decisions that will change our lives and move us in a path that we didn’t foresee 6 months ago.  We have felt incredible peace about these unexpected changes.

In 2008, we each felt a strong call from God to come to Kijabe, to do and teach pediatric neurosurgery.  We initially thought we might spend 2-3 years here but soon after arriving in September 2010, we realized that it might take up to 6 years to train enough people to carry on the work.  We even joked about staying longer—saying that we may not want to leave.  My personal view has always been that God would just as clearly show us when our time at Kijabe should end as He had in leading us here.

Soon after arriving in the USA on April 30, 2014, Leland experience debilitating exhaustion and muscle weakness.  We decided to extend our stay in the States in order to obtain a definite diagnosis and allow him to rest.  After 4 trips to Madison to see specialists in neuromuscular medicine and infectious disease, 76 blood tests, electromyography, nerve conduction studies, and a total body CT/PET scan, the doctors have determined that Leland has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome of unknown origin.  Over the time Leland was in the US, he really never improved—he would have good days and bad days with his weakness and fatigue, but we saw no real improvement. 

On November 1, 2014, we returned to Kenya in order to train another person to take my place.  We have tickets to return to the States in mid-January 2015.  Although this is not the way we had planned or hoped to end our service in Kijabe, we see God’s hand in this, as in each stage in our lives.  We are sad to leave our friends and colleagues here in Kijabe—but are looking forward to our lives in the US.

My cochlear implant in February has exceeded my expectations and even my dreams.  In conversation, even in noise, I understand almost everything that is said.  I can now close my eyes and bow my head during corporate prayers and hear nearly every petition and praise.  I have been able to carry on conversation with my co-workers here in Kenya—even to chat with the nurses and understand the mums’ English and some Swahili.  The ability to hear has been life-changing and, to me, miraculous. 

Our first night back in Kijabe, we had a huge storm that knocked out the electricity for about 10 hours—getting ready for work in the dark wasn’t a problem since the battery powered alarm decided to quit at 5:10 am—the alarm had been set for 5:15 am.  So, we awoke (after a fitful sleep—jet lag was terrible this time) at about 6 am (first light) and were at the hospital at 6:30 am.  And, mshungao (surprise in Swahili), there was no hot water (or any water) from the hot tap, so we really felt we were back at home.

The plumbers fixed the hot water by our third day here, so we now have hot and cold running water.  Our new neighbor across the hall (a long-term missionary formerly in India) gave me some tips on handling the washing machine (I now add several buckets of water to the drum) so that it no longer takes 2.5 hours to wash one load.  I am back using my  “solar dryer” (the sun) and hanging the clothes outside—I really missed doing that while I was in the US. 

After being here for three weeks, it is obvious that Leland cannot maintain even the slower pace that he has adopted in response to his illness.  After we make rounds each morning (which takes about 2 hours), he comes back to the apartment and sleeps for up to 2 hours, then rests until he is called up to help in the theatre.  His exhaustion is visible in his face.  People stop him and tell him how glad they are to have him back—even just for rounds, or teaching.  But I can see that he has worsened a bit since our arrival.

One of the big unanswered questions in regard to our leaving Kijabe earlier than we had anticipated is: will pediatric neurosurgery continue at BKKH/Kijabe Hospital?  Humphrey Okechi was married November 8 to Ruth Muthoni, a nurse at BKKH in Entebbe Uganda.  They will be on leave for the month of November.  In Humphrey’s place, we have a visiting neurosurgeon, Dan Curry, from Texas Children’s Hospital.  He is a great clinician and teacher, and the resident and fellow have appreciated his lectures.  We also have a visiting neurosurgery resident from the University of Wisconsin, Carolina Sandoval-Garcia, who has been a great encouragement to our Kenyan neurosurgical resident, Grace Muthoni.  Leland has arranged for visiting chief residents to come in January, February, March, and April 15-May 15.  Dr. Veeti Li, a pediatric neurosurgeon from Buffalo, will make his 3^rd trip to Kijabe in July.  However, we will have great need of more pediatric neurosurgeons to provide help for Humphrey over the next year.

The new wing construction has been halted because of legal problems, and we do not know when it will be completed and opened.  It certainly will not be in our Kijabe lifetimes.  The nursing staff is being led by acting in-charge nurses (acting head nurses), and no one has been identified to direct the nursing care.  However, Elizabeth Njoroge has been chosen to start training with Veronicah and me to take care of the neurosurgical patients.  Elizabeth came to me about a year ago and said, “I want to be you.”  She has a passion for taking care of our children, and has wonderful initiative and organizational skills.  It will be a delight to have her take my place along with Veronicah.

This week, Veronicah, Pastor Mercy, and I talked with two mums about ending treatment of their children.  One was the mum of a 6 year old boy with a recurrent brain cancer—after the second operation to remove the recurrent tumor, and radiation therapy, his tumor recurred.  He is the third child, and only son.  His mother expressed gratitude for the care he had received over the past 2 years here at BKKH.  The second child is 5 months old, was born with no brain above the brainstem (hydranencephaly), had a surgical procedure to control the growth of her head, and now weighs her birth weight.  Both conversations were heart-breaking—these children are greatly loved.  We saw three additional babies this week with hydranencephaly.   Two other babies passed away on Thursday.  There are days when I come home feeling stunned by the sadness here.

hydranencephaly

Traditional healing scars

Leland’s sister Mary sent us handpainted tote bags for the mums that her garden club had made—Mercy and I spent time one morning handing them out.  It means so much to the mums to hear that people in the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia think about them, pray for them, and want to help them.

I ask for your prayers for the following:

-For Leland to have the strength to maintain the pace here in Kijabe over the next 2 months.

-For Veronicah Njaramba, our clinical officer, who has worked heroically in my absence.  She needs encouragement and support to continue her vital role on the service.

-For Mercy Nganga, my Kenyan sister, who, like me, is approaching the end of one chapter of service to Jesus Christ—and is looking for direction for the next opportunity to serve.

-For BKKH and Kijabe Hospital, to determine the long-term commitment to pediatric neurosurgery and how each organization can support the care of the children with neurosurgical problems.

-That the legal problems encountered by BKKH in the completion of the new building be resolved so that the wing can be opened soon.

-For Humphrey and Ruth Okechi, that they may be strengthened and supported during the time that Humphrey is without a permanent colleague in neurosurgery.

-For BKKH as the organization transitions from one Executive Director to the next.

-And always, for the children with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, brain tumors, spine problems and their families—that they will know God’s love and care through us.

Take care, God bless.

Susan