Kenya - MacGyver John's report

I thought it was time to make a post about my experience here thus far. Like most 3rd world mission trips I have been on, the usual challenges have presented themselves. In a nutshell I suppose a few themes sum it up. 1) Lack of money for needed items, services etc. 2) Lack of organization on many levels 3) Lack of desire for change by the locals and 4) Poor condition of most local equipment and available resources to fix them. This is not surprising as we are serving in a high need area, so it all goes with the territory. Normally you don' t do mission trips in low need areas, so we knew what we signed up for.

Most of my days are filled with trying to fix or patch equipment, processes or logistics to support what needs to be done. I've worked on electrical problems (which are abundant), ran errands (equally as abundant), organized supplies and materials, assisted in the operating room, etc. here, I can freely walk in and out of an operating room, and that be considered "routine". I'd never do that back home.

Yet, there is a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day. You hope that there is a sense of teaching/learning by example more than forcing "our way" on others.

Our combined Columbus/Omaha teams have been great to work with. We all have high points and frustrations we share at some evening meetings. The food is definitely Kenyan (lots of stew, potatoes, room temperature milk, mangos, etc. Sometimes I think they are trying too hard to give us their gourmet food, and sometimes we long for just ice cold drinks (no ice routinely here), a greasy burger and fries, or something besides Coke. But the food is safe and nutritious for the most part. Only drinking bottled water though.

Other highlights of the trip have been the safari, which we got some bonus sightings you usually don't see (like the circle of life with a lion kill aftermath being cleaned up by the hyenas and vultures, monkeys, leopard, and Masai village tour (local indigenous people).

Each mission trip is unique, even if repeated. We are thankful for all the folks back home that helped in some way to get us here. As with most mission trips, we probably get more back than we give. Signing off for now.

John