Merry Christmas!

Wow it's been a long time since I've posted on this blog! Here's an update for the New Year!

Coming back from Kenya was a crazy transition like always. I started back to work immediately. I had to complete my requirement for my MPH degree before I started back on my medical school rotations. My first rotation was a busy 'acting internship' in neonatology where I got to spend a lot of time in the nursery and in the Infant Special Care Unit at UTMB. That was followed by a month of trauma surgery, then a month of traveling for interviews and conferences, then an Emergency Room rotation. All of that brings me up to the holidays. Synopsis: I've completed my interviews for residency in Family Medicine, I've fallen in love with a wonderful man I met while on rotation in the ISCU, and I'm preparing for the next stretch of craziness with more questions now then I had when I got back from Kenya this summer!

Surprise- fell in love?? Who knew is would take only 4 months?? Travis Billingsley is a 2nd year fellow in the Neonatology program at UTMB. Yes, we met while I was on rotation in the Galveston ISCU. We've had a whirlwind courtship and are mutually excited to spend our lives together. More on that to follow I'm sure ;) Travis has one year left in Galveston for his fellowship, while I graduate with an MD/MPH this June! We are waiting on some potential opportunities to become clear before we make our next step. Hopefully more to come on that soon.

I will certainly be returning to Kenya. The question is when? I've received the Fogarty Scholarship to continue my research project on TB at Kijabe Hospital and am looking forward to that. However, my role is yet undefined and we are looking into many different options about my return to Kijabe. More questions, but answers are looming!

Hopefully more updates will be on the way soon! Until these things are worked out, I continue waiting on the Lord and praying for His will and for guidance about the future. I find that while waiting, I get to enjoy many things. Namely, the blossoming of a new relationship, the deepening of older ones, and the many daily blessings God is so pleased to give His children. Travis came home with me for Christmas and met my family for the first time. It went very well, we all had a great time. So many things to look forward to!

More thoughts on Naomi's Village...

Children like the little girl being held in my friend's lap just make you feel like you can't build an orphanage fast enough.

If you've been following my blog, you know a little about the IDP camp. We don't often think about people becoming refugees within their own country, but it happens. The people of the IDP camp near Kijabe are of the Kikuyu tribe and were unfortunate enough to be living in Western Kenya during the post election violence of 2008. They were chased from their homes and buisnesses there and now live in tents in the Rift Valley.

The little girl above is about 2 years old. Her mother is gone- apparently left for the coast and hasn't returned. Her 5 year old sister is pretty much her caretaker. There are others but they are rarely around. This little girl has a rash covering her entire body. She probably had scabies, fleas, or bed bugs, and has scratched herself to the point of developing a total body rash that would take weeks to resolve only if she had daily baths, medicine, clean clothes, and a clean place to sleep at night. God willing that will happen sooner rather than later.

Naomi's Village is an orphanage being built just across the highway from the IDP camp and will serve as a place of love and nuturing for many vulnerable children just like this girl. We are hoping the building will be complete before the end of the year. However, it takes much more than a building to have make a home for these children. The following are some important needs of Naomi's Village:

1. Kenyan leaders: With a heart for serving God and loving children. It will take some dedicated Kenyan's to make this house a home.

2. Legal aid: I wish is was easy to sweep up little girls like the one described hear into a loving home, but it isn't. The proper channels for doing so can take a lot of work and money. Be praying for grace with the Kenyan government so that these children can be placed in a home.

3. Funding: The building is not yet complete, and there are still needs to make it happen.

Check out Naomi's Village on facebook: www.facebook.com/NaomisVillage

I'm am truely impressed at the thoughtful construction and planning going into this project. The aim is to make this a self sufficient compound with land for farming and cows. All of the water that is used by the house will be recycled to feed the crops. It's really a neat place. The vision here is to gift children with a stable loving home and teach them to become leaders in their own community and in that way help change the country. A great vision and worth investing in.

Going home

I'm sitting at a coffee bar at the Nairobi airport, waiting for my 11 PM flight and trying to recap my month in Kenya. Time flys by so quickly! Here's a sum of my trip:

1. Research: I completed my chart review on TB patients at Kijabe hospital. I had a few problems getting my project done, and didn't get the number I set out to do, but did an OK job. I now have to do the data analysis and see if I found anything interesting.

2. IDP Camp: The most eye opening experience was hanging out at the IDP camp. I wish I spent more time there. I have a million ideas of what I could do if I came back. God willing, maybe I can be a part of something for the people there.

3. Friends: I had a great time hanging out with Kenyans and Muzungus (white people). Even more than last year, I felt comfortable and like I could fit in to the Kijabe setting. What a joy.

What next??

1. I'm getting a puppy! See pic above. I'm thinking I'll name is Sophie, but I haven't met it yet, we'll see.

2. Finishing up my MPH degree and going back to medical school. I'm applying for residency and will start interviewing for that this fall. I'm thinking I'll stay in Texas, but don't know for sure! I'm praying for wisdom and discernment as I apply and interview.

3. Back to Galveston: I have at least a year to spend with my friends (now family, really) in Galveston, my church, and to love on the community there. I am praying about volunteering at the children's center (for trafficked kids), and of course there is always a lot to do at St. Vincent's Free Clinic. It'll be a busy year!

4. Last 4 months: I have about 4 months before I start residency of "free time" next spring. What should I do with that time? Go back to Africa? Learn Spanish somewhere? Go to India? Buckle down and serve Galveston through my church, SVC, and the children's center, work, travel, ... the options are endless!

USA here I come. I'll miss you Kenya!