I’m sure everyone has seen pictures or video of beautiful African kids with huge smiles. Well, it’s all completely real. The kids here are bright and smiling and they LOVE to say hello to white people (Mzungus). Anytime we are walking down the street (which is every day) we get many kids yelling to us across the highway or coming up saying one or two things, “Mzungu!” and/or “How are you?” Most of the time it’s the latter and the expected response is “I’m fine!” Oftentimes there is a high five or a handshake involved, too. The one thing that is consistent is the kids are all happy, have huge smiles, and are so excited to see us. We feel like celebrities here because of the reception. I hope I’m not letting out a secret to be saved only for those who make the journey across the Atlantic and actually step onto the African continent, but these kids are totally worth the trip.
Speaking of worth the trip, I got a special couple of days away from our World Race ministry to go and visit an orphan school and health clinic sponsored by Preston Road Church as well as many children sponsored by PRCC church
members. One of my teammates accompanied me on the trip. We were picked up by Thomas K’Otieno in Busia. He drove 5 hours total to get us and take us back to Kisumu. We spent two nights at the K’Otieno house and spent all day Monday visiting the orphan school and clinic. I’ll definitely write more about this later, but it was very exciting to get to see this work in person after years of hearing stories and updates from this place.
Doctor visit-100 Shillings ($1.28)
Blood tests-300 Shillings ($3.85)
Malaria medicine-500 Shillings ($6.41)
Getting diagnosed, treated, and medicated for Malaria for less than the cost of a doctor’s office co-pay using my insurance in the US =Priceless!!
Yes, I did get a malaria diagnosis today, but I’m actually feeling okay. I think we caught it early and the medicine will help me not to get the worst of it. So, don’t worry. It’s all part of the adventure and also a result of our particular location and the time of year. I still recommend that you make a trip to Africa! Look at this face and you’ll know why…..
