We arrived
a Kijabe Hospital almost in a panic after a very scary and bumpy car ride from
Nairobi. Our sick friend was in a
lot of pain. The journey to the
hospital had created so much stress on her body that she was struggling to stay
conscious. Kijabe is located at
the bottom of a long bumpy dirt road in the Rift Valley, seemingly in the
middle of nowhere. Needless to say
the stress level rose as we got out of the car and into the waiting room that
looked very similar to every African hospital we had been to. Im not sure what we were expecting, but
in my head one of the best hospitals in Kenya would look more western that what
we saw. We couldn’t seem to find
the information we needed and a huge motor accident had the attention of all
the staff. It felt like our hope
was gone, we were in an unknown place feeling alone and isolated, emotionally
exhausted and on the verge of a total breakdown. Words cannot possible describe the panic, frustration, and
desperation we all felt in that moment.
While one the phone with our leaders, trying to get a hold of people in
the states a voice from behind me asked if I was from the world race. I could have hugged this man, who
turned out to be the director of the hospital, as he told us he would
personally see to it that we got what we needed. From that moment on we were beyond taken care of. Every small detail exceeded our
expectations.
The
atmosphere at Kijabe is unbelievable caring, calming, and peaceful. The events that followed the next few
days still blow my mind! Let me
preface this by saying we had HUGE RELIEF in knowing our friend was received
the best medical care available to her in Kenya. The doctors were through, attentive, and caring as well as
very knowledgeable. The doctors
are also missionaries and encouraged were such an encouragement to us. The Lord is present in that place and
it filled me up more than I realized.
So here are a list of events that I am SO THANKFUL FOR and ways that
God’s showered His love over me!
~The guest
house was full so the hospital let us stay in the Staff housing. We had a
BEAUTIFUL apartment all to ourselves with a kitchen, FLUSHING toilets, HOT
water, a nice cozy couch, a refrigerator, A BED with soft sheet a fluffy pillow
and warm blankets. It was even
complete with American plugs, so we didn’t have to use our adaptors. If this doesn’t seem like a big deal to
you consider I am in month seven of the race. I have spent much of this year sleeping on the floor, taking
bucket showers, going to the bathroom in a squatty potty (or a just outside if
you are in the bush). This
apartment was the most exciting and refreshing thing I have seen in a LONG
time.
~The Duka’s
(little African food stores) we stocked with some American food due to the
presence of so many American doctors. We ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
Enough said!!! J
~I got to
sleep in. Then have coffee curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket and have
some ALONE time overlooking the entire Rift Valley. Time alone is a precious rarity on the race.
~I made a
scrambled egg sandwich on an English muffin with cheese and mustard (my
favorite breakfast ever for some reason reminds me of home, especially my
mom) This was an unexpected treat
and comfort.
~ Not only
did I get a HOT SHOWER but I was able to use a real towel, instead of my fast
drying travel towel, and use a real washcloth for the first time in months.
~ One word: Q-Tips!
~Then to
top it all off, while walking from the apartment to the hospital I met the
sweetest lady. Her name was
Rosemarie and her husband Mike is a pediatric surgeon at the hospital. She invited Michelle and I over to use
their internet, as we hadn’t talked to our families in days. She fed us homemade chili with
cheese and rice, fresh fruit, and toped off the meal with made from scratch
apple cake and ice cream! I felt
like for a brief moment I was home, like I had visited my grandparents. There was something so comforting and
loving about their home and hospitality.
They offered to help us with anything we needed and said they would be
praying for Liz.
~During
this time I felt healthy enough to rejoin my team, leaving Michelle and Liz
from Team S.W.A.T. together at the hospital with things looking up. My team picked me up at the hospital on
the way to go to the Masai Mara for a safari and a one night stay in a Masai
village. This was a LIFE LONG
dream fulfilled. AMAZING pictures to come when the internet is fast enough to
upload them!
The whole
time I could hear God whispering to me “Caitlin, this is how much I love you!�
and after a weekend like that I know that God loves me a whole heck of a lot!
***Please
join me in praying for Liz Olsen.
Her health has not gotten any better and she has been sick for weeks
now. Doctors are unsure exactly
what will make her better and have advised her to travel back to the
states. Pray for complete healing,
comfort, strength, and an easy transition home.***
