This week we have been back in Keumbu. Rilla arrived with the information that her family had raised $1000 for the building of Pastor Robert's church. (I'm not sure if I said before that they had been evicted and were praying about land and money to be able to build a new church, the tent they have used for the past two Sunday's costs money also so he was quite stressed). He also informed us that the land they had been given to rent, would most likely be sold to them quite soon. When she told about the money he was speechless and had to leave the room to tell Teri, his wife. They were so touched and didn't have the words. They keep telling us that us coming has been a miracle from God. I don't know if I would call us being here a miracle but it is neat to see how God works. They started construction on the church the next day. Now they have finished the bathroom and are leveling out the land for the church foundation. Hopefully before we leave we will be able to have a service in their new building!!
On Wednesday when I went back to Keumbu Sub-District Hospital the clinical officer, Thomas had a patient who needed stitches. His foot was badly cut, and there was even muscle poking out of it! I watched as he showed three of the students how to clean the wound and put the stitches in. They all tried a stitch and then they told me to take a turn. I couldn't believe it. I was mostly just interested to watch but here I found myself sewing a man's foot together! It was pretty awesome, but I kind of feel bad for the guy who was our patient. His foot looked a lot better once we were through though.
The hospital has been really good this week. I have mostly been helping Dolphine and Job in the HIV clinic. We test everyone in the wards for HIV, and then anyone who comes in to learn their status. I am happy to say that most people we test are negative, although there is still a high number of people who are positive, and those others who do not wish to be tested because they are scared to know. There is a lot of bad stigma about HIV here which is going down as people become more aware of what it is, but it is still a huge issue. They are teaching me some of their native language, Kikisii! Naki okorokwa (what is your name?).
Today we have spent in Kisumu. It is up on the shores of Lake Victoria. We got to see the lake and go into the Impala sanctuary. There were all kinds of animals in there. The man showed us two cheetah, and then took us into the cage to pet them! It was crazy. But they were tame and purred when we pet them. Wow. What an experience!!!
