tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76710295352498925042024-03-14T10:48:36.401+03:00Christina's BlogA chronicle of the
Lord's work in me
and in Kapsowar, KenyaChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-19538165461936091332013-10-05T17:21:00.001+03:002013-10-05T17:21:19.656+03:00Precious Lives Rescued
About 3 weeks ago, when I got to the hospital in the morning, everyone was talking about the "unknown baby" that had arrived overnight and was admitted to our NICU. No one knew exactly what had happened, but from what they could piece together, a premature baby boy had been born at another facility and it appeared he had been admitted there. He had marks from an old IV site.  Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-46697482360925018812013-09-28T16:38:00.006+03:002013-09-28T16:38:59.952+03:00Jepotibin!Last weekend this was a welcome sound to my ears. I pulled into Lodengo for the first time in just over 2 years to many people welcoming me back with my Pokot name. Jepotibin literally means "lover of women", but I was given this name because of the care that I helped to provide to many women who previously did not have access to medical care.
Many of you know the story of how I got Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-67150296723103890352013-09-16T21:47:00.001+03:002013-09-16T21:47:19.257+03:00Karibu tena!!!Karibu tena!! Welcome back! This is a greeting that I have heard many, many times in the last few days. After arriving safely in Nairobi on September 5th and then spending a few days getting some things done there (and picking up a visiting OB/GYN resident from St. Vincent's, Gretchen Stiefel), I arrived back home in Kapsowar one week ago today.
I was so blessed to have Kyle Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-78947141131112337082011-06-12T10:43:00.034+03:002011-06-12T10:43:00.387+03:00Awaiting Baby AriellaThe Jones family are awaiting a new addition - Baby Ariella. After several scans, we are pretty certain this one's a girl, and Hudson and Jude chose the name Ariella, a beautiful name. Needless to say, we're all pretty excited and have seized the opportunity to throw a party :)
Last weekend, with the help of Kyle's sister who was visiting and 2 very special visitors from World MedicalChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-40029454445605349532011-06-11T10:42:00.000+03:002011-06-11T10:42:20.850+03:00A Good DayYesterday was a good day. Sometimes it feels like I see so much heartache that when I have a day like yesterday, it is very refreshing and makes me remember why I love being here and serving the women of this community.
First thing in the morning, a woman came in laboring. I saw that she had had a C-section with her first baby and the baby had died. I also noticed that she was Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-50399110754197349552011-05-20T09:14:00.000+03:002011-05-20T09:14:05.411+03:00He works in SPITE of meOn Mother's Day, I had the opportunity to speak in the church service that takes place each week in the chapel at the hospital. It is mostly attended by patients in the hospital and their families, but occasionally some of the missionaries go there as well. I have to be honest - I wasn't real excited about doing it. I don't feel like I'm qualified to be preaching and wasn't Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-10974057948890807842011-05-06T19:36:00.000+03:002011-05-06T19:36:14.921+03:00Easter FunThis year for Easter, we decided to have a big turkey feast. You see, turkey is a rare commodity around here and since we had seen some frozen ones recently in Eldoret, we decided that it would make a good centerpiece for our Easter dinner. So, a couple of weeks before Easter, as I was headed back from Nairobi, I stopped in Eldoret to get our turkey. There were 2 - both a littleChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-20741776313590997122011-05-02T09:23:00.002+03:002011-05-02T13:11:04.343+03:00ReflectionsAs most of you know, I will be leaving Kenya on June 24th to return to the States for 1 1/2 to 2 years. This is in order to finish the application process with a long-term sending agency, raise full-time support to return here, and collect my cases for and take (and hopefully pass!) my oral boards that would then make me fully board-certified. I am looking forward to returning home Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-58409298066990426602011-04-22T13:39:00.000+03:002011-04-22T13:39:03.275+03:00A Life-Giving GiftGreetings on this Good Friday. I pray that all of you join me today in remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for us in order to give us life. On this day that we remember the ultimate life-giving gift,
I would like to tell you about an exciting opportunity to provide the life-giving gift of water.
As most of you know, we have been serving the Pokot people in Lodengo through Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-62309435313921051462011-04-21T22:19:00.000+03:002011-04-21T22:19:04.036+03:00Deliveries with a purposeThis past weekend, we headed to Lodengo (in Pokot) again for another clinic and time of encouragement with the people there. Our times there, while at times difficult (it's very hot, there are a lot of flies, and sleeping is never a good experience) have been some of my best times here. The people are such an inspiration to me - they persevere in spite of very difficult circumstances,Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-62424671276652576582011-04-07T23:07:00.001+03:002011-04-07T23:08:22.995+03:00Karibu Kipchumba! (Welcome Kipchumba)Yesterday a very special baby was born at our hospital. In Marakwet culture, a child is given a tribal name which is based on the circumstances of their birth. There are names for babies born when it's raining, born at night, born in the morning, born at the times when the goats come home, etc. Boys' names start with "Kip" and girls' names start with "Jep" or "Chep". "Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-591405884133918352011-03-23T13:06:00.001+03:002011-03-23T13:08:05.731+03:00Kapsowar Hospital ConstructionChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-76261923580133584542011-02-20T15:20:00.000+03:002011-02-20T15:20:13.026+03:00A New Nursery and a Tiny MiracleWell, it finally happened. Our new nursery is finally open! Thank you to all of you who donated funds to make this a reality. We went from a tiny closet for our premature and sick infants to a new, warm, welcoming and much larger Newborn Unit. I have already noticed that the moms are spending more time with their babies and the nurses are present much more often. We Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-11593328108156541992011-02-19T13:48:00.000+03:002011-02-19T13:48:46.100+03:00Christmas - in February?So, I know it's nearing the end of February, but I figured I should blog about Christmas. It was, afterall, my second Christmas here in Kapsowar. It wasn't so hard being away from home this year - although I did miss my family, of course. I think this was because my mom, sister, and Carson had just been here, and because this is starting to feel more and more like home.
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-36424138303081107442011-02-05T13:53:00.000+03:002011-02-05T13:53:41.545+03:00Family Visit Part 3 - Safari!Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I would take 3 safari's in one year. But, how can I have my family come all this way, to one of the best places in the world for big game safari, and not take them? Also, April would have killed me if we wouldn't have gone, since she's a huge animal lover.
We went back to Mara Safari Club, which is now my favorite place to go for Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-48283041903265971722011-01-05T19:35:00.002+03:002011-01-05T20:12:42.649+03:00Family Visit Part 2 - Visiting Kenyan HomesWhile my family was here, we received many dinner invitations to various homes. Kenyans are very hospitable and everyone wanted to meet my family. We only had time for 2, but they were fun.
My house helper and friend, Ednah, was our first visit. She had been promising for a long time to teach me how to milk a cow, so we decided this would be a good time for that and make a greatChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-68603427546049644452010-12-19T17:13:00.000+03:002010-12-19T17:13:51.119+03:00Family Visit - Part 1Ok, so you can now stop emailing me about the blog drought. Things have been busy, but it's no excuse.
The biggest thing that has happened since my last blog was my family's visit. My mom (Cathie), sister (April) and nephew (Carson) flew in on Nov. 21st and stayed through Thanksgiving. It was such a blessing to have them here for the holiday. More than that, though, I wasChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-76922395918965146092010-12-19T16:30:00.000+03:002010-12-19T16:30:40.169+03:00Online givingIt is now easier than ever to support the work going on here at Kapsowar. Samaritan's Purse now has an online giving option.
Just go to www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/giving/wmm_doctors/ and follow the directions.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate those of you who financially support me and the work to improve women's health care here in Kapsowar. I hope this helps make itChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-59643135708073951252010-11-11T20:20:00.000+03:002010-11-11T20:20:47.566+03:00Recent Happenings and Lessons LearnedTime is flying here. It's so hard to believe that it has been nearly 15 months since I arrived in Kapsowar. Each day is full of sometimes routine and sometimes out of the ordinary (and challenging) patients. However, God's grace is sufficient and thankfully His wisdom is much more than my own. Thank you to all of you who are praying for strength, wisdom and compassion.&Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-77137339569325173092010-10-27T18:42:00.001+03:002010-10-27T18:46:13.392+03:00Another Birthday in KapsowarYesterday, for the 3rd year in a row, I celebrated a birthday in Kapsowar. In 2008, I came to Kapsowar for a visit, knowing that I might be coming here for 2 years with World Medical Mission's Post-Residency Program. That year, I celebrated a milestone birthday with the Kenyan medical students that were here at the time. I enjoyed the fact that it was very low-key. Last Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-26149346933976830182010-10-23T19:01:00.000+03:002010-10-23T19:01:06.569+03:00A Beach Retreat
Pictured above are all of the Samaritan's Purse Post-Residents that are in Kenya currently along with families. This was the first time we have all been together in one place and what a joy it was! We gathered in Nairobi on Oct. 2nd to have lunch together - I think it took about 15 pizzas! We enjoyed hanging out, sharing stories, and encouraging one another. If anyone hadChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-79531806045813094382010-10-19T19:37:00.002+03:002010-10-19T21:16:13.437+03:00A Little Blood Goes a Long Way(WARNING - This is a long, but important, post)I recently had an experience that left me convinced, more than ever, of the importance of donating blood. We all hear that it's life-saving, but maybe you've never heard just how life-saving it could be. So, let me share with you how just a few pints of blood can not only save a life, but save 8 children from growing up without a mother."B" came toChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-82932049540284958732010-10-17T18:01:00.006+03:002010-10-17T22:50:53.474+03:00The Baby WhispererThe second weekend of September we headed back to Pokot for our 2nd official outreach clinic. We were excited to go as the first trip had been such a blessing. Remember how I said last time I would need a valium for the trip? Well, that wasn't an option this time as I put my car to the test and drove to Pokot! More details to come when I get some of the pictures, but let's just say that my Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-41325677874285955372010-09-26T19:38:00.008+03:002010-09-27T13:21:38.283+03:00Fun TimesBeing so far away from my family and friends back home, it's nice that those here on the mission station have become like a second family to me. Here are some pics of some of the fun things we do.Jude helping me make chocolate chip cookiesProudly displaying his batterIsaac crawling over for a visitHudson helping me pick lemons from my lemon tree - not sure what Jude is doingGetting ready for a Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671029535249892504.post-12818287625556692412010-09-09T10:41:00.002+03:002010-09-09T11:02:45.141+03:00A little Faith and a big miracleB is a very sweet 21 year old lady who presented to Kapsowar Hospital when she was 33 weeks pregnant. She was complaining of abdominal and joint pains, headache, and fevers. While this might not sound like anything familiar to those in the West, here those are the classic symptoms of malaria. B is from Kapsowar and malaria is not actually common here because we sit at 7500 feet altitude. I Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116078956858394990noreply@blogger.com1