Last day at Tenwek

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    Hard to believe that Friday was my last day at Tenwek.  As always I am humbled by the awesome work of God going on in this place.  Even though Tenwek is in a season of sifting it is still a place where God’s presence is tangible.  It is a place where the one and only God is worshiped and glorified.  The full time missionaries are really leaning on the short timers who come to fill in.  There are many long-term missionaries on furlough and away seeking God as to whether they are to return.  It seems that a turn over is occurring.  They are growing here and in the busyness of the season it maybe that they have found themselves in a test.  I certainly could feel the tension and struggles.  But we brought encouragement and more hands to do the work.  Today was a call to prayer and repentance in the hospital chapel area.  There was standing room only as the staff and physicians cried out to the Lord for mercy.  His peace was palpable.  This great place is transitioning and I know God will complete the work He has begun.  The Kenyan administration is committed to growing the ENT service.  I have been given the go ahead to ship equipment for 2 ENT rooms including chairs and 2 SMR units that hold our much needed instruments.  This will help me to recruit further ENT physicians to Tenwek.  As I leave, I am encouraged that the door remains wide open for us to return and continue to work toward providing ENT service to this rural area in Kenya and the surrounding regions.

Pediatric ward with child with cow horn injury
I will leave you with this last little patient story from Friday.  A young girl (around age 10) was admitted last night.  She was gourd by a cow sustaining a large laceration to her lower leg.  She was taken urgently to the OR for debridement and washout of the wound.  There was significant infection and dead tissue that needed to be cleared.  On rounds she remained febrile and we discussed the microbacterial flora of the cow horn.  Studies have shown multiple bacteria including gram positive, negative and anaerobic bacteria necessitating broad-spectrum coverage.  I got such a kick out of our discussion.  Certainly cow horn injuries are not a common issue in the US.


Leaving Tenwk on Friday
I leave Tenwek broken hearted again.  But I know we will be back.  We are off to the Masaii Mara for some much needed rest.  Please pray for our return to the states. Everything in Nairobi is at a stand still this weekend because of Obama’s visit.  By God’s grace we are leaving Monday so hopefully things will be sorted out by then.

Sunrise on the Mara

Thank you again for all your prayers,


Chase and family

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