Everyday Moments

It’s hard to put into words all that our days here at Tenwek and in Africa hold; the sights, the sounds, the people, the small and sacred routines. Capturing simple moments of our life has always been a passion of mine (this is Kim), so for now I will mostly let some recent photos do the talking.

We’re soaking in the rhythms of life here; the beauty, the learning, the moments that make us pause with gratitude. I’m still finding my own words for all this experience means to me, but I’m deeply thankful for the chance to be living it.

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Photos clockwise from upper left: It’s not uncommon to need to make your way around grazing cows, donkeys, or sheep as you walk around Tenwek Station. Maisy working on her new skill: wall climbing. Maisy also relaxing under the shade of our paw-paw tree. Family movie night is cozy and wonderful.

Photos clockwise from upper left: Our paw-paw (papaya) tree makes hearts in the bark as it grows. A floral arrangement a la Sam. Murph + Mais pose for a photo op in front of the iconic Tenwek Hospital sign. Friday afternoon gym class during a rare and blessed sunny afternoon - a baseball game!

Photos clockwise from upper left: Sam and his buddy, V, steal my phone for a selfie. I loved this “We Repair Broken Hearts” semi truck we came across on a highway NW of Nairobi. Our sweet friend, T, who bravely recovered from a successful surgery to remove a brain tumor loved our visits…but not as much as we loved visiting her! A rare snuggle with Sam: precious moment.

A few weekends ago we had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha, about 3+ hours from Tenwek. The small island is a wildlife sanctuary, home to freely roaming giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, and hippos! It felt like a bucket-list destination to me; walking amongst the wildlife with views of the lake and nearby mountains. What a gift.

While at Crescent Island, we explored Hell’s Gate National Park. These photos are from the Ol Njorowa Gorge hike that the kids said was one of their favorite things we’ve done so far in Kenya! The steep, winding canyons have been shaped by water and geothermal activity. You see steam rising from natural vents and hot springs, a visible sign of the intense underground heat. This geothermal energy is harnessed nearby at the Olkaria power stations, which help produce a significant portion of Kenya’s electricity.

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Our dear friend, Tracy, celebrated her 4th birthday recently! We were so grateful to be a part of the celebration. There were prayers of deep gratitude and continued healing for this little girl, heartfelt speeches by family members, friends and her medical team, lively music, and of course…CAKE!

Above I wanted to share a video of one of the most joyful and beloved part of any Kenyan celebration; whether a birthday, wedding, or graduation - the cake cutting song! This is a communal moment of blessing and celebration; full of warmth, laughter, and thanksgiving for Tracy. Everyone crowds around the guest of honor, cheers them on and sings together: “Kata keki, kata keki, kata keki sasa!” - (Cut the cake, cut the cake, cut the cake now!). The joy in that room that afternoon was contagious and a beautiful reminder of what it means to live life together.

Sweet Tracy is continuing to recover and doing well. Her strength is extraordinary. We thank God for her aunties and uncle who are a constant presence of love and for the medical team that cares so deeply for her. She will need another skin grafting surgery in the near future. Please continue to keep this miraculous little girl in your prayers.

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Anesthesia Machine Update! We are filled with gratitude and thrilled to share that we met our goal of raising $20,000 to purchase 2 new anesthesia machines for the main Tenwek Hospital! Thanks to your great generosity, we are now completing the necessary paperwork and preparations to bring these vital machines to Tenwek, where they will help ensure safe surgeries for countless patients. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, prayers, and encouragement. This milestone is a true reflection of what can happen when a community comes together to care for others. Stay tuned for another update when the machines arrive!

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The past nearly 3 months have been a season of wonder, growing, stretching, joy, and sometimes quiet, tearful surrender. Some days feel full and overflowing; others are slow and simple. But through it all, I keep coming back to gratitude; for the chance to be here, to grow together, and to see God’s goodness in unexpected places.

With love, Kim & the crew

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1