LLU SIMS - Africa (Outlook 1998)

Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

An African journal

by Yolanda Gurrola, Lian Ishikawa, Jennifer Quandt, and Jennie Ross-Baptist, School of Nursing

Senior LLU nursing students Jennifer Quandt (far left), Jennie Ross-Baptist (fourth from left), Yolanda Gurrola (fourth from right), and Lian Ishikawa (second from right) share a meal with Kenyan nursing students.

August 14, 1997 After 72 hours travel time, we arrived in Africa. I can't believe I'm here·it's a dream! When we got off the plane in Nairobi, it was like I stepped into a National Geographic magazine. I know it sounds funny, but it isamazing. As we were driving out of the airport, Yolanda yelled "Giraffe!" Sure enough, to the right of us off the side of the road was a giraffe in the distance. "Welcome to Kenya folks!" --Jennie

August 14, 1997 As we arrived on the campus of Kendu Bay Adventist Hospital (KAH) and Nursing School, we were surrounded by smiling faces and hugs. "Karibu!" "Karibu!" (Welcome. Please feel at home!) We feasted on kettle popcorn and the best peanuts we ever tasted! In the morning, Sister Tamari, the matron, gave us a tour of the hospital. A male, female, pediatric and OB ward, along with two operating rooms comprise this missionary hospital, six hours from Nairobi, deep in the bush.

Jennifer Quandt (left), a nursing student at LLU, poses in the male ward of the Kendu Bay Adventist Hospital with Mrs. Santos, a charge nurse and missionary from the Philippines.

Military-style cots line the crowded halls as sparkling white-clad nurses minister to the 200-plus patients. Nearly 90 percent of the hospital patients have AIDS and malaria strikes every month. Through necessity, needles are boiled and reused along with "sterile" gloves and gauze in surgery. Their attitude is to minister to every patient who walks through their doors, to do their best, and leave the rest to God. --Lian

August 20, 1997 We start the morning in the male ward at 0730 by taking report from the night shift. While we are taking report, the pastor of the church comes and gives a small Bible lesson which usually lasts 20 minutes. As soon as he's finished the entire staff of nurses, students and housekeeping sing two songs in Kiswahili and pray for the patients. During the day, I was surprised to hear old Christian hymns played over the hospital's PA system. The words were in a different language, but the melody and meaning were the same and brought a soothing, calming presence over the entire hospital. --Jennifer

August 21, 1997 The one thing that I can't seem to get out of my head is bed 33 in the female ward: Carren, a 24-year-old girl. At one time I'm sure she smiled and laughed with great joy, but now her once-strong body and soul are just lying there in bed becoming weaker and more frail by the minute. She no longer breathes normally--she just gasps and moans for air. She carries one of the most deadly viruses known--AIDS. Why her? --Yolanda

August 25, 1997 My tree of life experience on the best Sabbath of my life! Sabbath School was on the breezy veranda of the hospital. Each student carried their own Bible and hymnal since there are few to go around. I recognized the gold lettering of my home church on one hymnal and realized that the books we send to the missionaries are put to good use! --Lian

Senior School of Nursing students (from left), Jennie Ross-Baptist, Lian Ishikawa, Yolanda Gurrola, and Jennifer Quandt take a moment to pose for a portrait in front of Kendu Bay Adventist Hospital.

August 26, 1997 I am now feeling more comfortable with the daily routine of the female ward. Today I decided to do something new·exercise·a new concept to Kenyan women. I started an exercise routine with a 20-year-old girl with partial paralysis in her right arm. While I was working with her, l could feel many eyes on me. I looked up and those who were around me were mimicking what I was doing. I laughed and they laughed. So then I started the exercise program with all the ladies. First the upper body, then the lower. I couldn't believe it! We were all participating and having a great time even though we didn't speak the same language. A smile and laughter means the same thing in any language! --Yolanda

August 27, 1997 I worked on the pediatric ward today. There is a little baby boy on the ward sick with malaria and severe dehydration and anemia because of it. He needed some blood so the mother went out to the village to see if anyone would donate (they don't have blood banks in Kenya). When I heard that the child needed blood, I offered to give mine because I'm a universal donor. They couldn't believe I offered, but were very grateful and whisked me off to the lab to screen my blood. I laid down and they took a pint of blood. No sooner was the blood out of my vein than a nurse rushed the blood over to the boy and started the infusion. I hope and pray the boy lives! (I later found out he passed away.) --Jennie

August 28, 1997 D-Day! Malaria strikes! I was excited when I found out I had it. Pretty crazy, but it added to our adventure! I don't feel too bad yet· --Lian

August 29, 1997 I don't like malaria any more. --Lian

August 31, 1997 Talk about culture shock. They asked us what typical food in America is. We stared blankly at each other and finally came up with fast food. Try explaining that one! Mercy and Dolphine came over today and were fascinated by our bottles of hair spray, gel, conditioner, etc. Trying to explain their "important" use in our lives made us realize how insignificant they really are. --Jennifer

September 3, 1997 The average nurse makes Ksh $4,200 a month, less than $60 U.S. dollars. Our small can of Skippy peanut butter was Ksh $256--a day's pay! --Lian

September 7, 1997 Potluck under the big "heavenly" tree was the big treat on Sabbath. We had a wonderful time trying the African food, the Filipino food made by the Santos' and the De La Cruz's, and our own wonderful made-up Americanized food. I loved being there with our new family. It felt as though we were in heaven gathered by the tree of life. --Yolanda

September 18, 1997 I can't believe that our time here is almost over. The time passed by so fast. This has been the most incredible experience of my life. I have learned so much and met some of the most wonderful people in the world. I have experienced God's love in so many ways. I will never forget KAH. --Jennie

September 19, 1997 There are so many things I will miss about Kendu--the scent of plumeria wafting across the corridors of the hospital, having worship at the Santos' house, hearing Dr. Abner's motorcycle rumble past our house automatically informing us of an impending surgery, roosters waking us up at dawn, the groans of the girls as the lights went out every night at 10:30 p.m., the bubbling sound of water boiling for our baths, the surprise of coming home from work to find freshly baked bread a friend had sent over, the nights spent sitting outside the church because it was too crowded inside. Thank you, Lord, for showing Your love to us in these and so many other ways during our stay here. --Jennifer

September 20, 1997 We sobbed and cried until we had no more tears. How could we leave our Kendu family behind? We had grown closer to them than we have with friends we've known for years! I took a deep breath. Peace flooded my soul. God, who took care of my friends and I will surely watch over His children here. Peace, trust, united as children of one awesome Heavenly Father! Asante Jesus! (Thank you!) My life will never be the same. --Lian

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