Finally on our way!
January 20, 2008
Well, we are finally on our way! We are on a KLM flight mid-way between Amsterdam and Nairobi. I’m watching a beautiful sunset over the continent of Africa as I type this note. The unrest in Kenya quieted down enough for us to have a window of opportunity to travel. Even as we make the last leg of our flight to Nairobi, the plane is only 30% full—a clear reminder of the toll the unrest has taken on foreign tourism. We will be in Nairobi two days and then we will load our family and all our bags and supplies into two small Cessna airplanes four a 140 mile trip into western Kenya. We will be working in a 300 bed mission hospital that was founded in the 1950’s and is run by several mission organizations (African Inland Mission, World Gospel Mission among others). We will be working alongside several full-time missionary doctors/surgeons. The plan is for us to work with them two weeks and then several of us short term doctors give them a two week “break” to travel to attend a conference for continuing medical education. Jenn will continue to home school the kids during the morning. In the afternoons they will hike, go to the local village, and work in the pediatric wards, perhaps even an orphanage. Most of you know that Jenn is a registered nurse. I hope to get her back in the OR with me.
We will live on the hospital grounds in a guest cottage within walking distance of the hospital. The children are excited because there will be 8-10 other missionary children at the hospital/compound during our stay. This should supply lots of social interaction after they have done their school work.
Pray for our safe passage through Nairobi and on to western Kenya. Pray for our continued good health. Pray that my skills in surgery would return to me quickly. Pray that we will be a blessing and encouragement to all the missionaries. Pray that we will have lots of opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out to a world in need.
We will stay in touch.
Paul and Jennifer
P.S. Many thanks to Duncan Dodds and Jeana Lawrence for the help with the web site. We really appreciate your time and expertise.
Hey guys i miss ya’ll sooooooooooooooooooooooo much. I hope you are having fun.
P. S. If you can please write me back thanks.
That is so funny about Jackson! Thanks for putting a smile on my face. Olivia, we missed you today during praise and worship. We can’t wait for you to return. I’m sure you’ll have lots to tell us. We are praying for your safety! I love guys so much! I thank God for you all the time!
With love,
Jennifer
Hello Dr. Paul, etal….so glad that you have arrived safely. We will continue to lift you and the family up in prayer as you continue your journey. God will use all of you in a mighty way. I believe not only will your natural abilities and skills return, but even a new supernatural anointing for healings. God bless you and the family.
Love,
Chantel
Dr. Paul and Jennifer, Your safe arrival caused joy to rise up in me. Joy that comes from knowing you were sent with the help of the Holy Spirit to perform what you are called to do. These experiences will be precious to you and your family in the days to come. Mike and I will be praying for your stay to be fruitful and life changing for so many who will benefit because love sent you.
Hey guys did the flight seem like forever?
It is awesome to hear the passion in you words. We love and appreciate what you all are doing; we’d love to be there with you. We look forward to hearing about all the Lord has planned for you all this trip.
Goo Jen goooo… Girl you can make it to the OR. Once a nurse always a nurse!!!!!! Lets hear it for christian nurses! Wheeew Whoooo…… Have a safe trip and may every one you guys come in contact with see Jesus and never be the same.
Are ya’ll havinn fun.
JENI, PAUL & CHILDREN,
AUNT TOMMIE WANTS ME TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE IN OUR DAILY
PRAYERS. WE ARE SO BLESSED BY YOUR UPDATES AND THANKFUL TO
KNOW YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL.. YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS.
WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. AUNT TOMMIE ALSO WANTS TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST HAS YOU ON THE PRAYER CHAIN AND THAT BETWEEN 90 & 100 PEOPLE WILL BE PRAYING FOR TRAVELING AND DAILY SAFETY.
We are inspired by your family. There’s an excitement and urgency to pray for those your family is reaching out to as well as you & your family. We are in awe of how God works… and so happy to see how God is the starter and finisher of our destiny in this life….
Missed the girls in Extreme kids – their smiling faces – you all are loved and covered in prayer.