September 3, 2006 - Kijabe, Kenya

     I left Kissi on 8/27 and took a bus to Kijabe – well actually 4 buses. I had a wonderful visit with both Chris and Irene’s families and was also able to meet John’s (Masonic Home) son Darius and his mother. It was a lot of ground to cover in a few days, but I think I met and photographed every living relative. Many thanks to Chris and Irene for all of the travel arrangements and accommodations.

     I am staying at the Kijabe Motel – which by the way, if you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend. For 400 Ksh ($5.50 USD) it can’t be beat. The town of Kijabe is about 1.5 hours east of Nairobi and consists of the hotel, the Rift Valley Academy (a boarding school for missionary kids), the Moffat Bible College, the Kijabe Hospital and a string of small dukas (shops). I have been spending most of my time at the hospital shadowing Dr. Thor Swanson. Pastors Jim and Sandy Rothschiller – who I know from the Prior Lake Waterski Team, introduced me to Dr. Swanson and suggested I visit. Dr. Swanson is an amazing physician, working in nearly every discipline of medicine, but specializing in HIV/AIDS and teaching. He is mentoring several residents – and did I mention he is an ordained Pastor? His wife Karin and their 3 beautiful daughters have been very hospitable and welcoming.

     Kijabe Hospital is a 200-bed Christian facility – and very advanced for the area. I am continually amazed by the staff and level of care – especially for this part of the world. I have been following Dr. Swanson around doing everything including case reviews, clinic examinations, emergency, seminars and inpatient rounds. The clinical experience is amazing – would take years to this much experience in the US – if you could even get the opportunity. The opportunity to do some direct patient care has been incredibly therapeutic. For much of this journey, it feels as though I am just rushing by the world, and it’s good to have the opportunity to sit and hold its hand for a while again. I am a servant, and if not given the opportunity to actually serve on a regular basis – I go into "servant withdrawal" – it’s ugly.

      It’s also been here that I finally experienced "Traveler’s Meltdown". It is brought on by the combination of fatigue and isolation associated with travel, and according to the textbook can be expected anytime between 2 weeks and 3 months. I actually made it to 3 months – so unlike me to be on this end of the curve. Rx – talk about it (like this), rest and serve. Although I have been surrounded by people most of the time, have access to the Internet and even a cell phone – there’s something about not having anyone to really "talk" to that does get to you after a while. It’s inevitable – and if it had to happen, it couldn’t have happened in a better place. I have people to talk to – most of whom are missionaries and have gone through the same thing. I have a good place to rest, and ample opportunities to serve.

     I have made some great contacts here – Pastor Thomas Renner has put me in touch with a mission in Wajir, which is on the Kenya/Somalia border. Hans Peter Ruegg has connected me with refugee camps in Kampala (Uganda) and Southern Sudan. Both are helping to make travel arrangements into these areas. I have also met with SIM (Serving In Mission) and have plans to meet with Samaritan’s Purse – and am praying about what opportunities might exist in these organizations.

     This journey has been filled with amazing spiritual experiences, and Kijabe has been no exception. The town is at an elevation of about 1500 feet and overlooks the Rift Valley. The scenery is breathtaking (photos to follow). I had some time off yesterday afternoon, so decided to take a walk down into the valley and take some pictures. I had not had my camera out of the case since arriving. I found a path leading down and followed it. How hard could it be – follow the path down, follow it back up. I had walked for about 2 hours and taken many pictures. I hadn’t reached the valley yet, but decided I had better start back, so I would be out of the valley before dark. Long story short – I got lost (imagine that – me – lost). I couldn’t find the path going back up and the brush was too tall and dense to get through. I had a general idea of which way I needed to go, and decided that rather than crashing through all of that brush, I would climb the 300-foot cliff instead. I was sure I would reconnect with the path on top of the cliff. Sounded like such a good idea at the time. About halfway up, it wasn’t sounding like such a great idea. The climb was much too steep, the brush was thick and because of the loose rocks, the climb down didn’t look any better. It was getting dark, I was in the middle of no-where, there was not another human within screaming distance, and I am not a young man (being reminded of that more and more). I felt like crying. I had been asking God, as I do most of the day, to show me the way – put me back on the path – and standing there – in my predicament – I felt Him say "Keep going – you can do this – I’m right here." I kept going. I pushed my way through holes in the brush less than a foot in diameter, I would loose my balance and grab onto twigs – that didn’t break. I stepped onto rocks that would hold my weight, but break of when I stepped to the next ledge. I made it to the top. Winded, sore, tired, scraped and bruised – but very much in one piece. Within 50 feet of reaching the top, I was back on the path – I felt the voice again "See, you did it I told you that you could do it." Within an hour I could see the lights from town, just as darkness fell.

     This really happened – and was a great testimony to trusting that voice. A year ago, I think I would have died on that cliff – I would have given up. It gave me cause to look back at how many times in this journey – in my life – I have stood on that ledge and said "I can’t do this God, I’m not the right man, I’m not strong enough, not smart enough – this hurts! I can’t do it!" and He says "I chose you – keep going – I’m right here."

     When you find yourself on that ledge - just ask – and trust – and He will put you back on the path.

     The most amazing part of this journey has been my walk with Jesus – and the constant sight and experience of His Word coming to life.

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalms 50:15

Have a really God day –

SHINE!