NEGATIVE! What a positive day!

The tents and chairs were all set up by 8 am ready to receive our ladies for an HIV-AIDS information morning. Gertrude, our excellent speaker, works as a public health educator in this region. Her format was so well done as she engaged the ladies in discussion as she instructed. Many questions were asked and some of the discussion may have caused our eyes to pop open wide. ;)

Throughout the morning we had an extra tent set up with a nurse ready to do HIV testing. This was completely voluntary and at least half of the ladies trickled on over to be tested. We were SO delighted to hear at the end of it all that 19 out of the 19 ladies tested were NEGATIVE!! Praise God!

We finished off the morning with an excellent lunch of Nasi made by the team.  Definitely a different dish for our Kenyan women, but by the looks of the empty pots afterwards, I’d say it was a hit! The team sure enjoyed snuggles with the babies and kiddies that came with their mommies.

The next major positive event we were so thankful for had to do with one of our ladies who has been struggling with an adult son who suffers from severe mental illness. We were able to get some medication for him which seems to have calmed his agitated behaviour. Seeing her thankfulness, relief and excitement certainly made our day.

The afternoon was finished off with more visits to our ladies’ homes as well as shopping for, and packaging school supplies for Christmas gifts. These gifts will be distributed by Everlyne in December. We also put together a food package and baby gift basket for Phyllis and her newborn baby. There was excitement and joy in this home as they received this much needed food, baby supplies and a little gift for each child. Looking at this family, the needs can seem so overwhelming. We shared scripture and prayer, together trusting in God. 

Lots and lots of love from us. MA

And a repeat invitation for all members of our families (you know who you are) to please post messages to us on the blog as we are on the back side of the trip and are missing home.