Day 4 in Kenya - Valerye McMillan High School - Majaoni

Today the team got back to work and was able to spend time with the high schoolers. We enjoyed the time we had getting to know them a bit, and helping them with their medical issues.  

Sue and Debbie also did a health education topic related to female growth and development, followed by Dr. Jane teaching about preventing HIV and STI's.  

Roger spoke with the boys about male growth and development, followed by Dr Wara and Dr Stanley spoke to the boys about prevention of HIV and STI's  

The students were very receptive to the information and were engaged in the talks. 

The community was also seen in the clinic today. Over 350 people were provided with medical care.  

Those of us who were on the 2014 medical trip were so happy to have Dr Beverly with us again! 

Joe, new to the medical team, was a great help. He was always willing to do anything asked of him to help the flow of the clinic. Definitely operating with a servant's heart. Very thankful to have him on this team!

The team really enjoyed the day, and loved meeting the high schoolers. We recognized some familiar faces from the previous medical trips when they were in the elementary schools. As we wrapped up our 2nd to last day, I think we all are surprised and sad that we are almost done here. Our last day will be tomorrow in Bomani. I know we will all be wishing for a little more time here in Kenya. 

Day 3 in Kenya - out and about

Today the medical team enjoyed an extra hour of sleep and then off for a busy day of shopping, lunch and a tour.  

Our first stop was a school for children with disabilities. We went there to visit Hanzie, a former student at Crossroads Academy in Vipingo. He was transferred here last year in order to receive more appropriate education and care. 

Hanzie with Chris and Katie. 

First time I met Hanzie, 2010. 

Pastor John from Vipingo

Hanzie remembered Roger

Patrick the Principal was kind enough to give us a tour

Hanzie's teacher 

Making friends as we take a look around  

Some of the children are in a vocational training program where they are taught to make things for resale. We did some of our souvenir shopping here.  

Dorms where the children stay. 

This class room was for people with hearing and sight impairments. 

This was an eye-opening experience that we all felt grateful to have been witness to. We left there feeling happy to have met some really special people, and with the knowledge that Hanzie is in really good hands. But also with a heavy heart because we want to do so much more.

We also did some souvenir shopping and got to pick out some great Kenyan gifts for our loved ones and people who donated toward the trip expense. we appreciate the hard work and craftsmanship that goes into these items. 

Bag one of Chris and Katie's bag-o-gifts from the wood carvers shop

Girl Guides in Shanzu, a transitional workshop for ladies with disabilities.  

We had a great day in the Mombasa area and very much look forward to getting back to work tomorrow. 

Medical Day 2 - Crossroads Academy in Vipingo

Day 2 for the medical team was another great day, seeing over 470 patients. The medical conditions were similar to day 1. Again we were so happy to have a few more Kenyan medical professionals work beside us. We open our minds to receive valuable clinical information from them, as they are the experts in their country. 

Dr. Stanley

Katie & Chris, second year on the medical team. A great pharmacist and an amazing couple to be around! Mark & Bev, our wonderful pastor couple who we have been very happy to have on the medical team each year. (Mark is a little sad that he isn't applying fungistat this year)

The pharmacy is not so busy again on day 2, I think thats a great sign the kids are getting healthier each year. 

Roger.... what can I say.... he's been a great part of the team for years and we appreciate him so much! 

Andrea, certainly a wonderful addition to the medical team this year! Grateful! 

We've been blessed several years having Dr. Ellen join us, she teaches us so much and has a very kind and humble heart  

Laura, another great addition to the team this year! She and her daughter Abby have been so great at getting everyone through the registration area and Laura brushed up on her manual blood pressures! 

Lisa, such a kind-hearted new addition to the team. She is so fortunate to have been able to share this mission trip experience with her son Adam (below).

Adam took charge and rocked the height/weight station! (As well as entertaining the children). It has been such a pleasure getting to know Adam & Lisa! 

Medical Day 1 - Good News Academy in Majaoni

The team was ready early for a full day of medical work. We began our day arriving in Majaoni at 8:00am. 

We were greeted very kindly by old friends and new faces. Since we had so many practitioners seeing patients (7 US, 5 Kenyan), we were able to see over 450 patients today. The main health issues seen today were pretty standard, having seen them each year during these medical camps. The conditions include respiratory illnesses, lower GI, fungal skin infections, dehydration, hip & back pain, and headaches. Everyone worked so hard to provide quality care in our basic medical camp we set up at the school. The practitioners worked so well together, consulting with each other, teaching one another, and providing encouragement and laughter throughout the day.  

The pharmacy was managed well by Katie and a few Kenyan pharmacy professionals. As you can see, there was was actually downtime this year. We are not used to that, as the pharmacy is usually the busiest place to be!   

Medical Team Arrival in Kenya

The rest of the medical team arrived in Mombasa early this morning. They checked into the hotel and were able to get a couple hours of rest before we started our day with church at Crossroads Fellowship, as a full team. Following service we had fellowship and a traditional Kenyan lunch with our Kenyan partners. We spent time getting to know the doctors, clinical officers, pharmacists, and interpreters from our Kenyan team. We are very excited to serve alongside them beginning tomorrow in Majaoni. Without them, we know we wouldn't be able to do all that God has in mind for us.  

Following the luncheon we headed back to the hotel for some rest and then off to Nakumatt for supplies. We wrapped up the afternoon sorting through our supply suitcases and getting organized for tomorrow. The exhausted team had some dinner and then turned in for the night. We will all be fresh and ready to tend to hundreds of people tomorrow who are in need of basic health care, dental care and reading glasses. We are ready to get to work!

Pastor Mark talking to the medical team about humbly serving, tied into Pastor Jim's message during service today. 

There they go

It's a beautiful day to send off our Medical team!

They are officially on the way!  They pulled out of Fox River at 4:40 and they will take off from O'Hare around 9:30pm tonight!

Will you pray them there with us?  

Specifics...

• Luggage
• Customs
• Flight Connection
• Health
• Rest
• Jetlag

We are excited to see what God does through these people and their gifts as this week unfolds!  

Follow along this week here on the blog, Facebook, and instagram!! 

Kenya Medical Trip

On Friday, the Fox River Medical Team will be heading to Kenya, Africa. Next week they will hold medical clinics in 3 different communities. Our sister church, Crossroads Fellowship, will provide medical professionals and translators to round out the team.

Their activities include:

• Physical examinations & check ups for over 1200 school children
• Medical clinic time for people in the community
• Dispensing medications as needed
• Health education for school children, new mothers and those in the community
• Training in CPR and basic first aid
• Vision screening
• Hearing screening
• Dental check ups and work as needed

Prayer for the team as they are commissioned to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Kenya.

Rosie and Sue as they depart for Kenya.

On Wednesday, Rosie (Medical Mission Team Leader) and Sue (one of the medical team) went ahead of the team to prepare for their arrival on Sunday morning.

The team departs from Fox River at 4pm on Friday and will return on Saturday, February 25.

Will you join us in praying for this team?

• Safe travels
• Good health
• Compassion
• Wisdom to discern medical conditions and how to treat them
• Love - as they share God's love with all they serve

Introducing baby, Jonathan!!!

We are so excited to introduce a very sweet new addition to our Nica family!  On January 19th, 2017 Pastor Denis and his wife Karen welcomed their son, Jonathan! 

Kerri is in Nicaragua now and was willing to share with us some background and how this sweet boy has quite the story at only 2 weeks old...

"I am so excited and honored to introduce you to, Jonathan!  Jonathan is the new son of Pastor Denis and Karen who live in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua.

I would like to tell you a little bit of their story. Denis and Karen have struggled with pregnancy issues for years, because of some health reasons. They have gone through many ups and downs as they have tried to fulfill the desire they believed God gave them to have a child of their own. In July of 2016 they found out they were pregnant, which was nothing short of a miracle! As the months went on Karen was in and out of the hospital almost every week and she ended up on bed rest very early in her pregnancy. I can tell you that Jonathan was probably one of the most prayed for babies in the world, because so many people dreamed this for them and hoped with them!

Two weeks ago we found out they were headed to the hospital because Karen was not doing well. She made it to the hospital. The doctors said that she needed to be on complete bed rest in the hospital so they could keep a close eye on her and baby. Karen couldn’t even be in a sitting position, they were trying to keep the little guy in as long as possible. After two days of being in the hospital, we got a phone call saying she was going in to have an emergency C-section. At this point all we knew was that she wasn't doing well and that Jonathan's lungs 'probably' weren't fully developed, but he had decided he didn't want to wait any longer.  So, we called everyone we knew and asked them to begin praying, we had no idea what would happen and didn’t know how this would affect the baby and Karen. He wasn’t due until early March so Jonathan was coming very early and Karen's body was doing everything it could to keep him healthy. We found out in what seemed like decades later (but in reality it was just a few hours) that the baby was doing well, better than they had thought he would be (breathing on his own), and that Karen was safe in recovery. Praise God! Fast forward a couple days... they got to take this precious HEALTHY baby of theirs home.

I got to go meet Jonathan once he got home. He is beautiful. As I sat there and watched him sleep I just fell in love with this tiny human. I don’t know how babies do that to people, but they do!  It doesn’t seem to make much sense, their simple existence is enough to make you love them. Not only did I get to see this little miracle, I got to see his parents and listen to them as they talked about how he is doing and how they are doing. They are enthralled! I have never seen a couple in such adoration of their child as they are. It is truly a sight to behold. I have no doubt that Jonathan will grow up in a home that is full of love, a home that is full of Christ, a home that is one that encourages him to be who God made him to be. He is already loved by so many. I have gotten to spend more time with him and his momma since and every hour I spend with him I fall more in love. I cannot wait to watch and be part of his life as he grows up!

I want to thank you for praying for my friends, but most importantly I want share with you their thanks.  While I was visiting with them they asked me to "Thank Fox River for their prayers and support", they are so grateful and know that God heard each prayer, because today they get to hold their sweet Jonathan in their arms!"

Many of you have prayed with us for this sweet family without even knowing exactly why, and we thank you for that!!  Now you know and we can Praise God for the blessing of Jonathan together!! 

Thanks for Praying!!!  Now will you join us in thanking and praising God for the story that Jonathan's life is and will be?

Meet Jon Evans

Jon has just arrived in Kenya to do a 5 month internship in Kenya to complete a missions degree from Trinity International University.  

Jon will be serving in Fox River's sister church, Crossroads Fellowship in Mombasa and in the community of Vipingo where we we have one of our schools. Jon has been to Kenya 3 times and has a great love for the people of Kenya. His passion is working with young people to help them know and love Jesus. Some of the things Jon will be doing:

• Serving in student ministry at Crossroads Fellowship
• Outreach events in Mombasa and Vipingo
• Teen camp in Vipingo during school break in April
• Teaching in the school

Will you join me in praying for Jon as he begins this incredible journey?

Next Steps for Graduates

Last week I had the privilege of being in Kenya to celebrate the graduation of our 62 students who completed grade 8. Compulsory education ends at grade 8. All students take a big national exam that will determine if and where they can attend high school. All high schools are tuition based and most students in the communities that our schools are in are not able to afford to go on to high school. It was our joy to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to what is next for them.

28 Graduates from Crossroads Academy, Vipingo

34 Graduates from New Life Academy, Bomani

One of the fun things we do to celebrate with our graduates is to take them to the mall. For almost all of them, it is a brand new experience. They ride the escalator, look in the shops and learn how to make pizza. 

Many of these precious young people asked me to thank all of you at Fox River for your support and sponsorship through the years. Because of your giving, they have received a great Christian education that has opened amazing doors for their future. Many of the students have sponsors that have generously agreed to sponsor their student through high school so that they can go to our partner Christian high school. They are so grateful! Thank you!!

We are excited about the future for each one of our 62 graduates. Will you pray with me that God will continue to bless them in each step of their journey?