Hi all

This will likely be our last blog update until we get home to Canada.
As I type this in the background are the sounds of throwing up…..something we have been spared of thus far but unfortunately has caught up with us.

Robyn was sick Thurs night, Timothy on Friday night and me on Sunday night. Tonight (Tues) it is back to Timothy and now Lynne isn't doing to great. I am now being blamed for giving them medicine which has made them worse…I should have listened to the rule "never treat your own family".
We are not sure if it is viral or from the water, so have pulled out the water purification drops to add to the ultraviolet sterilization and the ceramic filtration.

Not a fun few days.

We are winding up our time here- gradually starting to pack and make plans. Mom and Dad surprised us about 4 days ago by asking if they could join us for our holiday in Lamu (we have 10 days there- about 6 hrs north of Mombasa, on the east coast).

We are very excited by this and look forward to this time together.

I am trying to think what I will remember about Kapsowar:

The beautiful scenery as I walk the 5 minutes to the hospital every morning, the lovely weather (sunny all day and then a quick rainstorm in the early evening), challenging medical diagnoses- I have had to read around cases almost every day here, the friendly locals, the anesthetist chasing flies with a fly swatter in the operating room (despite this we have a much lower post op infection rate than in Canada!!), the young boy with an ileostomy using a makeshift black plastic bag (the hospital ran out of ostomy bags), riding in a matatu (local taxi- crammed so full that people sit on the roof rack).
There are many more memories…..

The kids are counting down the days until we get back to Canada, but I do think we are all going to miss the change in pace that we have experienced out here. We have definitely had more time together as a family, which has been great

The kids have also had a wonderful time with pet chameleons.
Tim also got to see twins delivered by cesarean section with dad as the surgeon. All went well and two healthy boys were delivered. They will go next week for one more day at school with the locals. They have never been so popular!

As for me (Lynne) I will miss the wonderful people. Not a day goes by without people welcoming and smiling at you. They are an amazing nation and one I feel so privileged to get to know. I will certainly miss the friends that we have made and all the cute children. I will miss my dear friend Mary who comes to do our laundry and help with any chores. Philemon who is the hospital administrator who always has a smile and chuckle for one to enjoy. Also for all the wonderful barbecue goats meals, Robyn's favorite. Shadrack and his wife who run the mission and are always so helpful. Pastor Joseph and Enoch who are always sharing Gods grace. Rispa who loves my kids and helps out in so many ways. Charles (and his wife Christine and baby Affa) for taking us hiking, providing us with fresh chicken for dinner to mention a few of the kind ways he has served us. Edna and her strong faith. Alishia, Paul, Juliana, Kara and little Stephen who we had a short time getting to know together with all the other visitors, Dr Joy, Dr Hunt, Joe, David, Barbara, Tim, Janet, Jackie, Bill, Wayne, Andy and Deana.

The hospital and especially the cute babies. The town and market which is always a hive of activity and such fun to go to. Hiking to the orphanage and getting to sing and dance with the kids. Truly a highlight to my weekends.

The list goes on and on but before I end I would like to thank all our friends and family, our church, our neighbors, colleagues, MEI school, etc who have been praying for us and helping out in so many ways.

A special thanks to the Baer's for taking care of so MUCH. Can't thank you enough.

To Shelter for taking care of the clinic, our house and Bonnie,our dog. Also Roberta and Neil who I know have also taken Bonnie into their hands..We could never have done it without you all. We also want to say a big thank you to Samaritan's Purse. You have all been amazing.

There have been so many hands at work that have made this trip possible and we would like to say a big thank you to all of you. We have truly been blessed out here and hope that we get the chance to share some of our slides with you.

May God bless you and keep you in His mighty hand.

Here are David and Tim and friends sitting on the viewpoint up Mount Kipkinor.

Here is the panorama view from there. You can just see Kapsowar on the first hill in the middle.

Here is a local store keeper. Note the fancy wall paper. Not much on the shelves!

Here is Lynne showing off her wood gathering skills!!

Any guess what this is??

Here is a clue.

Clothes shopping at the market. Below are the vegetables at the market.

Thanks to Karl and Elizabeth for the soccer balls.


Some local kids at work and at play.

Finally sunset from our front door!