Why Do We Go?

I was asked to guest blog for the Medical Mission blog. If interested you can link before on "Why Do we Go?".

Connie
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Click the link below to read the latest from Medical Missions Why Do We Go?

I can't say any better than Sam...

Here is the message I just received from Sam. This team of boys from the Maruri Slum who came together just 4 months ago as the what if? Superstars as a ministry outreach of Partners for Care has won the first Partners for Care Tournament! Enjoy the excitement of the Partners for Care as you read Sam's message.

Victory and success

Our what if? Team won!!!!! They beat 5 other teams including the team from the University which they played with during the finals and took the cup. Wish you were here, everyone chanting 'what if?' from the field to the market place.. PHENOMENAL!!!@ Just coming from the field..
More later.......

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My sheep is actually a goat

During my last visit to Kenya one of the Partners for Care staff's mother gave me an appreciation gift. I wrote about the gift in the February 15 blog post. Well I thought the gift was a sheep - turns out David the sheep (named for my last born son) is actually a goat! David has been moved from the Partners for Care house to the country home of Kathi's House of Restoration. Yesterday Sam sent me a photo of David.

David

They tell me David likes it in the beautiful area of the Rift Valley but is lonely....the team suggest I buy a female goat for David. I plan to see David when I go to Kenya June 12. The team traveling with me will be doing a medical what if? outreach in Mahi Mahui. And, they will meet David the goat...
Preparing to serve the Kenyan PFC team,
Connie
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Meet the Kenya Partners for Care Team

Go to www.partnersforcare.org and click on Kenyan Team. See the people you read about in the updates and read their stories.

Enjoy,

Connie
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It is never too late for a 2nd Chance

Her name is Virginia. She lives in a slum in Kenya - Marurui slum. The Partners for Care team met her when they were hanging bednets in their Stop Malaria outreach. She caught their attention as she could not speak a word of English which in Kenya usually means someone as never been to school. Virginia is a mother, a widow and is infected with HIV/AIDS. The disease the Partners For Care staff are fighting. Virginia told the team she had never been to school, never been in a classroom, never even held a pencil. She desired to learn...but didn't know where to begin. The team invited her to visit the Partners for Care what if? Life Changing Center...a short walk from her small home in the slum. Virginia enrolled in our 2nd Chance Program. A program that helps people prepare to complete their elementary or high school education. Someone sponsored Virginia and paid the $12.00 monthly tuition fee for her to learn English. Now everyday after she cares for her children and does her house chores Virginia runs to center for her lessons. She can now write her name and is learning to read.

Virginia

Virginia and her tutor Sam, Head of the 2nd Change Program

Virginia reminds of it is never too late for a 2nd chance.

Grateful for the team on the ground who are transforming their Nation...one Virginia at a time,

Connie
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Newest and smallest member of Partners for Care

The newest and smallest member of the Partners for Care staff is adorable! Dr. Vincent and his wife are the blessed parents of Ethan.

As Dr. Vincent was in the field when his wife went into early labor the Partners for Care did their part. George drove her to the hospital along with Justus. All the staff helped to make sure baby arrived safely and Mom was well cared for. They say in Africa it takes a village to raise a child...this time it took a team to deliver one.

Ethan

Glad for a miracle of a healthy baby,

Connie

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And, He will bring the right people to the ministry

I remember when someone told me that if we would be faithful in serving Him, and if we would wait, He would bring the right people to the ministry.
So, we waited...and He has brought a true servant to the ministry of Partners for Care. When we were doing medical camps in August with PLO Lumumba Foundation we met a young doctor. This doctor was different than most doctors we had worked with before. He was so PASSIONATE about serving the people. He wouldn't stop seeing patients until everyone who had come to be treated was seen. This young doctor is Dr. Vincent Mutugi. And, to our surprise when I was there this last trip he asked if he could join our ministry. He said, he didn't care about money - he just wanted to serve the poor people.

I credit the Partner for Care staff in Kenya as to the reason he wanted to join our ministry. He said he sees Partners for Care staff in Kenya as servants working to transform their village and their Nation. Dr. Vincent wants to be a part of transforming his Nation he wants to serve the poor.

I think the best way to share his heart with you is to share what he wrote me after being with us for two weeks. He said "I have visited the Mararui slum many times these last two weeks and my heart has been left soaked in pity. I can't sit down and plan anymore. I have to get on my feet and get to Samaria. God give me strength."

His Samaria

Assessing a patient

Dr. Vincent will be the team doctor keeping the Partners for Care staff healthy and the doctor for the Nick and Charles' precious children. He also wants to set up a health clinic in Mararui that will serve the people from the slum. He will be the doctor on our medical missions organizing medications, drugs and supplies and work with the US doctors and nurses who come to participate in our medical missions.

Helping children

We welcome Dr. Vincent to the Partners for Care team! Pray with me for God to give him strength as he serves the sick, and the poor,

Connie
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Partners for Care featured in World Magazine

When Linda Grosskopf, Partners for Care board member, returned from her trip to Marsabit she sent photos and a story about the people she met in this remote part of Kenya to World Magazine. She hoped the magazine would put in one of their editions a picture or two. To Linda surprise the magazine editor called her and said they wanted to write a story about the people in Marsabit. I have attached a PDF of the article. World Magazine gave us permission to make copies of the article. We have included some additional photos and more information about the work of Partners for Care. We are grateful to Linda who shared her story and to Robert Morris who took the photos in the article.

Hoping to return to Marsabit soon,
Connie.

An unusual gift

When I first started the work in Kenya a wise person told me to visit the homes of each of the team members and meet their families - especially their Moms. While I had met Sam's Mom I had not been to his birthplace. Sam's was the last of the core team's birthplace to visit. These visits have taken me south, north and west. This weekend Sam's prayers were answered as our mission took us to Meru - his home. We were blessed as the entire team went to see his Mom.

The PFC team with Sam's mom at his home

Sam's Mom is humble and a true servant of the Lord. She told me she gave her two boys (Sam and his brother Moses) to the Lord when they were little and has prayed daily for them. After greetings, introductions and of course photos Sam said "my Mom has a gift for you". They took me outside and presented me with a sheep. Sammy was excited as this adds to our rapidly growing "farm". It is a great honor to receive such a gift.

A photo with Sam's Mom, David the sheep and Sammy

A photo with Sam and his mom

I felt blessed and appreciated by Sam, his Mom and their family. Seeing Sam's Mom and receiving such a gift made me more determined do try to do no harm to Sam or any of the other Partners for Care staff members. All the staff are someone's child - a child they have prayed for, had hopes for and sacrificed more than we could ever know for. I pray and pledge to do my best to support these young people in ways that honor and respect their Moms.

Proud owner of a sheep who I named David after my last born,

Connie
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Kaaga Boys School - 71 say yes to Jesus

This weekend the Partners for Care team did what they do so well - spread the message of what if? their HIV/AIDS prevention message and bring people to Christ. With the 71 boys saying yes to Jesus this small team has now brought 1,902 to Christ.


This mission was at the Kaaga Boys School in Meru, Kenya. This school is the second oldest school in Kenya. Pastor Martin who traveled with us to do the preaching graduated from this school.

The Temples of Worship

The Partners for Care staff performed and the boys kept hollering "sing one more". We organized the boys into small groups so they could ask the difficult questions and learn from each other. The boys didn't want the small group time to end.

Franco conducting a group session with the students

As we had a lawyer, 2 doctors, a mass media person, and musicians on the team, they met with the senior boys so they could ask career questions - when over they followed the team to ask more questions. Sam gave his personal testimony which really impacted the boys. When he finished ALL the boys wanted to sign the commitment cars - to commit to wait until marriage, know their status and be faithful to one partner.

Sam talking to the students

Students signing commitment cards

Pastor Martin preached and told them why he had made a decision to be pure and told them why God calls them to be pure. When he made the call for Christ 71 boys said yes to Jesus. The school has a mentoring boys for the new believers so these young men will be discipled.

Pastor Martin praying for the new converts

The new converts

Grateful for the PFC team who is working to transform lives to transform a Nation,
Connie
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A great birthday

I wasn't going to tell anyone today was my birthday...but my daughter Mindy had the idea to tell everyone I know in the US and in Kenya! I have received birthday greeting from many of you. Thank you for messages, e-cards and prayers. Not only was I encouraged by all the birthday wishes, but tonight the first night of the team's weekend challenge at a boys high school 42 young men accepted Christ. That was a great birthday present!

Blessings, Connie
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Partners for Care conducts malaria reduction outreach

Yesterday the Partners for Care team conducted a malaria reduction outreach. My role was "consultant" so I was an observer. What I observed:

1. Ground prepared
The team had selected the area they wanted to help - Marurui slum which is what the PFC team considers their Jerusalem. They met with the Area Chief to keep him informed of the plan. They identified three women who are considered leaders in this slum to lead the teams. Two of these women are part of a women's support group who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, while the other was their leader.

The team praying for the battle ahead

Women lead the way

2. Need identified
The team found there were 500 "homes" in this slum. There are 30 orphans and 830 children under the age of 5. This information they obtained from the Area Chief. They also visited the 24-hour clinic in Marurui. They found 5 out of every 15 children under five who come to the clinic have malaria.

3. Developed plan
They would deliver and hang 250 nets working in groups of three. They had organized for 7 volunteers from the University of Nairobi to join them. They would teach on malaria prevention, early detection and appropriate treatment. They would write the child's name on the nets which has shown to ensure better compliance with net use.

Volunteer from University happy to serve

4. Implemented the plan
All the volunteers were trained by PFC staff on how and what to teach about malaria. They were shown how to hang the nets and how to record and track by name, age, HIV/AIDS status and pregnancy. The team prayed together and left the what if? Changing Center with 20 nets per team, in groups of 3.

Teaching prevention

5. Results
By 1:00 pm the team had hung 49 nets. The response from the people was very touching. The pictures tell it best and can be seen on www.partnersforcare.blogspot.com. One mother told them I have lived for 7 years in this slum and you are the first to ever visit me. One 10 month baby had never slept under a net even though in the back of their house is a swamp bringing many mosquitoes. The baby had been bitten many times. The team came back together, debriefed and planned to start again today at 10:00am. They will continue their work over the next several days until they have hung 250 nets.

Hanging the nets

Putting babies under nets

6. Follow-up
The team will visit the homes where they have hung nets in about a month to check compliance with net use. They will also visit the 24 hour clinic again to see if there has been a reduction in the number of children with malaria from this slum.

Last night 49 children slept under a net preventing them from getting bit by a mosquito that could have been carrying malaria.

Family "smiles again"

This and other work happens because of the financial support of many of you for the PFC team to do the work on the ground - to help them save lives for the kingdom. It doesn't cost a lot to keep this team working - they have the passion and they are equipped.

Just a hand..

We just need to keep putting the tools in their hands to do the work - nets, computers for teaching those in the slum to better themselves, music equipment they use to both draw the people to hear the message of HIV prevention and to teach the youth to play an instrument, soccer balls, jerseys and soccer shoes to engage the youth in sports instead of idleness.

Examples of costs:

Soccer ball $12.00
Soccer shoes $20.00
Mosquito net $1.50
Rent at the what if? Life Changing Center $250.00 month
A PFC staff member $200 a month

Thankful for your support for the team on the ground and to HEART for the bednets,

Connie

PS Update - 169 nets have now been hung in Marurui slum
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Kathi's House of Restoration

Today the PFC staff have come to Maai Mahui to help Pastor John and his wife, Mary, complete Kathi's house of Restoration. It is very exciting to be here to watch all the team helping.

Please allow me this opportunity to explain what Partners for Care is doing. Pastor John as most of you probably know has resigned from Glory Outreach Assembly. That is his choice and he has his own personal reasons for that decision which we should all respect. He still loves the children at BTD and will assist whenever requested to help with the children. Some have been asking me why PFC purchased a house across the street from BTD. As Pastor John has been hired to manage Kathi's House of Restoration this allows him and Mary to be close to the children at BTD. It takes a village to raise a child as the African saying goes. Pastor John and Mary are in the village of the children at BTD. It is good Pastor John's four children will also be neighbors to the children at BTD as they have grown together for so many years. They will be attending their same school. Moving to this location provides the least disruption for Pastor John's family. Also, Pastor John's church is in Maai Mahui. And, the HIV/AIDS infected and affected are so many here in this town. World Visio0n calls the highway that runs through here the AIDS highway as so many trucks pass through here and the truck drivers have infected the women.

Please join Pastor John and Mary in prayer and support as they reach back to continue to love the children God entrusted to them for the last 3 1/2 years and as they reach forward to help many more orphans God will bring to them.

Praying for a smooth transition for Pastor John, his wife Mary, their children and all the children at BTD,

Connie
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Using God's resources to do God's work

If we believe all our money and resources belong to God and we believe He is the father to the fatherless, then how do you think He wants us to use our money? As I have been involved in serving in developing Nations for many years now I have some observations.

I have observed we sometimes will spend a lot of money on doing missions and not bring about a lot of change "on the ground" but we don't spend a little amount of money when it could bring a big change "on the ground". Sometimes teams will cost $50,000 to come to Kenya but starting and supporting a girls volleyball team or a boys soccer team in a slum costs very little yet can literally change the lives of these young people.

I always wonder why so many of the world's children die from malaria when a $5.00 net can prevent malaria. I also believe if we can go to the moon, we could figure out how to put a net over every baby in the world. Covering every baby in the world with a net isn't easy to do...but how hard was it to go to the moon?

I am constantly making decisions how to use the resources God allows us to have from our donors. Feed children? Start poultry projects? Buy medicine? I take very seriously these decisions and make them with God's guidance and the guidance of the Kenyan Partners for Care staff. I am glad we in the US work as volunteers as I could not take money from the ministry. God has given me food (in fact too much food!), shelter, clothes and everything I need and much of what I thought I wanted.

This morning I was humbled when George gave me a little piece of paper with a request. He said "it is urgent". The paper read:

1 volleyball net - 3,500 KSH ($50.00)
2 volleyballs - 5,000 KSH ($75.00)

So little money but these purchases could impact 20 girls from a slum. The what if? girls volleyball team does more than play the game. They are connected to the what if? Life Changing Center where they can enroll in the Second Change Program to get their primary or secondary education, learn computers or music. They are also witnessed to and taught how to prevent HIV/AIDS by living pure for Christ. I once read "educate a girl child in africa and you change the village".

For me I can't think of anything I have or would buy that could equal the joy of seeing the lives of these girls transformed. I think God would be pleased with using His resources to transform these girls and to not just tell them of the love of Christ but to show them.

I do believe teams should come - without teams coming we wouldn't have the support of so many of our partners in the US - Bridgette, Linda, Elaine, Amy, Mindy, Pat and Craig, and too many others to list. But can we do both - invest a lot and a little?

Learning more and more everyday and grateful for God's teachings,

Connie
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Changes on the ground!

Changing lives, transforming a village. I came on this trip with great anticipation about what I would find. The Partners for Care team had done an excellent job of keeping me informed of their work but the reports could not adequately tell the real story. That is why sometimes you must go to the ground to see for yourself. The changes are everywhere. All the equipping, empowering, encouraging and teaching has brought great rewards. Sammy leads in a way that would make John Maxwell proud. Sam has passion, energy, commitment and drive that challenges others to join in the work. George has many youth from the slums in this village calling him "coach". He told me today people were asking "what about the girls tram" as he had started two boys what if? football teams. So George is starting a what if? girls football team and a what if? girls volleyball team. It is fun to be walking in the village and see boys in what if? shirts heading for practice.

The 56 boys on the two what if? football teams are from many different primary and secondary schools. The PFC staff are planning on creating what if? schools in as many of these schools as they can. Each boy took back a what each if? bracelet for their principles. Remember the what if? Intiative is all about giving the message of living pure for Christ and stopping HIV/AIDS.

The what if? Life Changing Center is so busy! Today when I was there all the computers in the IT classroom were full with one computer hosting two students. Students are taking music lessons from David and Franko. And, we have a new program called Second Chance. It is for those who want to study and receive their secondary degree (high school).

And, we have 100 baby chickens and 8 big chickens that lay eggs and 40 rabbits at our house. Sammy is demonstrating substanability with these projects. And, our backyard is a small farm now...the team is figuring out ways to feed themselves!

Farming project

Poultry and rabbits project

It is an understatement to say how proud I am of the PFC staff! They are working long hours, holding planning meeting and are all engaged in the work. it is a joy to watch.

Thank you al for supporting the team,

Connie

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PFC Announces new ministry

We are very excited to announce a new program - Kathi's House of Restoration. Named for David Gruber's wife this House will serve children orphaned by HIV/AIDS by helping keep them in a family setting. We have studied other programs for example Life for Children Ministry in Kenya run by Michael Agwanda and visited a program like this in South Africa. With proper safeguards children can safely be cared for in home settings with extended family members.

You can see a video of the property we are looking to purchase in Mai Mahui on our website www.partnersforcare.org. The program will be overseen by the Partners for Care Kenya team and by a Kenya pastor. In working with Kenya government officials and the children officers we have learned there is a strong desire in Kenya to have their children stay in home settings. We will work closely with experts in Kenya as we move forward with Kathi's House of Restoration.

I travel to kenya Jan. 24 and we hope to purchase the property at that time. We welcome anyone who wants to be involved in this new ministry of Partners for Care.

Praying for all those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS,

Connie
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Trips to Kenya to reach the unreached

We are planning our trips for next year. You may want to consider joining us or you may know others who have a passion to go where others don't go. This next year our trips will be in partnership with the PLO Lumumba Foundation and will be to the far Northeast, Northwest and Southern most part of Kenya. Our focus will be:

1. Medical camps
2. Sports
3. Evangelism
4. Civic education (to assist Dr. Lumumba in his fight against corruption)
5. Promotion of health as an asset
6. what if? Campaign fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS

We will equip and support the kenya team of musicians, preachers and doctors as they reach 9 unreached tribes. Trip dates include:

February - Marsabit
June - Turkana
August - Mombasa
October - village outreach not determined yet

As you consider if you are called to go with us you might want to read what Pat, a nurse who went to Marsabit with us in August said about her trip:

"The model of coming along side ministries and supporting them is so effective.  Those that are in the trenches day in and day out need various forms of support, encouragement and counsel.  Each of the ministries we worked with were strong spiritually as reflected by their fruit. Partners for Care is not just about doing good things for struggling people.  PFC is about seeing God transform lives through us, His hands and feet.  The ministry believes not just in the concrete ways we can serve, but also the very big God we serve who still does miracles today!"

Come with us and meet the people and ministries PFC equips to serve God in the slums and in the deserts of Kenya. See the miracles for yourself.

Blessings,

Connie
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Partners for Care - just where we need to be

I have returned from Kenya. I want to use this update to share with you

the status of the Partners for Care organization in Kenya.

It has been said every man has a turning point...I believe every
organization also has a turning point and PFC Kenya ends this year having
made a turning point. Our mission is to equip, engage, encourage and
empower young Christian leaders in the fight to save lives for the
kingdom. It hasn't always been easy to do this. We have struggled with
many attacks from the enemy but God has been faithful.

We are working with the highest moral authority of the Nation - Dr. PLO
Lumumba who is championing the move to eradicate all corruption from
Kenya. It is an honor and a blessing to work with him and the people who
run his foundation. One man in particular, Vincent Omondi, doesn't speak
of serving his people - he serves them! Through medical camps and his own
personal work in the slums of Kenya, he shows the hurting, the lost and
homeless Christ's love and brings them to Christ. We are blessed to serve
with him.

The PFC staff in Kenya are leading the way - we in the US are supporting
their efforts. They work in the slums, using music, sports and medical
outreaches to transform lives - to win souls for Christ. Sammy Wanjau
leads the team with good direction and dedication. He is well respected by
the PFC staff and pastors and community leaders. Sam Wachira leads the
what if? Life Changing Centre, working closely with Sammy as they create a
sustainable business that helps the small village and slum of Mururi.
Just yesterday a TV station interviewed the team to learn of their work.
The news show about Kenya Partners for Care will air 6 times on TV next
week.

We used to struggle when working with some Kenyan doctors at our medical
camps because of their lack of passion for their people - no more! We now
work with Helping Hands led by Dr. Martin Okello who serves the poor with
passion, kindness and respect. We will hold medical camps together all
over Kenya next year.

Pastor David Karanja of the Christ Harvesters International Ministry
(based in Marietta, Ga.) has agreed to preach the gospel where ever we go
for medical camps. We could not have asked for a better man of God to
spread the gospel! Our opportunities in Kenya continue to expand. We are
now working through PCEA churches to spread the message of HIV/AIDS.

And for me personally I have been blessed by those who have gone - seen
the work and now call this "our ministry". What a blessing to have
passionate
people engaged to help equip the Kenyan team to do God's work.

This next year will be the best year for Partners for Care in Kenya. Thank
you for reading these updates, for sending encouraging messages and
especially for the prayers and financial support. It takes many people to
help the children, the hurting, the homeless and lost. I look forward with
great anticipation to what God has planned for these young leaders in
Kenya as they work everyday to save lives for the kingdom.

Blessings,

Connie

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Dearest Connie,

Thank you for the continuing updates of your ministries in Kenya. I am so
proud of you and what you have wrought in that little corner of the world.
I look back at some of your first attempts to satisfy God's calling on
your life by organizing teams to provide medical clinics in the slums of
Nairobi.

I remember sitting at the dinner table at H.E.A.R.T. in the outskirts of
Nairobi and the feeling of despair of you and the team members when your
attempts were thwarted by the arrogance of a Kenyan doctor hired by you to
provide the medical services. I understood his usurpation of the team's
effort for his own self aggrandizement, of his barely concealed contempt
for your female leadership, and our discussions of how that model compared
to my own somewhat limited knowledge of fielding medical teams. You asked
for my input from a few of my experiences of leading medical teams to
various parts of the world to address the matter at hand. I shared what I
could, but the model I followed was more of servant leadership. My main
advice was for you to take charge, quit beating yourself up over the past
decisions, put the doctor in his place and pray for direction from God. I
imagined that the following day would be confrontational with perhaps a
parting of the ways with the hired Kenyan medical staff.

You speak in the current e-mail update of recognizing a turning point in a
person's or organization's life. What I saw the next day was the
beginning of a metamorphosis of Connie Cheren. Instead of the
confrontation that I had imagined, (and probably would have precipitated
myself had I been leading) you exhibited an act of servant leadership that
will always be with me. Rather than calling the team out and explaining
how it was to be henceforth, you and your little US team held a foot
washing service for the Kenyan team! That act of humility and servant
attitude was something that none of them (nor had I) ever witnessed in
such a situation. God used you in a way I would never have dreamt, but
the result was that Kingdom work was done from that point.

I understand the trials and tribulations you have faced over the past
years in the pursuit of providing for those you serve. I have seen the
efforts temporarily sidetracked by relying on those whose heart and
service was not for those needing food, shelter and medicines, but using
your good efforts to attempt to take credit for your work to advance their
own ill-advised cause. You have held the faith during these times,
forgiven the instigators of these travesties, moved on and continued the
fight for the right. You have recruited where possible from those that
you went to serve; you have empowered those with the vision and calling
among the poorest of the poor, and have pledged your own health, service
and treasure to that Kingdom calling.

I have traveled the world with some of the best and brightest Followers of
Christ. I have served with Wes and Joy Griffin of I L I in training
leaders worldwide; I have led local medical and construction teams to
several continents; and from my Board seat on The Mission Society, I see
the cutting edge of Mission work worldwide and those missionaries who are
leading those efforts. My hat is off to you and those who have been
inspired by you - the leaders you have supported in P F C - The Kenyan
nationals who share your dream and survive on your support - and the US
supporters that you have opened a door for to share in the Great
Commission. I know where the real talent and drive emanates, and that is
with an Atlanta nurse who could not resist His call for her service!

Long ago I listened to a college professor who shared a Life Lesson with
me that I shall never forget. He said, "In this world, there are only two
types of people - winners and losers. The winners give, and the losers
take."

Connie, you are a winner.

Blessings,

Jim Davis

When God shows you a need He wants you to act...not plan

Last Wednesday God showed me a need. And, He expected me to act with compassion. Instead, I went home to plan what to do. But, if I am honest with myself God told me what to do...right then not later. Nick and Charles had told me for two days they had a new client. Charles - a young man of 29. Charles was bedridden from the disease of AIDS but he had something else wrong with him. Nick would describe he was bleeding from his leg..I asked medical assessment questions but couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. Nick said people in Mathare slum were "afraid" of Charles because of the "bleeding" and were running away from him.

On Wednesday I was able to go to Mathare to see this young man. We were blessed to be taking with us Michael Agwanda from Life for Children Ministry and his wife Lola who is a doctor. We found Charles bedridden, in pain and unable to move. He had a large growth on his left knee. Searching for any information about his health condition we found a folded up piece of paper. It was a referral for follow-up for the cancer tumor on his left knee. He was to have radiation and chemotherapy. The referral was written in August. Obviously, Charles could not afford that kind of treatment. So, now he lay dying. Laying in a shack in a slum, on fifty sheets barely able to open his eyes. We prayed for him and went to plan what to do. We knew he would need a chest x-ray to see if the cancer had spread. Then we would know if treatment was still an option or if he needed palliative care. He had developed a bedsore on his hip. The CT volunteers were visiting him changing the dressing on the bedsore and offering what support they could.

I wanted to get him clean sheets, pain medicine that relieve his pain and arrange with someone to stay with him while he made his passage to heaven. I am a nurse. I know what the dying need. But, I didn't act...and on Friday we received word that God relieved the suffering of this young man and called him home.

I made a pledge that the next time God allows me the opportunity to meet the needs of a dying person I will act with haste...and not plan. All Nick and Charles and their volunteers need is the medicines, the clean sheets, the food...they do the work. We can help them. I could have helped them this time but didn't. Next time I will...

Connie
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Playing barefoot

The Kenya Partners for Care staff use many different ways to reach the youth with the message of living for Christ and HIV prevention. Their latest efforts is soccer. The staff have started two what if? soccer teams in Muruiri slum - under 16 and over 16. These boys practice everyday - without a soccer field, without shoes or uniforms. The community comes out to watch them practice. As I stood watching them play in a grassy field barefoot I imagined them in uniforms and soccer shoes. George works with them teaching them about how to live as good examples to others in this small village/slum area. Just another way Partners for Care is helping transform the next generation - one boy at a time.

Connie
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