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Short Synopsis of My Experiences Traveling With By Jeannie Barton - June 2008 "The question is, “WHERE DO I START’. My experiences were multiple. I thank my Heavenly Father numerous times for giving me these. AND I AM GOING TO BE GREEDY AND SAY ---“I WANT MORE.”
Well who is to question God‘s decision. I felt afterwards as I assessed the situation that I had been placed in, that we achieved in all areas beyond our expectations. We definitely needed to weigh up the situation that our Brethren and the children face over there concerning their health issues. These are numerous, though with our continued support, definitely manageable.
There was plenty of evidence that this is needed as soon as possible for our children. Sores on the skin abounded, deep ulcers that will take ages to heel. In the end we had little ones coming and showing us their scratches etc from their days activities, for medical attention. I knew then, and was comforted by the thought, that education does work. Parasitic infestations were in plague proportions in areas. These infestations can be prevented by clean water and education. One young 12-year-old boy, on examination, was passing almost pure blood in his urine. He had noticed this blood in his urine since June 2007. The particular parasite that causes this health problem attacks the kidneys and liver. I still feel absolutely shocked and shake my head at what these people have to live with. I just have to add one more story for you. On examination of an 8 year old boy’s right ear (ear problems were numerous) I said to my right hand woman, Lyn Tutticci, who was a tremendous help as we had a mountain load of work in such a short period of time, well we’ve got some legs in there, could you syringe this ear for me. So what came out? Four mosquitoes and one beetle!!! Need I say more!!! In one ecclesia I discovered the worst case of Rickets imaginable in a young child, something that I had only read about in textbooks. Sadly the disease was so advanced that it would be irreparable. This could had bean prevented with the right diet and general health knowledge and could have saved her from such a crippling and devastating situation.
In such a short period of time, the knowledge I have gained was bountiful, extending over many different experiences, and I am indebted to My Heavenly Father for this. For instance the friendships we made, the cultural experiences had, the response we had from brethren of being so thankful for small mercies, team- work displayed and enjoyed, spiritual growth, nursing skills broadened and extra knowledge gained. These all led to me being soooo thankful for what God has given me here at home. Not that I want to swap this lifestyle I have been blessed with, but, more importantly, I am in the position to ask, “What can I do to help”, and I can have the confidence in knowing that with all your help, and Gods help, the lives of the CHILDREN AND THE CHRISTADELPHIAN COMMUNITY in Kenya will be made so much more the richer because we care."
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I
travelled with Agape In Action as their Nurse and Health Consultant.
At the beginning, I will confess that I was feeling somewhat afraid
of the unknown. Not having studied tropical medicine, or nursed
in an African Country before I really wondered if I was wasting
Agape’s money and time by joining them, and fearing that this
task was out of my comfort zone and expertise.
Performing
health checks revealed to us several problems that education and
financial support can assist. The need for clean, disease free water
to be easily attainable is critical. As it is written, disease free
water and washing daily can prevent 85% of health problems. 
These
are only three out of many astounding stories that we experienced,
and due to room constrictions, I will need to stop at this point.
