November 8th – Another very good day at the clinic

 We arrived as usual a little before 8 am and there were about 25 people already waiting for us.  We got the clinic supplies unpacked and were in business pretty quickly after Thomas led a devotion and prayed for the us and the people that we would serve.

We had a few notable experiences during the day that come to mind.  Our evangelist and triage station member John Karanja brought a group of 5 youth to Christ and we gave them each their own Swahili Bible.  Of course, I got a picture of this and it will appear when I edit the photos from the trip after my return to the States next week.  Catherine’s brother brought his daughter Sasha in for a checkup and she passed the eyechart with flying colors.  She was cute as a button.  We did receive word about the U.S. presidential election, everybody seemed to have an opinion that we talked to.  I tried to stay above the fray and pointed out that no matter who won, half of the people would not be happy and an attempt had to be made to unite the American public.  I also said that there is only One who is really in charge and He has used both good and bad rulers for His purpose throughout the centuries and that St. Paul correctly pointed out that we should respect our civil authorities, whoever they may be.  I am praying for calm and a peaceful transfer of power, which is the hallmark of our democracy.  And that’s all the more political you will ever see me get, since I want nothing to get in the way of the Gospel proclamation I have been blessed to be a part of.

Once again we had good numbers for the third day straight.  515 people attended the clinic and we treated 494 of them with care for their eyes and, of course, each of them received a Gospel presentation and were prayed over individually when asked, if they wanted.

We have noted something different culturally about this heavily Kikuyu neighborhood.  At every clinic I’ve been a part of since 2009, nearly 100% of the people would have prayer requests for us or at least let us pray a blessing over them.  While we are seeing a population that is at least 90% Christian this time, many are resistant to being prayed over.  Perhaps we need a different technique in the way we approach the subject, or maybe these folks are more self-reliant, much like we are in the U.S.  In any case, an average of about 20 people a day have been coming to Christ a day or returning to the faith as a result of this vision clinic in Waithaka. 

We have just returned from a wonderful dinner at Pampa, a Brazilian Steakhouse only about a mile from Rosa Mystica.  They have a very good self-serve salad bar, after which the staff keeps bringing meat, meat and more meat.  There was sausage, pork, lamb, steak, crocodile, turkey and so on.  They have a signature dessert, warm pineapples coated with cinnamon and sugar that are brought to the table on skewers and shaved off in strips for you just like the meat is.  It is exactly the right finish to a great meal.

Time to get some shuteye so I can get up and do it again.  Thank you Jesus for another rewarding day in Your mission field!