English version coming soon. For now, try this LINK and hit the „Translate“ button.
Habari means "message" or "What's up?" in Swahili. If you've missed our last newsletters, simply... HERE click. You can also HERE Sign up for future newsletters.
Our vision:
Making more effective health services possible in East Africa.
HERE You can learn more about our work.
It's hard to believe it's already 2020! It's incredible how much has changed for us in the last year. Thank you for your encouragement, your support, and your encouragement!
BANDA Health
David is still settling into the BANDA Health Team. He visits 2-3 clinics per week and advises them (sometimes even in Swahili for small talk).
But what he finds most exciting is being able to discuss regional improvements to the healthcare system at a strategic level. For example, with the Kenya Gospel Church, which operates 4 clinics in very poor rural areas and is currently in the process of opening another one in Garissa to build. These clinics are very affordable for patients because a large part of the costs is covered by Kenyan donations. However, a major problem is that they cannot afford the expensive internet connections in the bush.
David spends the rest of his time trying to understand the software even better and to contribute to improving it and adapting it to the needs of the clinics.
Here is another video that provides an insight into the work of BANDA Health.
Let's be (sports) friends
Over the past few months, Lisa has participated in two training courses in pastoral care (processing traumatic events) and mentoring. She is now looking forward to applying some of this knowledge in weekly meetings with a group of four young women who have suffered deep physical and emotional trauma, some even inflicted by their own parents.
The first meeting was very moving, as the young women spoke of their pain and injuries and explained how much the community with the sports coaches had given them and meant to them. They now want to be trained as youth coaches themselves, so they can be there for other young people in need.
Please pray that real friendships will develop here!
On the home front
We are delighted that our girls are adapting so bravely to the new language and culture. Layla's language skills are already at her class level; she just needs to work on her writing a little more.
Three weeks before Christmas, we were visited by Lisa's mother and her fiancé. A wonderful opportunity to explore the country a bit more. Celebrating Christmas with part of our extended family meant so much to us, and especially to the children! Noemi even described it as one of the "best Christmases" so far.
Land and people
At the turn of the year, tensions with the Al-Shabaab militia in the northeast escalated again. With various attacks on government forces, US soldiers, and civilians (including teachers), they have once again made it clear that they will continue to fight for their demands. We can only pray that this decades-old conflict can find a peaceful end. For those who would like to learn more about this topic:
Al-Shabaab on Wikipedia (English).
An older report Al-Shabaab's ambitions in Kenya are unfortunately still relevant today.
Queen Helen
It can be very overwhelming to see so much suffering. There are definitely days when we ask ourselves: "Whom should we help, and how? What does it mean to live the Kingdom of God in this context?"„
What we've learned from some Kenyans here is perseverance! Women, in particular, often display remarkable strength. In this letter, we want to introduce you to one of these women, who comes and goes from our home three times a week and diligently helps us with the housework. After five busy months, Lisa finally finds a quiet moment to sit down and listen to this woman's story.
„"I am Hellen, 35 years old and a single mother of 3 children…" Read more
Thanks for…
A good start at BANDA
Budding friendships
Great family holidays
Layla's language development
Preservation (illness & traffic)
Pray for…
Peace with Al-Shabaab
sensitive support for the emerging coaches (Lisa)
Protection (diseases/injury)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The Bible, Jeremiah 29:11
With this in mind, we wish you a mindful, step-by-step journey into a future already prepared by the Lord!
Wishing you a blessed start to the year 2020,
the miners
