I am unable to access my MSN e-mail from western Kenya.

On January 20, 2009, you will be celebrating the inauguration of a new US President. I will be celebrating too but it will be during the long flight to Kenya. On April 15, 2009, you will be paying your taxes and I will be flying back to Iowa. Two important dates for all of us.

This will be my fourth trip to Kenya as a volunteer nurse. I am headed for the Kaimosi Friends Mission Hospital in Western Kenya. I am excited to reconnect with so many friends. There is a new administrator and physician at the hospital. New rainwater collection barrels have been installed along with two new refrigerators and a generator. Things are changing slowly but surely.

Last year a Comprehensive Care Center was started for the care of persons with HIV-AIDS. A new pediatric service is just starting. With the aid of my sisters and the Cedar Falls Unitarian Church, toys have been purchased and mailed. It will be fun to see what the Kenyan children think of American toys.

My sisters and I have made many presentations this summer and fall about the work in Kaimosi. Our goal was to make new friends for this mission and reinvigorate some old ones. We did well for many of the Quaker women are knitting baby caps and booties for the baby packets given to the new mothers and their babies.

I will try to blog daily but do not worry if I miss a day or two. It could be that I am traveling, or the electricity is down and my battery is dead, or I cannot connect with the server. Please let me know you are reading me even if you feel you have nothing urgent to add. I like to know my audience plus it provides me enormous support and energy. You all have made this work possible for me to do with your financial support and prayers. I learn so much about this work and country with every visit. When I return to Iowa this year, I will have volunteered for one year as a nurse in Kenya. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling time.