MAUA Methodist Hospital newsletter, JANUARY 2023
January 2023 – Happy New Year
Dear all,
Thank you all for your prayers for us in the north east of Africa, and in this part of Kenya in particular. We have had a shortage of rain for 4 years now, and have had the worst drought and famine in our area for 40 years. Praise God that at last the rains have come – a bit late, and not in all areas, but we are so grateful for what we have had. We have not seen the cattle and other animals so emaciated for years, and nomads are bringing their starving cows along the roads to urban areas in a desperate attempt to find grass or food for them. At least now the situation is eased if not ideal. Across the whole
country there should be a decent harvest of maize to enable a reduction of expensive imports in February – just a little more rain please Lord.
We also give thanks that Maua Methodist Hospital continues to develop and give service to the local community.
Recently we have received an oxygen plant. This will enable us to produce enough oxygen for all our patients and even sell oxygen cylinders to surrounding health facilities. This weekend we were able to fill 60 oxygen cylinders to last us 2 months at a fraction of the price we were previously paying.
On Saturday 5th November, eleven patients came to our Eye Clinic to have cataract surgery. They were able to have their operations because of generous donations by our supporters. The patients had been identified by staff who had been on outreach clinics last summer.
The patients gathered in the morning of their operations and were then taken to the theatre waiting area where they changed into a hospital gown and waited for their life-changing surgery. The surgeon, Dr Patrick, took about 20 minutes to remove each cataract and insert a new lens. The patients then went to the ward for an overnight stay.
The day following surgery the male patients were the first to come down to the Eye Clinic from the ward for review. As we were seeing them we heard the women approaching joyfully singing a hymn of thanksgiving. They were all so delighted. The nurse removed their eye pads and then they had a lively group education session, where they were taught how to take care of their eyes and when to return for review.
We had prayers with them before they were discharged. Each of the 11 signed consent that their story could be shared and they told us their hopes for what the surgery will do for them. Mostly they wanted to
regain their independence and to be able to recognise people. Thanks to you their hopes are coming true.
Samuel Mburinga is 72 years old. His wife died on 16th April 2022. He said that he noticed he had a problem when he couldn’t read his Bible as his eyes got very watery. He was also not able to work on the farm and had to rely on his grandchildren to feed their 2 goats. He comes to MMH for treatment of his blood pressure.
Now his dream has come true, he can look after his farm and read his Bible!.
Lucy Gichunge was born in 1956 and stays with her husband who has a heart problem as well as arthritis and high blood pressure. She has a daughter (Doris) who lives in Nyeri (100 miles from Maua), who came over for the weekend to care for her father as Lucy went for her surgery Doris had thought her mother was going blind and had been planning to get help at home for her parents. Apparently when Lucy first reported a problem with her eyesight to a local clinic she had been told it was due to worry about her husband and nothing could be done. In the evenings there had not been enough light for her to see what she is doing and so had to stop milking her cow – a major source of income for her and her husband.
Having had surgery Lucy is now independent and not in need of home help and able to milk her cow again. Not only was her sight restored but hope and faith returned. Katherine Kainda is only 59 but had had a problem with her eyesight for 6 years. The right eye was completely blind, and the left eye had blurred vision. When she went to the local market she heard about our screening and came to be reviewed. She wanted to have her sight back so that she could live independently again. Now she has her wish.
Katherine Kainda is only 59 but had had a problem with her eyesight for 6 years. The right eye was completely
blind, and the left eye had blurred vision.
When she went to the local market she heard about our screening and came to be reviewed. She wanted to have her sight back so that she could live independently again. Now she has her wish!
M’Mwambia was the oldest of our patients at 100 years. He has had blurred vision for 3 years. Being a widower for 5 years he is looked after by his 3 daughters-in-law. He wanted to be able to see his animals again and supervise their care. Now he is able to do just that.
We remembered at Christmas that Jesus is the light of the world. For these and other patients they can again see the light of the world and their lives have been truly changed. May each of us delight in the health services that we receive, and the love that we encounter as we worship God.
As we move into a New Year may we all know the love and joy of the Lord Jesus. Thank you for your
prayers
Claire and Barbara