Thank you so much for all of you who have taken the time to pray for the current situation with the doctor's strike. I am writing to ask that you continue to pray for Kenya, especially those sick and in need of medical assistance.
We are now finishing the fourth week of the nation wide doctors strike which has seen over 5000 doctors leave their posts, resulting in the closing of most government hospitals. There does not appear at this time to be resolution in the immediate future.
This leaves mission and private hospitals to care for nearly double the number of patients typically seen. Our hospital, by the grace of God has been able to accommodate most of the people who have come to us from other facilities, but both the hospital space and the staff have been overwhelmed and personnel have become exhausted from the workload. Patients in other parts of the country, away from any mission hospitals, have not been able to access any medical care for four weeks now. Please pray for the staff of Tenwek and other mission and private hospitals as they take up the call to serve with compassion in these circumstances.
One amazing answer to prayer is that our nearest government hospital has chosen not to go on strike. I believe this has kept us at Tenwek from overflowing even more than we are! Praise God for the doctors and nurses who have stayed to serve their people. Many of the doctors working in that facility were trained at Tenwek including their medical superintendent who was one of our Family Medicine residents.
Within the difficulty also comes opportunity. Many people coming to us now might never have come to Tenwek, instead seeking care at a closer facility. Please pray that Tenwek can be a beacon of hope and love to these patients who so desperately need God's healing both physically and spiritually.
As we begin this week, may we have open hearts to see each one with compassion, and to share the love and hope of Jesus
Many thanks for standing with us in service to the people of Kenya.