12 October 08
Dear Friends and Family,
Bill and I returned to Maua yesterday after being the in the US, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Frisco, Texas, to attend my mom’s 90th SURPRISE birthday party. That is the reason I did not mention in my F&F that we would be away as we so wanted to surprise my mom and we did. My sister, Jeannie, retired in May and must have spent most of the time between her retirement and my mom’s birthday on 27 September working on the party as it was an incredible party, the best I have ever attended! Over 65 people were present – all her children, grandchildren and great-grand children and so many friends. She was very surprised and when she saw me, for a few seconds she didn’t even recognize me (I looked like another white haired friend) as I had talked to her on the phone that morning and she believed I was in Kenya.
The theme of the party was ”Traveling Through Life with Winifred”. My mom has been in many countries and my sister had tables and food from all those countries – Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Belize, England, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and Hawaii and Alaska represented the US. The food was fabulous and there were maps on each table and then so many pictures on banners. Jeannie had also spent literally days working on four power point presentations that chronicled mom’s travels.
The gift that was given to mom was a new office for the Deputy Matron at Maua Methodist Hospital. While my sister, Jeannie, and family were here this summer they helped build the office and the money raised not only built the office but will furnish it. From mom’s friends we received approximately $2000 and from family approximately $3000. Bill and I and the hospital are so thankful as the Deputy Matron, Eunice Mboroki, had needed an office for such a long time.
I spent one week with my mom after the party and we had such a good time. Three of those days Jeannie joined us for shopping, working in mom’s house, laughter and much fun. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to be home and share time with all my family. What a gift from God!
We also spent time with our daughter, Corrie, and Brent, Lily and Ethan. Lily and Ethan have grown so much. Lily is in kindergarten and while we were there she received “The Class Hero Award” for being such an obedient, well behaved and kind student. We attended the assembly where she received this award and what a fabulous memory. She also performed a dance while her father sang at mom’s birthday party. She loves to dance. Ethan is very good at sports and we attended his sports class and watched him and marveled at his ability and determination. Bill played catch with Ethan, football and baseball. He is a little Dallas Cowboy/Texas Ranger! Corrie and Brent are moving into a new home they are having built and we saw the house almost completed and “Bibi and Babu’s room” and are so excited for them (and us!) Bill helped them by packing – he is such a good packer. We also celebrated Corrie’s birthday with her. Her surprise breakfast was such fun with Lily and Ethan!
We returned with so many wonderful memories and so much joy and thanks for the time shared with family. God’s goodness is never ending. (Pictures to come in my next email!!!)
Did you all hear the story about the snow in Nyahururu a few weeks ago? In a 30 acres area it snowed for the first time in history. At first the people were terrified but then that moved to amazement, wonder and excitement. The day ended with a lovely snow man sitting in the field of snow and the folk moving the snow so the cattle could eat. Nyahururu is 7000 feet high but it has never snowed there says the weather folk and local folk!
On Saturday August 24th, 411 AIDS Orphan’s came to the hospital for a fun day. School holiday are in April, August, and December so those are the three months when the children have their fun days. It was a beautiful day and the children and teens had a wonderful time. The sun was out but it was not hot. The grandmother’s or guardians no longer come with the children on this day but have their own day. Mr. Gitari has found that this works much better and with the numbers continually growing the hospital could not handle both groups at once. They had tried to have it on a Friday as having it on Saturday requires staff to work an extra day. However, the school field is not available for use on Friday and thus significantly limits what the children can do.
As always the day began in the Chapel with lively singing, Bible reading, prayer, and a sermon. The children and teens participate in all but the sermon. Many of the children memorize Bible verses and are thrilled for the opportunity to share with the other children. Whatever the children are doing they seem so very grateful and joyful.
Around 11:30am they had tea, which consists of bread and tea made with milk, sugar and tea. They are always eager to eat. Children generally are the only ones in our area that would eat breakfast, though I doubt these children would. If they eat breakfast they would normally have porridge which is made of ground maize or a combination of ground grains cooked in water.
After tea they went to the field in front of the School of Nursing to play. Bill and I are amazed at how the little children we first knew in the program have grown up. The boys played soccer and then the girls. They enjoyed jumping rope and playing with Frisbees. They sat and stood in groups and talked and laughed. Everywhere you looked children and teens were playing and having a glorious time.
The boys playing soccer Children in the back are watching others jump rope
Around 2pm Mr. Gitari and the many staff members from the hospital Community Outreach Department and Giving Hope, gathered the children and teens on the lawn and steps for prayers and instructions before lunch. As the children were seated, one of them volunteered to pray for the meal. A young man, around age 10, stood and gave a long, elegant, and earnest prayer. Mr. Gitari talked to the children and teens and then asked them to raise their hand if they had enjoyed the day thus far. Hands shot everywhere.
Mr. Gitari talking to the children and teens The children with their hands raised
The children and teens were instructed to form a single line for lunch with the younger children first. I am always amazed at how well the children and teens follow directions. The line formed and seemed to go on forever.
This is about ½ of the line Another view of the line at the beginning
The children waited patiently in line for the lunch which included rice, stew made with carrots and meat, and a banana. When the children and teens received their plate of food, they found a place to sit around the Chapel area and generally ate every bite.
The children receiving their food A few children eating in the shade
I do not have words to express the joy I experience in the presence of those children and teens. Young people that have experienced so much loss and grief and can have such a wondrous time playing, eating and worshipping God. My cup overflows!
After lunch, around 3pm, they received a small bouncy ball and a sticker and you would have thought we gave them the latest version of “Play Station” or whatever it is these days! As they left they all either wanted to shake my hand or have me take their picture. Either way, I was the winner.
The children show their bouncy balls Young man receiving his sticker
which says, “Let your light shine”
Indeed the light of these children and teens fills our world with a brightness that fills us to over flowing with God’s love, joy and hope!
In His grip,
Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya
“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” ~Donna Roberts
