28 Feb 09

Dear Friends and Family,

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” Matthew 6: 25 – 26

I am sending you a link to the GBGM web-site and to an article about United Methodist Committee On Relief and what they are doing in Kenya to help with the starvation we are facing. It also gives an Advance Special Number you can use to help them feed Kenyan’s.
Starvation in Kenya
(http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5317)

Yesterday evening Maua Methodist Hospital had water again. Living Waters had come to look at our water pump to see if it could be fixed or if we needed a new one. The verdict: we needed a new one. Through some amazing and miraculous ways, the hospital actually had money to pay for the pump and Living Waters returned on Thursday evening and installed the new pump Friday.

Most of last week the hospital staff were able, using very conservative methods, to have enough water to keep toilets fairly clean and mop the floors at least every 24 hours and in emergencies. We learned the sacredness and value of water once again. I remain in awe of most of the people in our area who have to carry water to their homes, often from long distances. Water flowing through a tap that is always available for our use, hot and cold, is a gift beyond belief for so much of the world.

Our AIDS Orphan’s program pays for two new uniforms for our 1750 children every two years. (Can you imagine your children or grandchildren wearing the same uniform for two years?????) This past Friday Bill was present when the grandmother’s and children from the Maua area came to pick up their uniforms. They had already been measured and made and were in bags with the children’s names on them.

Grandma’s, guardians and Aids Orphan’s waiting for uniform distribution 3 thankful orphan’s with their new uniforms

Bill shared that some of the children that came were wearing their old uniforms which were essentially rags. The joy and excitement of the children was contagious and everyone seemed to be ‘happy dancing’.

An Orphan in her uniform Two happy girls with new uniforms

This process will be repeated numerous times in the next few weeks as approximately 700 children will receive new uniforms. There is much work, coordination and time put into this joyful occasion. Some of the Giving Hope teens, who are tailors, were given the opportunity to make some of the uniforms. What a win-win situation for everyone.

I usually do not send you an email every Saturday. However, we are going to be away for the next two weekends. The first of February I received an email from the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Amy Toone, at Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, a consortium of HSU, ACU, McMurry University in Abilene, TX. Every two years there is an International Missionary Nurse Symposium held at a training Center in Limuru, Kenya. It allows USA nurses to take 40 hours of nursing education courses for their re-licensure, to have labs that allow for hands on training, and to meet missionaries from around Africa and the Middle East. I had attended the symposium in 2001 with Barbara Dickinson and Birgit Ziegler from Maua Methodist Hospital and had felt it was such an incredible experience.

I did not know anyone was still supporting and presenting the symposium. Well, Dr. Toone had received a copy of my email regarding our Alternative Rite of Passage week in Maua (what we are praying will replace female genital mutilation) and emailed me asking if I would do that presentation at the symposium. I was thrilled to know there was a symposium and have the chance to participate and present. I even wrote and asked if they would allow me to present on Quality Management in Mission Hospitals. Thus I have the great privilege of doing two presentations.

The symposium is from 8am on Sunday 8 March until Saturday after lunch on 14 March. Limuru is west of Nairobi so we will be traveling with Barbara Dickinson and Jane Gray, two nurses working at Maua Methodist Hospital, on Saturday and returning on Sunday a week later. Barbara and Jane are British but are delighted to have this chance for learning. Bill is driving us and staying in Nairobi and taking some time off.

Thank you for your many emails, prayers and loving kindness. We are so grateful.

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“The crisis of our diminishing water resources is just as severe (if less obviously immediate) as any wartime crisis we have ever faced. Our survival is just as much at stake as it was at the time of Pearl Harbor, or the Argonne, or Gettysburg, or Saratoga”. Jim Wright, U.S. Representative

Dear Friends and Family,

“Water is essential for all dimensions of life. Over the past few decades, use of water has increased, and in many places water availability is falling to crisis levels. More than eighty countries, with forty percent of the world’s population, are already facing water shortages, while by year 2020 the world’s population will double. The costs of water infrastructure have risen dramatically. The quality of water in rivers and underground has deteriorated, due to pollution by waste and contaminants from cities, industry and agriculture. Ecosystems are being destroyed, sometimes permanently. Over one billion people lack safe water, and three billion lack sanitation; eighty per cent of infectious diseases are waterborne, killing millions of children each year.” World Bank Institute

On Thursday 12 Feb as I left an all day Staff Training and Education Meeting, I was called to the phone. It was the Quality Assessor from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) office in Meru. He was calling to tell me that the next morning at 9am two assessors from Nairobi were coming to assess Maua Methodist Hospital. Our CEO and Nursing Officer In-charge (NOIC) were away at an educational event in Nairobi and our Administrator takes classes in Meru on Fridays. I explained that those three top people would be gone thinking the assessment might be cancelled or at least postponed. However, he stated that the assessors wanted to be with the Hospital Quality Improvement Team and so that wasn’t a problem. He also stated that the Quality Assessors from Nairobi were impressed with my documentation but wanted to see how it translated to the wards and units of the hospital. Normally, we would have several days to prepare for a major hospital assessment.

I quickly talked to Sr. Rose Mutwiri, the acting NOIC, and to Dr. Inoti, the Medical Officer In-charge (MOIC) and spoke briefly with Mr. Munga’thia, our Administrator. It was 4:15pm. I then made a quick round of the hospital and informed all the unit in-charges that I met about the assessment. As I walked home that evening, I decided to give the assessment to God. Thursday evening we host a Bible study in our home and I was thankful for the additional prayers and support.

The next morning I was in my office before 5am and made a round of the hospital at 5:30am. One of the most important things to do is have all the documentation available to the assessors. Thus I arranged my notebooks, printed some items I could not find, cleared my desk and prayed. At 9:20am I called the Meru Office to see when the assessors would be coming. In the past the assessors have arrived quite late in the day. I had asked all the unit in-charges to stay at work until I released them to make certain the assessors could visit their unit if the assessment lasted until past working hours. I was told they would arrive between 11 – 11:30am. They arrived at 12:10am. I had met both the assessors before as in 2008 they had visited the hospital and gone on a tour. It was strictly a visit with no assessment.

We started the assessment in the OPD Board Room with members of the Hospital Quality Improvement Team, Dr. Inoti, Sr. Mutwiri and our accountant, Mr. Mauta. After tea, they asked for all our documentation and fortunately I had it to share. At 2:30pm we ate lunch and then they requested we visit 6 units; laboratory, pharmacy, labor ward, kitchen, community outreach department and the physio-therapy unit. As we walked around the hospital I was so proud of the staff. Everything was so clean and everyone so welcoming and prepared, my heart soared like an eagle. At around 5pm we returned to the Board Room for the marking of the Master Checklist they use to score the hospital. They explained that they were looking at the best hospitals in the area, as far as quality was concerned, to choose one to be the Center of Excellence for that region. Needless to say, we are prayerful we will be that hospital but whether we are or not, we all felt good about the assessment and what the assessors said. As the assessors left the compound at 6pm, I was so grateful to God and all the people who had made the assessment such a positive experience. I also felt so much thanksgiving for all our supporting churches in the USA, who allow us to be here at this time, in this place, doing just what we are doing. Asante sana!

On Tuesday of this week, 17 Feb, the water pump for our large well stopped working. We receive some water from the river but from the compound we can see the waterfall that is located in the hills above the hospital and it appears to be a trickle of water now so we knew that would not begin to provide the water that is needed. The hospital wards and houses have had no water on and off since Tuesday. What is saving us from closing the hospital is a smaller well that was rehabilitated in 2000. We can run the pump on that well for 12 hours and then have it off for three hours and then back on for 12 hours. The in-charge of maintenance has been gone this week so Bill has been working hard with the other workers to make certain there is some water for the nursing wards, laundry, kitchen and a few other areas as possible. Yesterday our CEO ordered a new pump but this is Kenya and it always takes longer than we think. Yesterday Bill created a schedule for two of the workers plus himself to monitor the pump and the water supply. I even had a very quick, mostly cold shower today!

This reminds both Bill and me of the year 2000. That year we had the most severe drought Kenya had experienced in 40 years (and in those years the population had doubled). All the hospital staff were very worried. About two months before the river went completely dry a tree fell on our river water intake tank and crushed it. For the next week we had no water (well, the hospital bought water and each nursing unit had one container a day.) At the time I was working in the Pediatric Ward and finding that taking care of babies and children with almost no water was near to impossible. I wrote an email about our situation, describing my week on the Pediatric Ward. I did not ask for money. In my email I had mentioned that there was a well that had been dug for the hospital but when the pump had broken, the hospital had not had funds to buy a new one and so that well had not been used for many years. Plymouth Park UMC in Irving, TX, our home church and First UMC in Dumas, TX, a supporting church immediately responded to that email. Those two churches raised and sent us $30,000 in just a few weeks. Our well was rehabilitated, a pump purchased and installed, a new large water tank was built and water available in the hospital two days before the river in Maua was completely dry. We had the only water for the town and shared as much as we could. I will never forget how thankful we were for the generosity of those two churches and the celebration we had the day the river went dry. Today, again, I am so grateful for that well and those churches that again are providing us with the water to keep going. God’s goodness and faithfulness never fail!

The summer of 2000 a mission work team from Chapelwood UMC in Houston, TX came and laid pipe to connect the rehabilitated well to our water tank and then we had another, deeper well dug that was paid for by Chapelwood UMC.. Normally, that well and tank are our major source of water. We are so grateful for the work and funds from those churches that keep us going.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” In our area of Kenya we do not pay for water and certain businesses have bought land where there are springs or fresh water sources. Over half of our population receives their water from the river by sending their daughters with 2 – 5 gallon jugs to collect it daily. Another 20 – 30% of our population has severe water problems every year during the dry seasons and has to buy the little water they use.

When we served in Jos, Nigeria, the women there during the dry season would walk many miles to a dry river bed and then dig down and allow water to fill a small hole. One of the major projects in Nigeria was digging wells. This ministry made huge difference in the lives of the women and children. Trachoma, an eye disease which causes blindness and is caused primarily from not having water to wash the eyes especially in children, decreased significantly when the wells were dug in the villages. Before the wells were dug in Nigeria, the rural health program used to teach mothers how to bathe with 6 ounces of water (a tomato paste can).

I recently read the following statement; “Water has become a highly precious resource. There are some places where a barrel of water costs more than a barrel of oil.” Lloyd Axworthy, Foreign Minister of Canada. Today, as you drink that bottle or glass of clean, safe, cool water, and flush your toilet say a prayer of thanksgiving that you have the water to drink and use. Then consider spending some time in prayer about all the people in the world who do not have any clean, safe water to drink and would never imagine flushing waste with 5 gallons of water.

“I was thirsty and you gave me a drink…….’I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to the least of these, that was me—you did it to me.” Math: 25: 42 – 45
This Lenten season please remember those who are hungry and thirsty and in some way help them. I once heard a pastor say, “Don’t give up anything for Lent but add something.” How about adding prayer that translates into action for the hungry and thirsty, for the least of these around the corner, around the country and around the world?

Our cup overflows,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“The crisis of our diminishing water resources is just as severe (if less obviously immediate) as any wartime crisis we have ever faced. Our survival is just as much at stake as it was at the time of Pearl Harbor, or the Argonne, or Gettysburg, or Saratoga”. Jim Wright, U.S. Representative

14 Feb 08

Dear Friends and Family,

“Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.” John 6:35 “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

We saw Linnet this past week and shared a meal with her and Rahab. I wanted to give you an update on what is happening in her life and ask for your prayers.

As many of you may remember, Linnet is a 24 year old woman, mother of two boys, who on Thurs. 20 Sep 2007 was brought into the hospital by neighbors. She had been found lying in the bush near her home. At around 3am that morning her husband had come to their home, dragged her out and using a panga (machete) had cut her 25 times. He cut off both hands and her right foot was dangling. He cut her back, legs, chest, face, and had left her for dead. After admission to our hospital, our surgeon was able to save her leg. After many surgeries and physical therapy, she was discharged from the hospital in mid-November 2007 and went home to live with her father and step-mother.

Bill and I visited her at her home near Chuka on 5 Sep 08. Her father had died, her step-mother had left (and since then has died) and Linnet was left with her 20 year old and 10 year old brothers, Boniface and Loyd, on their father’s land. On that visit were again amazed at Linnet’s sweet spirit and perseverance. She was receiving very little care. Boniface can cook for her but traditionally a Meru man cannot bathe a woman. Linnet’s two children were taken I by an orphanage after her father died as she cannot care for them.

We had visited Linnet with Rahab, a woman that was originally from Maua but now lives with her husband in Embu. She returns often to Maua and heard about Linnet, visited her in the hospital, and became her “mother”. Rahab has done so much for Linnet. In Dec 08 she took Linnet to a well known orthopedic hospital in Kenya to see if they could put a plate in her leg as she had broken her right leg while home and it would not heal. That surgery is scheduled for 12 Feb 08, next Thursday. Once her leg is healed and she is able to balance herself, either Rahab or Bill and I will take her to Kikuyu Hospital for prosthetics. Please join us in praying for Linnet’s surgery, rehabilitation and receiving of her prosthetic arms.

About three weeks ago Rahab started a restaurant in Maua. While setting up the new restaurant and hiring staff she heard that Linnet’s husband would be going to trail on 9 Feb 09. She felt it would be good for Linnet to come and be present at the court hearings though no one had contacted Linnet. Thus on Sunday Rahab and Linnet arrived in Maua. When Linnet showed up at the court the Magistrate was very pleased and asked if she would testify. (No charges had been brought against Linnet’s husband and thus he could not be kept in jail any longer.) The Magistrate asked that Rahab and Linnet to get a P3 form at Maua Methodist Hospital so Linnet could testify. A P3 form is filled with medical information regarding the type of injuries received, usually done by the doctor who took care of the patient involved. After some time the P3 was filled out and Rahab and Linnet returned to the court. Rahab told us that Linnet did such a wonderful job in her testimony and that the Magistrate and all that were in the court room were very impressed with her intelligence and ability to talk about such a traumatic event with such clarity. She was calm and able to explain exactly what happened. She did say that her husband had said he was going to kill her and then kill himself. She never knew why he had cut her. She told us that he had never hurt her before that time.

Her husband, who stated he was not guilty, was allowed to question Linnet and ask questions like how did she know it was him who attacked her. Rahab said that his questions did not help his case at all. After the session her husband apologized to Linnet and said he was afraid to tell the truth as he would be in prison so long and the people in the court room were so upset with him. Linnet refused to speak to him since he had lied and then ask such foolish, hurtful questions.

The policeman who had booked Linnet’s husband had traveled from his new post in Rift Valley to testify. He explained that after the neighbors had brought Linnet to the hospital, they had returned to their village and forcibly brought the husband to the Maua Police Station where he has stayed for the last 17 months.

The court will meet again to hear testimony from the clinical officer at Maua Methodist Hospital that cared for Linnet on her day of admission. That has been scheduled for 17 Feb 09.

We remain in awe of Linnet. As she talked about the court case and seeing her husband for the first time in 17 months, she was calm, not at all agitated and literally radiates a peace and inner joy that can only come from a close relationship with God. She again said she had long ago forgiven her husband and would accept anything the court decided. There is no anger, hate or bitterness in this young woman. Instead she radiates a joy and complete acceptance of who she is, what has happened and what will happen.

Linnet, left, with Rahab enjoying our meal Jerri and Linnet, with her typical smile, after dinner

The last few weeks have been rather devastating. On Thursday 29 Jan a fire started in a Nakumatt, the largest chain of supermarkets in Kenya, and 29 died. It was in an old building in down town Nairobi with only once entrance and exit. On Saturday 31 Jan a fuel tanker overturned near the town of Molo and exploded killing 113 people with 176 survivors 46 of whom were airlifted to Nairobi while 0ver 100 was admitted to the local hospitals. People in the village were told that there was an overturned tanker and the villagers ran to see if they could get some of the fuel to sell and then have money to buy food. (Molo is an extremely poor area of the country).

The number of people who are starving in Kenya seems to increase daily. Our pediatric ward continues to have so many starving, emaciated children admitted. A few weeks ago I met a nine year old boy, Felix. He was admitted with severe TB. At 9 years old he weighs 20 pounds and is about 3 feet in length. He is mentally challenged. As I watched him struggle to breath, I couldn’t imagine what his 9 years had been like. How hungry, alone and desperate he must have always been. I reached out and touched him and smiled at him. His eyes looked up and met mine and then his little face broke into a smile. He gained weight and seemed to be doing much better but died 4 days ago. I never took a picture of Felix but recently when I visited the ward I took pictures of two children, Martin and Joseph.

Joseph is 8 years old and weighs about 33 pounds. He is also mentally challenged and like Felix has never walked or talked. Both of them have legs about the size of a broom handle. Joseph was brought by his uncle, who went to visit his sister, who is mentally challenged and found Joseph in such critical condition he brought him to the hospital. He states that all three of his sister’s children are malnourished but none look like Joseph. Joseph is still vomiting after his 3-hourly feeds as he can only tolerate a small amount of nourishment. He also smiled at me but that day I didn’t have the camera. I am amazed these two children would every learn how to smile as I imagine their lives have been so full of sorrow, hunger, pain and loneliness.

Joseph with his uncles hand on his head Martin lying in bed

Martin is 4 years old. As you can see he is quite tall for 4 years old which means he has received food in the past but now the family has nothing and he was admitted with malaria, pneumonia, severe anemia and starvation. We can help these children recover from their illnesses and even gain weight but then we have to send them home to the same situation. The hospital has started a program to send food home with families of children like this.

Eve is a 30 year old woman who was admitted to our medical ward. Her two sons carried her to the hospital, both of whom are extremely thin. Eve was in excruciating pain and even the slightest touch of her skin caused her to groan loudly. She died before any tests were completed to help with her diagnosis.

Eve shortly after her admission

I have found knowing these four patients helpful in my efforts to lose weight. If you are still dieting after Christmas and like me are never too hungry but love the taste of good food, you might use their pictures to give up a meal daily or every other day and during the time you would normally at you can pray for people who are starving to death and you can send the money you saved to some program in your neighborhood or city, state or count, or around the world that feeds starving people.

A recent Nation (the major Kenyan newspaper) stated that it will be at least October 2009 before Kenya has the possibility of having a good rainy season and a good crop (our next rainy season should be mid-March through May. So many around us will not make it to the end of Feb much less Oct.

I’m not sure if I told you about our rainy season. It was slow in starting but then we had good rain. However, it stopped about 3 weeks too early. Some farmers that live in the hills surrounding Maua had a pretty good crop but most of the people in our area lost all of their maize and beans. They are presently allowing the stunted maize stalks to dry in the field to feed to cows. Their lack of food, of course, makes them unable to pay their hospital bills. Thus these last months have seen the hospital struggling to meet our payroll and expenses.

Bill and I were in Nairobi this last weekend and saw many Maasai herds of cattle walking through the streets headed for the wealthy areas where there is large compounds with green grass. Already their cattle are dying and they are migrating.

We need your help. Please pray for us and please remember the hungry everywhere. You may not see them for often they are invisible, but they are there, standing quietly pleading with God to help them. I know God hears them, do you?

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Mother Teresa

“The fact is that this generation — yours, my generation … we’re the first generation that can look at poverty and disease, look across the ocean to Africa and say with a straight face, we can be the first to end this sort of stupid extreme poverty, where in the world of plenty, a child can die for lack of food in it’s belly.” Bono 2004

24 Jan 09

Dear Friends and Family,

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Isaiah 61: 1 – 4

In October 2007, the home of our very close friend, Fridah Gakii, burned to the ground. I can still remember her telling me that her house burned on the day following the fire. She was so casual and calm I could hardly believe what she was saying. She just kept saying that God was so good as no one was hurt. When we went to her home that afternoon and saw the devastation we were stunned. We could not identify furniture or any of their
possessions as everything was destroyed.

Fridah & her family standing in the ashes Behind Keith and Mwathe is there small kitchen which did not burn

Fridah lived at home with her mother, her son, 4 year old Keith, her sister, Lillian and Lillian’s 11 year old daughter, Daisy, her brother, Mwathe, and two cousins. Their home was wooden with 4 rooms – one was the sitting room, with a couch and two chairs, where Mwathe slept. Then there was Fridah and Keith’s room, Lillian and Daisy’s room, and a room which was partitioned 4 ways where her mother and two cousins slept, and two areas for storage. Each room was approximately 8’ X 10’.

The fire started in the sitting room. Fridah had fixed some tea for her mom, Keith, Lillian and Daisy on a jiko (a small coal or wood burning grill). Daisy brought the jiko in the house as it was getting cool and she knew her grandmother enjoyed the warmth while drinking her tea. As she was placing the jiko in the sitting room, Fridah’s mom called Fridah, Keith, and Daisy outside to see something. The Kenyan’s always cover their sofas with pretty lace or cloth covers. The cloth covering the sofa set caught on fire. Lillian was in her room and felt the heat and saw smoke and miraculously got out unharmed. When Fridah saw what was happening she started screaming and shouting which brought neighbors running. When others arrived Fridah ran into her room and pulled out a bag of clothes and her phone. Those where the only things that survived the fire.

For the next many months Daisy, Keith and Fridah’s mom lived in the kitchen. We asked Fridah to stay with us but she said she was living with a step-sister. Fridah’s father was married before he married Fridah’s mom. That wife died but had 3 children and Fridah stayed with one of them. We were never certain where the others stayed.

It took months to clear away the debris. We had assumed the house would be built on the ashes but learned that traditionally when a fire happens, that land is never used again for building. Most of the rest of the land was planted with tea so we could not imagine where they would build.

Fridah has been a leader in the church for as long as we have been in Kenya. Thus the church members helped by bringing a little money and sharing some pots, dishes and clothing. For months we met people visiting when we would go to visit. However, most of their friends have very little themselves thus much of the support they received was prayer support. I remember a neighbor saying they would never be able to rebuild a 4 room house. Fortunately our God is a God of the impossible and of the poor. Fridah and her family were helped by friends from afar!

We watched and waited as trees from their compound were cut down to provide the wood for a new home. A site was chosen and months of work were required to remove the tea plants whose roots often go down 10 – 12 feet and then level that land. Finally when the land was ready, large rocks that had been dug from the area that had been burned were used for the foundation. Then the March – May rains came. They were not heavy but from the 12 – 15 foot high fields directly behind the new home site, a spring appeared about 5 feet above the foundation and its path was through the planned home. This took months of talking to and working with friends, family and construction workers. Finally, the man who is in-charge of most of the building that happens at Maua Methodist Hospital, Boniface, came up with a solution that was implemented. Now the wooden walls could be completed, the zinc roof applied, and the cement floor poured. But again that was done over months.
January 10th Bill and I attended a double celebration with Fridah, her family, friends and neighbors. The first part of the celebration was for Mwathe, her brother, who was circumcised and emerging as a young man that day. The second was the blessing ceremony for their new home, 3 rooms built together and one room across from the three. The single room is where Mwathe spent his time of isolation and learning after being circumcised.

What a great day we all had with so much joy and thanksgiving. It was a different kind of experience from the circumcision ceremony held at the Gitari’s on the hospital compound because it was held in the village and most of the village came. We recognized several grandmother’s that are part of the AIDS Orphan’s program and the man that stood with Mwathe as his ‘father’ is a close friend as my family built an AIDS Orphan’s home for his two daughters and children.

I arrived at 1pm and found many neighbors and friends cooking porridge and stew, peeling potatoes, and mashing the potatoes, bananas and beans for ireo. It was a wonderful time of watching the friends helping and caring for each other.

Bill & one of the AIDS Orphan grandmothers Women using 2 long, wooden spoons mash the ireo

At about 3:30pm, Mwathe and his mentor emerged from the one room house and the ceremony began. Again, the assistant pastor from our church was there and preached and prayed and then friends and community leaders talked about the importance of being a good Meru and Christian man. Mwathe sat quietly with his head down, as is the tradition, listening attentively. Many children, all ages and size, and old women wearing head scarves and their old and frayed but very clean clothing arrived and walked around, sat, listened, waved, watched and laughed as the ceremony progressed. Suddenly Keith, Fridah’s son, realized that his uncle Mwathe was there and of course he hadn’t seen him in one month so he ran, arms extended, behind the table where Mwathe was seated and began hugging his uncle. Mwathe’s smile could not be hidden even with his head down and his obvious love for Keith was shown in the gentle ways he accepted Keith affection and questions. The ceremony never paused for Keith or the children and older women.

Keith, leaning back on Mwathe Some of the children One of the older ladies

Fridah’s mom was so filled with joy when Mwathe was presented to her and fed her some cake. What an extraordinary day – her some becomes a man and out of the ashes a new home is created.

When Mwathe had been presented to everyone and his ceremony ended, the celebration and blessing of their new home began. The pastor prayed for the home and for what it represented to this family and the community. The impossible had happened. From the ashes and sorrow of everything that was lost had come the joy and beauty of a new home built on and by friendship, hard work, much patience and always the hope and faith that God is always with us and in our weakness can show His strength, in our waiting He can help us fly, and in our love He can show His light, power and presence.

3 room home (gourds filled with fermented porridge) One room home across from three room home

Bill and I left around 6:15pm with a new appreciation of village life in our area, of friendship and how its threads reach around the world, and with a feeling of deep gratitude to God for the ways in which He works in the lives of His people. We had a better understanding why God loves the poor: Their love of Him, their joy and thanksgiving, their self-reliance on Him alone and their ability to make Him the focus of every celebration, every important event in their lives. Whether on the day of the fire or the day of the celebration, God’s presence is seen, felt, acknowledged and celebrated.

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

10 Jan. 09

Dear Friends and Family,

“In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” Ann Landers

In the last several months we have heard from several people who have had special events, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., and have had the money sent to Maua Methodist Hospital for one of our projects. I thought I would share a few of their stories.
Ø Krista collected $125 in lieu of gifts for her 7th birthday to support the AIDS Orphan’s Program. Krista is from Chandler UMC, Chandler, TX. She is mighty young to give up birthday presents for others. We are so grateful, Krista! (Mom and dad came on a work team this last year, Drs. Debra and Tom Cherry!)
Ø 4th grade boys in GAP (God Answers Prayer) group at Chapelwood UMC, Houston, TX raised $180 for the Aids Orphan program. (Kimberly Hillman came on a work team and her son Reid, was one of boy’s in GAP)
Ø From a 50th wedding anniversary; a 90th birthday, the money someone receives from having his devotionals published in the Upper Room; the money saved on stamps when Christmas cards were sent by email; Christmas gifts for all members of a family over 15; and from a saint who died.

Krista with her doll her parents bought her from Kenya 4th grade boys GAP (God Answers Prayer) group FROM Chapelwood UMC

Last week I only shared one half of what happened in Maua in December. So here goes!

December 20th Bill and I attended the AIDS Orphan’s Christmas Party. This time there were over 800 AIDS Orphan’s at the party. Fortunately not everyone was present during their time in the Chapel for singing, Bible reading and a sermon. Following the Chapel time there was tea (a cup of milk, sugar & tea and several pieces of bread) and then time in the field for play before lunch. The teens were taken to our Community Health Department and talked and shared which proved to be very fruitful. The children and youth all seemed very joyous and enjoyed the food, fellowship, games and time to share immensely. It has been a great privilege for us to watch this program grow as well as the children. So many lives changed by receiving hope, food and education.

Children playing in the school field Bill surrounded by many children Teens sharing problems and solutions

On the same day as the AIDS Orphan’s party, we attended Kevin Gitari’s “Coming Out Celebration” after his circumcision and weeks of teaching and seclusion. Kevin is Mary and Stanley Gitari’s son. Mary is the Nursing Officer In-charge of the hospital, my boss, and the Chair woman of the Women’s Fellowship at church and thus the coordinator of the Alternative Girls Rite of Passage. Stanley is In-charge of the Community Health Department at the hospital which includes MCH; all outreach clinics, Palliative Care, Giving Hope and the AIDS Orphan’s program. Their son and two other boy’s, approximately 14 – 15 years old, were circumcised by Stanley in early December and then spent several weeks in a sleeping room with toilet. During those weeks they were visited by their Mentor, who sees them at least once daily and is responsible for their teaching. The boy’s were also tended by Kevin’s 1st cousin who was with the boy’s night and day. Numerous men from the hospital, community and church came throughout the day to teach them all they would need to know to become a Meru
man!!!

Male circumcision or the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood is a very significant and important event in the lives of the Meru people. For the boys being circumcised and “becoming men” it is a period of great transition and learning. For the mother it is a time of hosting literally 100’s of friends, that come to drink fermented porridge with her, bring food to feed her son and help celebrate her joy and pride in becoming the mother of a “man”. I joined Mary for fermented porridge with a group and on my own. With the group, we not only received porridge but a complete meal. Then on the day the new men emerged, there was a big celebration which included lots of food, speeches, prayers, a sermon, dancing and singing and much joy, singing, dancing and thanksgiving.

I was reminded during the weeks of Kevin’s seclusion of the high cost of friendship. I am not speaking only of Kenya, for friendship, real friendship always has a cost. But I was always amazed at how many women were at the Gitari home helping to cook porridge and food for all the guests and the numerous gifts that were brought. Fridah, our dear friend, carried a very heavy load of wood for Mary to use to cook the food. All the food for the boy’s and guests is cooked over wood! Rose, one of the Senior Nurses I work with, took a week of leave and spent 16 – 18 hours a day at Mary’s cooking, cleaning up and doing whatever was needed. I know on Friday night she was working until after midnight and was at Mary’s before 6am on Saturday the day of the big celebration. Rose has two children that were home on holiday and that week was the time she would be off with them. However, If they wanted to spend time with their mom, they worked with her at the Gitari’s and they certainly did that.

On Friday evening I went to Mary’s to help prepare for the big feast on Saturday. I peeled almost a 90Kg sack of carrots thanks to my incredible “Pampered Chef” peeler and paring knife. No, I’m really not advertising for Pampered Chef just stating that because I had such wonderful tools I could do that in less than 2 ½ hours. The other woman could not believe a “mzungu” woman could peel carrots so fast. I had to admit it was due to my tools rather than my talents! For the meal on Saturday I baked 7 pans of rolls. My contribution to the event was miniscule compared to most but I was grateful for a chance to be a part of this special occasion and learn and better understand what is important and why.

For the “coming out celebration, the Gitari’s set up two tents in their yard that were beautifully decorated. Leading to the main tent were about 8 Maasai blankets laid on the ground. At about 2:45pm a car drove up and three young men, dressed in identical suits got out and walked over the blankets to their seats. As they walked their path was strewn with flower petals by their sisters and songs of joy filled the air as church woman danced the boys to their place of honor. The three, NEW men had emerged.
Left to right: Benedict, Joseph, Kevin and Mwenda their Mentor 3 mom’s, 2 dad’s, 3 new men, Gitari’s 2nd son, Ian, & Beth, their daughter

The 3 mothers and 2 fathers were dressed in identical traditional dresses or shirts. The joy and pride on their faces as their son’s emerged as men were as bright as the stars and so filled with love we all felt blessed. There were then speeches or brief talks about different aspects of manhood. Dr. Inoti, our new Medical Officer In-charge at the hospital, shared about health. We heard about loving God, the importance of education, caring for the community, treating woman with respect and other topics. At about 3:30pm there were prayers and food was served. Hands were washed using a garden hose, and bowls were filled to overflowing with delicious food. Everyone enjoyed eating and talking. After the meal the boy’s were all presented with a cake (a beautifully decorated cake for each boy) that he cut and then fed his mentor and care taker and then in a wonderful ceremony the young men were presented to their parents. Then they were presented to the pastors (3 pastors – 2 from St. Joseph’s Church and the Chaplain at the hospital). Lastly they were presented to the youth, their friends and peers. (For these boy’s it was the youth group from St. Joseph’s Methodist Church.
Kevin being presented to the 3 pastors & Chr. of Church Mary & Stanley dancing with the women from Stanley’s home village

At this point there was entertainment. Women from the Athiru Gaiti Methodist Church, Stanley’s home church, sang and danced. The Mary and Stanley joined in with great enthusiasm and had everyone on their feet clapping, laughing and singing! The youth sang and a speaker from the St. Joseph’s Women’s Fellowship spoke. Then the senior pastor of St. Joseph’s Church gave a sermon. It was close to 6pm when the guests were released so they could walk home before dark. What a wonderful day of celebration and joy!

During December Bill and I also had a long time friend, Kimberly Wilton, from El Cajon, CA and two of her grand daughters visit us for 5 days. They were able to see some of our programs and Bill and I were thrilled to spend time with them.

We had lunch at our home for two families that we are close to and were so blessed by their joy and gifts of love to us.

We had a holiday in Nairobi relaxing, reading, walking, eating and not writing any emails. We returned fresh, invigorated and more grateful than ever to God for allowing us to serve at Maua Methodist Hospital and to you for supporting us so we can be here. We are looking forward to what lies ahead of us in 2009 and seeing many of you. This past Sunday and this coming Monday we will participate in the Wesley Covenant Service, my favorite service of the year. Join us in saying the final prayer of the service:

“I am no longer my own, but Thine. Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee, exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee; let me be full or empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Thou are mine, and I am Thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

3 January 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

“Just think – you don’t need a thing! All God’s gifts are right in front of you………..and not only that but God himself is right along side to keep you steady and on track……..He will never give up on your. Never forget that.”
1Cor. 1: 5 – 9 (Peterson, THE MESSAGE)

What a joy it has been to hear from many of you during the holiday season. Thank you for sharing by mail and email. We always love to hear from you and know what is happening in your lives. It helps us with our prayers and to keep up with you, the people we love. We pray you had a Christ-filled Christmas and that the New Year will bring us all closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

December has been filled to the brim and overflowing with special days, new events and amazing occasions that have helped us better understand those with whom we work and serve.
December 1st was World AIDS Day. The theme for the day was “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” It was held in a small village about 8 km. from Maua. Our Giving Hope Program took 320 children, youth and adults making three bus trips. The group made a huge impact on everyone that day. First they met at the hospital and then they marched through Maua. Then they were loaded on the bus and went to the World AIDS Day program. Three of the numerous groups who had prepared a presentation were able to perform for the District leaders, community leaders, interested persons and numerous HIV groups. Through poems and songs the children had written, they expressed their feelings by engaging leaders to lead, to deliver the necessary support and services to all, and to empower the children (orphans) and those living with HIV. The youth and children were such an inspiration to everyone.

Giving Hope children, youth and sponsors Bill and some of the Giving Hope children

The other group that had a great impact was also from Maua Methodist Hospital. It is the Maua Men’s Group which is part of our Palliative Care Program. In our area, Maua has the ONLY HIV/AIDS men’s group. Basically in our area men would rather die than admit they were HIV+. All the groups in the area are ¾ or more women. Thus, this men’s group has the potential to save 100’s of lives. The group is made up men from every sector of our population. Their presentation focused on the need for men to come forward, be tested, take medication and be leaders in the fight against HIV. Bill and I are so proud of Maua Methodist Hospital and the programs they have that are making the difference for so many children, youth, women and men.

Some of the Men’s Group Giving Hope Youth take a break

December 14th was a Family Service at St. Joseph’s Methodist Church (our church). It was a combined service (combining the English, Ki-Swahili and Ki-Meru services). It was to start at 10am and it did. The first two hours of the service were Bible verses, poems, songs, drama and dances done by the children and youth of the church. It was the most incredible service I have attended. The Sunday school class had brought all the small plastic chairs they have for the children and the first 5 rows in the church there were 150 – 200 children ranging in ages from 3 – 8. The next 5 rows were the older children and youth (approximately 200) and then the adults, moms, dads, grandparents, neighbors and friends sat watching with amazement and joy! Several children, 3 – 5 years old, took the microphone in their hands and gave a poem or Bible verse with such confidence and determination. All of us old folks were so inspired by the children and their hard work, dedication and courage!

The children sitting in the front of the church A young boy, 5 years old, who recited a long poem

A nativity drama combined the youngest children with some youth and was very well done. Everyone who participated and everyone who watched seemed to have such a wonderful, joyful time.

3 year old girl who performed twice Participants in the nativity drama

On December 18th the hospital had their annual Christmas party. It is a special day for all staff which includes a meal, speeches, a gift, and lots of fun. The party was to start at 12noon but due to many different factors it did not start until 2pm. That is when all the food was delivered in huge sufarias from the kitchen (rice pilau with meat, stew with meat, meat, ireo (potatoes, green bananas, and black beans), soda, and bananas. The food line took about 1 hour and then we had speeches by the Hospital Management Team. We had one staff person retire and she and her family were honored and given a gift. Then the games began. There were numerous running races, sack races, balloon breaking races and finally a race to see who could eat one loaf of bread, a banana and drink a soda fastest. How we enjoyed watching the staff and students compete, dance, sing, shout and have fun. They have more fun doing simple things and it is such a delight to watch and join them.

Staff dancing Women preparing for sack race
The hospital cateress made a beautiful cake for the party. First the cake was carried to a table and then there were some speeches and lots of singing and dancing. The one cake, though quite large, serves everyone at the party because the cake is cut into very small pieces, what we would generally call a large crumb. But that is enough for everyone.

Following the cake cutting the staff was given a number and the number matched a gift. They filled through one of the classrooms in the school of nursing to pick up their gift. The gifts were very nice this year and ranged from a cup to a hibachi type cooker. It was almost dark before everyone began their journey home. We had eaten, listened, laughed, danced, sang and laughed some more. It was a wonderful way to start our Christmas holiday.

The Christmas cake Sr. Sophia, the nurse in-charge of Pediatric Ward dancing after winning a race!

And now for something completely different: I think I confused people talking about my replacement a few emails ago. Our present assignment will end in 2009. We have requested another 2 year assignment to remain in Maua through most of 2011. My replacement is in school, working on her BS in Nursing and we pray will graduate in mid-2011. I will be training her when she is home on leave from school and before we leave in 2011. Thus we will be seeing our supporting churches this year, 2009. As soon as we receive word from the Global Ministries, we will be writing everyone to make arrangements.

We know that our friends around the world are having difficulty due to the financial crisis. We pray that as each of us deals with the problems we face, we will continue to remember the poorest of the poor around the world. If we are hurting, imagine the problems they are facing. This month we have admitted more malnourished children in our Pediatric Ward than we have in the 11 previous months combined. It is so difficult to send these children and mothers home as there isn’t any food at home or money to buy any food. Our rainy season stopped 2 – 3 weeks too soon and thus there is almost no maize and very few beans. Our Kenyan friends and colleagues have serious concerns about 2009 but their hope and trust in God is as solid as a rock! May we all stand firmly on the Rock, trusting in God and reaching out to help others around the corner and around the world in His name.
In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“Lead with love and faith, and overcoming mountainous challenges, indeed accomplishing almost anything worthwhile, will be possible.” Charles C. Manz

13 December 08

Dear Friends and Family,
“Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less”. Susan B. Anthony

During the week of December 1 – 5th the Women’s Fellowship at St. Josephs Methodist Church in Maua, (our church and I’m a member of the Women’s Fellowship) sponsored a Girls Alternative Rite of Passage for 96 girls.

When we arrived in Maua in 1999, 98% of the women were female circumcised. When we returned in 2007 it had decreased to 92%. In our area female circumcision or “Female Genital Mutilation” (FGM) is done as early as 8 years of age to approximately 15 years of age. In the last census it was found that 70% of the boys and girls in our area left school after Standard 3 (3rd grade). Presently Primary School no longer has high fees and many more girls and boys are attending school through Standard 8. Thus the age of FGM has increased. The FGM that is practiced here is 2nd degree which means all external genitalia are removed. The girls/teens generally go in village groups and are circumcised together and then are secluded for one month in a tiny hut built specifically for them by the parents. During that month a woman chosen by the girl or her mother (a woman that had been circumcised in the same group as the mother) would visit the girl/teen daily or might actually stay with her to bring or provide food and teach the newly circumcised girl/teen how to be a woman in this area of Kenya. There was no curriculum so the woman taught what she believed was most important. After one month the girl/teen emerges from her seclusion as a woman. The first week would be a time of healing with the final 3 weeks used for daily teaching. Unlike male circumcision, which entails much celebration, eating and dancing when the man emerges, the new woman experiences little or no fanfare. Since the practice of FGM has been against the law since 1998 it is often done in secret!

The Girls Alternative Rite of Passage started in Mary Gitari’s mind shortly after her election as Chairwoman of the Women’s Fellowship early this year. Mary is the Nursing Officer In-charge (Matron) at Maua Methodist Hospital and an outstanding church and community leader. In July, Mary’s dream was given flight by a work team from Oregon. A work team member was most anxious to help stop the practice of FGM and funds were donated to the program. With this money, Mary and the Women’s Fellowship began to plan the 5-day event. The Alternative Rite of Passage was opened to members of St. Joseph’s Methodist Church but grew to include numerous girls from other denominations and 16 girls from the Giving Hope program.

Mary and her team did an excellent job of planning the event. They had hoped and prayed for 70 participants. They rented the dorms and large dining area at Maua Girls Secondary School. They arranged for woman to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 teas daily for the girls and facilitators. Six members of the Women’s Fellowship spent each night with the girls and an additional 7 other members came during the day to teach the classes. A matching skirt and top were made for all the girls out of light blue material, so on the final day they all wore their new outfits as they emerged as the new woman of the community.

Though I was working full time, I was allowed to attend as much of the 5-day event as I could make up working early in the morning and late at night. Thus I accompanied Mary to the school at 9:40am on Monday morning, the first day. I had the great privilege of teaching the first class on Anatomy and Physiology and helping to teach Growth and Development when the person assigned did not show up. But I better back up a bit.

When Mary and I arrived she mobilized the girls to set up the room and I was assigned to everyone. I so enjoyed meeting each girl and though I was slow at the job; it was such fun to learn their name, age, class and church. The ages ranged from 14 – 18. Participants in the Opening of the Event Mary Gitari in pink with 2 other W. F. members during the Opening session Mary opened the event with singing, thanksgiving and prayer. There was so much joy and excitement in the room. We heard speeches of encouragement and joy by the Chairman of the Church, Mr. Meme Kanaki, Rev. Matano and Rev. Munoru, the pastors of St. Josephs’ and Rev. Gikabu, Chaplain at the hospital. Rev. Munoru’s talk included the myth of how FGM was started.

“Many years ago the Igembi people went to war with another group of people over their stolen cattle and goats. All the young men went to fight while all the old men went to pray for the young men. The women and children were left behind. It took a very long time to win the war but finally all the men, young and old, returned to find all the women pregnant. The uncircumcised boys had impregnated the women. The men met and decided the women must be punished in a way that would stop women from burning with desire for sexual relations when their men were gone and so FGM was born.”

The opening session took about 1 ½ hours. Then we all enjoyed tea together which included a cup of tea and a roll. The men then excused themselves and the teaching began.

I had created a Power Point Presentation and Bill had brought me all the equipment I needed to teach my Anatomy and Physiology class. There were 3 electrical outlets on the stage area but none worked. Fortunately I had brought handouts and was able to use them in my teaching. The girls were so attentive, asking good questions and participating well. After my presentation we had planned to eat lunch but it was not ready so we continued with Growth and Development. When that was complete, 3pm, the lunch was ready and we all ate.

Girls eating Singing led by the participants after the meal

The curriculum for the girls for the four days of teaching included the following classes: anatomy & physiology, human growth and development, female hygiene & cleanliness, understanding traditional practice circumcision, physical initiation, advantages and disadvantages to FGM, types of FGM and its complications, law and human rights, myths concerning FGM, reasons for FGM in our area, teenage pregnancy and rape, STI, HIV/AIDS, how to live a Christian life, abstain and say no, how to handle a husband, relationships with parents, peers and dressing changes/styles, opposite sex – secret relationships and openness, community social interactions and respect for all, and Holy matrimony. Each evening the girls had a time of entertainment. Part of that time was used by girls who volunteered to write a song that related to their training and experience that would be presented during the graduation service. Breakfast was served around 8:15am and each day included devotions immediately following breakfast done by one of the girls. There was singing led by the girls between teaching sessions and at least one small group session daily.

Mercy Kanyaru, the wife of the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya, came on Wednesday and stayed through the graduation on Friday. Her presence added much to this special time and her wisdom and the loving way she taught the girls was a great encouragement to all of us. During the graduation ceremony she was asked to shake the girls hands after they received their certificates. She said she would not shake their hands but would hug them and hug them she did, each of the 96 participants. She was the guest speaker at the graduation and her inspirational address had everyone clapping and dancing.

Mercy Kanyaru Participants during one of the teaching sessions

I attended as many sessions as I could each day of the week. I know the girls learned a great deal but I must admit I think I learned more than anyone. With every session I found myself absolutely amazed at how many assumptions I make about behavior and beliefs that are incorrect. I was so amazed during the teaching on the myths that have sustained the practice. As with many myths they seemed preposterous but have been extremely effective. One of the things that happens to the girls immediately following FGM is they make a vow to do all in their power to keep the tradition going. The vow is made using their own blood and if broken will bring a curse on their family and land. No wonder mother’s insist that their daughters are circumcised.

During the session on the law I was constantly amazed. In our area there has been a group of elders that made up what is known as the Njuri Ncheke. These men were selected to be members and for generations have been given the authority to make the final decisions for the Igembe people. To my amazement in 1952 the Njuri Ncheke made a declaration that female circumcision was not longer needed for the Igembe woman. The country had an army and police force and the men were not gone for long periods so the punishment of the women was over. We all learned this when one of the girls rose and asked, “Was it too much to ask for some pain and blood from the girls to bring honor to their ancestors?” Monica Makinya, the teacher, answered that question stating “The girls ancestors were the Njuri Ncheke of 1952 and that FGM should have stopped then and followed what the elders had decided as that would have brought honor to the ancestors. To continue to punish innocent girls after 1952 was inexcusable.”

A young female pastor shared that an Igembe woman would never make her husband feel like she knew more about any subject than he did. Even if the wife had a PhD in a topic, she would always make her husband feel like he knew more than she did. The reason given for this was that when a man feels like the woman knows more than he does, it shames him and when a man is shamed, he beats his wife. They were warned not to expect a man to do anything in the kitchen to help the woman no matter the circumstance. Kitchen work is women’s work and it always shames a man to do women’s work.

On Friday morning I was at the school at 10am. All the girls were dressed in their light blue skirts and tops. I watched them practice the song and drama they had created during the week. WOW!!! Then they began to line up for our march through Maua town on our way to St. Joseph’s Church for the graduation service. The sashes that identified the program and the church had not been delivered, so Mary Gitari and Mercy Kanyaru went to pick them up and left me in-charge of the girls. The women who had been spending the night with the girls had gone home to change. As I waited with the girls they began singing and praising God for His goodness. Thankfulness seemed to permeate the air we breathed and joy filled us all up to the brim and began to overflow. As soon as Mary and Marcy returned the sashes were pinned on and after a short wait we began our march through Maua. Sash the participants wore Marching through Maua

The people of Maua watched with delight and amazement. Workers in the shops ran out to watch us. Many women clapped and began singing with us. Some men smiled and cheered or gave us a thumbs up! Some men just shrugged their shoulders and watched or turned away and left. Marching through Maua gave most of the girls a new confidence and pride. My heart soared like an eagle!

When we arrived at St. Joseph’s Church the girls circled it many times clapping, dancing and singing. They then filed into the church and filled one third of the pews. The parents followed their daughters’ and sat behind them. After some singing the graduation ceremony began with bible reading, a sermon, presentation of the certificates, the guest speaker and the girls presentation, which for me was the high light of the graduation service.

Approximately 20 girls wearing a kanga over their blue skirts came forward. They stood in four lines and began their song. The song told the story of a young girl, Kendi, who was to be circumcised. “It was her time” the song stated and then repeated numerous times. The village women were excited and sang about the circumcision ceremony. But Kendi begged her mother not do circumcise her. She pleaded, cried, fell on her knees but her mother was equally determined. Finally the mother and village women dragged Kendi off to be circumcised. The signifying Kendi’s circumcision. Then Kendi became very ill and almost died. The village women were very worried. Kendi’s mother asks herself why she would put her daughter in harms way? Why she would force her to do something that has almost killed her? In remorse the mother declares this it is the end. She will not circumcise her other daughters. The village women join in and everyone begins to sing that circumcision is over. The beat and volume of the music goes from moderate and quiet to very fast and loud. The excitement of everyone in the church climaxed as the girls danced at a breakneck pace singing “It is over, it is over, no more circumcision.” As the girls return to their seats the congregation was on their feet and singing or shouting loudly, “It is over, female circumcision is over’!

Girls dancing Girls asking why Kendi was circumcised

After the girls received their certificates they were given a candle. With all 96 girls standing in the front of the church, the light that was radiated from their candles and faces seemed bright enough to light the world and it is our prayer their light will illuminate the darkness and secretive practice of FGM.

One girl receiving her certificate from Mercy Kanyaru Girls holding their certificates and candles

Join us in prayer that FGM is over or soon will be! The Woman’s Fellowship, the church and much of the community are very excited about 96 new young women in our area who were not circumcised and will not be circumcised.

We pray each of you has a joyous and wondrous holiday and a Christmas centered on Jesus Christ and His love for each of us.

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“Lead with love and faith, and overcoming mountainous challenges, indeed accomplishing almost anything worthwhile, will be possible.” Charles C. Manz

15 November 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Looking back over 2008, this has been an amazing year with so many reasons to be thankful. I hope as you look back over 2008 you too will be filled with awe and deep gratitude. This is a list of those blessings that I can remember.
1) In September Maua Methodist Hospital won the NNAK Lievens Lankman Award for the Best Nursing Care and Cleanest mission or private hospital in the country. That had us competing against Nairobi Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital, both large, private hospitals in Nairobi with all services provided and priced much like the US. They are also considered to be the best hospitals in the nation. (You may remember we charge approximately $150 – $200 for a 7-day stay).
2) The hospitals rebate from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) increased from 1800/= ($24) to 2100/= ($28) a day due to the increased quality of the hospital. 2200/= is the highest rebate we can receive in our hospital category.
3) We are so grateful to many of you who have given to the Service Fund and allowed the hospital to continue to pay for the life saving medical care of our critically ill poor patients. Without you that would be impossible.
4) We have had physicians/dentists who have come for 1 – 3 months to help us continue to provide our excellent care: Dr. Sarson, a surgeon from GB; Dr. Stan Topple an orthopedic surgeon from the US has come twice; ENT surgeons from Sweden who come for a week every year. Terry and Sabrina Butler are presently here from Round Rock, TX. They are both dentists and were coming for two
weeks until they heard our dentist had died and then they extended their time and are here for
three months with their nurse daughter, Blake.
We also have Maria, a pharmacist from Germany who is helping us for 3 months as she does yearly
and a German volunteer, Tianna, from Germany, who is working for the Disabled Program for 6
months.

5) We had three very brave teams, that despite the violence in the early part of 2008 in Kenya, dared to come and brought us important and needed medical supplies, money for building, and workers to help us build. Best of all they brought MMH and the community hope – hope that we are not alone in our struggles but there are people willing to give up their comfort and travel 8000 miles to express their love in action and support us. They built a new NHIF Office, a minor theatre in our Outpatient Department, and refurbished our laundry drying area. We also had a Bush Clinic which provides free care for a village, and VBS for the children at St. Joseph’s Methodist Church. Each team brought us one or two doctors who provided wonderful education, supplies and equipment and expertise.
6) We had friends and family visit us this year in Maua and they made a big difference here in what they brought us, left us and have sent us.
7) We have received so many incredible gifts this year: funds to start our four story staff apartment building; a brand new industrial sized washing machine; 50 used computers and a server; and 71 new Nursing books from Pearson Education/Prentice Hall.
We have a promise of funds to pay for the BSN Degree of my replacement and to help fund the superstructure of the next floor of our staff apartments.
9) Our Giving Hope program just keeps on growing and bringing hope and life to so many young men and women in our area. We have also been able to increase the number of AIDS Orphans we are helping with food and education. Thanks to all of you who gave to the AIDS Orphan’s programme. We also built 6 AIDS Orphans homes.
10) We have a new Medical Officer In-charge, Dr. Inoti, who is the answer to our prayers and an Eye Surgeon who has a dream of making MMH the eye center for Eastern Kenya.
11) Koome, the baby boy that was abandoned at the hospital and stayed one year in our nursery was placed in an SOS home and is doing very well.
12) The Strategic Plan is almost finished!!! and is being used in our budget preparation right now!
13) The Methodist Church in Kenya opened their amazing new Conference Center in Nairobi.
14) Our church, St. Joseph’s Methodist Church, moved into its new children’s Sunday School class. This coming January, St. Joseph’s is starting a pre-school using that classroom.
15) Though it may be a bit premature, we had asked in my last email for prayers for rain. The very next day it started raining and hasn’t missed one day since then. Everybody is so excited because it looks like we may have a good rainy season and thus good crops that will feed our people.
16) God continues to bring the most amazing people, events and opportunities into our lives, like Linnet who lost both arms and had 25 cuts all over her body from panga wounds when her husband tried to kill her. (In 2009 you will be hearing much more about Linnet).

“I will sing of God’s love for ever” echoes the feelings in my heart for this year. Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day! May God’s hope and thanksgiving overflow from your lives and infect many others with His love!

This past Saturday, 8 November, the mission partners took the 5 volunteers and a Danish medical student to Meru Park for the day. Bill and I had never been to the park during the rainy season as it was never possible before this. We had never seen the park so green or the rivers so high. It was a great day though we saw very few animals. We did see a creature I had never seen nor even heard of until I saw the movie, “Ice Age”. No we didn’t see a dinosaur but a ‘dung beetle’. Actually we saw several and all were pushing dung.

In case you have never seen a dung beetle, it selects a section of dung (at Meru Park the dung selection is quite good!) and takes a piece of dung and begins to roll it with its back feet. I watched one roll a large piece of dung across the road and up a hill and it took only seconds. The hill caused some difficulty but this beetle’s perseverance was amazing and he succeeded and then disappeared in a hole I had watched him dig.

Dung beetle pushing his dung ball Industrious dung beetle pushing the dung up hill

Shortly after seeing this very ambitions beetle, I watched two dung beetles fight over a dung ball. I found this particularly surprising since they were not 3 feet away from a huge pile of dung. They fought for sometime, with one beetle pretending he was giving up only to return to fight as soon as the other one turned his back to push the dung ball.

The large pile of dung and a dung beetle pushing it until another beetle came to fight him

Fighting over dung sounds preposterous to us and yet have you ever seen sale shoppers fighting over that perfect purse or article of clothing? Have you ever bought anything because it was on sale and though you knew you couldn’t use it, it was just too good a deal to pass up? Have you ever left an all you can eat restaurant so full you could hardly breathe and you suffered all night? Do you spend all day Saturday taking care of your precious things and so much money insuring them? Can we make decisions about when enough is enough or do we just pay a monthly fee to store our goods or buy a bigger house rather than share with those who have very little. St. Jerome said, “Everything in nature has a size which it cannot exceed except for greed. There is no limit to greed!” (I can use the above examples because I’ve done them all.) I have such a hard time letting go of stuff and yet daily I can see that having less stuff is not a negative but a positive. It gives a person more freedom and joy, less worry, less responsibility, less up-keep and maintenance and much more time and money to care about others. The ball I’m rolling up hill may not be dung but in the light of eternity it is probably of less value than dung. (Elephant dung in our area is full of seeds and produces bushes and trees galore a great gift to any land that has lots of elephants!)

In the last several months Bill and I have made trips with our Administrator, Mr. Munga’thia looking at incinerators. Our hospital is desperate for a new incinerator and it is an absolute must. We had been especially interested in an incinerator that was built in Kenya. However, in our travels we have realized that those incinerators do not last and are not functioning appropriately. Actually, the last one we saw at a large government hospital wasn’t functioning at all as an incinerator. We saw two incinerators that were great. One was Italian and brought to a small Catholic Hospital by a donor. The other was a gift to the Provincial Blood Bank by USAID. However, they cost between 3.1 million Kenya shillings ($41,300) and 4.8 million Kenya shillings ($64,000). We have been looking for funds all this year and have about 1 million shillings ($13,000). I know this is a huge amount but just in case you have some extra funds I wanted you to know one of our most urgent needs.

Have a great Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings?

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“The unthankful heart – discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour,
some heavenly blessings!” Henry Ward Beecher

1 November 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

“The Church as the people of God can truly embody the living Christ among us only when the poor remain its most treasured part. Care for the poor, therefore, is much more than Christian charity. It is the essence of being the body of Christ.” Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

In my last two emails I forgot to mention a special event we were able to attend while we were in the US staying with our daughter, Corrie and family. Brent, our son-in-law, sang the “Star Spangle Banner” and “God Bless America” at a Ranger’s game and we were there to hear him and had wonderful seats. We were so proud of Brent as he did a fabulous job. After the game, fans were invited to line up and run the bases, so Lily and Ethan, our grandchildren, and Brent ran.

Brent Singing Ethan and Brent running the bases

Lily got a head start and was off & running Team of 8 presenting Strategic Plan to CEO

This past Monday during morning devotions, the Strategic Planning group that went to Meru, presented our CEO with a draft copy of the Strategic Plan for 2009 – 2013. Though the draft is now being circulated for corrections and will be read by many including our Governing Board members, we are almost there. Needless to say, we are “happy dancing” in Maua.

During my week in Meru, it seemed the rainy season had arrived. It poured all day every day. We were all excited but this past week it has been sunny every day with some mist in the morning. We do need your prayers that we have a very good rainy season. Our last rainy season (March – May) was poor and then there were so many farmers who had lost their land, due to the election conflicts, and there was no one to farm the land or the land was burned and could not be used. Thus there is not enough food. Prices are up tremendously and the poor can’t afford to buy even the cheapest of grains. Our Aids Orphan’s program used to pay 34 – 35Ksh per kilo for beans and 14Ksh per kilo for maize. Now we are paying 72Ksh for beans and 35KSH for maize. Our program buys about 200 bags (100 ninety Kg. bags of beans and 100 ninety Kg. bags of maize) every two months and we are spending almost 1,000,000Ksh for those 200 bags. Our Maternal and Child Health unit is seeing more malnourished to starving children than they have seen in many years. The vicious cycle begins – mother’s don’t have enough to eat so their breastfed babies suffer and the older children are malnourished, hungry or starving. That is why this rainy season is so important. If we have good crops they will be ready to sell the end of February or early March and there will be enough food and prices will decrease. But what do we do between November and March?

In this week of no rain, so much has dried up. In our area we have two seasons, rainy and dry. I often think of them as the dusty or muddy seasons. Both seasons have advantages but I usually like the rainy season better. It is cooler and oh the colors of green and the flowers. Right now our compound is carpeted with lilac petals from our jacaranda trees.

One rose bush in our yard!

In the last several months my supervisor, Mary Gitari, Nursing Officer In-charge, and the Hospital Management Team began to talk about the need to replace me as Quality Improvement Officer when we leave (which we believe will be in approximately 3 years from now). They felt it was important for the person that replaces me to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Thus a Registered Nurse by the name of Sabera Makena Muriuki was chosen to replace me and to start her BSN program at Kenya Methodist University. She is presently their as a full time student. It takes about 2 1/3 years and then she will return and I will train her on the job. Our hospital is known for their quality and it will be vital to maintain and continuously improve the quality of our care and services. I am so grateful that this was done timely and that I will have someone that I believe can do such a great job for the hospital. God is good!

I have the privilege to hear hospital report every Tuesday and Friday before the Nursing Officer In-charge, Senior Nurses and I do a round in all the wards. I thought I would share a few stories from this past weeks report.

On Wednesday night a 30 year old man was admitted with a severe head injury following a road traffic accident. His prognosis was very poor. On Friday early morning at 4:45am he died. Also on early Friday morning his wife was admitted to our Maternity ward in labor. At 4:45am she delivered a baby boy. Please pray for her and her children. This family had no insurance and very little money.

Two months ago a 16 year old orphaned girl, we will call her Judy, who is mentally challenged was admitted with 28% burns from her mid-back to above her knee on the right side and to her ankle on the left. She lives with her grandmother who is very attentive and caring of her while she has been in the burns unit. When we visited the Burns Unit, which is located in the Surgical Ward, the nurse was just undressing her wounds for the first time since skin grafting was done. As we looked at the wounds we realized about ½ of the grafts had taken requiring at least one and half more months in the Burns Unit. When she was asked to move slightly so a soiled sheet could be removed, she cried and begged to be left alone. Her grandmother comforted her and soon she relaxed and went to sleep. We are thankful to God that Judy’s grandmother has national insurance. She does because she is in one of the hospital programs that enroll people automatically. What a blessing this is to both the patient, grandmother and the hospital.

As I was leaving the Burns Unit, a seven year old boy who had burns on his face, neck, chest and arms was having ointment put on his burns. (He is quite small for his age weighing 33 pounds and coming from a very dry, poor area.) He was crying and clearly in pain. His mother asked me to take his picture and I asked him if he could smile for me. His head had been down but suddenly he looked up with a great big smile.

Mary with the nurse & her grandmother The little boy and his smile with his mom

To our sorrow, this precious little boy and his family have no money. There is no way we could take care of children with burns, adults with severe head injuries, or mothers who need C-sections who have no insurance and no money without the Maua Methodist Hospital Service Fund*. It is our life-line for the poor. A way we can continue to be the body of Christ in our community, giving medical care and hope to the least of these.

We so appreciate your faithfulness in communicating with us, supporting us and the programs of MMH and for your prayers. Please keep those prayers coming for us, the staff of the hospital and our patients.

* The Service Fund pays for the medical bills for our poorest patients and orphans in our service to our Lord. We serve a very poor area and we are the only hospital available to care for them.
Write your support check to your UMC and put it in the collection plate with this note at the bottom:
Advance Special #09613A – Maua Hospital Service Fund, Kenya” or to make a gift by credit card call: (888) 252-6174 or to make a gift on the internet go to: gbgm-umc.org/advance/donate

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“Let us accept whatever God gives and give whatever God takes with a big smile.” Mother Teresa of Calcutt

18 October 2008

Dear Friends and Family,
14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

I said I would send a few pictures of my mom’s 90th birthday in my next email so here are a few + one of the office dedication, mom’s birthday gift.

Mom’s entire family, she is in the Lily dancing for her great-grandma with
center wearing a white shawl Corrie singing and Brent playing piano & singing

Mom & Jeannie at SS class the next day Dedication service in Maua for the office that
Which was another celebration was built in mom’s honor

Yearly the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) does an assessment of hospitals. Hospitals must apply to be assessed. There are two awards given for the Best Nursing Care and Cleanliness or Infection Prevention. We applied and were assessed in August. It is a surprise assessment and was done by an officer of NNAK. There are two different groups of hospitals – Government Hospitals and Private/Mission Hospitals. We do not know everyone who was assessed in our category, Private/Mission Hospitals, but we do know that the runners- up were Nairobi Hospital and Alga Ghan Hospital both large, private hospitals with all services provided and priced much like the US. In the minds of most Kenyan’s they are the top two hospitals in the nation and where the wealthy of the nation receive their health care. Are you sitting down? Yes, Maua Methodist Hospital won the award, (#1) and received a Certificate and 30,000Ksh ($430). We are so thrilled and believe this will really establish Maua Methodist Hospital as a QUALITY hospital! The award was presented at the NNAK Conference in Nairobi during the week long national conference. This past Monday the Certificate was given to Sr. Gitari, our Matron, during our morning prayers. (In 2005 we had won second place.)

Sr. Gitari receiving the award Our new MOIC, Dr. Inoti

Also, this past Monday Dr. Inoti, our new Medical Officer In-Charge (MOIC) was introduced. He is a young, bright eye surgeon with so many innovative and exciting ideas. He plans to run an eye clinic and do eye surgery along with being the Medical Officer In-charge. We are all so grateful to God and to you who have been praying as Dr. Inoti is definitely an answer to our prayers. He always has a wonderful smile as well as being an outstanding physician. He and his wife, Florence, 3 year old daughter, Kendi, and twin 3 month old son’s, Lee and Leo, live right in front of us and we are thrilled to have them. It makes missing grandchildren easier!

About 10 days ago we received a server and 50 used computers from Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN. This was requested by a work team from Germantown, TN and the IT Department and soon the entire hospital will be dancing for joy. God’s goodness does not end.

This Monday through Friday a team of 8 (including myself) will go to Meru and stay in a hotel and finish writing the Strategic Plan for the hospital. Please pray for us – that our plan will enhance God’s will for this hospital and in no way block His will.

So many good things are happening but please know without our loving, gracious and generous God and YOU and your prayers, your gifts, your love, none of this could happen. Our vision statement ends with the words “to the glory of God”; this is how we need to work every day in every situation we face!

A story from our time in the US: The day after we arrived at our daughter’s home, Lily, our five year old grand daughter told me she wanted to give me some money to feed the hungry children in Maua. She told me that her mommy and daddy talked about the children and they prayed about them and she wanted to feed them. She then took my hand and led me into her bedroom and asked me to get down her bank. I did and she took out almost all of her money, $13.32, and gave it too me. She asked if it would feed all the hungry children in Maua and I tried to explain that it would certainly help but there were so many children. We then had a wonderful discussion about why the children didn’t have any food to eat because she and Ethan always had food.

Two days later she again asked me to come in her bedroom and get her bank down. I did and she shook out all the money and gave me $2.74 and said she had been thinking about it and she didn’t just want to feed all the children in Maua but all the children in Kenya. She told me emphatically, That all children needed food to eat and should have food to eat every day”. She asked me to go to the kitchen and get a zip-lock bag and put all the money in it and then write her name on a paper and tell the children that she sent the money because no one should be hungry. I was so awed by her determination and passion for the children and her willingness to give up her money. I thanked her and told her that the children also needed her prayers. She smiled and asked me to take out the paper and add that she would be praying for the hungry children.

That Sunday at church there was an insert in the bulletin about Bishop Robert Schnase’s book “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”. The five practices are radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service and extravagant generosity. He stated that “the five adjectives he used could be easily interchanged without losing any of their power.”

Yesterday I went to visit and sit with Florence Mutiga. She sells lentils at a table on the side of the road. As we talked, it seemed all of Maua passed by; street children and AIDS Orphan’s, old women who have nothing and no one, the poor, and the very poor. One old lady stopped and asked for a ¼ Kg of dengu (a small green lentil). Florence measured out the dengu, added a handful more and GAVE it to the old woman.

Christmas is around the corner, I know because I saw Christmas goodies appear on shelves in all the stores in the US. Many of you have already bought your gifts but if you haven’t, do I have an idea for you. A gift idea for your friends and loved ones or better yet give this gift to yourself. First you need to have the desire and will that my 5 year old grand-daughter has to feed the hungry children in Maua, Kenya or anywhere in the world. People are hungry – people are starving, please, please reach out and feed someone in the name of Jesus Christ. I know everyone is fearful about the economic situation in the world. If you are fearful, think what those who have NOTHING are feeling every day. Who do you think is most hurt in hard financial times? Because the cost of food in Kenya has doubled in the last 6 months, UNICEF has cut the number of children they are feeding in Kenya in half.

As you read this, please remember Mother’s Theresa’s 5 Finger Gospel, “You did it to me.” Yes, when we feed the hungry, we do it to Jesus and please know Jesus is hungry today. I am begging you to spend some money, Christmas or otherwise, feeding someone who is hungry. You don’t have to send the money to Maua***. You can feed someone in your community, your state, the USA, or the world. I will be praying for you.

While at mom’s home I found a sheet of paper with the saying that my dad always used when asking for money for mission at our church. “Don’t give until it hurts, but rather give until it warms the heart. This way I know the gift will be much larger, for it takes so little to hurt when given grudgingly and it takes so much more to give until the heart is warmed. And who can measure the good accomplished or the reward that such a gift of love might bring?”

***Just incase you don’t know where to send money to feed the hungry or you want to send it to Maua you can do it by
Writing your support check to your UMC and put it in the collection plate with this note at the bottom:
Advance Special #140161 – AIDS Orphans’ Project, Maua Hospital, Kenya

Or
To make a gift by credit card call: (888) 252-6174 or

To make a gift on the internet go to: gbgm-umc.org/advance/donate

In His grip,

Jerri & Bill Savuto
savuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist Hospital
Box 63, Maua 60600
Igembe, Kenya

“Let us accept whatever God gives and give whatever God takes with a big smile.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta