I am so thankful today. Lately it seems I've lost some of my ability to be thankful. It isn't that I don't appreciate what I have. More like I have been preoccupied with my own needs and issues. I've been too busy to really savour what I have and to ponder exactly how the good Lord blesses me each and every day.
Every now and then though something happens and comes to my attention to teach me just how good I have it. Though the economy has been rough, Jehovah continues to provide me with food and shelter and more stuff than I really need. In fact, I've been giving away things. This is our culture in North America, where we tend to have an overabundance of things. I believe when we have too much we forget just how much of the rest of the world lives.
Today I cannot forget.
My friend Jonah lives in Kenya. He recently went on a relief mission to try and alleviate starvation amongst the Pokot people (I'll be posting about the relief effort soon). Jonah is a student and so he is doing this as a volunteer. The food was provided by USAID and Jonah enlisted the assistance of a local NGO to take the long journey north to Baringo, Pokot and Ngoron and deliver the food.
While on this mission he came across a young boy who is in desperate need of assistance. Please be ready for a sad sight but this is real folks...real needs.
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| This little boy's name is Kigen. His head is covered. I think because of his condition and the strength of the hot sun. |
This boy desperately needs medical attention. The nearest hospital is hours and hours drive from the small village where Kigen lives. I don't even know if the place where he lives has a name but it is close to another small place called Kamurio, Kenya. Kamurio is so small you will not find it on a map.
The closest hospital is in Eldoret, at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. I want to help this boy and I would like to encourage others to help him.
Basically what needs to be done is for my friend to hire a car to make the long journey back to this place to pick up the parents and boy and then make the journey with all of them to Eldoret. These parents have no education and they've never been out of their small village so this is a huge journey for them. They will need help in every way for lodgings, accommodation, medical costs and medicine as well as the return journey. My friend also needs assistance for food and lodgings and to pay the driver. Not just any car for hire will do. In order to get into these back roads, we need to hire someone with a reliable SUV.
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| This is a picture of Kigen without the cloth over his head. You can see his skin is literally peeling off and I fear the worst if he doesn't get medical attention immediately. |
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| Just think if this was your child, your nephew, your grandson. What would you do? |
I am thankful today, that my nephew doesn't need to rely on the kindness of strangers when he gets sick. I am thankful that he doesn't have to travel hours and hours on a bumpy, dusty road to get to a doctor and the medical help he needs. I am thankful for so much more. But right now I am particularly focussed on medical blessings because of this precious 9 year old boy, Kigen. A boy who lives far, far away from me in a place I've never set foot in and yet he tugs at my heart. I hope he tugs on your heart too.
If you can help, please contact me as soon as humanly possible.
You can donate to assist in little Kigen's medical mission through
Pay Pal here. Just click the donate button.
Photo credits: All photos the property of Missions of Hope, Kenya, Pastor Jonah.
If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit. Many thanks and blessings.
If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit. Many thanks and blessings.
32 comments:
This looks very serious..can he see out of both eyes? I will pray for sure and see that you've posted your address. I know what you mean- this has to be terribly hard for the family! Thanks Penny..let us know of any updates:)
Yes KP, it looks very serious indeed. I don't think he can see much of anything and besides being hungry, he must be in so much pain. His head has open wounds all over and the skin is peeling on his head and face. I think even having the cloth over his head has to be very painful but the sun probably hurts his eyes and it is very hot and dry where he lives. I have been in the general area and they are starving due to drought. Thank you for your prayers. We really need them. If you know of anyone that can help, please, please pass this article to them. I pray God would move on hearts. I will indeed update as I learn more.
Hi Penny, we do indeed have so much to be thankful for and yet we first world nations can be so complaining. What a sad story. And yes, I know that horrific conditions of the roads and remoteness of places here in Kenya. Bless you for caring. Jo
Thank you, Jo for your visit and your comment. I know you are now familiar with road conditions there in Kenya and the remoteness of places that have only bumpy, dusty roads for access. Blessings. xx
I am praying, but don't know what practically I could do to help...will think more.
Thankyou for sharing xx
Thank Rachel for your prayers. Please continue to pray. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear in my post how people can help. The practical assistance needed is funds to help cover the expenses that will be incurred in taking Kigen (the boy) to hospital. Please consider whether you are able to help with this. Blessings. xx
oh my, he really needs a medical attention. poor boy for suffering such kind of disease and can't do anything with it due to poverty. if only i can help financially. the only thing that i could offer now is my prayers for him. bless you child!
Carinamodella, I understand (and God understands) if you cannot help financially. Please continue to pray for this little boy and pray that God would move on people to come forward if they can help, wherever they are. God bless you.
How awful - thank you for caring for this precious child Penny.
Professor's Wife, I know you know what it is like to care for children that others have forgotten. Please keep this dear one and my friend in your prayers, for finances, for proper transport & for good and affordable medical attention. God bless.
There are so many sad stories like this in Africa, I have seen for myself where families struggle with no medical care and having to walk miles just to collect water. I do think things are improving in some place,s but there are many that seem to be forgotten as they are so far out into the country. Diane
This post really hits home and reminds me just how many people are suffering terribly in our world, the worst of it is, I think so many people don't even know...or perhaps I should say, don't want to know.
In my previous job I worked alongside many people who had come here to Norway as refugees and after hearing their stories, I prayed that I had never uttered even a word of complaint about my blessed and easy life...but I know I did complain about tiny things.
I am so sorry that these things happen in our world. God bless the little one and all the countless others who suffer.
Thank you for visiting my blog for Thankful Thursday.
Good post and reminder to be thankful and remember those who are without medical care, food, and so many other things we take for granted.
There are realities that we never want to see, but we have to see them. Whether we see or not, the realities are always there.
They are heartbreaking photos.
This entry is so heartbreaking...
Very hard to read and see, but thank the Lord that we have internet and cameras with which to help spread the word about these things. Praying for this boy and Kenya. My 19 year old son went to Mombasa a couple of years ago for 11 days to work with an inner city missions team. His eyes were opened rather quickly to how those in other parts of the world live.
Diane, I'm sure you saw a lot in your time in Africa. It is my time in Africa that has also opened my eyes to a lot of what is going on there. I can no longer look the other way.
Colleen, I think you are so right about so many people do not want to know what is going on around the world, especially when it is negative or if it requires something of them. Once you've met people or worked with them though it becomes much harder to look away. As believers of God, I also think He requires us to do more than look away for God is love and what greater love do we have than we are prepared to lay our lives down for one another. God bless for your loving heart.
bp, yes, we do have so much to be thankful for if we spend some time to examine and have a grateful heart. let's never forget that we could quickly lose our blessings and be the one in need but for the grace of God.
snowwhite, you are so right. it is hard to see but necessary to help us keep our humanity toward one another.
Y. Ikeda, thank you for stopping by and leaving your heartfelt comment.
Rita T., you are right. The graphic images are hard to see but so necessary so we know what is going on elsewhere. Thank you very much for your prayers. May God bless you for it. I'm thankful your son has been to Kenya. I know that the trip would have forever changed him.
Oh Lord Jesus, You see this child. Lord, prepare ye the way of the Lord and rescue this child. Make the means and the ways O Lord, and my Your name be honored this village. In Jesus powerful and sustaining name, Amen.
Dear Lynn, may your prayer be fulfilled and God be glorified. Amen.
Oh my!!!! I am praying right now! May I do a post about him and ask people to give??? Like a Help A Family Friday post??
I'm emailing you right now.
Hi NFFT, I thank you for your prayers. I will contact you by email about the post :-) Thank you so much!
Hi NFFT, I thank you for your prayers. I will contact you by email about the post :-) Thank you so much!
Rita T., you are right. The graphic images are hard to see but so necessary so we know what is going on elsewhere. Thank you very much for your prayers. May God bless you for it. I'm thankful your son has been to Kenya. I know that the trip would have forever changed him.
Colleen, I think you are so right about so many people do not want to know what is going on around the world, especially when it is negative or if it requires something of them. Once you've met people or worked with them though it becomes much harder to look away. As believers of God, I also think He requires us to do more than look away for God is love and what greater love do we have than we are prepared to lay our lives down for one another. God bless for your loving heart.
oh my, he really needs a medical attention. poor boy for suffering such kind of disease and can't do anything with it due to poverty. if only i can help financially. the only thing that i could offer now is my prayers for him. bless you child!
This looks very serious..can he see out of both eyes? I will pray for sure and see that you've posted your address. I know what you mean- this has to be terribly hard for the family! Thanks Penny..let us know of any updates:)
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