Kenya Missions of Hope: Where Things Are At With Edwin

Kenya Missions of Hope: Where Things Are At With Edwin: Hello friends, Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It has been a busy time for me since I wrote you last as I am finalizing ...

A Boy Needs Help

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you are well wherever you are in the world on this Monday.

My post today deals with a story you've read about before on my blog.

It is about a boy named Edwin and his battle with chronic myeloid leukemia. Through the help of two of  my blog readers and myself, we have been able to get Edwin to different hospitals for observation, testing and treatment.  He has been able to get to Tenwek and Nairobi, Kenya on several occasions, have multiple tests and be seen by the very best specialists that Kenya has to offer. For all this we are grateful.

God has been good and he has had mercy. He has given Edwin favour and the bills for tests and doctor examinations have been much lower than expected.  Edwin has also been treated so well by hospital staff.  All of this gladdens my heart so much  and I give all praise and glory to God the Father. It is like the story of the loaves and the fishes  for God multiplied the small amount we had and made a way to give Edwin the help he needed. Now we need more loaves and fishes.

Edwin needs to return to Nairobi in about 4 days for follow up treatment. He will need to make one more trip after that. I am not sure exactly when his second trip to Nairobi for follow up will be but probably at least 4-6 weeks fom now.  Edwin's family also needs monthly help with food. The amount is modest by our standards. Food needs are about $50. (Canadian) a month (4200 Kenyan shillings, 189 New Israel Shekels, $49 Aussie, 32 British Pounds, 38 Euros, $50 US).

I've hemmed and hawed about publishing this post.  The reason is because last time only a very few people commented on the post or said they would pray.  I fear that men and women do not like to hear about things they don't want to help with or can't help with.  Yet I feel I must make this post and somehow try to get Edwin the help he needs for he cannot do it for himself.

If this was your child, or your family member, what would you give for his care? Would you count the cost or would you simply step in because he needs your help?

Only you can answer those questions.


He who has an ear, let him hear and may God bless you so much. 

A donation button can be found here.
 If you have any problems with that you may send your Pay Pal contribution here.

I Bid You Goodnight

Music has the power to evoke strong emotions in us. I think most of us realize that the emotions can be good or they can be bad.  Today I want to share the music of a wonderful group from South Africa, the grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir.

This group is coming to my city on April 7th.  I  wanted to attend but hesitated spending the funds for a ticket.

Then I learned of someone selling a ticket to the event.  She can no longer attend the concert because her workplace suddenly approved her holiday and she only has a limited window of opportunity to travel to Europe.  Though she isn't selling her ticket at a reduced price she has one of the best seats in the venue where the concert will take place. Because of the circumstances of how I came to know about the ticket and where the seat is located, I really felt God saying it was okay for me to spend the funds to go listen and be uplifted by the inspired music of the choir and also to support them.  The choir members all come from churches in the South West Townships of Johannesburg.  I've made arrangements to pick up my ticket on Monday and I'm eagerly anticipating the concert.

In the meantime, I'm listening to this wonderful choir through youtube videos. They have many wonderful songs on video, but the one I've posted really touched my heart. The man who sings it has such a sweet voice and hearing him brought tears to my eyes.  Of course the acapella singers who join him in song just add to the intensity and beauty of the song.  I hope you like it too.

After you've listened to this song, please say a prayer for Edwin who is fighting leukemia.

You can learn more about his story by clicking on the highlighted words in the previous sentence.

The Soweto Gospel Choir is touring in North America up until the end of April. I encourage you to try and attend one of their concerts.  I know you will be so blessed by their wonderful harmonies.  If you hesitate like I do to spend money on yourself or on entertainment but you actually have means, please consider attending a concert by this choir. They will "blow your socks off" with their amazing harmonies and wonderful spirit. I've learned too that the Soweto Gospel Choir raises money for multiple charities and is doing stupendous work to better lives in many communities all around the GLOBE (see here for more information).

 I've done some research on the Soweto Gospel Choir's website and learned that the lead singer in this video is Shimmy Jiyane, Choreographer, Choir Master, Tenor, and Dancer.

I BID YOU GOODNIGHT

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your savior's breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your savior's breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

One of these mornings bright and early and soon, goodnight
Now they're pickin' up the spirit to the shore beyond, goodnight
Go walking in the valley of the shadow of death, goodnight
He's riding a staff, gonna comfort me, goodnight
Join the wise, there's a soul to find, goodnight
Lord send a fire, not a flood next time, goodnight
To leave for the ark, that wonderful boat, goodnight
She really loaded down, getting water to float, goodnight
Now pray for the beast at the ending of the world, goodnight
He loved the children that would not be good, goodnight
I remember rather well, I remember right well, goodnight
I went walking to Jerusalem just like John
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I wanna lay your head upon your saviors breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight


I end with some beautiful scenes of the English Bay area in downtown Vancouver. I was there on the weekend enjoying the company of many ladies over tea and scones.

I'm linking up today with On My Heart Tuesday and Our World Tuesday. 

Please pop by these sites and enjoy the posts.

Missions of Hope: Edwin Goes to Nairobi (Update 2)

I am happy to be able to give you Jonah's update on Edwin's treatment for leukemia. You can read it by clicking on the Missions of Hope title.  If you missed the first part of this story, you can catch up by reading the original posts here and here.


Missions of Hope: Edwin Goes to Nairobi (Update 2): Sorry for not updating sooner about Edwin. Since I last wrote about Edwin we have been doing a lot of travels back and forth to Nairobi. ...

If you can help Edwin directly with your finances, please let us know or simply send your gift to kerichojoy[at]gmail[com] via Pay Pal. We need to raise at least another $100 Canadian ($100 US, $95 Australian dollars, 8100 Kenyan Shillings, 77 Euros, 381 New Israel Shekels, 126 Singapore dollars, 64 British pounds) by Saturday, March 10, 2012 for the next trip to Nairobi.

What ever you can contribute will be gratefully received. Anything extra will be used for another trip and treatment costs for Edwin as he continues with the cancer treatment.

Thank you so much!

Update on Edwin

A few days ago I brought to you a story about Edwin Bett, who has Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and made a plea for funds and prayer for healing for this young man. I very much appreciate those of you who responded.  We continue to need your support as things are moving quickly and we are stepping out in faith.

Today, Jonah of Missions of Hope, accompanied Edwin to the Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya.  They spent the entire day there and as you can see it was raining heavily.

Edwin and Jonah in Tenwek, Kenya.

Edwin is a tall young man. I hope both of them can stay dry enough to avoid a cold.

Edwin has been referred to Nairobi and so Jonah and he are on their way for further examination and possibly treatment.

Letter of referral to Nairobi.

Please continue to keep them in prayer and if you can help with the costs, there is a donate button at Missions of Hope, click here.

Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38 NIV

I invite you to go to the bottom of this post where you will find share buttons. It is easy to share this story on Facebook, Twitter, through email with your friends or you can even blog about it yourself. The more people who see and read this story, the more likely Edwin can get the help he needs.

Thank you so much for reading and to those of you
who decide to hit the share button.

I Interrupt the Bright Lights for this Announcement

On Sunday, I posted about the bright lights of my city. Now I post about a dimming light which has come to my attention. I do hope you will take a moment to read and try to put yourself in this young man's shoes.

The young man's name is Edwin and he is 21.  My friend Jonah at Missions of Hope has assisted Edwin in having a Bone Marrow Aspiration test done at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya.

The medical report says that Edwin has a massive hepatosplenomegaly and is recommended to have a peripheral smear for conclusive opinion of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.  I don't pretend to understand all of this report and the numbers involved. After google searching I see that this is a very serious condition.

Like most Kenyan families, Edwin's family cannot afford any kind of sustained medical attention and assistance.

I've learned that Edwin's mother has already sold almost everything they own to help with the travel and medical costs associated with getting to the hospital in Kisumu. What we are praying for is someone who could step forward and help Edwin and his family from A-Z, that is, with the continuation of his diagnosis and throughout his medical  treatment. I know there are people out there who could, and would do this, if they only heard about the need.  

We are asking if you would be so good as to share this story as broadly as possible. At the bottom of this post you will find share buttons. It is very easy to share this story on Facebook and Twitter or via email with your friends; even to blog about it on your own blog.  We also value your prayers.

I will provide updates on my blog as they come available. Please check back. Thank you for your time and attention. Blessings!

If you can help Edwin directly with your finances, please let us know or simply send your gift to kerichojoy[at]gmail[com] via Pay Pal. 

February 29, 2012 - Update: Jonah will be escorting Edwin to hospital tomorrow to see what next steps will be for Edwin. I have also written to an organization to see if they might help Edwin. We covet your prayers .

Another Message of Hope: This Baby Needs Your Help

This is an awesome story of how the Missions of Hope is bringing hope and help to those who otherwise have none. Please read and share this story with your networks.

I'm praying someone or several someones, can help this little family go the next step in the care required for the little one. Blessings! (click on the title in red font below to read the story).

Missions of Hope: This Baby Needs Your Help: Hello friends, This is the little girl in pink. For over a month now I have been coordinating efforts to save this little girl from loo...

A Little Boy Goes Home

A big "welcome and thank you" to my newest followers, Roan, Lydia, Dimple, Urmi and Mildred. You may check out their blogs by clicking on their names.

I can hardly believe it but the time has finally come for little Kigen from Pokot country to return home. He has been in Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital now for 5 months. I first introduced this little boy to my readers in early March 2011. If you are new to my blog or missed the post, you can read all about it here. A few days later, I reported here that my friend Jonah was able to organize a medical mercy mission and bring the little boy to Eldoret, Kenya for medical attention.

Little did Jonah or I know just how long it would be before the medical mission was completed,  Neither did we know of the twists and turns and the length of time it would actually take to get full medical treatment for the little boy.  You can read all the updates at this blog by searching for "Kigen".

After months of waiting and wondering, little Kigen at last had surgery on June 11, 2011.  He received an operation on one eye as the doctors diagnosed that he could see out of at least one eye if they opened it.  Since then we have been waiting for Kigen's healing and recovery. After that we were waiting to be able to meet the medical bill before he and his family could be released from the hospital.  That has been particularly difficult because the bill was much higher than we anticipated.  We have been stretched in our faith and in our finances to meet it.  Particularly my friend, Jonah in Kenya and the pastor and missionary to the Pokot peoples (pictured in the photo below). Sometimes, in fact oftentimes, when God calls you to do something, it will not be easy.  The help you may have experienced initially may fade away.  The personal cost may seem high and the cost of your obedience can also cost those around you.  That is when it is important to stand on your faith and trust in God to help you complete the task set before you no matter what comes.

I'm delighted to be able to report at last, that the mission given to Jonah has been accomplished. Paulina, the mother and her two children are now being escorted home by the pastor from their area.  They all have a very long journey ahead of them.

Here is the pastor along with the children. The mother is carrying 
Kigen on her back and her helper is carrying TikiTik.

This is Paulina, the mother in the blue shirt. She is in a pensive mood. No doubt she is thinking about how long she has been away and how things will be at home after being away for so long. She looks much healthier herself from the first time we saw her in these photos. The children as you can see are paying no attention to having their picture taken. Instead they are engrossed in enjoying their sodas.  Kigen is the one with the blanket on his head.

I like this photo. The mother Paulina is trying hard to get her children to pose for a final photo but the children are having none of it. They want to run and play after having been confined to a hospital for so long. The pastor sitting beside them has been a huge help to Jonah in overseeing this family's care and well-being.

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this medical mercy mission to help Kigen. Please know you have given a little boy a chance at life and helped his little sibling too. Kigen now has vision out of one eye and thus he has been given a good start in having a productive life. Please continue to pray for this family as they will have difficulties looking after their hygiene needs where they live.  This will make their health issues a continuing concern. Pray also for the pastor and missionary who minister to the needs of Pokot at a time of famine and great difficulty.

God bless.

Photo credits: All photos the property of Jonah

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