Pray for Kehl

JACKTON AND MILLY'S BABY

NEWS FLASH:  We spoke with Jackton Monday night -- Milly and baby are at home, they were both asleep when we called.  Baby is nursing well and gaining weight he lost after surgery.  Meanwhile, school uniform business is taking off.  People from 8 schools are coming in for uniforms; school started today.  Staff is busy sewing.  Jackton will return to Rafiki Orphanage this week to do additional measurements for every kid they have.  He is doing all this on very little sleep.  Please keep asking God to bless them.  

  A little more than a week ago Milly went to the hospital feeling badly.  The doctors decided it was important to go ahead with the birth, so labor was induced.  When Kehl was born, his head was enlarged (congenital hydroencephalus), and the doctors determined that a shunt was needed to drain the water from his head.  He suffered cardiac arrest and was bleeding, so a transfusion was ordered and they waited for the surgery until he was stable.  He was moved to the hospital at Kijabe, where many Americans we know have had their babies.  Milly has been pleased that the doctors talk to her and tell her everything.  Surgery was performed yesterday and reports are good.  The shunt is working, and they think Milly and Kehl may come home within a week.  Thanks to all who prayed; we trust God whatever happens.  We will be so pleased if Kehl can grow up healthy as a playmate to the Mbuvi's new baby Jeremy.  

Notes from Mbuvi on 30 December -- 

  "We had chapel today and the kids are happy.  I told them you (nb. Charles Coulston) said you love them and the girls mostly giggled.  It has been a great family time here."

  "Tomorrow they will go for the Ngong hike and they are undecided whether to go and hike and come back or to spend the night!"

  "Church was wonderful and we had 6 newcomers.  It was nice because it was the last Sunday of the month, and they shared in the fellowship meal.  During our morning class we read Acts 21.  Bernard, one of the young men who came, was very polite and cheerful, and we were told that his house was burned.  This is because a neighbor has always wanted the plot where he lives since he is an adopted child.  He lost all he had and even had his hand cut.  During church we decided to give a portion of the collection for his needs.  Keep him in prayers."

  "John Wambu and I talked and we decided to write a letter to the Provincial Commissioner, the District Commissioner and the District Officer and copy it to the Police Commander telling them that the invaders have abandoned the building project and that we intend the fence the property again and take possession of the whole property again.  We will also explain to them the use we plan to make of the whole 20 acres in our skills training program.  We hope they are not part of the problem and will approve and be helpful."

  "Joel and some of the students are visiting Milly and baby Kehl today." 

  "We are yet to move into our house.  It takes a long time to complete and we don't have all the funds, but we will move in and finish later.  Mauryn has already packed!  Jeremy nurses well and is growing quick.  Jonathan is all over but likes his brother."

  "John Wambu told me the amount for Susan's surgery is 80,000 shillings (n.b., $1,200) at Gertrude's Children's Hospital." 

  "We love you much. Please pass our greetings."

                Mbuvi