Love in Action
by Kathy Siler, Event Volunteer from Payson, Arizona
I saw God work many miracles as He helped Living Waters Intl (LWI) gather an international medical team to provide the first Medical/Dental Camp at their orphan feeding center on Rusinga Island in Kenya. One of the miracles was how the specialized equipment and various supplies came together, including an autoclave from the Kendu Adventist Hospital (KAH). Jane, a dental assistant at KAH, trained me to sterilize dental tools. She shared with me, “It is my privilege and honor to help those less fortunate. My employer is fine with me taking extra time off from time to time to do mission work. This has been a very good experience, being able to help so many children in just a few days.”
The event provided medical check-ups, dental cleaning and procedures and vision testing for 205 orphans, 56 guardians and 11 staff members, on March 26 – April 1. Various chance meetings and invitations over the course of three months provided LWI Directors Daryl and Mary Jo Oft a dream team who came from Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Russia, The Dominican Republic, and Kendu Bay, Kenya. LWI has been caring for orphans in Kaswanga for 20 years. Equipment and supplies were provided by LWI’s donors, and organizations, AZ SonShine, Dentsply Sirona, Patterson, and KAH.
The majority of the LWI children had never previously seen a doctor or a dentist or had their vision checked. After 194 procedures, three children were transported to the Kendu Adventist Hospital for follow-up care. Moses, a KAH emergency room nurse said, “I love my job, but helping these orphans who have no resources for this kind of care, is very exciting. I was impressed that they were clean, well taken care of, wearing school uniforms and shoes. They are all kind, patient and very happy to get this care.” A 14-year-old volunteer from Maryland said, “I am so glad I get to help these children. They have no resources for this kind of care.”
The staff members at LWI Orphan Feeding Center were surprised at how efficiently the clinic was laid out and run. “I’ve never seen anything like this” noted Julie, manager of the feeding program since LWI’s beginning, said, “To see the team, who had never met together before this event, working so well together, is truly inspiring. And I see every person serving with purpose. This is definitely a God thing.”
The Center’s veranda became the registration area. Julie offered her office for dental cleaning. The Guest House office/clinic became the doctors’ clinic. The screened porch became the vision checkpoint. The sewing center was transformed into a dental clinic. The children were served for over four days, so no single area was too full. The last two days of the clinic were reserved for those who needed follow-up care.
Local volunteer, Sharon, who helped in the medical waiting area and served as a translator, was impressed how happy the adults were to serve and how friendly the doctors were with the children. LWI Kaswanga’s program director, Ezekiel said, “The help we provide, feeding and clothing these children and now providing medical care, helps the community.”
So, for all of us, this was a purposeful journey to share God’s love in practical ways and to build on LWI’s daily mission work. LWI treasures the Bible verse in Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’”
LWI will continue to feed, clothe and care for orphan children with your help. Dr. Ugonna Woods, LWI board member and medical director for Arizona SonShine said, “If you want to see God working in very tangible ways, go on a mission trip”.
Being a part of God’s love in action in Kaswanga has lifted my spirits, encouraged me to live with less, be happy in Jesus’ care every day and to continue to look for tangible ways to share God’s love and care with those less fortunate. Every person can make a real difference if they are open to God’s leading”.
From the Living Waters President, Daryl Oft
After eighteen years of continuous service, maintenance and upgrades were/are needed. Praise to God that every objective on this trip was accomplished. A main water tank had to be replaced that stores 2000 gallons of water, The guest house/medical clinic was re-roofed, and a solar hot water system installed (first hot water after 20 years), a new solar system base on feeding center, a dental sterilization station was built and equipment installed, remodel with upgrades and new paint to the kitchen, shade veranda on back of feeding center and various other small projects were done. LW was able to purchase two dental stations and a significant amount of the instruments needed to provide on-going dental care.
We still need to purchase some hand instruments and the portable dental x-ray unit (total needed. $8000). We still have several more major projects that we need help with. They include: painting the feeding center roof ($1200), floor repair in the guest house bathroom ($500), and repairs to the 18 year old Land Cruiser vehicle. She has served very well and been absolutely necessary to travel the Kenyan countryside, but is in need of structural repairs and a paint job. It is expensive to keep and maintain a vehicle in safe condition in Kenya, but next to impossible to operate the Living Waters mission without it.
Needed repairs have been discounted to $11,000 but a used refurbished vehicle like we currently have would run about $40,000. Please consider how you might help with any of these important projects and feel free to reach out to us if you have questions. Thank you and may God bless you.
A WORD ABOUT FUNDING: Living Waters Intl does not solicit or receive funds from the US government. We have always depended on private donations to sustain our work. Let us know how you would like to help. We are currently caring for 170 children every day. It costs $40.00+ a month to provide meals, school uniforms, and medical care for each child. We believe every child deserves to eat. Please remember Living Waters Intl in your giving plan. Thank you for helping us help them!
3 ways to DONATE:
Online: Donate here
Mail a check to: Living Waters Intl PO Box 502 Tonto Basin AZ 85553
Or CALL +1 928-978-4663 to make a donation by phone