MY LAST DAYS IN KANSAS...for a few months

MY LAST DAYS IN KANSAS,,,for a few months!

     Well, I think I’m finally headed back to my Tanzania mission after an extended stay and a beautiful Summer and an amazing Fall (can you believe World Series at home) in Kansas City. I did spend 3 weeks in East Africa last June, but only one week in the village, as I had hospital business to work on in Nairobi upon my arrival. After a few months at home with my ailing twin brother I had prepared to return in early December, but God had other plans. I ended up in the hospital in Houston on Thanksgiving Day to treat a serious bladder infection, which required follow-up in a Kansas City hospital for a few days. That was followed with prostate surgery, which was followed with another extended hospital stay on Christmas Day with a bleeding prostrate.

      So now that things seem to be stable with me, my brother started having problems with internal bleeding. When it rains it pours.  He just got home yesterday after an 8 day stay in the hospital but is still very weak. In January I spent one week-end with my son Adam and his family in Louisville, KY and another in Atlanta with Kyle and his family. It was great to spend some time with all of them; especially the three grandchildren. It may be 9 months before I return so I’m sure they will all change a lot in that short time.

     Last November I made two slide presentations of pictures of Kowak village and hospital and other travels around Tanzania. The first was to a senior citizens apartment complex near me and the other was to a few classes of primary school students at a local Catholic parish after a Sunday mass. Both were enthusiastic and very interested in helping the Kowak Hospital in any way they could. The Sante Fe Towers seniors contacted me later and were able to collect $95 for mosquito nets and several dozen rosaries. Then the kids at Queen of the Holy Rosary informed me of a bake sale they organized. They generated an unbelievable $700 for mosquito nets. The sisters at Kowak Hospital will be thrilled.

      I recently received an email from the Kowak pastor and hospital manager, Fr Conard, requesting my help. This facility has been expanding quickly over that last 8 years since I arrived. They now have 174 beds, but only 4 PA’s and one doctor. Fr Conard said they are in dire need of a second doctor and ask for ideas on how we could find a source of income to support the salary of this second doctor and continue that support if and when something requires his absence or move from the mission. He has been there 38 years and is now 85, so his days are limited despite his amazing energy and current good health.

     I mentioned this challenge to a few friends from my contemplative group one evening and they suggested I make a slide presentation to the entire prayer group and ask them for support or suggestions. Our group leader was very receptive to this idea, despite his planned agenda for the group that day, if I could make it brief.  I did that presentation this week and was amazed at the extremely generous reception and hopeful ideas that would allow us to proceed with hiring a new doctor.  It is really overwhelming. What a wonderful month this has been. Of course, I am anxious to return to the mission but will miss my prayer group dearly.