KENYA
THE hospital at Sengera is exceedingly busy because of a severe epidemic of malaria, writes Mr Ian MacLean, the Mission Administrator. The hot weather following the rains provided the mosquitoes with an ideal environment for breeding. Sadly, many people, including adults, are dying. “The voice of death is literally heard at least three times a day” in the hospital compound, for at the time of death grief-stricken relatives usually mourn with loud crying and wailing. Many of these deaths are of children who have not been brought them soon enough to the hospital for help. Sister Coote “is particularly busy, working up to midnight some days, preparing medicines in the dispensary.”
“It is an appropriate time,” says Mr MacLean, “for setting before the patients, life and death, judgement and eternity, and for a while some seem to listen and take note.” As the minister, elder and others on our Mission there set the truth of the gospel before the people, it is a consolation to them that the promise of God is that His word shall not return to Him void, but shall accomplish that which He pleases, and prosper in the thing for which He has sent it, (Isa 55:11).
The Sabbath services at the outlying stations have had to be curtailed due to breakdowns of mission vehicles. The damage is mostly the result of the roads having become much worse because of the heavy rains. Mr George MacAskill, Inverness, has recently returned from a two and a half weeks visit to Sengera for the purpose of carrying out vehicle repairs: help that was both timely and greatly appreciated. A skilled local mechanic has been employed by the Mission and it is expected that he will start work at the beginning of March.
Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – March 1998