The Journey….

from Carol Spears in Kenya September 2009

The missionary journey…
What a journey it has been to be a first time
missionary in Kenya! As I near the end of
my first term, I have been thinking back
over the past two years and nine months as
well as looking forward to my time in the
US that will start very soon. I also find my-
self thinking ahead to the next term and
wanting to envision what lies ahead. I am
thankful that you have sacrificed to give me
the privilege of serving here. Thank you
beyond anything that I can express for your
prayers, encouragement and support. May
God bless you in return.
“The Gift” hospital cooks – you should have heard all
Some things you of the laughter as I carried this chicken
just never quite around the hospital and was finally able to
get used to….A convince one of the cooks to take it and use
while back a fam- it for the patients! Such fun!
ily came to the
operating room Life here is rich in a different way—I’ve
desk to look for a recently enjoyed a visit from my little
visiting doctor to ―nieces‖ to perform a ballet in my backyard,
express their ap- a special birthday tea with all of the mission-
preciation to him. ary women, and a trip out to Masai Mara to
As it turns out, this doctor and his family see the beauty of Africa! I am so very
had already returned to America. Well, who blessed!
could accept the ―gift‖ they had brought for
him? The staff called me and I went out to
the waiting room to meet them and explain
that the other doctor had gone. So, this
thankful family decided that they would give
the ―gift‖ to me…Before I knew it I was
holding a live chicken in my arms and wav-
ing goodbye to this family. What does one
do with a live chicken? Much less a live
chicken in the operating room? I went to
the kitchen to try and give it to one of the

Tenwek Hospital journey…

Tenwek’s Journey just passed the 50th year anniversary of the date of the arrival of the first doctor. Though Tenwek functioned since 1935
with nurses and other staff, it was in 1959 with the arrival of Dr. Ernie Steury that it officially became a hospital. In August, we celebrated
the 50th anniversary and all of the amazing things that God has done here. We were privileged to have many important visitors including the
former president of Kenya, President Daniel Moi and Mrs. Sue Steury and her daughter and granddaughter. It was such an honor to meet
Mrs. Steury and hear her tell stories of their time in Kenya. She is a special woman and her family has left a great legacy. What a special time!
Surgery Training Program journey...
The journey of training surgical residents is in
the second year and is near and dear to my
heart. The structure of the programs in Kenya
enables residents to do two years of General
Surgery training, pass an exam to be a Member
of College of Surgeons and then to go on to
either specialize in a specific type of surgery or
continue on in General Surgery. Our two sec-
ond year residents recently took their MCS ex-
ams and are awaiting results. They will have to We are so thankful for Dr. Paul Osteen and Prayer Requests
travel to Rwanda in December to take their oral several other surgeons who have come to Ten-
exams alongside MCS candidates from all ten wek over the past few months to provide cov-  Please pray for the work at
African countries that make up the College of erage and help train our residents. Please pray Tenwek—the training pro-
Surgeons of Southern, Eastern, and Central that others will come November thru May grams, the patients, the
Africa (COSECSA). while I am in the US. staff, the doctors.
 Please pray for surgeons to
- And, He loves me as His be-
Personal Journey... loved child (and He loves you
provided by my church and I hope
to work at the University of Ken-
come to Tenwek November
2009 through May 2010 to
In my last newsletter, I acknowl- too) regardless of what I do or do tucky Department of Surgery part cover my furlough.
edged my need for help with deal- not achieve. of the time I am home. I am ex-
cited for this opportunity to main-  Please pray that I will have
ing with the challenges and work- Sounds very simple – but there
tain a relationship with the UK a time of renewal and re-
load and pressures here in Kenya. was a lot of new insight for me
I was touched and so very uplifted wrapped up in all of the soul that will allow students and resi- connecting during my fur-
by the encouraging responses and searching. I thank you for your dents and faculty to come to lough in the USA Novem-
email I received. I felt very under- prayers and for allowing me to be Kenya as time and interest per- ber 2009 through May
girded with prayer and so many vulnerable. I also thank you that mits. 2010. Pray that I will be
people shared with me about simi- you continue to support a not so able to adequately relay all
I would consider it an honor to
lar times in their lives. In May and perfect missionary (smile!) that God is doing at Ten-
come and share with your church
early June, I took some time off, wek.
These days I find myself with or youth group, etc. Just contact
rested, got some help from a won-
derful counselor and physician in wonderful swings of emotion – joy me by email if you are interested. I  I appreciate your continued
of being here and joy of anticipat- look forward to seeing my family, prayers for my family. My
Nairobi, and took stock of my
ing time in USA (with a few sad all of you, and eating some Mexi- Mom’s surgery was suc-
situation. Now, I am so much
thoughts of things I will miss in can food!
better and have a much greater cessful and she has recov-
insight for my whole life situation both places by being in the other!). ered well. My brother is
and the need to take better care of leaving in one week for a
myself. The nutshell version is I hope to see many of you during
And the God of all grace, who job in Indonesia as a pilot
this: my six or seven months in the
called you to his eternal glory in for an airlines. Please con-
USA. If you are able to continue
- God called me here to Kenya to Christ, after you have suffered a tinue to pray for him and his
your support for me during the
do this particular ministry knowing little while, will himself restore children.
time I am in the USA, I am most
me better than I know myself. you and make you strong, firm and 
grateful and it will help build up If you would like for me to
- God is able to meet and exceed the funds I need prior to returning steadfast. To him be the power
speak in your church or
all that I need. to Kenya in May 2010. I will be for ever and ever. Amen.
group, please email me at
living in Lexington, KY in a house I Peter 5:10-11
cspears9@gmail.com.

Carol’s Permanent Address: Please email me or

2203 Meadowood Drive write to me if you no
Gadsden, AL 35907 longer wish to receive
256-442-7193 these newsletters.
cspears9@gmail.com For contributions or
Temporary address in correspondence:
Kentucky Nov thru April/ World Gospel Mission
May: P O Box 948
1359 Dix Dr. A Marion, IN 46952
Lexington, KY 40517