Dear Friends and Family,
It is good to be in Kenya. Medical care here is SOOOO much better than in Burundi. It's no just the big things, like the neonatologist and NICU I mentioned before. It's also the little things like having soap in the bathrooms at the doctor's office (not to mention toilet paper) and having someone check your weight and blood pressure at prenatal appointments...
After several visits to the doctor, we are pretty satisfied with the verdict. The doctor has affirmed our decision to come (which I needed to hear) since all these contractions could turn into preterm labor and a resulting emergency c-section any day, but he says he has also seen cases where someone has contractions just like this all the way to full term, so a premie is not necessarily a foregone conclusion. All we can do is wait and see. He has determined that I am not leaking amniotic fluid, which is a big relief. The previa is probably here for good, but there is still a slight chance it could move and we'll recheck with another ultrasound later. Regardless, we are happy to be waiting in a place that has the resources to handle it if I do go into early labor, and we are thankful to know we've done everything we can. The doctor also said that really long periods of complete bedrest could lead to blood clots, so he suggested I try doing a little more and just watch to see if it makes the contractions stronger or more frequent. I think I'll start with sitting up more for starters. That sounds pretty fabulous right now!
We are also thankful for the Ryders, who work with a local church and Bible School in Kenya, and who are the parents of one of my best friends from high school. They are willing to let us stay in their house for as long as is needed. There aren't many people who are willing to even contemplate having house guests for two or three months.
Even knowing all this, we are all struggling a little with the sudden transition from Burundi to Nairobi. Politically, it's a toss up. We have left the nightly gunfire of government police trying to curb banditry for a country with a potentially volatile election taking place on Dec. 29. Personally, Zach is outside crying because he wants his green shovel, and it is in our house in Burundi. Yesterday it was a toy train. I've been sad about "losing" the fun Christmas we had planned with Jesse's family. They will still be travelling to Burundi and will be staying in our house for ten days, which is something that probably won't be able to happen next year. Jesse has particularly missed having our own car instead of having to take taxis.
Ministry-wise, Jesse brought along a new course to outline and several films to edit. The Bible School Mr. Ryder helps direct is a small leadership training school here in the Nairobi slums, and Jesse will get to talk with him about how their program runs. He is also enjoying having the opportunity to really study through the African Bible Commentary at night after Zach is in bed. My guess is that this will be plenty to keep him busy around the doctor's appointments, potty training a two year old, and taking care of me.
Thanks for your notes of support, gifts, and prayers for us during this time of waiting. You all are amazing!! This is our first chance to get on email since arriving in Nairobi, but now that we've figured out a system, I should be able to respond to those of you who have written us personal emails soon.
Merry Christmas!
Jesse, Joy, and Zach
