Pure Christianity

Diagnosis

I recently posted about Kate being sick, here, and in case you didn't get it that post was done light heartedly. She did not bounce back, you know like you would from a cold or something, so we went back to the doctor, especially after Kate started to turn yellow.

Another test was done, this time for liver function, and more examination. I should note that although she was still sick at this time (yesterday to be exact) she had improved dramatically from the week before.

The liver function test was to take more than an hour, so Kate came home. Naturally she was anxious to get the results, trust me when I say Kate does not like being sick. She seems to really hate an illness when she does not know what it is.

I had to prepare for a team meeting so she went back to the doc's office with Pauline. I get a phone call sometime during my preparation for the meeting (alright alright I admit I had finished setting up and was taking advantage of the big screen to play a video game,) she tells me over our horrible connection that she has hepatitis A.

So now we know, hepatitis A is the culprit. No cure and no treatment. She just has to suffer till it is finished.

Thanks for all the prayers and emails. We have appreciated them, and would love for you to continue praying for Kate. She is improving, and let me reassure you Kate is not so sick that we are fearing for her life, hepatitis A is just something she has not had before and it is not a pleasant thing. This morning she is complaining of being tired, but it seems that Emma, our 1 and a half year old, has a cold and breast fed all night long. Apparently, and I have no experience in breast feeding so this is something I have to be told (it would seem I need to be told over and over again,) when a kid is suckling it is hard to sleep. Hence the tiredness this morning.

 

Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde

Kate, my wonderful wife, has been sick for a week and a half. We took her to the doctor yesterday, and after a battery of tests he ruled out very many illnesses. Unfortunately he never discovered what it is that is ailing her, however we at least know several things that are not ailing her (including anthrax.)

If you know Kate well then you are aware that when she is sick a transformation occurs within her. Healthy Kate is gracious, kind, humble, and all the things one could ask for in a woman. Sick Kate on the other hand is bossy, grouchy, and arrogant. In fact since she is still recovering I will most likely get hell for posting this article, but I do like to live dangerously.

Admittedly I may be exaggerating here. Sometimes when my routine is messed up I tend to become a "the glass is half-empty" kind of guy. Either way everyone in this house will be happy to see Kate fully recovered.

 

Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Things you may not think about...

When living with 17 people it obviously requires a great deal of time, energy, and thought. When trying to relate, there are lots of things that you may think about such as our meal preparations or the amount of laundry we have...

But have you tried to put yourself in our SHOES, literally? We have at least 34 shoes lying around at any given moment. In fact, Emma our 1 year old, loves shoes so much that she is constantly wearing some one's shoes. This is a problem because she carries shoes all over the house! If you need a specific shoe, you may only find ONE of them!

Another issue we have is school supplies. We go through erasers and pencils like sweets! Since I home school Andrew, Makena, and Butterfly, we are ever without the supplies we need because the orphans are constantly taking our pencils to school with them. I have a special 'teacher' drawer that I think they are invading daily. Fortunately, we have a sponsor who has ordered personalized pencils for us! Hopefully that will help solve the problem.

Taps. Water taps. Our water system is different than most of yours. Instead of trying to explain it now, let me just say this:  Our kids never close the taps! (Usually it is because when they opened it no water came out so they just walk away without reversing the action they took upon the faucet.) However, when we pump the water from our storage tanks into the house, if we don't check all 24 taps, water will be pouring down the drain. Since we have to buy our water from a water company because no water comes to our house, it is a very costly waste!

On the lighter side of things, having 17 people around means that there is always someone to play with or talk to. Our kids play outside games because there's always enough for team play. It is great fun. Our kids get along pretty well. I'm so grateful for that!

~Kate Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya

Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, home for orphaned girls.

Picture of the Week

Here is Makena with some produce from our small garden at the house. The kids really enjoyed watching things grow. I don't think they enjoyed the work of watering the plants, weeding them, and all the other things associated with gardening. After a while the watering and weeding stopped, and nature just took over. Despite everyone's lack of green thumbs we managed to grow some zucchini. I am not sure that is a good thing, but still they grew.

 

Johnny 

Picture of the week

Ok, I know you've seen a lot of Butterfly lately, but this week we found out that our tortoise's eggs must've hatched! This little guy was roaming around in our garden! Now we have 6 Leopard Tortoises (maybe more)!

Happy 4th of July!

I thought I would wish all my fellow countrymen out there a good Independence Day.

I was thinking this morning about the good old U.S.A. and trying to think of something that I really appreciate about the country. I tend to be very critical of my homeland, and I believe I have good reason to be critical (hopefully the voters will see reason this November and kick out the war mongers. ) However there are plenty of reasons to love America.

One thing I really appreciate is the freedom we have. I know we have lost some due to bad laws passed by the current administration and recent legislators, but still we are some of the most free people in the world. I can say what I want. I can believe what I want. I can do what I want. (All within reason of course.)

Thank you people of America for allowing me that freedom, and I pray that you continue to allow it in the days to come.

 

            Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Happy Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Butterfly's 5th birthday. Wow. It is hard to believe she is already 5. She was just a baby when we came to Kenya, and now she thinks  she is all grown up. Actually it is kind of funny. Now that she is 5 she feels more capable of doing things then back when she was just 4. Ha.

I am glad to know Butterfly and look forward to being a part of the rest of her childhood.

Picture of the week

I don't remember if I posted this picture or not. It was actually taken in May when I painted all of the kids' faces, but I thought it was cute. It's a picture of our 4 year old daughter  Butterfly.

Doh!!

I completely forgot Father's Day!

We don't have that here in Kenya so once again, it slipped by me! I'm such a horrible daughter and wife!

...But I'll try to take Johnny to lunch or something.

As for you, Dad, SORRY I MISSED IT! You are the best!

 

Kate Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Picture of the week

Emma Caite, the one-year-old mechanic.