June 19, 2007

Dear Friends,

Here is a bit of news from Tumutumu:

• Their patient numbers are up. That means that the insurance plan in the region is working and this also means improved financial health for the hospital.

• The Kariithi family has moved into their new home in Nyeri. James tells me that there is still work to be done, but that they are thankful that it is near completion.

• Shelley Ulrich and I will be leaving for Kenya on Friday June 22 and will be there until July 10. Please pray for our time with the staff and the many things that we need to do when we are there. We will be joined for part of the time by two people from First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, they are planning on sending a team to Tumutumu in the fall. So.. they are going to get a lightning speed orientation to the hospital and staff.

• The container of supplies and equipment for Tumutumu has not left the US. This is because the process is bogged down in getting the needed approvals from the Kenyan tax authorities. Please pray that I can get that resolved when I am in Kenya. This has been on hold since November of 2006!

• We have some donations that have come in for new nursing scholarships. Please pray that we can work with the Nursing School staff to identify the students who will be receiving the scholarships. I need bring information about them back to the US when I return.

I am sure that Shelley and I will have many good news stories when we are back home.

Maria