|
Veterinary Mission in Western Kenya From January 16th to 22nd, Fielden and Janet Allison hosted Greg Niblock and Jim Hoffmann from Searcy, Arkansas at their home on Mt. Elgon in western Kenya. The Allison's have spent over 30 years in missions work in Kenya with the last 13 years spent on Mt. Elgon. Greg Niblock, an attorney, and Jim Hoffmann, a veterinarian, had traveled to Kenya with Oneal Tankersley and 5 students: Ben Gerber, Mark Johnston, Nathan Hendrix and Chris Nicholson from Harding University, and Denton Josey from Abilene Christian University. These 5 young men have volunteered to stay for 1 year to teach at the Chepkong'ony secondary school near Eldoret. More information on their ministry can be found at their web site: www.geocities.com/run4him56/KenyaMission
Niblock and Hoffmann were visiting to conduct
veterinary clinics as an outreach in conjunction with churches in the Mt. Elgon
area. During 5 days they conducted clinics at 10 different villages in the area
treating 900 animals including cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats. Most of the
animals seen were treated with deworming medications for parasite infections.
Respiratory infections, wounds, and eye injuries including The Mt. Elgon area is rural and agriculture is the main source, in most cases the only source, of personal livelihood. Livestock is important not only as a source of food and wool, but also as a source of labor. Crops such as com, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans are widely grown with cattle being relied on for the cultivating of fields. Donkeys are the main source of transportation for seed, supplies, and the crops after harvesting. In a culture where few families have bank accounts or savings plans, livestock represents a large component of a family's financial wealth. For example, in the Mt. Elgon area, a day's wages averages about 100 Kenyan shillings. A donkey is valued at about 6,000 Kenyan shillings, or 60 days work. All efforts to increase the health and strength of livestock has a direct impact on the families lives. The clinics were not accompanied by direct evangelistic teaching. It was simply made known that they were being held by concerned Christians in order to help the local residents. In Fielden Allison's experience this promotes goodwill toward the local church, and interest in the church's message. Such interest leads to opportunities for local Christians to discuss their faith and hold studies thereby avoiding the barrier faced by short-term workers who do not speak the local language. "The long term effects of this type of work will never be known" Allison said. "If only one person comes into the kingdom because of interest generated by one of these clinics, how many souls can be saved through the generations in that family alone?" At each village where a clinic was held, many people who did not bring animals showed up and asked what was being done. In most cases it was a community effort roping, holding, and accounting for the animals. There are currently 17 churches with which the Allison's work. Several of these are mature congregations with strong leaders but others are new groups still in the early stages of growth. Fielden is also involved as a sponsor of several primary schools in the area. Janet teaches at the local church run high school. Previously, she served as head teacher of the local public primary school. In addition to their work with the local churches and schools Janet, who holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University, and Fielden also travel to teach Marriage and Family seminars for churches throughout Kenya and eastern Africa.
|
eye worms were also
commonly seen. The animals in these villages normally have little or no access
to professional veterinary care.