Early Thursday morning we drove for six hours to Kisii to meet Dr. Dan Kiage at his Innovation Eye Centre. Elder Shakespeare needed a break from driving, so Jesse drove on the left hand side of the road with a stick-shift, through numerous speed bumps, potholes and large trucks to negotiate with. Dr. Kiage met us at the Ufanisi hotel with his van, driver and assistant, Evelyn. Another two hour drive took us to Migori. We had not discussed with Dr. Kiage having a handover ceremony or meeting with the local ministry of health. Much to our surprise, he arranged to meet with the local health minister before we drove to Oasis Doctors Plaza for the grand-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Oasis Doctors Plaza is a new concept for the smaller cities in Kenya. It strives
to bring together different medical specialties in one office so the population can receive quality medical care close to their homes.
On Friday morning, an hour drive took us to two locations in Nyamira for handover ceremonies; the district hospital and another Oasis Doctors Plaza just across the street. Jesse practiced his ribbon cutting skills two more times!
We flew Sunday afternoon to Lubumbashi, DR Congo on Kenya Airways. Elder Clark and Sister Shelly Davis from Brigham City met us at the airport to take us to Hotel Karavia. Dr. Janvier Kilangalanga had arrived previously. The Davis's hosted us at their apartment for dinner and a video streaming of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast. The missionary couples here have their living quarters by the mission office complex, for security reasons.
On P-day, Monday we set up the operating microscope at Sendwe hospital. This was the only piece of equipment that had arrived in time for our assembly. Jesse and Janvier worked with flashlights as the power had gone out for a time.
The first time we visited Sendwe Public Hospital, five years ago, we could not recommend a project due to the state of disrepair. Janvier told us that a rennovation was underway, and the operating hallway was now being used. This picture shows the contrast between old and new areas. Remarkable!
Another operating microscope with a video monitor for teaching really pleased the professors at the University of Lubumbashi! E/S Davis had a very nice lunch katered for the handover ceremony at University. The final project planned in Lubumbashi will provide a B-scan machine for St. Yvonne ophthalmology centre. All three locations are awaiting the arrival of more equipment. Dr. Kilangalanga volunteered to set up and train on these items when he returns to Lubumbashi in three weeks. We know he will follow through for us! He is the assistant director for the DRC National vision program. He always compliments the church on how much they have contributed to helping the DRC reach their goals in vision care.
After completing the project in Lubumbashi, we flew back to Kenya for the weekend. The Shakespeare's hosted us again for the weekend while we developed a project for next year in Kenya. On Saturday, we visited Nairobi National Park and saw herds of Wildebeest, Cape buffalo, and the elusive Rhinos we hoped to see. We never grow tired of seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitats.
Our final project for DR Congo took place in the University of Kinshasa medical hospital. Two slit lamps, a Yag Laser, Humphrey Visual Field machine, and an operating microscope with teaching video monitor added tremendously to their teaching abilities. Dr Kilangalanga orchestrated the planning and implementation of this huge project. Much appreciation and gratitude was expressed at the handover ceremony by many University personnel. Elder and Sister VanWagoner hosted us at their apartment during our stay. 
We shared a delicious Congolese meal at the Kilangalanga home on our last day in Kinshasa, meeting their newest granddaughter, and children. We love our friends in Africa!
