“Here in Kenya numbers of the virus have continued to rise, and Kijabe Hospital is now seeing more and more Covid patients. Meanwhile the workforce within the hospital has begun to dwindle, so Pete’s clinical workload has increased. It is likely that he will remain very busy for the coming months, but we can only wait to see how the pandemic continues to affect life in the hospital and beyond… Probably unsurprisingly, we have made the decision that we won’t be returning to the UK for our usual summer break. There were many factors involved in our decision, but for now we know it makes sense that we remain in Kijabe. We hope that later in the year there may be the chance for a visit, depending on how things open up in the coming months.” Please pray that God would sustain the family, especially Pete and others working at Kijabe Hospital at such a demanding time.

“During the last few weeks Pete, with many others, has been very involved in making plans, writing protocols and readying the hospital for what could be a devastating time. As we see good healthcare systems across the world overwhelmed by need it is hard to imagine how an already-overstretched and under resourced healthcare system will stand up to what might come. We continue to pray that we might be spared the full extent of this virus, and yet it also wise to learn from the challenges other countries have faced and work to proactively get ahead of the problem. The children’s wing of the hospital has been converted to a Covid Centre, allowing greater isolation and the main hospital to maintain most normal services, and thorough checks of patients and visitors to the hospital continue. Meanwhile teams from the local community, as well as in the hospital, are working to produce the best protective gear they can; many gowns, masks and face shields have been made in the last few weeks.” Please pray for Pete and others working in Kijabe Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Libby writes: “We’ve often talked about the joy and privilege it is to be part of training programmes at the hospital, and have shared many times of how encouraging it is to see trainees progress and grow in so many ways as they diligently work through their courses… I have enjoyed getting to know the trainees as the years have passed, but up until now have not had the opportunity to interact with them in the classroom setting. This changed recently however, when I was asked to introduce the graduating ECCCO class to the basics of teaching, particularly facilitating small group sessions, in order to prepare them more fully for the task of training colleagues in the future… It was a joy to see them so whole-hearted in their commitment to passing their knowledge and experience onto others, and to see them grasp the scope of influence they can have as they move on.” Please pray that God will use these graduates to help others grow in medical skill and in faith.