We walked arm in arm, talking about our mothers. I was in Kenya, reunited with my dear friend Mary after not seeing her for three years. Although we had been separated by thousands of miles, we were bound by mercy. Mary’s mum had died from a brain tumor just a few months earlier. My mama had just entered hospice care, and unbeknownst to me, she would die a few weeks later, after I returned home. Mary and I were bound by suffering and by Christ’s mercy. Her mum’s story is a poignant reminder of why Rehema Open Door, the upcoming hospice and palliative care center in rural western Kenya is so essential. I am honored to share her story with you.

At age 58, Mary’s mother, Rose, began to faint and have seizures. This often happened when she would go to the river to fetch water, or when she went to the market. Rose also developed a leg wound that wouldn’t heal. Obviously, these symptoms were disturbing and limited her activities of daily life. Fortunately, Rose’s family was able to get her to a local hospital where tests showed blood clots in her brain. Her seizures continued, however, and an MRI revealed a brain tumor. Soon after, Rose saw a neurosurgeon at another hospital many hours from her rural home. Here she had brain surgery to remove the tumor and was discharged home. Yet, within a month, Rose’s condition deteriorated; she was in severe pain and nearly bedridden. The tumor had returned and she was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme–an aggressive brain cancer.

At this point, a compassionate physician suggested hospice care for Rose. He explained that chemotherapy would not likely help her and would more likely cause many distressing symptoms. Hospice could provide her with comfort and pain relief in a safe environment. This recommendation was unusual. In Kenya, due to cultural traditions and fear, a doctor is often reluctant to tell a patient they even have cancer. It’s even more unusual that they recommend stopping treatment and suggesting hospice or palliative care.

Mum Rose with granddaughter Eeva at St. Vincent Hospice

Rose lived her last eight months at St. Vincent’s Hospice in Muhoroni–quite a distance from her family. Here, the hospice staff was able to control her severe pain so when family visited, Rose would smile, sing and pray with them. Because of the wonderful care Rose received, the family was even able to take her from the hospice to her rural home for a few days at a time which gave her great joy. Her last months, weeks and days were spent in comfort and relative peace.

Rose was just 59 years old when she died. She was a widow for 17 years, raised 9 children and experienced the death of 5 of them. She was survived by 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Thankfully for the family and her, she also had insurance through Kenya’s National Hospital Insurance Fund which covered some costs, but the family still paid for doctor visits and part of her brain surgery. Most Kenyans cannot afford either insurance or medical care. It’s common practice in Kenya that medical care must be paid for upfront by the patient or family before receiving treatment.

Rehema Open Door will provide much needed hospice care for people like Rose and her family, yet closer to home. With your support, lack of funds will never be a deterrent for care at Rehema. This hospice will be a refuge for those suffering in body and soul, as well as giving support to their families and caregivers.

Rehema Open Door Clinic opening October 2023

We are excited to announce the Grand Opening celebration of Rehema Open Door on October 4, 2023! This event will showcase the clinic portion of the project, which will soon be open to the community for services. This is the first phase of the facility’s construction. Phase two, providing inpatient services, will begin as funding allows. Deaconess Pamela and her husband Dennis, along with friends and fellow Rehema supporters, Jeff and Anne, will travel to Kenya for this long-awaited event.

Thanks to support from generous donors like you, this dream of mercy is coming true, a place where patients, like Rose, can receive necessary care and love.

Always Mercy,

Pamela