For those of you who travel with me through the words on this blog, you’re probably aware of my longing to open a hospice house in rural western Kenya.

Longing creates a sense of anticipation and hope. Longing also involves a sense of loss as what was once imagined morphs into something new.  Longing also requires patience, and even more patience. Perhaps you are wondering along with me, “Is this project ever going to get off the ground?”

When Kenyan Pastor David Chuchu, director of Diakona Compassionate Ministry (DCM), and I first began talking about the hospice project back in 2012, we envisioned a cozy little cottage with a few beds where the suffering and dying could lay their weary heads and receive mercy care.  Over several years, we made visits to a few hospices in Kenya. One hospice is housed inside a hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy in western Kenya. (In fact, a few years ago David’s mother-in-law, Rose, received end-of-life care there.)  Another hospice near Kip Karen in northwestern Kenya showed us we need much more than a little cottage and a few staff to provide proper care.  We need to have a clinic, lab, physical therapy, medical offices, an incinerator for medical waste, and a cafeteria. And we eventually will need housing for staff and visitors. We will also need a morgue (more about this in another post). Some of these will be income generating, (clinic and morgue), helping us reach a goal of a self-sustaining palliative care center. And of course, central to our mission, will be the need for a chapel where folks can come and receive the gifts of Christ and rest for their weary souls.

I continue to learn the shape of dreams must change and grow, even as plans on paper change.

Originally, the land on a gorgeously verdant slope near a river that a rural community had donated– land which held my footprints and renewed visions for this hospice house—had to be left behind.  While we had the support of the community for this project, the government was slow to act. We were not getting the government stamp of approval which would allow us to proceed.

So, we have new land!  Purchased and ready to go.  It’s a beautiful acre parcel nestled next to trees and farmland in the same rural area as our previous site and now we own it!  Also, we are in negotiations to purchase an additional acre of land, giving us room to expand as needed. The geography of the new land is flat which will make construction easier and less expensive. However, there is no river access, so we need to drill a borehole for water.  Right now, the architect is fine-tuning the original renderings to fit this new parcel.

New land–rich and fertile

Here is where we are currently:

First, we need to get the land officially transferred to DCM and get a water survey done to determine the depth of drilling needed for water. Right now, the estimated cost for drilling a borehole and adding a water pump is between $15,000-$20,000 (I’m trying not to gasp!) Second, we need to register a name for the hospice and clinic, one that carries our mission and vision of mercy to the suffering and dying.  Once registered, then we can break ground.

New parcel of land, awaiting addition of another acre

Pastor Chuchu is working hard on all these steps.

David has the experience and background to get things done.  I’ve known him since 2006 when I first stepped foot on Kenyan soil. He has become a trusted mentor, a colleague in Christ and a dear friend. In addition to being an ordained minister, he has several degrees: a diploma in journalism, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in project planning and management, and of course a master’s of divinity in religious studies.

David and Pamela 2012– Colleagues and Friends

David’s credentials are obvious, his skills impeccable, but most of all, he is a man of mercy who doesn’t give up. He manages many projects. He directs successful non-profit organizations through DCM. He is a construction project manager and has built a resort and even his own hotel—both income generating to support DCM projects. We are fortunate to have his expertise and steadfastness.

David and his lovely wife, Mary, 2016

I’m also pleased to announce that the launch of this hospice project is under the care of Diakonia Compassionate Ministries (Bringing Hope to the Hopeless) in Kenya and Curatio Mundi (Healing the World) out of Texas.  This partnership opens doors for more folks to be involved in this project and makes donations easy!  

Tax deductible donations to the hospice project can be made directly through 

 Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4701 Grove St. Rocklin, CA 95677.

Earmark checks for “Kenya Hospice”.

Always Mercy,

Pamela