Telling Iltashawa's Story

the story:

In March 2012, I was living with a Maasai tribe in Kenya, along with my ten teammates from the United States and Canada.  One Sunday, Erika, Rachel, and Katie spent their morning at the local health clinic, where Dr. Leiyian had come from Nairobi to perform eye exams and operations in the locals in the villages.  

Erika, Rachel, and Katie (pictured with Dr. Leiyian) were the first to get the ball rolling,
when they volunteered at a local clinic performing eye exams in Satiman. 

That afternoon, the girls returned home full of excitement, and could not stop talking about what a great time they had helping Dr. Leiyian and the other volunteers.  They introduced us to a young boy, Iltashawa, and his older brother.  Iltashawa had, three years prior, an accident that severed his tear duct just below his eye.  The result was not only an open gash on his face, but also a non-stop tear duct that made it impossible for him to stop crying.  For three years, the young boy was forced to live with the non-stop tear flow from his eye.  

Left: Iltashawa and his brother, a Maasai warrior, visiting our home.  They had taken him to the clinic that morning, hoping that Dr. Leiyian and the other volunteers would be able to help relieve the pain and discomfort in his eye.

Right: An up-close look at Iltashawa's left eye.  You can see the red cut, which severed the tear duct, and the white in his eye, the result of the non-stop tear flow.  

At the same time, halfway across the world, Jackie Martin, founder of jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, was looking for opportunities to make a difference with the profits of her business.  She emailed me once I had returned to Nairobi and mentioned her idea, Missions in May.  She hoped to give a portion of her proceeds from the month of May to benefit the advance of Christian missions in the world.  

Immediately I remembered Iltashawa, who we were unable to help during our time with the tribe.  Erika and Rachel sent me the contact information for Dr. Leiyian, and a plan was in the works!

With the funds donated by jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, Dr. Leiyian made plans and arranged transportation for Iltashawa's surgery in Nairobi.  The surgery was performed successfully in June, and Iltashawa has recovered fully and is now seeing out of a healthy, tear-free eye. 

Left: Iltashawa recovering from the surgery. 

Right: Iltashawa and his older brother hanging out in Nairobi after the operation.

Many thanks are due to many people for the love that was shown to Iltashawa.  Erika, Rachel, and Katie, thanks for your non-stop effort and refusal to be okay with the pain and suffering you witnessed in Kenya.  Without your voices, who knows if this boy would have ever been given a chance.  Dr. Leiyian, thank you for showing compassion and an authentic love for the people of Kenya by your above and beyond efforts to take care of Iltashawa and many others entrusted to your care. jmpPHOTOGRAPHY, thank you for using your resources to be a representation of Christ's love and generosity to a boy you never met, but felt compassion for anyway.  And, gracious Lord, thank you for the incredible blessing that you've granted me since making me yours, allowing me to be an ambassador for your kingdom in the world, and spoiling me with incredible stories like this along the way.

Iltashawa after his operation, a happy boy with a healthy eye! 

-Jordan