Robert and Holly Groom

Bob Groom WGM from Dean COWLES on Vimeo.

In Africa, the rate of heart disease is the highest in the world, and medical centers that can treat heart disease are scarce to nonexistent. This causes much suffering and premature death for many African people and their families.

Since their first year of marriage, the Grooms have had a burden for those suffering from heart disease, particularly in Africa. God has been preparing them for service in Kenya for the past forty years.

Robert is a cardiovascular perfusionist; he operates the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery and has extensive leadership experience in cardiothoracic surgery. Holly has taught for twenty-five years, from first grade to eighth grade. Teaching about language arts and social studies has been invigorating, but telling children about God’s love and His plan for their lives is her favorite subject matter. Robert and Holly have five grown children and three grandchildren. They live in Maine when they are in the United States.

In 2011, when Robert heard that Kenya’s Tenwek Hospital had started a cardiac surgery program, he contacted surgeon Russ White. Robert became a frequent short-term volunteer, operating the heart-lung machine during cardiac procedures. To date, he has been to Tenwek over eighteen times.

Robert underwent open heart surgery in January 2017, and now knows what it is like to have a heart problem that requires cardiac surgery. Moreover, he has experienced the heart-changing power of Jesus Christ and desires to be part of the team at Tenwek that serves to provide physical and spiritual healing.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him (Psalms 61:1 NIV).

The Grooms have been called to assist in the development of a new Cardiothoracic Treatment and Teaching Center at Tenwek Hospital.

Robert will establish a cardiovascular training program for Africans. He will also help with the coordination of cardiac teams coming to Tenwek Hospital for short-term missions. Together, Robert and Holly will be part of the Tenwek team—providing compassionate care and spiritual healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1).