More from Luo Land................

  "Let loose of what you can't control.  Serenity will be yours."   Life would be more peaceful if I could always remember this!  I love the peace that comes when I give all to God because there's NOTHING I can do!  But why it takes me so long to get to that point?... I don't know!!

   Kisumu is still HOT but we did have a beautiful rain last week... over 4 inches in fact!!  And that made an amazing difference in the temperature!!  How lovely to actually feel cool!  Last Tuesday we left the compound at 6 am for Nakuru where the joint unit meeting was held.  It was cool there that morning and I was thankful I had a leso to wrap around my shoulders.  Dave and Rose served us a yummy breakfast casserole when we got there and that hit the spot!!  The meeting was a LONG one... partly because the Delegation was there and they had more to discuss.  I almost couldn't sit anymore by the time it was over!  And then it started pouring down rain!  We ate lunch around 3 pm and then Barbara Jean, Carolyn, and I went over to Tony's house for a bit to see Judith... and the house. :)  We couldn't stay long because it was time to hit the road and head home to Kisumu before dark.  I was nervous about the trip home because of wet roads etc. but God was with us.  I'm always SO grateful for protection on these roads!  

  

   We found out Thurs. morning that we will need to host prayer meeting that evening so it turned out to be a very busy day but I didn't mind having an incentive to get my house cleaned early. :)  We ladies had a meeting afterward to plan food for various events that are coming up soon.  Seems there is always food to make for something!  Imagine how much simpler life would be if we wouldn't have to eat!  But how boring too... right? :)

   On Friday around noon Judith, Jamie, and Ayla appeared at our door.  We were glad to welcome them for the weekend!!  We felt so badly for them with the trauma they faced last week when two men approached Tony with a gun ( a fake one)  and wanted money! We are SO thankful for God's protection and for giving Tony the presence of mind to quickly lock the gate and run for the house!  Things could've been much worse but these things aren't easy to forget!  Pray that God will give them peace and calmness in spite of the fears they face.  Tony's decided to stay til Monday to give them a bit of time to recuperate and think about what can be done to give them more security in their compound.  We enjoyed having them here!!  Also Joe Fisher... he almost feels like part of the family!  On Saturday Wayne had some extra time so he took the boys from the compound out to a pool and they had a grand time swimming!  We had pizza for supper and were joined by Dishon, a native from Rabour, who was here 

washing our van for us. He's an orphan who has quite a story... he had plans to commit suicide at one time but God spared him and now he is doing well and in college to be a Doctor.  

   Sunday was an interesting day.  Wayne preached for the church at Nyakoko while Marlin Stoltzfus preached at Lela in Wayne's place.  Tonys, Joe, Carolyn, and Lydia (a youth girl from Lela), all attended Nyakoko as well, so there was a good sized crowd.  Tommy seemed to appreciate having a break from preaching and we enjoyed the privilege of visiting their church.  Marji taught Sunday school for the ladies and we enjoyed sitting outside under the shade trees where it was cooler.  It took around 50 minutes to get home so we were all good and ready to eat when we got back!  Marji brought ham that someone shared with them... from America!  We also had mashed potatoes, chicken, cabbage salad, and yummy cakes (made by Carolyn), and watermelon.  In the afternoon some of the men from the compound came over and played can jam for a while.  It was a nice cool evening and I felt like just sitting.... but we always have to eat you know... so I mixed up some bread sticks and made cheese sauce.  

   Monday morning was hectic... but we survived!  Wayne and I were in charge of the school field trip and so there were lots of things to get together for our picnic lunch, sandwiches to make, etc.  We also wanted to make sure there was plenty of water and sodas for all 50 of us!!  We headed to the Coca-Cola factory in Kisumu and enjoyed our time there very much!  All except for some long explanations about things outside in the heat!!  There was a long hallway up above the factory with windows all around so we could watch the machines and all that was going on.  It was amazing!!!!!  Its very modern with lots of huge machines that do most of the work.  They can produce 40,000 bottles of soda an hour on just one of their lines (of which they have three)!  I have never seen so much soda in my life!!  After the tour we sat in a large room that was actually air conditioned and then they treated all of us to soda!  How nice of them!  The acoustics in that room were great... so we sang a few songs for our tour guide.  He really appreciated that! :)  From there we went to Impala park for lunch.  It was so beautiful by the lake and so relaxing... except for when we had to constantly watch our food because of the many monkeys who wanted to steal it!!  They eat right out of your hand and are quite tame.  I loved watching the mama's and the tiny babies hanging onto them!  I heard the lion roar one time which is a rather awful sound!  We had such a nice time sitting around and hearing stories... I suppose you can guess who was the biggest story teller... :)  My dearest....

   We look forward to the arrival of the Gerold Miller family in a few days... I hope we can help them feel welcome and at home here in Kenya!  May God bless all of you!  Continue praying for us with all the changes coming up.... it looks big.... but God is bigger!!  Clara 

Life goes on in Luo land.....C

"One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain." 

 I thought this describes me pretty well.  I really resisted the change when we moved to Africa and now since we're here I find myself wanting to hold on to how things are now.  I realize that in many of the changes that have taken place in our lives, we have gained much... but it seems there is still something about the unknown that makes me want to stay right where I am.  Sigh...  Life continues to be a journey, and the sooner I can give up my will for God's the better off I am.  I seem to be a hard learner...

   We are experiencing peaceful nights and every morning when we wake up and the night has been calm, with no robbers, I praise God!!  I sleep very soundly but sometimes when I do wake up I find myself straining to hear any noises and I have a bit of fear about walking through the house at night... just in case someone is in here.  But God has been good in granting peace and rest.  On the Mon. night before the  break-in at Josephs one of the ladies from Stacy Byler's church in Seymour, MO, had a dream that the compound here in Kisumu was surrounded by danger.  Of course prayers were offered for us.  Then on Thurs. of that week it was very much impressed on this girl again that there is danger here.  So many prayers went up on our behalf.  On Fri. night was the break-in and then she knew what the dream was all about.  What a blessing to know that God's angels are at work here in Kenya!  And many thanks to all of you who pray for us!!  God is using you in mighty ways!  

   Monday was Pastor's meeting as usual and I spent some time helping Becky clean the guest house and wash sheets in preparation for Joe Kuepfers who slept there that night and then on Tues.  Judith, Ayla, and Marty came and stayed til Fri. morning.  

  Tues. was a rather hard day for Wayne and I.  We went to church to have a meeting with 2 of our members who are not getting along well. We have been trying to help bring peace between them and its quite the journey!  Bishop Eric was with us too and we felt like some progress has been made but there is still a long ways to go.  So many cultural things play into situations like this. We Mzungu's can't see into things like we wish we could because we don't have the mind of a Luo!  We need the wisdom of Solomon!  

Tues. was the day that Marlin Stoltzfus's moved from their home of 4 and a half years into Tony's vacated house.  So thus begins a big changeover here in the compound.  Gerold Millers plan to arrive in less than 2 weeks and will move into Marlin's house.  I'm so glad we don't have to say good-bye to Marlin's yet!!  They plan to leave the beginning of June.  On Tues. eve. the youth in the compound served all the couples from here a very yummy supper!  The table was decorated nicely and they served us in style!  We were all supposed to tell our "love story" that eve. and that was SO interesting!! :)  I felt like I learned to know everyone in a different way.  I won't forget Jake and Janice's story right away! Jake said they were engaged in a tree stand. And Jan says she had no choice!  Jake had a gun and they were up a tree!! :)  That brought lots of laughter of course! 

   Wednesday was a fulfilling day for Wayne and I.  One of our members, Caroline, was in the Russia hospital where she had surgery to remove a tumor.  We went to visit her there and had intentions of taking her home.  But when we got there we found out that they would not release her because she had lost a LOT of blood during surgery. The hospital said they had no blood for her. She had been unconscious for a while and her husband, Maurice, was afraid she had died.  I felt so sorry for her there in the hospital.  I sat on the bed with her for a while and just watched all the "goings on."  I was horrified by the smell in that place!  That hospital is decrepit to say the least and I felt SO dirty by the time I got out of there!  The nurses don't seem to care for the patients... in fact I didn't even see many nurses.  The patients kind of seem to be on their own.  When Wayne found out that Caroline needed blood he offered to donate for her.  So we went to the donation building but when they found out that we both had hepatitis injections within the last 6 months we were rejected.  Wayne asked them what can be done for Caroline.  So the lady prepared a paper that gave Caroline the right to receive blood from a blood drive that was happening that day.  As it turned out Caroline never did get that blood... hard telling why... but God healed her blood, I guess, because her levels soon came up enough that she was able to go home.  Wayne's offer to give blood meant a lot to the couple!!  After leaving the hospital we went to Lela for Bible study at the church. We had a blessed time together and after the meeting I had the privilege of helping Alice and Lena, 2 members in Instruction class, pick out some new dresses and veils.  The church ladies were all around them helping them try on dresses.  They were in a festive mood and called the ladies in their new outfits, "smart." :)  

   On Thursday Wayne and the school children and teachers from here, as well as Judith and Ayla, went to a school with 400 or more students to distribute Bible story books, sing, and act out the Good 

Samaritan story.  I think they had a profitable day and enjoyed themselves.  They all ate at a "hotel" (place to eat, in Kenya) for lunch which was a nice diversion for them.  22 people ate all they needed with some leftovers for under 20.00! (including drinks) Prayer meeting that eve. was at Deans house and it felt good to be outside under the tent to catch the eve. breeze.  The heat has been overwhelming this week and feels like a test of endurance!!

   Bradlyn was sick all day Friday. :(  A bad stomach bug of some kind I guess.  He was some better the next day and he loved it when Wayne gave him a ride on the piki.  Wayne went to Nakumatt on the piki for the first time since he has his license now.  His wife was not too sure about it and was at home praying!!  Later after he came home safe and sound I actually got on the bike with him for a ride around our lawn.  Its a bit scary for someone like me and I can't imagine riding in this crazy traffic around here!!  You want to be ready to die at any moment!!!  It seems my husband only has one speed when he's driving van or piki... I'll let you figure out what that is. :)  (I need to add a disclaimer, I'm still pretty cautious on the motorcycle. wy )

   The message this morning was titled,  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."  It was a timely message and something we all need to be reminded of.  Carolyn and Marty joined us for lunch.  We need to say good-bye to Marty tomorrow and then our visitors will all be gone for a while... until John Beilers come!!!  

   You will notice that there are pictures included this time.  Praise the Lord the camera is working on the phone that was "baptized" in the washer.  The phone works well enough to get by but is very unhandy and has some real issues.  We are feeling VERY indebted to a friend of ours from America who heard about the phone and offered to replace it with an even better one for us!!  May God bless him abundantly!  We're undeserving!  Thank you for your prayers!  Please continue... we have hard decisions to make at times and need wisdom from above!  Clara                                    

Couples Banquet Table

Lena and Alice

Nyangoto Primary School

Where's Brad?

Lunch Time!!