Sunday, May 29, 2016

Teamwork and Changes...........

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."  
                                     African Proverb

     "We are all so desperate to be understood, we forget to be understanding."

   I've been thinking about the importance of teamwork.  In a compound setting like we have here its of utmost importance that we learn to pull together.  With many of us coming from different backgrounds and settings it can be challenging to submit ourselves to others and their ideas but we have found it to be a real blessing!!  I don't think submission has ever been put to the test so much as it has since our arrival in Kenya but its been a really good experience for us and I see the beauty in it now like I never did before.  We are feeling the weight of Wayne's responsibility a lot today.  We were at Kajulu this morning for Marlin's last service with them and for the "hand off"  of Bishop responsibility.  Marlin is now free from his responsibilities and given the privilege of going home!!  The service was LONG today... it lasted until around 2:00!  There was special singing by the choir, Marlins family, and the youth.  And many people stood to voice their appreciation for Marlin and his family.  We were welcomed many times and feel love and support from these dear people. We certainly want to continue with the "teamwork" mentality and I'm certain with everyone working together and doing their part the churches can continue even in the absence of those who have left us.  With God all things are possible!

   It feels like a long time since I wrote and I'll try not to bore you with a lot of details of our last two weeks. On Pastor's day off we were privileged to spend time with Marlins family at Kiboko Bay. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the fellowship and awesome scenery.  The Nakuru youth were in Kisumu that day and had an adventure climbing Monkey stone.  Some of the youth fellows camped on the big rock overnight.

 Wayne went to Dienia on Wed. with the piki... an hour's drive or more, for Bible study.  It was the first time he had opportunity to be there and meet the members he will have oversight of.  Mark Beachy is the Pastor of the congregation there.  Wayne had some stories to tell about the horrendous mud he went through with the piki!  I'm always SO thankful when he arrives home safe and sound!  

 The highlights  of the past two weeks have been time spent with Dad and Mom Yoder, and Tonys!  We didn't do a lot of special things away from the compound while they were here but spent quality time at home.  Dad and Wayne spent most of a day up in the hot attic of our house trying to fix our water problem... very limited hot water, air in the lines, and zero pressure sometimes.  I can't tell you how HAPPY we are that the problem is fixed!!  Hallelujah!  I don't think I will ever take it for granted. After months of hauling water for baths, and waiting long minutes for the shower to work properly this is a HUGE blessing!!  Thanks again Dad!!  Mom, Judith, and I spent some time shopping and were happy with our purchases.  Judith blessed us with some of her yummy baking and amazing ricardo chicken!  We were also blessed with invitations to other houses for meals.  Sat. eve. we went to Joseph and Becky's house for pizza and other "American" style food. The single ladies were there as well and we enjoyed some good laughs that eve.  

   Sun. afternoon Tony's headed home to Nakuru.  I guess we won't see them again for a while since they plan to head for America soon for a 3 week furlough!   Sunday eve. was spent at Jake's house where the whole compound enjoyed a great meal of haystacks!  We also loved the special singing by Marlin's family, the youth and a few others, as well as Jake's family.  There were also 4 youth girls from Uganda here that eve. who helped Jake's family sing.  We enjoy meeting missionaries from other parts of Africa from time to time.  
  

   Monday morning we were up bright and early for the famous chicken butchering day!  We did over 200 chickens and were glad for the extra hands... our visitors, and the ladies from Uganda!  Glenda served us a delicious breakfast after we got cleaned up from the big mess butchering makes.  The pastors had a long meeting after breakfast.  That eve. we were invited to Dean and Barbara Jean's house for supper and enjoyed some great fellowship.  Dean and Barbara Jean are both related to Wayne's family so it was interesting to make those connections. 

   The next day we needed to take Dad and Mom to Kisumu airport for their flight to Nairobi. :(  Even though goodbye's are hard we have very pleasant memories of their time in Kenya to treasure in our hearts.  Their enthusiasm for our work here meant an awful lot and gives us the boost we need to keep on keeping on.  Tues. afternoon Wayne and I went to the Lela church to spray the gravel church floor for fleas.  After that we visited Mary Ajode, a sweet widow who has difficulty walking but very faithfully attends services, every Sunday.  She can't speak English well so we used as much of our limited Luo that we could, and spoke with "signs and wonders" as well. :)  Mary takes care of her old mama as well.  She's a sweet old lady that can't walk but every time I see her she is sitting up with a very straight back on a mat on the ground.  Some of the blankets look like rags and I'm amazed again at the poverty around us.  We shared some chicken meat and bones with them and they seemed very happy!  

   Wednesday our whole family wanted to go with us to Kajulu for a clothing sale.  It will be our responsibility to be in charge of sales like this at 4 or 5 different churches.   It was quite interesting!!  I wasn't prepared for the mad rush to the door when they were allowed to come in and choose their items.  And the way they "barge" in front of each other in line for the cashier!  Wayne and I were kept very busy taking the money and recording names and amounts in a small book.  I guess we're still learning things about these people and their culture.  And we need to be okay with the way they do things but I think we can still teach them some things such as common courtesies, waiting our turn, and being polite. Our culture could also learn more from theirs about the importance of valuing relationships over time. We constantly need wisdom from God!  That eve. we enjoyed our traditional chapati and beans supper with Joe and Glenda and dear little Tiffany.  

   Thurs. eve we hosted the prayer meeting at our house.  Once during a song one of the youth fellows had the unfortunate experience of ending up on the floor when the chair he was sitting on collapsed under him.  We thought we would be able to keep singing in spite of all the smiles but then we had to give up and everyone shared in the laughter! :)  Thanks Jadon for a good laugh... and for being a good sport!  We had a good laugh the week before as well when the prayer time was at Joes.  Joe welcomed everyone to their home in Luo... "Warawakou en dalawa."  Then he asked Gerold to translate what he said... and Gerold immediately responded by saying that Joe says there is cake and ice cream afterward. :)  The whole place erupted with laughter!  

   Kore Beachy spent some time here again this weekend since he was doing food drops in the area.  We always enjoy having him around!  We feel so blessed to have relatives in Kenya!!!  :)

   We compound ladies enjoyed a good brunch at Java House yesterday morning in honor of Lavina who will be leaving us soon.  I dread to think of Marlins and Linnfords leaving us soon!  And now Joseph and Becky left us too!  But only for two weeks.  They found out yesterday that her grandmother died so Wayne took them to the airport about an hour ago for their flight to America.

   JoeAllen and Gerold both preached their first messages at their churches today.  They were responsible for the whole service. So life goes on, and changes are constant. Your prayers are needed and much appreciated!!!  Clara
Youth on the Monkey Stone hike

Kiboko Bay


Work,for the night is coming...


Kore coordinating Orphans food distribution

The Homestead where we had Bible study for Dienia

Pasta Mark consulting the brothers

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One day Joseph borrowed the van, later that evening he said, I'm sorry I lost your van window!  On his journey it fell out somewhere!

Dad's and Tony cleaning our solar water heater

Twins??


Joe looks way too impressed!!



Dad's leaving Kisumu

Clothing sale



Little Marlin

Buying Roses in Kisumu

Long service!!!

Bishop Marlin



Kajulu CBF waving goodbye to Marlin's

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Luo land happenings...........

 "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we GIVE."  Winston Churchill

  "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope."  Barrack Obama

  I am challenged by these quotes and was surprised when I saw the one by Obama!  It is definitely more blessed to give than to receive.  At a place like this there is much "giving" going on all the time, but also much receiving.  We're very aware of the fact that we are indebted to you, our wonderful supporters, for our daily bread.  Many times before a meal Wayne prays a prayer of thanks and blessing for those across the waters who make this mission possible.  

   The week has been fairly calm and relaxed... and that's the way I like it! :)  On Monday eve.  I invited the compound ladies to our house to plan food for the School picnic on Fri. and also a Sunday eve. activity coming up soon.  I enjoy those times of fellowship!

   On Tuesday Marlin and Lavina, Joe and Glenda, and Wayne and I, were invited to Hesbon's house for lunch.  He is a faithful member at Lela.  His wife is a very fine lady but she is a member at the Pentecostal church I believe.  She has a deep appreciation and love for Hesbon's friends and very gladly receives us into their home.  Hesbon lived in Nakuru for years and attended the Free Area church. It was interesting to find out that he remembers Mahlon and Ruth (my sister) who lived in Nakuru 16 years ago.  Hesbon's house was very warm inside the day we were there so they invited us to sit outside under the tree for our lunch... much to our relief!!  It was very pleasant out there and we enjoyed visiting with Jacob and Maurice as well,  (two other members from Lela).  Hesbon wanted to do this special thing especially for Marlins who will be leaving soon.  We were served rice and beans.  They felt bad that they didn't have more to give us but we were VERY thankful that they didn't try to go all out to impress us but simply gave what they had.  The meal was very tasty and we had a very nice visit.  That afternoon Wayne and Joe went to visit Boaz, a former church member who would like to be part of the church again.  They had a bit of a hike back in and while they were there visiting a heavy rainstorm came up.  They sat in the dark aided by a tiny lamp and tried to keep up their conversation mid the roar of the rain on the tin roof.  It was getting late so they left at their first decent opportunity in the middle of a drizzle.  As they were hoofing it to the van they noticed another heavy rain coming behind them..  They got to the van just as it arrived!  Pray that Boaz would be honest about the past and willing to follow God completely today.  

   On Wednesday we attended Bible study at Mary Ondiek's house.  We sat in a warm, dark house. I discovered close to the end of the Bible study that there was a strange looking something under a piece of furniture right next to my chair.  In fact I had set my basket on the floor right beside it and hadn't noticed it because it was dark in there.  It looked like a strange lump with scales or something.  But after looking closer I discovered it was a hen sitting on eggs!  The thing must've held completely still for a LONG time!!:)  There was a good attendance that day and during our snack of chai and mandazis the ladies were talking and laughing a blue streak.  Carolyn and I wished so much that we would know what all the chatter and laughter was about... and we did figure some stuff out, but they talk so fast that we still feel lost when it comes to understanding Luo.  We were glad when Zilpa took a little time to interpret for us.  

   Thursday afternoon Wayne and Joe went visiting some of our church members and former members back along the river to see how they were fairing physically and spiritually.  There has been some flooding back there and two of the widows that are members (co wives of a polygamist now deceased) were in danger of having their houses flooded.  They discovered that PtL, the water had reached the houses but not entered.  After praying with the children gathered around they went next door and prayed and read Scripture in the home of another old man we have learned to know.  Those short visits are very appreciated in this culture.  They continued to the nearby home of another member, and her husband who is on the way back to membership and spent an hour or more in a very good visit with him and  two of the neighboring widows.  Discussions ranged from Scripture to  culture and beyond...  They were served lukewarm Nyuka (porridge) as well as sodas.  The man of the house upon observing that Pasta (Joe) had not taken much Nyuka, (though he tried valiantly🙊) decided that he still had his American stomach!!  Thursday eve. we treated our school teachers, as well as Stacy, to a meal at the Chinese restaurant to show them our appreciation for all they have done for our girls this school term.  Joe, Glenda, and Tiffany joined us as well.  We really enjoyed the eve. and hope they did too!  The food was great and the prices are good!  It's hard to believe that a whole school term has passed since our arrival in Kenya!!  I loved it that I didn't need to pack lunches and our girls could walk to school!  The change of curriculum was not an easy switch for our children though!  I'm very much looking forward to having Clarissa stay home next year. We do want to take her to Nairobi when she turns 18 to get her GED done.  But it will be a huge blessing to have her help around here, and hopefully I will be able to go out and about more with Wayne when he is visiting church members.  Bradlyn has been going to school part days in the last number of weeks to do his kindergarten work.  I'm so thankful to Carolyn for doing this for me.  I went through several of his books with him but it was really hard to find quality time to spend with him.  He seems to be doing well and I think he will be good and ready for school by the time it starts.  

   Friday afternoon was the school picnic.  We were a bit late in getting there.  Wayne came home from Kajulu that afternoon with some bad scrapes and bruises.  I was horrified to discover that he had a piki accident!!  I tried to be a good wife and not say things like... "I told you so!!"  He was on the flyover in Nyamasaria and as he approached a sharp curve he saw that he was going a bit too fast and was to close to the center of the road so he tried to shift down but instead he thinks he shifted up and hit the curb in the middle of the divided ramps.  He flew off and the cycle fell of course but it was only scratched up... no major damage done.  Wayne's helmet is what saved his head.  He hit it pretty hard but he was fine!!  Thank God!!!!  He is humbly admitting his mistake and wants to learn from it.  And I guess his wife will continue to pray harder than ever!!!  Please help me pray!!  

  Wayne was in charge of the activities at the picnic.  He had some relay races planned and the most interesting activity was watching all the pastors lay on the ground in a circle and hold up a bucket of water with their feet.  They all had to take turns letting go of the bucket to take their shoe off and then had to lower the bucket to the ground without spilling it!  They did very well and yes the Pastors here do work together very well in other matters too! :)  We are SO thankful for a wonderful team to work with!  Pizza was on the menu that night and was very much enjoyed by all!!  Also salties, apple jello salad, and ice cream cake!!  We were all happy when Linford and Kay and Joseph arrived safe and sound.  Linfords were stuck out in some horrendous mud and Joseph went to rescue them.  We all cheered when they walked in... Linford was splattered with mud from head to toe!  

   It's nice to have Kore here this weekend.  He came Friday evening for orphans parcel distribution and is staying until Wednesday.  We are glad to hear that Joe Fisher made it back to Texas safely but we do miss him.



  Our Sunday morning service was different again.  After singing and a devotional Wayne preached a challenging message on "Giving."  Right after the message our family headed to Rabour where Marlins family was saying their goodbyes to the church there. And then Wayne was officially given Bishop responsibility.  The Stoltzfus family sang some very nice songs for the Church as a farewell, and then the Rabour choir sang as well.  They do very well and the singing really rings in that building.  There were tears again.... this family will be missed a lot!!  It feels like a big job to take this responsibility from someone who has done such a great job and will be missed so much!!  Back at Lela they had Sunday school after we left and then Joe closed the service.  After the service they attended a burial and it was reported that there were 28 people in our van!!  

   This evening the youth from Nakuru arrived here in Kisumu and they are together at Marlins house.  Clarissa needed to make a bunch of soft pretzels for their meal and we all got "drafted" to help.  The kitchen was a huge mess, but it eventually got cleaned up.  These are some of the "joys" that go with having children in the youth group! ☺ 

  We look forward to spending some time with Wayne's mom and dad this week before they head back to America next Tues.!  God bless your week!!    Clara

Lunch at Hesbon's


Visit with Boaz.. (Let your Light shine...)

Brad and Tiffany at Nakumatt 

Flood waters...

Pasta Joe in front of Janet's house


Hannah and Jediah Gingerich

Miss Carolyn's class


Kenya Christian Academy (Tommy's we MISS YOU!!)

Paper race relay


Wetbacks!! I hope they are legal!




Pole, Linford!!


At Rabour CBF this morning


Nessa and Rissa, paper relay race