Kisumu Yoder's: We have this moment.............

Three things you cannot recover in life: the moment after it's missed, the word after it's said, and the time after it's wasted.

Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back. Harvey Mackay

"Don't count the days, make the days count."

Maybe it's because we've just passed our 20th Anniversary that I've been thinking about time. How swiftly time flies! 20 years!! I used to think people in our shoes were getting old! Why do I feel so young and inexperienced? Huh?!!! I thought you had it all together by now! :) I had no idea we'd be living in Kenya on our 20th! It's good we don't know what's ahead! God has been good and I've been blessed with an awesome Husband and oh I'm so grateful for the children God has blessed us with! We passed through a very difficult time in our lives after we were married and it looked uncertain as to whether we would ever have children. Well enough of my ramblings...

Life in Kisumu continues to be busy and interesting. It's hot and dry these days, but nights cool off very nicely. We're anxiously waiting for the rains to come and green up our dry, crackly lawn.

A week ago today we worshiped at Ahero. Wayne preached a good message titled, "Hope for the Journey." We got home in good time and the rest of the day was spent relaxing... it felt SO nice!! On Monday the Pastor's had a joint meeting with Nakuru in Kericho. Sounded like they had a good day with plenty of laughter.

Wednesday was our special day... Anniversary! After the children were off to school Wayne and I went to the Kibuye market for a while. It was fun but not relaxing! That's an amazing place... if you want a true African experience, come and we can take you there! :) Our children only had a half day of school so in the afternoon we took our family to Impala Park to relax and enjoy the animals and the lake. Stacy came later by piki to take some family pictures for us. In the eve. Wayne and I went to Acacia Hotel where they have a wonderful restaurant on the roof of the building. You can see out over the city and the lake and watch the sunset. It was GREAT! Food is not expensive and very good! The worst thing was that it rained part of the time and was cool and windy! I was so thankful for my lesso's to wrap around my shoulders!

On Thurs. Wayne spent time visiting members in the Ahero area while I stayed home and prepared some food for the Hillcrest group that arrived that day. We as a unit got together at Jake's house that eve. and had a welcome supper for them. We enjoyed the introductions. As usual with our visitors, we were able to make a lot of connections with folks back home that we know.... even some friendschaft!

On Friday Wayne along with some others from the compound went to our gateman Sammy's wife's funeral. It took about an hour and a half to get to the dala. I went to Nakumatt that day... I'm finally getting a bit braver about driving around this town!! It's still a nerve-wracking experience and I declare sometimes it feels like the stress from being on these crazy roads could take years off of my life. I wonder how a person can learn to relax? Should I just shut my eyes? But that doesn't work because I have to brace for the bumps... Sigh... I was making more food that day because I thought Kore would join us for supper but as it turned out he was invited elsewhere so we invited Joe and Glenda instead. They were very thankful for the invitation because they were gone most of the day with the Hillcrest group who was out at a school doing book distribution and later helping Kore with orphans food drop at Ahero church. We enjoyed watching a lively game of volleyball on the lane that eve. It's always fun to have extra people around to make the games better.

Yesterday morning the Hillcrest group along with the youth from the compound were up early for a boat ride out on Lake Victoria. They saw a nice sunrise and of course hippos!! Wayne and I were busy preparing breakfast for them on their return. We really enjoy this group! They are a very diligent and helpful team who want to be a blessing to the missionaries here and I would heartily say that their mission has already been accomplished!!! We will always have good memories of this group! They worked long and hard at painting our guest quarters yesterday!! It was a job that badly needed to be done and its a great feeling to see it being accomplished!

Our family headed to Dienya this morning to cover for Mark Beachys. Marks went to Rabour to preach for them. We enjoyed our time there. I taught the ladies class and was a bit afraid that they wouldn't talk, but they did!! And we had a good time sharing together. Wayne talked a lot about humility in his message this morning and he had a very attentive audience.

This eve. we're invited to Joe and Glenda's house along with the Hillcrest group and whoever wants to be there to make mountain pies over the fire. God bless your week! Let's make the moments that God gives us count for the Kingdom! Clara

Hospital where Bishop Eric Ogwe is presently

Oops there on the spelling!

Eric and Gaudencia ..It was COLD that day!

Ahero, Rabour, and Lela Youth Seminar, held at Ahero. Joe preached a powerful message!

Cooks at the Youth seminar in Ahero

Way to go Tiffany!

A good Kenyan meal!

Clarissa and Nancy

Fixing things? Or what?

S.W.A.G. Serve worship and glorify

Penina's funeral... Notice the blue lights inside the casket

Rabour Choir

A chicken in church looking for bugs under the benches

Pastor's meeting in Kericho

Joshua and Karen from Nyakoko... wedding coming up soon! This is posted publicly for 3 weeks at the marriage registrars office.

Children at Kibuye market

Picking fleas off my brother..."Bear ye one anothers burdens..!"

Impala

The Yoder Family Aug. 31,2016

Bradlyn... favorite pastime

Vanessa

Siblings...

Shonda

Clarissa

Celebrating 20 years!

Impala buck

Must be love...

Acacia Hotel where we ate our Anniversary Supper

Bath time...

The children always get a huge kick out of usies!

Going to Sammy's wife's funeral

There were always ladies standing at the head and foot of casket... they traded off.

Sammy in the grey suit... his daughter beside him, sons to the left

Photographer at funeral

Buy your pictures here!!

One of the pictures purchased at the burial..
L to R, Wayne, Dean Miller, Joseph Hostetler, George Ombwayo, George Omondi (gateman), Jeconia (works for our Asian neighbor), Dishon