Worship in Spirit and in Truth...

"Many are the places of worship, but few indeed are those who worship in Spirit and in Truth."

  "To worship God in truth is to recognize Him for being who He is, and to recognize ourselves for who we are." Brother Lawrence

   "Worship:  Where God isn't moved by the quality of our voice but by the condition of our hearts." Chris Tomlin

    I've been thinking recently about true worship... probably because Wayne has had several messages on the subject recently.  Here in Kenya we see (and hear!) many people who are very fervent about worshiping in Spirit, but we have to wonder are they worshiping in Truth?  And are we?  Truth requires obedience and that's what so many people don't want.  Self dies too hard.  Lord help us to be true worshipers!!  

   It's hot and feels bone dry here in Kisumu!  We have to water the plants we want to keep alive.  Thankfully most of our churches are living in areas that have received more rain than Kisumu.  Thank God!  I'd rather that we are the ones to suffer from drought than those who are depending on the rains to put food on their tables.  There are some though who will be suffering!  

   Wed. a week ago found our family heading to Nakuru for the annual CBYC (Christian Believers Youth Conference) that was held at the new, still unfinished, Lamp and Light building.  There were around 48 youth in attendance there, including the missionary youth.  Wayne was asked to replace Mark Beachy on the Board, so his presence was needed there so he knows a bit of what goes on before he is partly responsible next year.  We spent our nights at the empty house in the AMA compound.  It was wonderful to have a place to ourselves and to have Tony's within walking distance. We were so blessed with what we saw and heard at CBYC! For the most part the youth were respectful and they definitely heard some good solid teaching! The highlight for us as a family was the singing!!! Mark is an excellent chorus director and his enthusiasm for singing was contagious. We were privileged to hear their program on Sat. eve and also Sun. morning. We enjoyed spending time with the Nakuru folks. There were quite a few natives there who knew Mahlon and Ruth well so we were privileged to meet them. I enjoyed spending some time with the cooks as they made huge amounts of food over fires. I was impressed with the willingness of the Mzungu youth to live 

differently then they are accustomed to for 10 days... showers from buckets or basins, hand-washing clothes, not so nice cho's, and only Kenyan food.  Bradlyn got SO dirty there because the huge piles of sand/dirt were great entertainment for him!  It was a bit chilly there some days and we were glad for sweaters and jackets!  My girls and I spent a day at Judith's house baking Christmas cookies. It was a nice feeling to come home with plenty to put in the freezer and also have some to share. I also got a dress sewed for Vanessa while in Nakuru! Clarissa was impressed with what she saw at CBYC and looks forward to being a student next year. The conference lasted for 10 days but we were only there from Wed. through Sunday. 

  Monday morning after we came home from Nakuru we Kisumu ladies left at 8:30 to go to Luanda to do some fabric shopping.  The main purpose was to restock some fabric for the clothing room.  That market is one of the "craziest" that I have ever been to!  People everywhere!  And carts being pushed roughly down narrow aisles. If you don't get out of the way FAST you will likely be hit from behind. Sometimes I fell onto the pile of fabric or had to step right on it.  We got weary of digging through the chaotic mess of fabric all jumbled together.  But the cheap prices seem to make it worth it and we made memories too! :)  After leaving there we headed to Mary Ellen's house to spend some time with her and have a tea party before they leave for home this week.  The food was great! So many pretty and yummy things to eat but we're sad to see Mary Ellen go.  She has been a blessing to me in many ways and I would describe her as an encourager. Although we will miss them I'm happy for them that they can go home and be reunited with the rest of their family across the big waters.  We had a farewell for them here at the compound on Fri. eve.  There was a volleyball game for the youth and we also had a time of sharing and then some wonderful homemade ice cream and toppings!  We've been enjoying Stacy Byler's family who is here from Seymour, Missouri. Their 3 extra youth helped add some spice to the volleyball games. I should have mentioned that on Fri. afternoon Wayne went to Chulaimbo where he was asked to preach at their Revival service.  JoeAllen went with him to show his support.

   On Wed. Wayne and I headed to the Kajulu area for Bible study at Zitune's house.  The house was situated in a pretty area close to the foot of the famous Monkey stone.  We had nyoyo and chapatis for a snack.  Later that eve. we were invited to Joe's for chapatis and beans since Glenda wanted to do something for my Birthday coming up the next day. 

  

  My Birthday is a day that I won't forget right away!  Wayne and l left around 7:00 that morning to head to Longisa (beyond Bomet) which is not real far from Tenwek hospital and also along the way to the Mara.  There was a huge youth conference held there at a Boy's school... between 7 and 800 youth!  Wayne was asked to preach and we took 800 Bibles with us to pass out!  We were welcomed royally... in fact I almost cringed with the "overboard" treatment of the Mzungu. We were ushered right up onto a high stage where a group of Pastor's was sitting with suitcoats on... in spite of the heat!  They whistled, clapped, and cheered for us!  It was intimidating for me to sit there facing a sea of black faces!!  But I soon relaxed and Wayne preached a good message on "The Truth About Victory."  They spent a fair amount of time singing... and that's putting it mildly!!  It was more like screaming, hollering, whistling, DANCING, and oh the racket!!! I have never seen or heard anything like it!  Imagine a sea of people all swaying and dancing!  Amazing!  The music was SO FRIGHTFUL loud that I feared for our ear drums, but didn't have the heart to close my ears for fear of offending them.  They were definitely in a spirit of worship but I hope there was TRUTH there too!  It was an an amazing experience to be sure! :)  And then of all things... they said they wanted to hear the voice of the wife of Wayne!  So I had to say a few words in front of all those people!  Thankfully I had thought of the possibility of that happening so I had prepared a bit! :)  We were served our lunch of rice and beef in a building with the rest of the Pastor's and guest speakers.  They were all so thankful that we came and I sincerely hope that they will all read their Bibles and allow it to change their lives!

     There has been some excitement in Kisumu this past week with the opening of a brand new American restaurant!!  A real KFC!!!  We didn't know a thing about it until it had opened!  We ate there last evening for my belated Birthday supper!  It was WONDERFUL!! :)  The food was great and the breeze outside was so nice and pleasant!  And there wasn't loud, obnoxious music blaring like there often is in this town.  Sometimes I just long for blessed quietness.

   This morning we attended Rabour's service.  Wayne preached a message on "King of the Mountain." He shared traits of humble, godly leadership. Brian and Maria Wagler and family were there too, as well as Kore Beachy. We enjoyed hosting them at our house for lunch.  May God bless you all with a good week!  Clara for the Yoders

Christian Believers Youth Conference (Class time)

Clarissa and June Osur

June and Vanessa

CBYC Tech Center!😊

Food Line in front of the Kitchen

Main Building (Conference Center and new Lamp and Light Headquarters)

Group discussion after class

Abbie Yoder (Marlin's)

What fun!! Plenty of dirt around.

Clara talking with the cooks.

Test day!

Hi Stacy!

Lydia Mboya with Clara

In Kisumu!!!

Unloading Bibles at Longisa PAG Youth Conference

Accident on the way to Chulaimbo

Jake Gingerich and Stephen (CBF Chulaimbo)

A conked out Gingerich!

CBF Chulaimbo

Another accident the same evening!

Nakumatt Show!

Passing on the Faith......

  "The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future. Herbert Spacer

    "The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith." Billy Graham

   "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." Ps. 78:4

   Wayne preached a challenging message this morning at Ahero on passing the faith to our children. How is the church to continue after we are gone if our children don't accept the faith? One of the negative examples given was that of Esau, who foolishly forfeited the rights of a firstborn for a bowl of soup that gave him pleasure and strength for a few fleeting hours.  What are we trading our "eternal inheritance for"?  We have been troubled since we came by the absence of many children in church services.  I recently talked to Charles' wife Pamela, who has 9 children, about their children not coming to church. She said the children don't want to come, but she can try.  So I encouraged her to bring them.  I was so blessed this morning to see that they brought some of the children with them!  Pake Jesu! Please help us pray that there would be a hunger for the Word and that children would grow up to embrace the faith and pass it on!  

   It's been a good week in Kisumu.  It feels like dry season is on the way.  It's been extra warm and the grass is starting to get brown again.  We enjoyed our visitors so much that it took some time to get back to "normal" again this week. But I think we've adjusted again, and life goes on! Precious memories linger! :)

   On Tues. morning Wayne had some business to do at the marriage office.  In the afternoon he went to Dienya to do an Instruction class interview with Pastor Mark.  The man interviewed was a policeman for 13 years, and then Chief of the area for over 20 years.  It's a rather unusual situation... and we're happy that he has a desire for truth.  He retired in May and says that for all these years he has worked in the other kingdom and now he wants to work in the Kingdom of God!  

   On Wed. we went to Ahero for Bible study at Johannes house.  There was a good turn out and we enjoyed our time very much!  Once during the Bible study a drunk man staggered in and starting addressing his "fellow colleagues".  It caused some snickering and then one of the men led him outside.  We were served rice and beans which was nice but I didn't want to eat too much because I wanted to save room for the chapatis and beans that we were looking forward to after we got home.  Joe's and Stacy enjoyed the evening meal with us.  

   On Thursday Wayne was busy with more visiting.  One of the visits was with Esther from Lela.  Joe and Wayne were together there and discussed her drinking problem with her.  She denied that she has been giving in to the temptation recently, but according to the testimony of others she has not been free.  So sad!  On the brighter side... in the afternoon Wayne and Tobias met with Monica from Ahero who had been excommunicated a few years ago for living with an Inheritor, but has turned from her sin and was able to be reaccepted into membership this morning.  

   On Friday our children went with us to Paul and Jane's house in Ahero.  There is no school right now because some of our teachers are at CBYC (Christian Believer's Youth Conference) in Nakuru for 10 days.  We were glad our children could go with us to deliver a baby bundle!  Jane is part of IC at Ahero but is rarely able to come to church because of health issues.  She gave birth to a baby boy around 2 wks. ago and his name is Marlin Shadrack!! :) Before going to Paul's house we stopped at Tobias' and Elizabeth's because Elizabeth hadn't seen the baby yet and wanted to go with us.  When we arrived at Paul's no one was home! After a bit some children came around and told us that they went to Nyangoma hospital... close to Awasi.  So we decided to see if we could find them there.  Sure enough!  We didn't have to look too hard until we saw Jane with the baby.  She was so happy to see us... I think she almost cried when she gave me a big hug.  We had a nice little visit and enjoyed cuddling her cute little boy.  It's so much fun to give these baby bundles!  Especially when we know the clothes and things came from our home church, and my girls and I had the fun of putting the bundles together.  We waited a bit until Paul and Jane were ready to go and then we gave them a lift back to their house which they appreciated very much!  From there we went to the Ahero church where Tony and Kore were doing a CAM project.  Judith and the children were there too and needed a ride to the compound.  Tony's and Kore stayed for the night and returned to Nakuru Sat. afternoon.  We enjoyed their short visit and the girls loved having a chance to spoil little Kaiden. :)  Jamie and Bradlyn have SO much fun together and it seems they play hard from morning until night!  Ayla and Tiffany get along well and had a great time!

   Yesterday afternoon Wayne went to a funeral in the Nyakoko area (James Anda died).  Wayne was asked to do the committal, since Bishop Joseph was unable to attend because of some back trouble.  There was a little bit of drama when the politicians wiggled their way in to speak at the end of the service and their tenure was cut short by a few church brothers!  At the graveside there was a bit more when the coffin needed to be taken back out because the grave was a little too short. Our dear brothers and sisters take these things in stride and don't get as worked up over some of these things as we Americans might.  This morning after our service at Ahero, Wayne needed to stop in at Lela where a members meeting was being held.  A few issues had come up that Joe felt he needed help with.  Sadly, Kevin's membership, was terminated, and two other members, Wellington and Esther, were put on proving. There is a bright spot.  Noah and Evelyn are desiring to come back to the church again after having been gone for about a year.  They were much loved and the church will be glad to have them back.  They left in good standing with the church and only because they live far from the church and did not have a good way to attend.  Noah has a piki piki now so attendance looks more possible. The children and I didn't stay for the meeting.  Glenda and her little one's caught a ride home with us as well.  

   The children are enjoying this break from school!  Wayne has been put on the CBYC board so he is expected to be there part of the time... so we plan to leave for Nakuru on Wed. and stay until Sun.  I'm so glad we can take our children with us!  Blessings on your week!    Clara for the Yoders

Why does this slogan sound familiar???😊

Singing at the graveside (James Anda Burial) Photo credit:Joe Yoder (next photo as well)

Pole', the hole was too short..

Life..........and Death....

What's funny Elliot??

Visiting Paul and Jane and little Marlin

Marlin Shadrack Juma

Jane, Clara and baby Marlin

Maternity center at Nyangoma Hospital