Kisumu Yoder's: Seeds of Hope...

"Sow seeds of hope and enjoy optimism. Sow seeds of doubt and expect insecurity. Max Lucado

"Hope is a seed God plants in our hearts to remind us there are better things ahead."

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson

Some of our drought-stricken friends have been blessed with seeds of hope! We're so thankful for the presence of Christian Aid Ministries in Kenya! They have offered to donate seeds to the 3 churches that have been hardest hit by drought... Lela, Ahero, and Rabuor. It has been a tremendous blessing and I'm sure it gives them hope! Some church members had prepared the soil but didn't know where the seeds were going to come from. God answers prayers! I was so happy to see all the water standing in these drought stricken areas on our way to Church this morning! The rains have come!!! Pake Yesu!! The water holes that had been dried up for a long time now have plenty of water. God is good! The weather has changed from VERY warm temperatures to much cooler ones. I LOVE rainy season!

The last two weeks have been full but interesting! Time was spent preparing the house that Brian and Mary Jane Mast have moved into. Stacy Byler and Becky Hostetler get a lot of the credit for the work done there. They spent a lot of time stripping and waxing those tile floors, and did countless other jobs as well. The big cleaning day was well supported by the compound and we had a good day working together.

Valentine's Day was a day we won't forget right away! :) The youth on the compound spent a lot of time making the evening special for all the Pastor's and their wives. First of all we met on the lane and then each couple was taken to Joseph and Becky's house by tuk tuk! The youth rented one for the evening and it certainly made memories for us!! Then we were taken to a table where there was a chocolate fountain and we could dip fruit and pretzels (Yes American pretzels!!) It was wonderful! The bad thing was that it was windy that eve. and some of us were splashed by the chocolate! After that we had a photo shoot. And then were seated at a beautifully set table where we were served a WONDERFUL meal! Ham, chicken, potatoes, salad, green beans, crescent rolls, and individual cheese cakes for dessert!! It was so relaxing and a great treat to be served so well!

Last weekend we were blessed with visitors!! Carmen and Glen Gingerich arrived! They are Vernon and Rosy's oldest children.... Wayne's niece and nephew. We've been having a great time with them! Our children LOVE having their cousins around! Tony's and Kore were here for the weekend as well. And also Angie Miller, a good friend of Judiths from our home area. They stayed til Monday afternoon. Wayne had a Bishop's meeting in Kericho to attend on Saturday and I was kept busy making food for all the people around! The AMA Delegation arrived on Saturday as well! Mark and Rose Wagler, and Paul and Wilma Beachy. We know both couples and its special to have them here!! We served them supper that evening along with our other visitors. We attended church at Ombeyi on Sunday. It was Wayne's turn to preach there on our Pastor rotation schedule. They are also considering Ordination there so there was a short meeting afterward pertaining to that. It was the first time that we were there for a Sunday service. In the evening there was a Compound activity at Lester and Hannah's house. Plans were for Mark Wagler to share a bit and then Paul Beachy. But we had to change plans because of a ferocious storm that moved in! The rain came with force and the lightning and thunder was almost scary!! With the rain pounding on the metal roof we could barely visit without having to holler. We finally just gave up our plans and decided to go ahead and eat supper... some wonderful stromboli made by Lesters as well as many other yummy dishes provided by the other households.

Some of our activities this past week with Carmen and Glen included shopping at the Animal market, different stores downtown, a visit to the Orphanage, etc. Clarissa and Carmen went by tuk tuk to the Muslim shops to buy some fabric one day. Yesterday we went to the Ahero market to let them experience some real culture and also to buy some maize and beans for a few people that we know are struggling to have enough. After that we went to visit Wellington and Benter at their house. It's such a sad situation. Wellington is old and has dementia and is extremely hard to live with. He eats about anything in sight and complains that his wife doesn't feed him. He gets angry and chases people with a stick... also tries to beat his wife. He doesn't keep himself clean and I noticed that when he came into the house where we were sitting his wife took the cushion off of the chair that he sat on. Probably fears it will be soiled. Sigh... how do you help someone like that? At home he would be put into a nursing home, but that's not an option here.

Brian and Mary Jane's family arrived safe and sound on Thursday and we're very happy to have them here!! I think they will fit right in and fill their role very well! We're anxious to learn to know them better! That evening instead of prayer meeting we heard from the Board members who had planned to speak on Sun. eve. We really enjoyed hearing Paul share some of the history of AMA as well as his own call to Missions. Cake and homemade ice cream were on the menu afterward!

Early Friday morning Wayne went to the Kisumu airport to pick up James Yoder who just arrived from America. He works for CAM and came to spend the day with Kore Beachy and Brian Wagler who were in the area doing distribution. He ate a light breakfast at our house and then a few hours later Wayne took him to Ahero to meet Kore and Brian. Glen went along as well to spend the day with them. Carmen and our girls had an interesting afternoon with Sylvia who took them to the slums to visit a family they know who lives there. It sounded like it was a very good cultural experience! :) That eve. the whole compound including ALL the visitors went to Kiboko Bay for a wonderful meal provided by AMA!! What a treat!! We loved it!! :)

This morning we attended church at Ahero. Wayne preached a good message on "Giving". It was intended to teach members the importance of tithing and setting aside the amount that is "Gods" as soon as we get paid instead of only giving Him the leftovers. Once again I'm reminded that we "plant the seeds" here in Kenya but it is God who gives the increase. Thank you for your prayers!! Clara for the Yoders