"Time passes, memories fade, feelings change, people leave, but hearts never forget."
Monday was family day and it was nice to have a break from the norm… no school, no Pastor’s meeting. We had a relaxing day here at home. The girls went swimming with some other girls for a while. Wayne and Brad went swimming as well, at another pool, and then in the evening Joe’s and us went to KFC for some delightful American food! :)
On Tuesday Joe took Glenda and I to Caroline’s house to visit while he went to Hesbon’s house for a while. Caroline is Maurice’s wife from Lela. They have no children. They have been very supportive in the work of the Church and a pleasure to have around. We were SHOCKED when we saw Caroline! We knew she was sick because she wasn’t at church for 6 weeks or so but we had no idea things were this bad. According to her husband’s report she was doing better but…. She is skin and bones and very weak. She has a cough and hasn’t been able to eat well. She says food tastes bitter. We were glad for the presence of Mama Zilpah with us as well to help with translating. Bit by bit her story came out. Doctors don’t seem to know the problem. Zilpah seems to think its an emotional problem. Caroline is plagued with fear… especially about their house falling down on her, etc. It’s in very bad condition and she worries about trees falling on it, etc. She also kept talking about snakes in the corner of the house. Not a comforting thought to me since I was sitting close to that corner! And she talked about the house being eaten by bugs. Glenda and I noticed that the floor was crawling with bugs! We tried to encourage her the best we knew how and prayed earnestly for her and her fears, renouncing the powers of darkness. My heart aches for her and I sincerely hope that our sweet Caroline will be feeling her normal self again soon!! We hope to take her to a competent Dr. this week.
We were invited to Joshua and Millicent’s house (from Kajulu) for Bible Study, on Wednesday. I love the setting there! It’s at the foot of a beautiful mountain and things are lush green right now! But oh it was SO warm in the house that day and I had a terrible time staying awake!!! After Bible Study we were served mandazi's AND slam sandwiches!! I couldn’t eat nearly everything! But I’m amazed how much these old mama’s can eat! I was glad to get safely down to the main highway when we left… the “road” we were on seemed to me impassable but not to Wayne! :)
Wayne had a rough day Thursday. I think he felt that everything he tried to get done was a failure. There were problems with the water system, time wasted at a bank, and I don’t know what all! But thankfully he does well at bouncing back and he was soon smiling again. In the afternoon he spent a number of hours with Lester and Brian getting the Dienya church funds up to date and transferred to Brian’s computer. Kore joined us for supper that eve. Prayer meeting was held at Joseph and Becky’s house. The power was off a lot of the evening but we made out fine with lanterns, etc.
Friday morning Wayne had a meeting with Brothers from Ombeyi and did some interviews in preparation for Ordination. From there he went to Ahero to do a body transport. The deceased (Adams Ochieng) is the first born son of Francis and Pamela (Ahero). (Adams motorcycle was hit by an out of control vehicle that was running away from the police. His passenger survived and gave testimony at the burial) It was one of those unforgettable days! Adams was a piki piki driver based at the Ahero market, so the procession was serenaded by a lot of motorcycles as well as a "security" team running along side and directing traffic. Before they took the body home they took "him" for a ride through the Ahero market! They also had a viewing right there in the market in front of the piki group's stage, which is also right along the highway. There was a huge crowd! Adams wife had been missing for a few years and after he passed away they had a hard time finding her. A few years ago she left her husband and small children and went to Nairobi. During the ride from the mortuary and also at the burial, she cried and cried. Pray that she would surrender her life to Jesus Christ and find the peace that she needs.
Brian Waglers and Kore were here for supper that eve. When I saw that there was going to be extra food we invited Joseph and Becky to join us as well since they came home late because of a body transport in Oroba as well. It was a good evening and we enjoyed watching volleyball on the lane afterward.
Wayne preached at the funeral service yesterday. He especially encouraged Adams "piki" friends to repent and wear the "helmet of Salvation". Many "piki" drivers here do not wear helmets and it's not uncommon to even see them carrying them on the motorcycle in front of them. Many people do the same, they "carry" the name of Jesus and the Word of God, but they don't wear it. They carry their "salvation" around, unapplied. These young men have such potential and energy, if only that could be directed into doing right and following King Jesus. Wayne was glad to see quite a few former CBF members there for the funeral… John Awuonda, George Owino and son Joash, Puis, Mama Sara, Rhoda Nafula, and others.. Before he got home it started pouring down rain!! And it kept on for a couple hours! We had a flood on our porch and now we have mud to wash off! I don’t think I’ve ever seen it rain so long or hard since we came!
We attended church at Dienya again this morning since it was Lester’s last Sunday and tradition is now to give the new Pastor a “charge” or pray a prayer of blessing on him and his family as they stand up front. And then the church agrees to support the new Pastor and bless him. Dienya has been through lots of changes but I’m proud of them for the way they seem strong and continue to rejoice in the Lord. Maybe Africans are better at change then we Wazungu’s ( white people) are! Lester preached a good message… speaking words of encouragement in this time of change as they receive a new Pastor. It was SO nice for Wayne to have a break from preaching!! Have a good week! Nyasaye Ogwedhi (God bless you!) Clara
Life continues to bring changes for us in Kisumu. People come and people go. There is a time for everything…. and we do well to be flexible and accept change. Lester and Hannah, Janessa, Haddasah, and Latisha plan to leave Kisumu on Wednesday. Joe and Glenda plan to take them to the airport and then spend some extra vacation time in Nairobi. We will miss Lesters a LOT! Our children will miss their friends at school! But we’re so thankful that God brought them here for a time and we wish them God’s best as they continue serving Him in America! And we’re very happy that God brought Brian, Mary Jane and family here as well! They’ve been a blessing already! One good thing about change is that we learn to know a lot of people this way… and our circle of friendship keeps growing.
Monday was family day and it was nice to have a break from the norm… no school, no Pastor’s meeting. We had a relaxing day here at home. The girls went swimming with some other girls for a while. Wayne and Brad went swimming as well, at another pool, and then in the evening Joe’s and us went to KFC for some delightful American food! :)
On Tuesday Joe took Glenda and I to Caroline’s house to visit while he went to Hesbon’s house for a while. Caroline is Maurice’s wife from Lela. They have no children. They have been very supportive in the work of the Church and a pleasure to have around. We were SHOCKED when we saw Caroline! We knew she was sick because she wasn’t at church for 6 weeks or so but we had no idea things were this bad. According to her husband’s report she was doing better but…. She is skin and bones and very weak. She has a cough and hasn’t been able to eat well. She says food tastes bitter. We were glad for the presence of Mama Zilpah with us as well to help with translating. Bit by bit her story came out. Doctors don’t seem to know the problem. Zilpah seems to think its an emotional problem. Caroline is plagued with fear… especially about their house falling down on her, etc. It’s in very bad condition and she worries about trees falling on it, etc. She also kept talking about snakes in the corner of the house. Not a comforting thought to me since I was sitting close to that corner! And she talked about the house being eaten by bugs. Glenda and I noticed that the floor was crawling with bugs! We tried to encourage her the best we knew how and prayed earnestly for her and her fears, renouncing the powers of darkness. My heart aches for her and I sincerely hope that our sweet Caroline will be feeling her normal self again soon!! We hope to take her to a competent Dr. this week.
We were invited to Joshua and Millicent’s house (from Kajulu) for Bible Study, on Wednesday. I love the setting there! It’s at the foot of a beautiful mountain and things are lush green right now! But oh it was SO warm in the house that day and I had a terrible time staying awake!!! After Bible Study we were served mandazi's AND slam sandwiches!! I couldn’t eat nearly everything! But I’m amazed how much these old mama’s can eat! I was glad to get safely down to the main highway when we left… the “road” we were on seemed to me impassable but not to Wayne! :)
Wayne had a rough day Thursday. I think he felt that everything he tried to get done was a failure. There were problems with the water system, time wasted at a bank, and I don’t know what all! But thankfully he does well at bouncing back and he was soon smiling again. In the afternoon he spent a number of hours with Lester and Brian getting the Dienya church funds up to date and transferred to Brian’s computer. Kore joined us for supper that eve. Prayer meeting was held at Joseph and Becky’s house. The power was off a lot of the evening but we made out fine with lanterns, etc.
Friday morning Wayne had a meeting with Brothers from Ombeyi and did some interviews in preparation for Ordination. From there he went to Ahero to do a body transport. The deceased (Adams Ochieng) is the first born son of Francis and Pamela (Ahero). (Adams motorcycle was hit by an out of control vehicle that was running away from the police. His passenger survived and gave testimony at the burial) It was one of those unforgettable days! Adams was a piki piki driver based at the Ahero market, so the procession was serenaded by a lot of motorcycles as well as a "security" team running along side and directing traffic. Before they took the body home they took "him" for a ride through the Ahero market! They also had a viewing right there in the market in front of the piki group's stage, which is also right along the highway. There was a huge crowd! Adams wife had been missing for a few years and after he passed away they had a hard time finding her. A few years ago she left her husband and small children and went to Nairobi. During the ride from the mortuary and also at the burial, she cried and cried. Pray that she would surrender her life to Jesus Christ and find the peace that she needs.
Brian Waglers and Kore were here for supper that eve. When I saw that there was going to be extra food we invited Joseph and Becky to join us as well since they came home late because of a body transport in Oroba as well. It was a good evening and we enjoyed watching volleyball on the lane afterward.
Wayne preached at the funeral service yesterday. He especially encouraged Adams "piki" friends to repent and wear the "helmet of Salvation". Many "piki" drivers here do not wear helmets and it's not uncommon to even see them carrying them on the motorcycle in front of them. Many people do the same, they "carry" the name of Jesus and the Word of God, but they don't wear it. They carry their "salvation" around, unapplied. These young men have such potential and energy, if only that could be directed into doing right and following King Jesus. Wayne was glad to see quite a few former CBF members there for the funeral… John Awuonda, George Owino and son Joash, Puis, Mama Sara, Rhoda Nafula, and others.. Before he got home it started pouring down rain!! And it kept on for a couple hours! We had a flood on our porch and now we have mud to wash off! I don’t think I’ve ever seen it rain so long or hard since we came!
We attended church at Dienya again this morning since it was Lester’s last Sunday and tradition is now to give the new Pastor a “charge” or pray a prayer of blessing on him and his family as they stand up front. And then the church agrees to support the new Pastor and bless him. Dienya has been through lots of changes but I’m proud of them for the way they seem strong and continue to rejoice in the Lord. Maybe Africans are better at change then we Wazungu’s ( white people) are! Lester preached a good message… speaking words of encouragement in this time of change as they receive a new Pastor. It was SO nice for Wayne to have a break from preaching!! Have a good week! Nyasaye Ogwedhi (God bless you!) Clara
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| Sisters waiting at Francis and Pamela's dala on Friday |
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| Viewing at Ahero Market |
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| Part of the crowd at Ahero Market |
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| Procession on the way to the dala from the mortuary and Ahero market. This is the spot where Adams was killed. |
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| Nearing the dala. Notice the "security team" with the vests and sticks. |
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| Becca Mast |
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| Jairius Mast and Tiffany Yoder |
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| Tobias Ajuma, Eric Ogwe and John Owunda(R) at the burial. |
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| Adams wife (Center) |
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| John and Pamela (Adams parents) |
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| Adams piki friends |
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| Covering the grave |
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| It rained!!! The road outside our compound! |
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| Sunday morning "final touches" after the hour ride to church. (Mary Jane and Becca Mast) |
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| Clara and Joy |
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| Shonda, Dassa and Geneva |
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| Children's Sunday School at Dienya |
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| Ladies Sunday School |
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| Brian's charge to keep the "Flock at Dienya" |
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| Jaduong Jacob reading the charge in Dholuo |
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| Pastor Brian and Jairius |
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| Maurice and Pastor Lester |
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| Greeting the Pastors after church |
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| On the way home... |
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