Kisumu Yoder's: Feeling Vulnerable.....

"There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community."

"Jesus often calls us to risk. He asks us to be vulnerable, to be authentic, so others can see Him through us."

"Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection."

It's a beautiful day in Kisumu but we're praying for rain again! Some shamba's are very dry. We are SO dependent on God for everything... for our next breath, for good crops, for health and strength to fulfill our calling in life, etc. etc. We are vulnerable! We as missionaries are in a position where we face a lot of criticism at times. There are misunderstandings on the field and sometimes wrong impressions given to our friends across the waters. We live in "glass houses'' here in Kenya. Our faults are obvious to many. We are SO grateful for our Kisumu family who loves and accepts us as we are... faults and all!! Missionaries should be "perfect" right?!! We are responsible to be a good role model for the Churches. We are expected to do without many of the conveniences and modern lifestyles of our homeland. We are on call and expected to respond quickly to emergencies, both physical and spiritual. The Pastor's are expected to be humble, kind, but firm leaders who preach only the Truth, not their own ideas. We are expected to cheerfully host many visitors and make sure that they get their "money's worth" out of their trip of a lifetime! :) By the way... keep coming!! We LOVE when you come! We are expected to spend mission money wisely... after all it comes from generous givers from America! I'm sure you don't want us to use your hard-earned money to do too many fun things. Well actually, the fun things we do here are personal expense, such as eating out, etc. But anyway... you get the picture. Some days we become weary of trying to do everything right, and trying to please people. We want most of all to please God! We are just so vulnerable!! Satan tries hard to wreak havoc where he can... we feel the struggle more here than we did at home. But in spite of all these pressures we face and the discouragement we face at times, we are rejoicing because we have GOD!! We are at peace because we said "yes" to His call! He is taking good care of us and loves us in spite of our MANY failures! Thank you Jesus!!

Last week on Tues. Wayne left at 6:00 in the morning to go with a group of Ahero brothers to Migori, which is close to Tanzania. They wanted to talk to the family of Carolyn, "live-in" of Andrew. They wanted to explain to them why she needs to go back home for a while until the marriage can be legalized, etc. They explained the truth of the Word and how God wants marriages to be holy. It took a LOT of time and the family wanted to feed them well so it was a LONG meeting. It ended on good terms and the family agreed to work with us in pursuing a Godly way forward. We expected Andrew to do things the Bible way now, but sad to say we heard this week that Andrew still is not willing to put her away. So Wayne and some brothers are meeting with him again today to explain things clearly and see if he is willing to return to God and follow His way. He is clearly struggling with repenting, releasing it all and trusting God to take care of it. Please help us pray!! Wayne didn't get home until after 8:00 that night and his wife was VERY anxious to have him home! I hate when he's on these dangerous roads after dark!!

On Wednesday morning Wayne had devotions at school, then in the afternoon Wayne and I took a van load of Ahero members to Bible study at the home of Tobias and Emma Odongo. Tobias' father passed away suddenly from an electric pole falling on him, and the church wanted to show support to Tobias by meeting at his dala. Tobias' father was a polygamist. It gave me a strange feeling to see all the houses set up in a semi circle, knowing that they were the homes of his 4 different wives. And so in one instant there were 4 widows!! What a terrible life that would be! I'm SO thankful for the Bible way!

The next day Wayne was on the run again! I think it was one of his busiest weeks since we came to Kenya. Home was just like an airport for him. He had business to do at the marriage office in town, visited Hesbon from Lela who wanted to talk about his health problems and was feeling deserted by his Bishop. And so the days went... full to the brim. We were blessed to be able to sit together for a refreshing time of prayer and singing with our compound family at Brians that eve.

Friday and Saturday were special days for the men and boys of the compound! They all loaded up camping supplies and went to Jennifer's Gardens for a time of great food and fellowship! Unfortunately it rained a lot while they were trying to make supper but it sounds like they enjoyed themselves in spite of the discomforts. We ladies took the opportunity to get together too! Most of our time was spent in sewing. It was fun to socialize and get work done at the same time! :) A woman's work never ends you know! :) Glenda invited all the Moms with small children to their house to sleep that night and anyone else who felt like having a sleep-over was welcome to stay at S8, the house that Lester's vacated. Soon after Wayne and Brad came home from camping we were blessed with visitors! Tony's and Esther Beiler came to spend the weekend! Tony's stayed until Monday and Esther stayed until Tuesday, then flew out of Kisumu to Nairobi. It was special to have her here! We have connections from our childhood homes in Buffalo Valley, PA. On Sunday we went to Rabuor for the first Communion service of the season. We really enjoyed our time with those wonderful people! I was a bit disappointed that Wayne had to leave the service early. He had a very important meeting that needed to take place at Ombeyi... a clarification of the Ordination there being put on hold. He came home while we were still eating lunch, so at least he didn't have to miss out on all the fellowship! We had a relaxing evening at home visiting... Brian and Mary Jane came over for a while and we enjoyed that a lot! I could mention another thing that made me feel very vulnerable that day!! When I stepped into my pantry that morning I noticed that the access hole cover that goes into the attic was open! A creepy feeling to say the least! None of us did it so we know someone was in our house sometime when we didn't find it out! We're very particular about locking our doors, even to go next door, so we have no idea when it happened but it's likely that it had something to do with the security camera that is outside our gate. The security guys were here Sat. and probably went up into our attic because that's where the camera is wired. But I just don't like the idea that we were never informed. Oh well.... all's well that ends well. And we're locking up a bit tighter and trusting God to continue taking care of us.

Monday morning the Pastors headed to Kericho for a Joint Pastors Meeting with the Nakuru Pastors. We had supper at Joe's after they got back that evening. Supper was a simple, easy, meal that Glenda and I worked together on. Tuesday was Esther's last day with us so we wanted to make it special. She wanted to get her hair braided like the Africans do because of 3 special little girls at her home (Allegheny Boy's camp) where she serves. They wanted her to come home looking African I guess! :) So Joe took Glenda, Clarissa, Esther, and I to Mama Zilpah's house in Lela that morning and after close to two hours of work Esther had a different look!! :) We had a nice time visiting and relaxing while Zilpah worked and a fair number of Mama Zilpah's friends who were walking past her dala that morning stopped by to greet the wazungu's! It's easy to tell that Zilpah has many friends and a good reputation in the community. Zilpah sang a traditional song for Esther before we left and also showed Esther how they mud their houses. Esther even tried her hand at it!! It was neat to watch! In the afternoon Clarissa and Esther and I visited the Orphanage. Esther loved it! I'm always so happy to see how well cared for those precious children are!! After an early supper Esther headed to the airport with Brian and Mary Jane who went to pick up our newest family in the compound... James and Christina Barkman!! We are delighted to have them here. I didn't think I knew them at all until I saw Christina. I remembered her from FMH days when my family served there from 1981-84. She remembered me too! Amazing!! Who would've dreamt that we'd serve together in Kenya someday!! We look forward to James' two daughters coming in June. Kaylita plans to stay but Karla plans to go back home in Aug.

We had prayer meeting and a welcome for James and Christina at Jake's house last eve. We hosted James' and Deans and Kore at our house for supper. Deans and James' had a LONG day visiting, showing them around town, etc. They must've been EXHAUSTED by last eve.!!

Here's a prayer request for Esther from Lela. She is enslaved to alcohol again and the other day when Pastor Joe confronted her about it she readily admitted her sin and told him to just "throw her out" of the Church. Makes us SO sad! Also Andrew was not willing to hear Wayne today and give up his lady. He also says we can just "put him out." Pray for the defeat of Satan in their lives!!

We need your continued prayers!! The work is hard but rewarding too!! God bless! Clara for the Yoders