"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
"Faithfulness requires integrity, and God tests your integrity in small things."
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10a
Wayne preached a challenging message on "Faithfulness" this morning at Ahero. The story of the talents is a good lesson for me. Am I faithful in the little things God has called me to or do I selfishly "bury" what has been given me because of critical attitudes toward my master. There were lots of testimonies after the message today... it seemed like it was something the people could really identify with.
We've been blessed with some rain again recently. It's SO nice to see our lawn greening up again and not need to water plants so much! A lot of people were blessed with a good harvest and I'm always so relieved when I know that they have enough to eat! Some folks have started planting their shambas again.
A few weeks ago there was a youth seminar at Lela along with the youth from Ahero and Rabuor. Wayne had a message entitled THINK. It was an encouragement to the youth to compare their lives and what they are taught, with truth. Thomas Amata had a question and answer session with the youth. It was a good day! The food prepared by the Lela ladies was great too! That evening there were visitors who came especially to see Joe and Glenda. Joes had met them at Hampton House in Nairobi some time ago. Their names are Derrick and Jolyn Unruh. All those who felt like visiting with them were welcomed to the lake that eve. Derricks are from the Holdeman Mennonite group in Kisii which is about a 2 hr. drive from here. We enjoyed their visit and were able to make a number of connections since Wayne and I both have family who are with the Holdemans, and Derricks know some of our cousins.
On Wednesday, Clarissa, Shonda, and Vanessa went to Lela with Joe and Glenda to help them with the clothing sale they had planned that day. Meanwhile Wayne, Bradlyn and I went to the Ugunja Bible study with James and Christina. We met at Mama Mary's house. It was very warm in the house but I was privileged to sit outside the door and catch some of the breezes that came our way. We enjoyed our day with the Ugunja folks who we don't see very often.
John and Sara Riche spent a few days in the compound visiting Jake and Janice, and the rest of us enjoyed visiting with them as well. They were having a break from school and they so much enjoy fellowship with fellow mzungus. :) . They have quite the stories to tell of their homeland in Ireland and John's growing up years in Alaska.
On Friday morning we ladies gathered at Brian's vacated house to clean and prepare for Steve and Martha Esh's arrival that afternoon. It didn't take long at all with all of us working together and we're SO happy to have someone living in that house once again! I hate when it's empty because it reminds us of our loss when Brian's left. Rhoda accompanied Wayne and I to the airport that afternoon to pick Steve's up. Steve and Martha are Rhoda's uncle and aunt. It's a special privilege for Rhoda to have them here! Once again Steve and Martha are doing so well in "picking up the reins" and caring for the church at Dienya. What a blessing!! That evening Kore was here for supper as well as Joe and Glenda. The youth played ping pong and other games in our carport that eve. and then John and Sara arrived for a visit which we enjoyed!
On Sat. Wayne and some others from the compound attended the wedding of Dancan and Daisy at the Oroba church. I don't know the couple at all. Daisy is not a member of the CBF church but Dancan is a proving member at Oroba. Bishop Joseph faced some challenges when Daisy arrived at church dressed differently than they had agreed upon. Thankfully Daisy was willing to make some necessary changes before walking up the aisle. There was a lot of activity around the church that day. There was another church next door that was using some of the Oroba compound for their crusade. CAM was also there for the orphan's parcel drop.
On Sunday our family attended the Chulaimbo church where there was a Baptismal service planned. Jake preached a good message and then Wayne took charge of the baptism of two young men, David and Harrison. What a blessing to still have young people interested in the church! Jake's family and Stacy joined us for lunch at our house afterward. That evening there was a unit activity hosted by Joe and Glenda. Gerold's family did some singing for us and then showed the pics of Kenya that they shared with their home church when they were on furlough earlier this summer. Twas quite interesting! :) . There was also a welcome for Steve and Martha that eve. with some wonderful food enjoyed by all.
On Monday during Pastor's meeting Martha and I did a bit of shopping. We went to the Asian lady's house who sells whole wheat flour and many other goodies, and then I showed Martha where the Tumaini store is along Ring Rd. When we walked in the store it smelled like freshly baked bread. Sure enough we saw loaves of fresh warm bread, so Martha asked them to wrap some up for us and ohhh, it was SO good! Just like homemade bread which we rarely get to enjoy because the oven I have here doesn't bake bread well. Monday was also the first day of school! There are only 6 students here in Kisumu! It's an adjustment for our children but I think they're enjoying school nonetheless.
On Tuesday Wayne did some business at the marriage office and around town, then went to Ahero to visit with Tobias and discuss the findings of the votes taken for commissioning a new Pastor. Pray concerning this work. They are pursuing commissioning at Oroba, Nyakoko, Ahero and Chulaimbo. They also visited Mama Junia who was sick at the Boya hospital.
Wednesday found Wayne and I and Joe and Glenda at the Oroba Bible study along with Joseph and Becky. We met at Noah and Eveline Atito's house. Noah's used to be members at Oroba, then moved to Lela for a time, and are now back in Oroba. The Lela members were there that day as well and seemed to really enjoy the privilege of being with another CBF church. There were probably 40+ people there. Wayne shared a topic relating to "Prayer" and then we enjoyed hearing the Lela choir sing a song, followed by the Oroba choir who also sang for us. It was great! The food was wonderful as well... rice, beans, and cabbage. Mama Zipa from Lela was there. Please continue praying for her repentance. It was quite muddy at Noah's house that day. I can't imagine living with mud like that all the time! Thankfully we didn't get stuck anywhere with the vehicle but we sure had our share of bumpy, muddy roads! That evening we were invited to Joes for supper along with Steves, Josephs, Stacy, and Rhoda. Our girls helped Glenda by making tortillas to go along with her yummy chicken and rice.
Thursday was another full day with a marriage seminar planned at Kajulu along with the Chulaimbo church. We really enjoyed the fellowship! Pastor Andrew shared the first message and then Steve Esh preached a very timely message. Wayne was blessed by Steve's willingness to take his place. Wayne had been asked to preach but asked Steve if he would be willing. He has preached quite a bit lately and also knew that the Kajulu church would enjoy hearing their former pastor. In the afternoon there was some more good food and games for everyone. It was fun watching the men and women race to see who could carry a bucket of water on their heads all the way around the church house without dropping it. The ladies won fair and square! It's easy to see that they have much more practice with such things!
Friday morning I was quite surprised when my Hubby got up early, prepared a hot breakfast, and served me in bed!! It was our 22nd Anniversary! :) Wow! Talk about spoiling a person! After that Wayne needed to spend the day in Kericho at a CBYC board meeting. That eve. Wayne and I treated ourselves to our favorite Asian food at Laughing Buddha in the Tuffoam Mall. It's really hard to beat chili paneer with naans or pita bread!!
As mentioned we were at Ahero for church this morning. The attendance was very good!! Last Sunday the Ahero members were privileged to have Joe Kuepfer, Merle Burkholder, and Delvin Zimmerman there for the service. It seems they really enjoyed Merle's message there. These 3 men are involved in the Open Hands ministry here in Kenya. Merle is a board member who was visiting.
This evening the youth girls from the compound were at the lake enjoying the sunset. Around dark, two men came to where they were sitting beside the water and warned them about a crocodile that is hanging around that part of the lake recently. In fact there was a mother who went to the lake to bathe after dark a few weeks ago and was taken by a crocodile. She had a one month old baby. Clarissa said they could hear also hear a hippo that sounded like it was very close. It didn't take long for the girls to decide it was time to go home.
Thanks for your prayers for the Kingdom work in Kenya! Wayne and Clara Yoder
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