Kisumu Yoder's: January 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

Quietly Wait...

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." Lam. 3:26

"Don't mistake God's patience for His absence. His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant."

"When you rest in His presence, you rest in the knowledge HE IS IN CONTROL!

Sometimes it feels like much of our life in Kenya has been spent waiting. We wait for news on replacement staff, we wait on work permits, we wait for the right timing for commissioning of new Pastors, we wait for MANY things. Is it all a waste of time? Indeed not! We've seen many times how God has been working while we waited. God help us to relax in Him while we try to be patient. It's not always easy!!

The rains have slowed down and almost stopped. The sun is blazing these days but there are still plenty of cloudy days which I'm always grateful for! Our houses are starting to see more dirt, the grass is not as green as it was, and leaves are falling so I assume dry season is well on the way. We will try to wait patiently for the next rain. :)

It's a BUSY time for the Kisumu Pastors. Year end books from all the churches needed to be ready for the Auditor. Many hours were spent trying to make numbers come out right. There are land titles that still need to be acquired for a few churches and Wayne badly wants to have those ready before we leave the end of May. It's definitely trying on our patience when the process is so long and slow with seemingly unnecessary roadblocks that hinder progress. But in the mean time I hope we're learning to just let go and relax... it's not a life or death matter.

Wayne has also been working on a big plumbing project at the guest house in his spare time. There is a deadline on that project because of the many visitors scheduled to come to Kisumu in the next several months. Visitors are a blessing and we want to be able to accommodate them well.

A few weeks ago we ladies met at the empty house that Josephs lived in to hear some more life stories. Christina and Kaylita Barkman both shared with us that evening. We much enjoyed hearing so many things we never knew about them before. We also enjoyed some hot drinks and pastry. Times like this have a way of drawing us even closer and we will miss these events!

There was a concreting project at the Dienya church recently. Wayne enjoyed helping there one day. Martha and Julie had a very busy week helping to keep the workers well fed. Clarissa was also busy working on a new church sign for the church there. She really enjoys projects like that but it is very time-consuming. That weekend was the commissioning of Bro. Maurice. We would've enjoyed being there but needed to miss out on that special service because we were needed at Kasongo where ballots were passed out in hopes of commissioning a Pastor to assist Tobias Osur in the near future.

The Pastors had a change of scenery on Monday after the commissioning, when they met together at Milimani Beach for Pastor's meeting. Gerold Miller (former missionary here) joined them there that day and treated them to lunch. There is a nice little dock with a roof that is situated on the water where they can sit to have their meeting and eat lunch.

We enjoyed attending the Lela Bible study at the church last Wed. Allen and Rhoda needed to go to Nairobi to pick up some family visitors... his brother Abe and sister Brenda, and sister Eunice married to Jared Coulter and their little girl. We thought since Allens are gone it would be a good time to show up for Bible study. There were only 7 members who came that day but we had a nice time with them.

Friday was the joint unit meeting hosted by Steve and Martha. The weather was pleasant for the most part and we really enjoyed the day. It was interesting to meet Winfred Miller's parents and as usual we made some more interesting family connections. :) Allen Peachy shared in a devotional and Mindy Nisly shared her call to missions with us.

On Sunday we attended Kajulu church. There were also ballots passed out there that day in hopes of finding a Pastor to replace dear brother Andrew who is in his 90s and wishes to be relieved of responsibility. There's a brother there who we feel would do very well, and we know that others in the church would desire him to have that position, but unfortunately he doesn't seem to feel the need for another Pastor, although he says he won't stand in the way if the church decides to move forward. It feels to us like this brother may be "kicking against the pricks". We trust God will show us the way... Some of you know dear old Mama Elizabeth Apamo. She shared a story with the church that day that is just breaking her heart. After sitting down she just broke down and cried. My heart aches for her but I don't know how to comfort her except to give her a hug and cry with her. Her granddaughter Kay, who was recently baptized at Kajulu, has been living with Elizabeth since she was a small child. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father never showed his face until a few weeks ago. One day he suddenly appeared at Elizabeth's house and wanted Kay to go with him. He seems quite well to do and has a job in America. He drives a car and has a wife and family not too far away from the Kajulu area as well. He and his father went and paid dowry on Kay's deceased mother so that he could lay claim to her. Kay chose to go with him and now Elizabeth is left all alone in her old age and has to care for everything herself. It was heartbreaking to see her looking so forsaken. I trust God will be close to her and that she can be provided for. (Linford she wanted us to let you know for sure.) On Sunday evening we invited James Barkmans and their visitor over for the evening. Lynn Miller from Nappanee, IN is spending time with them. James, Christina, and Lynn all worked together at FMH years ago and their friendship has continued. Wayne knew him since childhood because of Lynn attending at his Grandpa's church. We enjoyed making lots of connections with him as well.

On Tuesday of this week we had a great time with a special visitor from CA. Wayne's cousin Geneva Unruh is in Kenya visiting her friends Roland and Teresa who are serving in the Kisii and Meru areas with the Holdeman Missions. They stopped in Kisumu for lunch and part of the afternoon. That was very special and we felt like we got a lot done in a short time, such as some shopping at Minoki and the Muslim shops, a view of Lake Victoria, a visit to the animal market, and then a tuk tuk ride home.

Wayne and I took a van load of Ahero ladies with us to Bible study at Rhoda Arao's house in Pap Onditi, on Wed. Weston Miller (Dean's) took our Fortuner and picked up the Ahero Brothers who were attending. We enjoyed the afternoon and I hope we were able to bring her some cheer. She recently had cataract surgery on both eyes because she was almost totally blind. And then her father passed away suddenly which has been difficult for her.

Blessings to all! Thanks again for your prayers and support! Wayne and Clara

Sewing class

Pouring concrete at Dienya

Burial of Peter Ogalo from Oroba

Gerold and Becky joined us for our Sunday evening activity at James'. Gerold shared some inspirational thoughts and Scriptures with us that eve.

Pastor's meeting at Milimani Beach

Dean working at the guest house

Joint unit meeting

Winfred Miller's parents on the left

Lynn Miller and James helping to take the tent down

Mama Elizabeth from Kajulu

Ahero Bible study at Rhoda's house

Wayne the plumber

Ceiling of the guest house

Saturday, January 4, 2020

New Beginnings...

"When God gives you a new beginning, don't repeat the old mistakes."

"Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath. Smile, and start again."

"Our hope is not in the new year, but in the One who makes all things new."

Who would've thought we'd see the year 2020!! How well I remember the dire predictions made before the new millennium. But here we are... Our God has been faithful and we praise Him for the gift of life. What a privilege it is to serve the One who makes all things new!

It's been very warm these days in spite of the rains we continue to have occasionally. On Christmas evening there was flooding in Nyamasaria. People were wading water almost waist deep some places. Seems so unusual because by this time it's often very dry and hot. But we will enjoy the lush green grass while we can!!

We're very happy to have Dean and Barbara Jean's family here for around 3 months. They have done so well in picking up where they left off. Dean is taking care of the churches at Oroba and Nyakoko. On Joseph's last Sunday here Deans and us attended Oroba. Joseph officially handed over his responsibilities to Dean, and Bishop responsibility was handed over to Wayne. We were invited to Miltone's house for lunch. They live close to the church which was a blessing because of all the mud! Our ride to church that morning was quite jarring to say the least!! And the mud was amazing!! :( Dean's boys with all their youthful energy are such a blessing here!! They are available to mow lawns and do many maintenance projects around here. The guest house is all torn up right now. They're replacing the ceiling and there's a major plumbing problem to fix. Hopefully when that's done the mold and crumbling walls will be taken care of.

Steve's were happy to have their daughter Jessica and husband Justin, and dear little Zoey here over Christmas time. We enjoyed seeing them around too, especially since they're from our home church in Wytheville. They got in on the big chicken butchering day we had. Thankfully this round of chickens was a huge success. The birds were of consistent size (nice and big!) and our freezers are full! What a blessing! We enjoyed a delicious meal of breakfast haystacks after we finished up that day. Allens were our hosts.

It's hard to believe that Joseph and Becky have gone! It was a sad farewell time on the lane before they left. They have given 11 years of their lives for the mission here in Kisumu. Their experience and wisdom is sorely missed! Gerold and Becky Miller joined us for the little farewell on the lane that day. It's been so good to have them around! They're spending some time in Kisumu with their daughter Sylvia and her friend Koree.

A few weeks ago Wayne and Allen attended the burial of Hesbon Odep (formerly from Lela). He was a much loved brother during his time at Lela church. That evening we hosted Jeremy Fisher and Paul King for supper, as well as Allens. Jeremy was training in the new CAM worker, Paul. It was interesting to meet him and discover we know a lot of the same people.

We enjoyed attending the Dienya church two weeks ago along with Steve Esh's and Justin and Jess. Wayne was asked to go share a message on the qualifications of a Pastor. We're so happy that things are looking favourable to commission a brother there in the near future! At this point it looks like Bro. Maurice Omondi will be the one. We enjoyed hosting Steve's and Justins at our house after church. We had the normal Sunday fare... chicken, rice, and beans.

A Christmas eve. celebration was hosted at Allens. It was great to have Johnny Zook's family here with us! They spent a few days with Steves and Allens, who they have family and church connections with. The food was amazing! Everyone brought some special Christmas treats to share.

Christmas day was spent with the Kajulu church. When we arrived at church, after a very bouncing, jarring journey, we saw some of the men were butchering a sheep. The ladies were busy preparing rice, ugali, sukumu, and cabbage to go along with the meat. While they prepared the food, the rest of the folks listened to a message preached by Pastor Joshua. Wayne also shared a short inspiration and there was some special singing. The singing didn't go well that day because of all the people who were outside busy with other things. We provided sodas for everyone at lunch time, which was a treat for them. After coming home that evening we enjoyed our own little family Christmas meal... chicken that had been in the crockpot all day, mashed potatoes, and corn. We're looking forward to being able to spend Christmas with family at home next time, Lord willing! :)

Last Sunday was a special day for the church at Ahero. The two Pastor's, Tobias Ajuma and John Omondi, each had a daughter who was baptised that day. The choir did a great job of singing which adds a LOT to the service! Another matter of business was taken care of that day... ballots were collected to see how the members feel about ordaining John Omondi since he has had a year to prove himself since he was commissioned. There was 100% support to go ahead with Ordination! That is now scheduled for 26 Jan. Opake Yesu!

On Monday during Pastor's meeting we ladies were together a short while to take everything out of the main rooms of the guest house to prepare for the remodelling project. Wayne has had a busy week... he took Charles Ochieng's Dad (Ahero) to the Russia hospital one day for testing. Another day he, along with a number of Ahero brothers, went to the Nyakach area to take Tobias Odongo to his wife's parents dala so that more dowry could be paid. That ended up being an all day thing. He also had a Pastor's meeting at Kajulu one day, and then delivered some poles, lumber and metal on the back of the truck to Deacon John Opiyo's house. Today Wayne, Dean, and James went to Ugunja to a special service hosted by a community friend.

Steve Esh's invited the compound to their house on New Year's Eve. We were treated to Martha's wonderful donuts and hot drinks, etc. The rest of us also shared some goodies to celebrate the New Year. The children, young folks, and a few of the married couples played some games of prisoner's base and single base, etc. We enjoyed watching the launch of a Chinese lantern.

So time goes on... the children are back in school, and we continue our work in Kisumu, a day at a time. Our constant prayer is that we could fullfil the work God has called us to. Thank you for your prayers and support! Waynes