HOME... where is it?

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." George Moore

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes a home happy and life lovely."

Louisa May Alcott

"Life takes you to unexpected places, LOVE brings you home.

We still call America "home" but when we're there on furlough, we call Kenya "home". So where is it? I've told many people that I feel like my heart is in two places. They say "Home is where the heart is". So I guess we have two homes... or is it three? Wayne has often reminded his audience when he's preaching that, "We're not home yet!" We're striving to reach our eternal Home someday! Home has a powerful drawing effect. There's no place I'd rather be!! 

Many thanks to all our dear friends, family, and supporters, who blessed us so richly while we were home on furlough! We had a wonderful time, not always restful because of "running" here and there, but it was a change in routine and so wonderful to see everyone again! My parents, Dad and Mom Bender, recently finished their basement because they wanted to move downstairs and allow us to use the main part of the house while we're home. Bless their hearts!! We felt so spoiled! It was wonderful to be there and we appreciate their sacrifice for us! 

The first weekend we were home we had the privilege of attending the wedding of Wayne's niece, Carmen Gingerich, who married Matthias Peachey (son of Ivan Peacheys, former Kenyans :) The wedding was very nice and we were thrilled to be able to be there! It was amazing for me to see Wayne in a suit coat while preaching the wedding message! :)  It's always a big adjustment to go back and get all dressed up for church! Bradlyn had a hard time appreciating his Sunday shoes! Wayne was a bit intimidated preaching in front of so many people in a setting like that.  He feels much more comfortable with our national brothers and sisters here. But God gave strength, and we were delighted to see so many of our Kenya friends there as well! Wayne's message was titled, "Lessons from a cup of chai". 

We spent a few days in PA with Wayne's parents and his brother Tim and Ruth's family. We were glad to connect with Kore, Wayne's cousin who served here in Kenya with us for a while, and his parents, Perry and Judy Beachy. Kore treated us to some ice cream at the famous Amy's in Mifflinburg. We also enjoyed seeing some of my Bender relatives and tasting some of Aunt Annie's "out of this world" moon pies!! We always love spending time at Keystone Housewares, the store that Dad Yoder and Tim own together.

Our children were happy to get in on a few nights of Summer Bible school at our church. Much time and effort is put into that and quite a few community children show up for that event. Supper is served there every evening.

We spent a good bit of time buying supplies for our next year of service here in Kenya. It takes careful planning to know how much stuff to bring along back. We are looking forward to moving back to our VA home sometime after school next term. Our children are very ready for this change. Coming home to Kenya was difficult for them this time mostly because of the fact that they feel so alone here. Since Joe and Glenda's family left us yesterday, our children are the ONLY ones on the compound. But they are trying to have good attitudes and I think if we all work together this next year can be a very good one!

Another huge highlight of furlough was the excitement of twins born into the Yoder family!! Tony and Judith were blessed with a boy named Alexander Blake and a girl named Addison Kate. They were born while we were in PA so we were privileged to take Wayne's mom back to VA with us where she is currently helping out with the little ones. The twins are adorable and as far as we know they are doing very well! 

Clarissa was very happy to welcome a group of her CBS friends to Wytheville one weekend. They stayed in our house since our renters had just vacated. There was no furniture there but they brought their own bedding, towels, etc. and "camped out". :)  They even enjoyed some animated games of spike ball in our living room! Sounds like they made lots of memories!

Time marched very rapidly and before we knew it, it was time to say "goodbye" once again. I don't enjoy those times at all but it's part of life. Vernon and Rosy took us to the airport in Charlotte. We had some stress because of our flight schedule being changed a bit and our luggage not being able to get onto our next flight in time. But our travel agent and AMA secretary, Ronald Miller, kindly arranged everything for us and we were good to go!  Things went well from then on and we arrived back in Kisumu 5 days ago. It was good to be HOME! Jet lag hasn't been as bad as sometimes. We hear that the unit here was extremely busy while we were gone. Joseph and Becky moved out of their house and into Jake Gingerich's vacated house, so that Steve, Martha, and Julie Esh can move into Joseph's house. A LOT of time and elbow grease goes into moves like that. Joe and Glenda were also extremely busy getting ready for their departure. This past Sunday evening there was a farewell for Joes at Lorne Kuepfer's house, and a welcome for Steve Esh's who arrived 4 days ago. Lornes plan to leave Kisumu this coming weekend and James Barkmans return from furlough a day or so later I believe. So there are many comings and goings. Thanks to those who have wished us well as we said goodbye to my sister and family. I kind of feel like I don't have feelings anymore. Life is so full of change... but we try to take a day at a time and God gives grace. Praise Him!  It's VERY exciting for us to have Steves here! Their former experience is worth an awful lot!! And it's a blessing for our older girls to have Julie here!  

On Saturday Wayne and I, along with Joe and Glenda, and Allen and Rhoda, attended the funeral of 16 yr. old Felix. His widowed mother's name is Lina. He came from a VERY poor home but seemed to have a happy disposition and was loved by many. The Dr. thinks he had chronic malaria and as a result died from anemia. He desperately needed 3 units of blood but for some unknown reason the Dr. delayed giving it to him and it was too late. There were many of Felix's school friends at the funeral, and it was easy to tell that he will be keenly missed! Please pray for his mother... she has lost so many of her children, and is grieving deeply.

We attended church at Chulaimbo on Sunday. Melodie went with us as well. We were glad we took a van that day so we could take extra passengers. One of Pastor Willice's sons was sick with malaria that day and was very weak. I believe their family has a 2 hr. walk to church, one way. They live on a very steep hillside. I was so GLAD we could be of help by taking him most of the way home so he didn't have to walk so far when he was sick.

I should have mentioned that the Sunday we left Kisumu for our flight to America was the day of Shonda's Baptism at Lela. It was a very special day for us and a privilege for Wayne to baptize his daughter! We also had our last Spring Communion service there that day. 

Continue praying for the work permit situation here. Melodie may have to leave before long if her permit doesn't come through. It was denied once but has been appealed. We're rejoicing though that Steve Esh and Allen Peachy both received their permits!  Now we're waiting on Brian Millers (Grove City, MN)  and Dave Stoltzfus' (MT) to be approved. God is in control!  Blessings and love to all, Wayne and Clara

Fill it up!

Judith Auma's (Kasongo) body arrives at the dala for burial the next day

Communion at Lela

Pastor Allen

At the Kisumu airport... Brad with the Governor of Kisumu

Setting up for the wedding

The happy couple... Matthias and Carmen

After the wedding message Wayne presented the couple with these mugs...

Cousins at the Yoder family camping

L to R Clarissa, Heather Weaver, Marcia Engel, Jana Gingerich, Krista Kauffman, Valencia Miller, Jody Yoder, Kendra Stoltzfus

Picking blueberries at Grandpas

Is that big enough Kore?

Grandpa Yoders at Tim and Ruths nice picnic area

Brad was delighted with his catch!

Fireman Randall Zook took Brad for a ride on the fire truck... much to his delight!

Grandma Yoder and the twins!

Addison Kate and Alexander Blake Zook

Mama Lina (in white) is mother of Felix who died

Lela school administration.  Former CBF Lela member Puis Obonyo, center

New Lela Pastor, Allen Peachy preached the funeral message

Felix's classmates from Lela Secondary bringing the casket for the final viewing

Chulaimbo church service

Melodie with Tiffany and Elliot just before they left for their homeland

Goodbye Joe and Glenda :(

Visiting with Joshua Omondi and George and James Kimuyi near Nyakoko church.  James is very happy with the wheelchair he received from CAM!

The March of Time...

"No yesterdays are ever wasted for those who give themselves to today."

"One thing you can't recycle is wasted time."

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back." Harvey Mackay

Time doesn't stop for anyone. There have been times in our lives that I've wished I could freeze the moments... but it doesn't happen. There have also been times I've wished time would speed up, so that I could get out of a difficult situation quickly. But time keeps marching at the exact same pace day after day. I wonder if I'm using my time wisely? My prayer often is that I would know what's important to do today...and I so much desire our remaining time in Kenya to be a blessing to those around us. 

Time continues to bring change to Kisumu. Gerolds and Jakes have gone back to their homeland. It feels empty around here!  But we are happy to welcome Allen and Rhoda Peachy. They have been a blessing already!! We're SO thankful that Allen is skilled in handyman work and he also has experience with small engines. Since there are no young men on the compound, his experience in these areas will be a huge asset! And this fine young couple's sense of humor is a real boost as well! :) Joe and Glenda have been "training them in". We're also eagerly looking forward to the arrival of Lorne, Grace, and Tanya Keupfer today sometime. They are furlough replacements for James, Christina, and Kaylita Barkman. James' leave for a 6 week furlough next week. One thing for sure... life is not usually boring in Kenya!! All the changes keep life interesting and challenging! 

I was reminded recently about how hard life has been for some of our friends here in Kenya. One Sunday while visiting Dienya, Joseph Odimo ( a former chief and police officer who has changed his loyalties for the Kingdom of God), was sharing a devotional and he mentioned how he is acquainted with grief. Nine of their children died. I'm not sure what the problem was, and I can't remember for sure how many children are living... but I simply can't imagine the heartache! Also at a recent Bible study at Ombeyi when we we were at Margaret's house she was telling the ladies during chai time that 10 of her 15 children died. I asked her how old they were when they died, and she said some were 10 years, some 5, and I suppose anywhere between those ages. Imagine!! She said they had a stomach disorder of some kind.  But she seemed to take it in stride and I'm amazed how these people seem to accept these things as part of life. Life seems so cheap at times...

 For those who know our dear sister Benter from Dienya, please continue praying for her! She has moved back to her mother's house in the Oroba area along with her 4 small children. Her husband Vitalis continues to cause problems whenever he is out of jail. I believe there are times when Benter has feared for her life, and the life of her children. Vitalis badly wants Benter to come back home, but we don't feel it's wise at this point. Vitalis called Wayne today and was not happy with him...  There are so many difficult situations around us!! Also pray for Samson (Dienya), a nice young man with Parkinson's disease. He continues to have issues with his health and now recently he is asking for help for his brother who supposedly has the same illness Samson does. Samson's brother has been living in Sindo on the other side of the lake from Nyagondo but would like to move his family back home now. Maybe this will help restore relationships between Samson and his family.  They had rejected him after he got seriously sick. It's difficult to know how to help in situations like this. Samson mentioned recently that he is so cold. I asked some questions and discovered that he didn't have a good warm blanket. We were able to help him with that and it meant SO much to him! The weather recently has been amazing!! I hardly remember Kisumu ever being so cold since our arrival close to 4 years ago! We're having quite a lot of cloudy days as well which is very unusual. We won't complain about the rain though! It certainly is a blessing for our national friends! 

Another prayer request is for Lina's 15 yr. old son, Felix, from Lela. He has been quite sickly and Joe is helping him get some testing done. Doctors discovered his spleen is extremely enlarged. They suspect he may have leukemia or a blood disorder of some kind. 

An older sister from Chulaimbo, Angeline Achieng, passed away recently. Wayne did the body transport. Allen Peachy accompanied him. The next day Wayne preached at the funeral. JoeAllen, Allen and Rhoda, and Melodie also attended. I chose to stay home since we were getting ready to host visitors that eve. Joseph and Becky were blessed to have the DJ and Martha Peachey family here for a visit. Their 4 children came with them as well as DJ's sister Ruth Elaine. Joseph's sister, Katherine (Belleville), and Rachel Nolt (Millmont), are also visiting, and staying longer than the Peachey family did. We really enjoyed hosting this crew at our house! They're a lively, interesting bunch. They told us the story of how they were chased by a rhino at the Masai Mara! Thankfully they can laugh about it now, and all is well that ends well! On Sunday eve. James Barkmans hosted the unit for an activity. DJ Peachey showed us slides of their recent trip to Israel. He not only showed pics but shared a lot of interesting information with us about the different sights they saw. We enjoyed a yummy haystack meal afterward. Rhoda Wengerd decorated an amazing "welcome cake" for Allen and Rhoda. It was truly a work of art! It was cut in the shape of Africa. 

Wayne has been involved in some interesting meetings. He went to Ahero one day and met with the Pastors and an instruction class member named Lucas, who has been separated from his wife for many years.  They talked with a few clan members to see if they could get to the root of the issues and work towards reconciliation and peace and a path to membership.  Later in the day Wayne went to Chulaimbo to finalize burial plans for Angeline. Another day Wayne, JoeAllen, and Allen went to the Dienya area to work with the Needs Committee to distribute maize the church had bought, to all the widows. A very fulfilling day!

Our number of youth on the compound has been very small so we're thankful whenever visiting youth come. Last Fri. eve. Jeremy Fisher was here and brought Brad McGrath with him (Nakuru). Brian Wagler's family was here too and we enjoyed sitting on the lane visiting and watching the volleyball game. Joseph's visitors added a lot of life to the game! 

On Wed. Wayne and I headed to Bible study at Vincent's house in Kajulu area. We took Joseph's truck that day and it's a good thing we did! We wouldn't have made it with our 2 wheel drive vehicle. We stopped at Jennifer's house and picked up Jennifer and her daughter, Sarah. We then proceeded to Vincent's house on some truly "amazing" roads... if they can be called roads. At one point it looked like we drove to the edge of a cliff. I couldn't see the road underneath us! I said, "Don't you dare go down over there! And then Jennifer, Sarah, and I bailed out of the truck. Wayne also got out to see what was ahead of us and then decided it was ok to pass. He carefully proceeded down the steep bank while the rest of us walked. Wayne was more worried about getting back up the other side, but thankfully we didn't have any trouble. The truck was amazing! I won't forget that ride right away! :) We had a nice Bible study and tried to encourage Vincent. It's discouraging to him that his wife is no longer with the church at Kajulu. We didn't have chai that day because of the situation. My heart went out to Geoffrey that day... I believe every single time we've gone to Kajulu Bible study in the last number of years he has requested prayer because of pain in his stomach. He is the son of Deacon John Opiyo and is a young widower. I finally asked him what the problem is and discovered that he has a hernia. But of course there's no money for surgery. We went to Geoffrey's house for Bible study a while back and it was in VERY poor condition! Imagine having to endure pain for years on end because of no money for a Dr. Pray for wisdom to know how to help. We want to see what can be done for him. As you know, the needs are endless and seem overwhelming. And sometimes it's so hard to tell what is a true need and what is "perceived." We need so much wisdom! Please pray for us!!

Out of our litter of 10 puppies there are 2 remaining. Hopefully we can find homes for these very soon. Our children have VERY much enjoyed these puppies!  I still smile to think of how God answered Brad's prayers! 

We plan to attend the Kasongo church tomorrow. The next Sunday (June 23) we're looking forward to Shonda's Baptismal service that is scheduled at Lela. We wish family and friends from home could be here for the special occasion but it's ok. I think Melodie and Rhoda plan to be there and possibly some national friends from Ahero.  Later that eve. our family is scheduled to fly from Kisumu airport to Nairobi. The next morning we have appointments at the Embassy to renew our children't passports. In the evening we board the plane for our flight across the ocean!! Excitement is building at our house!! :) We've been so busy preparing for this special furlough time and now that we're actually getting our things accomplished and the time is so near, we are SO excited! We hope to see a lot of you there! Thanks for your support and prayers, Wayne and Clara

Joseph and Brad having a discussion while they fix the wall that was damaged by a water leak, at S-6.

 Becky, Mel and the girls gave the kitchen at S-6 a new look!  

We very much enjoyed a visit with the Fisher family... Jeremy brought his brother Joe and wife Janell, and sisters, Cynthia and Katie with him to Kisumu when he came to do CAM distribution. They also spent some time in Jinga, Uganda. They treated us to a yummy paneer supper one evening. Thanks so much!!

Re-plumbing the shower to take care of the leaking inside the wall.

Jakes last Sunday at Chulaimbo along with His parents John and Christina Gingerich and Grandma Mary Coblentz.  Thank you for your service!

Farewell

Kasango Bible Study

Prince and his new "master" Allen

John Omondi's sons are a real blessing at Ahero!

Playing games with Allen and Rhoda

Visiting Lukas' home dala south of Ahero

Chulaimbo Bible Study at Mama Angeline's

Preparing maize for "blessing" the widows

Singing with some of the widows that gathered at Dickson's to receive their blessing

Lunch at Hang Over, after maize distribution

Mama Angeline at the mortuary

Steven and Emmanuel at Chulaimbo on Sunday (Pray for our youth)

Welcome Allen and Rhoda!

Joint Pastors Meeting on Monday afternoon

Kajulu Bible Study at Vincent's

Would that pass in America?

Joe and Allen introducing Tobias Ajuma to the work of MZL