"Family is a gift that lasts forever."
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Martin Luther King Jr.
"Spend time with those you love. One of these days you will say either, "I wish I had," or "I'm glad I did."
I've been thinking about the wonderful gift of family. Not only our physical family but also the wonder of being part of the family of God! How blessed we are!! God knows our need to feel like we BELONG so He gave us families, and He invites each of us to be part of His family. Thank you God!
We have had some wonderful family times the last several weeks! Jeremy and Marla (my sister) and their family of 6 children, arrived in Nairobi on the 28th of March. Excitement was running high for our family as we drove to the airport to pick them up... even though it was in the middle of the night! Wayne and I knew a secret... we had been hiding it from our girls for a few months already and I was about bursting! :) . Kendra and Angela, Mahlon and Ruth's two girls who are almost more like sisters than cousins to our girls, came with Jeremys to surprise Clarissa and Shonda. Jeremy's family was first to come down the ramp at the airport and after their joyous welcome suddenly two more girls came down the ramp!! I was watching our girls closely and wasn't disappointed! They were completely dumbfounded... so happy and surprised that they cried! :) . Thank you Kendra and Angela for the great surprise! And thanks to Jeremy for paying their way and planning the whole thing!
After a few hours of sleep at the Mennonite guest house we began the long journey to Kisumu. It was fun to hear the comments that came from Jeremy and the children, who had never been far out of country. The sights and sounds here in Kenya are far from boring, especially for first-timers!
On Sunday we all headed to Lela where there was a Baptism and Communion service planned. Joe preached a good message and Wayne took charge of the Baptism and Communion. Two fine young men, Felix, and Clinton (Jacob and Joyce's son) were baptized. Pray for their faithfulness. That evening we spent some time on the lane watching spike ball games.
On Monday some visited the Orphanage. Marla was very happy to have the privilege. They reported a very good time and especially enjoyed seeing the newborn twins. A few of our family had the misfortune of being sick that day and during part of Jeremy's visit. Joe tested positive for malaria but the rest of us must've had some kind of flu bug. Please continue to pray about the situation with malaria. Joe was tested again yesterday and the malaria came back full force... a serious case now. It's quite discouraging and it seems a lot of the same folks get "hit" again and again. We're hoping that a good mosquito spray can be found. The Dr. told us that the town of Kisumu used to be sprayed but they quit because the chemicals and pesticides ended up being found in fruits and vegetables sold locally.
On Tuesday I took Marla with me to visit Lillian, a nice young lady from the Rabuor church who is in Instruction class. Her husband Kevin is also in IC. They and their young children are a real blessing to the church there. They seem sincere and excited about being part of the church. Susan Amata went with us and we helped Lillian do her clothing changeover to fit the standards of CBF. Kevins live in a "row house." The room is SO small. I can't imagine... But in spite of living conditions they seem happy in the Lord. We also did some shopping that day. We ladies and our girls went by tuk tuk to the Muslim shops to do fabric shopping. We also went to the Jubilee market. The men and boys worked on the guest house roof most of the day. They replaced the metal. We really appreciated Jeremy's help with that project! That evening we were happy to accept a supper invitation from Brian and Mary Jane. The food was wonderful!!
There was Bible study at Maurice's house from Lela on Wednesday. That evening Jeremy and Marla treated us to a meal at the Food Court at Tuffoam mall. It was just for the couples, Joes, Jeremys, and Wayne and I. Our children stayed home and had a good time roasting hot dogs over the jiko.
On Thursday we ladies stayed around the compound cleaning and washing. We were on schedule to host prayer meeting at our house that night so we were glad for all the extra help around here to get ready for that! Wayne, William Ondeyo, Jeremy, and his boys went to N'dori visit a man who William had told Wayne about. About 5 years ago he stepped on a nail. It was never taken care of properly and now his foot is in terrible shape and the Drs. at Russia Hospital in Kisumu, want to amputate his foot. It looks absolutely awful!! We are not exactly sure what the problem is but there is some thought that it may have become cancerous. It meant a lot to the family that people cared enough to visit him. CAM is considering helping with the case and it's possible he will be taken to Tenwek Mission Hospital to see what they can do for him.
On Friday we all went to Jennifer Juma's house in Kajulu. As usual we were served a wonderful Kenyan meal and they sang for us afterward. We always enjoy the great hospitality there. The road to her house was in awful shape but we made it! Pake Yesu! We enjoyed our evening by the lake. It was almost wind-still and the sunset was beautiful!
On Sunday we headed to Kajulu again for church. We had earlier planned a Communion service but the Pastor's there feel that the Church isn't quite ready for it. There seems to be some lack of dedication... poor attendance, late to church, missing on work days, laxity in fulfilling church duties, etc. Wayne preached a good message, trying to encourage them to be supportive.
On Monday morning we left for the Masai Mara. And what a wonderful time it was!! We were blessed to see the Big Five this time. Last time we didn't see the leopard any time but this time we saw two different ones... very close!! Our girls had a bad scare one day when the driver of their cruiser got stuck for a bit close to a HUGE mad elephant that kept coming closer and closer with his ears out. It was one of the males with very long and valuable tusks that has a collar around the neck because it's protected by the wildlife service. Thankfully they were able to get out of the mud before the elephant got too close. They could easily tip a vehicle. I was amazed again how BIG some of these animals are! What a great God we serve!
On Wednesday we headed to Nakuru where Tony and Judith served us a very yummy supper. They also made breakfast for all of us the next morning! Then we ladies did some more fabric shopping while the men toured the CAM warehouse and a tractor dealership close by. That afternoon was the start of the annual Minister's meeting. We met at the Lamp and Light building. It was a very nice time of connecting with the native Pastor's as well as the other missionaries. That afternoon we had to say goodbye to Jeremys and Kendra and Angela. Joe and Glenda took them to Nairobi to catch their flight early the next morning. It was hard to see them go but now we are left with so many good memories! Thanks again for coming and blessing us so much!! And many thanks to our church family at home who so generously sent food and other blessings!! It makes a person feel so unworthy!! We hope God blesses you real good!
It felt really good to get back to good ole Kisumu on Friday eve. Kore arrived about the same time. He planned to go back to Nakuru the next day after doing orphan drops but was delayed because of all the rain and mud. The big truck got stuck several times. There is major flooding in some areas of Oroba, Nyakoko, Kasongo and Ombeyi. There are areas around Lela and Ahero and Rabuor that are also affected. Our hearts are heavy for those whose houses are flooded and crops ruined. Tomorrow Wayne, Gerold, and Joseph plan to go out and assess the situation. How can we best help? Please help us pray for these dear people. It seems there is either drought or flooding to deal with. But in spite of it all we know we can trust God. He knows what He's doing.
Yesterday our family went to Ugunja with James Barkmans for a Communion service. Life continues to bring challenges and so many opportunities to serve. Please pray for health and strength to fulfill the purpose God has for us here. Also pray earnestly about the situation with Brian Mast's work permit. As many of you know it has been rejected and unless a miracle happens their family will need to leave the country next month. This is hard for all of us, so let's keep praying for a miracle. We hear some people at home thought the permit was rejected because he doesn't have his GED, but this is not true. We really don't know exactly what the problem is... but the heart of the King is in the hand of God. We rest in that.
Jeremys were not the only visitors in the Compound the last several weeks. Joseph and Becky are privileged to have David and Ruth Peachey here from Pleasant View, their home church in Belleville, PA. It's been interesting to have them here... we are able to make quite a few family connections with them. There was also a group here from the Mountain View nursing home in Aroda. Eldon and Paula Yoder were the leaders of the group. There were 6 single staff who came with them. We didn't get to spend much time with them since we left for the Mara on Monday but we enjoyed hosting them at our house for a pizza supper on Sat. night. They spent some time doing projects around here in the compound such as painting at Joseph's. They also went to Ugunja with James' one day to hoe a shamba for an old mama. They blessed us with their generosity in many ways. Last Sunday evening we had an activity at Joseph's. The Mountain View group shared about their work with the elderly at the nursing home after which we all enjoyed a delicious supper together .
Today the pastors went to Kericho for a joint pastor's meeting with the Nakuru team. God bless you all, Wayne and Clara Yoder
