Kisumu Yoder's: Parties, Visits and Funerals

Greetings to all who are experiencing winter wonderland!! And Hello to the rest of you as well! :) Its really hard to imagine snow right now while we are enjoying warm, sunny weather! Its uncomfortably warm sometimes but thats ok because at least it cools off nicely evenings. I would like to have one day where we're snowed in and sitting cozy by the fireplace but then I would want to come right back to this weather. :)

We are enjoying Miss Jess's presence here in Kisumu!! How exciting! It feels like there is actually someone here from Home Sweet Home! And we look forward to more visitors in the next several months. It will be hard to see Steve and Martha leave already this week!! Their time here seemed to have flown by on wings. They have been a real blessing to us. Their enthusiasm for the work here tends to be contagious, and gives us the boost we need to keep on keeping on.

Last Sunday eve. found us congregated in Steve's carport where we were served some WONDERFUL American food and great hospitality! The lunch meats and cheeses were a sight for sore eyes and tasted SO good!! There were bugles, combos, pickles, as well as cakes, ice cream with toppings... even oreos!! and waffle cones! Oh my! What a feast! I hope God blesses Steve's real well for sharing with us.

On Monday eve. Miss Charity's students had a Dr. Seuss party in Steve's carport. It was in honor of all the students who were on honor roll or merit roll, which included everyone. The different costumes were hilarious!! We ladies had a little get together that evening as well. Martha showed us different exercises you can do to keep your body lined up right and in good working order. It was a fun evening and I think it will be very helpful for those of us who don't have access to a chiropractor here.

Tues. morning I sewed some curtains for one of the guest rooms. The old ones were very much in need of retiring and it was fun to see how much better we can make it look in there. Later in the day Wayne, Bradlyn, and I went to visit Eunice. Poor lady... she seems to have so many ailments and complained of having no food. I hope we encouraged her... its SO hard to know how much to give sometimes! The children from that dala were not as respectful as most children are. They were rather loud and bold, and piled into our van without asking. Oh well... at least not all our visits are like that one.

Wed. we went Maurice and Caroline's house for Bible study. The turnout was fair and we were served rice!! From there we went to a neighbor, Vincent's house, who is also a member and has been sick. We sang for him and read a Scripture. He seemed SO happy to see us! The trail back to these houses was very muddy and we had a wild ride in the van... but praise God we didn't quite get stuck!

Thursday was so nice because I got to stay home all day!! In the evening we had prayer meeting at Steve's carport. The singing sounds lovely and is always so refreshing for me. One of the things I miss the most about church services at home is the beautiful singing!!

Friday Wayne, Bradlyn, and I as well as Marlin, Lavina, and Jerolin, and Lavina's mother, Hannah, were invited to Zilpa's house. We were served chapatis and green grams, which is some kind of vegetable cooked with onions, tomatoes, and seasonings. I LOVE it!! I really need to learn how to make it because it would make a nice side dish. We did some singing and shared together. When Zilpa found out that Marlins will be leaving before long she just cried! And then I had to cry a bit too. Partings are so hard and I feel so bad for these dear people who come to love and appreciate their Bishop. But that is part of life. Zilpa shared something with us that day that made us very sad and our hearts heavy. It was a bad report about one of our members and we are hoping SO much that its not true!! Please pray for Wayne as he has to go check out the report now. These things are so tough! On Fri. afternoon Miss Jess arrived and then Tony, Judith, and Ayla arrived as well as Joe Fisher. Jamie stayed in Nakuru. Tonys and Joe did a food drop or some other project that day so they came here for the night. Tony's felt like eating at the Chinese restaurant that evening so we joined them and had a great meal!! The food is excellent!!!!

The Sunday morning service went well today. Wayne continued sharing on the verse about "Blessed are they that mourn." There is so much that can be taken from that Scripture. After the service Wayne and most of the church folks went down the road to where a very large crowd had gathered for the burial of Zipros. Carolyn, the children and I came home right after church and Wayne came later by matatu. People were giving testimonies when Wayne got there and he was asked to share something too. I'm not sure what he said but its certainly a good opportunity to witness for our Lord in a large crowd where there are so many different churches represented.

Wayne printed out a quote for me the other day that I would like to hang on the bathroom wall. I think its very fitting for Kenya! "Wash your hands and say your prayers, because Jesus and germs are everywhere." :) I'm SO thankful for God's protection on us from bad disease and sickness so far. And His protection on these roads is such a blessing too. Please don't stop praying!! You are also doing Kingdom work as you remember us and many other missionaries in prayer. We're depending on you! God bless! Clara