Kisumu Yoder's: Life goes on..................

"People change. Love hurts. Friends leave. Things go wrong. But just remember life goes on."

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."

"Some think that holding on makes us strong; but sometimes its letting go." Herman Hesse

Yes life goes on in spite of many partings and much change. It feels like we have had more than our share of goodbye's here in Kisumu... and we have another one coming up tomorrow! Miss Charity plans to leave for America. And we will miss her!! God bless all of you who have contributed much to our lives and been a huge blessing! God has been faithful through the difficult partings and we trust that He will continue to provide for us. He knows that we need two families to replace those planning to leave in the next year. I think one of the hardest things for me is seeing my children so sad about their friends leaving. The other night Bradlyn cried and cried when he thought of Jerolin. He said "Jerolin was my best friend!!" And he was missing Kris and Mariah so much too! It made me feel like crying with him, and Shonda is really feeling the loss of her friends as well. She has no one here close to her age now. But we continue to pray and trust God to supply our needs. Life goes on and we find joy again. It helps so much to thank God and appreciate the little things in life that bring us joy and make life pleasant.

We as a unit had a nice time together at Kiboko Bay last week in honor of Linford and Kay Bontrager who were here for several months, and helped care for the Nyakoko church over the time of Tommy's departure and Gerold's language class. It was a beautiful evening and its always so refreshing to see the beauty of Lake Victoria and watch the sunset. When we got back we had a snack on the lane and different people shared words of appreciation with Linfords for their labor of love here in Kisumu. They will long be remembered for their humor, and their love for the natives!

Wayne and I attended Bible study with the Rabour folks last Wednesday. It was interesting to see how different churches do things and we enjoyed the small group that was gathered together. We had a long bumpy ride and a fairly long walk to the house where Bible study was held. But it was blessing to be there!

On Thursday afternoon Wayne and Joe went visiting in Ahero with Pastor Tobias. They went to 5 different homes and ate and drank something at most of them. They had sodas once and chai at least 3 times! They got home just a little before compound prayer meeting. I thought the singing would really be lame that eve. because of so many people missing... but I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone seemed to try their best and the singing was great! We have so much to be thankful for!

On Friday Wayne, Joe and Maurice went visiting at a few of the Lela homes Joe had not been to yet. One of the places they went was the home of widow Lena. Lena shared that her oldest son is not helping her at all even though he has a job. He disrespectfully tells her to go out and find her own things like all the other women do. Pray for Austin. Later in the afternoon they stopped in at the orphan food distribution in Ahero. That eve. Kore Beachy came to Kisumu because of doing food drops, etc. for CAM. He stayed with us until Tues. and we enjoyed having him here! The children love having him around and its fun to have "friendschaft" here in Kenya! :) On Sat. eve. Kore joined us, as well as Charity, Carolyn, Stacy and Rhoda, at Joe and Glenda's house for a nice pizza supper. We sat around the fire outside and had a pleasant time. By the way... Rhoda Wengerd from Paris, TN arrived this past week and we are glad she's here! We haven't learned to know her well yet but I'm sure she will be a blessing! She will be Shonda and Vanessa's teacher next term.

Sunday found our family attending Church at Ahero. We had a much more relaxed and normal Sunday than we did the week before, and we were happy to arrive home in good time to enjoy a lunch of chicken, rice and beans, with Joe and Glenda, Carolyn, and Kore. Joes and Carolyn attended church at Lela and we all arrived home close to the same time. The Ahero church was friendly and welcoming. I'm slowly learning to know more people at all these different churches. In some ways its hard to go to a different place every Sunday but in other ways we find it interesting to meet new people and see all the different church settings. On Sunday eve. the whole unit was invited to Dean and Barbara Jean's house for a farewell for Charity, and a welcome for Rhoda. The youth sang a very fitting song... the chorus says, "Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand." Opake Jesu!! Amen! (Praise Jesus). One very interesting event of the evening was listening to Gerold Miller tell us their life story. They grew up in a very strict Amish church where they were not taught about the New Birth and people were very carnal- minded. It's amazing to hear how God brought them to the truth of His Word and changed them from a carnal state to men and women for God. Those kinds of changes are AWESOME indeed!!!! He also shared a bit about how God led them to Kenya. It's so amazing what God can do with someone who is willing to surrender everything to Him!

We continue to need your prayers. Yesterday Miss Charity discovered that the razor wire that had been placed over the hole in the hedge where we think Joseph's thieves came through, had been cut and pulled apart. It was not a very good feeling to realize that someone may be planning another robbery! A motion sensor was put up last eve. and thankfully there were no intrusions last night. Politics are still a big subject around here. After last Monday's heated riots and destruction we have been careful and stay caught up on news, etc. before heading out of the compound. Things have been quiet, thank God!! ...although there were some disturbances not too far from here yesterday and there is some talk about possible riots later this afternoon. Nothing could be confirmed though, so most of the Pastors went to Bible study today. Wayne went to the Kajulu Bible study. I decided to stay home with our children just in case something comes up. I'd hate for our children to be left alone here if we'd get stuck out in the villages somewhere. God has been giving strength and helping us not to fear, but be cautious. On the way home today as Wayne was approaching a Matatu (taxi van) the young driver looked back at him and held out his hand. Wayne pulled along side and the young fellow said, "Vee bisht du"? (How are you) in Pa. Dutch!! He was, "Joseph?" a former member at Kajulu that had learned some Dutch from a prior missionary family! God sends little things to brighten our days. Thanks for your prayers!!! Clara