"Success isn't just about what you accomplish in life. It's about what you inspire others to do."
"Your life is your message to the world. Make sure its inspiring."
"Be strong. You never know who you're inspiring."
Last Sunday morning our family headed for Dienya for Church. It took us a little over an hour to reach. The church building is in a beautiful setting. I enjoyed seeing the mountains and rolling hills. Mark Beachy is Pastor of the church there and we much enjoyed our day with them. It's a small church there... they've been through deep waters but its amazing how God can make beauty out of ashes. I trust those who remain will be faithful and strong. Our job is to reinforce and strengthen what's left of the rubble. Three sisters were restored to church fellowship that morning. Wayne preached a message on Planting and Harvesting. "We reap what we sow." During testimony time Nick mentioned that the Sunday before Mark shared the same message on sowing and reaping. He felt like God was speaking to them and wanting them to hear. I found it interesting that today during testimony time at church in Oroba. Kore Beachy, who taught the youth class today, mentioned that Wayne shared a message on the exact subject that the youth talked about in Sunday school.... that of having a pure heart. It struck me on the way home that Wayne has been reinforcing... so I mentioned to him that I think his calling is to reinforce what others say. :) After Church in Dienya we enjoyed our favorite meal of ricardo chicken, rice and beans, at Mark's house. Their hospitality was great and we enjoyed our time there a lot! We arrived home around 5pm.
Mon. was Pastor's meeting here as usual. Since Marlins left I have taken on the responsibility that Lavina used to have of preparing hot drinks for the Pastors. I try to have it ready for them around 10 every Monday morning. There have not been any demonstrations on Mondays lately. And we are thankful!!!! Hopefully things can remain peaceful and calm.
Tues. morning found the whole Kisumu unit leaving at 6 am for Nakuru where joint unit meeting was held. It was a chilly morning! I think temps were in the upper 50's or low 60's. It rained while we were there and felt cold and damp! But the fellowship was warm and we enjoyed seeing the new family there... Steve and Anna Louise Eash. Also the new social worker, Janelle Stoltzfus. We had a farewell that day for Dave and Rose Stoltzfus and their family who plan to head back to America in a few weeks. They plan to come visit us here in Kisumu once yet before they leave, so we're happy about that! Marlin and Anna served us delicious pancakes and sausage gravy that morning and it helped warm us up! Later after the meeting we enjoyed more good food... haystacks!! We left later than we wanted to because most of the pastors went to look at the new property where the Lamp and Light office is being built. We didn't arrive home until after dark that night. It was rainy and the roads were quite dangerous. Its unreal how many people walk the roads after dark! We were SO ready to be home!!
Wayne attended Bible study in Ahero on Wed. I had planned to go along but had to give that up because I was having pain in my ribs. I think it was from all the bouncing we did on our trip the day before. It causes a good bit of pain whenever something goes out of place I guess, but thankfully it didn't last real long this time. God definitely answers prayers when I cry out to him... He knows there is no chiropractor here to help me out and I've been amazed how often prayer has fixed the problem.
I was feeling much better by Thurs. so I went with Wayne visiting for a good part of the day. We stopped at Tobias and Elizabeth's house in Ahero first and then he went with us the rest of the day to show us where people live. I was amazed again at the poverty around us!! Poor old widow, Yunia, was sick and lying on her decrepit couch. We found out later she had been beaten by her son. The place was so dirty that I could'nt stand even to lean back on the couch. Dear lady.... she has had a hard life and it seems like she must not care much about taking care of herself or her house. I hope we were an encouragement to her. We also visited a number of other widows. We were served so much chai... groan!! And we had mandazis twice, and slam sandwiches once. A stomach can only hold so much and I was feeling almost bloated. We appreciate their giving a LOT!! But if you visit so many places in one day... well, I think you understand. I enjoyed our visit at Charles house. They have 9 children and things were cleaned up and well kept. His wife is 38 years old and has 2 grandchildren. The last place we stopped... I can't remember the old mama's name, but she was SO happy to see us and claimed she wanted us to come visit every day! She started singing when we entered her house. I feel so unworthy and blessed to have grown up in America. Why me? It makes me want to do what I can to alleviate the suffering and poverty here. When you look at the pictures you will notice a huge pile of rubbish and trash... we call it the city dump. It's located behind Nakumatt and it is often smoking because they try to burn a lot of things that just won't burn I guess. We can often smell the awful smoke from the compound. Its a terrible sight to see all that trash and the people and cows that dig through it, trying to find something to salvage. I'm sure the EPA in America would be horrified!!
On Friday Kore came again after a day of distibuting parcels in the Kisumu area. He joined us that eve. for a meal of rice and paneer. My dear honey is a good chef and he made a delicous chili paneer that I'm sure we will want to enjoy more of later! Paneer is an Asian specialty... fried cheese with a number of different seasonings. It's hard to believe its not meat. It tastes so much like chicken.
On Sat. we spent a good part of the day painting our kitchen cabinets. The project is not complete because it takes that oil based paint SO long to dry. The cabinet doors will need to be put back on tomorrow. The color we used is a charcoal, or dark grey, with white for the frames. I hope it will look alright. I guess we better learn to like it! :)
This morning Kore Beachy offered to drive his cruiser to Oroba. Rhoda Wengerd went with us as well. Joseph and Becky went in another vehicle. We had a good day. As mentioned Wayne preached on a pure heart. I love hearing the choir sing there! They do a great job and even have 4 parts! I was amazed after church that Vanessa and Bradlyn actually found friends their age to play with. Shonda had girls her age to be with as well. I love to see them making new friends. It's not all easy in this culture but we can do our best. By the way! On our way to Oroba this morning we were amazed to see a camel going down the road! You never know what you will see around here! We saw some "awesome" mud holes too! Whew! I think we have had enough bumping and jostling to last us all week!! Thanks for your prayers! We appreciate all of you!! Clara
 |
| Clara and the girls putting baby bundles together... Thanks to our dear Church at home for sending items! |
 |
| Instruction class at Dienya |
 |
| Mary Ellen teaching Sunday school |
 |
| Mary Ellen and Benter |
 |
| Shonda holding a newborn |
 |
| Joe and Glenda at Unit meeting in Nakuru |
 |
| Unit meeting |
 |
| Dave and Rose receiving their farewell gift |
 |
| Work on the Lamp and Light Compound Wall |
 |
| Pastors checking out the new property |
 |
| Accident we saw on the way to Kisumu... Is the driver in orbit? |
 |
| City Dump |
 |
| Poor, sick widow... Mama Yunia |
 |
| Baby Jediah |
 |
| Making paneer |
 |
| YUM!!! |
 |
| Boys and puddles... |
 |
| Camel! |
 |
| Excuse us! We need the road too! |
 |
| Church at Oroba |
 |
| Making friends |
 |
| Our road home |
 |
| City Dump... Cows looking for something to eat |
No comments:
Post a Comment