We heard some very inspirational thoughts and encouragement today at the commissioning service at Chulaimbo. Wayne preached a message this morning titled, "Lift up his hands" out of the story of how Aaron and Hur helped Moses. The text was then taken from 2Thess.5:12-26. We should use our eyes, ears, hands, feet, mouth, and heart to lift up and encourage the leaders among us. In the afternoon,Jake also preached a very good message on faithfulness to our Master. He likened the new Deacon to a galley slave, under rower on an ancient Athenian ship who will faithfully obey the voice of His Master, Jesus. To help the message "stick" Jake built a beautiful replica of a ship that had 3 decks with many oars. He told a story from long ago...As long as the people all worked together with the oars the ship moved well and made good progress. The ship he built is a work of art and he presented it to Willis Agala, the newly commissioned Deacon.
On Monday two weeks ago, Wayne and I headed to Nakuru after Pastor's meeting. Wayne was asked to speak at a Agape Administrator's retreat that was held at Wendo Retreat on Wed. morning. We decided to leave a few days early and enjoy some special "alone time" for a belated Anniversary getaway (our 22nd!) We found a nice house on AirBnB in the Nakuru area in a bush camp called Pundas Milias. The camp where we stayed is bordered by a conservancy and not far from Nakuru park. We were able to have the whole house to ourselves. The price was very reasonable so that was an added bonus. The setting was so nice and quiet that I actually felt uncomfortable with it. It was almost spooky! We're used to city noises and commotion and at this house we could hear the wind whipping around the house and the insects making their weird noises. On Tuesday we drove around the lake in Nakuru park. We saw quite a few animals but I was sad that we never saw the giraffes. We had a good sighting of a male lion and there were 3 rhinos very close to the road at one spot. It was a bit freaky to see them so close, so we kept driving. :) The worst thing about the drive was that it was extremely dusty!! That eve. we enjoyed eating supper with the Zook family at Johnny and Sue Ann's house. Tonys were there as well as Wilmer and Esther Zook (their parents) from our home church. It was SO good to see them in Kenya! I'm glad they finally got to see where their children are serving.
On Wed. morning we headed to Wendo Retreat where the CAM staff were congregated with the national administrators from Kisumu and Nakuru that work with the Agape program. I felt a bit out of place as I was the only lady, so I sat in the car and enjoyed a good book while Wayne shared his topic. After being served a good brunch we headed to Kisumu and were glad to get back home to our children.
On Thursday Wayne and Jake visited Willis and Sarah at their home to interview him before the commissioning service. Willis and Sarah with their 7 children live on a mountain of rocks. It's quite a climb to their house and the way they have planted shambas by terracing, etc. is very unique and interesting!
On Friday Wayne took Jacob Obiero from Ombeyi to the eye hospital in Sabatia again. Meanwhile the children and I were getting ready for a big weekend! The Zook family arrived in the afternoon to spend a few days in Kisumu. We really enjoyed their time here! Thanks for coming!! Kore Beachy also spent the weekend here. Joes and Steve and Martha joined us at our house for supper that eve. Glenda and Martha helped with food. There was an early, surprise 40th birthday party for JoeAllen that eve. After we finished eating our hot food and before dessert, there was a sudden loud banging of pots and pans coming from out on the lane. Then it entered our gate and here was all the rest of our compound family singing "Happy Birthday!" :) It was a grand success!! Joe hadn't suspected a thing! From there we all moved out to the lane for some special cupcakes with homemade ice cream and toppings, as well as hot drinks. It was so good and everyone seemed to enjoy it! We watched the youth play volleyball for a while also. There was a nice sized group since Kaylita had some visitors here... Anita Hostetler and Rachel Yoder. Another friend, Rosalind Groff from Nakuru was also here.
On Saturday the Zooks spent some time out with Kore where he was doing orphan food distribution at Rabuor. They also visited the animal market and Jubilee Market. Wayne took the Zook boys and Brad swimming while the adults were occupied with their activities. That eve. we spent time at Kiboko Bay beside the lake. We were disappointed that the nice blue waters of the lake have turned GREEN! The whole bay was full of the parasite, water hyacinth. I hate when that happens! It could be several months until it decides to move out and leave the waters blue again.
We were a bit scattered on Sunday morning. The Zook family and Kore, as well as our 3 girls, attended church at Rabuor. Joe's went to Lela. Wayne, Bradlyn, and I attended Ombeyi, where there was a communion service. We all met together after church at Joe and Glenda's house for a lunch of chicken, rice and beans. Dishon was with us for lunch as well. It was so good to see him again. He is working at a hospital in Kajiado presently. After lunch the Zooks headed back to Nakuru.
On Monday while Wayne was at Pastor's meeting I was busy with a huge laundry and taking care of some of the guest houses, as well as preparing the Pastor's hot drinks. The next day Wayne headed to Kericho for a CBF executive committee meeting. On the way to the meeting they drove through some heavy rain and were surprised to drive through an area where it had just hailed and there were actually small drifts of hail along the road! Wayne stayed at Kericho overnight and the next day there was a Kenya-wide Pastor's meeting at the same location. Wayne needed to chair both meetings since Bishop Freeman and his family went to America for the funeral of his brother. We were all very glad to see Wayne come home late that afternoon! We ladies had a special time at Becky Hostetler's house while all our men were gone. She served us some yummy donuts and hot drinks. Even the school children and teachers were invited to come enjoy the treat. It was great!
On Thursday I got a text from my friend Emma saying that her baby has finally arrived!! I was so relieved that her and the baby girl were ok!! The next day Wayne and I went to the Ahero hospital with plans to take her and the baby home. We didn't have to wait long until Emma and her mother were ready to go. I carried the baby out to the car, and they put their backpacks, etc. into the car. But then they needed to take care of the discharge papers or something. We waited, and waited, and waited some more. Finally Emma came and told us that the baby has a fever, and they're needing medication. So we waited some more... Finally I went back to the room where Emma had stayed and found them there. The baby had a very high fever, I think it was over 105 deg.! She must've had some kind of infection. The hospital didn't want to release her until the next day, and I thought it was a good idea! Thankfully the baby was fine the next day, and they were released as far as I know. The baby was named after me, Clara, and that was very special!! :) Emma and her mother were very thankful for the baby bundle and a few other things that we shared with them. Days like this are very fulfilling! While we waited at the hospital, Wayne passed out a lot of Torch of Truth magazines and got into conversation with quite a few people. It's a good place to minister!
On Friday eve. we invited Joe's here for supper again since Glenda was diagnosed with malaria. Thankfully she discovered it very early and didn't have to get very sick!
Yesterday Wayne went to Kasongo area and picked up a van load of folks who wanted to attend the funeral of Pitalis Aluoch's sister in the Bondo area, which was close to 2 hours away. This lady had attended a Kasongo Bible
study we were at a few months ago. Though Kenya burials get long and boring sometimes it is a good way to show people the love of God and that we care. The people seemed to appreciate his willingness to take them very much! Some of our rural older members don't get out much and they really talked about some of the sights around Kisumu. In the eve. Joes and us were invited to Steve and Martha's house for an amazing supper. Martha is quite a cook... she makes almost everything from scratch, and it's just the best! We had hamburgers with the best homemade rolls, fixings, potato wedges, pumpkin and pecan pie and ice cream!!!
As mentioned our service at Chulaimbo was a blessing this morning. After a simple but good lunch of rice and beans, we assembled again for the commissioning service. James Barkmans, Steve Eshs', Joes, William and Rosemary, and Thomas and Susan, came after the service in their churches, and joined us for the special service. While Wayne was doing the commissioning, assisted by Bishop Thomas and Pastor Jake, it started to pour down rain! It was so loud that the Pastor's had to shout their prayers and we still couldn't hear! Those sitting on the open side of the building had to move toward the center to avoid getting wet. I could feel some cold drops coming from the roof above me. Needless to say things were condensed and dismissal came earlier than it would've otherwise. But it was a great service and the rain helped us make more memories. :) We're very grateful for the rains we've been getting! I love days like this!!
Thank you for your prayers and support! Wayne and Clara
