Company and More Company

"I don't know if time has ever flown faster for me than it's been lately."I said to my husband the other morning. "It's hard to believe it's May already !"  Now today it's right at 8 months that we first stepped foot into our new Kenyan home. 
 Really? Already? And yet there's been so much "water over the dam" since then. I'll try to hit a few highlights from the last month or so.

Eating at Hang-over Hotel. Hard to see but there's fresh beef or something hanging right there in the kitchen behind Hannah.

 Minister's meeting was from Thursday noon to Friday noon. It involved lots of food, numerous topics, and a pleasant time with brothers and sisters from vastly different countries fellow-shipping together. We were privileged to host Marks and some of Markus' overnight..8 people.
 One Sunday we were going to do some visiting in the afternoon so instead of coming home in-between, we took a picnic lunch along and found a spot with a view along a narrow,rough mountain road.

Up on the mountain was a woman who was sick and we stopped to pray with her. Her Step-mother-in-law was there and was quick to reach for my baby. This was a wealthier family and they had a very nice stone house.

The next Tuesday evening Jacob brought the youth out to our place. Dean Millers (our Bishop) joined us for a supper of Ugali, sukuma-wiki, beans, hot-dogs (or sausage), and banana bread (of course). It was a good way to connect with the youth. I was a little apprehensive about some of it but it went well. In the evening we played games, then the boys slept at our place and the girls slept with Stacy in the 2 guest rooms. She had some humorous incidents to relate later. She showed the girls how to use a toilet and they were fascinated with how it swirled down when flushed. She showed them how to use the shower before leaving for a bit and when she came back they were taking turns watching each other shower. They discussed the supper and declared all but the hotdogs as "sweet!" (very good). But the one girl, Marin, declared, "I hope I never have to stare a sausage in the face again!" LOL !! I'd been told that hotdogs are a treat to them but I think it was a first for some of them and obviously NOT a treat. :)

The girl in bright pink is Marin. She's actually the only youth girl at 14 yrs. The others are supposedly 13 (if not at least it was convenient to say so for the occasion;} Amos, in orange is 14 also I think. He and Marin are in instruction class. Brian (front in blue and amos ride to church with us. He is 25 and one of the most dedicated sincere youth ! I think most of the other boys are around 17 or 18. The mazunga in the back is Dean's son and the other is Stacy.

  The next morning I was amazed how most of them had fixed their beds very neatly! After breakfast Jacob had Bible study with them. I wasn't in on that as I was doing dishes and taking care of little boys. Then they were supposedly going to play volleyball Jake had to do a few office and other things for a bit so they were kind of on their own. It sounded like they must be having a great game by the shrieks and laughter but when I looked out the window, just a couple of them were batting the ball around. Most of the others were delighted to use the see-saw, slide, swings, and bike that were out there.
 I did some laundry and the girls were so very intrigued with the wash machine. The girls went on a little walk and sang for the Luo class where Stacy was studying. When the came back they enjoyed coloring some pictures I'd printed out.  
 For lunch Jake picked up some chipotes and beans and put out the rest of the banana bread. Then we loaded up in two vans and headed for Bible study at Esther Jahenda's house. It was the furthest I've driven yet and went ok tho I guess I was holding my breath a bit going back the dirt/mud "road" to Esther's place. Praying and hoping I wouldn't bottom out or roll going over the worst ruts. Actually rut is hardly even the right word. The road was about the same width as the van..a little wider, and at the worst spot the left side of the road (rut) was probably a good 2 feet lower than the other side. But thank God, we made it !
   That Friday Stacy and I were working in the kitchen when Jacob came in announcing, "You've got visitors." Of all things, Marin and her sister had "come public" and come the whole way from Chuliumbo because "Tabitha left her sweater here and Marin was wondering something about instruction class."  Wow. Well, we got the sweater, fed them banana bread and chai and wondered when they would leave. Stacy and I ended up kinda taking turns entertaining them while the other worked. 13 yr. Tabitha played with the big legos a bit but then joined in a game of Memory with Marin, Mahlon, Joey, and I. They also were interested in Mahlon's floor puzzle and a little lego car. They said something about not wanting to go home till Sunday but we just laughed. Finally, not sure how to tell them that they really should be leaving, I said, "Let's have prayer together before you leave." They didn't have much to say to that but after prayer I walked them out to the compound gate. They left around 5:15pm.
  I missed church last Sunday with boys that had been battling the stomach flu. Thankfully they were mostly over it till Tuesday when the Nakuru people arrived for unit meeting. I was in charge of breakfast for 30+ people. The single girls took care of drinks and it's been agreed that we skip breakfast pastries so it was very simple with fruit and breakfast casserole. In the evening us and Winfred and Debbie's from Nakuru went out for supper and Winfred's spent the night. After they left Wed. I mostly had a relaxing day. 2 yr. old Tiffany was down a bit of the morning while her parents are in Luo class. Joshua's been having fever some on and off. Not sure if it's the teething or the flu.
 One more picture..

Joey being a piki-piki driver :)

 

Weather, Market, and Changes

  We welcome the rainy season. After a couple quite hot months, the rain showers, and thunderstorms arrived to cool the land. Such blessed coolness. This week's average temp for during the day is something like 82*s, dipping into the 60*s some nights.
 One afternoon and evening was rainy, dark, and so cool I shut some doors. I was on a high as I scurried about getting supper. As another woman said, "In Africa, it's FUN to get cold." I heartily agreed.
 This morning Jake left before breakfast. He and Joseph H. had to go 3 hours to Nakuru to sign some bank papers. He thought it should only take half hour and he'd be back in time to leave for Bible study at the normal time..1:10pm. I have to grin at his optimism. I think it was around 3pm that he called and they were just leaving. 

Zephania and Anna with the grandchildren that live with them.Anna's first husband died. She's a bit older than her 2nd husband who is just in his thirties. They are the ones who usually walk 1 1/2 -3 hours to church. I guess they have 2 places they live depending on work.
  

This is what happens when I leave Joshua with Stacy during sewing class...a big hair-bow/band. Surprisingly he left it on pretty long.
  And another trip to animal market.....

 

Jediah slept here while we shopped and  the grandmother who "owned" it sat outside tying the ends to a laso (?) I bought.

Jediah on my new laso. It's great to use as a small table cover, to sit on outside, carry the baby on my back (if I ever learn how), use as a hand towel when we are away. (Before eating the bring a basin around to wash our hands but no towels provided)...or as a shawl...I love the bright cheery colors!

After animal market, we tried out a different restaurant. Poor Joshua was so tired. We laughed as he tried to keep stuffing his mouth with fries while nodding and blinking as he fell asleep.Poor guy.

 If everyone helps bake cookies, where is mom to stand?

The school program was a couple weeks early because Tommy Waglers were moving back to the states before the end of the school term. They left yesterday and I bawled. They will be greatly missed.
The new family should arrive tomorrow afternoon. Also Stacy gets back from a quick trip she took to the states. Yay !

Bits n Pieces

After many times of trying and not being able to get onto my blogger to post, the solution was so simple. Thank you, Ruby Showalter !There has been so much proverbial water over the dam since I last posted. Some of you get Jacob's emails so I don't want to be overly repetitive.
 Christmas  wasn't necessarily "holly jolly" but rather more hurry, scurry, no family time, no glitter and gifts. Knowing we should focus on the true meaning of Christmas but missing the traditions and beauties of snow and family time and everything that normally goes with the holiday season gave us the "blues" a little. There was church in the morning so that meant trying to be out the door soon after 8AM. We grabbed some lunch at Java House on the way home.

Marlin Stoltzfus' hosted a special supper for everyone which isn't normally done here. That made it a little more special.
 Earlier in the week we did take time to do some Christmas cookies.
 Kenyan eating habits:  When you are fed. Eat. eat. EAT. The one place we went to visit, the served us dry bread, rice, and chai. Dean Miller who was along served us the first round and he gave me an appropriate small amount of rice. The host came back in the room and fussed at how little we ate. I allowed myself seconds of rice and the host proceeded to heap on thirds. We were eating plenty in my opinion but he seemed almost offended, wondering if we ate before coming so we wouldn't have to eat his food. "you should want to be fat!!" we are told. Being fat, I guess, is suppose to be a sign of prosperity.And I am amazed over and over how these skinny people tuck away huge amounts of food. Often after Bible Study the hostess will serve a hot drink and something to eat and usually a normal serving is maybe 2-3 cups..be it rice, or whatever.  I had some native sisters cut up chicken for me the native way. It was returned cubed with gristle and bone included. I used it and tried to make it the native way when we had a family from church over. The next time we had church people over I cut the chicken up myself but did my best to skip the gristle and bone. Now there is one fellow from church who seems to be a petty picky eater. He wondered why we took the bone out? What do we do with it? The bone is the best part. He declared. The next time he ate here, Jacob grilled chicken. Chicken is supposed to be special to the natives but I don't think he even tasted it. I was a bit annoyed at him but then realized I am no better. I've been guilty of not eating their chicken either. Tho the flavor was good it just looked too tough to even try biting into. So I guess we need to just be gracious with each other.
 Sometimes we are given things after church. I'm not sure if these are always gifts or if they are to be part of the offering. We've been given bananas, live chicken, jackfruit. etc. The jackfruit...are huge. smell terrible.( At first I thought it was someone's awful smelling feet). have white "glue" in them which is EXTREMELY hard to clean off of things. And I jokingly told my husband he is never allowed to bring one in the house again. The fruit itself isn't that bad tasting and we probably didn't know how to do it up. The gate-men are often the happy recipients of these gifts.
Hannah is presently more interested in learning Dutch than Luo. Most of her friends here talk Dutch with their families. My Luo learning hasn't really been happening except what I hear frequently. One dear old woman from church who can basically speak no English was so happy when I finally got a reply to her correct. She delightedly patted my cheek.
 Pregnancy isn't something really to be discussed it seems. Tho some seem more open about it than others. At Bible study this week, Jacob requested prayer for me as time for baby's arrival nears. I don't think that was really proper. Later one of the women asked me why I don't stay home and only come to church on Sundays. I didn't tell her that Sundays which consist of all the children along, backless benches, and being gone approx. 5 1/2 hours are more tiring than Bible studies which consist of often just taking one or 2 children along, maybe being gone 4 1/2 hrs, and having slightly more comfortable seats (if in someone's home).  The next day I was doing some visitation with Jacob and someone once more admonished me to stay home. I figure I'll stay home more when baby does arrive and I may as well get out while I can.

I took these pictures yesterday while out n about. Jacob needed to verify something at a school for one of the church members. These children were delighted when Joey rolled the window down and waved to them. Later, waiting somewhere again, Joey took this position and told me, "Mommy this is comf-able!"

Today the children had a rather unusual school day. Just for something different, the are having school from like 2:30- 8:30 with supper at someone's house. (Usually they come home for lunch.Maybe I can persuade Jake to take the rest of us out for supper. It feels too hot to even be in the kitchen today) This morning I went for hopefully the last check-up before baby comes. Yes, I've done some extra cleaning, have some meals in the freezer, baby stuff washed, and feeling QUITE ready for the big event. The next picture is of my doctor. It's not unusual for her to sing or hum while she works at her  desk.

All the preschoolers except Mahlon, lounging outside our gate.                                                                                                                   The following is copied from an email from one of the others in the compound :  So we scheduled to meet with the bride and groom of tomorrows legalization at Ahero tomorrow, Tobias Odongo and his non-member bride, Emma. We wanted to go over some procedural things for the service and also just some last minute marital things. Got a call around 11:00 this morning that Emma gave birth to a son this morning at 9:00 but we can still go ahead with meeting them to see what the plans for the wedding are going to end up being. So I go out, pick both Tobias' and several others and we head for the market to find Emma's mother. From there we went to the hospital to see what the bride thinks of the wedding. She wants to go ahead and so the brothers worked with the hospital to have Emma discharged tomorrow for the wedding. We plan to go to the hospital to pick the bride and go directly from there to the church for the wedding followed by a Bible study/reception at Tobias Odongo's home. Imagine! Eric got a good laugh out of today's new mother being tomorrows bride. Let's hope she does not faint.........So..... that's what they did. New baby right up there with the bridal couple and to make matters worse the baby isn't even the groom's. Something about the groom is older and finally his parents found this girl and just moved her right in. He was very against it and after awhile she left only to return again a week or so later. As I understand it, when the ministry met to try to help solve the problem, the groom suddenly decided, whatever, he wants to marry her after all. Tho not married before, she now has three children but that doesn't seem to be a big deal. In fact some men prefer that their woman has a child before marrying them so they know she is capable of such. Can you imagine?   

--

A Bit of November

 Thanksgiving in Africa was a lovely relaxing day. There were a number of visitors from the states and 2 families from out-lying areas joined us. I believe there were around 60 people in all. A large tent was set up in Joseph and Becky's yard. The youth girls did an amazing job decorating an we felt very blessed with all the supplies brought from the states, including paper plates and cups and ham!!
 We also had local steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower salad, cranberry salad, rolls, and delight. mmm such a treat. We played a few games, relaxed, visited, enjoyed a yummy supper, sang, and visited some more. It did rain a short bit in the afternoon, but mostly it was a warm breezy beautiful day.

  The prior Friday we had gone to Mark Beachy's overnight. They live a little over an hour away. We had a very relaxing time with them. For part of our breakfast Saturday morning we walked over to the neighbor lady for some mandazis and watched her a little as she was making them. After lunch we went to the grave- sight of my niece Hadassah Faith Weaver. She would've been 2 if she had lived.  On the way home we crossed the equator again and this time stopped for some pics. Further on we stopped at Willis' duka (our Sunday school teacher) and seemed to delight him by buying some mandazis. I guess he was out of everything else. Or didn't have money to buy what was needed to make the chips he sells sometimes. (Chips are actually like our french-fries.)

Mandazies coming right up!

Joey..center of attention...center of the earth.

little spectators when we stopped at the equator

   On Tuesday my mom flew back to the states. The next day the new "compound maid"Stacy Byler arrived to take Rachel Miller's place.  She will be helping with sewing classes, cleaning, or just helping out where needed in the compound. Each of the single girls here are assigned a family which they join for Sundays. I'm ever so grateful that Stacy will be joining us. Jacob begins his roll as full time minister this coming Sunday. Dean Miller will still have bishop oversight but otherwise Jacob is the only one in the ministry there. Please keep him in your prayers.
 And just a couple of random pictures yet...

My boys watching their Daddy mow lawn.

Kenyan seatbelt 

And that's just a bit of our November. Have a lovely December :)

Bits of Our Lives In Pictures

Josephine making ugali. In the foreground is RoseMary are next teacher

  One day we quit language class an hour or so early and Josephine took over in the kitchen and showed us how to make ugali and skuma. The ugali was simply dumping a bit of water into a pan and bringing to a boil before adding a bit of white cornmeal.( She laughed at us "amerikans" wanting to know measurements.) Then you stir and stir till it sticks together well and there are no lumps. Place on a plate and pat into a nice half -ball. Cover till ready to serve.
The skuma (kale) was fried in oil with onions, tomatoes, and seasoning. You eat them together as finger food. Yum. Inexpensive and healthy. The ugali, especially is a real staple with the natives. We prefer it with some seasonings.

 This next picture is my view from the clinic where I went for a maternity check-up. I was sitting just inside the door. The building you see is a separate hospital and the chicken later got up and wandered into the open door marked "kitchen" and back out again in a bit.>>>

When I came out to see what these 3 wanted, they started singing "Happy Birthday" This was to be my cake :)

  One day Rachel Miller, Mom, Jake, Joshua and I went to the "Animal Market". No, they were not selling animals and I don't know why it is called that. This was a very interesting adventure. The people really wanted to bargain with you. One fellow "trapped" mom in an aisle trying to convince her to buy some sandles. Rachel went to her rescue and I don't think he was to happy about that. How long later we were already up by the road headed back to our vanhe came after her again with the sandals all wrapped up at one more attempt to sell them to her. We did get some good deals but

Little spectator at the market.

it will sure take a bit for me to get used to this bargaining thing!!!!!
This vendor was carving a picture into one of the many beautiful plates that were for sale .

One Friday evening the women had a "foot washing service"...er, "Foot Spa Night". I was just getting over a bout of the flu and was pretty tired but it was a great evening. It's pretty hard on the feet around here and they quickly become (more) stained and callused. We soaked them while enjoying some yummy treats and drinks and then worked on each others feet. Ah, Bliss !! :) 

We are now getting into the rainy season. The other evening there was this beautiful brilliant rainbow arching right over our house. After admiring it abit and watching it get even brighter we noticed a second one over the first. I was not feeling well that day either and this was a special touch and reminder, "His banner over me is love."

Today was the end of our first week of language school with our second teacher. She's not professional like the first and some of it seems abit redundant but it's good review. We often spend the last  part of class with our song books. She translates a song for us and then we sing it. She has some interesting stories sometimes. Like when we had the word "snake", she told how her children found a huge snake in a bush and killed it. Here it was a neighbor man's "pet" (used in witch craft) and how he nearly went out of his mind and had to be hospitalized. I think he kept saying "They killed Me! They killed me!" 

Well, I need to close. Pray for us as we endeavor to learn how to reach those around us. 

~Jan

Tonight I'm trying my hand at Hawaian BBQ chicken pizza. The 2 school teachers plan to join us.

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since we have arrived in Kenya. It seems much longer; not because the time is dragging but rather because so much has been crammed into our days, so much info stuffed into our brains. People's names to memorize, both those at the compound and the natives from church. Names of places, stores, and so much more. It feels like 100s of words a day are supposed to be added to our vocabulary.
  New sights have assailed us. Some are lovely, some fascinating, and some heart wrenching. Gorgeous plants, colorful birds, dirty mud shacks, piki-pikis, friendly faces, and  scarred beggers.
  This weeks focus has been the beginning of language classes. The first day, it seemed the teacher was trying to cram us, testing us, or something. But maybe it was just her way of learning to know us and figuring out our style of learning. Since then she has seemed much more relaxed and tho she might still get a little exasperated at us once in awhile, we are comfortable and frequently laugh together.
 Monday we were learning the numerous different greetings. The morning greeting, general greeting, and evening greeting. Also questions and answers such as, "Where are you from?" "My children's names are..."
 A few sentences from day two :  An japuonjre. (I'm a student.)....Wahero dak Kisumu. (We like to live in Kisumu.).....Jacob en fundi bao. (Jacob is a carpenter.)
 Wednesday was fun learning (or trying to !!!) 35 or so different drink and food names plus many other words to use them with. "Ahero madho chae mar chak gi skari." = " I like to drink tea with milk and sugar."
 Wednesday afternoon Jacob and Mahlon went along to bible study. It is becoming highlight for Jacob, as this gets him into native homes, helps him build relationships with the people, and I'm sure it helps build his vocabulary. It seems he's quicker at picking up on what the teacher is saying than I am.
 Today is my Mom's 65th birthday. The school children came over and sang Happy birthday and some gave cards. One of the lady's brought a plate of cookies down for her. Two others gave her gifts earlier in the week. One of the youth girls had offered to help me with baking or whatever so Sunday I asked her if she'd bake a cake for Mom's birthday. Well, yesterday Mom baked a cake saying that she figured I'd try to do one for her and this would save me the work..haha..so we have 2 cakes coming up. We invited a few people over for a snack/ party for after prayer meeting tonight. So we won't be eating all the cake ourselves:)
 Today in class we were learning kinds of fruit, parts of the day, and a number of verbs, their different forms, ( chulo..to pay. Asechulo...I have paid. Pok gichulo.... They have not paid.) And MANY more.
And now we have some new ideas for the next baby's middle name. We got off on a funny little bunny trail about how Kenyans give their babies middle names. If it's a boy the name will begin with "O" and for a girl, "A" followed by something to do with when or where they were born. So Joey's middle name could've been "Owino" because that means a boy born with the cord around his neck!
 A girl born on the way to the hospital might be "Ayoo". "yoo" meaning on the way :)
Jacob asked what Hannah's would've been since she was born while it was snowing. This was pretty funny because there isn't a Kenyan word for snow. We'd have to go with whatever the word is for "in a time of cold".
 Jacob just got back from running to town. I think he was able to find most of what was on my list except "cream of tarter". Not sure if he didn't know what to look for or if it's a foreign thing.
 Our crazy gas stove has no markings for degrees so we usually just guess for where to set it to bake. Sunday the chicken we stuck in was still partially frozen but till we got home from church it was quite crisp and the veggies were burnt. Mom baked bread yesterday and that turned out pretty good.
 Jacob had lemongrass tea in the one home he was in and wondered about making it. We were informed we have some growing in our back yard. Sure enough. Jake cut some up and used the garden tea recipe we had. Mmmm. Delicious ! I want to make another batch this afternoon for tonight's party.
 One of the most heart wrenching experiences so far was when we were in town last Sat. and a begger came to the window and I didn't have anything to give him. He looked old in a way yet I'm guessing he was a young teen. He had scars on his face and stitches in his head. He was on crutches and the whites of his eyes appeared a diseased brown. "please mama..please mama...please mama" he pleaded with such woeful pleading eyes. The other night when I was awake. I lay there thinking of him again. What could I do ? He haunts me in my memory and I pray someday I can see him again and at least give him a bite to eat. He makes my heart so sad.
 On the same block as the compound (I think. I still don't have directions all figured out.) Is this dirty dingy looking place. For awhile I thought it was a home and maybe it is. How unfair life is that I live on this side of the fence in all our wealth while just down the road are these dirty poor ragged people. Often tho I would see a bunch of extra people eating out there. So I asked someone and discovered this is a "hotel" ( a small restaurant)...hmm, next time we feel like eating out...:)
 Actually tonight I'm hoping to go down the road to another place. Heard we just need to take our own kettle and plate to the roadside stand for a cheap supper of beans and chapat.
 Well, I'd better close. God bless you each in where He has called you!
Well here I am am again...a few days after writing the first part of this epistle. I was waiting to send it until I could add pics but since I'm not used to transfering pictures from the new camera, and hubby is too busy, I will send this without. Sorry.
 Continue to pray for us as we struggle to balance language, family, and everything else going on. This afternoon Jacob is learning more of the business end of things since he will be taking over as compound secretary. There's a lot more to that than what he was expecting. It seems he is studying non-stop.
  May God bless you where He has called you also.  Oriti (good-by) Oh, here are just a few Jake may have shared on facebook....

sunset over Lake Victoria

Jacob doing visitation. The little guy was ok till Jacob picked him up, then he thought he was getting a shot and started crying.

 ~ Jan for the Gingerichs