Jacob's parents, John and Christina Gingerich were here for just over 3 weeks. We packed our days full and I think there was just one day where us women didn't go somewhere. Christina agreed to write for me this time. Thanks Mom !
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       Janice asked me to write her blog and I don't know where to begin! We are really in Africa! We arrived in Nairobi Sept. 6, travel worn and weary but so happy to be here! We thank the Lord He allowed us this wonderful experience. The next morning we had breakfast at Java House, the closest thing to an American coffee shop/cafe here. Then the 5 hour trip to Kisumu began! The main roads are paved but no speed limits are posted. They put speed bumps randomly on the roads and if you are caught unawares the vehicle flies over these bumps, causing loud harumphs and groans from the occupants. Jacob is a good driver and most of the time he is able to spot the bumps.  Driving in Africa is challenging. I noticed extra mirrors on the van and learned they are to help see the left corner and the back end of the van because they drive so close. Brakes are much used and turning on a dime is a must.
 The views between Nairobi and Kisumu are breathtaking. In my 58 years I thought Africa was all desert, hot and sandy. What a surprise to see mountains and greenery everywhere. The only time I have seen anything close to a desert is when we visited The Mara, a resort where you sleep in tents and go on safari rides with a guide. The Savannah is grassland, not really desert either. We were there Sept. 15 - 17. How nice to have our tents furnished with wonderful beds, meals cooked and ready, clean towels and beds made every day. We saw lionesses close up, stood a few feet from a rhino, watched elephants from 10 feet away and listened to hippos grunt and growl through the night. A few monkeys made themselves guests in one of the tents while we were out on safari but thankfully no damage was done. These monkeys were in the yard as we walked by on the sidewalk. The Lord was so good to provide us with animal sightings that even our guide had never seen before. It was a cool, rainy Thursday afternoon when we went out the first time, a bit miserable and hard to see with the sides down on the rover. But a lioness was spotted walking toward what the guide thought was a rock, only to discover it was an ex-wildebeast and the lioness was feasting on it - in daylight! A rare thing indeed! Anthony, our guide called dead animals, ex-so and so which made me smile. Another rarity was seeing another lioness eating a freshly killed zebra. Seeing three elephants and one baby doesn't happen every day or watching a lioness move her three week old cubs from one tree line to another across the Savannah. Ah, what a thrill!
Here at home in Kisumu we keep busy taking care of family needs as well as church needs, buying items and food for the compound pantry, shopping at "Wal-Mart" and the little shops along the roads. Eating chapatis, a tortilla shaped bread, but not as thin, and ugali, a stiff corn meal mush, two staples of the Kenyans along with beans, rice and lots of chicken has been interesting. The first Sunday we were here they had church dedication followed with a meal. No problem until they ran out of plates so they washed or rather rinsed the plates off in cold water and proceeded to fill our plates. The greasy plate still contained red juice from the tomato sauce and I found it hard to eat. John and I both managed to get part of the meal down!
The thing I am most impressed with is the expressions of the Christian Natives. Their faces glow with a peace not seen on others. It makes me tear up just writing about it. Most of the Kenyans are also very friendly. I fear this is becoming a book. You'll find a few pictures below which barely conveys seeing this in person, but we'll give it a try.

a special treat watching this lioness move her 3 week old (approx) cubs

Another exciting spotting.. a lioness with her kill. She was having a hard time trying to drag it further into the bush away from all the observers.

Cape Buffalo. One of The most dangerous animals we saw.

    The two white rhinos are protected 24/7 year around as guards follow them to keep them safe from poachers. Just an ounce of their "horn" is worth many thousand $$s especial in Asia where it's considered medicinal.

visited a Masai village

Our crew back at our "home away from home"

Masai market

Our tents were by the river and we could hear these hippos grunting and bellowing thru-out the night.

Chuliumbo's First Fellowship Meal

  Sunday was the long anticipated Family Seminar Day at our little church in the cow pasture.

Native Bishop Eric Olgwae (?) had the first sermon in the morning on Marriage. It's a blessing to see him and his wife faithful to each other for 31 years. The morning service was followed by our first carry-in meal. Not just a food carry-in, but also jikos, wood and charcoal to burn, water for lemongrass tea, water for washing, and water to make rice and also ugali and cabbage. Tomatoes and onions, and ingredients for other dishes.

Cooks wearing thier lessos

Plates, cups, silverware, tables, and serving spoons, and oil, salt, and basins and  whatever all else. I had made the chicken on ahead, we bought some chapattis, and the rest of the food was made on-sight. 
  On a typical Sunday we may have around 60 people in attendance. So we figured we'd do food for 80. (Seriously, these people EAT !!!!) and hopefully we'd have some visitors. Our attendance this morning was over 100. I'm guessing the free food brought in a bunch of those. A bench can comfortably hold (ok so maybe the comfort part is stretching it a bit) but, oh, maybe 3 adults and 2-3 little children. But on the men's side, the back bench had 7 or 8 men. I had Heidi go ask Jake for one of the empty chairs the ministers use. That gave a little more breathing room for those men till yet another fellow came and squeezed on the bench. Didn't seem to bother them. 
 One fellow who attends frequently seemed to be just a wee bit drunk. At one point the minister asked a question and tho I don't think he was really wanting a verbal answer, one of the old widows started saying something. "Let her talk" the "drunk" yells and the minister complies after which this fellow starts rambling something about his wife leaving him after he became a drunk. The minister kindly replied that he's not quite finished with the message but afterwards someone would be glad to help him (drunk guy). Jeremy (I think that's the drunk guy's name) was become very agitated and soon jumped up and disappeared. Soon he returned, sat down for a little and then grabbed his things and almost ran out of there. Later in the afternoon he returned and "kept score" for some of the games being played which, beings he didn't understand the game and his scores were way off, was a bit annoying.
 But back to the food. Approximately $27 was spent to feed 100-ish people. I told Jake we should challenge the food committee at home to beat that :) The church passed an offering maybe 4 different services to help out with that.
 

Serving lunch. Jake was serving the cabbage and I the chicken. Joshua was sticking close to my side.

We did run out of cabbage and chapattis and the chicken was down to the last spoonful of broth

Starting on the left and going clockwise...rice with "soup" (chicken broth stuff), chicken, cabbage, chapattis, and ugali ( maize flour mixed with sorgum to give it more flavor and it's brown color)
And by the way, most of the "food" pictures are thanks to Stacy Byler.

Heidi and sweet friend

I was delighted that 2 of the women jumped in to help the children play games.

I told Jake I think Joshua and Jediah were about sick of people. Joshua would start screeching when yet another person wanted to pick him up. I finally took Jediah and told the girls I think he'd like to just lay down for awhile but then little Valentine came and just had to keep touching him ;}

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Little Joseph with his swollen leg

Doing up all the fellowship meal dishes

Jake had a good message in the afternoon. Some of the visitors had left but still we had a nice attendance.

After the second service the numbers dwindled some more and mostly it was just some of the regulars left for the games. Jake had brought along can-jam, corn-hole, and also a couple of soccer balls. It was a nice relaxing time and was topped off with a huge pan of pop-corn. It disappeared in no time..I saw some disappearing into a purse also..maybe that was for their children at home. It topped off the day when one of the women exclaimed, "It's like Christmas !"

Jake took a load of the further ones home and some of the rest of us walked to the Chuluimbo stage to wait for his return. While there someone told Joshua "you are my bruther frum anuther muther". Another fellow wanted me to come teach English at his church. Another, whom I believe had been drinking, came and was quizzing me on Israelite Bible history.

 We got home 6-6:30 and still had all the lunch dishes from carry-in to do. No, we didn't use paper plates an the water we could've used at church would've been from a dirty stream. When we went to drop off Brian (25) and his little brother, Joseph, Brian offered to come wash up the dishes for us. BLESS His Heart. So Jake, him, and the children did the dishes while I got some supper, washed up other dishes, an fed baby.

 I need to bring this to a close. A whole week has gone by and it is once again Sunday evening. Today we had a van load here for lunch. One fellow had to get back to go to work this evening so most of them didn't stay long. They did seem so happy to come. The one woman said that all her 56 years she has heard of Millimani (our part of Kisumu)but had never seen it till today.

 Joshua, another young fellow that recently started attending church and lives closer, stayed till Jake got back from taking the others home. When Jake returned, they played some croquet and Gerold Miller's youth came down and hung out awhile too. I popped some popcorn before they all left and Shonda Yoder brought a pan of yummy breadsticks down for us.

 Thanks for stopping by, I need to get some tired little people to bed.

Just a bunch of pictures

WHO NEEDS A U-HAUL ?

 

Waiting for Bile study to begin

Jediah   4 months old  ** Photo credits go to Clarissa Yoder

Thanks Katie Troyer for the adorable outfit !

5 months old

 We took the "water" girls from SMBI to do some visiting one day. Eunice Ombam showed them how to "shell" maize and make chapattis.

good helpers :)

church nursery

Jr. is one of the friendliest little guys at church. His handshake is always more like a hearty whack accompanied by a big smile.

                              A school where Jake passed out some Bible story books.

Loaded up and ready to go. I think this was for an addition on a widows house..?

                        A morning at the park with 11 little people and my friend Glenda (that's her Tiffany with Joshua)

Jake made Chapatis for us, Sunday evening.

  This past Sunday was lovely. If there is a "normal" Sunday this was it. There was church from 10:00-12:10 or so. We dropped off a number of people, and came home. (Stacy wasn't with us this time because she joined some others at a different church.) We actually mostly had left-overs for lunch because it seemed foolish to make more food with all that was in the fridge needing to be used up.(We'd had company Friday evening.) After a restful afternoon we did join some others at Joe Allens for the evening and everyone brought something to eat. I enjoyed my first game of can-jam and Jake and I won. Yah! :)
 It was the first "normal" Sunday we'd had for approximately 8 weeks. Maybe longer. One of those we had a picnic between church and visiting people, one was messed up with taking someone to the hospital after church and I guess we had company all the other Sundays. It kinda all blurs together after awhile. So that's why I was so delighted with last Sunday. The one sad thing was that Joseph and Becky flew out, heading to the states for her Grandmother's funeral.
 Monday was lovely too. The men and women each were to have a meeting so we piled into a couple vehicles and headed about 2 hours away to the Kakamega Forest and a lovely Christian retreat. Oh, the joys of plush furniture, big windows unhindered with bars, of quiet solitude and beautiful nature without the noise and heat of the city. Our morning was taken up (us women) discussing things to stock in the new food pantry, going over some guidelines, and Kay led a discussion on how to best reach the Luo women. During this time we were served hot drinks and cookies by the capable staff. After a late lunch, we hung out in the little chapel and some played games, some of us hiked the path through the forest, took pictures, and relaxed in those comfy couches some more before heading home again.  Jediah was the only child along so I was good and ready to see the rest of my little crew again.
 Tuesday was a busy catch-up day. Stacy helped a lot in the morning with laundry and baking. In the evening was Marlin Stoltzfus' farewell at Deans. Grilled chicken, baked beans, chips, chapattis, potato salad, bars and watermelon were thoroughly enjoyed.
 Wednesday mornings I like to keep fairly relaxed with a full afternoon with Bible study. A bit of the morning there were 5 little boys and 5 little girls playing around here. One last fun day before Lanisha and Jerlyn, their little friends leave. Bible study was at Willis and Sarah's place. On the way home I'm sure we had close to 25- 30 people stashed/ stacked in the van. Stacy and I wanted to count as they got out later but when we dropped them off a drunk came up to the van and was trying to talk to us so that was a bit distracting.

Tried to get a photo of the load but it didn't turn out so well

The children at a museum the other Monday for family day. We enjoyed going with Linford and Kay Borntrager

Visiting in Angeline's house.

 Jake wanted me to go out visiting with him today but it seemed most of the compound was out n about today and we decided it'd be best if I just stay home with the children. Joey did ride along with him then. Church is canceled for tonight and I'm glad for a free evening. This week has been alot more relaxed than some and I'm enjoying that even tho I do enjoy the busy weeks too. We'd been averaging company twice a week and just maybe this week will slip by without any..fat chance :)

not a real good picture but this is old Asmond whom Jake has been keeping a close eye on and helping to doctor back to health.

 These were taken at the Rondo Retreat in the Kakamega Forest

                                               Bread Anyone??

One evening our family and some visitors sang this song when the compound was together. It was our theme song before we left and continues to be an encouragement to me. There's more to it but this is the first verse and chorus:
                                                                 He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His Mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His Love has no limit, His grace has no measure;
His power has no boundaries known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
                                   -Annie Johnson Flint
If you want to hear more of Life in Kisumu, head over to " Kisumu Yoders" and enjoy their blog :) 

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 :)