BAPTISMAL DAY


Last Sunday we had water baptism for four ladies at the Kajulu church. There is a continous instruction class going on and when applicants get to a certian point and meet all the CBF requirements they qualify for baptism. It's a special day for them and their families. Three of these ladies are widows and the other one was deserted by her husband. Two are elderly and two are young. They often wear white to be baptized if they chose to or can afford a nice white dress. Bishop Merle Beachy perfomed the baptism.

The pastor's wives, waiting to greet the newly baptized, Mattie Kauffman, Sue Beachy and Rosanna Helmuth.

The church members greeting the ladies.

Pauline, Judith, Judith and Historia

Many widows take in orphans and are supported by the Agape Orphans program. It's a nice income for them and it encourages them to reach out and help the needy. Some of these ladies are quite old and some of the ophans are their own grandchildren and relatives.

Our thoughts and prayers have been with the Olen and Emily Wingard family with the recent death of their lovely 16 year old daughter, Stephanie. The family lives in Thomas, Oklahoma and Stephanie was killed in Lott, Texas due to a motorcycle accident. I am related to both Olen and Emily through my father's side. (My father was born in Thomas,OK) Stephanie was one week older than our second daughter, Monica. She would have been 17 years old in October. Mourning her death are her parents and three younger brothers.

Life continues to be very busy...we are greatly anticipating the conclusion of our language classes in about 7 days. Glen and Rosanna Helmuth, Galen and Melody, whom we're replacing, will be leaving next Monday for America. The Kajulu church had a farewell for them last Saturday (watch next post). This week the two units are meeting in Nakuru for 2 days for the usual Unit meeting. On Saturday we have a native wedding at Kajulu. It's a rarity with all the typical leagalizations that generally takes place and excitement is running high. In fact the couple had too many people planning the wedding for them and pastors had to step in and organize and give some guidelines. These Kenyans are truly interesting people....:)

The weather as of yet is perpetually the same. Beautiful mornings and nice warm days with low humidity cooling down in the evening. There are covers needed at night. The last three years have been rather dry and crops are poor again this year. The locals are predicting El Neno this Fall. Maybe it's wishful thinking...I don't blame them. If your crops don't grow, you don't have food. It's that simple! Sugar cane, a main crop source, is being rationed. The government is also beginning to ration electricity. So far electric is off once a week (yesterday, thus the late blog) and there is talk of maybe having it off 2-3 days every week. Sorta makes it difficult for Americans who depend on it. At least every stove has 2 gas burners and the water runs out of storage tanks.

Mattie Kauffman