THANKSGIVING DAY IN KENYA

On Thanskgiving Day, the Nakuru group joined us Kisumu folks in celebrating our thanks to our Lord who provides for us. In this country, we are especially aware of this. It was encouraging to get together without any meetings to attend or issues to wrangle through. It was totally a social day, for most of us anyway. Even though it's a lot of work for the women who ususally end up with mounds of food preparation, we were refreshed and are ready to head back to the field. The Nakuruites stayed for the night and drove back on Friday. Raymond and Lana Sue Fisher and family came to visit his brother Lee and family in Nakuru. (Raymonds had served there 4 years about 5 years ago.) They brought along beef brisket and ham for our Thanksgiving meal. Steve Eshes provided the ham. That was very special to us who resort to eating mostly chicken because other meat is so expensive. We were just sorry we couldn't store it in the stomach and chew the cud later.


Our Kenyan cornucopia. This country produces many very good fruits and vegetables. This was arranged by Kim Beachy. She certainly did a good job; it must be she learned it from her mother.

Awaiting the noon meal. For you non-Lancaster folks, this is Abby Fisher and Mel Beiler. Merv Peachey has his back turned.

Jonathan and Lavonna Martin welcomed the group under a tent in their front yard. Jonathan had some interesting trivia questions as to where Thanksgiving originated and by whom. It's been long enough, the generations following need to be reminded how God cared for those early pioneers in those difficult days. We do have a goodly heritage, another thing that is unfortunately lacking for many people here. But God is good and He knows what He's doing. He sent those that know to share with those that don't know.

In the heat of the day, it's almost too warm to play volley ball. The young people instead played games in Merles yard. The corn toss game, made by Jonas Beiler's son Mike, was a big hit. There was also croquet and hill-billy golf. Later in the evening the youth did play volley ball. Personally, it will be a long time before I get tired of watching volley ball or soft ball. The bifocal stage sorta took care of playing, but it's still fun watching. I now understand how my mother could spend hours watching her children play.

Black Friday is non-existant in Kenya and we didn't miss it. In fact, Thanksgiving Day is also non-existant. We do put up with other unfathomable holidays, Asian, Muslim or otherwise. Christmas is a holiday that seems to be celebrated world wide in some way or form.

The weather is warming abit. Mornings are beautiful with a consistent temperature of 67-70 degrees. During the day it's in the mid to upper 80's with a low humidity. The energy of people and animals shuts down and they lethargically walk to wherever they are going.

Thanks for your support and letters. Continue to pray for the work in Kenya. Sam and I are beginning to go through another round of baptismal interviews. The churches are growing....it's very rewarding, it also never ceases to amaze us; that wherever there are people there are problems. Someday.....some wonderful day....if we are faithful, we will be removed from this curse of sin.

Mattie Kauffman

OUR KISUMU HOME
part two


Monica learned to operate a SINGER treadle sewing machine. It's a very nice feature to have when the electric is off. We use these in our native ladies sewing classes. Every week 2-3 ladies come for their classes in the carport or out at the church. Many of you women from the Amish background learned to sew on these machines, as did I. It's good for our daughters to make this heritage connection.

Outside the back kitchen door is the wash line. This area is much smaller than you think. We have enjoyed many days of BLUE Kenyan skies and the laundry dries very quickly.

We have around 75 chickens that supply eggs for all us missionaries. Miriam delivers the eggs to whomever is designated for that day.

David and Myrna gathering eggs.

Also some of you have been asking what we "eat" in Kenya. We do live in Kenya but we do not eat much like the Kenyans do. Maybe we should. It's not all rice and beans and ugali, although we enjoy that when we visit their homes. They have unique seasonings and the flavor is delicious, cooked over an open fire. OUR menu has changed very little. Most things you can buy here as in America. Most dishes have to be made from scratch which takes more time; even something like 'çream of chicken soup' has to be made. Vegetables and fruits are brought in by a native church sister every Wednesday. The tropical fruit we enjoy immensely...pineapples, mangoes, passion fruit and bananas. Because of the constant summer atmosphere, most of us have become abit leaner.

The days pass quickly in Kenya and we forget seasons are changing because there really isn't a change in seasons. We have adjusted to the routine of mission and compound life. Every Monday, the pastors have an all morning meeting. On Tuesdays we often go visiting or attend to some need. Bible Study comes every Wednedsay afternoon. On Thursday, I have sewing classes and Sam may do business or visit a church brother. Every Thursday evening, the compound meets for singing and prayer. It's the only time we gather as a group because on Sundays we have our respective churches to go to. There are occasional Sunday evening activities that we take turns hosting. On Fridays, we go visiting again. Saturdays, we try to stay at home and prepare for Sundays. This all varies abit. Sometimes the needs are more intense than other times. The work is rewarding but not easy. We didn't know we needed FBI training before coming here. We do have a connection with the "Head FBI", so our concerns can be left in His hands.

The last two weeks, a few of us have been stricken with flu and grippe, but we have recovered farily well.

Sam and Mattie Kauffman family

AMA KENYA COMPOUND
OUR KISUMU HOME
(part one)

Many of you have been requesting pictures of the surroundings of our Kenyan home. This will give you an idea but as you know pictures do not do justice.

The compound has one main gate with a gateman as guard 24/7. Inside the compound are approximately 12 houses along one main gravel street. We missionaries live in seven of these houses. Each house is located inside a mini compound with another gate and a hedge as a wall all around. Most of these houses are similiar duplexes and have servants quarters in the rear. Two of these servants quarters are made into cute apartments with Sarah Esh living in ours and Rosalie Beiler in Tommy Waglers. Tommys share a duplex with us. Ivan Peacheys quarters is the school, Merle Beachys the clothing room, Joseph Hostetlers the storage area for books, supplies, etc. Josephs also have the water purifier where we get our drinking water. Jonathan Martins quarters is a guest house and the Agape headquarters. John and Barbie Glick live in a entirely different style house with no quarters (or servants).



Tommy's gate is to the right and ours the left. All our homes are supplied with a rugged 4-wheel drive Toyota van or cruiser.

A view of the front. These homes are typical tropical one story bungalows. Small lizards run freely but are harmless except to startle a person. I'm thankful there aren't many spiders...maybe the lizards take care of them.

The veranda by the front door. Sam and I are having a Sunday afternoon coffee break. We also enjoy our 6:30 morning devotions here. The temperature is consistantly around 69-72 degrees. We do find the lizards like to hide underneath these wicker chairs.

The left side of the house with very small garden and chicken quarters. We planted sweet corn on Monica's and Daniel's 10-24 birthdays, which is something we never did before. Maybe it will be ripe around New Years day. Maybe......the rains have been coming but the plants do not always mature for what reason...only God knows. On the left side of this picture (not pictured) is the compound shop. All of us, use the tools, and Jevon Beachy and Jason Peachey service the vehicles here.

KENYAN MISSION ACADEMY
part two


Miss Rosalie and her students singing in morning devotions. The two boys in back are Jamin and Matthias Peachey, Myrna, Rebekah Peachey, Miriam and David. Cedric with back turned.

In grade 2, Cedric Wagler is son of Tommy and Marji.

Listening to Matthias' book report. Jamin and Myrna are the only ones in the same grade (4th). They are only 5 days apart in age.

A concentrated look from David. It must have been an interesting book!

Next year we'll have 5 more students. Cheyanne Wagler, Micah Peachey and Derek Bender will be in first grade. Joining Jamin Peachey and Myrna in 5th will be Alex Bender. Amanda Bender will be in 7th grade with Rebekah Peachey. My brother Martin Bender and his wife, Kristy, and family have consented to come a serve here at the mission under Agape . They are planning on coming next Spring from LaMonte, MO. They will be replacing Jonathan and Lavonna Martin who will be terminating next summer. Martin and Kristy have 1 daughter and 4 energetic sons. This will add to the already dominant little boy population. :)

We thought our children's friends would enjoy this posting of what school is like in Kenya. Continue to pray and send notes.....

Mattie Kauffman

KENYAN MISSION ACADEMY
part one

The name sounds sophisticated, doesn't it? It's our small school in which we try to teach our children the principles of the Bible and academics we need in today's world. In our Kisumu, Kenya mission there are only seven students this year. We use the CLE individualized system, which seems to work best for the variety of grades and students. Rosalie Beiler, from Lancaster, PA, is the teacher and supervisor. Even though the students aren't many, she needs to have a wide range of flexibility in knowledge and meeting emotional needs. It's a challenge with Phys. ed.


Monica, age 17, felt inspired to work on her own and is trying to finish high school this year. She awakes early (6:00) in the morning and goes to the backyard thatched-roof gazebo where she enjoys morning birds, cackling chickens and dewey hedge flowers. The gazebo was bee infested at first and one day, with the help of a spraybomb and her flipflop , she killed 24 bumblebee-like borer bees. You could call it her science project. She likes to be finished till noon, leaving her free to be a "missionary".


Daniel, age 15, is going through the DVD Abeka 9th grade program. He also tries to arise early and get his schooling done till noon, freeing him to help with various jobs and food deliveries. He works in the office where Mom/teacher can supervise.

At 8:20, the children head out our gate and down to the end of the street where school is stationed behind Ivan Peachey's house.

The entrance to the school. Ivans have a big back yard in which the children play.

PASTOR SAM OTIENO

Long after Pastor Sam Kauffman has passed from the scene, baby Pastor Sam Otieno will wonder who this man was he was named after. Thomas and Joyce Oda named their little son after their pastor. We had heard natives of Kenya do this in honor of people they respect, but still it's abit unnerving. Our names are important to us, and to have a child named after us is honoring and humbling to say the least. Thomas and Joyce are faithful members in Kajulu and now have six children. Tom is an Agape Orphan supervisor in the Kajulu area. His mother, Monica and several younger siblings come to church as well. Joyce has a sister, Mary and brother, Joseph, who also attend. Family connections like these make church life more meaningful and special.




Pastor Sam with Baby Sam, along with the parents, Joyce and Thomas Oda. What a fortunate little one to have Christian parents!
Born October 3, today was Baby Sam's first Sunday in church.

The Kajulu church setting after services. Mary, sister to Joyce, is pictured on the left in light green. She is walking toward her husband, Paul, who is walking toward her. The girl on the right in yellow is Thomas' little sister, Millicent. She is a good friend to Myrna.

This posting will be rather short since we have a busy week coming up. Tomorrow we have the unit chicken butchering and on Tuesday will be the joint unit meetings held in Nakuru this time. We have gotten ourselves into a busy schedule which will be explained in more detail as time goes on.

"El Nino" seems to have arrived and is bringing more than usual overcast skies and sporatic rains. This area is not nearly as dry as some, but the rains are welcome. It means FOOD!

We appreciate all the prayers offered in our behalf and we thank you for the notes in letting us know. We need much wisdom and discernment. There seems to be no end to the needs that arise and difficult situations we face.

Sam and Mattie Kauffman