A POLYGAMIST'S FUNERAL

Lucas Odewa was a polygamist. He had 3 wives. His first wife, Mama Monica is a member of our church. In Kajulu's early days, Lucas, also was interested in coming but found it difficult to give up his wives and alcohol. He also was involved in witchcraft which makes it more understandable why his son, Thomas Oda, was involved. We would ocassionally meet Lucas with his walking stick when we visited the Kabonya mountains. He always had a friendly wave of his hand.

Recently, Lucas became ill and died. Since he had no church affiliation, his wife Monica asked us to do the funeral service.Typically, funerals are held at the home and the body is buried behind the house. Since some of the children lived a distance away, it took some time to get them together. The body was held at the morturary for almost 2 weeks. In this heat...... you can imagine...The funeral was on Sunday, October 24. It was also Monica's 18th birthday and Daniel's 16th. A memorable day.....




The home is situated at the rugged foothills of the mountains. A tent was set up among the bushes and small trees. For the first couple hours many friends and relatives give testimony mostly in Luo and it becomes long and boring. After our Sunday morning service, nearly ALL the church people traipsed the 3 miles up to the home. Mama Monica was rather overwhelmed with all the love and support.

Last of all, the remaining spouse gives testimony. Pictured is Mama Monica speaking and Joshua Ochieng interpreting.

Thomas Oda is the oldest son. Recently excommunicated for adultery,lying, witchcraft and theft, he is a miserable, dejected wretch. Pray for this man and his family! His wife, Joyce, wants to return to the church with their 6 children. Thomas has moved to town living a prodigal life. Millicent is the youngest daughter. She loves attending church with her mother and is a good friend of Myrna.

The burial took place behind the house. The grave wasn't very deep and there was no rough box. You just buried it and it didn't matter how. The sons of Lucas refused to help, so young ambitious church boys covered the grave.
Later the church people went to the neighboring home of Johannes andTeresa for a meal.

Last Sunday, we had Communion at Kajulu. Hearing a first-time communing member express himself was heart-warming. He just had never seen anything like this! The feet washing is truly a cleansing experience. The water really does get dirty.

Yesterday, the CBF churches entered a new phase of ordaining a native bishop. John Amondi was ordained at the Ahero Church. There are numerous native pastors but Merle Beachy had oversight over all 8 churches.

Sam's aunt Mary (95) passed away in Lancaster, PA. She and herhusband, Aaron King, would have celebrated 74 years of marriage this coming Thanksgiving. Aaron turned 100 years old this past August. Rather interesting becoming a widower at 100. May God give him grace to accept this change.

We look forward to the visit of Hosea and Bernice Troyer around Thanksgiving and Aaron and Esther Lapp the first of December.

Mattie Kauffman

LELA CHURCH
(level lands)

On October 17, we as a family decided to visit the Lela Congregation. Most of the people attending live in these level lands where the rice fields grow. John and Barb Glick pastor this church which began in Spring of 2009. Many of you remember the beating of Gene Beachy and Ken Miller a number of years ago. This took place in this hostile anti-CBF area of Lela. Now there is a growing church here. Interesting!



In April, 2009, John and Barb Glick left their Lancaster County home serve in Kenya. Most of their 7 sons are either married or on their own. The youngest one is still at home caring for the farm. John has been ordained to the ministry for 35 years and they currently are members at the Pequea Amish Mennonite Church. John and Barb have adapted well to Kisumu and are doing a good job living in with the compound family and serving the people at Lela.



The small church building consisting of poles and a tin roof is located at the home of Pius (center). He and his wife, Pamela, are very active members. Pius is also an Agape supervisor and has a heart for orphans. Besides caring for their own 4 children; they also make a home for approx. 20 orphan children. Some of these are supported by CAM but others he supports personally. Many people love this happy, congenial man with a big heart.

This must be the season for the Weaver birds. Surrounding the church structure are a few trees loaded with nests and hundreds of chirping birds. You had to concentrate to hear the message, the birds were so noisy! But when we sang, we just joined them and praised the Lord together.

Peter and Benter Ochieng family walking to their home. The flat lands are subject to flooding in rainy season. Johns often have to walk abit to get to church because deep ruts detain them from arriving with their van.

Lucas Odewa, husband of Monica and father of Millicent (youngest dau) and Thomas Oda(oldest son), has died. He had been sick for a few weeks and finally was admitted to the Russian hospital with a diagnosis of Typhoid and diabetes. Lucas had been intersted in the CBF church eariler but didn't think he could give up his multiple wives. Since he didn't have any church affiliation, his wife asked us to be in charge of the funeral. This took place yesterday.

Mattie Kauffman

AND LIFE GOES ON...

Life in Kenya has reached a normal routine and we enjoy the work. Like in 'Amedica' your schedule can turn into a rat race....aye here....with real rats and real races! (Daniel still continues to catch rats in the chicken house before they reach the pantry. Simba, the dog, loves to dig into them them when Daniel routes them out. 63 total now, including babies)

You haven't heard from us in awhile?...well, busyness and discouraging internet service was part of the reason. Tommy Wagler checked into another company that provides faster service and even cheaper ...yeah!! Other than that it was low motivation. For almost a month, numerous ones of us were struggling with low grade fevers. Sam has recovered from his problem and feels better than he has for a long time.




Some of Kenya's beauty; this is our back yard with the thatched roof gazebo and hibiscus and plumeria flowers. The light rains are coming and foilage is green and lovely. Currently, we have sweet corn and green beans growing in the garden.

Not far away is the ugly side of Kenya although not every place looks like this. Next to Nakumatt (blue roof in back-our Wal-Mart) lies this literal 'landfill'. We drive past this several times a week and you never quite get used to it. Humans, animals, and large birds go rooting through this constantly in search of some...treasure or food. It's must be amazing what you resort to when you are VERY hungry.

This is our milkman. Joseph delivers milk from Nehemiah Farms into the compound every morning. All you need is a tuk tuk and some old-fashioned milk cans. The milk is good and fresh and we like it better that bagged milk. Joseph is a congenial type of fellow and loves to give rides..hence the crowd of children. :) It brings back childhood memories of how my siblings and I would stalk the gas man in hopes of getting some chewing gum.

These are not the brick layers, but the brick makers. Jason, Jevon, Matthias and Daniel keep working at making bricks; actually they're blocks by mixing sand, gravel and concrete. This is for building the Oroba school and they need 2500 blocks. Only one is made at a time and it's will take some time. It's a good job for teaching energetic young men patience and perserverance.

School is back in session with Rosalie Beiler and Martina Kauffman teaching the 12 students. Daniel often goes down over noon to help play fun games of scatterball. The ages range from first grade to tenth. What a challenge for the youngsters to tag the big guy!

As far as the churches; the pastors have recently worked through some heavy issues and continue to work on more. God gives us strength when it's needed. We desire so much wisdom and it's amazing how it's given when the need arises. Sometimes it takes some diligent prayers....it can be so frustrating but we need to remember it's as simple as trying to help souls make heaven or hell decisions. Even one of our native pastors was silenced after he was caught stealing books from the literature room in the compound. We have no idea how long this was going on. May God help us all....the end is coming soon and Satan is busy seeking whom he can devour. Stay alert, fellow Christians! Beware of apathy!

Mattie Kauffman

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010

LIFE IS RANDOM

The days roll by and we wonder if we are getting ‘ done the work' God called us to. It's summertime and school vaction is in process. It's Kenya's coolest time of year and it really IS abit chilly! The rest of you have been sweltering in the heat but here we see many wrapped in lesos and many are sick. The Tommy Wagler family has returned from a 2 month furlough to the states and so has Rosalie Beiler, our school teacher. This means school will begin soon and the students are ready. Being confined in a compound doesn't provide for much activity other than washing dishes, sweeping floors and hanging up laundry "ALL THE TIME!" (David and Myrna)

A day after Daniel's and Miriam's baptism, Sam had something "come over him". His walking became unsteady and his eyes didn't focus properly. The right eyelid drooped......oh my! The next 2 days we spent in and out of the Aga Khan hospital doing tests. We sorta came up empty. The doctor told us to wait a few weeks to see how things improve. It has some...the reading has returned and he can drive again but something still isn't quite right. The body has weakened and the focusing needs improving. On Wed we are planning to go to Eldoret (2+ hrs) and have an MRI done to see what's happening in the innermost part of the brain. A young native brother, Samson Otieno, will be riding along with us and is also having a test done. He's from the Nyagondo church and suffers from a strange paralysis. Pray for us as we go. This is not a smooth 2 hour drive in the states, but 2 hours of pot-holed roads and crazy taxi drivers.

Pastor Sam holding Pastor Sam. This is the second of three named after their pastor. :) This one is a grandson of Jennifer Juma, one of our widow ladies. She's a happy, smiley lady and so is this baby.

Little Franklin Bender (1 1/2) doesn't meet a stranger. He loves the native Kenyans and tries to talk to them. Here he is trying to inspect Mama Alice's cell phone hanging around her neck. She doesn't speak a word of English and he doesn't speak much of anything yet, but they communicate.

The Kabonya church sisters, Ziatune, Elida, Millicent and Helen. This means they live in the same mountain area. Helen (right) had been excommunicated for fornication; eventually she confessed her sin and came back into the church on proving. She struggles with her drunkard husband. Pauline, a church widow, was also excommunicated for wearing immodest clothing and fornication. They now both left the church and are "free" they say....to do what? To do as they please for awhile...until AIDS captures them.....pray for these women. Living in a very loose environment, these things are difficult for women who have not been taught the virtues of purity. What do you expect if your mother did the same thing? Only with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can you stand. They both have small children who watch and listen....oh my! May God help them!

Thomas and Joyce Oda were also excommunicated for numerous issues, including wife beating and witchcraft. Can you imagine a brother in your church beating his wife?! God arranged that this would happen to expose other things. The issues were heavy but the church helped in making the decision of excommunication. They have a family of 6 nice children and all attend church. the baby's name is also Pastor Sam) Thomas is an Agape administrator in that area and has much to lose financially. It could get ugly...since there is witchcraft involved, pray for the protection of the church people.... and we missionaries. It can get depressing doing this kind of work. But discipline needs to be done so others can walk straight! (Remember? .... having a sibling spanked helped you behave better!) The church is more upbeat and happier because of it. Interesting how that psychology works.

Matthias and Jason Peachey and Daniel building church benches for the growing Nyagondo Church. They buzzed and sawed all week and finished with 25 benches. It was a job well done and they had a good time doing it. Last Sunday we attended the Family Seminar/Commissioning at Nyagondo and there were several hundred in attendance. It's an hour and half drive out toward the Uganda border. The hunger is great and the people want to know the truth. Who will tell them? Truly the fields are white with harvest and the laborors are few. The next posting will have more.....

Yesterday my father, Glenn Bender, turned 70 years old. He has been a minister of the gospel for almost 48 years and bishop 44 years. We nine children owe much to our father for the godly heritage and influence he has given us. He has been strict, but kind and many young people love him. Father's vision and energy has not diminished much...they and 8 other families are beginning a new outreach in Auburn, Nebraska in the next few months. Nebraska is basically a new frontier for the plain Anabaptist churches. In just the recent years has the state allowed private schools. Years ago the "Nebraska Amish" moved to Belleville, PA because of this issue.

Tomorrow Aaron King will be 100 years old. His wife, Mary, (Sam's aunt) is 95. They will celebrate 74 years of marriage in November. Did they see many changes? Not many couples in our churches have been together that long. Mose and Cora Yoder from Leon, IA will be married 74 years next Spring. They are grandparents of Rachel, married to brother Dwight Bender.

Mattie Kauffman

Posted by Sam and Mattie Kauffman Family at 7:28 AM

A LIFE'S SPECIAL DAY
part two


The instruction class (left to right)
Conslata Omoba, Joseph Juma, Millicent Auma, Rose Juma, Mary Anyongo, Daniel Kauffman, Miriam Kauffman
Many applicants prefer to wear white dresses for Baptism and Communion.

The pastors greeting the people after the services. There are always many children going through the line first.
Sam and Mattie Kauffman, Merle and Sue Beachy and Martin and Kristy Bender

Millicent-15 and Miriam-13 were a great support to each other during the instruction class period.

"Thank you to all our friends for your prayers!"

Martina-19, Miriam-13, Daniel-15, Monica-17

We are just doing okay!

Sam Kauffman family

A LIFE'S SPECIAL DAY
part one

Most of us remember the day we were baptized, what age we were and the special meaning it had for us. A public expression to serve our risen Saviour. At a young age, we had a great zeal and desire to firmly stand and give God our all.....but not everyone will remain faithful to the end. Will you....? or won't you?

Last Sunday, in this foreign country of Kenya, Daniel and Miriam pledged their hearts to living a Christian life. They missed being baptized with their friends back home, but somehow this special experience on the mission field will be forever imprinted upon their memory. The class of seven was made up of the young and old, ages 13-62. In addition to Daniel and Miriam, there was a married couple, Joseph and Rose Juma, widow Conslata Omoba, Mary Anyongo, and Millicent, daughter of Jennifer Juma.



Bishop Merle Beachy asking the class their questions of committment.

Tom Ogema, the interpreter, Merle Beachy and Sam Kauffman.
It was special for Sam to assist in Daniel's and Miriam's baptism. In 1960, (50 years ago) Sam was baptized in a class of 26 people. It was his father's (Elam Kauffman) first baptism after being ordained bishop. He served as bishop at Weavertown for 20 years.

We even had a few relatives attend this event. Here is Martin Bender with his 4 sons. Chad Stoltzfus, a cousin from PA, was also visiting. The compound youth also attended, namely Kim and Jevon Beachy, Jason, Abigail, Matthias and Rebecca Peachey and Kathryn Hostetler. Later we had them all for lunch at our house.

A view of the audience. Note the lesos (wraps). It was chilly and it even rained which rarely happens mornings. It's the cool time of year since the sun is furtherest north. We felt a pity for our friends wallowing in snowbanks last winter and now again trying to stay cool in the sweltering heat. The temperatures here consistently stay in the 80's with low humidity.

Stay tuned for part two:

KENYAN EXPERIENCES

Part one

Even though life seems to be quiet in Kenya, it's far from the truth. We have been very busy, with some things pleasant and other things not so pleasant.

Martin and Kristy Bender (and Amanda-12) finished their language classes. What a relief! This will give them more devoted time to their Agape work, but alas, where is the time? There are needs here and needs there.....the destitute widows need attention and that well needs fixin'...at 41 years, Martin still has plenty of the bouncing energy and determination I well remember from childhood days.

On June 23, Amos and Sarah Kauffman (Sam's brother) and Chad and Cheryl Stoltzfus (niece and nephew) arrived after the long flight to Kenya. The cousins were so happy to see each other. Our children and Chad and Cheryl are the tail-enders of the Kauffman cousins and they have spent much time together in the past. They have numerous cousins older than their mother.
We had been waiting to visit various areas until 'Amoses come' so we had a full schedule ready for them! :) But visitors do need a few days to adjust to the time change...... meanwhile John Glicks left for America for son Laverne's wedding and plan to return in 3 weeks.
On Sunday evening, we had the compound at our house with Amos speaking and later shared snack foods together. That's always an enjoyable time.

On Monday morning early, an excited bunch headed out for Masai Mara, the game reserve in southern Kenya. It's a 5-6 hour drive with the last couple hours being all bumps. What a neck-jarring, eye-twittering ride......whew!!... but that's where the animals are! Amazing the creatures God made and how some eat each other. We saw a zebra 'kill' done by a lioness, the migration of wildebeastes, hundreds of sinister water buffaloes, lumbering elephants with their babies, the hoity-toity secretary birds, etc, etc. We stayed at a lodge within the reserve for 2 nights. There was a walkway from the lodge area to a pond where we could observe hippo activity. Upon walking back to their cabin one night, Cheryl and Monica got spooked by a hippo grazing close to their door. They are quite dangerous animals, locals say.

On July 1, former missionaries, Mark and Esther Kuepfer, Ruth, Tim and TJ arrived with Kathryn Hostetler, who is replacing Sarah Esh. On Thursday morning, Sam and Amos visited Joseph Omulla (church brother) to see his maize field. In the afternoon, Joshu and Millicent invited us for chai and chapatis. These are special times in the native's homes. On Friday, we did a baptismal interview with a lovely couple, Joseph and Rose Juma. It's an hour's drive to their house in the plains. Joeseph alreadyhas two sisters in the Kajulu church. They have 5 children but it's too far to bring them. They are very dedicated and are asking for a church in their area. On Saturday, we saw the Agape food drop at church, went to visit elderly Daudi and Perez, living on the mountian with the baboons. On the way back, Jenipher, a church sister, served us 'Pastor Sam's lemon grass tea' and mandaazis.

On Tues, the unit from Nakuru arrived for joint unit meetings. On Wed, we had the church slashing (compound cleaning). On Thur, we spent a relaxing day at beautiful Jenipher's Gardens. Early Friday, most of us went out on Lake Victoria for a boat ride to see more hippos and birds. That evening we said good-bye to Amos and Sarah and Cheryl. They flew out of our local Kisumu airport. I hope they had a good time and that we didn't wear them out. Amos said, he now knows what we do in Kenya.

Chad will be staying until the end of the month. He is getting into various jobs of helping harvest maize for a church brother, painting a church roof, loading Agape food parcels, trimming the perpetual growing hedges. There is yet a chicken butchering, cleaning chicken houses, painting a carport.....this past week the youth boys, Jevon Beachy, Jason and Matthias Peachey, Tim and TJ Kuepfer, Daniel and Chad spent a night in Nakuru Park, a smaller game reserve....they get to play sometimes....afterall, all work makes them dull boys. (No work makes them fidgety and they do silly things on the computer.)

On Sunday, the 25th of July, we are anticipating a baptismal service at Kajulu. There are 7 in the instruction class that are anticipating baptism, including Daniel and Miriam.

Chad with little Darrel (son of Paul & Mary Omino) and Franklin Bender.

Jevon Beachy agreed to take the Kauffman cousins for a hike up to Monkey Stone, a high point on the mountain range. Only the boys made it to the very tippy top, since it wasn't the best for girl's skirts.

On July 7, we had the church compound cleaning and a farewell for Sarah Esh. She served here a total of four years and 'good-byes' were difficult knowing paths with some friends may never cross again. This past Thursday, she left Kenya and flew to TN to teach school in her home area of Greenville, TN.

Amos and Sarah Kauffman at Kiboko Bay, a restaurant by Lake Victoria.

Currently we are going through some heavy-duty church issues and we are asking the people of God to pray. The meetings get long and tiring. Thomas and Joyce Oda are being confronted with some questions they keep lying about. Some Kenyans will lie until they are backed into a small, tight corner and can't lie anymore. Pray that they can SEE that lying is sin! Sometimes lying is worse than the sin if there is such a thing. There appears to be wife beating, witchcraft, embezzling Agape money and adultery involved. They finally admitted to one. Please pray, we know God answers prayers. Thomas and Joyce have a nice family of six children and they all attend church. Pastor Sam is the baby. Pray for the children. Pray for the church youth that they can remain faithful. It's difficult living a Christian life without having the teaching from childhood.

On the bright side: Brother Nehemiah Otieno found himself a prospective bride! He's 41 years old and has a handicap from polio. Millicent Akinyi is 25 years old and comes from the Chiga area. We have been involved in the traditional dialogues that marriages require according to Luo culture. Her family gives her their full blessing and aren't even asking for dowry. Millicent has moved into the area and beginning tomorrow she will be attending our church. They both decided they would prefer if she becomes a member before they get married. So we are looking forward to another wedding in 6-8 months, if all goes well.

Sam and Mattie Kauffman

Part two

More photos


Amos and Sarah enduring some haggling at the Animal Market. The names stems from the many wooden animal sold there. The vendors put forth great persuasions in trying to separate the tourist from his money. (note the hands in pockets)

At Masai Mara, we discovered this monkey likes bananas.

Daniel, the American and Daniel, the Masaai

Hippos, babies and all

VISITOR'S BLESSINGS

A few weeks ago, my only sister, Miriam Bender, and a cousin's daughter, Marlene Miller, came to visit us in Kenya. (Marlene's father Howard Miller, is a year younger than I and we grew up together.) What fun we had showing Miriam and Marlene the sights, sounds and smells of Kenya! Only previous visitors and missionaries understand why we include the smells. :) Like many others before them, they discovered the time was a just a little too short....other than joining us in our regular routine, we did some visiting, a baby was born in church during their stay, they even helped us do our Spring house cleaning.

MARLENE MILLER AND THE 2 ORPHANS SHE SPONSORS

After being here over a week, Marlene rather casually mentioned that she sponsors some orphans in Kenya somewhere; a boy and a girl named Joshua and Quintor. After checking with Martin Bender, the director of the orphans, we discovered the children live close by in the Lela area. We decided Marlene can't come all the way to Africa without meeting them! We asked Puis, a Lela church member, to arrange a meeting. He was happy to work it out. The children were delighted and pleased (though speechless) to meet Marlene. Relatively few in the orphanage program have the opportunity to meet their sponsors.

MATTIE AND MIRIAM WITH BABY SARAH ESH OUKO

Do you remember the young couple that married in August soon after we arrived? Jack and Norah Ouko were blessed with a beautiful baby girl in May. Norah is only 17 years old, but very mature and capable. During labor, I was in the hospital to drop off water for Norah and to encourage her. Like days of old, husbands aren't allowed in the ward. Toward evening, Jack called me to come in to the hospital to stay with Norah and upon arriving I had just missed the birth by 6 minutes. The baby girl was very much alive and kicking. Next to her little bed, was a quiet, still form abit bigger than baby Sarah. It was wrapped in a plastic bag. As our daughter, Miriam, and I stood admiring the antics of a newborn, an older lady came in with a big purse accompanied by a nurse. They wrapped the stillborn baby in a leso and stuffed into the purse and left. You couldn't help but wonder.......whose heart was broken...but so thankful for Sarah's life. How different it could have been! Jack and Norah asked me to come in the next day to bathe the baby but when we arrived with all the water and supplies, I disappointedly discovered it had already been done. We then took the happy and relieved couple home to their little mud house.

BLIND RISPER ACHIENG AND SON JOSEPH AND DAUGHTER ANGELINE WITH PASTOR SAM

A widow lady named, Risper-42, lives in a small mud house within the church compound. She has a 19 year old son Joseph and an engergetic 9 year old daughter named Angeline living with her. Risper is blind! She has a happy, bubbly personality even though she has experienced much difficulty in her life.Growing up as a child, her father had two wives. Risper was very active and talented and the source of much jealousy from the co-wife and her children. Risper speaks English very well and related how she could gather firewood much faster than the others and it made them angry. One day, at age 13, when Risper was walking home from school, someone jumped her from behind and beat her on the head. They poked out her eyes, chewed off part of her ear, chewed her cheek and left her unconscious body for dead in the sugarcane patch. When she awoke she was being carried......Risper said, "I spent many days in the hospital that first year. I discovered I was blind and I wanted to die! But my mother didn't let me." She went through much discouragement and depression the next few years.Eventually Risper did marry and had 4 children. Morris, the second son, became deaf through measles. He is now about 18 and attends deaf school. Risper said it is very difficult conversing with him. She is blind and he is deaf! Angeline had a twin sister named Esther. At age 4, Esther died one day after becoming ill in the morning and passing away that evening. A few years ago Risper's husband became ill and couldn't seem to get better. He decided to go back to his homeland to recover. He left and Risper never heard from him again. He was from another tribe and Risper had never been there. She had never met his family and they never met her. They don't even know where to contact her. Risper said she doesn't know if he died or what! Because of this hardship and not being able to support herself and her children, she ended up in the house at the church. Son Joseph is very active in church and keeps looking for someone to give him a job. Jobs are scarce in Kenya......we keep praying and know God will provide.

MIRIAM WITH ANGELINE

One day last Fall when we visited Risper, I noticed Angeline playing with a doll, I guess what was left of it. It had no arms or legs, the hair was torn off, the eyes were poked out and it was wrapped in what was left of Joseph's tattered old shirt. But how she cuddled it! My heart was touched by the piteous-looking doll. Since the compound seemed to be constantly strewn with trash , I told Angeline if she keeps the grounds clean, I'll give her a new doll. Her face lit up! The next few months, she diligently kept after the litter doing cartwheels meanwhile. When sister Miriam arrived, she gave her a doll, one that cries and makes sucking noises. We couldn't decide who was most delighted, Angeline or her mother. They both laughed and laughed and clapped their hands! We also gave Angeline a dress Beth Beiler sent over from the sewing circle. Thank you! I wish you could have seen her face.

Former missionaries, Jonathan and Lavonna Martin are happy to announce the birth of their third son, Tristan Jon! They left Kenya less than 6 weeks ago and we miss them. Congratulations to you! It would be so interesting watching Jackson and Kaiden interact with their new baby brother.

Tommy and Marji Wagler and family of 4 children left for their 2 month furlough last Friday evening. The house next door is quietly deprived of childish noises. We hope they will return refreshed and renewed!

In 2 weeks, our family is eagerly anticipating the visit of Sam's brother and wife, Amos and Sarah Kauffman. Also coming are a nephew and niece, Chad(21) and Cheryl(17) Stoltzfus. Alvin Stoltzfus, an AMA board member, is an uncle.

This past weekend, the Lee Fisher family from Nakuru joined us for the weekend at Kajulu. We spent Saturday evening supper by Lake Victoria. It's so encouraging to have visitors from other units. Thanks for coming, Lees!

Mattie Kauffman

THE KENYANS SERVING US

The Kisumu mission is within a walled compound. At the gate we have watchmen/guards 24/7. These men take their turns on a rotating basis. One is on during the day for 12 hours, the next at night for 12 hours while the 3rd is off for the week. Every time one of us leaves the gate is opened and closed promptly with a friendly wave of the hand. These men become our friends and we trust their discretion in whom they let through the gate into the compound. During the day the time can get long for them and busy pastors will sometimes ask the gateman to wash their muddy vehicles. They deliver messages, and sell extra eggs for us, etc. We sleep well because we know they are trying to stay awake to watch the gate/door. And he who enters another way must be a thief and robber. We'll try to introduce these men we see on a daily basis. Behind each one there is a story. Those of you who have lived and visited here may find this most interesting.

JACKTON

Jackton Ododa is a CBF Christian brother with a calm, kindly demeanor. His aged father (non-CBF) used to be the gatemen years ago and it was through this contact that his son came on the scene in 2002. Born in 1977, Jackton has been a member the at Rabour congregation, for approximately a year. Jackton's first wife passed away leaving behind no children. He then married Helen in 2006 and they have been blessed with 2 little girls, Faith-3 and Anna-3 months. Jackton considers it a privilege to be able to work in a godly setting for Christian people and we consider it a privilege to have a church brother watching out for us.

SAMMY

Some of you may know Samuel Okeyo (Sammy) as one of the senior gatemen. At 42 years of age, he takes his job very responsibly . He's also a jolly sort of fellow who likes to have fun. Back in the early 2000's, Sammy was introduced to this job through Jackton's father. He likes to work with the mission people and loves his work very much. He tries hard to keep things in order and running smoothly.
Sammy's wife, Goretti, passed away in 2006 at age 33. Their twin baby girls were only 3 months old. The pregnancy had been rough and upon intensive testing they discovered they were both HIV+. Sammy said it was quite a devastating blow. A week after his wife was buried, one of the twins died. Sammy named the remaining twin, Goretti, in memory of her mother. Little Goretti, now 4 years old, is free of the virus of which her baby sister died. There are also 3 older brothers, Evans-14, Ben-12 and Felix-10. Sammy, now the head cook, struggles to keep food on the table but is so grateful for his fulfilling job.
Even though Sammy admires our faith, he seems to be caught in his culture and at this point doesn't seem to be willing to dedicate his life to Christ. Pray that Sammy could see his need and that he could FULLY trust Jesus as his Saviour.

JACOB

The third man is Jacob Mukok. He's 37 years old and came to the compound 3 years ago. He learned about this work through his cousin, Jackton. He and his wife, Agnus, have 5 children, ages 4-16. Jacob, a rather quiet and serious person, used to be a tailor and had a good business going making school uniforms. During the clashes/riots in 2008, his place of business was demolished and his 3 sewing machines burned. The government asked for a report on losses but he never heard back from them. He is thankful for his job as a gatemen but misses his tailoring job. He wistfully wishes he could get at least one machine to get back to sewing part time. His spiritual status is unknown to us.

LILLIAN

We compound ladies also appreciate a church sister who buys our fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis. With our busy schedules and being foreigners in this land she serves us well in knowing how to bargain to save us time and pesos. Lillian Owino, 34, is a friendly lady with a ready smile. She also is a member at Rabour. She and her husband, James, joined in 1995 but he passed away in 2000 from HIV+ complications. They have 2 children, Sharon- 14 and James- 9. Since Lillian is also HIV+, she is sponsored by Regina Derstine. She says it's so special to know her sponsor and that Regina has been such an encouragement to her.

My sister, Miriam Bender, and cousin, Marlene Miller, arrived back in America safe and sound. The trip was not uneventful, however. It's amazing what a tired mind can do or not do. When they first got off the plane and through the check point, Miriam left her passport and other documents needed for customs in a public restroom. Upon waiting at baggage claim, a couple from Frankfort, Germany approached her and wondered if she's Miriam Bender. She replied she was and asked how they knew. They handed over her documents! Can you imagine the knees getting weak? They found the papers in the restroom and tracked down the flight to the baggage claim and matched Miriam to her passport photo. She was so grateful and thanked them profusely. Do we wonder why we pray and ask God to watch over us while we travel! Thank God for honest people!

Rose Okula, one of our church sisters has been experiencing sickness and weakness for several years now. Finally today I took her to the "Russian" hospital for extensive testing. It took ALL day and would have taken longer if Rosemary Odeyo, a CBF nurse, would have not taken us here and there quickly. At every joint, there were about 50 people waiting....oh my! What a sight! So many frail, sick people. Made you wish Jesus could come and heal each one. It made a heavy heart but also uplifting to be able to help at least one.

Sam and Mattie Kauffman

JENIPHER'S GARDENS

Last Tuesday we decided to take the day off and visit Jenipher's Gardens an hour or so away in the Nande hills. It's an excellent place for beauty and relaxation. The place truly IS beautiful....possibly emphasized because of the Kenyan squalor we see elsewhere. The story is that Jenipher was a former president's daughter and this resort/park area was made for a getaway. (doubt she ever dreamed this would turn into a popular Mennonite missionary getaway) Sister Miriam Bender (Lancaster, PA) and a cousin's daughter, Marlene Miller (Advance, MO) are here for 3 weeks so the timing was good to get out for a little toot. They are having a good time taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of Kenya.


We've been hearing snatches that you all want to see and hear more of us especially since Martin's have joined us. So here you are...take a good look! This group includes the Martin and Kristy Bender family, the Sam and Mattie Kauffman family, Miriam Bender, Marlene Miller and Rosalie Beiler. We are all related in some way or other; mostly Benders with Rosalie being Sam's cousin's daughter.

A view of the new gazebo/pavilion overlooking the pond. There are many (house) plants growing prolifically, plants we American housewifes work so hard to grow in our houses. To add to the interest you may see few monkeys lurking about.



The lily pad pond and it's antiquated paddle boat always lures the children. These cousins are no exception; (left to right) the first four are Benders, the next four Kauffmans. Moms and Dads watch abit nervously, trying to play, visit and watch at the same time. A camera did get dropped into the lake.....pity!

Strolling about and admiring the beauty....Sisters-Mattie Kauffman, Miriam Bender and sister-in-law, Kristy Bender, holding Franklin.

Life remains busy....but that's what we want even though we are sometimes frustrated with it. This coming Tuesday the combined unit meeting is in Nakuru. From there John and Barbara Glick plan to head for Nairobi with the Miriam and Marlene to catch their evening flight and pick up one of their sons coming in.

On Thursday, the Kisumu unit is planning a dinner for all the church widows, approximatley 140-150 ladies ranging from the young to the very old. In the Luo culture, once you are a widow you can expect always to be a widow. Because of the dowry system, you and your children are clan property and you may not remarry unless your dead husband's brother inherits you. But he already has a wife. It gets difficult. What would you do? For many of our church ladies this is real! It's also very difficult supporting yourself and your children. God gives grace and the widows are so thankful for the church family.

More next time....we'll try to stay a little more consistant with our updates.

Mattie Kauffman