ANDREW AND CHRISTINE ORWA

Andrew is the second oldest member in the Kajulu congregation. Born in 1929, he just turned 80 years of age this past Christmas. He adds a certain stability to many of our other members even though he has been through some deep waters. His wife, Christine, is 17 years younger. (the age difference alone reminds me of where Sam and I will be in about 2027) Andrew and Christine have been in the CBF church for some years. The Kajulu church started in 2003, but before that they attended Oroba, when Linford and Kay Bontrager were pastoring in 2001. Joseph and Becky Hostetler are now there.

Andrew is a small, wiry man and can still be quite active and animated in his older years. When a youth, he specialized in fighting...challenging other youth and authorities. He was involved in a group called "Youth in Politics"and literally fought against settlers and Kenya's ruling parties. A preacher heard about him and decided to talk to him about God. This was Andrew's beginnings of finding Christ and his saving power. He lived with a divorced women for some time and together they had seven children. When he finally DID become a Christian in 1962, he realized the sinful condition in which he was living and sent her away. He said, he backslid again, until 1970. In 1982, he married Christine and they had one daughter. They attended the local "Maranatha" where Andrew was pastor for 21 years. When CBF was introduced to them, they discovered this was what they had unknowingly been searching for. They appreciate the church 'çabisa' (very much)!

Christine, chewing on a weed stalk, was born in 1946 and still works very hard.

Also living with Andrew and Christine are 12 year old Andrew and 6 year old Eric. Young Andrew is a grandson from the first woman Andrew had lived with. He has a keen interest in Christianity and contributes well in Sunday School class. Andrew and Christine felt led to adopt Eric when they saw the young orphan in the hospital as a baby. Agape Development Ministries helps support these two youngans. Andrew is also an Agape supervisor in his area.

The church helped build this house along the Mamboleo Road.

Today Andrew and Christine are in their older years and still very much alive. They recently were chased out of their home and like "Jacob of Old with his well business" this time Andrew refused to fight and just built another home. About 25-30 years ago, they had lived in the Kabonya mountians. Andrew decided to sell his property for 70,000 shillings (about $1000). The man who bought it paid him 35,000 shillings and disappeared. He was gone for 25 years! Since Andrew didn't have all his money, they continued living there. Ironically, the buyer suddenly reappeared with the remaining 35,000 shillings and demanded his property. In fact, they even moved in with Andrews. Andrews had no choice but to leave, even though by now the property was worth much more. Andrew had by now spent his first 35,000 and with the second 35,000 managed to buy a cheap lot of land from a drunkard. They were assisted in building a small house. Meanwhile, the drunkard drank his life away and died. Recently, his children came to Andrew with again 35,000 shillings and demanded the property back. They even piled sticks and rocks in front of his lane so he couldn't get home. Andrew asked for a month grace to find something else.

About 3 weeks ago, just up the hill abit from the former home, this house was built bigger and closer to the main road. Eighty year old Andrew was climbing around fastening the rafters. William and Elizabeth Hershberger helped mud this house. Elizabeth dubbed the wall in which the children are standing in front of "The Obama Wall". This tickled these children so much and they will likely never forget it. In fact, they reminded us of this when we stopped in the other day to see Andrew and Christine both sick in bed. Life is very tough for Christians in Kenya.

This past week we were privlidged to host the AMA delegates, Earl and Edna Peachey and Ivan Beachy. One evening they treated the whole compound to an evening out to eat at the Kiboko Bay. Merle and Sue, Sam and I accompanied them early Saturday morning for a boat ride on Lake Victoria. However, hippo sightings were a little lean. It was still a lovely morning with the calm water and pretty birds. On Tuesday, the whole compound headed to Nakuru for a unit meeting at Ab Fishers. For dinner, Ab treated us all to home-made sausage; Kenya style. It was delicious!! Too bad we can't chew our cuds for a later day.

Weather was hot for a week causing the land to become parched looking. The heat broke and slowly the Spring rains are beginning. May the rest of you wallow in your snowbanks.

Sam Kauffman family