HARVEY YODER IN KENYA

According to my opinion there hasn't been a series of good books for

our growing Anabaptist children since Christmas Carol Kauffman. That

is, not until Harvey Yoder arrived on the scene. Harvey has been hired

by Christian Aid Ministries and keeps writing books based on true

happenings experienced by real people. He has traveled extensively to

former Communistic countries and elsewhere collecting information to

compile into book form. This past week we Kenyan missionaries had the

privledge of hosting Harvey and his wife, Karen, as he interviewed

numerous people of our CBF churches. Some of them have quite the

stories; having difficulties surviving and how God delivered them from

the grips of alcohol and witchcraft.

Harvey was the youngest of nine children and predominantly grew up in

the Amish community of Oakland, MD. (For you Iowa folks; Iddo is his

older brother) Harvey left for Faith Mission Home when he was 20 years

old and met Karen. Together they were blessed with five children.

Harvey and Karen now live in the small town of Spruce Pine, NC. The

children have all married and the empty nesters now travel the world

together. Being in their upper 50's/early 60's this can become a bit

tiring when roads get rough and the chairs are hard. When Harvey was

asked whether he has always aspired to be a writer, he answered, "No,

it just sorta happened!" Being tall and slim, he certainly didn't fit

my mental image of the portly, balding, older man I expected him to

be.

Having always had an intense interest in Eastern Europe, I personally

find Harvey's books very fascinating. Not given to many childhood

fears, I did struggle with one that was very real to me. I was afraid

the Communists would someday come into our country. As a little Amish

girl in Kalona, Iowa, I was very impressed and moved by the 'Jesus

behind the Iron Cutain' newsletters.....how the Christians stood up

for their faith.....how the little children had their pastor fathers

taken away and locked into prison...... maybe to never see them again.

In my own childish way, I would kneel on the hard wood floor beside my bed and cry

and pray for these children. You see, my father was a bishop, ( and a

rather dramatic one) and once the Communists came, in my mind, they

would be sure to get him first! Years later, things turned out very

differently, but I'm thinking this experience had a great bearing in

our adopting a child from Ukraine.

Interviewing Puis from the Lela Church. John and Barbara Glick are

pastoring this church and took this photo. Puis and his wife are

caring for 28 children; orphans, biological, etc. Wow! Watch for the

story in the book.

Sarah Esh gets credit for this photo. Years ago she had taught school

with Harvey Yoder in Bedford, PA. She took them out for an interview

in the Oroba church. Somewhere Harvey and Karen got a piki-piki ride.

Sarah wondered who was most delighted, Harveys or the driver?

Merle and Sue Beachy took Harvey to interview Sylvanus and Perez from

the Rabuor Church.

(photo credit goes to Sue)

Strolling in our back yard; Monica, Daniel, Mattie, Sam, Harvey and Karen Yoder.

Martina took the picture, and the 3 youngest were in school.

This afternoon, the AMA delegation, Ivan Beachy and Earl and Edna

Peachey will be arriving and staying a few days. It's always an

exciting time, but we are disappointed that Elsie, wife of Ivan and

Sam's sister wasn't able to make the trip. Ivan is also a brother to

Merle Beachy.

Tomorrow, we are anticipating baptism and Communion in our church in

Kajulu. We have 6 baptismal applicants: Joseph Omula, Stanley Otieno,

Helen Anyango, Margaret Aoko, Angeline Ohongo and Bentor Auma. These

are all in their 30-50's and it will be a special day for them. Merle

and Ivan both plan to be there, along with Jonathan Martins who

recently have begun attending. These natives will be excited to have

four white pastors in one service. :)

The weather continues to be warm. We were, however, spared of the

typical two month, hot and dry season. El Nino made the difference,

locals say. The Spring rains are due to begin soon. The equator sun

can be downright hot but the shade is surprisingly cool, making it

quite pleasant. We have chickens in our back yard and you know how

they do sometimes, they lay their eggs outside instead of in the nest.

We found two baking in the sun. Upon breaking them open, we

discovered they were half cooked...poached.....really!

hhmmm....interesting.....makes you wonder if that's why we have some

half-baked people around...?!

Continue to pray for the work here in Kenya.

Mattie Kauffman