SCHOOL FIELD TRIP
part 2


Impalas also run wild in the park, hence the name. They are such dainty little creatures and fascinating to watch.

We compound ladies prepared some food and enjoyed a picnic lunch next to the lake. During prayer, a hippo was splashing and blowing in the water closeby, causing us/me to miss a few lines of prayer.....

We had heard about these monkeys that live in the park and are picnic pests. Soon the monkeys discovered us and about 10-15 came running, followed by a group of shouting school children. Never had our children had monkey buddies like this looking on. Since there were more of us than of them, they just watched from the tree branches above and the ground beneath. In the past, the monkeys already have grabbed food from children's plates making them cry. Today the children were the aggressive ones chasing the monkeys to the branches, with the children following.

The most interesting monkey was a mother with her baby. She just sat and watched, unless we came too close. It was almost uncanny how human-like she treated her baby by kissing and patting him. However, when she headed for the tree on all fours; he, animal-like, put his arms around her stomach and hung on......
These are the Vervet monkeys, the most common in Africa. They run together in groups and are the least afraid of humans. A pop question for you: What unique feature does the male Vervet monkey have that makes him easily indentifiable? Google it!

It was a good day and one for memories. Miss Rosalie had a goal chart for the school children which they attained. She is planning a mystery supper for the parents, possibly next Saturday. We all are excited although the parents are more subdued about it than the children. :)


Life goes on with changes that come with it. The more flexible you are, the happier you will be. Jonathan Martins are winding down their last couple weeks in Kenya. Martin Benders have replaced them and are quickly trying to learn all they can. It's a real brain overload with learning the transition ropes and having language classes at the same time. The brain sorts out the priorities, leaving the rest behind.

The last few weeks various ones of us have attended funerals of relatives of CBF members; the father-in-law of Alice Adhiambo and brother of Jack Oako. Most recently, the brother of Tom Ogema passed away. Last Thur, the two year old daughter of Pamela Kiti, an Oroba member, was buried. Also on our minds was the drowning death of 6 year old Titus Glick, of El Salvador, a grandson of Sam's cousin, Verda Glick.

Tomorrow morning, Monica and I plan to take Ziatune and her 3 children to her homeland to see her family. It's only an hour away, but seldom do they get to go home. It's sooo far away and costs too much. "Far" is a rather relative word around here and sometimes I jokingly tell people that where I live (Lancaster) is about 1700 kilometers from my homeland (Missouri). They look at me aghast, "how do you survive? You must be from another tribe." I say,"Aye, I think so...!"

Continue praying......thank God for the return and repentance of Helen Auma...she was a prodigal wife of an alcoholic husband. Pray for the health of Mary, wife of Paul Omimo. Their baby boy is only 2 1/2 months old. Being HIV+, she is struggling with her health and doesn't have enough milk for the baby. Survival is serious in Kenya and we need much wisdom in discerning the needs.

Mattie Kauffman