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