A KENYAN EXPERIENCE

The wedding of Agnes and Evans

(part two)

Jonathan Martin had gone to fetch the groom but he was still in his work clothes. Evans informed him he will come with his uncle. Jonathan left and arrived at church and was confronted by father Erick. "Where is Evans?" Back to the home went Erick and Jonathan, but where is the groom? He was nowhere to be found! Does he have the jitters or what? Is he hiding in a haystack somewhere or among some stuff?

Finally......after 2 hours and 15 minutes, the groom arrives! He had been running hither and yon after.....we never did find out! Father Erick (left) and younger brother Nicanol (right) weren't very impressed.

Bishop Merle made an interesting spiritual application. When the bridegroom arrived, the atmosphere changed. The people sat up, smiled and watched expectantly. As far as we know, none of our oil had run out or lamps gone out. The wedding party had not practiced their processional so we waited a little more.

Merle Beachy performing the ceremony with Pastor Erick interpreting. After Evans and Agnes sat down, someone draped some blue tinsel around their necks to hitch them together. It made for some tittering when they stood to talk and walk out together. It would tangle and hobble them if they didn't work together. In spite of the late start, it was a good day. There don't seem to be any set rules in Kenya regarding weddings or most anything. The bishop did make this statement; "One thing we don't do; is marry a couple without having the bride and groom BOTH present."

Agnes and Evans were obviously a couple in love. Kenyans are typically rather reluctant to display public affection. These two held hands and sat close. This picture was taken after the service watching their guests in the food line. We all ate in the auditorium with the wedding table in the corner. The rest of us ate the normal Kenyan fare of ugali, rice and beans, cabbage and tough meat on the church benches. The meal was eaten rather hastily because the afternoon rains made us hit the road while we could get out. And did it rain!!

These days are busy as you can tell the blogging doesn't get done. Last week, the annual pastors meeting was held here at the compound. Some of the meals were eaten at the Rabour church with the native ladies doing the cooking. This also included the Nakuru pastors.

Meanwhile Sam and I are kept busy visiting and encouraging our church people, interviewing new people, and distributing food parcels to the hungry and widows. As long as the earth remains, there will be no end to the needs.

Miss Rosalie is wrapping up the last few days of school with Martina helping push some of the slower ones. Monica is busy helping Martins while they wade through the language classes. Daniel is trying to get his Abeka homeschooling program finished so he can help Martin more with the Agape programs.

Another change for the compound family has taken place.....on Monday we said "good-bye"to Jonathan, Lavonna, Jackson and Kaiden Martin. They flew back to their home in the Virginia mountains for good! These changes could be difficult, but come they will. The sooner we accept them, the happier we will be. While we are sad at this end, someone at the other end is eager for their arrival. Jonathan and Lavonna are anticipating another family addition in about 5 weeks.

The Ivan and Kay Peachey family left for her brother's wedding in Antrim, OH; Josiah Raber and Bethany Helmuth. They are expected to return in 3 weeks. Their family of 10 leaves a big hole in the compound.

Next Thursday, we are looking forward to having my sister Miriam and a cousin, Marlene Miller, visit Kenya.

We are also having other visitors in our home we are trying to cope with. With the compound chickens in our background, the feed seems to attract the rats. Rather boldly, they started moving into the house. The attic romping is disturbing enough but must be boring because they want more action. One was raiding the pantry and was too stupid to cover his tracks. With a rat trap we snared two. Ugh! These are rats, ladies, not mice! It was really un-nerving, however, when one evening we saw one run from our bedroom into the office. We quickly shut the office door and set a trap. We all retired for the night and all was quiet, when......a mighty SNAP! I jumped up with a start....only to see a triggered trap but no rat! Only a leg lay severed...oh bother...I shut the scene from my mind and went back to sleep! The next morning we gathered our army together and proceeded to chase down the 3-legged rat in the small office quarters. It was a rat race with a real rat and a real race. The end details we will spare you, but it made for laughter and memories. Rats make lizards seem rather small; so we just let them run.

Remember to pray.....

Mattie Kauffman