THE SEASONS CHANGE ABIT
Spring is here! ...or is Fall?? Being a few miles south of the equator, the Kenyans say their winter is coming and that's when the planting season begins. Dry season, with the choking dust (cough), is ending and the rains are beginning. There's a fresness in the air and the birds are chirping. Well...maybe WE are more alert. The roosters get us up every morning year around...yes, every morning and most of the time the sun is bright and it's easy to jump out of bed!
The first few weeks in February brought visitors from our home church. Rosalie's parents, Jonas and Sue Beiler came to see where their daughter is spending her time teaching school. Lloyd and Beth Beiler also had an interest here having been former missionaries. It was so good relating to someone who's understands church life in Kenya. Lloyd still maintained his Kisumu driving skills and they got around on their own much of the time visiting church members, widows and former friends.
One morning we took a boat ride on Lake Victoria. This is the second largest fresh water lake in the world and is the source of the Nile River which flows north. This lake is only a few miles from where we live and many of our visitors experience this morning tour. The water is calm and the sunrise is lovely. We hope to see a pod or two of hippos and usually do. Titus, the boatman, says the hippo is the biggest killer in Kenya next to the mosquito. Why do we go out on the lake? Or is he a windy Kenyan?
In the background you'll see a mass of green foilage called the water hyacinth. Fishermen call it a menace to lake life. Someone introduced this plant to the lake from a foreign country and it has multiplied into a big problem. Our normal docking area, Hippo Point, was chuck full of the stuff so we had to embark elsewhere.
Spring is here! ...or is Fall?? Being a few miles south of the equator, the Kenyans say their winter is coming and that's when the planting season begins. Dry season, with the choking dust (cough), is ending and the rains are beginning. There's a fresness in the air and the birds are chirping. Well...maybe WE are more alert. The roosters get us up every morning year around...yes, every morning and most of the time the sun is bright and it's easy to jump out of bed!
The first few weeks in February brought visitors from our home church. Rosalie's parents, Jonas and Sue Beiler came to see where their daughter is spending her time teaching school. Lloyd and Beth Beiler also had an interest here having been former missionaries. It was so good relating to someone who's understands church life in Kenya. Lloyd still maintained his Kisumu driving skills and they got around on their own much of the time visiting church members, widows and former friends.
One morning we took a boat ride on Lake Victoria. This is the second largest fresh water lake in the world and is the source of the Nile River which flows north. This lake is only a few miles from where we live and many of our visitors experience this morning tour. The water is calm and the sunrise is lovely. We hope to see a pod or two of hippos and usually do. Titus, the boatman, says the hippo is the biggest killer in Kenya next to the mosquito. Why do we go out on the lake? Or is he a windy Kenyan?
In the background you'll see a mass of green foilage called the water hyacinth. Fishermen call it a menace to lake life. Someone introduced this plant to the lake from a foreign country and it has multiplied into a big problem. Our normal docking area, Hippo Point, was chuck full of the stuff so we had to embark elsewhere.
We stopped in to visit the Orobo School. Only the basics are here...many children and few supplies have to do. The children learn by reciting repetiously. Their ebony faces are shining and eager. Occasionally though you will see a dull, undernourished student.
Martina had been away to Calvary Bible School in Arkansas and Abigail Peachey substituted for her. Martina was gone for 5 weeks and we, including the compound, were very happy to see her return.
The AMA board also came to visit the mission here. More later-
Mattie Kauffman
