AMA NEWSLETTER

When a missionary comes to Kenya, he must learn more than the people he tries to witness to. Such it has been the last two years. You struggle with frustration and anger you didn’t know you had. You learn patience and much endurance. You learn to pray and intercede.  God loves these people more than we do and we have to let it rest in His hands.

Kenyans have their general lethargic lifestyle and we can’t change many things.  There are only two seasons..., the wet, muddy and soggy season and the dry, dusty (cough) season. The temperature in Kisumu stays within a range of about 20-25 degrees.  Otherwise life resumes much at the same pace and there is little to motivate a person.  The churches are growing but many come for the wrong reasons...assistance from the white pastor. The right things are said to become members and some keep living secretly in their sinful lifestyle. Babies are aborted to hide the evidence of fornication. When a rumor comes out they say people are trying to destroy their name. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye are real here. In the United States we deal more with the pride of life (money and large expensive homes). Which is worse? Is Satan busy in Kenya? YES! But we can’t give up. It does make a difference for a few. A soul saved is worth more than the whole world.

The time for furlough has come and several from the Kisumu compound are heading back to their homes and families. Joseph and Becky Hostetler have gone back to Belleville, PA for 2 months. This leaves Joseph’s sister, Kathryn,  feeling a little lonely since she can’t so freely make the trip to their distant Oroba church. John and Barbara Glick have returned to Lancaster, PA for 6 weeks. Former missionaries, Aaron and Fannie Peachey have come to replace Johns by filling in at the Lela church. Tommy and Marji Wagler family have left for 3 weeks for a brother’s wedding in WI.  It’s a little challenging to travel so far with 5 young children with baby Kristian being only 2 months old.  Merle and Sue Beachy suddenly travelled back to TN for his mother’s funeral. They will be gone 10 days. More missionaries in Nakuru have been losing their  fathers this year; Mervin Peachey, Wanda Beiler and just this week, Jonas Beiler.

School for the 12 missionary children ended in mid-May. Teachers Rosalie Beiler and Martina Kauffman had their students present a nice program in our carport. The older 5 students who call themselves the “Nickels” sang a few songs as well; Daniel Kauffman, Matthias Peachey, Miriam Kauffman, Amanda Bender and Rebekah Peachey, ages 16-13. They love to sing together and have done much practicing. It seems to be an up-building recreation.

Since Bishop Merle and Sue Beachy have plans to leave Kenya after 10 years of service, a replacement is difficult to find to fill the role Merle has grown into. It looks quite daunting to many to be bishop over 8 churches. It has been decided to delegate the responsibilities to several men. Ben and Regina Stoltzfus from John Glick’s home congregation in Pequea in PA were here to commission John as a bishop overseer.  In April, Homer and Elizabeth Zook from Hartville, OH flew in to commission Tommy Wagler for his congregation and wherever the need may arise. This month Ivan Beachy came from VA to commission Ivan Peachey for their congregation and new outreaches. Ivan Beachy, a brother to Merle, had just landed in Nairobi when they learned the news of their mother’s passing.  Merles have tentative plans to leave the end of July.

The youth girls spent a day at Jennifer's Gardens for a day of refreshment. One never tires of the natural beauty of this place. The plants we tried so hard to grow in our houses at home; grow freely here.
Left to right: Monica Kauffman, Amanda Bender, Abigail Peachey, Miriam Kauffman, Rebekah Peachey and Rosalie Beiler  In front: Martina Kauffman and Kathryn Hostetler

Mudding a House for Judith Alouch

Above: The girls are watching Jack mix mud.

Below: Winnie and Martina mudding the walls.

Currently Martin and Kristy Bender are hosting two young ladies who taught school in their home area.  Andrea Yoder is from MO/NE and Marlea Kauffman is Kristy’s cousin from Sheldon, WI. They had a good variety of experiences during their 3 week visit. They went to a couple Bible studies held in mud huts and even had the opportunity to mud one on Saturday. It’s amazing what these people can do with mud. Once it hardens it certainly keeps the thieves out.

The end of June will bring more visitors. Rosalie Beiler will be hosting her two brothers, Lavelle and Lyndon, from Lancaster, PA. Coming along with them is a good friend of Daniel Kauffman, Jordan Stoltzfoos, son of Dave and Gina. Jordan is also a nephew to Marji Wagler. Also as a surprise package found out, Lydia Stoltzfus, daughter of Michael and Linda, is also coming to spend some time with Miriam Kauffman. These will be special Kenyan memories never to be forgotten.

The beginning of August will bring more staff to replace John Glicks at the Lela congregation. Johns will be floating pastors. Jason and Cynthia Beachy and their 3 small children will be coming to serve for a time. Jason is the son of James and Cheryl Beachy and served some years in Nakuru. Cynthia is daughter of Aaron Lapps and a niece to Sam Kauffman.

In September, we look forward to having the Marlin and Lovina Stoltzfus family from Chuckey, TN arrive to replace the Sam Kauffman family at Kajulu. They have 3 sons and 3 daughters which will liven up compound life. Current plans are for Sam Kauffmans to terminate mid-Oct and return to their Lancaster County home. 

The Lee Fisher and Sam Kauffman families spent a few days in the Aberdare National Park. Since they flew on the same airplane to come serve in Kenya two years ago, there will always be abit of a special connection. The Aberdare mountain altitude is very high, over 9,000 ft. It felt cold for Kenya and very remote. We had a good view of Mt. Kenya and saw wild animals in hilly, bushy country not used to tourists. The herd of 30+ elephants we met were abit spooked. From the smallest to the largest they lifted their trunks trying to sniff and figure us out. It was a little unnerving to think what may have happened if they had decided to charge. The van could turn into a match box with us in it.

Lord willing, mid-August will bring Glenn and Anna Bender, parents of Mattie Kauffman and Martin Bender.  We and 11 grandchildren are very excited about having them see this part of our lives. I keep trying to prepare myself for the aging process that may have taken place in the two years since I have seen them.

Mattie for the Kauffmans

'I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE'

In the two years we Kauffmans have lived in Kenya we have taken many visitors to the little mud hut up against the mountain. Daudi and Perez Tunga lived there a long time. Born in 1921, Daudi grew up to be a notorious cattle thief and a terror of the area. He inherited witchcraft from his grandfather and cast spells upon his victims. Daudi built his dala (home) against the mountain as a source of protection from his enemies. One day, he finally was caught stealing and spent two years in prison. After he was released, he told Perez he's not going to steal anymore. However, there is always a reaping. The bad example he left for his sons is quite evident. In the past years they didn't bother caring for their parents. Much to Daudi's dismay, his sons even stole from them. They enter wanton widows's houses leading the silly women astray. In other words, they lead very wicked lives. You can read more of Daudi's story on the blog, kenyankauffmans.blogspot.com. under Aug, 2009, "A Change of Masters".  http://kenyankauffmans.blogspot.com/2009/08/change-of-masters-david-and-perez-tunga.html

Daudi made it priority to attend church whenever possible. It may be halfway through the church service but here comes Daudi with his walking stick shuffling his swollen feet along to reach his seat in front of the church. Clad in his dirty, tattered coat, he always had a smile on his face. He loved to give his testimony when given the chance. "If God can save a wicked man like me, He can save anyone! "

n the last month, Daudi didn't show up anymore. He was getting weaker. We visited him and found him and Perez under the mango tree. (They spent many hours there keeping each other company and loved each other very much. Perez told us Daudi never struck her. That's unusual for Kenyan men.) Daudi was delighted to see us and told us he wants to go to see Jesus. He asked God to forgive him any forgotten sin. On Easter Sunday morning his wish came true. He told Perez he's very busy, he needs to take a nap. She helped him lie down on his side of the floor of their hut. He passed away napping an hour later. Sunday afternoon we still found him there lying on his side. His body remained there until burial three days later. What a life! You can't help but wonder what he's doing in glory!

The road up the mountain ends and we have to walk the last half mile. Brother Martin and Kristy are trudging the last leg up the hill. A tent was set up and curious neighbours and relatives came to pay their last respects. Bishop Merle did the funeral message with Tom Ogema interpreting.

On Saturday, Daniel and Jason Peachey bought a coffin in town and delivered it on top of the van. Other church brothers helped them dig the grave beside the house. The body is lying on the floor. Sam, Mattie and Martin Bender with Perez viewing the body for the last time. Perez stilled cared for Daudi in death by chasing the flees away from his nose, fixing his hair and tucking the sheet closely around his face to keep the flies away. Tom Ogema gave the sons of Tunga a last chance to see their father but they didn't come. Their hardened faces were seen lurking in the bushes watching. Hard as they were, there was still a vulerability in their eyes that made your heart ache.

Church sisters flanking Perez during the burial. (here you can see the oldest son in yellow behind Martin) Perez holding Daudi's walking stick knowing she has buried her friend, bad leg and all. Daudi had a wound in his leg that never healed. No more pain with that one.....

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. Ps. 90:10

Daudi lived to be 90 years old. Most of his life was wicked, yet he died a saved man. The ending of one's life is more important than it's beginning.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.
But the Word of the Lord abideth forever!

I Pe. 1:24-25