August 18, 2011
Our hearts are turning toward home these days. This is our
last weekend in our Kenya home. Sorta sad and somehow it tugs. But that’s what
life is about. Memories and tugs! The time has come to move on.
Bishop Merle and Mama Sue have been living in the guest
house. They are leaving Kenya on Thursday. They have left Kenya many times
before but this time they have no plans to return unless God directs them in
that way. When the guest house is vacated, we plan to move in for three weeks
until our departure. It will be like
living in a dawdy haus with us eight Kauffmans.
We anticipate the arrival of the Marlin Stoltzfus family on Sept. 30 after
we get this house all scrubbed and shined up in preparation for their
occupancy.
Recently Ivan and Kay Peachey have celebrated 20 years of
marriage. The two of them went on a toot to Romania to visit Kay’s parents,
David and Amanda Raber. The children are
doing well in the capable care of Abigail and Jason, the two oldest siblings.
Jason needed an extra van driver for the hour drive to their Nyagondo church so
Martina assisted in that today. Of course when Martina goes, then Monica also
wants to, then Daniel goes too and even Miriam. They had a good day but the
Kajulu youth felt their absence. Sam and I were left with the two little ones,
half grown now, at the dinner table and somehow we felt ready to move into the
dawdy haus.
Dwight and
Rachel Bender at a July wedding in Missouri.
My brother Dwight turned 40 in July. His life came over the
hill quite fast; in fact almost to a
grinding halt. It’s now two weeks since
the accident and he still continues his stay in the Blessings Hospital in
Quincy, IL. Rachel faithfully stays by his side. The five children are well
taken care of by relatives. Dwight is still on life support but is alert and knows
what’s going on. The ventilator in his mouth hinders him from communicating and
is quite frustrating. The surgery to repair the broken neck went well and time
alone will tell us when and how much movement and feeling he will recover.
There are still heart issues that puzzle doctors. The rate can drop as low as
25 and they wonder what the cause is. This makes everyone alittle edgy. Sedation keeps it more stabilized but then he
less alert. It’s been abit of a yo-yo. Pray for wisdom. You can follow his progress
on caringbridge.org/visit/dwightbender.
This coming Tues, Brother Martin and Kristy Bender will fly
to America to visit Dwight. The children will be cared by auntie and her
daughters. These incidents make for special memories with birthday parties
planned and all.
My seven little brothers have grown into men. Being the
oldest in the family, I used to take care of them alot and even had to apply
some discipline when my parents were away doing revival meetings. Not any more!
In a literal sense, they all look down on me.
Left to right they are standing here
according to age. (47-32)
Nelson, Merlyn, Martin, Dwight, Marcus, Everett and Roger
are all married to nice ladies and they don’t need my care anymore. But as
someone stated about being the older sister; somehow you still feel responsible.
The Kisumu compound Family. This was taken out on the street
the other evening. This becomes your family during your stay here because we
ALL are very far away from relatives. For you relatives and others who know
folks here this may be interesting.
Left to right you will find: Rosalie Beiler, Jenelle Miller,
Jason and Cynthia Beachy family, Sam and Mattie Kauffman family, Martin and
Kristy Bender family, Tommy and Marji Wagler family, Ivan and Kay Peachey
family, Kathryn Hostetler and Joseph and Becky Hostetler.
Merle and Sue Beachy couldn’t be there for the picture. We
as a compound bid farewell to you.
Aufwiedersehen!
Mattie Kauffman
No comments:
Post a Comment