LIFE IS FLEETING-THE MOMENTS ARE PASSING

September 4, 2011

There are only six weeks for us to enjoy this country until we board the plane and it will take us up and away.  Two years and 4 months have gone very quickly.  It will be difficult to leave, but then it’s also time for us to get back to our own people. We have learned much from these people, maybe more than they have from us.  One area especially stands out and that is how resigned and accepting the Kenyans are to life’s circumstances.  Life is simple, really, babies are born and many die, food is scarce, a spouse gets sick....there is no money to get treatment so she dies but ‘We leave all to God’ we hear over and over. Wouldn’t that attitude eliminate many law suits in the states? 

Every August each church has its own youth seminar.  This is special for our church youth and also the orphans old enough on the Agape program. The number was around 60. We had a special speaker and later served lunch. In the afternoon we had some games. The biggest hit always seems to be “Tug Of War”. This time it was girls against boys. The girls won every time. No one could quite figure out why they were stronger......the number on each side numbered about the same. Maybe the answer is simple.....the ladies work in the garden, carry firewood and other heavy loads on their heads, they do the cooking while the men sit under the tree. Awww...no WAY!  the boys said...... anyway it made for some debating....:)

  

This past year Stanley Otieno taught the youth boys Sunday school class and I taught the girls. The favorite Sunday is the first one of the month when we join classes and sing together behind the church. Sometimes it’s English, sometime Luo, sometimes  Kiswahili. Then we present the songs we have practiced to the congregation. Everyone loves this day. The youth are also very eager to learn part singing.

My parents, Glenn and Anna Bender (watching the games at the youth seminar)

 Dads have traveled the long way from Nebraska to visit their 2 children and 11 grandchildren. They have enjoyed the stay here very much but are now eager to get back.  On Saturday morning,  unpleasant news came by email......Brother Dwight, the one following  Martin, was in a bad accident. Dwight is married to Rachel and they are living in LaMonte, MO expecting their 6th child. Caleb, the firstborn (as the Kenyans say) had his 12^th birthday on Sept  2. The following day his 40 year old father was hauling 600 young pigs in a double decker trailer. For some reason (yet  unknown)  the rig veered off the road, unhooked the trailer  and rolled the pickup.  Battered Dwight now lies in the Qunicy, IL hospital with a broken neck. As of now there is no movement or feeling from his chest on down.  The doctor doesn’t give much hope that he’ll ever walk again. There are spinal injuries but no severing  only bruised and stretched. There are some blood clots in the brain and lungs. It’s hard to visualize my strong, healthy, 6 ft brother in such a state. How quickly life as we know it can change! We can only pray for a miracle. God has a purpose in this and He makes no mistakes. Today at our Kajulu church baptism, Bishop Merle gathered the members together in a circle and we had special prayer for Dwight. God’s arm is not short that He doesn’t hear the prayers from halfway around the world. May all you readers join us.

 

 Dwight Bender with  youngest son, Isaac.

School has begun with Rosalie Beiler teaching  the older ones and Jenelle Miller first grade. Martina is homeschooling our 4 children because of our homeward travels in October. Monica keeps the kitchen running while Sam and I are out and about visiting the widows and fatherless. We are beginning to pack our Kenyan loot to drag along home. Much of it will be sent home with my parents and others who had visited before have also taken some. Why do we have so much STUFF?  Anyway, we thank you so much for making our detour home lighter.

Merle and Sue Beachy have moved into the guest house as many others have before them. If this happens you know you are on the way out. After 10+ years, they are scheduled to leave on Sept 22. Many Kenyans are sad to see their Bishop father and Mama Sue leave.

Mattie Kauffman