MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Part 1 of 5

This posting is for our children's friends and their cousins who are waiting for pictures of the "African Experience"! Afterall, don't zoo animals run wild in Africa? They used to... but now with more people around, most of them are out on protected games reserves. These places are HUGE and you can drive around for a long time and still not see it all. Most American visitors like to go see the wild animals in the "Mara". It's in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.

Back in October, the compound men and boys took a day or two off their busy schedules and went to visit one of these game reserves. All work and no play can burn a person out, you know...so away they went hoping to see some big animals. It's a 5 hour drive, with the last hour being very rough and bumpy.


The Masai tribe are a nomadic people with no land of their own really. We have a few here in Kisumu (Luo land) and most times you can easily identify them in purple robes with their longs legs sticking out the bottom. Another identification is the stretched out hole in their earlobes. In this particular game reserve location, there is a Masai village and they overall supervise the place.

The men camped here overnight among chirps and screeches of various kinds. They said it was safe.

You can hire a van and guide or go out on your own. Please stay inside....

Jackson Martin-3, eager to see some animals. Jackson is son of Jonathan and Lavonna and grandson of Rueben and Maryann Yoder.

Part 2 of 5


Ah! The King of the Beasts!

and the queen ... no less!

"Hurry baby, it's a dangerous world out here! We need to get to get up and walk, actually you need to run......
-a mama topi and her newborn-

The elegant giraffes. Aren't they put together in an interesting way?

Part 3 of 5


A Wildebeast looking abit bedraggled.

It was a fight over what...do they know? It's a big world out there and plenty of room for both!

A crowned crane.

The great African elephant, you can't go to Kenya without seeing one of these in the wild.

Part 4 of 5


Who can resist a baby zebra?

Perfect stripes! Each zebra's stripes are different like fingerprints on a man's hand.

A slinking hyena

Water Buffalo-"am I ugly or what?"

Part 5 of 5


Two little gazelles feeling their 'oats'.

Mama warthog and her piggie litter

A flock of ostriches; the black ones are the males.

"Good night African Safari world. Sleep well in spite of barking hyenas and roaring lions.......maybe you'll still be alive in the morning."

(All photo credits go to Daniel Kauffman.)

NEHEMIAH OTIENO


“Time is running” is a phrase that’s commonly used in Kenya. And so it is.....we would like to feature as many of our Kajulu church members as we can and if I don’t get at it, they won’t all get done. Each one has an interesting story. This week's feature will be NehemiahOtieno.

Nehemiah is an interesting brother put together in a small, handicapped body with a brilliant mind. He was stricken with polio at one year of age and has since dealt with the crippling affects of the disease. Born in 1967, he was the son of the elder wife of his father. He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Both brothers have passed away; one being struck by lightening. Also one sister is gone and the only remaining is one sister. His parents are also gone. Since his father had 2 wives he also has several half brothers and sisters. They all lived together in a “dala”, in a circular compound setting. But Nehemiah is quite alone in this world......in a physical sense.



Nehemiah

When asked what life was like growing up, Nehemiah described it as very difficult. With his handicap, he was frequently mocked. Other children would bark at him, calling him a “dog”. School was difficult and since he was limited physically, he thrust himself into his booklearning. There wasn’t enough money to finish high school; but he’s knowledgeable of the world in general and has a good grasp of the English language. His father loved the second wife better than his mother, making it even harder for him as the child of “unloved Leah”. The co-wife was even given a job and made some money which made life easier for them. This left Nehemiah’s mother to care for ALL the children while the other wife worked. Nehemiah sadly stated she finally resorted to alcohol and died a drunkard. Eventually, Nehemiah found his way to Kisumu and lives in a small lean-to beside a school.

Sam and Nehemiah having lunch at church between interviews

Tom Ogema has an office beside the school and became acquainted with Nehemiah. He invited Nehemiah to come with them and visit the CBF church. Nehemiah felt love and acceptance there and discovered this is what he lacks in his life. In 2005, he became a member and has since been quite useful in the church. He’s had some tough lessons to learn but has handled them patiently. He is occasionally used as interpreter and is currently the song leader. He has taught Sunday School in the past and also taught a Luo class to new missionaries. He has done some painting, drawing and architect work. We wish there could be more work for him, but it’s similar to waiting at the ‘pool of Siloam’; others get there first.



On our way to church, we pick up Nehemiah where he lives in town. When the children are along for Bible Study, he loves to hear them sing in the van as we travel. They have a certain amount of laughing and bantering back and forth. At 41, he gets very lonely and enjoys these social times. Because of his handicap, he cannot get a job to support himself and some times gets very hungry. At times, Sam and I also take him along as interpreter for interviews. In appreciation for his help, we’ll slip him a banana or loaf of bread. It’s a blessing for us to know Nehemiah.

Everyone is speaking of weather, so we will too. It seems to be the topic world wide. Snow, snow and heaps of snow. Typically in Kenya, it’s very hot and dry for this time of year. It continues to rain keeping everything lush and green and mosquitoes swarming. Church attendance is down abit because of mud and malaria.

Our family appreciates many of you remembering us during the Christmas season. We received numerous cards and family photos. They are still coming and we don't mind at all. Having you think of us means so much more since we're on the missionfield. Why?...we don't know..... it's one of those unexplainables.

May you be blessed!

Sam and Mattie and family

CHRISTMAS NOSTALGIA

It's Christmastime and those of us who have grown up in Christian homes know this as a very special time of year. We all know it's when we think Baby Jesus was born into this world. We've known 'Away in a Manger' since we were wee small. We've known family gatherings with aunts, uncles and cousins. Some of us travel many miles to continue these memories. It seems to be a world wide tradition. Even here in Kenya, people travel to their homeland for the Holidays. Each one develops some sort of memory of Christmas. Each family develops some sort of tradition. We even eat certain kinds of food. Please bear with us as we share a special memory associated with Christmastime. It will always be a part of our family.

Two Years ago, in 2007, seven year old David came into our family. We (or I) spent 3 months in Ukraine struggling through the difficult adoption process. We left the end of September and David and I finally arrived home four days before Christmas. Needless to say, it was a very special time we had together as a family. We were so grateful to God for providing for us. You see, I could be in country without a visa for three months and by the time we arrived home there were four days left. I would have been sent home without David. We would have needed to stay out of the country three months before going back. Our fingerprints document had three days left before expiring. Upon expiring, we would have needed to start over. Isn't God's timing good? Some of these post communists are tough. In spite of themselves, God worked miracles through them. Yes, Christmas is a nostalgic time.....and my mother heart will always wonder why God chose me to care for this motherless little boy. Three years prior to this, God impressed strongly on my heart that somewhere, (but where?) there is a mother praying that someone could provide and care for her little boy. I fought it, Sam fought it for a long time; we had children of our own........but finally we gave in and travelled blindly in the direction we were led.

We were led to David in Vynogradov, Ukraine; went through the required (and more) process and finally succeeded. We didn't found out much beyond that, except we found David...but who is he?

David Sergei, age 9.

Left to right, David-9, Myrna-9, Miriam-13, Daniel-15, Monica-17, Martina-18

David is so delighted to be in a family. Oh yes, he is like the others. There are tiffs and quibbles, and much teasing and laughter. He has a few quirks that indicate that there was little personal training before age 7. It's hard work, but the results are rewarding.

We were home one year and received the second call to serve in Kenya, Africa. (Ray Stutzman may not know it, but the first time he called, he was very instrumental in encouraging us on in the adoption process. At the time, we were at a crossroad).

In March 2009, we felt inspired to do a biological search for David's family. We were nervous...but again placed the results in God's hand. The family was easily found. David was born the third child with some health issues in the hospital. His parents were very poor and could not take him home. The government stepped in and placed him in an orphanage. There is still much corruption in the government in these remote area. Afterall, placing a child for adoption means thousands of dollars for them. Can you imagine this heartbroken mother? Always wondering.....the family was happy to be found and to know what happened to their son. They want contact and gave us their address.

The Ukrainian family, Stephan and Lizbet and children from Svalyava, Ukraine, a far western village in the Uzhgorod region. Wayne and Connie Hursh serve under CAM in Ukraine. They sent the 101 Bible Story book and a few pieces of literature to the family. In May, we wrote them a letter and received this one from David's mother a few weeks ago. This was sent to Connie; she translated and emailed the message to us.

Dear Mattie, We received this sweet letter the other day from David Sergey's biological mother. It touched my heart and I'm sure it will yours, too.

Hello from Zacarpatska Oblast, from Sergey's mother (Liza) and his father (Styopa).We recieved your letter and are very glad because of that. We waited for it for such a long time. I, Sergey's mother, love my son very much and would like to see him. Sergey, please forgive us for what happened....that I gave you to an orphanage.We didn't have a place to live, didn't have any work (job), and we were very poor. You have 4 more brothers and one sister. Now we are still living poor, but I still count you as my son. I didn't refuse you, and I went to visit you. Nobody told me that you were adopted. When I appealed to the court, they would not tell me who had adopted you.

I didn't know anything about you till your new family told us about you. I am very glad that you are in a nice family. I want to thank that family for taking care of you. I would like your family to come and visit us, and so Sergey could see his family here.

We still are living poor and have no job. We built only 2 rooms because we can't afford much. sometimes not even enough for food. Please answer this letter. I trust only in the Lord God that He will make it possible for our families to meet together.I kiss all of Sergey's American family. Thank-you for not forgetting us, Sergey.

Sincerely yours, Styopa and Liza.

Then there was a little note thanking us for our letter and the books. They were very glad for them and asked us to stop and visit them if we will be in their Oblast sometime. They would like our phone number, too.

It will be interesting to see how God will open the doors...maybe you will need to come visit Ukraine again. At this time of the year I think about you and how you courageously stuck it out till the adoption was finally through! I'm sure God has a special work for David and God bless you for doing your part.

Love and Prayers, Connie

The American family; Sam and Mattie Kauffman and children

Does God care about children? Does He care about a misplaced little boy? We are convinced He has His hand on David. Please pray that we can have wisdom in training this particular child. Please pray that we can know how to relate to his family. God willing, we as a family, are considering visiting them in Ukraine some day. If it works out, possibly we'll stop by when we return to America. We are seeking God's timing in this.

We are aware this is not a Kenyan post....just a melancholy airing of the mind. We thought those of you who were very involved in the whole adoption process would find this interesting.

May God bless and all and find you faithful.

Mattie for the Kauffmans