Unit Meeting, An A Family Of 11 Fleeing For Their Lives!

At Unit Meeting in Nakaru

(Saturday June 18th)

Today Carolyn, Stacy, Rhoda, an I were panning on going swimming, but we woke up to total over casted skies, an rain, so we canceled. It was very unusual weather for Kenya...but it was nice to have a "fall weather" type of day. later on when Stacy an I went to do some random shopping, I even wore a sweater, It was very chilly!
After we got back I did some odd jobs around home...Dad was studying for his message...mom was baking cinnamon rolls... an finally, Dad & Mom left to go do some shopping, an just have some alone time.

Very intent on the meeting.

After the twins were done at the shop, an Dad & Mom were still not home, we decided to sit down by the lake an watch the sunset. there were lots of people there, so we didn't stay long, but we stayed long enough to see a big, old, hippo walking along the edge of the lake, bobbing up every now an then so we could catch a glimpse of his monstrous face.
We got home in time for some of mom's yummy chicken/ranch pizza.
(Sunday June 19th)
Dad left early for IC class, Mom an Wayne, went along as well.

The girls sitting with rapt attention. (They did a lot better then me on that!)

Steve an I went in one van, an Stan followed with another van, as we made our way to Rabour church, to pick up the choir there, an bring them to our church, (there were about 13 ladies an 4 men on the choir.) as they had a program at our church. They sang very well. Then Dad had a message on Mathew 18. Church finally dismissed at 1:00-1:30 pm after some very elaborate testimonies...we all went home, taking the choir back to their church house, an dropping others off nearer to their homes, then we came home an ate a great lunch, an retired to our napping.
In the evening the youth were all invited to JoeAllen's for supper, an sitting around a camp fire, which we had not done much of since we are here, since wood is so scarce, an is used for cooking not just burning. but we had a great time together, even though it was a small group!

saw this on the way home from unit meeting. (This is why I think tractors should have air bags.)

(Monday June 20th)
Today Dad was at the pastors meeting most of the day...
The twins were in the shop most of the day...
Mom was cooking, an sewing a dress for herself...
I worked on the blog most of the day...then in the evening, Stacy, Rhoda, an I went to hangover for supper, an then did some shopping, we had an epic time together.
(Tuesday June 21st)

A lady was teaching me how to get water from a well.

Today our whole compound made the three hour trek to Nakaru for unit meeting...which meant we had to rouse from our slumbers at 5:30am!! I almost didn't make it people! It was terrible. So after about 100 speed bumps, an three hours later,we arrived at Nakaru for the epic unit meeting, the meeting was so interesting that I actually caught a short snooze out in the van, upon my return the discussion was on suit coats....so interesting. NOT. The meeting started around 9:30am. an they had a very delicious pancake breakfast before the meeting. The meeting finally adjourned around 1:30pm. It was longer then usual for some odd reason, But with taking a nap, as well as texting random boring comments to the other very bored youth, we once again live to talk about unit meeting.

I stayed at a safe distance an watched, I just knew she was gonna fall in!

we had some amazing haystack for lunch, an then started for home around 4:30pm. we returned to the compound around 7:30pm. was great to warm up in Kisumu again, as it was so cold an rainy in Nakaru, I even had a sweater on, an finally wore one of my brothers thick coats because I was still so cold! I have not been as cold as I was at unit meeting, since I left the states! It was like in the 50* in the morning, but I know we should enjoy it because soon it will be in the 90* or more.
(Wednesday June 22nd)
So today was the weekly Bible Study.
And since Rhoda will be attending church with Joseph an Becky, she did not attend Bible study with us, so it was just Dad & Mom, Wayne an I.
We had quite the times...we were way out in the backwoods, an they had just had a big rain.

At Luke's house, with 9 kids, an the neighbors kids too, it made for a lively place!

we put the vehicle in four wheel drive an drove through massive puddles, were people were washing their piki-piki's, we continued to spin our way back in, the vehicle at times drifting first one way, then the other, skidding from side to side, an I kept gasping for air! It was something else. sometimes I thought we were going to turn around completely an head the other way.
Finally we were back in as far as the vehicle would go, then we walked another 30 min. or so in the sweltering afternoon sunshine. Oh! Joy!

Luke an his wife, an some of their children, the rest were gone else where.

Also, our native guide that was supposed to direct us to the people who were having the Bible study, didn't know where they lived, an neither did we, but I soon discovered that African men, are never lost either, even though we were back tracking he still "knew" where he was going.
finally, I took off my shoes an socks, since we were wading through streams, Dad an Mom waded through with their shoes on, bless their hearts, an believe me once I was in the murky water up over my entire feet, I too wished for something to take the blunt of the snakes, an crocodile's bites...not that it happened...but, just in case. because once your in murky water like that you start thinking of the possibility, of being sampled by various reptiles, even though sitting here in our comfortable home typing on my laptop, it sure doesn't seem like I should have been so freaked out. but, I was.

They were having so much fun!!

an eventually as we were slipping an sliding our way to Bible Study, Wayne plodding along barefoot, in front of me, all of a sudden slips, an with a solid THUNK lands to the ground, an since we were way behind all the rest, I start laughing, an then Wayne still on his knees in the mud, randomly started singing, "We bow down." we had ourselves a good laugh! We then concluded that if this is what AMA wanted us to come an do, we were planning on making the most of our experience.
We got to Bible study very late, an the natives trying not to laugh while looking at our mud splattered selves, kept saying how sorry they were for us. They walk much further then we do, an somehow manage to arrive looking spotless, I don't see how they do it!
so after Bible Study we had some bread an tea, an started our trek back home.
We arrived home around 6pm. We then washed up an  joined the twins at hangover for supper.
We had a great time.
(Thursday June 23rd)

Dad & Mom, Lois & Luke, an Daniel our interpreter.

Today we were just all around home, Dad was in his study since he will be preaching in Lela this Sunday.
The twins were working on finishing up the grill that they had welded together, for one of the families here on the compound.
Mom was doing the laundry, an I was working on some much needed cleaning.
In the afternoon Dad & Mom went to get some groceries, then we all  ate a hurried supper, an left for prayer meeting at JoeAllen's which is like a 15 second walk from our house. It was a small group but we had a great time together.
(Friday June 24th)
Today Dad & Mom an I, along with Daniel okalo our interpreter, went to see a family from our church, Luke an Lois an their 9 children, he is a member of the CBF church, but his wife isn't an none of his family is either, but his wife is a very devote Christian, an she really encouraged me, to see her walk with the Lord.

We went past our church, an just so happened that CAM was having food distribution.

Kori, making sure the right families receive the food.

We went to visit them since earlier in the week, there had been another tribe that they are at odd with that came storming into their area, an about 50 men started robbing an killing, Luke's next door neighbor got shot with an arrow, an then was hacked to death! horrible. so Luke an his family fled for their lives, an came to a town that is closer to where the church is, but still close enough so that his older sons can go back to check on the crops. A relative in the town that they fled to gave them a house to live in, an they felt more safe there, so they will just stay there till they hear that it is safe to go back home. Pray for the family if you think of it. we took them some food, an spent time visiting with them, an their attitude was amazing, they were just happy to all be together an to be alive. the family sang several songs for us before we left, I took some pictures, an was so blessed with their contentment, an most of all their joy. It was truly incredible!
Afterwards they escorted us out to the road where our vehicle was parked, an kept saying how thankful they were that we came, we finally left, an took our interpreter back home, as he was feeling sick, an then we stopped by the hospital to pray with an older widow from our church who is staying there right now. We continued on home after that an stopped several times to buy chips (fries) along the way, finally reaching home around 6:15pm. I took a short rest, an then got ready for the weekly v-ball game that was on the street at 7:15pm
Was great to have Marcus Beachy here, as well as Kori from Nakaru
An that is about all that happened last week, at least in a nut shell.
Sylvia,
For the Miller's










P.S( So sorry for this terribly late post, I guess my excuse this time is that I had another seizure Sunday evening, so I've been recovering from bumps an bruises, an a bitten up lip. Pray for me on that if you think about it, I think we will be going to the Doc. tomorrow to check out if it might be limes disease. So please pray for me, I really wanna know what is causing these seizures, an as crazy as it sounds... I am hoping it is limes, just so that I have an answer, I am really tired of spending hundreds of dollars on various tests an the doctors saying, "nope, everything looks fine." then I go home an have more seizures!
 So sorry for all this about my health again, I feel like I always talk about this. but just asking you please pray that we could find answers to this illness that disrupted my life. Thanks in advance! )

waiting to receive their food parcel.

 

 

Headed their long way home, with food!

 

The more fortunate ones had piki-piki's

 

We helped some of them that were traveling the same way, on our way back.

 

 

Here we just stopped to buy some banana's! people! people! 

 

Another Farewell, An A Few Stubborn Hitchhikers!!

(Saturday June 11th)
Had a relaxing Saturday morning.

Charity an Clarissa, at Charity's Farewell.

Then around 11am. Carolyn, Stacy, Charity, Rhoda, Clarissa, Shonda, an I all went swimming at St. John's pool. It was a really big fancy pool, with a bridge going over the center of the pool, it was really neat. We swam till around 2pm. then came back to the compound.


Everyone was just working different odd jobs around home in the afternoon, I then did some cleaning, since we were having company for lunch tomorrow.
An in the evening, I took three of my friends down on Ring Rd. very cold cokes, it was amazing to see their faces light up! (I think I had wrote about that in my last post.)


(Sunday June 12th)

Visiting an snacking after the farewell.

Dad of course left early for IC. (Instruction class.)
The rest of our family, along with Charity, an Rhoda, an my Friend Irene, came at the regular time.
We had a farewell service of sorts for Charity since this was officially her last Sunday in our church, the girls from our Sunday school class sang three songs with Charity, in the church service. (I had told them one song, but since it is just the best thing ever, to sing, or talk, in front of crowds, they wanted to sing three songs.) wow! go them...I'm sitting in the back, "taking pictures!" for Charity! ;)

Some of the compound kiddo's

Us youth girls, Stacy, Clarissa, Carolyn, Me, Rhoda, Charity. (L to R)

I didn't get to hear dad's message much...since when we all stood up to pray before he started preaching, I look out over the shoulder high wall that is all around the church, an here I see a small girl laying in the grass, I watched her a little bit, because it is not unusual for ladies to be laying outside during church on their big scarves, that they carry everywhere, an even children will be laying in the grass in the shade outside the church, since it gets really hot inside. but here this little girl was laying right in the sunshine, so I kept watching her through the prayer, then I see her convulsing, an saliva coming from her mouth, so I pushed at my friend Irene, an asked her, "is that girl ok?" an she took one look an said, "No! she is very, very sick, we have to go help her." so we went outside to check up on her, an she was burning up with a fever, that is why she was laying in the sun, because she was so cold. so we took her over in the shade, an thankfully I had some blankets in the vehicle, an so we put a blanket an pillow down for her, an although it was hot outside she wanted a thick blanket over her, I then gave her some pain killer, an water.


Weston studying something or other.

However, I had just got her all taken care of when I look over an there was another man sitting behind our small storage building at church, an he was crying, so Irene an I went over to check on him, Irene was a great interpreter, since she knows English very well, it worked great! an we soon discovered that this man also, said he was very ill, he had a raging fever too, an was shaking, an shivering from head to toe! so out comes more water, an pain killers, an blankets, this poor man, was feeling so bad...his entire blanket was jerking, an quivering, from his quaking body underneath.

So after the church service was over, an Dad had greeted everyone, the needs committee an Dad decided to take the small girl home to her grand mother, (their mother an father left the children to live with their grandmother.) an they then took the older man (Enoch) to the local hospital, Dad said he was hardly responding anymore till they got to the hospital! they all said it was Malaria, but there were other people too, that said they were not feeling well, so we wondered if it could have been Typhoid? Well, it was an interesting Sunday to say the least! my friend Irene that was visiting, wants to be a doctor anyway, so we both enjoyed taking care of the ones that were sick. I keep praying for them this week, hoping they will get better!

Stan welding a grill rack.

We had Charity, an Rhoda over for lunch, an then in the evening we all went to Dean's house, for a farewell for Charity, an a welcoming for Rhoda. what a bitter-sweet evening it was! so sad to see Charity going...but so amazing to see Rhoda here, after getting to know her a little out at our orientation in Pa. It is exciting to get to know her better on this side of the big pond.

Us youth, along with Mark an Maryellen sang a farewell type of song for Charity, then everyone shared a "farewell speech" to Charity, an a welcoming to Rhoda, then last of all, Dean had asked Dad to share his life story, from Amish life, to how God called our family to the mission field in Africa, as well as his conversion from a carnal, an wealthy life, to a Godly, but spiritually rich life. So Dad had a fairly full day today! but, it somehow seemed to draw us all together, an afterwards we concluded that we should all share our life journey's, as a way of better getting to know one another. guess we will see.

We all had a very good time eating, an fellowshipping afterwards...

(Monday June 13th)

Today there were no Riots! Praise God! Thanks for your prayers...

Brad with his beloved bike!

Dad was at the pastors meeting most of the day...The twins were working in the shop an running to town to get parts that they needed....an I worked on the blog most of the day, somehow, it just took really, really long this time.

In the evening we youth had one more good game of Volley-ball with Charity before she leaves us on Thursday, an since Kori from Nakaru was still here from his food distribution he does for the orphans through CAM, it was all the more reason to play volley-ball, since we had an extra player. We had even teams 5 on 5, so that was nice! we then had a little snack afterwards. It was fun....but we missed Marlin's youth so much, an we were all sad that Charity is leaving us...changes....changes...do they EVER stop!?

(Tuesday June 14th)

Weston doing some painting

This morning around 10am. all of us youth girls went shopping, kind of to do a last thing together with Charity, an also to show Rhoda around, so she can get to know the places we shop at.

So we went Fabric shopping, at the Muslim fabric shops of course, an found some very nice pieces! yah! had several other stops, an then had a nice lunch together, it was a very nice time together...we got back around 2pm. - 3pm.

I then helped mom finish up supper, an did a bit of cleaning up, since we had the four single girls over for supper, (Charity, Rhoda, Stacy, an Carolyn) I grilled the chicken for supper, an then we had a terrific evening together! was great to hang out with the girls, especially since Charity is leaving us on Thursday!

(Wednesday June 15th)

Steve also doing some painting

Today Dad & Mom an Stan, as well as Rhoda went to the bible study.

Steve stayed at home to work since he had things that needed to get done.

Wayne an I did add jobs around home, an made supper! ;)

They got back got back home around 6:30pm. an we had a great evening just being at home!

(Thursday June 16th)

There were no riots today either! they had originally planned to start having them Monday's an Thursdays...but praise God!



Tiffany having fun with a friend

Today was a busy day, with doing some laundry, an cleaning up inside the house, as well as outside, since it is our turn to host the compound prayer meeting this evening.

George our gardener did a great job cleaning our flower beds for the occasion.



A group of sewing ladies that come to the compound, several times a week

Over lunch I took a break, an Wayne an I went down the street to buy some chapatti's, Wayne was sitting inside the hut talking to his friends, an I was sitting outside against the side of the hut, watching the lady make the chapatti's, when right across the street two men started fighting! it was horrible to watch! an I was getting freaked out really fast. They were boxing, hitting, an kicking each other around, I couldn't believe it! then the younger guy picks the older guy completely off of the ground an throws him in the dirt, an continues his hitting, an kicking his head! finally the people watching did something, an a man came an separated the two. Thank God! I never experienced something like that before! Wayne an I got our food, an came back to the compound, very glad to live inside a walled compound.

In the evening we youth girls all took Charity to the airport, an made it back in time for prayer meeting.


Dad beginning services with interpreter Evans

(Friday June 17th)

Today we were just around home doing baking, an different things. It was a relief that most of the cleaning was done already because of the hosting of prayer meeting at our house Thur. evening.

Some of us then went to town in the afternoon to see about buying some metal, an different things, so on our way back Dad decided to stop by one of his friends shop, he has a flower shop an makes floral arrangements, you can buy roses for several dollars a dozen. an other flowers too for terribly cheap!



They just say it, like it is!

So we talked for a little while, an Dad of course bought a small bouquet from the man, (For his own Father's day he said) lol  anyway, we soon headed to the vehicle to go home, we then had several homeless boys that we start talking to, an true to the ways of Kenya, the longer we talked the bigger the crowd of homeless boys got! we soon had 6-7 boys crowded around begging for money an food, so Dad challenged them with the thought, that if they would be willing to give up their glue sniffing, then they could be in an orphanage where they could be taken care of. they didn't really like that dad knew that about them, an so of course, they started saying that they don't sniff glue, but the glue bottles were right in their back pockets! hello. so dad prayed with them, an told them that with their sniffing glue, an lying he does not feel that God wants him to help them today, so when we went to leave, they jump on the side of our vehicle, an ride along! we edged our way out of the parking lot stopping periodically to tell them that we are going out into traffic, an that they need to get off now, but they just laughed, an said that we need to give them food. so we finally kept going! I was so scared that one of them was going to fall off! even though in Kenya they are used to hanging onto vehicles to catch a ride. so we kept going... an then we would slow down an say that they need to get off now, an they would just say "supa maket!" so we would say, "no not today", an continue going....we did this for a while, an soon Dad was becoming a little irritated, since we couldn't continue home with them, an we had things to do. So we kept driving an stopping, driving an stopping, people stopping to stare at these white people, with three homeless boys hanging to the side of our vehicle! Dad wouldn't be Gerold Miller if he wouldn't have given them a "ride they won't soon forget!" an driven a little ornery, after they refused to get off, so without too many details on his driving, an after some "swerves" we soon heard feeble little tapping on the windows, an a desperate, "stop we will get off!" so we stopped, an they all bailed off like tame little house cats...problem solved. an we went our separate ways.

Several ladies from church

It was quite an experience, an I think we laughed most of the way home, rehearsing the incident from all angles. these boys were probably about 13-16 in age, so old enough to know better! but I think they will think twice before they hop onto our vehicle again. I kept suggesting that we just stop by a guard an tell him our problem, or find a police, but Dad was able to handle the situation entirely on his own. true to his nature!

We got home in time to quickly eat super, an then we had volley ball, we got the father's to help since we needed more players, we had a very fun, an I might add entertaining evening, I am just itching to add more graphic details so that you too could be somewhat entertained, but since the nice person that I am, I wont tell you about all the "wobbliness" an the (clears throat) "clumsiness" an fierce pounding of their feet on the ground, before they hit the ball! that kept me laughing most of the evening, but most of them got into the swing of things before too long, an there were even some amazing spikes from some! all in all we concluded, that is was a better then expected evening of good times! An above all! bless their dear hearts for helping us play...

That is about all that happened this week...

I tried taking some family pictures, from the few complete families that we have at church.

~Sylvia

For The Miller's


P.S.( Sorry for the terrible blank spaces on the blog, I couldn't fix that, just keep scrolling till the bottom, so you don't miss pictures! ;)

Another family

Cute little family!

Some of the youth girls wanted to have their picture taken too

Two of my best friends from church, Jane, an Stacy (their pose tho! ;)

Two orphans that come to church, the little boy is super ornery! an his sis is so shy!

Youth girls from Rabour church. (another AMA church)

Us youth girls at the St. Johns pool

Rabour youth

Rhoda beginning her language study, with Rosemary!

Us youth singing at Charity's farewell...

Farewell For Linford's, an Clean-up at our church!!

(Saturday June 4th)

Charity is leaving an Rhoda is taking her place.

SUPRISE! So this morning we all slept in.
We had our usual brunch, an then by 11am. Stacey, Glenda, an little Tiffany, an I went to Cosmos to swim. we got back to the compound around 3pm.


In the evening Dad, Mom an I went to Nakamatt for some groceries, then we were just around home in the evening.
As you can tell it was a very "chill" day, an we enjoyed it fully!


(Sunday June 5th)

Carolyn an I

Today was the last Sunday that Linford an Kay were at our church, so we had a farewell service of sorts for them...we will miss them so very much! they seemed like a "life Jacket" to us after Tommy's left, an now to see them go....we know its time we start, "swimming on our own!" but Thank God we have his spirit that will guide an direct us!


So dad left early this morning to be there to teach the IC (instruction class).
Then the rest of our family, along with Linford an Kay came at the regular time.
I was planning on having my friend Irene go to church with us, since she really wanted to go, but we arrived at the place I told her that we will pick her up, an no Irene anywhere! it really made me sad but we had to leave without her, to not be late for church. Later several of the youth guys told me, "If you want a Kenyan lady to be on time, tell her to be at the place where you want to meet her, three hours before the actual time! then she might come on time" wow! I guess I need to keep that in mind...


So I was a little nervous to be going to church without Charity along, especially in Sunday school class, but once I got there I was very shocked... as the teacher was not around, an the girls are looking at each other wondering who will teach, so they sang some songs, an I hurriedly paged through my bible looking for something that I could talk to these girls about! my heart was in my throat, but I know it was good for me. God was there an helped me! Praise God! cause as I was paging through my bible, when they were singing, I was praying! thinking,.... Ok God! this would be a opportunity for you to show yourself strong, what should I talk about? please show me...an like I said God was there an helped me!....but it sure was stretching, I tried to talk with their accent, so that they could better understand me. but I had to laugh inside because, whenever I talk to a Kenyan, I switch to using their accent, an my brothers are always saying Sylvia! Stop it! an I honestly don't even think about it anymore.  Anyway, the moral of the story is, Sunday school actually went ok...


We had a good farewell service for Linford's, with Linford preaching a "Keep the Faith" message, an then after MANY testimonies...an lots...an lots of singing we dismissed, an then we were invited to James Odeck's house for lunch, so that was nice to not have to make lunch.
So with our visitor's Dishon an Wycliff in tow, we went to James's house for a yummy lunch, bless his heart! he is a widower, an loves having people over for a meal, (Like all Kenyans) of course he gets the ladies from church to cook the food.
An after lots of Ugali, chapatti, an meat, we took last time pictures with Linford's, an then started our journey back to the compound.

Popcorn an Youth Memories!

Over lunch we started talking with Dishon about my seizures, since he is a doctor. An he encouraged us that since I was not born having seizures, an they just randomly started several years ago, that it probably comes from an infection, or head trauma, (living with my brothers, was my guess on the head trauma??) lol. An he said it wont just go away on its own, but said we should get medication, as taking that for a time could cure it...I don't know, I'm soo scared of meds, I just don't want to start that. but then I'm sick of always being tired, an being scared to go out by myself since I never know when I'll have a seizure...so help me pray that I would know what to do! someone else suggested a limes test...so I guess we'll just have to see.
Anyway, enough negative ramble about my health issues! I really do enjoy life! lol even though the last paragraph sounds like I need anti-depressants!


(Monday June 6th)

Kiboko Bay Resort.

Today, everyone stayed inside the compound, as the debates prevailed. Wayne ran down the street to grab some chapatti's for lunch, but the gate guard hardly let him go, an escorted him part ways...it was a bad day in Kenya on Monday, as protesters turned into rioting, an looting. I don't know many details but that some people got shot. An store front's with glass got broken, as a med-lam of out-of-their-mind, rioter's hurled stones through the glass, blocking off the roads, an burning cars, an tires, were the agenda of the day. It was so strange for our family, who never experienced anything like it, to hear shots, an know that people were fighting, an to see the smoke in the sky, an to hear shots right close to our house somewhere, as police fired tear gas into the air, to disperse crowds...  What I find extremely interesting, is that its so absurd how that one day they are rioting, yelling, and destroying things, an the very next day you go to town, an other then smoke in the air, an smoldering tires, you wouldn't know anything has happened, the people are all business, an everything is normal again....what the world! Is this called "Anger Management!?" I sure don't understand...Let's Pray for peace in Kenya!


Dad was at the pastors Monday meeting all day.


I worked on the blog an was just around home...


The boys were working at the weld shop, an with needing things in town, an not being able to get them, it kinda hindered their work, but they managed ok.

The ladies that keep it all running smoothly. Mom, Glenda, Kay, an Clara

Mom took lunch to the pastors meeting, an was doing laundry...


We were all just around home in the evening voxing people from home!  fun...fun!


(Tuesday June 7th)
Today Dad an Linford were in an out of town, buying things for the clean-up day at church tomorrow.


Mom was baking banana bread, an doing various other things...as well as, making a grocery shopping trip to town, with Kay, to buy the food things for tomorrow.


Wayne an I were at home, and the twins were working at the shop, an also getting things in town. (Right! we go to town a lot, but then we live right in town so...)


So Wayne an I deep cleaned the three bro's bedroom, since over language classes, rooms like the boys bedroom got severely neglected, so after Wayne help to remove furniture, an to rearrange things, an wash, an sweep, an mop, we finally had a clean bedroom that looked so much better!


Then this evening, we (meaning the whole compound)  went to Kiboko Bay, a fancy resort, to have supper together, an also in an effort to tell Linford & Kay good-bye...sad! since they will be leaving us this week.  So after supper we all returned to the compound, an had ice-cream, an Oreo's, what a treat! We then all said nice things about Linford & Kay, an mourned that their short term of service here is up already! We will all miss their zeal, an life, that they brought to our compound, an more importantly to our church! God Bless you as you keep serving Him in Indiana! love you all!


(Wednesday June 8th)

Kiboko Bay Landscape...

Today we had our clean-up day at church.
What a day! It made me wish that each one of you could have been there to experience it all with us!
First thing in the morning, the men started working on the driveway, leveling it out an getting it ready for gravel, then the first load of gavel came, an they unloaded it all by hand! it was unreal how hard they worked!! I helped here an there, an kept circling around with water for everyone, as it was a sweltering day.
So one load wasn't enough gravel, so while they went to get another load, we ate lunch, complete with cold soda's, a rare treat for our church people, especially to have them cold, since ice is an unheard of thing most places in Kenya.

Boat at Lake Victoria

The view from Kiboko Bay over Lake Victoria

We then had a short bible study by Linford, since it was Wednesday, an then a farewell for Linford's giving the church people time to express themselves before Linford's left for America, One individual even mentioning that he would like a laptop from Linford's as a gift. I'm thinking, Only a Laptop! really?! not bad...oh! the Kenyan people, you gotta love em'! so after everyone was through talking, the second load of gravel had still not come, so we played some games, the men played corn hole, while the ladies washed the dishes at the well, an then we played some racing games, trying to balance a bucket of water on our heads, the native ladies thought it was so funny to watch Kay, Mom, an I try to do it too, since we totally could not do it! We also had a rope, with some vicious Tug-of-war games! I stood in shock as the ladies even played tug-of-war, Hey! they work in the fields more then the men, so their actually very strong! The one time I couldn't help but laugh helplessly as I watched the tug-of-war game, an I see the one lady stretched out, flying along, being pulled by the rope, an then landing up in one of those pricker bushes! she went one way, an her veiling went the other way, but after a few moments to gather herself together, she was as good as new! I kept trying to imagine my grown church ladies at home doing that at a church function! wow!
Anyway, we had a great time together, an just as we were finishing up the games, the second load of  gravel came so they all helped to unload that yet, an then we called it a day! we got back to the compound around 6:30pm. worn-out! sun-burned! an happy!


(Thursday June 9th)
Today Dad was at home an working in his office, getting ready for a meeting with the needs committee from church, an working on studying for Instruction class, an the message. he is kept so busy! but he wouldn't have it any other way.
The twins of course were working in the shop.

Wayne trying to get that perfect photo of the sun setting.

I did our laundry, an then went to town for some groceries with Dad, of course we had to drive around abit! which was fun...especially since Dad had been in the office all forenoon, an we were both in a bit of a crazy mood, (dangerous combo!;) we were laughing at lame jokes, an just being goofy,  having a good time! those are Memories of Dad that I hope I never take for granted!
We got back in time to get ready to take Linford an Kay to the airport, so after the usual "compound huddle" an prayer time, Dad, Mom, an I took Linford & Kay to the Kisumu town airport, which is about 10-15 min, from the compound. So we dropped them off, an picked up Carolyn an Charity as the two school teachers were returning from a vacation week in Mombasa, They had with them, Charity's replacement Rhoda Wengerd who will be replacing Charity Yoder in the class room here on the compound.

Pretty good picture for a camera with a scratched lens...

On Thursday of this week Charity is flying back to America after quite a number of years of serving with her family, an then four more years after that, of being a school teacher, she will be missed terribly. especially her spunk, an zeal for life! she is small but mighty! =)


We got back from the airport in time to go to the weekly prayer meeting held here at the compound.
It was a small group as we are missing Marlins, an Linford's, an others were here an there, an not able to be present.


(Friday June 10th)


Today Mom an I were moving furniture around, an cleaning, an washing windows, etc.

The compound eating at Kiboko Bay

but the main goal was to deep clean the office. since things needed some rearranging since we had moved in.
So after that job was finished, Wayne an I got a tuk-tuk an went to a electronic shop, to see if they could fix the scratch on the lens on my camera, of course I was supposed to come back today, but no! they still didn't know more then they had yesterday when I was there...he then said to return on Monday, but I knew with the way things go in Kenya, I would merely repeat what I was doing at the present, again on Monday, so I gave him my phone number, an told him to call me once he has the part. I guess we'll see.

A laundry day at the Miller house hold

We got different things in town, an then as we started walking back looking for a tuk-tuk to take us back, here come the twins in a cloud of dust coming back from town, so we got them to take us on over to Ring road, as I had a birthday gift for my one friend Irene, that I met over walking on Ring road, I knew she wanted to be a doctor, so I got her the book "Gifted Hands" by Doc. Ben Carson, not that I ever read the book, since I don't enjoy reading, but thought it might be an encouragement for her, to strive toward her goal to be a doctor, even in the midst of poverty.
I sat at her stand were she sells sandals, an talked for about an hour, with my trusty body guard (Wayne, better known as Shannon to people back home.) sitting there patiently waiting, an then I gave him some money, as he wanted to go buy a chapatti to pass the time while he waited on me! lol good ol' brother dear!
Irene just turned 17 this week, an she went all the way to Uganda to buy shoes to sell them at her shop, an here she bought me these nice black sandals, I don't really care for the way that they look, but they are so comfortable that I don't really mind, an to know that she spent money on me, when she hardly has enough herself, just melted my heart!

Getting our vehicle loaded for the clean-up day at church.

Preparing the lane for Gravel

So eventually I started home, but the trip home that should have taken us 15min. walking, ended up taking close to an hour, as I kept meeting people I knew, an you don't just walk past them, you stop an chat, so I landed up at my friend "mamma Jenn" is what I call her, the lady with the hair braiding place, an two of her friends were there as well, one of them being a Muslim lady, that is very cocky, an outspoken, so they start talking, an asking me questions, (mamma Jenn was quiet much of the time, since she is a Christian.) but the other two, an especially the Muslim lady were asking questions faster then I could answer, an sometimes they were both talking at once, the Muslim lady was being rather critical of our religion, asking if we fast? an I said yes, an she asked, "which month?" an I said, we don't have a certain month that we fast, (I knew she was asking since the Muslims are fasting over the Ramadan holiday.) we just fast whenever something heavy is on our heart. an then she scoffed abit an said, "OH! so you all just fast whenever you want to!" an I tried to explain more, but I soon saw she wasn't asking to know more, she was asking to then condemn. she I tried to answer their questions a politely as I could, an soon they wanted me to sit down, an I told them I'm not sure that I want to do that, because, it seems they are being a bit angry with me! an they all laughed an said no! they are just having discussion with me, so I sat down abit to make them happy, an the "discussion" continued, with the Muslim lady getting all worked up about things she didn't agree with me, then she would grab a book an vigorously start fanning herself saying that she is getting so warm, talking like this with me, that I need to bring her a coke, then she basically started begging for money so that she could buy a coke.

Little cutie pie in our church

They also, asked about the head covering, an I tried to explain how we believe about it, an of course the Muslim lady thought we should cover all our hair like they do, (Even though she sits there not wearing her covering till we started talking about the covering then she quickly wrapped herself up in it.) they all said that they want to learn more about the covering, an Mamma Kay seemed sincere about it, so the next afternoon, I took them the scripture in Corinthians that talks about the head covering down to their shack along with 3 very cold cokes! they couldn't believe it. I even got a stiff little Thanks from the Muslim lady, an even though I had to pray for love for her at the time, I know she has hurts, an is in need of love, an I want to be the one to love her! she seems bitter about something, an obviously has a lack of love flowing into her life, or else she would know how to give love. Pray for her, her name is Carolyn.
That whole experience left me seeing how that I need to study my Bible more, an to know where I stand more. So I know God had a purpose, maybe not that they learned anything new from me, but that I learned things from them.


In the evening I grilled chicken for super, an the youth had Volley ball.
It was really good to have Rhoda with us, as well as Kori from the Nakuru mission.
An that is all for this time!
Love you all!
-Sylvia For The Miller's

Mom doing it the traditional way.

 

Linford taking time to chat

 

 

Smoke from the riots!

 

 

Unloading the gravel by hand!

 

 

Rice an cooked cabbage

 

 

The highlight of the day

 

Washing the lunch dishes at the well

 

 

The guys trying out corn-hole

 

Finishing up the dishes

 

That one had to go in the hole!! =)

 

Hey there!

 

Getting ready to play a game with the ladies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-2-3!! who can get the most water in the buckets at the end of the row.



These white people an their games!

These ladies dumped water everywhere! they laughed until they cried!!

Pour! pour! pour! hurry!!!

Watching the games from the side line

It might look ok now...but wait till I take my Hands off of the bucket!! Bad news!

They could hardly finish showing us their skills! =)

This totally made the natives day, that the twins tried it too!

The twins cleaning out their weld shop.

Steve an I thought this view would be neat since there were riots going on, but I was too scared once I was half way up. BUT! I'll still do it sometime! lol