A Snake Bite, An A Picnic With A Random Stranger!

(Saturday July 16th)
Today it was no sleeping in. I got up at the smashing hour of 7am.

Sunset on Lake Victoria

Since Stacy, Rhoda an I were planning on making the drive out to where Mark & Maryellen Beachy live, about a 1.5 drive.
Carolyn had been there over the weekend along with the WATER girls from SMBI.
So we got there around 10am. an joined the rest, an went to a local hospital to sing, an to hand out the 25 bible story books from CAM, an lollipops to the children.
We also had a limited supply of bibles to give to the doc. an nurses.
We had a very good time, an got back to Marks in time for lunch, right after lunch Stacy, Rhoda, an I started the long trek back to Kisumu, we arrived back at the compound around 3pm.
I helped mom with several small jobs.

Drying these in the sunshine

Then the three bro's an I headed out to hippo point to watch a gorgeous sunset, over the lake. was a wonderful evening!
(Sunday July 17th)
Today Joseph & Becky, along with Rhoda were at our church, Joseph is the bishop of our church, as well as several other churches, so he had a message on being separate from the world, not only in the way we dress, but also in heart.
We then had a members meeting following the service, so that went on for almost an hour, then we were all invited to Daniels house (A man from our church) for lunch, so that took lot's of extra time, so till we got home it was around 4:30pm an the whole compound was coming to our house for the monthly compound activity at 6:30! so we got home an dove into our last minute preparations before people started coming, we were ready just at the nic of time.
Mark Beachy's came in for the activity bringing with them the WATER girls, along with Carloyn, who had all been out in Denia with Marks over the weekend doing various activities.
So we all gathered in our carport to sing awhile, then Mark Beachy shared abit of his life's journey, the WATER girls shared about their mission in coming to visit Kenya, through SMBI.
We youth directed by Mark Beachy sang several songs, then we had a snack, an that concluded another very busy Sunday.
(Monday July 18th)

A feast in an African home

Today was family day! so everyone was entitled to have the day off an do whatever their family felt like doing.
Well, since our family had kind of taken the day off when we went to see Luke's family on Friday, an since dad had things he needed to see to with various church people, we didn't do anything together as a family, but we had a good day none the less, at least us children did!
Dad an Mom left in the morning, an were gone all day.
Us children did different things around home in the forenoon, then had lunch, an quickly got ready to go swimming by 1pm. we went to a hotel that is really close to the compound here.

Serving the visitors food

It was really nice because on a Monday everything was empty, an we had the entire place to ourselves, we had a splendid time swimming, racing (Steve says he beat me, but I still think we were basically a tie, we'll never agree on this issue!) ha! an diving, as well as drinking cold, glass bottle, coke's, an their amazing slushy passion juice. We got home around 4:30pm. The boys all quickly did their chores, an I fixed a quick picnic lunch, an we all headed down to hippo point, (fast becoming a favorite spot for us children.) to watch the sunset an have supper, we were hoping Dad an Mom could join us but they were not back in time.

Ugali!!

The girl you see in the veiling, is starting instruction class. an also dating one of our youth guys.

So us children were sitting there by the lake watching the sunset, an eating our picnic supper, when this young man kept walking back an forth behind us, an I felt like he wanted something, I was just getting ready to tell Wayne to ask him how he is doing, when the guy stopped walking an ask, " could I join you all?" we said, sure! an welcomed him over to where we were sitting on a blanket, spread out on the grassy bank of the lake, I fixed him a plate of food, an Stanley washed his hands since that is what we knew he would use to eat with, we talked for quite a while, we soon discovered he was a more well-to-do person then most, first, I saw he had a big phone, an then, he told us he works at the bank across from Java House, (Quite frankly, I didn't believe him that he worked such a high class job, simply because he had asked us for food, an wanted to join us, but later we stopped in at the bank, an there he sat in a suit an tie, hardly recognizable, from our former meeting at the lake, maybe someday I will get used to the Kenyans no-shame attitude of asking for food, or anything free. even if they are fairly wealthy.)
Anyway, back to hippo point with our stranger guest, he said he came to the lake to reflect, an to relax, an to see if he was headed in the way he wanted to be heading in his life. Interesting.

Joshua, the shorter guy in the teal shirt an black pants is the youth guy she is dating

He also said he was there with some friends, actually a couple who was having marriage issue's an since they wanted to talk, an try to resolve some issues, he didn't want to disturb their conversation, so he didn't have anyone to talk to, so that is why he decided to join us, he said. We had some great conversation, an he showed us pictures of his family, an soon he left again. We had no idea who he was, but I told my brothers that I couldn't help but think of that verse in the Bible where it says something about, being careful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (That is just me paraphrasing.) Anyway, although we know he wasn't an angel, it felt fulfilling to be able to reach out to a complete stranger.
We had a really great evening.
(Tuesday July 19th)
Today we were just around home in the forenoon, then Dad had a needs committee meeting around noon at church, I worked on the blog most of the day.

Joshua, with all his hopeful in laws, getting the families blessing, on their courtship.

Mom was busy with laundry an cooking. Stan was sick all day.
Steve was busy fixing different things most of the day, we then went to town to pick up some things he needed at the shop as well as some pictures I had gotten printed at a small store.
In the afternoon Richard & Janet stopped by to visit with Dad & Mom for awhile, Steve an I then drove them over to the school where they were headed to pick up their son Peace, we dropped them off there, an came back home an had supper together, an just caught up on each others lives.
(Wednesday July 20th)

As seen in this pic. in this culture, showing any affection is only for the bravest! =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! my Mom's birthday is today an she is 50! wow! unreal! she is the best Mom I ever had! so caring, an patient, with me through my many health issue's, an when I so often feel tired. your the best, Mom!
Today only Dad & Mom went to Bible study, us children stayed at home doing various things around home, we went to town to get some supplies, an the twins finished up the grill for Wayne's that they had been working on for a long time already.


After Dad & Mom were done at Bible study they went to Hippo point to watch the sunset, an to relax an unwind, after a long day with "ever-in-need" church people, an also to not totally neglect the fact that today Mom reached "The Year Of Jubilee" as I told her.

Mark Beachy sharing some of his life's journey

Dad preaching, sometimes he stops to wake the children up. looks like some need it!

So Mom thought only Dad an her would go somewhere for supper to celebrate, but all the while dad was texting us children an told us to get ready, an go, to Java house an reserve a table, so they walk into Java house an Mom was very much surprised that we were all there, it was funny because while we were sitting at Java house waiting for Dad & Mom, Mom sent me a text sayin that we could make some hot dogs for our supper, an I just replied with an innocent, "ok". It was really fun to surprise her. After supper we went to our very favorite spot, up on top of the building were Java house is in, there is a fancy restaurant up there, with modern looking tables an chairs, an a pool. we usually just go up there to relax an enjoy the view of Kisumu an the Lake, it was dark, so we all just sat up there looking at all the lights reflecting off of lake Victoria, an Dad an I talked about how much we love it here in Kenya! Our whole family loves it here, but sometimes it just really hits us how much we are enjoying it here so far.
We had a relaxing evening up there, talking about how we would bring different people from home up here, if any would wanna come visit sometime! ha! hint! hint!
(Thursday July 21st)
So today Dad & Mom went to "get lost" as they say it. since the day of Moms birthday had been spent at Bible study with the church people all day.
So they had different little shops they wanted to go exploring, an I think Dad got Mom a foot spa treatment for something special, an since you can buy a dozen awesome roses over here for $2.00 Mom also got lots of roses!

The WATER Girls sharing their mission

So just before Dad an Mom were getting ready to leave for this amazing day together, Dad's phone rings an it was a needs committee member saying that a lady from our church was deathly ill, an was coughing up blood, an vomiting. SIGH. Dad just couldn't cancel Mom's special day since they were just ready to leave, so Steve an I took the challenge an drove the 1.5 hour drive out to our church to pick up this sick lady an bring her to Kisumu to see a Doc. we took a van, an I stuffed in some pillows an blankets so the lady could be relatively comfortable on the way back to Kisumu.
We got to Masogo an picked up our interpreter there, an then he directed us back in to where her small mud hut was, we found the sick lady laying on a reed mat on the ground, outside her hut in the sunshine, an despite the sweltering weather, she was covered in a thin blanket.

Dad at the market

So after greeting the family that was gathered around, an all the stray children, we waited in the sunshine till they had gotten her things together, an were ready to leave, we then helped the very sick lady into our waiting vehicle, an I guess since the family saw we had a van, everyone an his uncle decided to go along, Steve an I had thought 2-3 people might go, but no, we ended up with a full van on the way back to Kisumu. (The sick lady taking up the one seat.) she seemed to had a great deal of pain, I felt so sorry for her.

Ewww! the meat market, glad we butcher our own chickens

We finally get to the hospital, an drive up to the "emergency" door, an the first thing I see was crowds of people piled into the waiting area, my heart sank, I knew this was going to be a long afternoon, the next thing that happened was while I was helping to get the sick lady out of our van, I almost got run over as a piki-piki comes zooming in with three guys on it, honking, an whistling, all manor of different sounding horns, they jump off of the piki, an made their rapid entry into the already full waiting area, shoving right past us in the line, I was thinking, wait a minute! we're like kinda here too! Just saying. then our interpreter turns to explain the situation to us, saying that the one boy had gotten a snake bite, an needs medical attention right away, I look at the threesome standing in front of us, an saw the one young man's leg had a tight stripe of cloth tied around it, an the bottom part of his leg was huge an swollen! he was soon whisked off to be treated, I sure hope he is ok.

Selling potato chips

So the waiting room was packed out with 50-60 people sitting, an standing, in line waiting to be seen, I soon saw we were also now in line an waiting, so after several minutes, I found a shady place outside where I waited, since you all already know very well, how I don't do those tight, warm, smelly places, with no air an people everywhere, so, we waited for quite a while, then the interpreter talked to Steve an I, saying that the family wants to take her to another hospital since this one is too full, oh! joy! so first I ask, "how far the other hospital that they want to take her to?" they said only 10 min. an so I tried convincing them that since the sick lady was already in line an awaiting her turn, at this hospital, that some of us should first go check at the other hospital to make sure it wasn't the same story there, before we take her out of the line at the hospital where we were at now. The family didn't seem to understand why we would want to do that, an so we all picked up our things, an people, an headed to another hospital, we get there, an people, people, people, everywhere....we drive around to the place where we helped, the by that time, very weak, an sick, lady out of the van an into the hospital, we soon had her checked into that hospital, an she soon was able to see the Doc. thank God! there were people siting every where, along the flower beds, an on the window sills, literally everywhere. an the funny thing about it was how different this hospital was from ones in the US, I was able to walk right into the ER with out so much as a signature, where the Doc. was checking out different people, there were even people sitting on the window sills watching the Doctors work on patients, the doors were wide open an the people, flies, an dust, milled in an out at their own convenience.

Kisumu Town

Way on top of the building were Java house is in

An while I was waiting outside the door of the ER I almost got run over by a fleet of Doctors an nurses pushing a stretcher with a very sick patient on it, they come barreling through the door, an as they bumped carelessly over the door jam, the patients IV bag slips off of the bed an bounced to the dirty sidewalks, but the head nurse just picked it up, an in one smooth motion plopped it back on the bed with the patient, the patient winced alittle with the needle to the IV bag still being stuck in her arm, but was hurriedly being pushed to her new location, breathing with labored breaths, an moaning in pain. I hurriedly tried to get out of the way, but so was not to be... as I kept stepping out of the way an right to the spot they next wanted to go to! The nurse was yelling at me to get out of the way, so id step aside another direction only to realize that was the way they were wanting to go, the nurse kept looking at me very impatiently, waving her arms, an rattling off a whole line in Luo, that I completely, an totally, did not understand, I kept looking back at her like any innocent little opossum that was about to get run over would, I didn't know where she wanted me to go, so I stood there in the tight hall way, waiting for the impact, then a girl grabbed my arm an pulled me over to the steps an out of their way, I felt so stupid, but I honestly had no idea where I was supposed to go to since every way I had tried to go to get out of their way was the wrong direction. I was beginning to feel like a road kill, I don't know which is worse, being a road kill, or being a road kill survivor, an seeing all the people chuckle at this American who simply couldn't get out of the Doctors way as they rushed by. I really wanted to vanish... I felt so embarrassed! so I sat down, to the side, out of the way, an pondered over my narrow escapes, since the piki incident, an the stretcher happening, that had just happened.  I then tried making conversation with the girl sitting beside me, while I waited on Steve an the others trying to get admission fees paid. but she didn't seem to talkative, I guessed it probably wasn't cool to talk to a "almost road kill" since whenever I would ask a question she just said, "yes." or grunted, so, I'd ask her will you be staying here all day? Slight nod, an a grunt. (because this girl was along with the group we had brought, an the sick lady from our church was her Mom, I thought I should probably talk to her.) I would ask her different things that required an answer, an she just said, "yes." so I left it at that.

How they look when they think you might take a picture!

An went to find Steve, he was just finishing up the check -in, an so we soon left to go get lunch.They were going to call us once they were ready to be taken back home, but it was late by the time the family called, so Dad & Mom took them back home,


This evening instead of our usual unit prayer meeting, we all (except for children) went to the local hospital to sing, Dad & Mom were not along since they had taken supper to the van load Steve an I had brought in to Kisumu hospital earlier today, then they took them all back home, except for the sick lady who had to stay in the hospital several days, they got back after the rest of us were finishing up our snack that we had a Jakes after hospital singing, around 9pm.
An so ended another day in Kenya, with many a new experience!
(Friday July 22nd)
Today Dad was out an about most of the day, trying to get help for the sick lady that was in the hospital...
The twins worked in the shop all day.
And mom an I worked around home, I did some cleaning that was long over due.
In the evening we had some great volley ball again, with more players then usual, the three WATER girls were here, an Markus an Micah came in, as well as Kori from Nakaru, an Dishon from Rabour. we actually had 3 teams! what a treat. And we got extended curfew which was really nice.

How they look when you actually do take a photo

an so another week passed.
So here is for my very late blog, sorry people!
Also, sorry I don't have more pictures this time, maybe next time!
-Sylvia
For The Millers

A Knee Pops out of socket, An Water Pipes Leave Their Brackets!

(Saturday July 9th)

The landscape at Luke's house! incredible!

Today we all slept in, then I got up to start brunch, we all had brunch, then I left for swimming around 11:30am. with Stacy, Rhoda, Clarissa, an I also invited my good friend Irene to go with us. It was fun to have her along since she had never before swam in a swimming pool, she absolutely loved it, an I'm trying to teach her how to swim.
We all got back home around 2:30pm. an after doing various things around home , our family an Stacy, an Rhoda went to Java House for supper, we had a really great evening there.
(Sunday July 10th)
This morning  Dad left for IC class.


Then Mom, the three bro's, an I came at the usual time.

A nice stream close to Luke's house!

We had reorganization today, so that took up a lot of the service, an hardly left time for the message, but Dad did try to preach a shorter message on Naboth's vineyard, taking some pictures along to demonstrate, as well as some clusters of grapes, I then got to pass the grapes out to the children, it was really fun, an needless to say, the children were more attentive to the message then they sometimes are! Dad then talked about telling the truth, an living out the truth.
After the service I started walking home, since it was so pretty an not as hot, the three bro's then came an picked me up with the stone crusher, an we hurried home to prepare lunch, while Dad & Mom had various meetings with people, an Mom was practicing choir song, with the church ladies.


Hiking out to Luke's house...

I almost had lunch ready by the time they got home, around 2:30pm. I then decided that I was more tired then hungry, so I went an took a nap, so I would for sure feel like going to our Sunday evening activity.

The ex-Muslim pastor Richard an wife Janet wanted Dad to preach at their evening church service tonight, an that started at 4pm. already, so lunch was light, an the naps short. So we all got ready an left for their small church down on Ring Rd. It was quite a culture shock for us all, Dad an Mom had been there before, but us children hadn't been there yet.
First they had an ear-splitting worship service, I was so glad once the singing was over...it was just a small building, an they actually had a speaker system, an it was way too loud! the ladies literally just yelled into those mic's till my ears stung, finally Dad had a message, an then we greeted most everyone, then Steve an I decided to walk home, since it was so close, an Dad & Mom were still talking with the people.

Enjoying the stream, with the high temps. out

We got home before the others, and I made popcorn, an Richard & Janet came for snack, of popcorn an the Luo's special delight, banana bread! We sat on the front porch an talked till pretty late, seemed we couldn't finish talking, they are such a kindred spirit!  

(Monday July 11th)

Dad was at pastor meeting most of the day.

Mom did laundry in the forenoon.

I worked on the blog most of the day.
In the evening Wayne an I went walking along Ring Rd. again, we bought some Skuma- wiki for Mom, an just relaxed around home in the evening.
We had a very usual Monday.
(Tuesday July 12th)
Today we were just around home doing various tasks, Dad was in his office most of the day, an went to town with me to copy out a bunch of pictures I took for the church people, an also got some SMS cards for the twins, an Dad's new iphone's. We ended up waiting about an hour an a half on the pictures to print, then they didn't have all of them printed, so Kenya. We were at the post office a bit, then walked around looking at different shops, an ate some fries, an finally the pictures were ready!
We were just at home again tonight.

hiking back out to our vehicle

Reaching our destination... the vehicle

I had a bit of a calamity happen tonight, I was walking into Mom an Dads bedroom, an I saw there was a wet puddle on the tile floor from wet towels, so I went to take a big step over it, an I guess the puddle was bigger then I thought, because I took a big step, an I still landed in the water, an my ankle went one way, an my knee went another way, an my knee slipped out of socket! I heard it crack as it slipped out, an I just collapsed to the floor, in a pain that I thought was almost unbearable, my knee cap had still been sore from landing on it several weeks before when I had a seizure, so it hurt even more, in my extreme pain I kept asking, (or yelling might better describe it) "Mom!! Why cant I just have a normal life!?" Ha! kinda strange what you say when your in such pain I guess.  But after some writhing around in pain, an breaking out in a cold sweat, I was able to hobble to my bed, my knee was actually fairly good the next morning, of course Mom put some oil on it that was supposed to make it all better, an it did! I wanted it to get better fast, since the next day, on Wednesday, we had planned to take the water girls, from SMBI along to bible study, an Dad wanted me to go along, especially if they were along. So usually after popping my knee out of socket like that, it would be almost impossible to walk on it normally the next day, but I got up Wednesday morning, an I could almost walk without a limp! Praise God!
(Wednesday July 13th)

Mom an Luke's wife singing

Today we all got ready to leave for Bible Study, we all did odd jobs around home in the forenoon, an also made supper to put over to Joe an Glenda's house since they just had an addition to their small family, a small, one month early, baby son, named Elliot Layne.

Dad with some of the children

We quickly ate lunch, an the three bro's an I left at 12:00 noon with one van, an Dad & Mom came with the stone crusher, since we children had to get back from Bible study earlier then what Dad & Mom would, also we picked up the water girls at Ahero, since they were on their way to Kisumu from Nakaru, an were planning to go to Bible study with us. ( I believe I had said in my last post that they are from IGO, but its actually SMBI, so sorry for that wrong info.) their first names are Valerie, Lanae, an Teresa, I've had a great time getting to know them better, an to try an give them a true cultural experience, since they are on a couple week trip to Kenya, through the SMBI program.
We had a great time at bible study, we even got to sit outside an listen in, instead of sitting inside the hut, so that was an extra bonus to the day, for me at least.

Eating sugar cane!

After bible study, we rushed home since I had a phone call/face time scheduled with abunch of my friends who were hanging out an wanted to FaceTime. I was so excited about that! it was a lot of my closer friends, Kate Yoder, Jenn Borntregar, Debra Borntregar, Rita Hershberger, an Phelan Brooks, It was beyond amazing to not only talk to them but to "SEE" them!
Jenn is my friend who is getting married on Aug. 13th she had asked me to be in her bridal party, but with being all the way on this side of the world it didn't work out. I never thought I would miss her wedding, since she was one of my closest friends, but I've learned to be ok with it, an it sure helps that I'm enjoying Kenya as much as I am! an I realized before I came that this might be a sacrifice that I may have to make.

Wayne with his buddies

*A random bit of info I keep forgetting to add to my blog is that Dean Miller's family has left for a 6 week furlough to the states, so we are missing having them on the compound.


*Also, Carolyn Rhodes had left for a several week journey to her home in Virgina, to spend time with family an friends, before returning to her post her in Kenya, gearing up for another term of school teaching. Its great to have her back in our midst!
(Thursday July 14th)
Today Dad & Mom were gone most of the day, finally taking the blind man to live at the school for

Luke an his wife,  an some of their children.

the blind, where they say he should be able to read in braille in around 2 months time! so that is very exciting!
An another thing on their agenda was to take a youth guy, an his hopeful girl friend, to do HIV testing, a well as get a ID card for the girl.
They had a full day out an about, an didn't return back home till around 5:30pm. So we all had a quick supper an went to Jakes for prayer meeting.

Stan & Wayne enjoying the day

Well people, while Dad & Mom were gone today we children here at home, had our own set of problems...So the last several days our shower wasn't working properly, we had basically no hot water, an we were taking cold showers, Steve had been trying to fix it, to no avail, an in the mean time we were reminded of our missionary position... an taking deep gulps of air, were a common routine at shower times, like I said the water was freezing cold, an stayed that way for several days. But it was good for us, we now appreciate our hot showers more.
Anyway! back to the disaster that happen while Dad & Mom were gone....So this morning, determined to fix the issue, an get hot showers, the twins had bishop Wayne, as well as pastor Jake come investigate things, so they stomped around up in the attic for a while, doing what men do best, solving issue's, an reaching conclusions.

Luke an his wife

Stanley Miller

So before long Wayne an Jake both left, an the twins tried their non-existent plumbing skills, in our old, musty, stuffy attic...well, I soon heard running water up in the attic! Red Flag! I don't know anything about plumbing, but these were the things I did know,      1. there were water pipes in the attic. an     2. you shouldn't hear free falling water falls in an attic. Soon after, things broke loose in chaotic scrambling, I see a set of shoes come zipping down the ladder in a swift motion, an Steve yells out, "Grab Bucket's!" over his shoulder as he ran to the shop to find buckets as well! So buckets were hauled up into the attic in rapid succession, an Jake was frantically trying to figure out were it was that you turn the water off completely, Wayne came too, an they search, an finally were able to stop the water, an got things under control in the attic, that was now full of bucket's standing around, with water in them. but things might have been under control up in the attic, but enough water got spilled up in the attic before the buckets arrived, an soon water came pouring down the walls, an huge puddles were in the hallway, an into the office, an just when I thought things couldn't get worse, they did!  with the ceiling being soggy from all the water, Stanley somehow set a full bucket of water on a soggy spot, an with a squishy groan, the ceiling gives way, an the bucket full of water comes crashing through the ceiling into the hallway, water going every direction on the smooth tile flooring, thankfully Stanley didn't make the hasty descent  along with the bucket, so soon we were moving my mattress in my bedroom since my bed is not in a frame, but rather just on the floor. an the water was headed that way, we got it out of the way in time.

Enjoying lunch

There were pieces of old plaster board scattered around, an brown muddy water running down the walls, an water dripping an running...it was a mess!
Before I got to the scene, the twins in desperation grabbed all the towels, dirty an clean an threw them everywhere, as well as all the dirty wash in the bathroom dirty cloths basket, so it looked like a big mess to clean up when I arrive! an it was. there was sopping wet clothes, an towels, an water everywhere, so the rest of the day I mopped up water, an cleaned walls, an mop boards, (thankfully, the twins an Wayne helped me out a lot!) so we all grabbed buckets of soapy water an washed door frames, an mop boards an floors, an talked of the recent flooding's back home, wondering how depressing it must be to have your entire home flooded!

Luke enjoying the pastor an family

I then worked on laundry for a while till I got all the sopping wet towels an cloths all clean, an drying on the wash line....wow! what a day!
(Friday July 15th)
Today our family along with Daniel, an Joshua, from our church, as well as Dishon from Rabour church, went to see Luke an his family of 9 children, they are the family I had written about that was running for their lives.
Well, Praise God they are back home, however, there is still not total peace, an some unrest here an there, but they are trusting God, an praying his protecting hand over their family.

As you can see in this pic, that in this culture men who are friends, often hold hands.

We had quite the hike to his home, we drove part of the way, an then, hiked the rest of the way, an since we were close to the mountains, it was some steep hiking to his house, especially since it had rained a bit that morning, the mud was slippery, an I found myself  sliding backwards, but Luke so kindly helped me up the hill.
We had a fantastic lunch at Luke's house, then we had a short bible study, with much singing, we then dispersed with each a stalk of sugar cane to chew on, on our way home.
Luke an his wife, an oldest son, escorted us all the way back down to our vehicle again. their hospitality, amidst obvious poverty, moved me to tears.

Daniel, Stan, Dishon, Wayne, an Joshua

It may also be noteworthy that Luke is the member in our church who bikes a very long way to come to church, he attends faithfully, howbeit he starts his journey to church at 10:00am. Saturday morning, an arrives at a town very close to the church at 5:00pm. Saturday evening, he bikes all day, then sleeps in the town close to the church, an finishes his trip Sunday morning, he is almost 50 yr. old an I marvel at his dedication, an his commitment in serving Jesus!


Roads through masogo town!

We then started the long trek back to Kisumu, dropping off our friends Daniel an Joshua in Masogo, an Dishon in Rabour, we then got home an the three bro's an I decided to go to Java house for supper, an then got home in time to get ready for the volley ball game, we didn't have enough youth players, so the pastors helped us out.
So that completes my update for our comings an goings this past week! there was much more I could write about our day at Luke's, but I am determined that this post will be shorter.
Have a blessed week!
-Sylvia
For The Miller's


P.s. (Sorry this post is a bit late, we had family day on Monday, so I took a break from posting.)

Stan sizing up the mess...

the hole in the ceiling where the bucket of water came through

Mud an water

The water girls. from left to right: Lanae, Teresa, an Valerie

 

Marcus took us girls fabric shopping...

 

 

Carolyn playing with the children

 

The twins at Daniel Okelo's house for lunch on Sunday

 

 

At Daniel's house for Sunday lunch.

 

 

African Culture! A Feathery Gift! An Stones In My Soup!!

(Saturday July 2nd)
Today we slept in...had brunch, And then we were just around home in the forenoon.

A traditional African hut.

We then had a native couple from Ring Road that came to visit our family. He is an ex-Muslim (I have wrote about this couple before.) anyway, he shared his amazing testimony of his conversion from Muslim to Christianity. And being chased from his family, an his home, for the sake of Christ. They ended up being at our house most of the afternoon. They also decided over the course of conversation, that they want to go to our church the next day. They have one little son named Peace, an are expecting another child. They are a young couple, an started a little fledgling church down on ring road. He keeps telling Dad that he needs so much teaching, an is always asking Dad questions, Dad gave him the book they use for instruction class, an Richard says they are learning so many new concepts on Bible teachings.
Richard also keeps praying that I will be healed from my seizures. Bless his heart!
They are a dear couple, that is very real in their relationship with Christ.
(Sunday July 3rd)
Today I stayed home from church, since I wasn't able to sleep, an just got several hours. I was really sad, since I wanted to go especially since Richard & Janet were going along.


Dad left early like usual for IC class, he has had several more applicants added to the class, so he seems more overwhelmed with a bigger group.


So Mom, the three bro's, an Richard & Janet left at the usual time.
Another reason I was sad I couldn't go is because they were all invited to a widowers house for lunch after church, an we have come to crave their Kenyan food so much! So we are always excited when we are invited to someone's house for a traditional meal.
So it was abit later till they returned home, around 2:30-3:00pm.
We then just relaxed an were around home In the evening, sure was nice!
(Monday July 4th)

Washing the clothes in the river

Today we were all just around home, an the compound here.
Except for Dad who was out visiting all day, visiting different member's, having a meeting with a youth guy, an his hopeful girl-friend, visiting the hospital, an the list goes on...
Wayne an I went walking along Ring Road again tonight...
(Tuesday July 5th)
Today I was so excited! because today Mom, Stacy, an I, along with my best friend Irene, (Irene is the girl I met on Ring Road, while I was walking there, she has a shop where she sells shoes.) We had a day planned that Irene wanted to do for so long already, she wanted to take me to her homeland to meet her family, (Luo's often refer to their "homeland" an its usually not where they live at present, but rather where their family, an grandparents live, an where they grew up at.) So we met Irene at a certain spot in town, an she rode with us to direct us, she is an 18 yr. old who has had to drop out of her school, since their family needed more money, so she started a shoe selling business.

our family leaving the hangover hotel

Irene's mom's house

Her homeland ended up being about an 1 1/2 hours away from Kisumu, which was out close to the mountains, It was so pretty out there! But first, on our way out to her homeland we got stopped by the cops, it was my first experience with that since we are here. he claimed we were speeding...but probably not more then anyone else out there...but anyway, he had caught us at a speed trap where the speed limit suddenly drops to a much slower speed. anyway, so we pull off, an he gruffly comes up to our vehicle an tells us we were speeding, an then points to the other side of the road an told us to park over there, an go to court, well, the thing of it was, we weren't planning on going to court, since that could easily be an all day deal, an we were planning on visiting Irene's family, an couldn't be detained! So we sat in the vehicle an talked about the whole situation...an what we should do...And finally decided we would walk across the road, an try an be really sweet, an see if he would soften up abit. He said we can choose from two options, either go to court right now, or pay them $5000.00 ($50.00 USA) which for a missionary is a lot of money! So we decided we would ask him if we could pay $3000.00. (I know people! bargaining with the police over a ticket, welcome to Kenya!) so we finally went back over to him, I think he dreaded seeing us coming again, he asked us all business, "so! what have you decided!?" an we asked him if he would consider letting us off with paying bail of $3000.00 since we were really sorry!? an he puffed an huffed around, an kept reminding us how much over the speed limit we had been driving. Then he told Irene a whole row in Luo, (She later  told us he told her to take her friends, an just go to court like he had told us earlier!) But she pleaded with him that that wasn't kind, an that we are really sorry, an these were her friends...we kept saying sorry over an over again! an said we would pay $3000.00 if he would only let us go, but we could hardly pay him $5000.00 like he had asked us to. He kept acting all busy, an answering his phone. An after standing there beside the road with him for good long while, I got up some courage an asked him in my sweetest voice possible, If he could be at least a little bit nice to us? At that, he actually smirked, an then started chuckling!! I couldn't believe it! An finally he surprised us all by saying, " I can see you girls are young, I will forgive you totally! you can just go without paying anything!" Whoa! WOW! I felt like giving him a big hug!! But then, thought twice, an after many thank-you's an handshakes we left quickly before anything changed...an as we drove past him I rolled my window down an gave him a thumbs-up, he grinned an stuck his thumb high in the air too! wow! we couldn't believe he let us go scotch free!

Kenyan flowers

Cactus flowers 

At Kiboko Bay

We had a very great time with Irene's family! everything was very traditional, we greeted the family, an then were quickly ushered into the stuffy hut, were before we sat down, Irene's pastor had a prayer of blessing, then they served us some water, (which we didn't drink, since we had our own filtered water along,) an we waited for around an hour till they brought the food in, then after asking Mom to pray the blessing on the food, they came with water to wash our hands, then we ate our food! yep! with our hands! We didn't talk much while we ate, since Luo culture is, you don't converse too much while eating. They had chicken, Ugali, skuma-wiki, an Chapatti, very yummy! So after we were through eating they washed our hands again, an we were "released", being released is a big thing to them, earlier when we had been waiting on the food, I had asked if we could go outside to look around. (I know people, I should have kept quiet, but I needed fresh air!!) So they had to go out an find Irene, an ask her to come in, an then I was asked to repeat my request to our hostess, by then I was thinking, seriously skip it! if we have to take this thing to court, I'll just sweat this out, an remember to put an oxygen mask, an tank, on my priority list of things to buy...I do sometimes get very Closter-phobic when I sit in a stuffy hut with all of our knee caps basically touching each other, an knowing I will be here for several hours maybe, an I have to stay in here...I cant leave...I cant get out...one comforting thought to me is always that if I would faint, or have a seizure it would most likely be a soft landing, since there are people everywhere, or better yet there might not be a "landing" since we are packed in like sardines, I might just faint, an come back to, an nobody would even have found out about it, because I was squashed between two people so tightly that I would've never been able to fall over...ok, so I'll stop telling you about some of my random thoughts I have when I sit in those stuffy huts! I'll get used to this whole close fellowship stuff one day...I hope. Would sure help if my nose weren't as keen either...anyway, were was I?.... yes, back at Irene's hut requesting a short leave from the oven, also known as the hut...so I asked Irene if we could go outside an look around? an she said No! Oh! bother! I thought. she then said, "we have not yet released you, an we cant release you till you have eaten", I thought of putting in another request, to be the first survivor to be released before eating...but thought I would spare my mother the embarrassment. An once again I survived! Glory be!

Wayne trying out his homemade bow an arrows

The pastor was the only one in the hut most times, I guess he was the appointed one to entertain us, while the ladies had the glorious freedom of cooking the food OUTSIDE, an walking around, an going in an out of the hut as they pleased, blessed creatures. So whenever the pastor would run out of things to say, he would again try to get all three of our names straight, he kept pointing at us an slowly an deliberately saying, "Becky, Slilvia, an Stacy" I guess he was trying to memorize our names since he did that like 8-10 times! No Joke! finally when he would yet again start in with "Becky, Slilvia...." I would look at Stacy an we would just start laughing, like here we go again! an he always put all kinds of extra "L's" in my name, which I found super entertaining to listen to, since his tongue was totally out-doing itself just to say my name! when its so much easier just to say, Sylvia. At one point Mom told him, "her name is Sylvia!" an he basically interrupted an said "yes!yes! I know Slilvia"...ok, so we just left it at that, you sometimes have those moments when you know someone will not "get it" however long you explain. yes, this was one of those moments. Anyway I liked the old gramps dearly...an he was actually funny which was a bonus! An I impressed him with the little bit of Luo I knew, so that was nice! lol
They then showed us around their little home town, an we went to their grand-pa & grand-ma's house, an to Aunties house...an on an on...then lastly we went to the school which was actually a big impressive structure, it was interesting to look around, but another trial for me was to sit up in the principles office, where he asked us to "sit abit", I tried saying we need to be going, since we were in a rush, yeah, It didn't work, we had to sit down, an he served us warm soda's...an the room had sauna type temps. an the principle talked...an talked....an talked....an repeated what he had said twice already, until I reached new levels of exasperation! It was so hot in his office, an people were piled in there, I kept looking at Irene an mouthing, "can we go now!?" an she kept smiling serenely, an slowly shaking her head no...again I made it! but I just don't do those tight spaces with no air! I almost went bunkers! I am embarrassed to say this... but I even kept taking deep breaths, an loudly pushing air through my nostrils, in hopes that the principle might catch on that I needed air! yea, you guessed it, this didn't work either, but was worth a try though.

Irene's family along with the lady in the tan shirt an yellow shirt were there as friends

After the principle was finally through talking, about nothing...well, I shouldn't say that. he kept talking to Stacy an I that we need to come teach at his school, an also get married to guys from the area there...merciful days! I thought, just let me out so I'll be able to go on living. For Real! Once we were outside in the fresh air I felt better again, so we walked back to the small town, since they wanted to show us their mill, where they grind all their corn. etc. which was actually very interesting, it was all hand cranked. After that we headed back to Irene's house, an after a lot of different group pictures with Irene's family, an long good-byes, we left. But not before they gave us a "gift."  People!! I could not believe my eye balls, when I saw them lure the chickens in with feed, an then Irene's mamma snatched the chickens up by their feet, an tying their wings together, Deposited two live chickens into the back of our newest vehicle we have on the compound!! So on our way home when we would go over speed bumps, they would cackle an squawk, an carry on in the back, an every now an then a stray feather would float to the front where we were sitting, but listen! the best part was after they had been quiet for a while an we hit a bump, an they cackled loudly, an mom jumped like she had been shot, I had to burst out laughing, she looked at me with eyes big, an dilated, an said In a horrified whisper, " I forgot those old things where back there!!" I thought it was so hilarious!

The school close to Irene's house, one of Irene's sister's attend here.

 After we got back to the compound we discovered that the chickens must have been nervous about the ride home, since there was "recycled" chicken feed all over in the back of the vehicle. Oh! joy! So we dropped off Irene, an she grabs one chicken an stuffs it in her purse, like I would my phone, or wallet, an off she went! an we were left with the one remaining chicken.
what a day! an oh my goodness, the memories, I hope I will never forget them!!
(Wednesday July 6th)

Irene's friends an family, an aunt, an grand-pa, Irene's father is working in Niarobi

This morning we did some odd jobs around home, then mom gave all three bro's a hair cut, an we all got ready to go to bible study, we don't usually all go, but it somehow worked out this Wednesday, an the bible study was not as far back in an remote as sometimes, an since we have hardly had any rain, we could drive right up to the hut, which was nice. once again we were all packed in like sardines, but I soon gladly made room for an elderly man who came late, so I sat outside right by the door way, an there were prolly about 6-8 ladies sitting on a mat outside the door too, they had come late. It was so nice to have fresh air, an still hear Dad's topic, an I wouldn't be honest if I wouldn't say I also enjoyed the random entertainment that sitting outside provided, like the little boy who kept having to chase the geese away from the hut, since they made such a huge fuss, an noise, that people couldn't hear what was being said, so after he would chase them away, an come sit down beside the hut again, soon after, the whole flock of geese would come fly/running back honking loudly, an barreling straight for the hut, like a terrorist group about to attack! an the little boy would chase them away again... this scenario kept repeating its self quite often.
We ate cooked field corn an beans for snack at the bible study.
(Thursday July 7th)

My dear friend Irene, she is probably my best friend in Kenya

Today Dad was in the office most of the forenoon, an mom an I were doing different things around home here.
Then around 12:30pm. Dad an I left for the hospital, to see my Doc. for a check up with starting on my seizure meds. since he wanted me back after two weeks of being on half a pill. So we went there an the Doc wasn't in. Surprise! an so we sat an waited in a dark waiting room since the electric had gone off, soon however we talked to the Doc. an told him I have been feeling great, an don't have any side effects yet, other then a few sleepless nights, (but I struggled with not being able to sleep before meds so we are not concerned about that.) so we decided we will just stay with half a pill for the next month, since I usually went at least one month to 8 weeks between my seizures, an we will see how it does for me.
I really like this Doc. an especially since he has diplomas on his wall of working an practicing his Doctoring in Ohio! yes! he worked in Ohio for some time, we discovered that the first time I was in...seems like a small world!

Mom with the ladies, Irene's mother is the lady in the leopard print shirt

So after we were done a the Kisumu Hospital, Dad had different random stops around town, but since it was a Muslim holy day a lot of the stores were closed, so we ate some lunch at a small booth for $1.50 an other then crunching on some gravel stones in my bean soup, lunch was a huge success. while we were at the lunch booth we both somehow got terrible bad laughing fits, laughing about funny little things that were going on around us. We laughed till my side ached, we then drove around the long way home, to see more scenery, an of course laughed some more, an talked non stop.
We got home around 3:30pm. then I grilled some chicken for supper, an we quickly ate an got ready for prayer meeting at 7pm. We got to vox with Sharon Weaver for a bit over super, which was certainly a treat, an the highlight of our day, especially when Angela said several phrases to us too, we had not heard her talk much yet. So that was epic!
(Friday July 8th)

Mom giving them her phone number

Today Dad an the twins along with Joseph, left for a day of cultural experience, with a man named Jim Harries, he is from England, I believe, an he knows the Luo culture through an through, an people say he can speak better Luo then the Luo's themselves! he has lived here many, many, years already, so anyway, he took them way back in the boon-docks, teaching them different things about the culture, an also taking them to several church services, where they reported loud booming drums, an dancing, an the service being so loud, Stanley was holding his ears shut! they claimed they were chasing the devil out of the church, an were interpreting dreams, an etc. Dad an the twins said it was very strange, an they were glad to leave that service, they said it was quite an ordeal, but what made me sad was that they came home with hardly any pictures since they said that Jim wants to be respectful to the natives, an some people are really funny about having their picture taken, they don't like it at all.

At bible study

Mom, Wayne, an I were just at home, Wayne was mowing lawn here on the compound, and in the afternoon Mom an I decided to walk up to Nakamatt an do some curtain shopping, as well as some other things, we then brought a tuk-tuk back, an the guy way over charged me, an I just didn't realize it, still makes me ill, it wont happen again though!

A small baby at bible study

A traditional Kenyan lady an children

We got back in the afternoon an rested abit, then got ready for Friday night volley ball, since we had some visitors, an much needed extra players! The twins got back just in time to clean-up, an set up the net, an lights, an water the court so it's not as dusty. So we had the three girls here from IGO, I forget their names, they are known as the "water girls" I guess since they are with the water program? anyway, they are at Nakuru as of yet, but Kori was coming this way with his distribution work, an since there were not many youth in Nakuru to hang out with, they came along, an so we had four people from Nakuru helping us play, the three water girls will be in Nakuru till Wednesday, I believe, then they come to Kisumu an stay here for several weeks, helping out here, an visiting natives, etc. Also, Marcus an Micah Beachy came for volley ball, bringing their good friend Dishon along as well. (Dishon is a youth guy from Rabour, he also comes to our compound every Saturday to wash all our vehicles.) so with all those extra players added to our teams, it made for some epic games, the water girls left early, but we continued the party with much laughter, an fun times. As the rest were playing their last game, I asked Joseph (the Unit leader) if we could have extended curfew, an he said yes! (I know, he's cool like that.) an so I got some cereal, milk, an honey, an we had an epic cereal party on the lane, all sitting on the gravel, eating cornflakes, an granola, an talking about Jostie flicks...an dreaming of the days when we lived in America an could eat "Captain Crunch", an "Lucky Charms" at cereal parties...But hey! Kenya has cornflakes so that's that!

flowers

It was just us Kisumu youth, and Markus, Micah an Dishon, we had great times laughing, an Oh! the memories...

Well, this update it quite long now...so I'll leave you at that!

Hope you enjoyed reading it...if you got this far! ;)

-Sylvia

For The Miller's

Dad likes these purple flower that grow with the corn

 

Cute little sisters

 

Out side our compound  Kenyan wedding pictures were going on

 

 

 

Impressive line up!

 

 

The first four wheeler we have seen since we are in Kenya

 

Our family at Java house

 

Karen, an 18 yr. old that has just joined instruction class, an her 2 month old baby

 

Dad helping at Mark Beachy's church

 

At lake Victoria

 

A blind man from our church

 

children eating their food

 

Eating with Pastor Richard an wife Janet