Bible Study In Ng'ia, Uganda Trip Details And Pictures, Another Funeral....

(Saturday June 3rd)

Bible Study At Dean Miller's ...

Today we got back from our Uganda trip around 4am. so needless to say I dove into bed, an didn't regain conciseness till around 12:45pm. yeah. I was really tired! (I wanna tell a little bit about that trip later on, if I my blog post isn't too long otherwise.)
I didn't do a whole lot today other then unpack, an try to wash the red Ugandan dirt out of a white dress, an jacket. I have no idea why I wore my white dress the one day, a very unsmart thing to do!


In the evening we invited Joe an Glenda an Stacy an Rhoda to our house for pizza.
It was a great evening.
Stan an I randomly decided to go to church with Stacy, which is Jake an Janice's church.
(Sunday June 4th)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHODA!!

Miss Rhoda...

Today Stan an I went to church with Jakes family an Stacy.

We had a good time, an it was nice to be in another church for a change.

I really enjoyed choir practice they had afterwards.

We got home around 2pm. an the rest were not yet home, so Stan an I ate a quick lunch an retired to our naps.
In the evening us youth (which now only consist of my brothers an I, Stacy an Rhoda.) decided to go to the lake for Rhoda's birthday...I made pop corn. an Stacy brought some amazing pizza pockets, an bars an chia, we had a lovely time, however it was so cold, an we wrapped ourselves in laso's an blankets...then we look over an see two guys swimming in the lake, enjoying the big waves that the strong breeze was blowing in.
(Monday June 5th)
Today was not the best day ever...I wasn't able to sleep till around 5am. so I was pretty much worth nothing today...I felt sick, an stayed in bed most of the day.
In the evening Steve, (who was also not feeling well, an had been in bed the last two days too.) drove me down to the lake...we were both so sick of being in the house, so we just sat in our vehicle an enjoyed the view of the lake, chatting, an enjoying the refreshing breeze.
(Tuesday June 6th)
Today was really uneventful...
We were all just around home today....Dad was out an about.
The brothers an I went walking on ring road tonight for a while.
(Wednesday June 7th)
Today Dad an Mom went to Bible study...the rest of us stayed at home, mostly cooking, cleaning, an working on my blog...the boys were out working in the shop.
In the evening I met up with my friends Victor an Winnie, who are getting married in Dec.
We went to a local place that is very pretty, peaceful, an quiet, an just drank some amazing passion juice, an chatted for the longest time, it was a lovely evening.
(Thursday June 8th)
Today we were all around home...Dad was working in his office preparing to preach at a non-cbf funeral on Saturday, so he was in his study most of the day.
the boys were working on odd jobs...
Mom was cooking an sewing...I did some baking, an worked on the blog...then made a trip to town to pick up some things for mom...an so on.
We had our unit prayer meeting at Jakes tonight.
(Friday June 9th)
Dad an Mom went to the place where the funeral will be on Saturday...since they had to help get the body from the mortuary to the families house...which can be quite an experience with all the wailing an lamenting that goes on...they were there till late this evening.
Us youth all went out to Ng'ia where Deans live, an had Bible study out there, since their family is leaving in several months, after serving here for around 4-5years
We got back from Deans around 7:00pm. we had left around 1:30pm. so it wouldn't get as late, its about an hour drive out there, anyway we had a good discussion on relationships, an enjoyed Barbra Jeans good cooking.
We then had some spike ball from 8-10pm.
An that's about all that happened this week!
                                        ~Now For A Little Run Through About My Trip To Uganda~

The gate to our resort...

So Stacy an Rhoda had this whole Uganda trip planned out, an decided last minute that they were going to invite me too, actually the whole trip was rather last minute...but turned out to be as amazing as if we had taken months to plan every detail! it was just a really fun time...
Okay, so on Wednesday night we got Steve to drop us off at the bus station in Kisumu...around midnight, since that is when the bus was leaving, we got our tickets an waited several minutes till the bus arrived.
We couldn't believe that us three were actually doing this on our own, an felt kinda nervous, excited, an scared all at the same time...the bus finally came in, an surprisingly enough it was a big nice bus, an we had gotten first class seats, so we had nice big chairs that reclined, it was pretty amazing! so we got settled in, an tried to get some sleep...which is one thing I was alittle worried about, since getting my sleep is so vital for me, especially with just having had another seizure.

The view from our cabin...that is the Nile river.

Anyway, I think we all slept for a while off an on...I was amazed how the bus just glided over those awful speed bumps along the way! you could actually continue sleeping even though you went over them.
So around 3am. the lights inside the bus flicked off an on, an we were awakened, with, "At the border! At the border! get your passport, bus ticket, an yellow fever papers, an head to the building! hurry! hurry! more buses are coming, lets get through as fast as possible an get back on the road! hurry up!" okay, so I pulled myself from my warm blankets, an blindly grabbing for the needed paperwork.
 I was glad at that point that we had decided to all three of us only take a backpack, with all our belongings in it....although they were crazy heavy, it was nice to have everything in one place.
Anyway, it was 3am. an I was grabbing my wallet, my passport, an blindly stumbling out of my chair into the already packed bus aisle, I saw Rhoda an Stacy bounce down the stairs an out of sight, as I tried to bully my way through the other Kenyans, trying to get to the station before the rest.

The lodge dining area where we ate our meals...

We got in line, an soon were up at the desk, scanning finger prints, an doing all the nessicary paperwork, to allow us to enter Uganda. I stood in line, wondering if I was even okay, to wanna come on this trip, everyone in line looked like I felt...tired. I marveled at the people behind the counters....who even is at work at 3am. helping get all the paperwork through for this tired group of people!? I hope they get paid well! There were money changers everywhere... trying to get us to change our Kenyan money to Ugandan, thankfully we had already done that in Kisumu before we left.
We got back on the bus, as 3-4 more buses were coming in, an the line was already winding way out of the building an across the parking lot outside...we were so grateful that we were through, an on our way! We had been the first bus to come.

Our little cabin...

We got back on the way, an several more hours of traveling....at around 5:30am. we hear, "Arriving at Jinga! passenger's for Jinga!?" we thought we were not going to be arriving till closer to 6-7am. so once again, Stacy said, "girls! this is it! get your stuff an lets go!"  I tried quickly tying up my blanket an pillow in a small bundle again, an slid into my shoes, grabbing my huge backpack, half falling, half stepping down the steep bus steps to the ground below...it was still dark, an there were piki drivers everywhere, waiting with their motor bikes to take people to their destinations.....we tried telling the piki drivers which resort we were staying at, they seemed to know where we were talking of, so after getting a price that we thought was fair, we got on, my backpack was so heavy, it dug into my shoulders, an threatened to throw me off balance when I swung on the back of the motor bike...then we sped through the darkness, I had no idea where we were going...all I knew it was cold an dark, an I hoped these drivers knew where they were going...after about a 15-20min. ride we arrived at our resort, way back in, an paid our piki drivers.


Two boats floating on the Nile...

Everyone in the tiny, quiet, little resort was still sleeping, but soon three ladies came out, looking fresh out of bed, an blankets wrapped around them... an gave us our directions to our little cabin, overlooking the Nile river...we went trooping to our cabin with all our things...and I plopped my backpack at the foot of my bed, an climbed through my mosquito net, an under the blankets, an my world went dark! finally no more getting off, getting on, buses, piki's an border crossings...we were here!! Rhoda an I slept for several hours, till around 9-10am. Stacy was up an around checking everything out, an I think maybe went on a walk...? not sure what all she was doing...

Then we all, got ready an decided we had enough sleep, an that it was time to make the most of our 48hr. trip to Uganda! So first we went shopping, imagine that! we walked along the streets, buying all kinds of cool Ugandan things, feeling like the real tourists that we were! We found the Money very, very difficult to deal with...it was so different then our Kenyan shillings, for a Ugandan dress, or a pair of flappy trousers, (Popular in Uganda) was like, 23,000 Uganda which would be around 700shillings Kenyan, an around 7-8 American Dollars....it was all confusing for a while, but Rhoda had remembered to print off a chart that gave the money rates, so that helped a lot!

Piki ride after piki ride, here there, an everywhere...

We then found this cute little coffee shop, where we ate our lunch, the food was amazing! an very much like coffee shop foods in America would be like, just with a different twist.

Going to town...

Street shopping...a painting booth....

After that we did some more shopping...then we went to check out the place we had reserved to go four wheeling at the next day, we got everything figured out there, making sure the plans were still in place, then headed back to our resort, we had to do all our traveling everywhere with piki-piki's so that was kinda cool, an we sure got our fill of motor bike rides! but sometimes it was hard to tell them where to go, when all we had was a name of the place we wanted to go to, but it usually ended up okay...except for the one time, when I was actually really worried...I don't know why this kind of stuff always happens to me...but we were going from the four wheeling place, back to our resort, an my piki guy, was puttering up a hill, suddenly his bike sputtered, an stopped! I got off, as he told me, an he had to lay the bike on its side for a while, since he was out of fuel! I saw the rest speeding on over the next hill an disappear, but I wasn't worried because I thought this guy knows where we are going...I sure didn't know! so finally he started the piki up again, an I got back on with my backpack an all my things I had bought that day, soon we found a small stand beside the road that was selling a few stray carrots an tomatoes, an thankfully they had an old plastic pop bottle with some fuel in it, so he bought that, an we were soon speeding down the winding dirt roads again, red dust everywhere! we kept going an going...finally I was like, where are the others?! we should be at the resort by now! Then we came to a tee in the road, an he looked at me an grunted pointed one way, then they other, all the while looking expectantly at me...I just stared blankly back at him, trying to look like the naïve, dehydrated, dust-covered tourist that I was...finally, I just threw both my hands up, since I didn't know what else to do, I figured throwing up both my hands is surely a cross-cultural sign, for "I have no idea" he started going down another road, very obviously looking for our resort an not finding it...all I could tell him was the name of our resort over an over, he probably thought I was making up a song about our vacation or something...I simply couldn't talk with him, he was an older man who didn't know English, I couldn't speak luo to him, an we both knew very little Swahili...it was devastating, an our conversation consisted mostly of me saying, the name of our resort then, "...but am not knowing the way..." an him decidedly saying "....oooohh....mmmm...yes." I think yes was the only English word he knew...because when your lost, "Yes" only goes that far.

The Café we ate lunch at....

So now it was thundering, an getting more windy an dusty, an looked like rain, an I had no idea where in God's great creation I was...I wondered if the other two girls had already reached our resort, an probably wondering where I was...I had short thoughts of...."What if I never see anyone I know again." or "what if he decided to kidnap me" or "if only my mom knew where I was right now" but soon we found a lady beside the road, an he stopped to ask her some directions, an thank Almighty Providence! she knew English! I could have given her a hug! so I told her the name of the place we were staying at, an she rambled a row in Ugandan to him, an pointed, this way an that way, an rambled some more...he seemed to get what she was saying, an soon we turned around an sped down another red dirt road...an then a piki driver was coming from the other direction, an it was one of the other girls piki drivers...he pulled up, an didn't look too happy, an rambled a whole line to him pointing in the direction we were going, he clicked his tongue at him the way they do when they get upset, an shook his head, rambling more words to him, we sped off, arriving at the resort several minutes later! Thank God!
We were just at the resort that evening, enjoying a nice candle light supper, enjoying the sights of the Nile, the fishing boats, an fish leaping out of the water. It was a good evening.
We all slept very very well, tonight.

going four wheeling..

An woke up to a very yummy, warm, breakfast, of scrambled eggs, smokies, pancakes, an waffles! We had a feast!
Today is a bit of a blur to me as its been a little while back now....but of course the four wheeling was the main thing, it was so awesome, riding through villages, taking pictures with children, driving through fields, woods, an corn fields, an right down to the river! it was a 2 hour tour, so we enjoyed a lot of time spent there. Our tour guide was pretty awesome! he showed off some of his four wheeler riding skills, going airborne over bumps in the trail, an in an open field, he tipped his four-wheeler on one side an drove along on one side using only two wheels...it was funny the look on his face when he turned around an saw us trying it too! he freaked out! telling us, No! that was only for him to do! haha okay then, whatever!

Stacy Byler...

After that we had to clean up an change, as we were covered in dirt, after changing we got back on piki's an went to a place called the "Source of the Nile" it is the point where Lake Victoria an The Nile River meet, so we took a boat ride out there....we had also done some more last minute shopping...an since we had packed up all our stuff that morning, an just carried it with us all day, we now had everything with us, so with our over stuffed back packs, strapped to us, we left the Source, an headed to Java House in Jinga, where we all had supper, since we were so hungry! then we had several hours to wait till it was time to go to the bus station...we had a great time, an with being extremely tired an sun burnt, everything was terribly funny, an three girls together makes everything twice as funny, so all I remember is we laughed an laughed...I don't even remember about what, I just remember laughing till my sides ached! the Java house there had an amazing lounge area, with couches so we had a nice place to hang out, while waiting.
A random thing that happened was, I sitting there at Java looking out the window, when I suddenly see someone waving outside, an calling my name. here is was my dentist from Kisumu! I had no idea she was traveling to Uganda, an she didn't know I was going there, an here we accidently met up.

Stacy an I having a blast...

Anyway, we finally left for the bus station, giving the piki drivers the last of our Ugandan money, we arrived at the station, just to find out the bus was delayed a hour an a half...oh well! it was late anyway, so what's abit later going to hurt anyone...so we waited an waited...an finally started the trip back home, in much the same manor as when we came, it was only I couldn't sleep, mostly due to the loud rap music playing most of the way....of course the border crossing half way through again...we had to pay to use the toilets there, then back on the bus, arriving in Kisumu around 3:30am. we grabbed our things, an got on motor bikes one last time, arriving at the compound tired, but happy! amazed at how amazing our trip was, it seemed every little thing we had wanted to do or see, we got done, an everything just went smoothly, we had taken just perfectly enough money along, an our plans just went great!
So anyway this Ugandan update got a lot longer then I had hoped for, but there you have it!

Our tour guide was pretty crazy guy! we laughed a lot...

Thanks To Stacy an Rhoda for getting it all together! I really enjoyed it.

~Sylvia
For the Miller's   

Taking a break, an having some water...

 

 

 

Always children, everywhere you go...

 

 

Getting a cold drink, since we were basically coughing dust...

 

 

The Three Musketeer's

 

 

 

 

My pictures are not in order. This was taken later at the source of the Nile...

hiking back up to the road to catch 3 piki's ...

The boats, waiting to take us out to the Source...

This was finally back at Java house after running all day...we were tired!

But as always, cheese cake put us back into our right frame of mind...

Ugandan beauty....

 

 

Saying good-bye to our little cabin...

 

 

Back at the four wheeling...in those unflattering suits! I hated them!

 

 

But the memories made with these two step-sisters was so worth it all!!

Headed down the trails...

We stopped at some of the villages along the way....

Helmets are even worse then they seem...

Some where in our busy day, eating snacks on a park bench...Rhoda's look, an me laughing my brains out was basically our mood all afternoon. we had so much fun though!!

On the boat to see the Nile...

In the boat waiting for the driver to come...

The view on our way out...

YUM...Minty pine-aid at java!

The food was amazing!

The cheesecake was the best though, an a perfect ending to our trip...

May 27th - June 2nd ~Picture Post~

Hey everyone!

Calvin Nissley family

I know I'm behind one post again...seems to be becoming a normal for this blogger...sorry about that.
I guess with Calvin's here, an me having another seizure on Monday May 29th...I didn't keep up my journal, so I'm just going to post pictures of our time with Calvin's even though I would love to tell you all about our grand times together!
It was truly such an amazing time well spent! an I just want to say here, thanks so incredibly much for all the gifts our dear church people back home sent along! it was so kind an thoughtful of you! whenever we get gifts from the states its like a booster to go through the next several weeks!
I had a whole list of people I wanted to send thank you cards along home, but then my seizure happened, an I was thrown into a bit of a turmoil with that...so I didn't get that done, so let me just Thank some specific people here.

Hadassah an Maddie trying out some African hats...

Karen Kiem, your so faithful  in always sending some kind of goody along! thanks so much for your gifts you sent, an cosmetics that I cant get over here! meant so much dear!
Edna an Tonya, your thoughtful gifts of Bath an Body Works lotions an soap is something we always love! thanks for thinking of us, an giving like you did. we feel so incredibly humbled by your kindness.
My dear sis Sharon, I know you miss us, an we miss you too....your life has changed so much, an we are not there to help you, an not there to see all the "firsts" you are probably so excited to see in your little girlies...our heart is there dear sis. thanks for the cards you sent an the little purse you sent! I love it! its so me. makes me happy you got it for me! thank you so much!
Judith, I'm amazed that in the wake of getting married that you took time to send a note of encouragement, an gifts, that meant a lot Judith! may God bless you as you start this exciting adventure of being a wife, I never got to know Ryan that much, but when he allowed you to come visit us, while you all were still dating, he basically got 5 star ratings right off! haha

From Nairobi airport we took them to the Mara...

Kaitlyn Yoder, what a little honey you are, to send me a little purse! I love it by the way! Becky that was so kind of you to help Kaitlyn send me that birthday gift! all you are going thru with Lincoln, an you took the time an effort to send a package for me, wow! I felt pretty special. thanks a lot!!
Okay, so for those of you that don't know these people, sorry you had to listen to all that jazz...

So another thing that happened this last week was two of my friends an I decided to go on a 48 hour trip to Uganda! we basically had the time of our lives...after I had my seizure, I was fairly certain I should just cancel my trip, but with some persuading of some incredible friends, to face my fear of going away from home without my family so soon after a seizure....I went! an I'm glad I did! I want to be safe, but I don't plan on allowing epilepsy to ruin the outgoing, adventurous part of me I have always been.  Its hard. but I tried accepting it all over again...an even though I thought I was healthy again an seizure free, after going 9-10 months without a seizure, God has another plan.  So after struggling through bitterness, an questions, an doubts all over again. I choose to believe God still cares. I choose to believe, that God can use me better with epilepsy, then without. And choosing to believe that isn't a one time, Sunday afternoon decision, its something I have to choose every day, every time I go out by myself an feel fearful of a seizure, every time I see other friends living their lives in a seeming effortless confidence.

The amazing rooms at the Mara...

But in all this I can say God is still good, an he knows how to break my stubborn will, an making me broken, an dependent on him, when I wanna "do it my way".

This was going to be a pictures blog, so sorry for all this chatter...I'll stop now.

relaxing at the pool...

I hope you all have an incredible week, lets be praying for each other, we all have our own personal battle we are in. God is faithful!!
~Sylvia
For The Miller's

 



The pool we went swimming several times...

The two friends I went to Uganda with...LtoR: Rhoda Wengard, Me, an Stacy Byler

Calvin having a topic...

Melissa blending right in with the Kenyan sisters...

Wayne, a friend Victor, an Mattie

Mom chatting with the ladies, after Sunday lunch...

Stanley with some youth guy friends...

Dad showing Melissa the kitchen our Sunday lunch was made out of...

Calvin getting to know our church people...

Jacinta flashes her usual smile as she cooks in the hot smoky cook house...

Mom an her friend Sarah....

All in a days work, the twins putting up more razor wire where the last thieves came in...

Bless mom's heart, she had a tea party with the two girls, while Melissa an I had some girl time in town.

Drinking tea, an having fun with Mamma Becky...or grandma as Mattie calls her

A Family Day Adventure, Visitors From America, Vacation At The Mara!

(Saturday May 20th)

Cute little Kenyan Boys

Today was a fun day, Stacy took me out for lunch at my favorite restaurant, an then we did some street shopping, we had a jolly grand time.
In the evening, my family took me to the lake, another favorite spot of mine, we watched the sunset, an then went to nakamat food court for supper, it was a good day especially with going to all my favorite places, however, the realization that I'm now 24 kinda creeped me out...its just really old...an here I thought I would somehow always be twenty-one! but somehow life goes on...
(Sunday May 21st)
Today we all went to our church again we went later, as Dad got one of the brothers to teach IC class.
we also had a visiting native pastor at our church who had the message.
We came home around 2:30pm. had a small lunch an retired to our naps.
At 5pm. I made some pop corn, along with soda an banana bread.
then with my two friends vic an wynn we went to the lake, they wanted to celebrate my birthday with me somehow, so I made a small snack an we went to the lake for a fun evening of some board games, an of course talking. We saw a lovely sunset, it was a beautiful evening.

Hiking on family day...

(Monday May 22nd)
Today was family day.
So we all slept in a bit later, an then did some jobs around home, I went to the dentist at 12 to change the wires on my braces.
when I got home I quickly worked on the blog, since I was behind one post.
Then at around 3pm. our family packed up an made the 45min drive out to a big stony mountain area called Kit-Mikayi where a guide took us along the paths, through the cave, an as close to the top as we could go. it was a fun family experience.

listening to all the jazz he had to say about the holy rock...

However, there was a happening there that kinda creeped us out a little...this mountain is considered holy, an a place of worship for a certain religion, an just as we finished our hike, an were preparing to leave the place, there was a lady that was coming down off of the mountain from fasting an prayer there...an some of the ladies at the bottom of the mountain got into a fight with her, accusing her of being a witch doc. an started beating her, an head-bumping her, till the lady fell to the ground where they kicked her, an took her belongings away from her, dancing around her, chanting, an yelling....it was all a bit scary to see, an we soon made our way back to our vehicle, thankful for the blood of Jesus that protects us from the warring spirits of the Devils kingdom.
(Tuesday May 23rd)
This morning Dad an Mom left around 6:30am.
to go pick up our visitors from America at the airport in Nairobi.
But today for me was a busy day, of cleaning all day, getting our house ready for visitors...cooking for the three bros, we were just around home this evening.
I was very tired so I went to bed early.

At the impressive rocks...

(Wednesday May 24th)
Today again I worked all day with cleaning, doing laundry, an cooking.
In the evening since I was also getting ready for my trip to Uganda with two of my friends next week, I had to go get a yellow fever shot, an also get a bus ticket.
I got more seizure meds, however, they were out of the kind I usually get.
I got some pizza an brought it home for supper...(If you can call it pizza)
We were all around home here all evening, finishing up last minute duties, an getting the laundry put away, an packing our bags, for our early morning trip to the Mara, where we are planning to meet Dad an Mom, an Calvin's family.
(Thursday May 25th)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON!!!!
Today my brothers an I, left the house at 6:30am. all piled into our vehicle, an headed out for the mara, we were all excited since we were meeting Calvin's from our home church in America there for a day an a half of vacation.
We drove all morning, arriving at the mara, around 11:30am. where we waited till they had our room cleaned, then we settled in, an unpacked, had lunch, an took naps, as Dad an mom with Calvin's were not arriving till later that afternoon, they were supposed to arrive around 3pm. so as to go on the evening game drive, but they ended up getting lost somewhere along the line, and not arriving till around 5pm. we had a good evening of catching up, talking nonstop, an celebrating Calvin's birthday at supper time, the people there went all out to celebrate Calvins birthday in real Kenyan fashion, it was a lot of noise for sure! banging on pots an clapping an shouting, an the main cook, playing some kind of "flute" which was a big kitchen utensil, an he was making the sound...needless to say it was quite an entertaining time, an one I don't think Calvin will forget right away.
(Friday May 26th)
Today was our full day at the Mara...in the morning the game drive started at 6:30am.


climbing the rocks...

then it was back for breakfast, an after breakfast was just relaxing around the lodge, an the swimming pool, eating lunch, more relaxing, catching up on each others lives of the past year, an then the evening game drive at 3:30pm. which lasted till around dusk, then we all came back an took showers, an got ready for supper which started around 7:30-8:00pm (Kenyans eat supper late, often between 8:30-10:00pm.) then we sat around the big fire place in the main lodge area, talking an talking some more...then we went to bed as the morning game drive started again at 6:30am.

We felt so lucky to be able to see the big five once again, there have been people there several times an not seen all of the big five, so we felt privileged to have seen the big five both times we have been there.
Well, this is where this update for this week stops.

They took us into a hut explaining different cultural things...

But while I'm thinking about Vacation, an visitors, an missionary life....there is a small thing I would like to talk about...something that has been spinning through my mind...you might read my blogs an wonder, "is that all they EVER do, is fun stuff an vacations! they are supposed to be missionaries!! they should be sacrificing their time!" first of all, if your a person that has had those thoughts about missionaries, first, I would be interested to know if you have ever been a long term missionary serving for a year or more at a foreign mission....I'm not asking that question to put missionaries on a level, or pedestal, above ones that have never done long-term foreign missions, not at all! I just have that question because I find it interesting that very, very rarely do I hear remarks made about how missionary's just vacation too much, an have "too much fun times" from people that have served on the mission field. simply because they "get it". they realize that missionaries also are human beings that need a break, that need to get away an relax, we are not super humans with halo's an furloughs, who don't need a rest because we are flying high through the sky on the wings of prayers. not at all. Then I wonder.....some question why, all I ever write is about all the fun stuff we once again did this week!? really? I try an keep a daily journal which you might know if you have been reading my updates at all...I try to give you an idea of what our weeks consist of...but I sometimes fear this already is too boring to even read! however, I do write about highlights that happen simply because, that's what a writer does, or should I write every little time someone was having a headache? or when we were feeling homesick? or what we ate for supper? No. I don't think you would enjoy hearing that at all either....but we have those rough times. we do. I just don't

As you can see the landscape is very rocky...

feel like depressing people with that kind of reading material. Than I thought of other bloggers, or better yet, budget writers...what do they write about? yes, news, highlights, weddings, funerals, things that happened that week that made an impression! do I come to a conclusion that, from reading the budget... all that community ever does is travel, marry, an die... never mind the countless cookouts, an fellowship meals they have. I bet that's all they ever do!!  No wonder the emails to our forgotten little missionary family are few!! Of course I don't conclude that. Of course I don't feel like that. I know you have jobs, an a normal life to take care of.
Then I think of all the money, an material things you donate. We sincerely appreciate every little thing, more then you will ever, ever know.
So I guess the reason I wrote this is to get you to think alittle from our perspective...an the next time you think, "they are not getting my support if they are just vacationing over there", please stop, an think if God ever feels that way about you? We are to be wise stewards of all God gives us.
Don't make missionaries feel bad for writing about the fun times they have, or the vacation they took. we are humans too, we wear out, we get tired, we feel empty, but keep on giving....we feel similar things you feel, an go through at home. an I can promise you that you would think we are a depressed group of people, if missionaries would share every low time an every depressed thought, an every ordinary moment, with the people from home.

Showing us some traditional dancing hat...

Because, I know when I was home I didn't share every Sunday my weeks struggles an disappointments, its not possible!
So in short, give us a break! hahahaha! An if my updates are too boring beyond words...don't read them. I promise I wont be offended. in fact, that is what I love about blogs...they don't clutter your inbox in your email! if you read a blog it is because you had some spare time, an choose to read it.
have a wonderful week,
Love an Prayers,
~Sylvia
For The Miller's

climbing the rocks...

 

 

At the big rock....

 

 

 

resting...

Steve hiking...

These ladies were dancing for us when we got back down...

Singing an dancing for the white people...

The main musical thing was a wire, with bottle caps strung on it

An Anniversary, A Marriage Seminar, And Sickness...

(Saturday May 13th)
Today was a relaxed day...we all slept in late, except for Dad who almost always rises at the unrighteous hour of 6:30am. he went to he lake for some quiet time.
When the rest of us got up, we did some chores around home...then at 12 noon I went to join the rest of the girls at the pool...we had a great time, especially with Charlene from Pa, going along as well, she is here to help Brian's over the time of language classes.
I got home from the pool around 3:30pm.
Mom an I made supper grilling some hot dogs over a fire, an with the chilly evening it felt good to sit around the small fire.
After Dishon completed washing his vehicles, he also joined us for supper...then we sang some songs together, an Since we were going to Dean Miller's church in the morning, an Dishon was planning to go there too, an remain there with his family several days, he just stayed over night at our house, then went with us to church the following day.
(Sunday May 14th)
Today our family along with James And Christian went to Ugunja CBF church were Dean Miller's family is currently pastoring, but training James's in since they will be heading for home in Arkansas in several weeks, Dean's family has served here in Kenya for about 5 years now...
So anyway, with the pastor rotation schedule it was Dads turn to preach there, so we were there with Dishon, an of course along with James's an Dean's family.
Dad preached about David an Goliath, an how that with Gods help we can overcome any obstacle in life. one of his quotes, "The Israelites saw Goliath as too big to conquer, but David saw Goliath as too big to miss." Life is mostly about perspective, an Attitude.


We then had lunch at Dean Miller's .....it was late till we left there, then we went to see Dishons new house that he built in his homeland, were he plans to escape to over the violent election times.
(Monday May 15th)
Today I was sick in bed all day...vomiting, an aching all over, an a severe headache.
So mom was left with the laundry.
Dad went to pastors meeting along with the other pastors, today they made the drive out to where Dean miller's family live, an had their pastors meeting there today, to give Dean a break from the hour some drive he makes every Monday to Kisumu.
In the evening Dishon was here for supper, an was excited as he found out he passed his exams for becoming a professional Doc.
So that was exciting for him.
(Tuesday May 16th)
Today I was just here at home....I was still feeling weak.
I cut out one dress, an then rested again...
In the evening all us youth along with our youth leaders Joe an Glenda, took Carolyn out for a farewell supper, Rhoda also came joining us later with her two siblings Reuben an Rachel.
We had a lovely evening an very good American like food.
(Wednesday May 17th)
Today Dad an Mom went to Bible Study...
The boys were doing odd jobs around home.
I was cooking for the bros, an doing some baking....I then went to Mama Kays shop to practice luo again, I had a good time with her an some of her children that were coming home from school.
We were just at home in the evening....
(Thursday May 18th)
Today I was once again just cleaning around home. Mom was sewing.
I tried working on the blog with out much success, the electric was of an on.
I did some laundry.
In the evening we had our unit prayer meeting at Wayne an Clara Yoder.
We sang in the dark at times as the power flicked off an on again.
It was a chilly rainy evening tonight.
(Friday May 19th)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Dad an Mom!
Today Dad an mom went to some marriage seminar that Jakes church was having, Mom was having a topic there for the ladies...
The rest of us were just at home, Steve was feeling sick today, after he finished welding in the hot scorching sun for several hours. I think he overheated, since he said he felt like puking.
In the evening since Carolyn is now gone, an Rhoda was at the Mara with her visitors, our already small youth group was even smaller, so we just had spike ball on the lane, an a snack afterwards...Kori from Nakuru was here, an we ended up having a really good evening, with a lot of laughter, an a lot of laughter is the same as a really good time for me! haha
And so ended another very usual week in Kenya.
I don't have any pictures for this blog post, sorry!
And with Calvin's coming to visit, I'm guessing the next post or two might come in abit late...I just want to enjoy every minute I can with Calvin's on their brief stay with us...we are so honored that they would come all the way over here to see us, an to allow us to show them our little life here.
Anyway, have a good rest of the week.
~Sylvia
For The Miller's