SMALL ANNOYANCES OF LIFE IN KENYA - HOUSE BUILDING - MAIZE PROCESSING COMPLETE

MINOR NUISANCES

Baby gecko near mosquito net hook on ceiling!

 We have these geckos here!  They are not like the cute green little Geico Gecko; they are an insipid shade of opaque yellow (or the babies are brown) and vary in size according to age - the largest about 7 inches and smallest 3.  They are harmless and don't bother anyone.  They cling the ceiling, high up on the walls, or the screens.  Yes, our flat has screens - another nuisance.  These lizards come out mostly at night, and once we are in bed and it's dark they no longer stay high and on the walls.  They explore!  We always know where they have been because they leave their evidence!!!!  The first time Marty saw this she thought we had a rat and went out and bought a rat trap!!  She does not LIKE rats!!!  The smaller evidence looks like a mouse has been there.  So, every morning there is "dropping patrol" to clean up after the little monsters.  For some reason they are very fond of the desk around the laptop.  But, a real annoyance one morning was a deposit on top of Marty's hair spray can.  Now, how on earth did that little beast manage to balance on that small top? 

Ah!  The screens!  Yes we have screens on the windows - they are intended to keep out insects; however the mesh is fairly large, so a mosquito is not the least bit hindered; additionally, the screens don't fit square, so there are great gaps between the window frames and the screens.  The same ill-fitting problem applies to the doors as well.  But no large bugs get in to the place.  

Then there are the mosquito nets!!  The net hangs from the ceiling, but is never over the bed.  So we must move the bed out every night to get it under the net.  Then we have a sacred mosquito-net ritual.  First, we check inside it to be sure that no mosquitos somehow got in and are lurking, ready to dive-bomb after we have gotten into bed and the lights are out. Then we stretch it out over the four corners and tuck it is securely on three sides.  Carefully raising the free side, we fold ourselves as low a possible and go under - then tuck the rest in from inside and re-tuck what came un-tucked when we entered!  Of course it never fails that we neglected to turn out the lamp or forgot to shut the window, or didn't bring the clock inside the net.  So then we have to repeat much of the ritual!

A fourth minor annoyance is, of course, the power going off periodically; usually, in the middle of some important internet work.  We have fairly well sorted that out by purchasing a small modem that plugs in like a memory stick.  You have to love those satellites!  Of course, also periodically, the satellite has a hiccup.  

Having said all of that, David Livingston didn't even have the benefit of inoculations or malaria medication, he did everything on foot (chronically without shoes) or canoe, and for years at a time no one knew if he was alive or dead; there was next to no communication!  Needless to say, he had no hairspray!  So we aren't really moaning - just giving a few amusing details of life out here!

HOUSE BUILDING

Jeremy, Kirsty, John and Marty went to Korwenje to be part of building a house for Margaret - a widow, whose house was falling in about her and the straw roof had big holes in it.  Your contributions have made her new house possible.  We hired a team of young "fundis" to construct the frame and roof, and her cell group got together to do the other parts.  Korwenje is in the mountains and very remote.  The road almost disappeared by the time we got near our location; then, we had to walk a quarter mile to get to the site.

Mzee (old man).  Note cock on dish rack in back of house.

When we arrived there were a lot of observers; especially, old folks.  This was a big event for the area and people were coming from all around to witness a house being built in one day (it was finished enough to be blessed and Margaret was in it that night).  It was a great testimony to the whole village to see a group of people together showing their love for Margaret and building her a house.  Apparently people heard of it, but didn't quite believe it. So the observers came and went all day long.  Some chairs and couches were brought out for the older people who wanted to stay all day and watch.  What a celebration!!!

                                                 

As we came to the site we saw 18 posts in the ground as the basis for the framework.  Several more were added inside to separate the "rooms" - three in all.  There are no tape measures and no levels.  String is the level gauge and plum-bobs are a rock and string.  A hand saw is occasionally used, but a panga (machete) is the primary cutting tool.  They are very accurate with them.  Of course they do use hammers and humongous nails.  Three-legged ladders are constructed on site.  Then the trusses were made of young trees and hoisted into place in a very unique way.  One fundi seemed to be the expert roof builder.  He was the only one up there and certainly could have a second career as an acrobat.  

           

Remember, this is a remote area - nowhere near any water, which is needed for mud to make the walls.  So, at a specific juncture of the carefully choreographed building process, a couple of young men began to use a tool that looks like a bent shovel to hack at and dig up the ground around the new structure, and about the same time a small herd of donkeys appeared, carrying many 20 liter cans of water.  They were herded by a little boy of about 9 or 10.  These water cans were dumped into large oil barrels and then poured by buckets full onto the freshly-dug dirt.  The water is mixed in while the digging goes on and these young men tread the mud to make it the right consistency!

Then, the women get  involved! Of course they have been preparing food for lunch and the evening meal while the men were doing the frame work.  Kirsty and Marty put on their leso (cloth wraps), took off their shoes, and joined the ladies in the mud - making big mud balls and shoving them in between the sapling slats (Luo lathing).  The two of them were not nearly a fast as those experienced women, but they helped K and M by making mud balls for them.  So, those early years of making mud pies as little girls were preparatory for the mission field!  It was a wonderful experience and a good time was had by all.  We gained a deeper appreciation for the Luo women.  They work so hard and are so strong - and seemingly tireless.

Jeremy had a hand (or 2) at making the walls!

Jeremy, Margaret and Kirsty beside new house!

THE MAIZE PROCESS IS FINISHED

Kirsty and Jeremy were recruited to be part of the maize processing.  They arrived when we had about 6 bags left to winnow and prepare with preservative before bagging.  We haven't quite figured out how the people manage to put the maize in 80 kg bags (176 lbs.) and distribute it.  It takes the two of us to even carry 28 kgs - which is the amount we put in each bag so that we can move it around the storehouse and also distribute it easier.  (We probably are considered weaklings, but there is great grace given due to our age.  We seldom use the "age card", and we didn't in this situation, but our age factor has come in handy here on occasion.)  All of the maize has been processed and is ready for distribution.  We have sacked  approximately ONE AND A HALF EMPIRICAL TONS (1.36 TONNES).  Although some maize was spoiled, it was not wasted, for it is used to feed chickens and cows.  Additionally, the empty cobs are used for fire wood, and even the chaff that is winnowed from the kernels is used.  This fine (lighter than feathers) chaff and the maize silk that blows off is used to line the chickens' nests when they are brooding.  It is soft and also an insulation that helps warm the eggs.  Also, corn husks make wonderful tinder for helping to start the cooking fires.  Now all that remains is to distribute the maize to the widows.  We have to sort the timing out for that, but we surely want to give them some for Christmas.

Our next episode will include a visit to another hard-to-get-to cell group.  Jeremy drove and has really earned his Kenyan-driving merit badge.  

BLESSINGS AND MUCH AFFECTION!

John and Marty

COMPLETING THE HARVEST & THE MAASAI EXPERIENCE!!

THE HARVESTING PROCESS NEARLY COMPLETE

Bottoms Up
Florence, Seline and Christine sorting the last few ears to thresh.

We have been working really hard, physically, right now - and at the end of the day we surely feel it.  We are pretty tired by the time we get home.  Often we take a shower - it's pretty grubby work - and then go out for a meal, so that Marty doesn't have to cook.  We have had a few people helping us this last week, so we made sure to have tea and bread for lunch.  That is a typical snack or lunch, and we have grown rather fond of it.  We added some bananas for dessert. Marty learned how to do the fire (everything is cooked outside on a wood fire) it's easy (making the fire).  The water for the tea came from the hand-dug well and the water is cloudy because of recent rain. Well, we definitely claimed Mark 16:18, drank our tea, and have suffered no ill effects.  We worked all week, but had to take three days off (Wed., Thurs, & Fri.) for the First Annual Youth Conference at the church.  On the Thursday, Charles - the wonderful man that overseas the land at the Widows Farm - came and got us to come see what they had been doing.  He and three ladies had continued to work even though we weren't there.  We hadn't asked or expected them to do it.  Their heart was to relieve us of the continual concern of the harvest not getting done because we weren't there.  Marty returned on Saturday morning and with Charles and the three ladies we finished getting the maize off the cobs, bagged all that was dry (after winnowing it - the old fashioned way) and now all that remains is to finish drying what was shelled that day and winnow and bag it.  Later we will spread all of it out again and add a preservative to it before bagging it in bags that hold 80 kilograms (about 175+ lbs.)  We have actually dried and bagged (temporarily) 1000 kgs (2220 lbs) and have about 360 kgs left to dry.   The last few ears were really small or misshapen and it was difficult even to do them by hand.  No problem!  Charles put them in a feed sack and if there was anything evil in that corn he beat the devil out of it with a big stick.  IT WORKED!  All of those funny cobs were clean and we added the kernels to the lot.                                      

Each day we gave the empty cobs to the people helping us - they were delighted, for they are used as fire wood.  In fact, we used them in our fire.  Rain damaged some of the maize - in that it wasn't harvested quite soon enough and if it was opened and water got in some of it got a mildew-type disease.  But that isn't wasted - they took that home and use it to feed chickens and cows.  Nothing is wasted!  Even what falls to the floor is swept up and sieved to get the dirt out.  If it is too bad it goes to the chickens.  

Seline making chai with new sufuria

We used a cooking pot and tea kettle from the church to make the tea (chai - tea with loads of milk and sugar added, all boiled together) the first day, but having worked through the process a bit, Marty realized that it is time for our own utensils - so off she went to a couple of local household suppliers in Kisumu to get things (Violet gave the name of a good shop) and with the help of the Lord, the little bit of experience she has gained, and using a few dazzling Luo words was able to find sales clerks who could advise her and show her a good selection.  In both shops it was men who helped her; they were so very helpful and seemed really pleased to give advice and see that she had the right stuff.  What fun she had - 1 huge aluminum tea pot,(about 8 or 9 liters - 10 quarts) 2 heavy-duty sufuria (spell check just went crazy - changed that word to safari), one size 23 (which can make tea for 8) and a size 27.  She also bought a dozen plastic mugs and soup bowls and a dozen spoons. A really big sufuria and 2 or 3 more sets of cups, bowls and spoons will be needed for when the land is prepared for the next crop.  Marty is determined to make the next fire; all it

Our kettle is about the size of the one in back

requires is 3 rocks (we used cinder blocks from the house) - to set the pot on - some paper, twigs and bits of wood, corn cobs, and matches.  Then, the trick is to keep pushing the sticks and corn cobs in under the pot a little at a time as it cooks.  The women are very patient and happy to show Marty how to do these domestic things.  However, the dodgy water issue has made us even more determined to get the water-harvesting portion of the farm development completed.  That way rain water is collected and there will be no problem with worries over contaminated water.  The well wasn't dug for drinking/cooking purposes, but to water the crops.  We will encourage bringing water down from the church for cooking the next time.

THE MAASAI EXPERIENCE

We went to Narok - in Maasai land - for a weekend and had an amazing time.  What wonderful people.  Not easily accepting of the Gospel, but once one person in a small village (manyatta) comes to know the Lord the rest will accept and believe through that person's changed life.  It seems to be a pattern among the Maasai, and it is often through a woman.

This zebra was rather annoyed with us for disturbing it!

The manyattas (the village compounds) are in the bush - the nearest is perhaps a mile off the highway - and zebras are roaming freely in sight, but other things are in the midst of the bush; lions, leopards, and at night, roaming elephant herds.  The Maasai know how to live amongst these creatures and how to fend them off (usually) when necessary.  An interesting situation befell the pastor who we were visiting and his wife and a couple of other people with them.  A short while ago they were ministering in the evening in the bush at the Maasai church and when they left, the driver took a wrong trail; it had rained and the vehicle got stuck in the mud.  However, a herd of elephants showed up, so the folks couldn't get out of their vehicle to push it out of the mud.  Elephants and other wild animals there pose a genuine danger and one doesn't get out of their car at night in the bush.  These elephants were not interested in going too far away. When they came too close to the car  the driver would start the engine and turn on the lights, which was enough to cause the elephants to shy away.  The engine and lights were used several times in the night; needless to say there was a whole lot of prayer going on, and no one slept.  Elephants can topple a car with no real effort.  They were rescued the next morning.

Because it is harvest season, and elephants love maize, they tend to come out early in the evening to forage the maize fields.  They have been known to ruin entire crops.  Additionally, they LOVE ugali  (oo gah lee) - a very stiff maize-meal dish (it is formed into a "cake" shape and sliced) that is eaten daily by most Kenyans, as far as we know.  Elephants will tear a house down to get to it.  So, during the harvest, because these herds are out and about at supper (tea) time rather than later, the Maasai have their main meal in the afternoon, including ugali, and then they clean up everything very carefully to remove any scent of the ugali so that by the time the elephants have come out they won't be able to smell it.

Women build the houses in the Maasai tribe.  When we arrived at one manyatta, the matriarch of the community and some other younger women were building a new house.  They are made of sticks covered with a mixture of cow dung and mud.  Marty helped tie a couple of the roof beams together.  These homes are very small

and there are lots of poles inside .  On the left rear  is a "room" where the wife and children sleep - about 3.5'X6' - on the right rear is where the husband sleeps - same size.  Between these two "rooms" is the living area with the fire in the middle (keeps them warm at night); this space is about 4'x6'.  In the right front and at a 90 degree angle to the back was an L-shaped area for a cow and baby goats.  The smoke has nowhere to go, although some goes out through the window, so the house if filled with smoke when the fire is going - of course it gets cool at night and the heat from a fire is welcomed.

The men are all at the market on Saturdays!
An acacia tree is a great place to sit to hear preaching!

The Maasai church in the background

Thank you for your love and prayer support!  Please don't stop either of them.

Blessings,

John and Marty

VISITING THE WIDOWS AND THE HARVEST & THE "THRESHING"

Well, we hit the ground in Kisumu/Kadawa with a soft thud and were relatively inactive for the first week.  Actually, not inactive, for it takes several days to get settled in to our surroundings.  The first two days here were spent in a guest house, until our normal accommodations were available.  As it turned out we could move in two days early, which made life a bit simpler.  Then we spent time getting groceries and various supplies (it's almost like setting up house) and re-visiting places in Kisumutown where we have established relationships.



The Klines at the Equator

 Then, our friends, the Kline family, came - Charlie, Heidi, Clarissa, Philip, Cory and Jeremy. Charlie and Heidi pastor a uniquely active church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania - The Fireplace - which faithfully supports the ministry at Kadawa.  When we were there in 2010 young Cory - about 8 or 9 at the time - took his savings account of $300, which he had been saving for a certain goal, and donated it to provide a year's supply of water for destitute widows in Kadawa.  Life became exciting as the Klines came into the Kadawa village to see first-hand what they are sowing into as a church and a family.

First, we visited 3 elderly widows who receive water weekly.  They were delighted to meet the Klines.  When we told them the story of what Cory had done they were well pleased and thanked him very much.  A couple of them explained that because of their age they no longer have the strength to go get water and carry it home on their head.  Each widow we visited adopted Cory as their grandson. 

Cory with Alice

In each home one or more of the children prayed for the widows and laid hands on the ones who said they weren't well, praying for their healing.  It was profoundly touching, and a wonderful, weepy time was had by all.  It certainly was a life-changing experience for these youngsters. (Might have been for the adults as well).

THE HARVEST PLUS

Harvesting the Maize

We want to emphasize that the drought in Kenya remains horrifically intense.  Here in Kadawa the lack of rain hasn't been as bad as in other parts.  The planting is done according to the "long" rains and the "short" rains.  This is the time for the short rains, but they are lasting longer than usual, whereas the long rains were shorter than usual. This has cause a lot of confusion about when to plant.  Many of the crops have been very poor, including the small crops on the villagers' land. This is due to the unusual rain- patterns and drought in between. The strange weather patterns are being attributed to El Nino. 

However, as you have seen in our previous photos, our land and the church land has prospered.  The Lord has truly blessed our fields and that, along with good managing techniques that He has taught us - proper fertilizer, weeding, and managing the water when the rain does come, has resulted in a crop that far surpasses the first one we did.  God has truly taken care of his widows and orphans with this particular crop. 

We bought this gadget for "shelling" the maize.  It's a corn thresher - or maize sheller as they call it here.  We bought this hand operated one ($35), had a stand made for it out of steel ($15) and we tried it out..  One of the widows - our neighbour, Florence - came over on some business.   We invited her into the store/barn to see what we had bought.  You see; traditionally the maize is all stripped off the cobs by hand and it takes a whole bunch of people a long time to do it.  It is a great fun time - all sitting on the mat on the ground, or on the floor chattering and laughing and, of course, having a meal because it is an all day (sometimes all week or several weeks) event.  We didn't want to interfere with the camaraderie, but also DID want to speed up the process.  Well, this one-man machine, which is actually an Amish contraption, isn't going to break up that kind of thing, but it will help speed the process up.  You put the cob in the top, turn the handle as fast as you can, and the cob spins around, the teeth force the kernels off the cob, and the when the cob is clean,the machine  turns it and spits it out the back.  Pretty slick!!  Back to the neighbor:  she speaks very little English, but when she saw it and watched John operate it she was grinning from ear to ear and then said "I must do this work".  Translated that means "Oh boy!  Let me have a crack at this!" She caught on right away - recognizing when the tension needed adjusting and was turning the various wing nuts and bolts.  



The maize extends down the 15 ft. wall and around trhe other corner!

 The two of us began the shelling the maize on Monday.  Then found the stand for the "thresher" needed some modification.  So John and Charles - the pastor who helps on the farm - went into Holo Market - the market place at the entrance to the village - and had a welder do the modifications.  Removing a steel bar, putting a longer one on a bit lower down, cost less than $1 (60pence).  Then we worked in earnest all day Tuesday.  We found out a few more modifications to be made to the stand, but can continue to go right along in the work.  It is hard and still takes a long time, but it was just the two of us.  On Wed. Florence came by again and she stepped right up to help us.  With 3 people working at it the task went much faster, and we really got a system going.  Each bucket holds 14 kilograms (about 31 lbs.)  We spread the shelled maize on tarpaulins to dry - it takes two days in the sun - and then we bag it. (We need to winnow it - the old-fashioned way) and then will add some preservative to protect it from weevils.  In three days we have done nearly 1000 lbs. - the two of us on Mon. and Tues. and the with Florence on Wed.  We haven't done even half of the harvest yet.  It is hard work - especially hauling in the maize after it has been drying awhile - but it is a great source of satisfaction at the end of the day.  And BOY are we learning a lot.  For instance Florence showed Marty how to tell by feeling a hand full of maize if it is dry enough to be bagged.  John has found out how to go about modifying the stand and finding the right people to do the job.  We have both learned how to sort and shell and winnow, and how much to pay for tarpaulin material, and that chickens and cows can eat any maize that can't be used and the cobs are coveted fire wood. 

We will write more within a couple of weeks.

NYASAYE OGWEDHI (nia sah eay o gway dee)  - GOD BLESS YOU!

LATVIA, ESTONIA, AND BACK TO KENYA

MAIZE DISTRIBUTION

In the market at Kadawa maize ordinarily sells for about 40 Kenya Shillings (KES) for a 2 kg tin.  Because of the drought the cost has skyrocketed to about 120 KES per tin.  Many cannot afford to buy it, and they are at the end of their last harvest of food that they would have planted on their own patch. Thanks to the generosity of many people, recently we were able to buy several large (80 kg/176 lbs) sacks of maize to distribute to some of the poor and destitute in the village of Kadawa.  

The distribution wasn't announced ahead of time and after church on that Sunday the persons who were selected were called back to another room in the church, where they were given the maize.  Such surprise!!!  Violet received messages and calls for many days afterward thanking everyone for the food.  In all, 300 families were helped with either 6 or 10 kg parcels (13 or 22 lbs).  Some folks hadn't eaten for 1 or 2 days and the food was most welcome. The day it was distributed the people called it Miracle Sunday. The next harvest will soon be in (late July or early August).

One lady left after receiving her maize, but came back and stood in front of the group and prayed aloud for the people who sent the food to her and the others.

PRAYER MISSION TO LATVIA AND ESTONIA

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are known as "The Baltic States".  Their Western borders are on the Baltic Sea.  Being very high in the Northern latitudes they are very cold in the winter and have a short growing season.  In June it is still light out at 11:15 PM and the sun is up at about 3 AM.  Conversely, winter is very dark for a very long time each day.

   LATVIA - RIGA

We went to Latvia on June 28 to join our friends Carl and Elizabeth Harper who are from Lancaster PA.  We spent a week with them  going through Latvia and into Estonia.  As our team leaders, they were taking us to various YWAM (Youth With a Mission) projects and ministries with whom they are acquainted.  We are so excited to report that there are many new, creative and cutting-edge ministries ongoing and developing.  We had the privilege of praying for and ministering to them.

Notable amongst them in Latvia was a young woman in her early thirties named Tatyana (Tanya).  She has started the Karosta Children's Day Centre.  Karosta is the most underprivileged area in the vicinity of Riga, the capital, and largest city of Latvia.  The children are from broken homes, abusive situations - physical, mental, emotional and sexual - homes where alcoholism and drug abuse is rampant.  The centre is in an old barracks on a former Russian naval base.  She also has a children's club there, and the children are also taught and ministered to by a Russian pastor whose church is in the building where the children's centre is.  She feeds them one meal every day. She has several volunteers working for her and now has 4 paid staff. Her vision is to build a boarding school for these deprived children.  Her background is the same as these youngsters.  Her father was an alcoholic; she was abused physically and emotionally, she was raped twice. She had a baby and married at sixteen; her husband continued the abuse.  She heard the gospel and accepted Christ as her personal saviour and deliverer.  Eventually she realized that she wanted to and could receive her education, and now has a degree in psychology.  She is a woman of faith and vision.  She knows that the Lord has called her to this ministry and she is passionate and strongly determined.  Being with her and hearing her vision as well as her personal testimony we are convinced that she will see her vision come to pass and it will spread to other areas of the nation.
     THE VIOLIN
Tanya's daughter wanted to play the violin.  Tanya was determined that her child would go to music school and learn.  She took her by the hand, went to the music school and told them that her daughter must learn to play the violin.  The school took her and the child showed great talent.  However after awhile the school told her that they could no longer teach her because she needed a larger violin.  Tanya knew that this child was to continue her music education.  She took the girl to play her violin in the street.  Her talent attracted a passing journalist, who, after hearing her story, took her photo and put it online with her story.  One day, a Jewish man in Germany  happened across the article and photo and he was so moved by it that he sent money for a new violin.  The girl was able to return to school and continue her education.  God is amazing!
   LATVIA - WINGS FOR WHEELS

EVELYN

STAFF MEMBER

Evelyn and Kaspars, a young couple, have a ministry to mobile-challenged persons - working with individuals in wheelchairs and those with cerebral palsy.  All have normal intellect, although some are a bit slower to learn than others.  Several years ago Evelyn was in a conference where one speaker gave the following facts.  If the mobile-challenged were a people group they would be:
-  The third largest country after China and India;
-   The poorest country
-   The least employed
-   The largest unreached people group.
She felt called to have a ministry to the mobile-challenged community.  KasparsYaaaaay God!!  During the camp they teach crafts, have games, do physical therapy (some have never had any), work on socializing skills, and will even take all of the "campers" rafting on the nearby river.  The name of their ministry is WINGS FOR WHEELS! (Clever!)

There are no public facilities in Latvia for handicapped persons; i.e. no handicapped accessible public transportation, entries into building, bathrooms, and many places that have more than one story have no lifts (elevators).  Often these individuals stay home and do not go anywhere or do any socializing.  For some of the ones in camp it is the only time they venture outside all year.

Evelyn and Kaspars' vision is to have a centre in Rigal where the disabled can be brought and receive help.  Based on their passion, commitment and the favour of God on their ministry it is a certainty to see their vision fulfilled.

   ESTONIA - TALLIN
Now we introduce you to Marillo - a Brazilian who also spent much of his teen years in the USA.  He is a member of the YWAM leadership team in Estonia.  One day in prayer, when in YWAM training for ministry, he had a vision.  In that vision he saw many, many white people and he heard the Lord say to him that He was calling him to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  He had no idea what or where these places were - if they were the names of towns, or what they might be.  He deduced that since the people were white it might be somewhere in Europe.  However, he was certain that the Lord was calling him.  Shortly afterward he was in a morning worship service at the YWAM training centre, when the leader stopped and pointed Marillo out saying that he had a word from the Lord for him.  He said "Marillo, you are called to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  This leader had no idea of the earlier vision that Marillo had seen.  Marillo had just arrived shortly before we met him and was super-excited to learn Estonian immediately!!!

                          

Marillo, Elizabeth, Cheryl

Old Town Square, Tallin

BACK TO AFRICA

 We return to Kenya on the 26th of July.  We will stay in Nairobi for 3 days to have meetings with various people and businessmen.  Then off to Kadawa.
The rains came and forestalled the completion of the caretaker's house/barn due to inaccessibility (no vehicles could get to it because of the mud and soft ground) but the rains have stopped and work can resume.  Marty is excited to see to the plastering and painting, etc.
The corn crop on the Widows Farm has done very well.  There are trenches dug around the perimeter and also a large one across the middle of the field.  The purpose of them is two-fold:  1. To catch rainwater which then can seep under the crops by osmosis, thus supplying moisture; 2. To keep the top soil from washing away.  In addition we feel that the Lord has especially blessed this crop so as to have an increased provision for the widows.   You can see the photo of one of the ears of maize and it looks really healthy.  The maize is left on the stalk until it dries (about 99% dry).

That will be the end of July or early August.  Then it will be harvested by hand and the husks removed, the kernels removed and spread out to dry and then stored in 80 - 90 kg sacks until needed for distribution.

We will be having another eye clinic while there and have a nurse coming along with us, with her daughter to help at the clinic.
Jeremy and his daughter Kirsty will be coming in September to further minister to the villagers and make other plans for the future.

Blessings and Much Love to you all!!!

John & Marty

NEW LIFE IN KADAWA - SAVED LIVES IN KADAWA

A NEW LIFE FOR CHRISTINE

Here is some WONDERFUL news!  Christine, a young woman in the village of Kadawa, developed an ugly condition on the side of her face. She was grossly deformed.  This condition is  known as keloids (key loyds); they are scar-tissue gone amuck.  One of the places they happen is the ear.  We aren't certain how hers developed. Most likely she had a wound of sorts on her ear and the scar developed into a keloid.  We happened to see her in church one day and asked what had happened to her.  We also asked if anything could be done about it.  Apparently an unsuccessful attempt had previously been made to fix it.  We inquired and found out that a surgical procedure was possible, but she would have to go to Nairobi for treatment, and surgery.  Hesbone and Violet approached her and asked if she would consider having the surgery and other treatment to remove the keloid.  She agreed.  The logistics of finding the surgeons, getting her there, finding a place for her to stay, and the follow-up care are incredibly complex.  But they were able to make all of the arrangements and we were able to get her there and back.  How they manage to do such things we don't know, but they are an amazing couple who dearly love their people.

We just found out that Christine's husband has not had anything to do with her for quite some time - he has been out of the picture entirely - probably for two reasons:  1.  The disfigurement was very ugly; 2.  Disfigurements or other physical disabilities (deformities, crippled limbs, etc.) are often considered to be the result of a curse. 

Christine has been home for while, and is under doctors's orders not to be working and lifting and is to take antibiotics and pain medicine (she has been in a lot of pain).  The "not working" is very difficult for a village woman and she hasn't been following orders very well; however, Violet has pretty much convinced her of the serious necessity for her to follow the doctor's instructions.  She was very upset over the fact that her husband had not come to see her.  But she also is very happy with the results of the surgery.  See the before and after photos.  We are told that the scar has faded a lot since the photo was taken.

AND - this past Sunday, her husband came to church, came to the front, and publicly thanked everyone for what they had done for his wife.  Yaaaaay!  It would appear that her marriage is also being restored.

We happened to have money in the budget that made the surgery possible.  We were also able to pay for another woman's urgent surgery about two years ago. We know that  there are many medical needs in the village and, although we have been able to help some of them, we see the real need to establish a hospital/medical fund; i.e., a specific account for meeting hospital and surgical situations.  If you would like to help establish such a fund please get in touch with us by e-mail at: johnandmartys@aol.com. We will give you the details for designating and sending it.

DROUGHT AND FAMINE - LIVES BEING SAVED BY MAIZE FROM THE FARM

We have recently been told that there is a serious drought and resulting famine in Kenya. Whereas maize usually sells for 40 Kenya Shillings (KES) for a 2kg tin, it now costs 105 KES per tin - entirely unaffordable for these women (there are 82 KES for $1 U.S. or 141 KES for £1 GBP).  But, here is some more WONDERFUL news!  It was reported to us that the destitute widows - for whom the farm is being developed - have been receiving a share of maize harvest from the farm, along with 40 litres of water a week.  Lives are literally being saved as a result.  We don't know how long the supply will last, but we will distribute it until it is gone.

The rains have come and, hopefully, some crops will survive.

These very recent photos, taken since the rains began, are of the most recent maize crop on the farm (planted in March).  It is so tall and healthy!  You can see one of the reasons - we have had trenches dug around the field and across it in a few spots.  When it does rain, these trenches fill up with water, serving a twofold purpose.  Catching the rain that way keeps it from washing away the topsoil, and the water gradually seeps under the crop to water it.  This crop will be harvested in August.  The cobs are allowed to ripen and dry on the stalk.  We plan to plow more land for maize and also grow other crops such as fruits and vegetables.

      

CARETAKER'S HOUSE/BARN

Further progress has been made toward the finishing of the house.  The roof has been put on, and the doors and window frames have been delivered.  There is much to be done yet, such as plastering, painting and wiring for electricity, an outdoor toilet (and Ecosan - more on that later) and a clothesline for the lady of the house (at Marty's insistance).  NO, THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY! But, it is coming into the part of the village closest to the market and there is promise that it will eventually get to the church and our land. Therefore, we are wiring it in faith believing that we will have it.  

Well, there you have our latest news - we hope you enjoy it.  We will keep you up to date!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for:

     *  The end of drought and famine 

     *  Provision for villagers in Kadawa despite the drought and famine

     *  Our preparations for returning to Kenya the end of July

     *  Our health and stamina

     *  Provision of funds for hospital/medical needs

     *  Provision of funds to complete the caretaker's home/barn

     *  Provision of funds for the water tower/tank