We frequently buy goats for children to raise.  They breed them and sell the offspring to buy school uniforms, books, and pay for extracurricular activities.  Although elementary education is "free", a child cannot go to school unless he/she has the aforementioned items/cash.  Thanks to supporters who give money specifically to purchase goats, these children will be able to go to or continue in school.  The current cost for a goat is $35 (£28).j

A few years ago one of the boys had a goat that kept bearing twins.  He actually saved several of the twins until he had enough to trade for a cow.  That is being an entrepreneur !  We believe he will go far in life.
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A MZUNGU NEVER BUYS A GOAT!
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The name for a person not of color is mzungu. Children get so excited when we come to Kadawa and it is music to our ears when we go through the village and hear loud cries of "Mzungu! Mzungu!" from the children along the road and in the bush!
Tuesday as the day to buy and distribute goats.  Why?  It is the main market day and there is an animal auction there.  Barak is our goat purchaser.  He knows well how to bargain and buys them at a good price.  If a mzungu tried to buy a goat at auction the price would be considerably higher, for in the eyes of the seller all wazungu (plural for mzungu) are rich.

Here Pastor Laban is explaining carefully to the children and their parents about the purpose of the gift of a goat.

LEARNING THE ROPES!!
Ropes are tied to each of the goats, and the ends are gathered together.  That way they don't know which goat they will get.  Then the children pick a rope, and follow it down to see their goat.  

And here, we have a forlorn little goat who was left behind - the child hadn't arrived by the time the others were given (you can hear some in the background responding).

WE BLESS YOU ALL AND WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

​JOHN & MARTY

TRAVELING IS OFTEN DIFFICULT IN THE VILLAGE

Jeremy and the team went to visit a widow one day to minister to her and take her some gifts.  The roads in the village - sometimes called roads, but not really; especially in the rainy season - are often quite bad.  Even the main roads during a heavy rainy season.  Often they stay that way for awhile, for the only way to sort them out is for the government to come in with heavy equipment and resurface them.  By that we mean they grate the road and, if the people are fortunate, they will also add more dirt to it.  
Here is a photo of one of the secondary "roads" in the village.  

Often, it is only possible to get relatively close to the home we are visiting.  When they arrived near to the place Jeremy took a clever photo of his finger touching the place they were going.  You can see the glint of the tin roof on the house. Typical!.  A long way to walk through the bush!  

BUT - they had to first go through a daunting obstacle to get over there.  We often must have a guide to get us to the place we need to go.  In the picture below, you can see the guide going across the creek ahead of the rest of the team.  (I never asked if she made it!)

All in a typical day's work when visiting Kadawa.  Challenging and great fun, and great blessings!


​WATER HARVESTING
Keep in mind, the water in that creek is used to wash clothes, to bathe, to water the livestock, and to drink.  We are doing water-harvesting projects by putting tanks next to homes to catch rainwater off roofs.  It is clear, and readily drinkable (it's best to boil it first, but we don't always).  Sometimes we put extra large ones at one home in a compound and the owner shares it with the rest of the folks that live in the compound.  Here is an example.  Not of one we did, but it was our prototype.

WE WANT TO BLESS YOU ALL.  Thank you for your prayers, friendship and love!

​John & Marty

UPDATE ON THE WIDOWS' FARM
Our Jeremy and wife, Penny along with their daughter and son-in-law have recently returned from the Widows' Farm and Kadawa. We have lots of photos. I'll update you on things bit-by-bit.
On Sept. 25 Tobias, our farm manger (Johnfred's half-brother) sent us a photo of folks planting the maize crop. For some reason, only a few came out, so it took two days to plant the field. We were praying for some good rain.
When Jeremy arrived on Oct. 8 he had a photo taken of the maize which was among the best of all the local farms. There was some proper rain while he was there and he took a photo 10 days later in the same spot. What a difference! Actually, it rained so fast & hard in Kisumu that there was a flood. Kisumu is about 20 miles from Kadawa and it is common to rain in town, but not in the village. 
Finally, here is a photo of Rose's new house. The team went inside and prayed for the house and Rose, and gave her some gifts. The outside and inside walls aren't finished yet. They must thoroughly dry. Then the home group will come and help rose "plaster" it with a mixture of mud and some dung. It will be quite smooth.
We're sorry to say that all of the chickens caught a disease and died. Oh dear! It was a good effort.
We are so thankful to have Jeremy managing the farm and for Tobias, Eric, Leonard and Belinda operating it, and all the prayer and financial support from our friends and other loved ones. 
God is good. We are blessed. The widows are blessed.
We bless you all!

My Kenyan friends will appreciate this, and likely to laugh at this msungu. 
I want to acquaint you with some more of our rich, beautiful, and varied cultural experiences in Kenya.
I LOVE the traditional food in Kenya - especially in the village. I have eaten most of it. However, I don’t think I have eaten omena. It is a favorite dish there and sold in the village market place and in the large locals market place in Kisumu. It is a food that doesn’t appeal to my eyes or my nose. My Kenyan friends have assured me that they are sweet and tasty. They are a bit bemused by my reaction to omena. But they love me.
Let me add here, that if omena were prepared for me, or served to me I would surely eat them. Indeed I would! I would not be guilty of the offense of not eating food prepared for me. Most likely I would find them very good; just like my friends there have told me.
I say all of the above to let you know that yesterday I FOUND AN OMENA ON A TABLE IN MY BEDROOM! I don’t know how it got there. I have taken a photo of it for your information!
Yes! It is a small dried fish - about 1 ½ inches long. They are sold dried, in large quantities (not one at a time). They are caught in Lake Victoria.

​We are so grateful for the support we receive through many contributors specifically for medical treatment. This fund is not limited to widows, but is for man, woman or child. We praise God for in some cases it has literally saved lives.
The ladies we interviewed were gathered for us. Interviewing them after the fact has some difficulties. They were repeating from memory through an interpreter; no one was with them who had been there when they were treated.  
Additionally they often had additional or ensuing problems and it was sometimes difficult to separate the ones for which they were treated by our fund. 
All, except one, were treated in 2018/2019. Some had never been to a private hospital (or any hospital), or into the city. These were big and sometimes intimidating situations for them. 
We informed them of the hospital/medical fund, and that churches and people in America made it possible for them to receive treatment and medication for their sickness and disease. Each person we interviewed expressed gratitude for the treatment they received. 
Their photos appear below in order of their interview, with the exception of Filgona Anyanga whose daughter appeared on her behalf; so, there is no photo of Filgona.
MARGARITA OLWENY – 80 years  
Margarita had paralysis in her right arm, chest pain, pain in her head, difficulty hearing. 
She has been taken into Kisumu to a private hospital two times. She received x-rays. She has been receiving ongoing medication. 
She is no longer paralyzed – she walked to the farm to receive distribution (but had a grandchild carry it for her). She heard us quite well, but we aren’t certain that the hearing problem was included in her treatment.

​ROSEMARY BARAZA
Rosemary has frequent, chronic cramps and pain, swelling in the left leg up to her hip, constipation and nausea. She was transported to a private hospital, given X-rays. No surgery is required. She is receiving medication, which is effective. It appears to be chronic. When the medication is gone and she reports it to the medical fund administrator she receives more medication. She is thankful for her medication, and is optimistic that she will overcome if she can continue the medication.

MONICA ONYANGO – She is “a widow now, with no means for survival”.
Pain in the left side of her abdomen and had great difficulty breathing. The medical fund administrator, Violet Odindo (Mama Faith) took her to the Kisumu District Hospital. X-rays resulted in the diagnosis of pneumonia. She was in the hospital for 5 days.  
Monica stated that she is thankful to the Lord for her treatment; she “was dying and was saved”. ​

CELINE OKOK – Was totally paralyzed. Violet Odindo (medical fund administrator) took her to the district hospital. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, given medication, and sent home for bed rest while on meds. The pneumonia recurred and she was taken to a private hospital. Celine said that she was extremely ill and believed she was dying. She was given medication and recovered. All paralysis has been healed. She said she is so very thankful.
While being interviewed she said that she has blurred vision. She has been referred to Violet regarding examination and treatment of her eyes.

​FILGONA ANYANGA
Filgona’s daughter, Celine Omanje came on behalf of her mother. Filgona had chest congestion, frequent fevers and joint pain.
She was taken to a hospital in Kisumu where she received X-rays. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. She was treated with an inhaler (at 350 Kenya Shillings per inhaler - $3.50). She has improved since then; however, the condition is chronic and once the medication is finished the symptoms return. When Filgona informs the medical fund administrator of her need she is provided with more medication.

​Below is a selection of various situations that have been treated through the hospital/medical fund in 2018, as there are many about whom we don’t have details.
Drugs for Malaria
Chemotherapy treatment
Hospital admission to try to save a baby’s life
Surgery on the intestines of a widow
Hospital admission on a boy critically ill
Breast screening 
Special glasses for a man almost blind whose wife had run away because of his condition
Hospitalisation with pneumonia
Brain scan on destitute widow
Treatment of ear infection on destitute widow
Medicine for eyes
Meds for kidney stones
Hospital visit for widow with mental illness
Treatment of orphans with eye and ear infections
Meds for arthritis
Treatment of orphans with malaria and ringworms
Surgery on a mother at conception
Help with cost of an amputation for a widow
Treatment for Mama Margarita, a leprosy victim
Drugs for blood pressure
Hospital treatment for a woman with a urinal tract infection
Kidney infection treatment
Hospital treatment for Perez after 14 years of bleeding
Treatment for one of the pastors after a motorbike accident
BLESS - John and Marty
 

STOP THE PRESSES!!!
EXCITING UPDATE ON WIDOWS' FARM!!!
The feathery ladies have decided to do what they were bought and created to do.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST EGG!!!
Just in time for Easter!
TA DAAHHH!!

GIFT BAGS FOR THE DESTITUTE WIDOWS
God is so good to make provision for the ministry in Western Kenya. We are very grateful to Him and to all who respond to His prompting to be part of what He is doing here.
There are 32 widows who qualify as destitute in the area in which we minister. We had a day where we distributed gift bags to them. The bags contained 2 kilos of maize flour (for making ugali), 1 kilo of cooking fat (similar to Crisco), 1 kilo of sugar, 500 grams of salt, 100 grams of tea leaves, 3 bars of laundry/dish soap, 5 boxes of matches, a green scrubber pad, and a steel scrubber pad for their suffarias (cooking pots), and some body lotion (a total luxury item). We explained that it wasn't to be used for cooking, but was for their skin and to make them smell sweet. They REALLY like that.
We began distribution on the farm in Kadawa, where some of the widows who couldn't make it sent grandchildren in their place. One lady brought her grandson with her. Good job, for she could barely walk, even with a stick. But she was determined to come. Her photo is below.
From there we went to Korwenge, about 20 miles from Kadawa. There were 5 widows there. We met them in the church, which was built within the last 2 years by contributions through another ministry. It is a sturdy steel structure, with a tin roof. You'll see a pile of bricks in the back of the photo; they have 3000 and we are told need another 4000 to construct the walls. The widows reacted to the gifts before the camera was operating, so with very little prompting they once again showed their appreciation. The people love to be photoed and videoed (sp? new word?) to greet people back in the UK, America and other countries that relate to the ministry, and to show their enthusiasm and appreciation.
We then went to Magwar, about 15 miles from Korwenge. Waiting for us there in the church were three widows, their pastor and some leaders. One widow, Dorcas, was in a great deal of pain from an ear infection. We have a medical fund for treating the widows and anyone else in need of treatment that can't be done in the village. We set the process in motion for her to be taken to hospital in the city for treatment. Another of the ladies there was totally blind. There is nothing to be done for her. She was a sweet, happy person. When she left there was a gentleman guiding her away. He's carrying her parcel for her.
After the distribution we were treated to a meal of Kenyan style chicken, cabbage, and ugali. It was really, really good. You will see the remains below. Sorry for not getting a photo before we ate, but wanted you to see the hospitality with which we were treated.
When the avocados, mangoes, and bananas growing on the farm are ready there will be another distribution. When the price of maize gets too high, we will distribute of the maize we grow on the farm.
Thank you again for your prayers on behalf of the ministry, the Widows' Farm, the staff, Jeremy and us. James 5:16b in the Amplified version says: The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working).
Bless, John & Marty

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Distribution of food crops was made to the widows at the farm. Some of them walked 6km to get there. The ones that are really old or frail will send a neighbor or grandchild to pick up what is distributed. The ladies were given a common treat of tea (chai - made with lots of milk and sugar) and bread while they waited. Belinda, Eric’s wife, most likely prepared it on a wood fire by Marty’s kitchen out in back of the barn. The colourful cups and plates are kept on the farm for such occasions.

A common food is cassava. We had a good crop of it. You can see Leonard and Eric digging up the cassava roots. There is a pile of them at the feet of the ladies who are drinking tea. Cassava is a staple in Kenya - third highest source of carbohydrates, next to rice and maize. It is drought resistance, and very high in carbohydrates/starch; low in protein and other nutrients. It is peeled and then cooked many ways. One popular way is like french fries (chips) or chips (crisps). It is prepared like that in the city, not in homes in the village - too costly (because of the amount of oil needed) except as a treat to be bought on market day. Otherwise, in the home it is usually boiled - mixed in with other food as a filler to make it go further - or it can replace potatoes. It can also be dried and ground into flour. The flavor is vey bland. Note: unless cooked properly some cassava is toxic.

In another photo you see Joel standing in the sweet potato crop. It wasn’t ready for harvest at the time.

Leonard and Erick are splitting bananas, grown on the farm, into hands for distribution to the ladies. If you are wondering why the bananas are green - if they are left on the banana bush to ripen, the birds destroy them.

In all, the distribution was 3 large tins of maize, a hand of bananas and 3 cassava tubers. The widows are so appreciative, and they love to have their photo taken smiling, waiving, and showing their goods in appreciation. 
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The following week Jeremy and Joel took the same produce to a distant part of the area where we serve, and distributed it to widows there. 

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