KISII REPORT - MUD OR SNOW? A COMPARISON

Garage

Our House

We had a couple of big snowstorms where we live in Wisconsin in the past week. I have spent the last couple of days plowing

Smithy

snow in our driveway and around the farm. It is kind of a big job, since much of it involves getting the snow off of roofs.

Many people will tell you that they do not like winters in the north. Too much snow

Stuga

and too cold. It is true that it is a lot of work, but once the snow is plowed and shoveled, life can continue on normally. And, I also have to add that there are many pleasant aspects and scenic beauties to living in the north.

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The Market Area Near the Church and Orphanage

Not so with heavy rains and floodings. Western Kenya has experienced a lot of this in the past weeks. The reports are that some 60+ people have perished in landslides caused by heavy and persistent rains in the western part of the country. This has not happened in the immediate area of Kisii, where the orphanage is located, but they have also experienced heavy rains.

Lining Up to Eat

Water from the rains does not accumulate on the ground as does snow, but in the long run, it creates many more problems, and more serious ones. Our orphanage is not actually in the main town of Kisii, but outside in the hills, were the only access is by dirt road only.

The rain may run downhill, but it creates deep mud on the road and trails, making going anyplace nearly impossible—even on foot. The hills there consist of heavy

Entering the Dormitory

clay—the kind that sticks to your shoes.

Snow, you can sweep off your boots and you are good to go. Your boots are even cleaner than they were before. The heavy clay mud goes with you wherever you go and leaves a track of mud on everything.



You cannot plow mud to get to solid ground as you can snow. If you get stuck with your car in the snow, it is a headache. But usually a little shoveling will get you free. You

Road to Kisii Town

cannot shovel slimy mud, and driving in it is just as slippery as the iciest of roads. 

To add to an already difficult conditions, the food supply is again finished and there is nothing to eat at the orphanage. But this is not the situation only for the children in the orphanage. Many people of the area face the same challenges, many families going without food for three or four days at a time on a rather regular basis.

I am sure that there are other places in the world with even more desperate living conditions, but in my own years of living and

No one has ever heard of making a "Mud Man"

working in various countries, very many of them third world or developing nations, never have I seen such need.

Vivian and I are grateful that God has called us to help. We can do little, but many of you have also helped. It is greatly appreciated. Life is still harder than perhaps any who read this can imagine, but it is better for these children now than in the past.

Next week I will share a letter from Pastor Joel about the situation there. He has also sent photos of each child, which I will also share over the next few posts (there are very many pictures). You will be able to get to know the children by name.

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If you would like to help the children of the Log Church Orphanage of Kisii, Kenya, you may make your check out to "The Log Church" and write "Orphans" on the memo line.

Send it to:
        The Log Church

PO Box 68
Tripoli, Wisconsin 54564 

Every nickel given in this way will be used for only aid for the orphans. It will be used for purchasing food, clothing, schooling, and other necessities of living. Nothing is held back or diverted for any other purpose