Christmas is nearly upon us and it is strange after spending 20 years in North Dakota that there is no snow or freezing temperatures (except on Mt. Kilimanjaro which has an upper fresh snow covering some mornings). Peggy wakes up each morning and pulls the curtains aside to see what has happened on the mountain the previous night. We are learning to celebrate Christmas in a different way below the equator. Some of the village grounds workers found us sisal shoots which make a lovely reminder of Christmas and ours has been decorated with tiny LED lights and some unique ornaments. Each Rafiki family has decorated the shoots in a different way. The children are busy decorating their cottages and we are expecting an end of semester school recitation December 19.

 WE enjoyed a new "traditional Thanksgiving feast with our Rafiki family. We had pork and dressing and chicken and lots of desserts including fresh coconut pie and even pecan pie from the generosity of Sara Nickels. There were 9 of us with our Mini missionary guests the Prishmans. We were all quite happy and stuffed and so thankful for all God has done for us here in this country. 

 It feels like Miami or Phoenix today and I just finished fabricating a new arbor for our passion fruit vines which provides a pleasant introduction to our house on the sidewalk connecting us to the rest of the staff housing area. Outside we can usually smell the scent of the frangipani tree and it often comes through the open windows (known as the plumaria in Hawaii) as a most heavenly fragrance. We continue to wonder at the opportunities open to us in this wonderful setting. We are starting soon a course for the older boys and girls on the verge of puberty called “How to be a Great Man” or woman as may be the case. We will cover the usual information which parents are expected to cover with children this age but it will eventually end with several sessions based on Matt 20: 25-28. We have the opportunity to guide them to greatness by teaching and modeling servanthood after our Lord’s example who did not come to be served but to serve. The wonderful thing is that we live with the expectation that most of them will have the capacity and training for greatness with the education and experience which we are giving them. I expect to be introduced to some of the medical students nearby before the end of December as the chaplain has invited me to give the sermon at the English service held on the grounds of the medical school. There are many foreigners working at the medical center since it is so well known in East Africa and we are told usually 200-300 people are attendance.

 For those of you who are interested in how this has worked out in other settings nearby we would commend to you the story of the Masai boy Kuyoni whose father disinherited for attending Bible classes in Road to Kilimanjaro by Ruth Shaffer. This was originally written in 1985 but could be found via Amazon.com.

 I expect to be introduced to some of the medical students nearby before the end of December as the chaplain has invited me to give the sermon at the English service held on the grounds of the medical school. There are many foreigners working at the medical center since it is so well known in East Africa and we are told usually 200-300 people are attendance. We continue to find immense joy in the work here. The children are engaging and loving. The National workers do really hard tasks with true joy. I asked some of the men to move a stove from one house to another then move a desk and a 4 drawer file cabinet from one house to another also, and all was done with light banter and smiles! All by hand I might add.
 Today, as I am sitting in my house, I still hear the laughing and playfulness of children as they weed in our large Village shamba (garden).  Several of our Rafiki mothers have asked to take some of the children who have no relatives, home with them for a few days during school break. This is a rare off time for the mothers and they chose to spend it with the children they have come to love. What a ministry heart.
Yes there are hard things too here. The heat this time of year can be draining. The driving is terror producing and parking is a joke. But these are so small when you think of the impact God is allowing us to have on the lives of 59 precious children!!! Thank you again Lord for the opportunity. We remind you that you are welcome to share in the work here anytime. There is plenty to go around and you then can experience not only the "Joy of the Season" but they joy in working for The Lord.