Christmas in Kenya

We need to tell you some of the things that we have done in Kenya. One of the most significant for us was soon after we arrived. The office closed early on the Thursday before Christmas so that the office staff could go to a children's home. It is run by Irvin and Ruth Schwandt. They have about 60 children of which 7 are babies. Twenty-some are HIV-positive. We provided games, art and music for the children.

Pamela took the bag of Stephen's matchbox cars that she had brought with us. We played the video of "Friends Every Day" and "Groovy Christmas." She told them about Stephen and how he would want to hug people and ask if they would be his friends every day. She also told them that Stephen loved God and prayed for everyone he knew, and even some he did not know, and reminded them that Jesus is their best friend. Finally, she explained that Stephen had a collection of cars and that we had brought enough for each to receive one car.

The need for caring homes for orphans in Kenya is tremendous to the point that it seems overwhelming. Kenyans will need to do much more to address it. The kids we saw were well cared for, and more than that, they were happy and secure.

The Schwandt's work is sponsored by the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa. It is not affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. If you are interested in more information check out their website at rehemahome.org or Google them.

African Adventure

God has been so good to us! He has already allowed us to have many wonderful adventures in our lives with Him, and He and the church keep opening the doors to more. We have been so busy that we have failed to keep you up-to-date even on our whereabouts.

We are on the equator again, this time in Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa. At 5450 feet elevation, the weeks that we have been here have been gorgeous. The flowers and trees are spectacular against the mostly blue skies. But, as much as we enjoy it, we are not here for the weather. We were asked to come to fill in for the field treasurer while she is on home assignment working in the States. She has an amazingly large job here. Have you noticed that the jobs of capable people grow and grow? In her absence some of her tasks have been taken on by others, but we are trying to keep up with just the bookkeeping.
We are living in this city of over 3,000,000 in a complex that includes the beautiful townhouse that we are living in and other housing, a workshop, audio/video studios and the offices that support the strategic coordination of the Nazarene districts and churches in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. That includes Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Child Sponsorships, Jesus Film, NYI, Children's Ministries, and Work & Witness.

We will be here several more weeks so continue to pray for us and the people we are serving. Pray that we will succeed in letting them pursue their ministries without disruptions while their treasurer is away.