A Heart for Service

Opening remarks, as Jim prepares to speak; John Karanja, seated with Jim on the

bench, will translate. The church gathers under this acacia tree.

When you see a great need, it's one thing to want to meet that need. It's entirely another thing to meet that need wisely and appropriately. It is far too easy to go wrong, when you are an outsider, regardless of good intentions. If you're the new guy in town,--if you're smart-- you get the wise counsel of someone who's been around awhile. When our hearts were touched with the needs of the IDP camp, we were blessed with the wisdom of John Karanja and John Njane (In jah nee). They pointed us in the right direction, and they saw that our intentions were carried out compassionately and practically.

John Karanja, has been working with the IDP church and his hard work has born fruit. They are taking ownership of their congregation and serving in this very hard place. John Njane has been working with the youth, the Sunday School, as well as a number of street boys in particular. The Camps are near a major truck stop, notorious for crime, prostitution, and drugs. Children without families are gravely in danger. He has a heart to see these children protected and educated.

Both men welcomed our help in ministering to these struggling believers. We were able to offer the comfort of soap and vaseline to 120 families. The remaining funds contributed towards shoes for the children. We were able to partner with two other families in providing footwear for little ones who had dilapidated shoes or no shoes at all. About seventy kids got new sneakers or sandals and fifty more pairs will be distributed this week.

At left, John gathers the children.

At right, friends and I sort shoes.

Trying on some sneakers for size...

and they are a fit!

On the Wednesday before Christmas, we accompanied John

Njane to Old Kijabe Town, where Jim gave a devotional, and we helped distribute food baskets and shoes to destitute widows and their dependent children and grandchildren. John leads out in providing baskets of food to supplement the needs of these families in crisis. It is his passion to prevent these children becoming street kids. John and his wife desire to begin a school where these kids can learn saleable skills and to provide shelter for them. John, a graduate of university, has studied to provide vocational education. His wife is a trained beautician. Pray for this young couple as they seek to stand in a critical gap.





Distributing food

that will enable these families to enjoy a simple Christmas meal of stew and bread and a week or so of other meals as well.

Diani Beach--Beauty and a "Light House"

Our greeters at Word of Life Church.

This posting will be short on text and long on photos. We do want to share the true highlight of Diani Beach, and it is truly something more of a "lighthouse." We enjoyed two services at the Word of Life Church. There must be quite a story, because they are on prime property on the beach and in a fine position to minister to the community and to young people in Africa. We received a fine welcome and fine messages. It was a blessed relief to see God's truth shining in the midst of darkness in Mombasa.

A dhow -- a cross between an outrigger and a sail boat.

Shots at sunrise -- the peace of a deserted beach

Mombasa -- experiencing the real African summer

There's no doubt about it. Jim and I are mountain or high plains people. Give us high altitudes and low humidity. Still we had a bit of savings, fine companions, and we'd never again have the opportunity to experience this part of Kenya -- the coast near Mombasa. It was the experience of a lifetime and it took us on a
300 mile, fourteen hour journey by overnight train to the highest humidity and heat we've ever "enjoyed."

Sometime in the long, hot,

sleepless night, Jim photographed this

tiny rural station. He later painted a
water color of it.

We woke and found we had left Nairobi slums for savannahs
and farmland. Breakfast was at 5:30 in the dining car.

This woman carries a heavy

load of firewood in traditional way.

All along the journey, children met us,
waiting for the daily novelty of the train

and for passengers to throw candy or shillings.

We won't talk about the heat, humidity, and the hard lives people lead in Mombasa and the worst poverty we've seen --ever. We won't talk about the annoying, pushy vendors. You don't want to go there. We will, instead, share the beauty. Reflecting on God's creation always takes us a lot farther.

First, flora

Flame tree

Bougainvillea in the setting sun.

Baobab and flame trees

Fauna

Gecko

A millipede -- a bigun 'un-- 6-7 inches long

and about 3 inches around.

Next...Diani Beach

Student Life at RVA 1--Multicultural Day

We work hard at RVA. We work, we study, we minister, but sometimes we celebrate and use our talents and skills. On Multicultural Day in October, we celebrate the diversity God has ordained, the many tribes and nations He has blessed. Tears flow freely on this day as we witness with pride our young people representing every continent worshipping the Lord as one. Here is just a taste of blessings we feasted on.

Early students gathered in national costumes for the great celebration.
The oldest students from each country carried their flags with pride.

Soon beaming young people and flags from each nation at RVA filled the stage at Centennial Chapel. Each age group performed skits and song. We sang, worshipped, and prayed together.

And then it was time for a break.

A change from national costumes to jeans and tee shirts.

We all enjoyed chai -- hot tea with lots of milk and sugar.

And mandazies -- a Kenyan pastry.

The students were divided into groups (Black eyes, Green thumbs, Blue noses, etc.) of every age and grade and competed in games.

A Korean stick game.

The winning team was announced...

But ultimately, we were all RVA Buffalos.

A Blessed Christmas to You All

Christmas is not the usual holiday for us this year. There are no snowy cards available, so we thought we would just share the beauty we see in the African December.

Good friends' garden

Mt. Longonot

Some things are the same the world over--here the blessing of young ones

sharing their gifts and talents.

Nativity sets made by resident potter Zedekiah.

And more traditionally...Merry Christmas.

Much love, Jim & Gale