For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Maana kwa ajili yetu mtoto amezaliwa, Tumepewa mtoto mwanamume; Na uweza wa kifalme utakuwa begani mwake; Naye ataitwa jina lake, Mshauri wa ajabu, Mungu mwenye nguvu, Baba wa milele, Mfalme wa amani. (Isaya 9:6)

Porque um menino nos nasceu, um filho se nos deu, e o principado está sobre os seus ombros, e se chamará o seu nome: Maravilhoso, Conselheiro, Deus Forte, Pai da Eternidade, Príncipe da Paz. (Isaias 9:6)

因有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们。政权必担在他的肩头上。他名称为奇妙，策士，全能的神，永在的父，和平的君。(以赛亚书 9:6)

Merry Christmas to ALL!!

[click on picture to enlarge]

By Jorge,

We have been invited to visit a school and a mission near lake Victoria, in the region of Nyanza. Along with Jason and our friend Isaac, we took off on a Friday for a weekend visit. We rode 350 kms in a pretty good paved road to this area which is part of the high lands of Kenya and not far from the world-famous Maasai Mara Reservation Park. The weather was good and we enjoyed a beautiful ride. After we visited the school and got acquainted with the children and some of the teachers we were invited to speak at the parents meeting that was held there that day, which was actually the last day of this school term. We were also shown around the school compound and introduced to the needs of the school. From our mission fund we were able to share some financial resources to help with these needs. We encouraged particularly the building of new toilet facilities, because the ones there now – 3 toilets for 300 children – are not sufficient and very much sub-standard (no tiles, hole on the ground, no flush).

We spent Sunday morning in that area and we had the opportunity to share some scriptures with the congregation at the local church. We shared from John 15, verses 1 to 5, about the vine and the branches. In such rural area, there is a perfect understanding of how fruit cannot be borne by the branches that are cut off from the vine… thus, if we do not remain in God’s Word, also, we cannot bear fruit. On that theme we left several audio Bibles with the leaders of the church and community which was also a reason for much jubilation.

by JS

While in Nyanza region, together with our Kenyan friends, we took a ride for a short visit to the Mara Triangle. Mara is a river that crosses the Maasai Mara region of Kenya and is famous for pictures like these. However ours was a short visit and we only had time to see part of the reservation. We did see the river, sometimes called the “river of death”, because so many animals die there. There rotten carcasses of dead wildebeests in several spots on its shores and the presence of crocodiles is visible as well as many other animals that live in this dangerous but beautiful region.

The peaceful and docile: [click to enlarge]

the big and dangerous: [click to enlarge]

by JS

At home besides the children and the school there is also the other things and people  that make life so interesting:

Visitors:

We had Mark, our friend from China, almost every weekend. He is leaving for China but before he goes he awarded us a dinner of dumplings: Home made, of course:

Joana and Mark: cooking dumplings.

Everyday, there are the cats… in a house without TV, they grant us some of the most entertaining times. They always a joy to watch, With their antics, acrobatics and cuddling gestures.

The Garden is bringing forth more and more fruit and we are enjoying eating it:

Beans from our garden

Activities

NOT least.

Thanksgiving dinner – we are all so thankful:

Thanksgiving Dinner