Holidays are here and in full swing!

The grill was immediately lit when the electricity went out 

I always look forward to November because it means we will get together with Bethany team members that live in a different part of Kenya. This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Naivasha because Laura and Abdi and family were finishing up their Sabbatical there. Naivasha is a popular tourist destination. It is known for their National parks, geothermal spas and Mount Longonot (Non active volcano). The Lion King got a lot of its scenery, including Pride Rock, from Hells Gate National Park which is in Naivasha. 

On Turkey day everyone chipped in to help out in whatever way they could. Jason truly could be a chef and open up his own restaurant if God ever tells us our time in Kenya is finished up. About an hour before we were ready to eat the electricity went out and the 2 stoves we were using were both electric. When we checked our phones we saw a message that the electricity was out all over the whole country. With fast thinking the grill was lit and everything was finished up on it. Candles were lit and placed on the table giving the atmosphere a holiday mood. All in all it turned out just fine. 

The day after Thanksgiving we were able to brainstorm as a Bethany Kenya team and come up with 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, and 10 year visions and goals. This really showed us how many possibilities there are for the direction of God's kingdom in the future. The task ahead can seem overwhelming and out of reach for just 1 person or our team of 5 people right now. We all recognize that more workers are needed.

 Jason and I are enthusiastically announcing that Paul and Ashley Kary (former interns that got married) have arrived in Gtown yesterday! They had planned on coming earlier but faced a huge setback- Paul had a stroke which allowed the doctors to discover a hole in his heart. He was able to successfully have surgery to close up the hole and the doctors have given him the clearance to travel and live in Kenya. We admire that this didn't hinder their calling embrace them with open arms. We are planning a Christmas outreach at the farm this year and we do not have interns around to help out. It is God's perfect timing to allow Paul and Ashley to land and be apart of the festivities- with a few weeks to settle themselves first. Could you be praying they would adjust back here well? 

Christmas Day is approaching quickly. We purchased a cow earlier this year that has been eating greens at the farm and growing fat to be slaughtered on the 25th. We invited the farmworkers and their families to partake in games, a meal and a dispersion of gifts. Because of the huge generosity of friends and family we are able to purchase a queen sized bed for each of the 15 farmworkers and a brand new mattress a long with new clothing and toys for their 72 children. We also will be providing a months worth of food. Although it is a tremendous joy to be able to give material items, the ultimate desire is to give the gospel message of God sending His son Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and the took the sins of the world upon himself to die in our place. We can believe in Him as our Savior, Redeemer and have hope for what happens after we die. 

Pray with us that as we give these materials gifts that the ultimate gift of Jesus shines through so brightly in the darkness and that many will know and receive His salvation!

You can see the sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole. 

One of the few pics of Jason. He was fast in action chopping and cooking up a storm the whole Thanksgiving day. 

The whole crew. Smallest group we have had. Still delightful.

All the fixings.

Doesn't this give all the holiday feels with the candles. 

Laura let me borrow this book. True story about brothers from Somalia finding refuge at Dadaab, Kenya.

We got to see hippos up close in Naivasha. 

What a treat to make smores- Laura brought the ingredients back from America. 

This is the face of pure satisfaction.