Received news from Macau that Joana was able to meet a famous Taikonaut- That is a Chinese Astronaut. We are waiting to hear more about this but meanwhile here is a picture of Joana with Yang Li Wei.
Yang Li Wei posing with Joana
by Jorge
This month we had several problems with our vehicle. First it was a shaft pulley that needed replacement and later the turbo that was leaking and also was replaced. We were blessed to have parts of the old ‘Ford’, which in case of the Turbo we used to replace the defective one. Meanwhile, our mechanic is a real fan of our audio Bibles and talks to many of his friends about it. One of his neighbors came to us and asked us for one as a gift. Now he listens to the Bible in Swahili every day as he sits around enjoying his retirement years. See the picture below:
Neighbor friend enjoying his audio Bible
Keny, our mechanic under the hood.
by Donna
We took a drive to Nyeri, at the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Unfortunately, it the mountain was covered in clouds all day. However, we did visit the Baden Powell museum at the “Outspan.”. B. Powell was the founder of the Boy Scouts, who spent the last years of his life here in the area. This location is right next to “Treetops”, the place where Queen Elizabeth was staying when she received the news that her father had died and that she was the Queen of England. … [click pictures to enlarge]
It was nice to be out of the city, and back into the greenery of rural Kenya, where life is abundant and you can find good fruits and vegetable for a very reasonable price. We bought as much as we could. [click picture to enlarge]
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We had sent some school supplies to the orphanage in Western Kenya and we receive a note of appreciation and the picture below. We thank you who make it possible to continue to give assistance with these needs. [click pictures to enlarge]
We also receive a letter from Ndanda, in Tanzania with a plea for help. If you are interested in helping with physical needs in Africa, please contact us so we can forward your pledges. This is a Catholic organization run by Benedictine monks and they also run an Hospital. Their statistics go like this:
‘The following statistics for our Hospital are from 2012: we had 62,329 outpatients, while 10,551 were admitted to the hospital. The clinic for children under the age of five treated 26,062 kids. Major surgeries performed numbered 3,196 and 3,536 minor surgeries. The lab performed 52,333 tests. Malaria is a very common illness with 3,949 patients over five year and 4,640 young children. The maternity reports 2,130 births. The eye clinic treated 9,905 people and the dentist, Sr. Gema and her team attended 10,316 patients. The year 2013 will eventually show even higher numbers. The nursing school has 95 students, male and female. One of our biggest concerns is payment for the 300 employees of the hospital. ‘
Also, from our friend and translator in India, Anit Deane, we receive a request for prayer concerning this:
“I am forwarding the paper cutting regarding Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission property. The government is planning to demolish for widening the road. Please pray that God may intervene on behalf of poor orphan and destitute children and women. And save the mission property and on -going ministry. We would appreciate your fervent prayer support for Mukti. Kindly open the attached Mukti Pune Mirror to read the news and for information. I have received the SMS from Mukti Superintendent saying.: “ Please PRAY AND JOIN IN THE PROTEST AND PEACE MARCH TO THE PUNE COLLECTOR against the demolition of Pandita Ramabai’s Sadan HOME, National Heritage CHURCH, HOSPITAL.DAIRY, ACADAMY ON 11TH FEBRUARY 2014. Tuesday @ 10am-4pm. Please remember this in your prayer and forward to your prayer partners and your Church requesting them to pray. Thanks. – Anit Deane.
[Picture sent from India Newspaper Clip – click to enlarge]
Also, from Mozambique, received the following request for prayer and other things:
1 Peter 2:9 : “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
These wonderful scripture has propelled us to visualize Africa come together to put in action Psalms 150. We are looking forward to partnering teams like with Zim-praise Zimbabwe, Joyous celebration South Africa and AFLEWO Kenya. Our main objective is to bring Africa together in praising and worshiping the King of king and Lord of Lords. It is a long journey but we will get there by faith.
Kindly continue praying for and with us because it will take prayer to pull down the bondages in Africa. The challenges we face in Africa do not need solution from man but from the prince of peace himself. We are also praying that God will open doors for support for our Band in Mozambique. We need Public address machines Piano and guitars.
Mozambique is a virgin land that is very hungry for the gospel. We are using this opportunity to spread the gospel as it is a mandate from God, be blessed as you pray.
Written by Donna
Our Kids Bible Club has practically doubled in size and we were 30 last Saturday morning! We are studying the Books of Samuel and the lives of Samuel, Saul and David as there is much we can learn from their life choices and attitudes. The Adult Bible study took a break over the Holiday season, but we are meeting again with our emphasis being on prayer and spiritual warfare. Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Matthew 21:13: “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer”.
[Click picture to enlarge]
We were blessed with good weather and a chance to visit places around here and see some of the beautiful animals and nature available only here in Africa. Mandy became an honorary Masaai princess, blanket and all! Some of the hardier members of the Su tribe such as Eman, Ben, Jason, Gloria and Mandy braved the cold and rain in Naivasha. They camped near the lake and Mandy actually finally saw some hippos… There was also a visit to the nearby Nairobi Reserve Park, the only reserve park in the world right next to a city. We rode around the park looking for a lion and finally we were rewarded not with one but with three… One came up to the car and walked right by us. Rhino is also a rare animal to spot but we also spotted some. Enjoy these beautiful pictures of the joys of nature! [Click pictures to enlarge]
Our local outreach here was geared to the children’s club Bible classes and activities relating to the Christmas story. It was beautiful to see 5 – 12 yr. olds memorizing Isaiah 9:6 and many Christmas carols as well. We held a caroling service within our housing estate where many attended. Cristiana led the singing with Jorge on guitar and the children made their special presentation. The Lord supplied a tent covering, microphone, refreshments and chairs for the evening! It was a cold, starlit night, which may have been similar to the one Mary and Joseph experienced that holy, silent night in Bethlehem when Christ was born!
Joana and Christmas Bible narration
Caroling with neighbours
Preparing Bible readings on cold Christmas caroling night
Practicing Christmas Carols