During the month we have been in intense communications with some brothers in Mozambique who have invited us to come. We also had to get visas and to get visas we needed an invitation letter. Besides, we had to take vaccinations against yellow fever as that is also required.   Joana, because of her involvement in the EMT course, cannot come with us. We have invited Terry, our dear sister from Zhuhai, who is now on mission here in Kenya, to come and stay  with Joana at our home during the time we are absent…

Thus, the time has come to take our summer break [actually winter here] and this week we are making final preparations for our mission and retreat, all in one. Please pray with us as there is a lot of driving to do and spiritual battles to be fought. Please intercede on behalf of Mozambique. It is a country still coming out of a long term  communist regime and is desperately in need of the salt and light of the Gospel. We are bringing over 100 Portuguese Audio Bibles, and “Crescer em Cristo” booklets,  as a gift to the work, and we are also interested in making further contact with missionaries there and see how we can help more in the future. We will certainly try to enjoy the beautiful pristine beaches while there and get to know the people and the language of the land.  Psalm 67:2-3. – “That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.  Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.”

New arrived iBibles –

Portuguese language Bibles for Mozambique

testing the load — most of the rack is full of audio Bibles

[by Donna]

Every Thursday evening there is a prayer meeting with members of our estate. The majority of the couples are Kenyans, but there are also others from neighboring countries such as Malawi, etc. We are focusing on prayer and intercession, and it is a very enriching experience to hear testimonies, share the Word, and join in prayer for personal needs, the nations etc. It is also helps to create deep bonds between the local community members. We have a “Hospitality Outreach” and now we are focusing on supply hot water kettles and supplies to the estate guards who pass the night standing in the cold! Yes, it’s cold at at night here, temperatures can go below 10 degrees C!

Fellowships

This month, as usual, we attended several fellowships. The youth meeting at the Griffins over in Karen, the International fellowship at Roslyn School and the Chinese Fellowship at Junction. We has a very special time at the Chinese Fellowship as several short term mission visitors from Hong Kong were visiting. We are encouraged to see more and more Chinese interested in the field of Africa. The Chinese Christian experience, especially the broad and deep “house church” movement that makes the main stream of Christian activity in China, with millions of believers, is an example to share with the rest of the world. Gabriel, our son  in Macau, sent us an  interesting and incisive article about the “House Church Revolution”, which you may read HERE. [pdf format]

All attending at Chinese Church

Outside the small apartment room that makes the Chinese Fellowship at Junction

Terry, Donna, Joana and visitor from Hong Kong

[by Joana]

This month I started my internship at Avenue Hospital. After two whole weeks of pure relaxation, it was difficult for me to adjust back to my early wake up schedule! Haha. I had recently purchased my full EMT trainee uniform; white pilot shirt tucked into navy blue pants and black socks with leather loafers. My first posting was a week and a half in theater! I was extremely nervous as to how I would feel about watching my first operations, but I soon found out that there was no place for me to have qualms.  … [read the full report HERE]

Joana EMT ready..

Cristiana Portuguese Studies

Cristiana, our daughter currently in Portugal, received her diploma on Portuguese Studies from the University of Coimbra and she spent time visiting several of our relatives there. She had the opportunity to get to know many aspects of the Portuguese culture and visit several places including the birthplace of her father… . She also had the opportunity to travel and meet some of the friends she had since Macau and share their mutual experiences.

Cristiana with friends Blondine and Clemence 2013