Holidays in Kenya

Happy New Year to you all!

The Christmas service went well in Mumias I think. I still find it difficult to speak through an interpreter -- or "interrupter" as it is sometimes called! But I trust that the message got across, and that God will use His Word.

Noreen came down in the evening of Christmas Day -- arriving in time to watch the Queen's speech while we ate our dinner. Noreen and Gillian were very patriotic -- they even stood up for the National Anthem! I managed to make a fool of myself when Noreen texted on her way down saying "ER is on at 6pm". So I figured we were going to watch an interesting program on A&E (Emergency Room) -- I thought Noreen was being very considerate of me, seeing that I used to work there. When lo and behold, it turns out she meant "Elizabeth Regina" was on at 6pm. Needless to say, I was laughed to scorn, and comments made regarding how I was still half-American etc. LOL

We had a New Year's service today (up in the Kapenguria area again) -- a few of the churches got together. The usual Kenyan time pattern -- scheduled for 11am, started at 12 midday, finished at 2:45pm. Then we had chai (Kenyan tea -- very good!) and the kids had orange juice and biscuits! Big treat for them!
Tonight I went over to the Rev. Kendagor's house for dinner -- it was nice to be out and enjoy the fellowship -- and good food! We had rice, potatoes, goat, and chapati (a flat bread that you dip into soup). We always have a time of devotions after dinner at his house -- and the visitor usually gets the honour (??) of bringing the "bread" as Rev. K calls it. I read Deut. 33:25 -- "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." This was actually our motto text in Ballymena in 2005 (some of you may remember). But it's been on my mind all day -- we have no idea what is going to come in the year ahead, but God promises strength for however many days we may have, and for whatever happens during those days. His grace is sufficient for us. I certainly had no idea on New Year's Day, 2009, that I'd be in Kenya on January 1, 2010, but here I am! And God has been giving abundant strength and grace!