Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 Christmas is here and gone.  For us it was the first Christmas in the US as a family.  We have had a great time with friends and family.  These two pictures show the kids enjoying the "Train Park" all lit up with Christmas cheer.  Unfortunately, even though there was a lot of lights and creative displays, there was no evidence of Jesus who is truly the Light of the world.

 Christmas day came with an accumulation of boxes and packages of all shapes and sizes.  Trying to be fully present for the opening of presents, I couldn't help but think of the abundance so easily taken for granted in the US.  We have spent Christmas in Kenya the last 7 years.  I can tell you it's a different experience.

Getting gifts is obviously a fantastic part of any holiday.  I found myself trying to remind my children of God's perspective on giving.  As Jesus said, "It's better to give then receive." It's a difficult concept for most of us adults let alone children who love new and shinny things also.

 The best part of Christmas is truly the Gift that God the Father gave us.  Jesus, his only Son is our gift promising life instead of death.  But it isn't just one special day of the year that we can celebrate the gift of Jesus.  He is the gift that keeps on giving.  Don't let the love and generosity that erupts during Christmas disappear as the new year emerges.  Instead join us as we challenge ourselves to a new level of love and generosity through out the year.  Jesus is alive and with us everyday.  Prove it by considering others as much as you fuss about yourself.  Prove it by letting his love mature in you more and more each day.

6 Years Old

We all have "Firsts" that we can remember.  Losing your first tooth.  Getting your first bicycle and finally learning how to ride it for the first time.  Maybe your first day of school.  Your first boyfriend or girlfriend or your first kiss.  Your first job.  Your first car.  Your first child being born.

The older you get the less often you get to experience "Firsts."  If you're not careful life becomes a typical routine that loses it's excitement.

Living in Kenya allows our family to experience "Firsts" all over again.  Eat repulsive foods for the first and sometimes last time.  Helping a young guy build a 10'x10' mud hut for his first home.  Visiting slum central for the first time and joining a family of 5 living in a 10'x10' dilapidated mud shack for tea.  Watching kids put on shoes for the first time or own a toothbrush for the first time or be able to sleep in a bed and not on the cold insect infested floor for the first time.

Many "Firsts" are experiences rooted in our memories that we carry with us until we are old and grey. (not that I have reached such a place of honor yet)  At any given time we are able to look back on those memories with joy or tears, but we soon realize they were apart of shaping who we are.

That may seem like a dramatic build up to Tekoa's 6th birthday, but it was truly a first time experience for him.  It was the first time he had his birthday in the United States.  That alone was something exciting for him.  It was the first time he went out to a restaurant with a group of his friends.  It was the first time he had an eat pizza, then brownies and ice-cream, then watch a movie and have a sleep over birthday party.  It was a very exciting day for him.

Just after breakfast Tekoa and Eliza getting ready to open presents.

The lasso became an immediate favorite.  Anything to tie up his siblings with is always a bonus.

Taking these four youngsters to a restaurant was almost too much for me.  Under the tables, over the tables, through other people's tables it was an explosion of energy with very little incentive needed.

Happy Birthday Tekoa!

Let It Snow!

For many American families living in the Northwestern United Sates a little snow doesn't mean much.  Well it may mean dealing with bad paranoid drivers for a day or two.  It may even mean a little extra work shoveling the sidewalk or in our case getting the pick up started on a cold frozen morning.

Now of course for us it isn't quite the same experience.  Rachel and I certainly grew up in the Northwest and are very accustomed to snow and winter weather, but our children being born in Kenya have a different perspective.  Wow do they love the snow.  I was kind of concerned they would be so put off by the cold that they wouldn't be able to enjoy all the fun snow could offer.  Well I had nothing to be concerned about.

The first night Tekoa and Eliza were up at their cousin's house in the snow it was freezing cold.  The temperature was low and the wind chill factor was intense.  Tekoa was out in the pitch dark for over an hour with two other cousins trying to sled down the hill behind their house.  When they finally came inside he was beat red and vibrating like a jack hammer.  Completely over taken by the cold with ice sickles for fingers he just smiled out of sheer delight having finally played in real snow.  It was a moment to cherish in deed.

I personally was hoping we would be back in Kenya by now, but for the kids, getting some snow experience has been incomparable.  This has been the first year Rachel and I have celebrated Thanksgiving in the US since we were married.  It will also mark our first Christmas together outside Kenya.  We are so grateful for our family and friends who make it such an enjoyable time of year.  Though we know we will be back in Kenya soon enough we are so thankful to be here now.

We are in the US for a while longer and plan to make the most of it.  Like it says in Ephesians 5:15-17 "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."
We want to make the most of every opportunity we have.  May your Christmas and transition to a New Year be one of understanding what the Lord wants you to do.  Then do it.

Comforts of Home

Home is an interesting concept.  This is our house but that doesn't guarantee a home.  So much more must occur then just shelter from the elements to make a house truly home.  Living in a country not your own sometimes adds challenges.  Regular power outages, water shortage, the smell of burning garbage floating stealthy through the air penetrating every room of the house are some consistent challenges we face in and around our home.  Not always enjoyable but they also can't keep us from being at home.  Among many things Rachel has done in the house to make it our home, our attempt to create an outside environment that inspires imagination and fun has benefited our children and all who regularly come and visit our home.

These are our swings.  Everybody loves to swing.  The attempt to make a horse swing out of an old tire  turned into more of a bull, but the kids like it all the same.

Our sand box made from an old tractor tire is certainly Samuel's favorite place.  When he plays in it after it rains we have our hands full cleaning him up but rain or shine that's where he wants to be.

Rachel hosts play day every other week for various families and our large Tumaini family next door are always welcome to share in the fun.

Utilizing old parts from our recently refurbished van (not pictured) we built a car allowing the kids to drive anywhere their imaginations would take them. "Safari Salama"  

This is the worship platform.  Make a joyful noise to the Lord!!  It's great to hear these little ones sing songs to God as they bang on the bucket drum set.

Our airplane is the newest addition.  It's a bit dangerous but sometimes a little danger is require for fun.