Update #4

Exams are done and report cards turned in- Akiba School has closed for the year. Serving there this past term has been a challenging, yet rewarding time. It was hard getting used to the Kenyan teaching style- emphasis on class positions, exams, and grading scales where an A is 75 or above. We have formed great relationships with the teachers and are starting to get to know the students on a personal basis. The last week of school was filled with a variety of fun activities. On closing day there was the Kenyan form of a talent show. Each class prepared either a poem, song, or dance for the whole school. It was a joy to watch the children perform and we definitely had some good laughs. The best was when some Form 3 students decided to imitate their teachers’ gestures- one brave soul impersonated the principal. The following day we threw a teacher appreciation party. It was the best day yet in Kenya! All 30 teachers gathered at the school to spend time preparing a meal together- including slaughtering a sheep (who we nicknamed Abe). I was placed in the chapati (like tortillas) cooking department and finally realized why they are so good- they use tons of cooking fat. We also spent the day playing volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Following the meal all of us partook in
dancing to Christian worship songs that had a reggae twist.
Pictured, from the top: Class 6 singing a song during closing day; Nursery graduates who will enter class 1 in 2007; Wanderi and Anne making chapatis. Below: Margaret and Wanderi (primary teachers), Jane (secretary) and Purity (headmistress)

Exciting news on the Light and Power front- they are moving to a new facility. Their current facility is located in a flood plain and with all the rain it is a difficult to reach and the paper has the potential to be destroyed. We are excited about the new location and see it as symbolic of the rebirth that will occur at this place. We are working to establish some sort of management base and had a board retreat this past Saturday. Please pray for a balance between the business side of things and mentoring the boys who work there. The majority of ministries seem to shut down during December as workers visit family upcountry and in other parts of Kenya. We too will be taking a bit of a break. I am currently preparing for my parents, brother, and good friend from elementary school to visit December 15-29. It will be great to explore the country and show them around Nairobi, including the places we serve in the Kangemi and Kawangare slums. During our travels, we will stop in Kikambala along the coast to throw a pre-Christmas party for the girls and staff at an orphanage called Mudzini Kwetu. We will be spending Christmas Eve and day as a team at St. Julian’s Retreat Center just north of Nairobi. Then, we will all head on safari for a few days. Akiba School starts up again on January 8th and some intensive Swahili classes will be taken from now until then. The new Light and Power Centre:

Ongoing prayer requests include health (apparently I ate beans with worms in them the other day), safety (December is high crime month), and schedules for the next term starting in January. I wish everyone the very best this Christmas season. May we reflect on the importance of Jesus’ birth and know we are only redeemed people because of him.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year!
Love, Anne

DOWNLOAD AS PDF: UPDATE 4