best of 2013

A photo summary of our year

January in Texas

Nate loved his firetruck birthday cake

February - first day of school

March was hot. It's usually the hottest month of the year on the coast of Kenya.
They were either looking at the moon or watching an airplane.

Easter
They love millipedes. The one they are watching here is actually rather small.

April, at our new house, before it was ready for us to move in

May, we moved to Kilifi. This dining set was Rodgers' birthday gift. He fell in love with the wood.

Mother's Day - they both miraculously ate everything that was served. It was the start of a new trend! 

a trip to Haller Park in June

July - our first outing without diapers

At the beach in Kilifi

August - watching the waves in Malindi

Ben cuddling Grandma after getting in trouble

September - Ben considers his birthday cake

Kilifi beach again. Nate and Ben would wait until the waves came in, then make a run for it. They are a little afraid of the water.

At Grandma's house in October

Nate dips chicken in soup. He was such a picky eater in 2012, he has really amazed me this year by eating so many different things.

Also at Grandma's house

November - putting up the Christmas tree

Trying out the top bunk in our room at a guest house during our trip to the Great Rift Valley. I told them they have to be 6 years old to sleep up there, though.

In December, we had a big party for our MKKs. Of the 30 MKKs we now sponsor, 22 were able to come to the party.

Rodgers' mom had a big party to publicly thank God for healing her of a major illness a few years ago. Here she is surrounded by her kids and grandkids.

We moved again, just a few houses up the street, to a place with a house for us and a duplex we can use as Maisha Kamili Transition Homes (a few details about that here).

Our housekeeper left us to get married. We decided to get a washing machine for my birthday/Christmas gift instead of hiring a new housekeeper.

As always, we end the year celebrating Emmanuel, God with us.
Here's our play Nativity before the boys tore it up by playing with it so much.

Merry Christmas!

Maisha Kamili Advent Guide Day 24

www.maishakamili.org

MKKs to come

Bahati is one of many who are under assessment. We have received some information from the school for about 10 kids, including Bahati, but not yet enough information to determine if these are kids we can sponsor, and if yes, how much sponsorship they will need. After writing this Advent guide, we added Martin and Michael Marifa and Benta These 3 have all been sponsored. Additionally, we have 2 MKKs in high school who still need sponsors (Mercyline and Chrispus).

Pray 

For paperwork to be completed for our high schoolers in a timely manner, for wise decisions to be made regarding Chrispus, that the Marifas would be encouraged by their sponsorship, and for Mrs. Marifa's health.

Read 

Titus 3:4-7 
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Maisha Kamili Advent Guide Day 23

www.maishakamili.org

Anthony is a total orphan. He lives with one of his cousins. He will be starting Standard 8 in January, the last year of primary school.

Pray 

For Anthony to be diligent and to persevere.

Read 

Titus 2:11-14 
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Maisha Kamili Advent Guide Day 22

www.maishakamili.org

Gift is a total orphan. He lives with his aunt, a subsistence farmer. They get some financial support from the family, but not enough to keep him in school. He is getting ready to start Standard 7 in January.

Pray 

For Gift and his family to have all they need.

Read 

Colossians 1:15-16 
15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Maisha Kamili Advent Guide Day 21

www.maishakamili.org

Karisa is a total orphan. He is starting Standard 6 in January. He lives with his aunt, and they are supported by his cousin. Bearing so much financial responsibility for the family, the cousin could not keep up with Karisa’s school fees.

Pray 

For Karisa to continue strong in his studies and to be well cared for by his family.

Read 

Hebrews 1:1-3 
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.