the real christmas story

Merry Christmas from the Tumaini Family! I'm now in Nairobi to spend Christmas at the SIM compound, but I've actually already experienced my Christmas back at "home" in Kinangop. We started preparing for our Tumaini Christmas play back in November, and it all came together (well, for the most part) this past week. We had a dress rehearsal so that the children could perform the real thing for our church on Christmas Day. Each of the children made his or her own costume....it's amazing what you can do with some twine, bedsheets, cotton balls, and a strand of garland! We planned to act out the story straight from Matthew and Luke, but because of a bit of a communication barrier we ended up with mostly songs rather than speaking parts. Speaking parts or not, the children were wonderful. They sang"Joy to the World" with all their hearts and loved shouting "Go Tell it on the Mountain." It really is beautiful to see the story of Jesus' birth acted out so innocently and untainted.

Two generous churches and families from home arranged for all the children to receive Christmas presents this year! Every child was given a blanket, doll, and coloring book with Swahili Bible verses. They LOVED it all! Katie, Ryan, and I made Christmas chapati and little notes for them to go with their gifts and we all had a wonderful time. The kids loved their gifts and were so thankful.

The Lord has used this year's Christmas season to readjust how I treat this holiday. I LOVE Christmas...the music, the shopping, the decorations, the get-togethers....I love it all. I'm realizing that sometimes I lose the real reason for Christmas amidst all of that wonderful fun though. Christmas would still be Christmas at Tumaini with or without gifts, Christmas chapati, or even our Christmas play. For instance, one of our boys who knows how to celebrate Christmas asked if he could sell one of the rabbits to buy his friend a pair of school uniform pants because he couldn't afford them. I've been reminded to really celebrate the birth of our Saviour by loving Him and loving others with every opportunity that I'm given.

I pray that you each have an amazing Christmas and know how much you're loved!

Much love,
Lindsey

School is out...

Hello all! The last two weeks have been busy busy busy here at Tumaini! School closed for December holiday on November 22 and the children have been enjoying a break from school work. And the Tumaini compound has been full of visitors…

We’re hosting a GOA camp called “RIPEN” which stands for Rites in Passage Enlightenment. When Kenyan boys arrive to an age where the community/schools feel they are ready “to cross over” (usually around 15-17 years old) they are circumcised and “enter manhood.” Pastor Kamau, who is over the RIPEN camp, explained to us that if they go through this rite of passage on the streets or in some communities it can be dangerous and unhealthy – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thus, GOA started the RIPEN program. The first day of camp, the boys go to the hospital and for the rest of the week they rest and have discussions about what manhood means both culturally and biblically.

The new Katie moved into Tumaini on December 1st and has enjoyed her first two weeks here. She will be teaching in the GOA Education Centre when school reopens in January. We also received another short term SIM missionary this week. Ryan has been working in Nairobi at a hospital for the past three weeks, but felt that he was a better fit here at Tumaini. It will be great to have another male presence here for the boys to hang out with. The Lord has blessed us with quick friendships and we already enjoy spending time together cooking meals, playing cards, spending time with the kids, and just hanging out. I’m thankful for both of them and that we can share this ministry together!

Over the last two weeks: I’ve welcomed guests to my home away from home, been to my first Kenyan wedding, chopped down trees with 10 year old boys to make shepherd canes/sticks for our Christmas play, watched a slab of meat be cut on my living area coffee table, and made two great friends to share all of this with…it’s been a good two weeks.

Much love,
Lindsey