Activités à Noël et objectifs pour 2016–janvier 2016
1 Christmas in Kikimi
A couple days before Christmas, we made our way to Kikimi and spent two days and two nights there, camping out in the library. The condition of the road was such that even a 4×4 could not make it all the way, so we had to walk the last 10 km. We carried a minimum with us (air mattress and mosquito net) and were thankful that the weather was not too hot.
We couldn’t help but muse about Joseph and Mary who walked over 100 km from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the true story about an African disciple who had brought as a present to the missionary a beautiful seashell which could only be found hundreds of miles away and said, “Long walk, part of gift”. Well, we didn’t have to walk that far, but still considered it part of our gift to Jesus this year for Christmas.
Spending a few days there gave us the opportunity to get a better feel of how things are running, appreciate Theo and Florence’s dedication, and interact more with the kids, teachers, patients and helpers.
On the first day, which marked the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, a soccer game between the boys and the girls was organized in the afternoon to inaugurate the newly built soccer goal posts, and the brand-new ball we had brought from France. It was loads of fun (we played the part of the cheerleaders).
Doing activities with the orphaned kids on Christmas Eve was also great fun, using the freshly translated STEPS Program (PAS à PAS in French). They really liked the Christmas crossword puzzle that even taught them some new words. We watched the Christmas Joy Kiddie Viddie and gave each one the matching coloring book and a box of crayons, coached them into performing the nativity skit for everyone, and served them a nice meal prepared by some of the thankful mommies who had delivered their babies a few months ago at our maternity and often come back to volunteer their help to show their gratitude.
All the villagers got invited to watch the Jesus movie on Christmas Eve. We ended up having to do two showings in a row, as people kept coming throughout the first showing and didn’t want to miss anything! (We are so thankful for the solar panels!)
The Scripture Union (who is helping us to receive and store our Bibles and Activated magazines) has added the Activated mags to the thousands of mailings they send to all the provinces of the DRCongo, as well as Centre Afrique. It’s wonderful to keep spreading the Word far and wide, in places we cannot reach ourselves!
1 Candlelight
On the Sunday between Christmas and New Year, we held an inspiring Candlelight (combined with Christmas celebration) with as many of our Bible students who could make it. About 50 of them came. Cedric chose a beautiful article on Christmas which he read to everyone. Gerse’s team from Massina had formed a little choir and led the singing. It was really moving to hear each one’s praise and prayer request for the New Year, we were impressed by their sincerity and love for Jesus, their desire to grow in faith and their commitment to keep witnessing. We also found it interesting that many of the verses claimed were from Psalm 119.
3 Goals for 2016 and Prayers Requests
We are so thankful for the Lord’s supply to keep things running. Each step of progress has been such a miracle and we are so grateful to you as well for your encouragement, support and prayers.
Besides the normal running of things for 2016, we would like to ask for prayer for a number of unexpected pressing needs which are going to require much greater faith from our part.
–Building of a Middle School.
–Building of a second storey to the Medical Center.
–Supply of a proper 4×4 ambulance (Toyota Land Cruiser).
–Upgrading of our own jeep.
–Finalization of the French version of the STEPS Program.
“The New Year is set before us like an unwritten volume, all of its pages blank. Let us write upon each day’s page things that at the end of the year we will look upon with rejoicing rather than regret.” — Mottos for Success
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