Happy New Year!

Hello!

The year has started out very well! We got rain in Turkana. On January 1 it rained for 10 hours straight. Praise the Lord for his blessing of rain on this very dry land! The rain did cause a slight delay in my return home. I ended up making it home on the 6h. The road was pretty good considering all the rain we had. There were a couple of places where the road was washed out, but new ways had been made for vehicles to pass. We expected it to be harder to get home, but it was a typical 8 hour drive - to go about 200 miles.

Once I arrived home, I spent the rest of last week getting kids' uniforms and other necessary items for school. I now have 10 kids that go to a local private elementary school. I have been able to help them go to this school through the help of my friends and supporters. They have taken up the challenge of sponsoring a student so they can have a better education. Two of the smallest students have been sick this week. Both 4 year old boys have malaria and seasonal colds. Yes, this is the season for colds and pneumonia because of the dust storms common at this time of year. It is typically around 105 and dusty during Dec. to Feb. So, keep these small ones in your prayers.

This week I have been working on my next English class. It will be next week. This will be a week of review. I have taken as my theme for the week the saying of John the Baptist - just tweaked for my purposes. "They must increase (speaking) and I must decrease (speaking)." I hope to get them talking more as they play games to review the lessons from last year. It has been a long break, so I am expecting them to have forgotten some of what they have learned. Hopefully, this will be a fun and non-threatening way for them to recall what they have forgotten and to use it!

Right after my English class, many of my students will stay in town for another meeting. Some former CMF missionaries will be meeting with church leaders for prayer and reconciliation. Please pray that these meetings go well. There are several issues that will be discussed, so pray for open minds and tender hearts ready to listen to God's Holy Spirit.

I hope all is going well for all of you! Pray for the many in Haiti who are grieving and have lost their homes and livelihoods. Thanks also for your prayers for my ministry! Blessings to you all!