Doctoral Studies

Arch Bishop Timothy Ndambuki,

of the Africa Brotherhood Church

This was a big week for our friends within the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC), as the church named Rev. Timothy Ndambuki their Arch Bishop and Rev. Mishaq Mwikwilu as their third Bishop. The church also celebrated its first ordination of women into pastoral ministry and into the Cannons of the church.

DMin student Alevera, from Rwanda

This week, Aaron has been studying in Mitaboni in the

Carey Theological doctor of ministry cohort.

Nirmal presenting during Dr. Jonathan Wilson's course

in Theological Reflection in Ministry

Driving through the hills of Ukambani, Kenya

CBM/Carey

CBM/CAREY Kenya DMin Cohort

with Professor Dr. Barbara Mutch

Mitaboni, Kenya

Aaron has been traveling to Ukambani this week for his doctoral program. Canadian Baptist Ministries and Carey Theological College are working together to provide capacity building and advanced training for Christian leaders throughout Africa. It has been a busy twelve months since the program started last December. We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo who are away from their families to participate in training and study.

Also this week!

Tomorrow is the Christmas Concert of Rosslyn Academy's Elementary School. We are very excited for Emma who is the "Star of Bethlehem" in this year's production, Three Wisemen and a Baby. It has been a lot of work for the Elementary children and the parent volunteers who support the annual school dramas. Erica is back directing this year with her friend Kim Remich.

In Prayer

* North East Province continues to be a place of insecurity as militant groups strike out in anger with grenade attacks and land mines. Please keep our friends and colleagues in your prayers, as we work together this week to distribute mosquito nets and emergency relief to vulnerable communities. Please remember our friends William and Yattani who are on the ground this week.

* Please remember our new team mates the Morgans and the Legassies who will be joining CBM's Africa team in Kenya. We are looking forward to meeting the Morgan family this coming January.

* Please continue to pray for the Muslim women's self help groups in Eastleigh and the work of the Guardians of Hope. As these ministries begin to wind down for Christmas, we now that the individual families continue to seek God's strength and presence as they walk together amid many challenges.

Click here if you would like to read our

2011 Christmas Update Letter

Higher Learning

Doctoral students visiting with leaders of the Iftin Women's Empowerment Self Help Group projects in Eastleigh, Kenya.

Last December, Aaron joined leaders from each of CBM's partner organizations from Kenya, Rwanda, Congo and India to begin doctoral studies with Carey Theological College, BC, who are offering a doctoral cohort through Canadian Baptist Ministries and the Eastern Kenya Integrated College, Mitaboni. This August was their third course, so far Aaron has been studying the African Churches attitudes and response to Islam within his research. Along with the academic value, the courses are giving him a wonderful opportunity to build friendships with the leaders of each of the denominations with whom we are serving here in Africa.

During one of the classes this past week in Mitaboni

Tea Time at EKIC

Terry Smith lecturing on Integral Mission

Morning chapel in Mitaboni

Francis Nyok, Southern Sudan

This was Aaron's first course with Francis Nyok of the Upper Nile Baptist Church, where he serves as the vice moderator of the church and the County commissioner for the newly formed government of South Sudan.

Morning Worship at the Africa Brotherhood Church, Mitaboni

Members of the DMin and MDiv Kenya Cohort with Carey Theological College, Canadian Baptist Ministries, and the Eastern Kenya Integrated College (EKIC), with our lecturer Dr. Terry Smith.

Kenneth and Erica

with the DMin students in Eastleigh

One of our highlights this week was being able to host the DMin students for a forum on Christian ministry among Muslim communities. It was a joy to have the class in Eastleigh for a day, where they were a great encouragement to our team and members of the self help groups.