Praying for the Church in Africa

This Week in Mitaboni

Congolese Baptist Leaders Rev. Cavasiya and Rev. Jonas

with our CBM colleague Gato from Rwanda

Great to be back after a busy week in Mitaboni with fellow Christian leaders from from Eastern and Central Africa. I am so thankful for the opportunity to share and join in theological reflection with such a diverse group. The stories from each of their churches were both heart wrenching and hopeful as they shared about the church's struggle to to bring grace and reconciliation into areas of war, conflict and moral disorientation.

In the world's newest country, Southern Sudan, pastors are faced with communities and congregants that still carry automatic weapons to church unwilling to give up their arms after decades of tribal conflict, cattle rustling, and blood shed. Please pray for our friend Rev. Francis as he gives leadership both to the Baptist Churches of the Upper Nile and to his county where he serves as the local government official. May the Holy Spirit work through God's people to bring peace and reconciliation into communities scarred by division and distrust.

The beautiful hills of Ukambani, Kenya

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Baptist Church is active in ministering to victims of sexual violence, which has sadly become epedemic in the volatile East. Women are banding together in the churches as they share their trauma and seek healing and restoration. Please pray for Christ's protection and courage for the Church as they stand in solidarity with victims of rape and violence, and reach into their community to address the causes of such terrible acts.

Vibrant colours of a roadside market near Machakos

Please continue to pray for the Church in Rwanda and Kenya, as they seek to faithfully live out Integral Mission in bringing about spiritual and social transformation in communities that struggle with poverty and change. May the light of our Advent hope shine brightly in these communities, as we remember, anticipate and experience the coming of Christ!

Thank you for praying

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

Second Week of Advent 2011

For the Second Sunday of Advent, we joined our friends Matt and Venessa and their family for the baptism of their daughter, Evelyn. We had the honour of standing in for her godparents during the service. Although the worship was mostly in Kiswahili, it was a joy to be a part of this community in Haruma as they read scripture, prayed, and sang without instruments.

During Evelyn's baptism at the Haruma Catholic Church

Erica and Tristan after the morning service

After the service, we had some time to visit the ministries of the sisters who care for many vulnerable seniors, handicapped children and orphans.

St. Theresa's Sisters of Charity Orphanage

It was wonderful to see how loved and cared for

the little ones are by the sisters.

Emma making a little friend

Advent 2011

Advent Begins

We have always loved Advent and celebration of Christmas, but since coming to Kenya in 2006 it has become such a important part of our year as a way to help our family feel connected to our traditions and Canadian roots. It is fun to share these traditions with our Muslim friends as we learn from each other. Here are a few snap shots from our first week of Advent.

Ava Singing in her Preschool Class Choir

Ava playing the role of the kind inn keeper

in her pre-school Christmas pageant

Ava doing the "Makarena" at the close of

the Montesouri Christmas Concert

Mommy & Ava after the concert

So proud of our tiny dancer!

Noor Christmas Party

Erica and our friend Patrick

Ava playing with the ladies in our backyard

Merry Christmas from the Noor Self Help Group!