CBM Africa Prayer Update

Reverends Beth and Justin speaking with 

guest speaker Rev. Dr. Julius Karanja Kimani.

Canadian Baptist Ministries partners from across Africa have gathered this week in Nairobi for the Africa Leadership Exchange program. Together we are working to enhance leadership and governance throughout the Church.

As part of our time of learning and exchange, we have been hearing about developments among our church partners. We would certainly appreciate your prayers for the ALE and for each of our partners. Here are a few specific prayer requests:

Uganda/Rwanda

Please pray for an easing of tensions between Rwanda and Uganda. The current dispute has halted movement across the land borders of these two neighboring countries and political rhetoric seems to be escalating fear and concern especially for those living in border communities. We pray for peace and a renewed relationship.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

The current Ebola outbreak in North Kivu has now exceeded 1000 cases, as tensions between local communities and government and International agencies strain. We pray for our partner church working on the front lines of this crisis. In the past months two members of the local CBCA churches have died of Ebola, but at the same time, two others who have received by God's grace have recovered. We pray for courage and grace amongst the community as they embrace those who have survived infection and seek to reintegrate into their life. We also pray for increased understanding for those who need to receive treatment.

Kenya

We praise God for new growth in the Africa Christian Church and Schools, which has planted twelve new congregations in the past two years. Please join us in praying for the denomination which has a shortage of trained pastors. We believe that God's spirit is moving that a new generation of leaders will experience the call to full-time Christian ministry.

South Sudan

The fragile peace agreement signed last September has failed to protect the population still living under insecurity and violence. During this week, more attacks were reported from South Sudan, and a member of our ALE group received word that his nephew had been shot and killed. At the end of this week, we know that our friends will be returning to serve in internally displaced camps spread throughout this broken country. Please join us in upholding the church in South Sudan and for last peace and reform to come.

March Break

Ava enjoying the spectacular beauty of Kenya's coastline.

It is March break week for our children and we decided to make one last visit to the Indian Ocean as a family. We are staying in a beautiful holiday home in Watamu, North of Mombasa. It has been such a joy to unwind and play with our kids along this sunny coast.

Watamu and Malindi are relaxed coastal towns with great fishing and snorkeling. We have bumped into other families from our Nairobi church family that have also retreated to this beautiful part of Kenya, but, for the most part, we have been soaking in time with our kids. 

Ava and Tristan hanging out in the pool

The Gede Ruins, Watamu, Kenya

Yesterday, we took some time to visit the ruins of Gede, a Swahili/Oromo coral town that was built in the thirteenth century or earlier but abandoned in the seventeenth century. The 45-acre site was lost to the dense coastal forest until it was discovered in the 1920s and excavated by a British archeologist. 

Along with the incredible coral and plaster ruins, a small museum now sits on the road leading into the forest where artifacts of pottery, Muslim art, and jewelry are on display.

It was beautiful to see how the indigenous baobab, tamarin, and other flowering trees have taken over Gede. Along with holding the history of this once thriving walled port town, Gede is home to hundreds of Sykes monkeys and countless birds. Walking through the remains of the city, we were very aware that we were constantly being watched.

Emma and Aaron riding a tuk tuk on our adventure to Gede

The ghost trees of Gede

These ancient fig trees had once grown around tall trees in Gede. The original tree has long since died and has left the fig tree structure a hollow column that soars into the forest canopy. 

At the entrance to the central structure of Gede

Islamic writing still visible in the plaster on the inner walled section of Gede.

A giant fig tree towering over the ruins of a mosque outside the outer wall of Gede

Tristan serving us pizza back at our beach house

Tonight's feast!

We feel incredibly blessed to have been able to share these experiences with our family and to have so many wonderful memories to treasure. We continue to be grateful to God for his mercy and grace. 

Sunset over Mangrove-fringed waterways of Mida Creek

Encountering Kenya with Autumn and Corey

Enjoying time with our visiting family from Prince Edward Island

Last month, we had the joy of hosting Aaron's sister Autumn and her husband Corey who came to visit us and experience safari on the Masai Mara. We had two wonderful weekends together taking them to some of our favourite spots around Nairobi and just spending time together playing games and relaxing around the campfire.

Along with our best-loved places like Kiambethu Tea Farm, Lake Naivasha, and the David Sheldrick Animal Orphanage, we had some strange new encounters that we shared with Corey and Autumn. Here are a few pictures from our adventures.

Autumn and Corey meeting lionesses on the Mara

Getting up and close with a friendly lion in Nairobi.

Ok, so we got far closer than we could have imagined.

Autumn the brave!

A cheeky monkey linking Emma's fingers clean!

TK and Autumn

Giving a head massage to a chill Hyena

Natural barterers at the Masai Market

Along with the wild lions, we met Aslan and were able to cheer on Ava and her friends for the Rosslyn Middle School's performance of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Ava played one of the White Witches evil henchmen.

After the show with Ava!

We are so grateful for having had the opportunity to experience the beauty of Kenya through the eyes of our family.

Middle School Days

Tristan, Ava, and Emma

Middle School at Rosslyn Academy has been a great year for Ava who just completed her performance as one of the White Witch's henchmen in the Middle School play, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It was fun to have auntie Autumn and uncle Corey here to take in the final show last Friday evening.

 This weekend, she celebrated her first Middle School Banquet with her friends. Over this past year, Ava has also enjoyed being on the Middle School track team, performing with a Nairobi dance company, and traveling on CFS in rural Kenya. We are so proud of our little girl!

Today marks the beginning of our last three months in Kenya. Our return to Canada will be a major transition for us all, but it will be especially challenging for Ava as she prepares to enter school at Hebbville Academy and to adjust, for the first time, to life in Canada. We are so thankful for the friendships and shared experiences of these last 13 years. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.

Ava and her girlfriends, ready for the red carpet!

Let the party begin!

Ava and her best friend, Shasha.

The parents view from the rafters.