What A Year !!!

As 2014 comes to close we find ourselves reflecting on what a big year we've had. Here is the short version:

• Sydney for New Years
  
• Melbourne for the Tennis and a family holiday
  
• Tasmania for 3 and ½ weeks
  
• Monbulk (Victoria) with the Van Bremen's
  
• A quick dash to Perth
  
• Fiona went to Kenya in April
  
• Home in Perth for a while
  
• Moving to Kenya
  
• Connecting with Kenya
  
• Moving to our own home in Kenya
  

WOW! What a HUGE year!!

We have been in Kenya now for 4½ months and while we started off without a specific plan we have seen God open doors for us to help and love the people here. We really believe that God has called us here to use our skills and talents to enable and encourage others in what they are already doing. So here is a quick overview of what we have been doing:

1. Kibagare Building Project
We are excited to see the progress of this building project which was started a couple of years ago by Southern Cross Association of Churches. Anthony has done an amazing job helping Pastor Amos manage the continued work on this building. We are hopeful for its completion in the new year. Once completed this building will be a light in the slum community of Kibagare and will be a school for children of the Kibagare Academy. This slum sees many abandoned babies every year the Pastor is excited about the way this building will help the community.

Progress on the foundations of the building.

2. 1st Joy Academy
Another Southern Cross Pastor, John Wandera, has a school in his church in the community of Mlolongo. We have been able to spend significant time with them helping. In particular Anthony has been helping teach the teachers how to use the computers. In the new year we are going to continue to connect with this school and help them in many different ways.

The entire school.

Myself and Chris Whitwell with the teaching staff.

3. Pavement to prosperity
This is a street boys project which Anthony is working with. The street boys are given an opportunity to come and live and work on a farm while they rehabilitate from different addictions. After 6 months they help find the boys work and get them established in the community.

A couple of the boys with the cabbages they have grown.

Some of the chickens that the boys raise to help fund the project.

4. ABC Children's Aid
Anthony has been helping out this organisation with some technical skills. He has made some great promotion videos and testimonies to help promote their work overseas.

Some of the kids at the ABC Oloitoktok school.

Christmas day at the ABC Kariobangi school.

Playing games at Oloitoktok.

5. Southern Cross Association of Churches
We having been making relational connections with many of the Southern Cross pastors here in Kenya. In the new year we hope to look for more ways to empower and enable the Southern Cross Pastors in the great works they are doing in their communities.

6. Family
Last but most importantly we have been journeying as a family to make this country our home. We are all delighted to finally have our own place here. We are making some great connections here and although we miss our friends and family we know we are in the right place right now. We often say that we can't imagine doing anything else!!

Christmas morning.

Pancakes for brekky on Christmas day.

The girls in their new paddle pool!

Pancakes ... YUM !!!

Christmas lunch with the kids at the ABC Kariobangi school.

We pray that you all have an amazing blessed and fruitful new year. We are incredible blessed by all your love, prayers and financial support. Please know that without you we can't do what we are doing here. We love you all!! 

Most of all we are grateful to our heavenly Father who continues to do exceedingly more that we can hope or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Love 
Anthony, Fiona, Zoe, Pippa & Lucy