All dressed up!

It is Halloween night and we are munching on jelly beans and candy pumpkins. Sorry, our poor internet connection keeps us from posting any photos, but Tristan has donned his Frodo Baggins costume for a friends dress up party and Emma is cuddling up with Mommy and Daddy for a Halloween Town High movie. Rosslyn Academy had a "harvest" dress up day last week and Emma dressed up as a beautiful Cinderella, while Tristan was a cool secret agent.

Last week end we had the pleasure of having Seth Crowell, ABU's vice president, stay with us. And tomorrow, we are looking forward to seeing Harry and Gail Gardner for supper as they are here for CBM meetings.

We are continuing to slog on with language study, but we know that all the work will eventually pay off as things begin to stick. Our Somali language helpers are wonderfully patient and encouraging.

The big event this last week was Ava's first birthday. Our friends the Woller's hosted the party in their wonderful backyard. The kids had fun sliding down a grassy hill on cardboard boxes and Ava had a wild time with her first ever cup cake -- icing was every where -- it was great!!!

God's Gifts

Jacaranda trees (view from our apartment window)

"The more healing I experience, the more I understand one of the most magnificient truths of the Christian faith: God can turn our worst pain into the source of our giftedness. It is no accident that my life's work involves helping people invite Jesus into the worst moments of their lives."

~From Ashes Transformed by Tilda Norberg

Women_Talk!

On_Saturday,_Erica_and_Kelly_hosted_a_group

of_eleven_Canadian_women_from_British_Columbia

in_a_day_of_Somali_immersion.

They_paired_the_11_Canadians_with_11_Somali
women_from_Eastleigh._The_two_groups
spent_their_time_traveling_together,
eating_together_and_learning
together_about_issues,_both
common_and_unique,
among_women_in_Canada
and_in_displaced_Somali_communities.

It_was_a_delightful_day!
The_two_groups_certainly_bonded
through_some_hair_raizing
Nairobi_traffic,_and_the_openness
they_had_in_sharing_their_experiences
and_perspectives.

Perhaps_such_an_eagerness_to_respect
and_learn_from_one_another
is_at_the_heart_of_what
it_means_to_follow_Christ
into_a_Muslim_community
--or_any_community
for_that_matter.

Calls_to_Prayer

Once_again_we_apologize_for_the_lack
of_a_spacebar_on_my_laptop

One_of_the_unique_parts_of_life
in_a_Islamic_community
is_the_regular_calls_to_prayer

With_the_month_of_Ramadan
now_finished._We_cannot_help
but_reflect_on_the_commitment
and_devotion_of_Somalis
to_regular_prayer_and_fasting.

Muslims_are_called_to_wash_and_pray
five_times_each_day_of_their_lives

In_Nairobi_we_can_hear_the_first_call
at_5:30_am,_but_in_Dadaab
The_mosques_offer_an_early_call
at_4:30_am_to_wake_the_village
in_anticipation_for_prayer

"Allahu_Akbar(Allah_is_the_greatest)
Praise_and_glory_be_to_you_O_Allah
Blessed_be_Your_Name
Exalted_be_Your_Majesty_and_Glory.
There_is_no_god_but_You.
I_seek_refuge_with_Allah
from_Satan_the_cursed_one."

If_you_would_like_to_listen
to_a_call_to_prayer_in_Arabic
checkout_this_link_to
30_Days_of_Prayer
for_the_Muslim_World

http://www.30daysfire.net

Back to Blogging!

We have missed you all on the blog, and want to apologize for the long gaps of the past two months. We have had a struggle with both our laptop and keeping a reliable Internet connection. Such is life in Africa. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like for the early missionaries, their families and friends who had to send their post by steamer. We are certainly spoiled now in the digital age!

Our poor connection won't permit us to post a photograph tonight, but the kids are looking great and healthy! Emma continues to do well. Thanks so much for everyone's prayers. Please continue to remember her that she would remain seizure free.

Tristan is enjoying school and has just completed a competitive season of intramural football (soccer). Erica and I had the pleasure of coaching his team, "The Crazy Matatus", in an undefeated season. But sadly we suffered our first loss in our final championship game in nail-biting 2 to 1 defeat -- oh the drama!

Ava is a very happy little girl. She taken her first steps, but hasn't started to running yet. We're sure she'll be challenging Tristan on the soccer field before long.

Finally, we want to thank everyone for the letters and emails of concern about the political unrest in various parts of Kenya. We have remained very safe, but we too are praying for a peaceful campaigns and rallies during this election year. Although we all try to stay clear of "hot spots", please pray for the safety of all our CBM colleagues here in Kenya. Elections in Kenya look very different than those in Canada.

Lord willing, we'll be blogging again soon. Until then, God bless!