Merry Christmas

..."Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10b-11

The coming of Jesus was indeed "good news of great joy" for the world. Mankind was lost and without hope, but Jesus, our Savior changed all of that, and through Jesus, there is hope and peace with God.  Becky and I hope your Christmas celebration was a time of healing and and a time of hope and celebration of the gift of Jesus. 

Becky and I are preparing to return to Kenya after the passing of Becky's mother brought us home at the end of October. We have been able to spend a good amount of time with Becky's father, and have been able to enjoy the holidays with family. Although death is inevitable for us all, it is always unexpected, and it always reminds us of the things that are really important: faith, family, and love for one another. 

We were able to witness God's hand at work in many places as we returned to the states.  From the time we recieved the news of Sandy's illness until today, we have recieved blessing after blessing. From the support we recieved from our teammates and friends in Kijabe, to seats togther on the flights home, to God providing experienced teachers to fill in for the last month of the first term, to us arriving home before Sandy passed, allowing for final good-byes to be said. We were able to see many people and able to reconnect with some of our supporters.  Our home church informed us a little over a week ago that they were covering all of our traveling expenses including the round trip tickets, taxi expenses, and food while in transit.  This has been a tremendous blessing to our family.  

Please keep us in your prayers as we return to Rift Valley Academy on the 28th of December.  Pray for the students as they prepare to return to school. Pray for safe tavels for families as the travel during the first week of January for the start of school on January 3rd. And remeber to keep Becky's family, and all of us in your prayers as we mourn and heal from the loss of Sandy. 

In the love of the Savior we serve, 

John and Becky, Ruthie and Gracie