Happy Christmas 2017

Apologies for being so long in sending out a news letter. Thank you for your patience love prayers and kindness to us and the work we are involved in. We were in the UK and Norway over the summer.

Everything was fine when we returned home (we are always thankful for this and for faithful workers at home.) The church and farm have continued well under Abraham's supervision.

We had hoped to have our passion fruit project up and running by now, but the man who was contracted to do it has not been faithful and little has been done, so we have decided to go ahead on our own; digging 2 foot deep holes in fairly rocky ground which is a major task. The poles to carry the heavy weight of the passion fruit are being cut, painted and driven into the ground. In one acre there are 800 plants and under full production, they can produce 1kg of fruit per week. The drip irrigation has been installed.. It is our hope and prayers that this crop will enable the farm to break even and more so, to be a blessing to the whole community. Disease, insects and strong winds are all enemies of passion fruit.

The Bible studies continue well with understanding coming (light is dawning) in people who have been coming to church for years. There is much room for encouragement. Many times people are seeing answered prayer as well. Anne has started a 3rd Bible study group in an area where the people were badly influenced against us for some years by someone who left the church. About 12 adults are coming and many children, mostly not from our church. In Sanya station itself there have been big changes. The government hope to rehabilitate the railway and some have built their houses on railway land. One of those who built years ago was Mzee Josefu and Martha who leftr the church also. Mzee Josefu went into to shock to have to rebuild and demolish with in 30 days and became ill and died which was very sad. However I visited him regularly and took help as lack of food was a contributing factor. The Catholic church buried him but all the people we knew from Kimashuku and around came so it was such a joyous occasion for reunions. The Lord works in wonderful ways and through us attending, all those who have been so influenced aginst us found that we loved them so that has paved the way for the third Bible study in Ndungu not far from the church and also the family of Mzee Josefu have come back to the Lord and are part of one of the groups. Martha who was the one who turned them all away back to the Catholic church doesn't come to church but stays at home. Severina, one of the daughters came back and repented in front of the whole church. Praise the Lord!

Christmas letters are pouring in and it is so wonderful to hear news of each one and their families. May the Lord richly bless each one of you. Thank you again for all the gifts and prayers. We could write pages of those who have needed and received help especially on the medical front.

Happy Christmas and love

Steve and Anne