Christmas Day in Kenya

The Brickman family graciously opened their home to us on Christmas day. "Us" is; fellow missionaries Dave and Rhonda, and two Kenyans Sam and Gladys. Sam works with a ministry run by friends of the Brickmans and Gladys works for the Brickmans.

After a delicious lunch we all settled comfortably in the sitting room...
Twyla (our amazing hostess) read her favorite Christmas story (outside of the Bible)
This is Sarah (Twyla's daughter) and Les (Twyla's husband)
Twyla read about angels Silas and Alvie from this New Wine magazine from 1980! She has been reading this story every year for 20 years!
I loved listening to her reading; she is so expressive and brought each character to life.
Then we sang some Christmas carols.
Sarah enjoying what she calls her "only child" Christmas - this is her second in 30 years (she has older brothers who have never had an 'only child' Christmas)
Sam is sharing about a special Christmas in his life. We each shared at least one story of a special Christmas.
Gladys shared emotionally about being saved and then coming to work for the Brickman's who have blessed her so much.
Her English is a bit shaky so Sam translated for her.
Gladys has a beautifully warm and welcoming smile.
Then we played the 'white elephant' game - I love it! The wrinkled Macy's bag was brought by yours truly.
Twyla explaining the game...key rule - each gift can only have 3 owners...that means it can only be 'stolen' twice!
Sam had number 1 so he got to open the first gift.
His gift was stolen so he got to open another gift...
...which was also stolen so he opened another gift!
Les contemplating stealing that gift from Sam...
Sam acting all innocent, like he doesn't really want it (he majorly got into the spirit of this game!)
But Les did steal it and Sam opened yet another gift - this time a bat beanie baby - cute!
Gladys opened a gift that was this awesome red glittery pen...
...Rhonda's turn - she wants that oil lamp that was purchased in Israel...and was stolen by Dave from Sam...
She got it!
Dave now contemplates what to do...
Sarah's turn! She's had her eye on that massager and she is the 3rd owner so she gets to keep it!
Ah! She is thinking how nice it will be to have this on the plane ride to Europe she will be on this week...
Twyla shooting a pic of her kid looking so relaxed and happy
Hmmm...now what shall I do?
Steal a present or open a new one?
He decided to open a new one.
...and found 650 Safaricom credits - wow! good gift - that's about $8 worth of airtime.
Twyla's beautiful smile :)
Twyla's turn...what to do?
She stole the bat beanie baby from Sam!

Gladys clutching that pen! She even wrote her name on the box...I was coveting that pen but, ultimately I didn't have the heart to take it from her.

Sam now has a decision to make...take those credits from Les, who pretends to think that Sam wants to shake his hand.
Looks like a friendly exchange!
Not recorded (Twyla has the picture on her camera) is when I tried to steal that pen from Gladys! Operative word being "tried" - let me just say "African women are strong!!!" So I opened the last gift - which I LOVE! It is this pen holder/book mark all in one...

Then it was dessert time - 3 types of pie; yummy pecan pie, still-warm-from-the-oven apple pie, pumpkin pie and whipped cream...

Les relaxing after dessert.

Dave relaxing after dessert...

Dave was gracious enough to drive me home. NO TRAFFIC - amazing!

Between the cars and the trees in the background is the bus station where I used to get my bus from town

But as you can see, it is now bulldozed away :(
That means I have to figure out another way to get from town to home...

It was a good day; filled with good fun, good fellowship and good food. It was good to celebrate with people who love Jesus and are grateful for God's gift of salvation!

Sarah in Dandora

My young friend, Sarah Brickman, was asked to preach at this small church in the town of Dandora just outside of Nairobi. She is leaving Kenya soon so I asked if I could accompany her to hear her sermon and also to take pictures...
Our welcoming committee!
Just because...
They were in the middle of praise and worship when we arrived...it was very nice :)

There I am!

The children took the offering...
...it was great to see them playing such an active role in the service.
Special offering envelopes...
...and the announcements.
The pastor, Baraza, and his interpreter (for Sarah and me!)
Introducing his family...
I went up front to introduce myself then Sarah did the same...
Cute kid...
Sarah also has an interpreter...for the congregation!
She invited the kids to sit up front...


...and invited the congregation to relax, enjoy and do what they/we felt compelled to do; say amen, raise our hands, laugh...
Then she asked the kids what they thought of when they heard the word Christmas...this spokesperson for the group answered "the birth of Christ"
...and she was stumped when Sarah asked what her non-Christian friends might think of...
...and was relieved when Sarah prompted her with "presents?"
Her sermon title was "What is your present for God this Christmas?"
...and her interpreter relinquished her role as she was stumbling over some of Sarah's words :)



Pastor Baraza took over and was preaching right along with Sarah!
She is so expressive...
...and he preaches with his whole body...I would love to visit this church and see him preach one day...


Question "Who likes presents?"

God's gift to us...
...is His son Jesus and Salvation.
Our gift to God is to give our whole life to Him...
...it's an exchange...
I loved watching them together...
She is telling a story from the Johannesburg airport when it was almost completely empty...
...and she exclaimed to God "this reminds me of the TV show we used to watch!"
Then she thought "what are those people on the other side of the little cameras thinking of me?"
She talked about God's gift to us being life with Him and He wants us to grab His gift...
...and then give our lives completely to Him...it's an exchange.
Cute face...I actually managed to get him to smile later :)
When we walk with God and have an intimate relationship with Him, life is so much easier.
So many questions we need never ask; should I steal? should I murder? should I lie? should I hit that person?



Sarah clearly walks with God and loves to share with others the love she shares with God.

She is calling the children forward so she can pray over them...

I love this little guy at the back...he was definitely receiving the prayers!

She is taking seriously Sarah's earlier invitation to do whatever she felt like doing!

Still praying...

Where's my mommy!!!?
Sarah wrote a book "Easy Lessons Learned the Hard Way" and has a CD so the book can be read on the computer...
...she is presenting one as a gift to the pastor.
And he is grateful for the gift...
...she also felt led to gift a lady, Rose, in the congregation who she felt a connection with during her preaching.


Chatting with the pastor and an elder after the service.
And the kids took over the sound system!
Future worship leaders?
Stylin'!
Saying goodbye to our new friends...

...then battling Nairobi traffic!

I had a great time at this small, warm, welcoming and friendly church. It was great to witness how enthusiastically the congregation received and embraced what Sarah had to say.