We have been experiencing a snowy cold front early in our winter this year, which has probably kept us more confined to our homes, like me with colds and flu; a friend sent me a video recently which I would like to share with you, it just filled me with warmth - take a look -


CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON TO VIEW VIDEO

Aah - it expresses total love and acceptance even though they are so different.   It certainly promotes the Spirit of Christmas.

I want to take this opportunity of thanking all our sponsors and friends who have so generously given of themselves throughout 2010, to the various Peacemakers’ projects in Kenya.

Most of you are aware Christine Gibbard has now been in Kenya, as a volunteer, since July 2009.  She has been concentrating mostly in supervising the building work of the Resource Centre.   If you would like to browse through our website, you will see up to date photographs of the progress made there.  The Prayer House and adjacent rooms are now completed, also a traditional house in the garden, which I stayed in when I was there, it was lovely and cosy (we are hoping to build another two for retreats next year).  The kitchen is now in use and the house will take a little longer to complete.

Peacemakers have also rented a neighbouring shamba (allotment) to grow vegetables and banana trees and we are rapidly becoming self- sufficient with our food and selling the surplus.

Once we complete the house we hope to become operational which means we will advertise for the hiring out of the facilities to the community and further.  All our buildings are multi-purpose and can be adapted to facilitate any event.  We hope by the income that this will generate, we will be able to build a restaurant and a community hall from the proceeds raised in the near future.

During this year there have been a number of our sponsors from the U.K. visiting Kenya and serving the community in a voluntary capacity with their talents and professional training skills.  Relationships and friendships have been formed with promises of returning again sometime soon.  Gap year students will never forget their hands on experiences either, nor will they ever be the same person again.                       

Peacemakers U.K. and Kenya are a family of volunteers and we so need one another.  As a sponsor and friend you are also part of this family now, so may I urge you to continue to support and care into the New Year and throughout 2011, in either fund raising for the house to be completed on site, supporting kids with special needs, projects etc., or visiting and serving as before, and praying for those in the field.

Christine will be coming home in January for a rest and the renewing of her visa. If you would like to help with her return airfare; that would be an extra blessing. We will have to hire somebody who is trustworthy and reliable to live, work and care for the centre and the many activities that are already running on a regular basis, while Christine is in the U.K.  I will be travelling back with her sometime in February.

Your sacrificial giving has not gone un-noticed or taken for granted and I pray to God that whenever you go shopping, He will fill your basket with many blessings.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL FROM THE REST OF THE PEACEMAKERS FAMILY

                       With Love and every Blessing for 2011
                                              Brenda