Merry Christmas from SA

Make a Smilebox greeting

Carols By Candlelight

On Thursday night we went to an event called Carols by Candlelight. The group of us all packed our dinners, brought our blankets, and enjoyed a festive evening. We sang carols and watched a nativity play, and most of us didn't even burn our fingers. :) It even got cold in the later part of the night, which made the event all the more authentic--it might not be a white Christmas here, but it's the closest we've gotten to feeling like home.

Christmas Parties

No more school! It's summer vacation time! And it's Christmas! What a joyous time here in Cape Town...the kids are pumped! On Wednesday we had our Christmas party for the children and it was so much fun! Many of them were so excited that they waited for HOURS to get in. :) The kids performed songs, dances, and a nativity play; they got their faces painted; there were two jumping castles; and they all left with a meal, ice cream, and a gift. It was the most crazy day ever (we had 450 children between two parties), but at the same time it was the most amazingly joyous day ever. Merry Christmas!

Lion's Head Hike

Lion's Head

View from 1/2 way up

Part of the hike had ladders...

After the 1st ladder you had the option to climb up a set of chains or go around the long way...we both climbed up the rock face by the chains and were so proud!

Kenny at the top with Table Mtn. in the background

Us at the top

We ate dinner and watched the sunset

More sunset

We hiked down in the moonlight (thankfully some people in our group had headlamps or else it may have been a bit difficult)

Talking Bibles Trip

We had the opportunity to host three amazing people from Phoenix, AZ yesterday (Pastor Ramey, his wife Louise, and Jack). Their church sent them to SA because they helped sponsor the translation of the Xhosa Talking Bible. It's the New Testament in Xhosa, in the auditory form for people who may not have access to the written word or who cannot read. We shared Living Hope with them, and they donated two Bibles to us that Nolo (Living Hope's chaplain--the cute lady in the red skirt above) will use in the Health Care center with patients. What a cool ministry and such a blessing for our Xhosa speaking people! We had an amazing time with our three visitors and they blessed us immensely through their joy and their generosity.

Thankful...(Silly version)

This Thanksgiving I'm very thankful that my husband is a super dancer! :)



No need to worry. What you see in this video is not an every day occurrence, we were at a Turkish-Kurdish restaurant for a friend's birthday...

Thankful...(Serious version)

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

This Thanksgiving we are beyond thankful that Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins. Being in Africa away from normal life has made us even more aware of what a blessing it is to serve our mighty Jesus. What an amazing truth: by his wounds we are healed, and his sacrifice is the only way to peace. Thank you for the cross Jesus!