Merry Christmas

As we go through the Christmas season here in Mombasa, we suffer with the heat at 90-100 degrees everyday; but this year it seems even worse because we are having an El Nino season so the humidity matches the temperature.

In spite of the weather, we are so thankful that the God of the Universe left Heaven to come as the Baby Jesus, being born in a cold barn with shepherds and sheep as witnesses. The magi came bearing gifts foretelling of his death, which gives all who believe and confess their sins eternal life. Praise God for Jesus sacrifice!

The Smiddy family is once again fragmented this holiday season with Nathan in the States. He is a junior at Herron Art Institute at IUPUI with a major in Furniture Design. With school, work and junior high ministry at Park Chapel Christian Church he is extremely busy, but he will travel to Phoenix for Christmas to visit the Okken family and see a special friend.

Hanna is a senior and has already been accepted to several universities but has made no definite decision. She will return to the States in July 2007 to begin her studies in Political Science. The Rift Valley Academy Girls Basketball Team went undefeated this year. Hanna was once again the starting center and leading rebounder in her league. In January when she returns to school she will begin her Field Hockey season as starting goalie. She also has a heavy academic load.

Jean has been leading the ladies ministries in Bible Study and hospitality. She is also teaching Sunday School and serving as the church Treasurer.

Gary's schedule is much the same as in year's past: preaching, leading men's ministry, teaching at Faith Bible College in Tiwi and overseeing the land preparation for the eventual building of our new church. In addition he is having a lot of knee problems. His right knee must be replaced. We are hoping he can make it till we return to the States this July. Please pray for him.

We have been so blessed to watch God move and build His Church here in Mombasa. We have been witnesses to lives changed and built up in the faith. We so appreciate all of you who hold us up to the Throne and make it possible for us to be here on your behalf. Mungu awabariki! Which means God Bless You in Swahili.

Thanks for all your love, prayers and gifts of support throughout the year. We pray for you and yours that this Christmas will be filled with the love of God and may you enjoy your families as never before.

In Celebration of the One Who is Everything! Have a Wonderful Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Trying Times

Greetings from balmy Mombasa, Kenya where the palm trees sway in the wind and the sea is white capped on azure blue expanse to the horizon! What a calming effect on one's spirit! Rare is the opportunity to take the time to sit and admire that wonder of God's universe and experience that calming within. The demanding agenda keeps us absorbed in the work of the church and related ministries.

Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."

Because trials seem to be a way of life over the past several months, not just for Gary and me but for our whole pastoral staff at Crossroads fellowship, we see God building his church in a way tat only he can do.

In May Gary had stabbing pain in his chest area to his back. He convinced me it wasn't a heart attack, but we contacted the doctor and tests followed. After being tested here in Mombasa and several hospital stays later, we went to a cardiology in Nairobi. Gary was diagnosed with Pericarditis, an infection and inflammation of the heart lining. The first "attack" was two nights before the Carrels from Brandywine Community Church were to arrive for a 10 day visit. During their visit Gary was in the hospital two times, but the Carrels were gracious and Bob, who is a Construction Manager, was able to work with our architect and really helped in several areas of planning the building project. We were able to show the Carrels our three feeding centers, two primary schools and the land at Vipingo on which we are building another feeding center, church and primary school. The feeding centers have all come about through Manna Worldwide and the donations of several churches around the world.

In June and July we had four more visitors come: Mark Anness, Chris Bramble, Pastor David Woods, and of course our son Nathan. Pastor Dave preached the graduation message at Tiwi Bible College and again at Crossroads Fellowship's fourth anniversary celebration. 556 people attended the celebration and four received Christ that day! We had a fantastic time of fellowship and fun while they were here. They also had the privilege of seeing all the feeding centers, the building site and Vipingo.

For the duration of the month of August, Claudean Korff, also from Park Chapel, was here. While here, she worked as a Tiwi camp counselor, taught VBS, and spoke to the ladies Bible study group. We spent many hours in preparation for VBS cutting out the items for the crafts each day. On most days, we ended up having 67 kids. They had a grand time!

Gary was ill with bronchitis three times over the course of the visits. This was due in part to his medication which weakened his immune system. He has had such a trying time with his health.

Still , he preaches every other week and is in charge of the work being carried out on the CF property. He spends much of his time dealing with contracts and government offices getting the site prepared for "phase one" to begin. He does counseling and teaches a men's Bible study on Tuesday nights.

I work in the Women's Ministries program, teach Sunday school and the ladies Tuesday night Bible study, and work during fellowship time after church.

Please keep us and Crossroads in your prayers. Thank you for all your continuing partnership in all of these ministries! We appreciate and love you!