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!

Merry Christmas

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lorrd." - Luke 2:9-11

Thanks be to God our heavenly Father for that unspeakable Gift to us!

Greetings from Mombasa Kenya! Compared to last year n Indiana, Christmas in Kenya just doesn't feel the same. It is very hot and humid. Some days the temperature and the humidity are the same! IN our house the temperature gets to 88-90 degreees so you can guess how it feels outside in the sun. But such is Christmas south of the Equator!

We just wanted to send you an update of what we are doing and the many things which have happened since we have been back after our year furlough in the US. For the most part, we have picked up where we left off, especially at Crossroads Fellowship Church. Beside preaching every other Sunday, Gary leads a prayer and short Bible Study on Tuesday evenings. The prayer time has been sweet. Gary has also been doing a lot of counseling and helping individuals in the church. He and his co-pastor Jim Horne, are working on all the paperwork to try and get Crossroads Fellowship Ministires registered with the government.

We are still in the very slow process of trying to buy property for the church. Many of you have been praying with us about the land. Please continue to do so. By American standards this is unbelievable that it has taken so long; but by Kenyan standards this is nothing. We haven't waited very long at all! We have made some progress with the papers we need from the government but unfortunately there are still more remaining. The church Elders are now in charge of raising funds to finish paying for the last on-half acre and to actually build the church.

Jean is no longer working at the Lighthouse for Christ Eye Center. Although her health is pretty good, she tires easily and cannot handle going to work everyday. She continues to keep the church books and has been teaching a ladies Bible Study. Recently, we had the Impact Youth at our house. This is our teenage group of kids from CF. Hanna was a great help as she organized and ran all of the games. One other Saturday Jean led a group called the Crusaders (ages 20-30) to teach them about first aid and handed out first aid kits that we had left over when the group from Park Chapel came. The Crusaders took up the challenge of learning the "script" about first aid. They did a great job of teaching and handing out the kits. They seemed to catch the vision for this ministry. In fact, they are now challenging CF members to bring toothbrushes and toothpaste so we can go out to that village again and distribute them to the extremely poor.

OUr family is grateful to all of you for your gifts of support, your love, your prayers ans all of the ways you minister to needs. May God bless you richly. May you a most blessed 2006, if the Lord delays.

Your Co-Laborers for Christ,

Gary Jean, Nathan, & Hanna