Joyful Concert
Last Sunday was our Christmas concert.  Accompanying the choir we had 10 violins, 1 cello, 1 guitar, and one horn plus the piano.  It was wonderful to see what the Lord had brought about in a little over 2 years!
 
The song, "How Great Our Joy" certainly did reflect our mood!  We have joy in remembering the birth of Christ, and joy in serving Him here in Kenya.  Even the fact that one bow wouldn't screw up just as we were to begin the concert couldn't dampen the mood, for I had an extra bow for just such an emergency.  
 
Thank you for your continued support of the Junior Church Musicians project.  This week we were able to purchase an amplifier for the electric violin.  Next term we will use that as a reward for a hard working student for use in special solos.  With the electric violin we will get lovely volume so the sound can shine even above our large choir.
 
Pray for two of the children as they wait for exam results that could earn them places in high school.  Pray that we may have a spiritual impact in lives as we prepare for music on the death and resurrection of our Saviour.
 
Eye News
Thank you for praying for LeRoy's eye surgery.  While at a Nairobi Symphony rehearsal, he met a missionary eye specialist from Oregon who works at the local Presbyterian hospital.  This doctor said he wanted to give a second opinion.  After examining LeRoy's eyes, he strongly recommended that he not go for surgery here but wait until returning to the US.  He said the equipment here is several years behind what is used in the US and that no US doctor would even consider removing such a small cataract at this point.  The other minor procedure–laser-cleaning the lens on the other eye–was approved. So we only had that done this week.
 
Praise God for the timely intervention by the mission doctor.  Praise God for health and strength to continue work in Kenya.
 
Listening Allowance
We were intrigued this week by a news report that some voters are charging politicians a "listening allowance" to show up at rallies and political gatherings.  They expect to be paid to listen to what the politician has to say!  Have you ever been bored by a politician?  Maybe even thought you should be paid to listen to him?  Well, Kenyans seem to have found a way to make it happen!  When I mentioned this to a friend, she said this has also moved into some church scenes in that some people expect to be paid to attend seminars-- they also want a "listening allowance".
 
Perhaps we should be thankful that the shepherds were willing to listen to the heavenly messengers; that Mary listened to Gabriel, that Joseph listened to the angel warning him to flee, and that the person who pointed us to Christ had listened to the gospel.  How much we would miss if we were not willing to LISTEN.  
 
Pray for calm and safety as we face national elections on December 27.  Pray that Kenya will maintain a stable government that allows the gospel to be preached freely.  Pray that those who need Christ will listen to the message of Christmas.
 
 
Christmas Baskets
Since students will be leaving campus soon, we have already delivered the three Christmas baskets.  Students were so excited to receive them.  Thank you for  your support that made this possible.
 
Have a blessed and joyful Christmas!

Africa Inland Mission, US Headquarters, PO Box 178, Pearl River, NY 10965