Christmas Joy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Kinlaws! We hope everyone has had a safe and joyful Christmas this year and that you are as happy as these little guys are in this picture! We miss you all so much and wish we could be with you during this special season, although if we were there, we would most likely not be able to get together due to COVID restrictions!

Christmas in Kigoma is hot, but not extremely humid. There aren’t any decorations in town or in the stores, and no Christmas music except at home! One day a few years ago after we arrived in Kigoma Sam said, “This is a big hot nothing place!” He wouldn’t say that now, but it is hot and easy to forget what time of year it is because it doesn’t feel or look like Christmas!

We closed the maktaba in Ujiji for the week of Christmas and New Years. It is nice to get a short break and focus on the many opportunities to preach the Gospel as the year ends and Christmas approaches.

Gerald and I really miss our weekly visits to the schools in Ujiji. We look forward to seeing their smiles again in January when the schools reopen and we return to our study of God’s Word.

December is a busy time for the chapel and offers many opportunities to share the Gospel here In Kigoma! John shared at several of these events, and also at our weekly missionary meeting.

It was a joy to consider the Christmas story from different angles this year. First was an opportunity to speak on a Sunday in early December where we studied the magi or wisemen from the east. They kept seeking Him until they saw Him, great truth!

Next was Sunday School Sunday where I gave a message on the “Why“ of Christmas. Why was it necessary for God to enter our world, live and die for us? Next was the Boys and Girls club Christmas party where I spoke on the Greatest Gift - Jesus!

I also enjoyed sharing a message for our missionary meeting titled, “4 miraculous Births”, where we studied the 4 miraculous births in the Bible. Can you name all 4? Here Elaina is reading Luke 2 before the message was given. Please pray for the Seed that was down as many heard the Gospel this Christmas.

It is time for an update on our camp adventure! The more we investigated this property we were considering buying back in early November, the smaller it got. It is so important here to learn everything you can about any land for sale to avoid being defrauded.

After doing our homework we concluded the land is actually half the size we were told it was, and therefore way over priced. We also met the neighbor who claimed to own some of the trees! Yes, when buying land in TZ, you must specify that the trees are included! After much prayer, we decided to step away from the deal and wait until after the Holiday season to continue looking for a suitable place for a Christian camp in this area. We appreciate your prayers regarding this also!

On Christmas Day in Kigoma, the Christians put on their best clothes and go to church for a special Christmas service with lots of singing, several choir performances, followed by a message from God’s Word. Several village churches came to the 2 day conference and brought their choirs also!

Elaina and Esther (Luke & Gina’s oldest daughter) are both in the choir. It is rare to see “Wazungu” singing & dancing in a choir here! Everyone enjoyed the meeting and the message very much!

Below are a few recent pictures of our children. Isaac is going to be tall, and is becoming a sweet young man.

Elaina is enjoying Africa, loves being in the choir, and her Swahili is improving rapidly!

Sam loves the outdoors, swimming, and playing with his friends.

Katie loves school, writing notes, and is very smart!

Jennifer is an amazing wife, mother, teacher (and much more!), and loves us all so well. We are all so blessed by her sweet spirit and positive attitude.

We are thankful for the faithfulness of God through this past year. He is so good and His grace is amazing! Most of us are happy to see the end of 2020. A year with a worldwide pandemic, lockdowns, government lunacy, and one of the most intense political elections in my lifetime. Let us not forget that God is in control, He loves you and I so much, and in these uncertain times His promises will never fail. His greatest promise is to the sinner who believes on Jesus Christ.

“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

John 5:24