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Serving with Advancing Leaders International
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We LOVE this time of year! Our home is cozily decorated with reminders of home and symbols of Christmas. A mix of American and African artifacts bring us close to the manager as we think about the great gift given to us - the birth of  Christ. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior this week, we want to update you on the last few weeks of ministry and life. 

 
Our Jesse Tree, nativity, advent candles, and fireplace decor remind us of our US and african homes as we prepare to celebrate Christmas here in Kenya.

November and December are months that bring a lot of activity. The “dry season” is upon us and people have more time for work at home on their compounds. The community is buzzing as villagers complete the year’s harvest - maize drying is winding up and people are busily packaging, selling or storing it. 

 

“El Nino” has hit Kenya, delaying the dry season. Normally we’d be experiencing hot dry days, like a Southern California summer - but this year we’re getting a mix of warmth and rain. Sometimes it has rained here as many as three times in one day! Maize drying has continued, with some extra effort required on the part of the villagers. 

 

December is a time for celebration. Food is more plentiful and minds turn towards to special events - engagement parties, weddings, graduations - all with huge meals as part of the gathering. As Christmas approaches, anticipation mounts for the opportunities to see family and friends during the holidays. Muddy roads make travel slippery and more adventurous, but community gatherings are still taking place.

 

With teachers released from schools, school-wide trainings and teacher outings are planned. Students participate in VBS and youth camps. Churches organize evangelistic outreaches and week long conferences. It is a time to focus upon gathering and growing.
 

November was a bit unusual for us. After receiving news of her mom’s hospitalization on October 28th, Cathy made an quick trip back to the USA on November 1st. She arrived in California on the afternoon of November 2nd, just in time to spend some final hours with her mom. Cathy remained in California with her dad and other family members for another two weeks to attend the memorial service for her mom. It was a true celebration of her life, attended by nearly 300 people, and a wonderful demonstration of her wide circle of friends. Meanwhile, Mark remained in Kenya, continuing with plans for school trainings and bible studies with men in the community. 

 
 

 

Hellen and Eunice discussion how biblical significance can be integrated into class lessons.

After Cathy’s return to Kenya, we ministered at Paul Boit Boys High School (Kapkong) to offer Level 2 teacher training. Twenty three teachers were trained in how to bring critical thinking into their lessons. Examination of scripture, and its significance to daily lessons, were a part of every afternoon’s lesson planning sessions. At the request of school leaders, we also focused upon the needs of the teen heart (belonging and faith), as well as how to meet the needs of diverse learners in a high school classroom. We will mentor these teachers in February when school resumes, along with the help of ALI’s director, Dan Perrine.

 
After a session on critical thinking and metacognition, teachers work through a professional article and discuss its applicability to their daily teaching practice.
Each teacher was given opportunity to integrate a new learning piece on graphic organizers into their lesson plans.

Our first church conference of the season occurred in Turbo, a village not too far from our home. A gathering of 150 senior pastors and their spouses from five countries  - South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda - gave us an opportunity to share about the opportunity to invest in young people, and a series of talks on God’s heart for His people. It was a time for us to also listen to some teaching by other presenters from Australia and New Zealand. We haven’t been part of a conference with other westerners, and it was nice to hear English being spoken during teaching sessions!  :)

 

Just yesterday we concluded our second church conference of the month, speaking in Jua Kali. Focusing upon the book of Galatians, we spent a week with church leaders and members, leading them through a wonderful, in depth study of what it means to be faithful in Christ. We had engaging discussion on several topics that challenged people’s thinking, especially the way cultural and biblical ideas are in opposition. It was thrilling to be able to talk openly, and deeply about God’s truth and its relationship to our daily lives.

 
Church conference at Jua Kali where we shared about the book of Galatians.
The manger we gave to the church as part of Mark's sermon illustration.

As we look toward 2016, we are full of anticipation. The doors that God opened for us in September have led to wonderful new relationships and opportunities. The first seven months are already scheduled, with several schools interested in planning for training and mentoring sessions for August - October. Please pray over the following activities:

 

JANUARY - We will welcome ALI’s international director, Dan Perrine, who will assist us for two months! This month we’ll offer Saturday trainings for St Jacob’s Primary school teachers, followed by mentoring in their classrooms for the entire month.

FEBRUARY - Mentoring at Paul Boit Boys High School in Kapkong, with assistance from Dan Perrine.

MARCH - We conclude our PBBHS mentoring, conduct leadership training sessions for two Eldoret schools, and speaking at Easter church conferences

APRIL - Two week long trainings for Rock Mirror primary teachers (Level 1), and Fahamu primary teachers (Level 1)

MAY - Mentoring at Rock Mirror primary school all month long

JUNE - Mentoring at Fahamu primary school all month long

JULY - Back to our Saturday training format for Christ Victory primary school (Level 2), with mentoring happening each week for the entire month.
 

As before, the need for volunteers to assist in our ministry is GREAT. With such a busy training and mentoring schedule ahead of us in 2016 we are wondering how God will multiple our hands to include others in the ministry effort. Retired teachers, Sunday school teachers, current teachers - if you feel drawn to sharing with African educators about how to teach from a biblical perspective, modeling the importance of critical thinking skills, and ways to engage learners, we’d love to hear from you! 

 

A scripture that has been dear to us for several years seems even more powerful now as we dig into personal studies of Galatians...and as we anticipate the celebration of our Savior’s birth:
 

“For through the Spirit, by faith,

we ourselves eagerly wait for the

hope of righteousness.” - Galatians 5:5

 

May this be a wonderful season of celebration for you and your family! We deeply appreciate the continued opportunity to serve here in Kenya, bringing the name of Christ before teachers and students. Thank you for partnering with us through prayer and giving. Every day we marvel at how God continues to bring what we  need, when we need it - encouragement, supplies, prayer cover, volunteers, wise counsel, and resources.

 

For the sake of the Gospel,

Mark & Cathy

 
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Our mailing address is:
Africa:  Mark & Cathy Lessig       
            Box 9935-30100
            Eldoret, KENYA

USA:   Advancing Leaders International
           P.O. Box 994094
           Redding, CA  96099-4094

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