A Thrill of Hope!

This Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years was wild! Just the way we like it:)

No matter what occasion, when all the kids and grand kids are home- things just become infinitely more interesting and loud...

For Thanksgiving we did our annual ginger bread competition. Truth be told, there is no actual ginger bread in sight! This years theme was "Your Favorite Place" so I reconstructed a Peruvian hut along the Amazon River (you can see the anacondas hanging off the roof and in the shiny black water) and a hammock off of the hut! I was this years winner, although, rumors of mercy points being given were heard. Guys, jealousy is ugly.

Below is Lisa's favorite place: our Aunt's house in Michigan

Laur's favorite place: Mackinac Island, Michigan

                    My dad had a big milestone this year... He turned 60! So, naturally, we roasted him :)

Christmas Eve at the kids table!

And to top everything off, some how we all managed to be in town on the SAME day! Some of us came from Italy, Michigan, Kentucky, and Cleveland but we made it! Blessed beyond belief to have these ladies.

Life is good. God is great. AND I just read that because of the Italian influence on the Somali people, they love pasta and marinara sauce! I will have a little bit of home, even among the Somali! Any day now, I should receive my books on learning the Somali language. It will be like no other language I've ever attempted to learn. Jesus, take the wheel!

Please pray that as I live in "Little Somalia" in Kenya, we will be seen as trusted people, rich in hope, peace and love. 

This is how they will recognize you as my disciples, when they see the love you have for one another -John 13:35

Recently, Somalia was ranked as the second hardest place to be a Christian in the world according to the World Watch List. World wide, the amount of Christian martyrs doubled from 2012 to 2013 and strife between Christians and Muslims is rising as well.  Many people still continue to flee from Somalia into surrounding countries, so pray that they do not spread strife, but instead come looking for peace. With all that being said, I believe that God is up to something great in Africa. Will you be a part of it?

Fundraising has really picked up this year as I book churches to speak at and friends and family to share dreams with. However, the need is still there to raise more money and I know I was never meant to do this alone.  If you feel led to help in any way, from financial help, praying or even helping me come up with unique and creative ways to raise money, please email me any time! 

God bless you! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I am believing for a bright and fulfilling 2014 for everyone!

To donate, you can go to giving.ag.org and type in my account #2957769 or snail mail it to:

AGWM

1445 N. Boonville Ave

Springfield, MO 65802

*Please include my account #2957769 on the memo line!