Merry Christmas

Our Christmas cards are being mailed from the states, and we're here in Burundi, so we thought we'd  post our Christmas family newsletter here on our blog.

Merry Christmas from Burundi! 

2017 Began with our family living in Albertville, France where we were busy learning French in preparation to live and work in Burundi. While Greg and I attended language school, our kids experienced the “adventure” of the French school system, an experience none of them enjoyed. However, a perk of life in France for our kids was that, in January, they all joined an after school ski club and learned to ski.  

In July we finished our language studies and returned to the US for 7 weeks. We lived with Greg’s parents in WA, and Greg was able to work with his old anesthesia group. Stephanie and the kids traveled to Nebraska to visit Stephanie’s family. We greatly enjoyed our time in the states and the time spent catching up with friends and family. 

At the end of August we packed our 12 bags with everything from a Christmas tree to anti venom and headed off to Burundi. 

Our transition to life in Burundi has been smooth, and for that we are grateful. Greg has been busy teaching nurse anesthetist and medical students as well as working as an Anesthesiologist in the hospital. He also leads a weekly Bible study for the medical students, completely in French! 

Stephanie teaches two classes a day to the missionary children. Each week she visits the NICU and malnutrition wards of the hospital to show videos on breast feeding, and one week out of the month she works with our eye team giving chemotherapy to children with retinoblastoma (an eye cancer). 

Both Greg and Stephanie are diligently studying Kirundi, the local language. 

Ella is almost 13 and as tall as Stephanie. She enjoys reading, playing the piano and ukulele, and going to the hospital to play with children. 

Mekdes is 12, she loves soccer, reading, cooking, and playing the guitar. She enjoys going to the field near the hospital to joining groups of kids playing soccer or play ultimate frisbee with our teammates. 

Biniyam is 8 and continues to be his energetic comedic self. He’s loving life here in Kibuye where there are always kids to run and play with. He loves school, electronics, and making people laugh. A big part of this school year for him has been catching up on the things he missed learning last year in France. 

We hope that your finding peace and joy in the midst of this busy season. As we reflect on the birth of Christ we are renewed in our hope, that our God, who fulfilled his promise to send a messiah, will also fulfill his promise to return and set all things right.