Christmas party for the vegetable ladies

Every year this missionary lady (Grandma Jean to us) does a little Christmas party for the vegetable ladies who sit in this little market area every day trying to sell their vegetables. They used to come to the door to sell them but were getting a little too forceful and knocking on doors very early in the morning ( and also having to carry these big bags of vegetables and fruit on their heads) so now we go to them! So every Christmas Jean (and now the 3 Bray girls) make

cookies decorated with their initials on them and bring juice and walk down the street to the market. We all sing Christmas songs (they join in both in English and Swahili) and then we serve cookies and juice. This year Jean asked the girls to do a little Irish dance for them to "jingle bells" on the accordion, the ladies loved it! Jean prayed with each of the ladies and we tried to buy one thing from each of them, not an easy task as they are putting 6 tomatoes in a bag and saying "you take 6" as we are saying "we just need one"!!

Wells of Joy church in the Lunga Lunga slums Nairobi

Sunday morning we hired a driver to take us to the Lunga Lunga slums in Nairobi to visit a church that was started by Pastor Geoffrey. We visited this church last year and Pastor Geoffry invited us to worship with him again this year. Last year we went with some friends, this year it was just us! We arrived safely and he met us and led us through the slums to where the old church was which is now his office( and the new preschool) then to the new bigger and better church that has a concrete floor! The service lasted from 11a.m. to 1p.m. with a lot of dancing and singing and then a message in Swahili which Pastor Geoffrey's wife translated into English

and then a Christmas anointing (with vegetable oil) and a healing service where people fell on the floor (and stood up after of course). It was a great service and afterward we all went to Java House for lunch!!

The church congregation posing in the front of their new building.

The "streets" of the slum.

Children at the church enjoying lollipops and getting their pictures taken.

They love to look at the picture on the little screen afterwards;

they see themselves, and just laugh and laugh!!

Girls in the streets of the slum.

Rock Hyrax

Our ministry here in Kenya is a little different than expected. We are now babysitting a rock hyrax for our missionary friends while they go on vacation. He is the cutest little thing, and his name is Crazy Train. He hops around the house and squeaks a little. Crazy Train is even toilet trained! Sometimes he even snuggles up with you (he particularly likes Gary!).

Safe and Sound in Kenya

Yesterday night we arrived safely in Kenya and spent the night at the guest house in Nairobi (it is not safe to drive very far late at night). This morning, we stocked up on groceries and drove about an hour to Kijabe. We are in the same time little house as last time and all is well. We are so thankful that all of our 8 suitcases made it! Thanks once again for your prayers!

Barcelona Day 2

We have had another wonderful day in Barcelona! Today, we went to the Picasso Museum. Picasso lived in Barcelona for much of his life and this museum had a large collection of his earlier works, which were surprisingly more "normal" than most of the Picasso that generally comes to mind! :-) We also saw La Sagrada Familia, the beautiful, yet still unfinished, church designed by Antoni Gaudi. It was absolutely amazing -- I have never seen such a beautiful church in my life! There are 2 completed facades, one which depicts Christ's birth and early years, and the other that narrates his passion. Their detail is incredible. And inside the church is stunning stained glass, mainly in shades of blue, yellow, and red. It is breath-taking!! We also got to walk down La Rambla, which is a fun street full of people, vendors, and street performers. They even have people selling pets, like birds and bunnies! Off this street is a huge food market selling fruit, nuts, candy, bread, fish, meat and more. And not just your average steak: they have tongue, heart, liver, and other things that we couldn't identify. I bought in apple, in Spanish and everything! ("Quiero una manzana, por favor!") Then we had a snack of churros and chocolate, and tapas for lunch. We are eating well! We leave bright and early for Kenya tomorrow. Please pray for safe and easy flights, and that all our eight suitcases will make it too! :-) Buenas noches from Barcelona!

Exploring Barcelona

On the roof of La Pedrera (top two pictures)

Yesterday we walked around the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, which is the older section of town. We browsed through a lovely little market with lots of Christmas things. Today we took the tour bus all around town and saw lots of different things. This morning the bus took us by the port and the place where the 1992 Olympics were held. Later we went inside of a magnificent building called "La Pedrera" that was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi. The architecture of his buildings are fascinating, with many curves and arches. It was interesting to see how Gaudi's buildings resemble things from nature; for example, the curved front of La Pedrera depicts the ocean's waves. After visiting La Pedrera, we took the bus to the "Sagrada Familia" (Holy Family). We did not go in, but it was beautiful from the outside. The bus also took us by the beach, which was pretty as well. After that, we ate dinner at a place called "4 Gats" (4 cats). It had lots of pictures of (you guessed it!) four cats. On the way home, we stopped for gelato, which was of course amazing!

In the 4 Gats Restaurant

Abby's favorite square (It was very peaceful with a lovely violinist and a fountain.)

The roof of La Pedrera

Barcelona

We arrived safely this morning in Barcelona, Spain on our way to Kenya. Flights went well, and we are glad to be here. The palm trees and 60 degree weather is lovely! Thank you for your prayers!

Love,

The Brays