Christmas in Kaputa

Well, Christmas in Kaputa went very well this year. We had lots of toys for the kids because of our recent trip to South Africa and because of family and friends. We even had some of our Mission Family come and be with us. Dwayne and Betty Mitchell drove up to help repair my leaking porch and spend Christmas with us. Betty brought lots of good food, including a turkey! We opened presents on Christmas morning and then went to church for a Christmas service.

Lulie got a tea set and Hutch got some Transformers (which I am still trying to figure out how to transform properly). 

Lulie loves to give the offering at church.

This is our hand shaking line which we do after every service.

Hutch and the boys.

Look at this grin. It says "I am well fed and happy" or maybe "I am in complete control of these people"

Chansa Baptist Church

We were so very excited when  we went to teach Bible study at Chansa Baptist Church. They had taken their own initiative and put up a small structure for us to meet under during this rainy season. We have bee meeting under a mango tree for the past year and a half. Now we have a place to call our own. It is so great to see nationals taking charge of their church and getting things done. (Can you spot Hutch and Lulie in this picture?)

Farmer Hutch

He loves these chickens.  I would not ever be brave enough to grab them like he does.  It helps that James keeps working on the boxes and spends a lot of time with Hutch inside with the chickens.  They haven't gotten used to the boxes yet so Hutch is helping the chickens get inside to acclimate them so they'll start laying eggs.

Update

We are back home, trying to get back into our routine! It's been so nice to be off the roads, Charlie did not like her initiation into the family, the 18 hour ride in the car.  But she's officially member.  Now that I can catch my breath, and type with two hands, I can update the blog.  We got the house decorated for the Christmas season! I love a warm Christmas, it's starting to feel normal.  Hutch, Lulie, and Charlie are going to think a cold Christmas is unusual! James is busy fixing the little kinks around the house and the new chicken pin. That's right, we have 10 laying hens. Eggs were just getting too expensive, so we decided to buy the hens.  Hutch can't wait to get the eggs every morning.  So far, so good.  I'll try not wait so long again posting!