DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

​Jambo, as we say here in Kenya, it is a hello and today I am saying hello to all of our friends in many countries.

It's that time of year again, and it has come fast. December comes and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts that you will receive, the food on your tables, sharing dinners with family and friends? I saw from my visiting Australia with our Founder, Mumma Susan which was and will always remain one of the most amazing adventures of my lifetime I had never left Kenya, while there saw there was everything in abundant. It was my mother who cared for me and my family when we were young, we too had to face many challenges. it was not easy which I think drew me to care for those whose lives merely live on hope. In your country, I am aware that there are also people who are too poor but with your country there many thankful that your government can assist. Life here for us as in many countries is not the same and still, we have so many that feel that they have been forgotten. Christmas for us is giving thanks to you who have helped us.

Giving thanks to our many volunteers who have visited us over the year and have provided for our children the show of love and concern. We give thanks for our farm that has helped us with the thousands of meals we have been able to give to our school children and families. This month, we give thanks to those we asked for help for food parcels for our children. Our children here at Gabriel's are about to go on a school break.

Our school closes only for two weeks of a year so that our teachers can have time with their families and visit their rural areas. We are currently beginning to pack up food parcels for our children who when they leave us may not be able to have food until they return to us other than scrounging on the dumpsite or begging on the streets. It is easy for some of our children to return to the rubbish dumps and to beg when they have no food, and there are influences out there that we do not wish our children to be involved with, we do not want to lose one child over this Christmas and New Year we are therefore so very thankful for the help that some have shown us.

Our children in our orphanage will celebrate Christmas altogether as we are a very big family now and we are fortunate to have three volunteers with us from Australia and Germany who have chosen to spend their own time away from family and friends and be with us, this will make it extra special for all. Christmas for us is a time to give thanks for the overcoming the challenges that we have faced over the year and a time of celebration in being able to give more lost children a place of refuge and to watch all our children learn in the hope that one day they may be able to not need food packages. It is a time for all of us here at Gabriels to give thanks for the support that we have found in others, to thank those who have helped us now to be able to eat as a family in our new hall and to be ready for our Grade 8, to be able to give our Dennis an operation, and to continue to give refuge when so many are in need. We have so much to be thankful for.

Our Christmas in the slums must be so very different than yours, and it was not until I was so very lucky to have visited Australia to see how different our worlds are but at this time of year our lives are not so different as we all wish for the same thing. To be with family, to share what we have with each other, to enjoy being with loved ones we may not see as often as we would like, being together sharing joys and happiness. There are no greater gifts than giving of yourself. With our Mumma Susan, we truly wish you a time of rejoicing and peace. From my staffs and all our amazing 297 children whose lives you change with your support. We wish you and your families the same caring as you have shown us.

Merry Christmas to all.
With blessings,
​Christopher