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It was such a joy to see the interest people had in reading the Scriptures (Luke & Jonah) in Kwaya. This gentleman below was so engrossed in his copy of the Book of Luke that he seemed to not notice the conversation around him and would often interrupt to read parts aloud. On top of that, the room was very poorly lit and he only had one good eye so he had to hold the book up very close to his face. Bible Sunday (September): Every year, everyone in our project divides up and goes to churches in the surrounding areas to promote mother-tongue Scriptures. We were privileged to be assigned to a church in a Kwaya-speaking village, the language Michael has worked on the most. Our colleague, Ronit, made a Bible translation timeline. Malia’s at the end with a sign saying, “NOW: The Bible in local languages.” During the offering time, it is very common to bring produce instead of money, and then it is auctioned off. This woman is contributing sugarcane.
SCHOOL! The ever-changing homeschool/school set-up we have here for some of the missionary kids in our cluster project has always been such a blessing to our family, and this past year has seen it become much more structured with the arrival of two more full-time teachers. Luke returning for the 2nd half of grade 1 and 1st day of school for Malia. Aug. 2013 In Aug. last year, Malia started reception and Luke started the 2nd half of grade 1. Kelly now is a classroom helper 2 days a week. In Jan. Luke graduated up to the 7-10 year old class and loves it. Elliot doing the washing up while Luke and Malia are at school.
Kelly’s mom came to visit us for 4 weeks in June, which overlapped with our annual branch conference in Watamu, Kenya. Fun times! Michael teaching a photography seminar at our conference. New bike for Malia from Bibi! SIL Uganda-Tanzania Branch, June 2013 Every afternoon was spent at the pool.
Michael’s mum came out 2 days after Kelly’s mom left and stayed with us in Musoma for a couple weeks. Visits to friends. On safari. Star gazing in the backyard.
Kelly turned 31 in August. Elliot turned 2 in April. Malia turned 5 in October! Luke turned 7 and Michael 35 in January.
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013 Cart0 We are so thankful for these people! We even got to watch American football after the feast. We started out our Christmas Day at home with a couple friends and then went to the home of our Dutch friends where we were introduced to one of their Christmastime traditions, Black Peter.
New Years Conference in Limuru, Kenya It was such a blessing to get to go to this conference with other missionaries in East Africa. Aside from having excellent teaching sessions, they also made it very fun for the kids. One afternoon we went exploring a nearby tea farm.
SOME TIDBITS FROM THE KIDBITS: Malia: Can I have some more green beans? Michael: Sure. Luke: Can I have some more green beans? They are so, so wonderful. Michael: [laughing] Ok. Elliot: Moa! Num num. Malia: Can I have some more? Luke: Are there any left? I NEED some more. Elliot: Num NUM! [points to plate repeatedly] Moa! Moa! Michael: [serve out some more] Malia: Can I just have a few more? Michael: They're all gone sorry. Malia: [looks in pan] Can I drink the juice? Luke: Oh, can I have some juice? [comes to take juice] Malia: [crying] No! He's taking it all! Luke: But I want some too! Michael: [pour green bean juice into their cups] Luke & Malia: [quietly drink juice] Elliot: Num num. Luke: Did you know that some people believe that we were monkeys and then a big explosion turned us into people, but that's impossible because explosions kill stuff. Luke: I made up a psalm, can you write it down? Michael: Sure. Luke: (singing softly) Whenever I am afraid or when I have a problem I put my trust in God On a dark, rainy day with bugs... with creaky bugs... no, with noisy, creaky bugs That sound scary I just put my trust in God I love God with all my heart I will never forget him You're the one true God Malia: Can I do one too? Michael: Ok. Malia: Jesus, Jesus, you are the messiah You created the whole world If your dad touch anything it will just break apart. Michael: Luke, you can't hit Malia! Luke: She did something mean to me. Michael: What did she do? Luke: She said something mean. Michael: What did she say? Luke: She said she wouldn't do what I told her to do. (Driving up the mountain to Nairobi, we passed an over-turned truck.)Malia: Ohhh... that must have been a woman driver (While playing soccer) Luke: Daddy, when you get the ball can you not kick it big because I feel like it's going to break off parts of my body. Malia: Daddy, how old are you?Michael: 128.Malia: (eyes light up) 128! So that means you're bigger than Abe's grandma! (goes running off)
Further Updates This past year has been a good one – full of new things, and seeing God working in many different ways. I (M) took on a new role as Translation Coordinator in October, which means coordinating the work of 8 language teams. It has its challenges, and I’m spending less time in ‘translation’ and more time in ‘administration’ these days, but I’m enjoying it, and it’s where God wants me to be at this moment. Kelly is helping out with Luke and Malia’s schooling, and keeping busy with hospitality for missionaries. Now that Elliot is getting a bit older, she’s praying about the possibility of spending some time in the office in a language work role, such as Literacy or Scripture Use. Luke and Malia are doing well at school. They fight like normal brothers and sisters, and then every now and then they come out with spiritual wisdom far beyond their years. Elliot is still not in a rush to speak in full sentences. Some of his highlights over the last year are being able to scratch leftovers from the pan, getting motorbike rides to/from the gate, and making a lake in the driveway with the hose. Although we haven’t had medical check-ups in a long time, we’re enjoying good health, and know that we’re in God’s safe hands. click here to support us from Oz click here to support us from the US (Email us if you live somewhere else)
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LINKS/INFO • Our blog: chroNICHOLLS.com. • More about our work: thetask.net. • To join our Prayer Team, or sign up for newsletter notifications: email us. • To support us financially: support To give by mail, make a check/cheque out to:“Wycliffe Bible Translators” and send it to: • Wycliffe Bible Translators Wycliffe AustraliaP.O. Box 628200 or 70 Graham RdOrlando, FL 32862-8200 Kangaroo Ground, VIC 3097USA Australia*Include a note saying “Preference for Michael & Kelly Nicholls”. • Our Tanzania mailing address: • Michael & Kelly Nicholls Box 1235 • Musoma, Tanzania • EAST AFRICA • Birthdays: Luke – Jan 19; Michael – Jan 30; Elliot – April 24; Kelly – Aug 15; Malia – Oct 16