December 2005

We wish you a merry Christmas.

While I compose this Christmas letter, with a music CD inserted into my computer, I am carried away in triumphal bliss listening to Handel’s Messiah: “And He shall reign for forever and ever. King of kings, lord of lords.”

Outside my window I can see the warm rays of the African sun that glistens on lilac flowers climbing a special trellis strategically placed to camouflage our out-of-door pit toilet; it is used by our guards who watch over us day and night with bows and arrows and a machete (panga). Crime is rampant in Kenya because 60 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. An adage, with some truth, holds that 35 percent of the population pays another 35 percent of the population to guard them from the remaining 30 percent of the population.

A donkey cart driven by a young boy rumbles past our house, narrowly missing a woman all bent over tilling the soil by the side of the dirt road, since she does not have a garden plot of her own to raise food for her family. And a young teacher walks by oblivious to his surroundings, preoccupied by the conversation on his cell phone.

These young girls will then be considered pure and devoid of sexual desires. Circumcision of girls is forbidden, because this procedure mutilates women and can cause great pain during childbirth—and sometimes death—due to scar tissue that forms and obstructs the birth canal.

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa works among its members to prevent such mutilation, but it is widespread beyond the Christian community. However, the church’s evangelism effort, which includes the message of respect for women, is bearing fruit among the Maasai. With the help of the Outreach Foundation, churches, schools, and health clinics are popping up all over the savannah, populated by the tall warriors in red robes, holding spears as they herd their cattle, and beautiful Maasai women in colorful beads, carrying babies strapped to their backs.

When the church brings medicine and education, it also brings the incarnate Christian gospel: “ . . .love your wife as Christ loves the Church. … in Christ all are equal . . . male and female.”

So we rejoice in your support and our good fortune to be able to serve the church here in Kenya.

One day the reign of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and the Hallelujah Chorus will be proclaimed by the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Be not afraid, for I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day a savior who is Christ the Lord.” “. . . And He shall be called wonderful, counselor, almighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace.”

Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Peace and love,

Lyle and Terry Dykstra

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 334