Thank you Jesus for 2022!!

What a year this has been for the Spriegel Family!  Rejoice with us, reviewing some highlights!

In January our monthly Tabitha leaders' meeting, still outside, with masks and COVID precautions.

 We thank God that the severity and frequency of Covid diminished as the year progressed.

We gratefully released John's mom into the arms of Jesus in January. We were comforted by various groups of friends coming to express their condolences.

Julia arrived the end of February to visit for a couple weeks. Daily chai times with Peris and Robert were anchors to Linda's day, and for whoever visited.

After months of preparation and training, the new hospital management information system went live in March!

In March Rebecca and Aaron made a big move from St. Joseph Michigan to St. Germaine, Wisconsin where Aaron took a new position as worship pastor for the Free Church there. Julia and Joel joined others in helping them pack up.

Our WGM Kenya missionary family put on a festive evening of celebration of our anticipated retirement at our annual Retreat in March at the coast.  "Adventure Awaits" has been our theme as we enter this phase of our lives.

We enjoyed a day exploring Hydra island in Greece in April with good friends Burton and Sandy Lee. We were in Greece for two weeks for a continuing education conference which always stretches us and encourages us, with great Bible teachers, too.

Joel and his future wife Susannah Searls visited for a couple weeks in April. He loved introducing her to his Kenyan home.

Hundreds of Bibles were earned  through Tabitha Ministry during the year.  In April, we celebrated with these women at Sogoet who were thrilled to receive their first Bibles.

Rebecca supported Julia during her Focus weekend in May with World Gospel Mission, where Julia was inteviewed and officially  accepted as a WGM Global Worker.  Yay Julia!  Yay God!

We made a quick trip home for John's mom's memorial service the end of May, pictured here with our family and John's brother Bill and nephew David at the cemetery.

Our next family visitors were Rebecca and Aaron in June.  She loved introducing him to her Kenyan home, too, his first time in Africa.  We are not sure he was as enthused as she was in getting to know ugali, sukuma wiki and chapatis.

In June John helped orchestrate the opening of some patient rooms in the rebuilt Sue Steury building, relieving a real crunch for space.  This Infectious Disease/Telemetry Unit allowed for the treatment of Covid patients, too.

Our Kipsigis editing team, the two Rev. Elijah Bii's from Tenwek, and Peris, worked diligently all year to prepare the study of John and two studies of Acts for publishing.  Praise the Lord!  By November all were completed!

The Tabitha Ministry Celebrations began in July, this one in Mugutma Center. Four more followed, involving hundreds of  Bible study leaders.

In July Joel popped the question and Susannah said "Yes!"

Beatrice has been a strong Tabitha leader since 2006. After praying with her for Wesley for 15 years, Wesley came to Jesus in December 2021. Hallelujah! During our visit to their home in August, he was eager to tell about the change in his life and his love for Jesus and the Word of God.  We praise God that he is truly a changed man.

We were thrilled to have our good friends Tom and Emily Dillard and family return from their year in the States in September.  We only had a few months together before we left, but we love this family!!! And we'll see them again.

 

In September Drs. Nathan and Janet Anjichi left Tenwek for an internal medicine residency program for Nathan, to prepare to return to Tenwek in the future.  Nathan and John have worked closely together in medicine over the years: first with Nathan as one of our interns in training, then treating patients, training interns, running the AIDS program, and starting the dialysis program.  Janet is a wonderful mom and preschool teacher of their three boys as she has put her medical career on hold for this time.

Rondo is our happy retreat place in the Kakmega Forest.  We loved sharing some time away in September in this peaceful place of beauty with hard-working Peris and her husband John, and our good friend Rita Albertson.

In September the hospital had a farewell for us, and their gifts included these special Maasai outfits.

Just some of our top Tabitha leaders who will carry on the work, this group from the Makimeny celebration.

Cakes, cakes and more cakes!  Such a special way to celebrate.  This goodbye was more difficult, parting ways with hospital support staff that John has been meeting with in Bible study, some of them for 12 years.  Linda had joined them the last 8 years or so, and they are important friends to us.

The rebuilt Sue Steury building was dedicated the end of October, right before we left.

We were glad for all the good help sorting our belongings and packing down household goods to be kept for Julia when she moves to Tenwek later in 2023.

We received a very special visit the day before we left in November. Our late friend Anna's children have been part of our lives since 2006, and they came en masse, with kids and grandkids, to give us a final farewell.  We pray for God to keep working in each of their lives to draw them to himself.

The hardest goodbye for Linda, to friend and co-worker Peris

Just one of the special friends we reunited with in the Democratic Republic of Congo when we visited there in November for the Free Church's  100th anniversary celebration. This is Rev. Gwana, with whom Linda worked closely in the 80's.

By Thanksgiving we were back in Michigan, clebrating with Julia and Joel. SO MANY BLESSINGS for which to thank God!

It was wonderful to be together as a family to help Joel and Susannah celebrate, including a Kenyan-themed rehearsal dinner.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Spriegel!!!!  December 17

We were glad to have Rebecca and Aaron stop overnight after the wedding to celebrate an early Christmas with us. Other celebrations with Julia, and with Joel and Susannah followed later.

Sixteen inches of snow made for a cozy Christmas at home.  Thanks for the welcome back, Michigan!!

When we each chose a favorite ornament this year, Linda chose this little basket.  We are feeling FILLED to overflowing with the loving blessings of God poured out on us.  Yes, thank you, Jesus!