O where o where have the kelleys gone...........

Yes I know we need to do better on keeping this blog up. I wait for Bill to blog so I can blog or the other way around and it doesn't get done.

We had a great Thanksgiving, Bill was determined that we were going to have turkey, so I told him if he wanted turkey than he would need to find one. To make a long story short, he left the house at about 11 in the morning and didn't return till about 3 in the afternoon. He had gone to 2 to 3 different parts of town and then ended up traveling 30 kilometers out of town where his tutor found his brother in law who happened to have two turkeys to sell. So Bill got them, traveled back into town, got them butchered and brought them home. Unfortunately for me he forgot to tell them to cut off the head and gut the things. It was a messy job to get them ready to cook, I cooked one of them the night before thanksgiving just to see how long it would take. People told me they were good turkeys, but I didn't have the heart to eat something that still had eyes looking at me before I cooked it.

We had 40 some people for Thanksgiving. 1/2 of them were kids and half the kids where under the age of 10. We had a great time.

Other activities we have been up too.

We hosted 3 children 6 and under so their parents could have a special anniversary out go visit some special places. Faith said it gave her an all new appreciation for young moms over here. We had a lot of fun.

We hosted a get together for the English School Amacitia. The secretary is leaving to go the Spain to get married and live, she had been with the school since it began, we had a mix of North Africans, French, Americans, British and Spanish people in our home. It was a lot of hard work, but Bill and I enjoyed serving our friends in the Lord.

We have been to the old city many times to visit our friends there. We will be going again tonight. They are wanting to send some things back to their family in the Oregon and so Marissa and Jessica will be delivering those gifts for them.

The international church is getting ready for it's annual Christmas program. I was put in charge of making 38 to 40 angel costumes. You can be proud of me mom, I delegated instead of doing it all myself.

Well need to go.

As soon as we have pictures ready to down load for these events and the internet is working correctly, we will update this email

Visitors, friends and more

This month has started out well, The small kitten, boots, that Faith got while I was in the states is growing and full of life. He has decided that whatever moves is fair game for attacking.


One other person in our home who really enjoyed Boots was a young swiss woman who is looking at various children's therapy centers around North Africa to see which one God is leading her too. She spent about a week with us off and on, in and out. Keep her in your prayers.


Last night we had a surprise birthday party for one of Faith's friends who was turning 15, she wasn't going to have a party this year. She was surprised. The whole youth group was here, plus a few families, it was a good time of fellowship.

Firm Foundations update

Last week we had nine paying students, up from four the previous week. We have one primary school that is willing to host an "English Club" an a lead on another. The out look is improving, slowly but surely. This morning during our weekly business meeting, Phil and I to challenged each other to accentuate the positive in our prayers and thoughts about the business for the coming week.

Tarik, Tarik, Tarik

Warning, if you don't believe in answered prayer, skip this post.

Last month our church had an all night prayer session during the "Night of Power" the most significant night during Ramadan. Muslims throughout the world pray during this night seeking from God. Monica, my partner's wife prayed that God would reveal to her in a dream some direction for the coming year. And He did.

"Tarik, Tark, Tarik: you are chosen". What does it mean? Hmmm. Well Tarik is the name of the new neighborhood they have moved to. Tarik is the name of our apartment building, and Tarik is the name of the computer technician where we teach English. Coincidence? My feeling is if you are bold enough to ask God for direction, and He gives it to you, then you better follow through if you want want him to follow up!

What Comes Around Goes Around, and Around...

Ah, the joys of French influenced bureaucracy. Next time you grumble about government red tape, stop a moment and remember the following story:

Tim lives an hour and half south of us, where he and his wife direct a pregnancy crisis center (the Friends women's 2007 project). He came to town to pick up a car part and dropped by to have lunch with us. After some small talk about family, I asked about the project. He chuckled and mentioned that this week they had made remarkable progress.

The first submitted their paperwork to the local pasha in March. He was asked to return in June. In June he referred to the wali (regional authority). When he was able to make a appointment a few months later the Regional office refused to even look at his paperwork which he had so carefully collected. Instead, he was told that he needed other paperwork. Finally Tim consulted an attorney who is a believer. The attorney's advice? You have everything you need. wait a week and take the paperwork back in.

Next week, Tim returned with the same paperwork in a different colored folder. The wali was very pleased with the "new" paper work and told Tim he would send it on to the proper authority which was - you guessed it: the local pasha!

Lost Cousin = Golden Opportunity?

The other day while I (Bill) was visiting with Lauwrens (LOW-rinse), our local pastor he mentioned something in passing that hit me between the eyes. We were discussing how the International Church could participate more in the World Festival of Sacred Music held every June in our city. "I've been thinking about asking (an international drama ministry) to come during that time.

It so happens that my cousin, (whom I have not seen in 30 years), is a long time member of the European troupe! So I set the wheels in motion thru friends of friends to try to contact him to see if they might be available to visit this summer. Sorry it took so long, Aunt Naomi!

Firm Foundations

So far we have about 3-5 showing up for classes. This is far below we we need to keep going. Phil and Bill meet weekly to discuss business matters. Working with this school is strengthening our relationship with the owner, but we also need to meet expenses. We have tried to keep it going but we need positive cash flow soon or we may have to consider other options, like the ones mentioned below.