The congregation will be asked to approve spending up to $375K for phase 2 of the lower remodel project at a congregational meeting on Sunday, May 5.
(Voting will happen immediately following both the first and second services.)

Our hope is that the remodel would open up our lower level in order to:

• Allow more natural light into the basement.
• Add dining capacity for potlucks.
• Allow groups from our community to use the space during the afternoons and evenings through the week.
• Create more flexible classroom space to accommodate a growing group of children.
• Become more accessible with the addition of an ADA bathroom.
• Enhance Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School’s teaching experience.

Paul and Serena Manickam brought greetings from Pastor Eduardo and Lucy when they visited the Mennonite church in Anolaima, Colombia in March:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Things are going well I created my own rendition of the 12 days of Christmas to recap some of the things from these first four months. The link below should take you to the power point.
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A current Prayer request is that myself and the other two SALTERs are still waiting on our extension visa to come through. We are still okay to be in the country but are limited in travel. The annual MCC retreat is in INDIA this year for our area at the end of February and we're really hoping that we will receive our VISA by then so that we may also be able to go and attend. 

Hope that this season of celebrating our Savior's birth has been a joyous time. With being in a new context this year it has brought to life the nativity story in a whole new way this year. I'm planning on writing about this after celebrating with my host family in the village. 

Azizi Life is a Christian ministry which partners with rural artisans in Rwanda to offer beautiful, fair trade goods to friends around the world.  With the fair wages from their craft, artisans are raising their families from poverty and contributing to the well being of their neighbors and communities.

As Christmas approaches, we have an opportunity to purchase gifts which not only contribute to the victory of Rwandan artisans, but also share with each recipient our values of justice, love and hope in the name of Jesus.

Our guest, Christi Whitekettle, has been serving and learning from the artisans in Rwanda for the past 11 years.  Christi's role is to serve as a bridge between the Azizi Life team in Rwanda and their global connections, facilitating custom design and the growth of Azizi Life in the US.  Feel free to bring all your questions about the joys and challenges of life in Rwanda and about the kingdom value of missionary-entrepreneurship!

Look for The AZZI LIFE table in the lower level this coming Sunday!