We were blown away by the creativity of our Creator while we were in Africa a month ago! We saw the wonders of his love everywhere we looked, and we can be sure that Heaven will be better than the best of earth... and without sin! Wow!
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The only snow we saw in Africa was
atop Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest
mountain on earth that is not a part
of a mountain range. |
On the first Sunday of Advent our service was canceled by the threat of snow, sleet and freezing rain. I told one of our friends we made in Africa, and he texted, "Snow 🤔🤔."
Our church gathered via conference call to share praise and prayer and hear
Pastor Jim Warren share briefly on the Christmas Season. Because of the poor audio quality we didn't record it, as
we usually do, but now I wish I would have. Pastor Jim made a keen observation: Just before Jesus was born the world was yearning for the Messiah to come. So many missed Him because they were looking for what they wanted Him to be. Now we who know Him are eagerly awaiting the return of the Messiah to deliver us from the mess we've made. Just as He came as a Babe in a manger, He will assuredly return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Be ready to worship Him!Serving Him has taken us far and wide this year. I've been able to teach and perform in 15 states, Kenya and Tanzania, and Joyce joined me in leading seven chapel services at Africa Nazarene University in Kenya.
Here are some highlights:
JanuaryJoyce and I worked on the short film "
Reflection," produced and directed by alumni of the
Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp, where Rich teaches and coaches each summer. Later that month Rich performed the role of Elijah for
an Airship Genesis episode.
FebruaryRich performed
I Dreamed I Was Free at the Westfield Friends School, where he also visited classrooms as John Woolman, the Quaker abolitionist featured in the play.
MarchRich read Scripture and led hymns at the Memorial Service of
Roger Nelson in Pasadena, CA. Roger was one of Rich's mentors and colleagues in one-man plays.
April Rich recorded the voice of John the Baptist for
Airship Genesis Mobile Game.
MayRich played John the Apostle in the Off-Broadway production of
Revelation. He shared the role with Jonathan Blair, who played Jesus in the Sight and Sound production of
Jesus, which we enjoyed with one of our greatest supporters over the decades, Cindy Sebring.
JuneRich taught and coached at the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp. He also played the father in this year's short film, "
Loneliness."
JulyRich performed in two short films ("
The Ledger" and "
Mine") in Canada near Calgary. They were produced by an alumnus of the
Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp.
AugustSeveral bookings linked together, along with a trip with Rich's parents, which set up episodes of
Treasure Seekers between Denver and Rhinebeck, NY.
SeptemberRich played Alan in the feature film
Second Chances in Northern Idaho. Then Rich taught an Actors Bootcamp and performed at
Content 19 Film Festival and Media Summit in Fort Worth, TX.
OctoberRich performed and taught at the
Hollywood Divine International Film Festival, near Harrisburg, PA. Then Joyce and Rich led seven chapel services at the two campuses of Africa Nazarene University in late October and early November. You can watch two of those chapels at
www.RichDrama.com/Africa.
NovemberWe went on safari in Tanzania, where we filmed several episodes of
Treasure Seekers. We'll be posting more photos at
www.RichDrama.com/Africa.
DecemberJoyce and I portrayed Elizabeth and Zechariah in
Dennis Cole's "Unlikely People" at
three events.
Praying the warmth of the Son shines on you throughout this Holy Season.
I Dreamed I Was Free tells the story of Quaker abolitionist John Woolman, who spoke against slavery a century before our Civil War.
I play a lead in Providence, which you can bring to your area.
