School and Saying Good-bye

We have completed another week of school and it is hard to believe we have almost finished six months of language schooling with only one more week left. PTL!!
With Terry feeling under the weather we stayed local in Eldoret this week.
We made more progress on printing and distributing a Bible study program to some of the folks we are working with and actually had material translated into Swahili by our language teacher Wycliffe.
Since next week will be our last week with Wycliffe, we are looking to use him to help translate some more Bible study material for students and Pastors who are wanting to continue their education. Again ,none of the materials are intended to take the place of seminary training but instead intended to help those that have a desire to learn and cannot attend a seminary. This week we also said goodbye to a couple of young folks that the Lord has brought our way. The first one was a young lady named Sarah who is a housekeeper at the mansion that we live next door to in their guesthouse. Sarah has become friends with Terry over the last six months. During that time Terry lead her to Christ, we baptized her at Mawe Tatu (3 Stones) and Terry has been mentoring her as well.

She has decided to return to her village to help her parents with their family farm. Sarah always has a smile on her face and she was so happy to be saved and start her new walk as a Christian. She will be missed here in Eldoret but we know we will see her again one day if not here in heaven.

The other person we said goodbye this week to was young man named Geoffrey. He is the brother- in -law to our landlord Noah Ngeny who is the Olympic Gold Medalist and current world record holder in the 1500m. Geoffrey showed up at our compound while waiting to leave for the USA.
He introduced himself as a born again believer who was going to the USA on a four year track scholarship to the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff.
He said he knew nothing about the USA and did not know anyone but his track coach.
After discussing his spiritual condition I told him I knew of a Pastor in Pine Bluff that would welcome him to his Church. The Pastor is Roger Stewart of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansans who we met on our deputation tour.
To make a long story short I put the two in touch with each other.
Bro. Roger was so glad that Geoffrey was coming to America for the first time and was willing to meet him, bring him to Church and become his friend.
Geoffrey could not believe he already had a Church home and Pastor waiting for him.
He was so grateful to have someone in America that would look out for his Spiritual welfare.
I asked Pastor Roger, What are the chances of me meeting a young Kenyan National that would be traveling to Pine Bluff, Arkansas looking for a good Church?
I have to agree with Bro. Roger that it is surely a “God Thing”.
Late last night I received an email from Bro. Roger who said that they were so pleased to have Geoffrey attend church with them and feed him his first Big Mac and Pizza.
Please pray for Geoffrey as he adjusts to the Land of Opportunity and for Bro. Roger as he teaches and disciples Geoffrey. I am looking forward to hearing of the great things that God is going to do through this relationship which was started thousands of miles away. Thank you for the many prayers and for allowing us to be a part of your life.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa
PS: Terry sends a sincere thank you for all that made her birthday special with cards, emails and calls