Pastors/Preachers Seminar, Pneumatology & I Love You

Pastors/Preachers Seminar, Pneumatology & I Love You

 Since I have updated the construction of the sanctuaries over the last few weeks I will not elaborate on this week’s progress.  However, it is safe to assume that continued efforts are going on well and we are preparing for dedication services at the LBC of Mawe Tatu within the next two weeks.   The highlight of this week was the two day Pastors/Preachers seminar we held in the Mt. Elgon Region.  Kitchen Crew

There were twenty-six Men of God that attended the seminar from three different regions of the country, all of which we have put much effort into over the last couple of years.  Preachers & Pastors

Those regions include:  the Mt. Elgon region, the Pokot region and the Lake Victoria Region.   Tea Time....

What continues to bless my heart is not only the size and depth of the work God is doing in our ministry by calling Men of God to preach but also their level of dedication.   What started in 2008 as a team of three preachers including myself has grown to over thirty in less than three years.   While we do help these men with their transportation costs to the seminar it is important to remember that we do not pay or compensate these men in any shape or form and there has been no financial gain.  They are simply Men of God surrendering to God’s call on their life.   Everyone of these men without exception are bi-vocational preachers that are fishermen, farmers, herdsmen or are some type of skilled tradesmen like carpenters or welder/fabricators.   This is the first time for the new men from the Lake Victoria and Pokot region to meet the other preachers. 
                         Pokot Team 

Needless to say, they were amazed as we all are by the size of the team God has assembled to preach His word here in Kenya.    Wichlum Team

We spent the first day teaching on their calling, commission and message as a preacher of the gospel.   The second day I taught on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit which included the person, the names, the nature and the work of the Holy Spirit.
                  Teaching Time

It was a very powerful seminar that I believe made a huge impact on all of us who attended but was especially beneficial to the newly surrendered preachers.  The fellowship was sweet and the feedback was very positive.  As a teacher I am constantly monitoring the feedback given by the men to see what they have learned during the course of the seminar to evaluate the lessons as well as the teacher.   One of the comments I received from one of the newly surrendered preachers from the Landmark Baptist Church of Myanja absolutely blew me away.   After two days of intense teaching, Chester came up to me at the end of the seminar and said, “I love you and I will never forget you”.

Many have said they appreciate the lessons and have learned a lot but in almost three years of working closely with these men I have never had one of them tell me he loves me.   It really touched my heart because this is something that is not expressed in this culture.  It reminded me of an occasion about seven years ago when one of our bus kids in Brooksville, Florida named Peyton told me he loved me while we were visiting his home on a Saturday morning.   It is one of those moments frozen in time when God gives you something along the path of service that reminds you that any sacrifices made are well worth it because you are making a difference in someone’s life.   I count it a high privilege to be able to teach these men of God the things that I have been taught over the years and to see them grow in their faith and knowledge of the Lord. That is a reward beyond comparison.                     Departure.....

Please continue to lift these men of God up in prayer as they preach God’s Word.

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya

Journal Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

...Work In Progress, Aloe Vera In Asilong & Pokot Tent Raised...

God’s work here in Kenya continues to move forward one step at a time. Sometimes those steps are baby steps, sometimes they are great strides but praise the Lord we are moving forward and not backwards. We are able to see the progress one soul at a time, one maturing saint at a time, one building at a time and one village at a time. If we only make a difference in the life of one person by bringing them to Christ it would still be a cause well worth living and dying for. The physical progress by way of building sanctuaries is consuming much of our time.  

   Mawe Tau Construction...A Work In Progress

Two out of the three sanctuaries under construction are nearing completion.

   Pastor Shadrach ....Mawe Tau Construction

While we provide key components: windows, doors & tin for roofing, it is very much a joint venture. The congregation does more than their share of carrying the construction burden by cutting trees and actually physically erecting the structure. We dare not rob them of an opportunity to put their faith into action by their works. We also managed to travel to Pokot for two days to continue moving forward with the work there. The spiritual progress is clearly being seen in the village of Chepsibei through the lives of the new believers.

Imagine people who were living in total darkness who are now children of God, praising the Lord and giving their love and lives to Him. While the new believers of Chepsabei are like  all of us, a work in progress, they are growing in their faith and love for the Lord in leaps and bounds.

We spent two days teaching and preaching the Word of God to people who can best be described as spiritual sponges.

An amazing transformation is taking place before our very eyes in the lives of these believers. In addition to teaching and training we were able to take a trip to the neighboring Pokot village of Asilong to preach the gospel.

This village is located within one kilometer of the Uganda border. The evangelism team was made of six of our preachers from the Mt. Elgon region and two young Pokot translators from Chepsibei.      Audio Bibles

Each time I set foot inside a village that has never had a missionary or gospel preacher visit there I am humbled that God would call me to proclaim His word there and that He is using us to deliver the most important news that they will ever hear. There is so many dynamics at work here that it is hard to fathom.

This hot semi-arid region is a field that is truly white already to harvest. There were many who received Christ that day which is the greatest work but there is also a work in progress in the lives of the young preachers and translators as they continue to develop their skills as fishers of men.   

This trip also afforded the unique opportunity to teach and train these young men of God on a very close and personal basis. They really opened up during the morning and evening devotions with questions that they have about the Bible or about things they are experiencing in their own lives and ministry.

It also affords them the opportunity to work with other tribes and cultures within their own country. Every time they go to Pokot they leave seeing how blessed they are to live in the bread basket of Kenya. One unique occupation in the village of Asilong was the processing of Aloe Vera. The plant grows wild in this village and we were able to see them boiling it.                         Aloe Vera Boiling 

The finale of our trip was the assembling of the pews and the raising of the tent in Chepsibei.          Tent Supplies

Thank you to those who have given a special offering to the Lord’s work in purchasing two tents for this purpose.  

                                       Pew Construction

   It is another step of progress in the work at Chepsabei.

Going Up!

The testimonies praising the Lord for providing what is a portable canopy and some benches for them to assemble and worship under were truly heart moving.

                          Sitting on Benches under Tent...

The foundation is being laid one person at a time, one building at a time and one village at a time.

Teaching

Praying

On a personal note: special birthday wishes went out this week to a special person, the love of my life, Terry.  

Birthdays are not quite the same without family but we have each other and we thank the Lord for that. We covet your continued prayers.

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez, Kenya

Journal Blog:missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

The Shop Part II, Building the House of the Lord & 23 Baptized

Muddy Roads

New shocks, tie rods ends and trailing arm bushings were all on the order of the day for the truck this week. The new shocks have made a great difference in the ride and more importantly to our backs. Next week we will add two extra shocks on the rear axle and replace the coil springs which have totally collapse from the daily pounding of the roads and trails we travel on a daily basis.

Next to our Bible, A dependable vehicle is one of our greatest ministry assets so we have had to rethink our approach to preventive maintenance.

With one sanctuary nearing completion on top of Mt. Elgon and another beginning at Mawe Tatu (3 Stones) we are busy processing wood, delivering windows, doors and roofing materials. By far, the most difficult sanctuary to build is the Landmark Baptist Church of Kipsigon which is located atop Mt. Elgon.

Cutting and processing the wood on the mountain was hard enough but getting a particular type of sand and stones up the mountain on a road that is extremely steep, muddy, rocky and washed out is where the challenge lies. Two of the seven loads had to be unloaded and reloaded because the truck hauling materials was unable to make it or broke down. 

                                             Broke Truck

The LBC Kipsigon has taken the longest to construct due to these difficult working conditions but is nearing completion. It is also going to be one of the strongest churches as a result of being made primarily of stones.

Unloading Stones

Walls of Stone

Stone Walls Progress

Nearing Completion

Last week we did evangelism in the village of Namarambi. This week we saw the fruit of those labors when we baptized twenty three new believers in a cold rushing river.  

It is always special to observe this ordinance and witness one of the first and most essential steps of obedience unto righteousness by these new believers. As we baptized on Sunday my mind and heart was continually drawn back to the Jordon River where our Lord and Savior was baptized by the John the Baptist. We believe, we follow and we obey. There is great joy that comes from knowing the union with Christ that has taken place as these young Christians start walking in the newness of life. While much of the joy comes from knowing that those who trust Christ will have an eternal home not made with hands but equally as much as knowing that they can have a daily personal relationship with almighty God through their Lord and Savior. I cannot think of anything more precious and priceless than to have a close personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  

John reveals his heart for those whom he had led to Christ and were walking in the truth.

3 Jn 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Baptism also reminds us of the awesome responsibility we have to help ground these young believers in their new faith so not only will they become doctrinally sound but that they will also grow and mature into children of God that honor the Lord with their very lives. Our commitment to disciple these babes in Christ goes well beyond their salvation and baptism. Please pray for them as they start their new walk and please pray that God will continue to give us the wisdom, love and power to help them become mighty men and women of God. 

God Speed,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez Journal Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

Kenya, East Africa

2Th 2:15 "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."

The Shop, Making Fishers of Men & Old Friends

Long Muddy Day.....

Much of this week (3 days) has been spent with the Land Rover in the shop. Brakes, fuel lines, locks and a hole in the intake were all on the list of needed repairs in what has become a weekly pilgrimage to the repair shop. There are many times that I will make the needed repairs myself but this week I believe my time was better spent tending to ministry needs rather than being greased up under the hood of the truck. Besides, the men that work on the Rover are part of my weekly Eldoret Bible fellowship and are very good mechanics. Parts for this English built truck can be hard to get and rather expensive but considering the pounding the truck takes on Kenyan roads, trails and paths, even at nearly twenty years old the Land Rover has been pretty dependable. The men that attend our weekly Eldoret Bible study are really growing in the Lord.

It was pretty awesome to see these men have special prayer over the young man named Kennedy who has surrendered to the ministry and has traveled this week to a fishing village near Lake Victoria to lead and train a group of new believers there. Please pray for him as he follows God’s leading to carry the gospel to his tribe. When we got the Rover out of the shop we traveled back to Mt. Elgon for evangelism in a village called Namarambi. God was really watching over us on this trip as there was a tanker hauling gasoline that rolled over in front of us blocking the road. The driver was unhurt but thousands of gallons of fuel were pouring onto the road and into the ditches where locals were trying to scoop it up with everything from plastic bags to milk cartoons. We decided to make haste and get away from the tanker as fast as possible due to the fact that over one hundred and fifty people were killed last year when a tanker rolled over and ignited killing all those within the immediate area. It was the first time I have ever driven through a river of gasoline to get away from danger. God answered our prayers and gave us traveling mercy once again. 

Coming alongside the new Churches for evangelism continues to be a high priority of our ministry.

I think the old Preacher, William Sanster said it best when he said,

“On his way to preach the gospel the most modest man may whisper to himself, 'Nothing more important will happen in this town this week than the work I am about to do.' ”

God is not willing that any should perish but I often wonder if we have the same kind of will. While you cannot put a price on the value of a soul we are increasingly seeing the bigger picture of our ministry and that is training the people to do evangelism. There were over thirty of our brethren that came out for evangelism. You know that God is really moving in the hearts of His people when you can get thirty Christians to get out and share the love of God through the gospel.

Part of the Team

 

In heaven they say: "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever! Amen!"   Terry led a team of four women that had a great day in the village.

One More Soul

 

These women have never had another woman to personally teach them how to live the Christian life and serve the Lord. They continually tell me how much they love her and what a difference she is making in their lives. My personal ministry is blessed and compounded tenfold because God has given me a help met that is able to mentor and teach the ladies and children.

Celina Believes

 

I led a team of seven who listened and watched intently as we taught them how to become fishers of men. Great Christians over the years have invested in our lives and taught us how to become fishers of men and now we are simply committing to faithful men the things that we have been taught, who shall be able to teach others. Many professed Christ and also made commitments to follow Jesus in scriptural baptism next week. One of the members of our evangelism team was a young Turkana Pastor named Steven Lobolia Echom who was visiting Western Kenya.

 Steven Lobolia & Pastor Peter

We met Steven in 2006 during our survey trip. His heart for the Lord and the lost made an immediate impact on us. God is using him to do a great work in an area near Lake Turkana and it was a real pleasure to spend some quality time with him while serving the Lord together again. Thank you for your continued prayers as we feel them and see them being answered on a daily basis.

In His Service,

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

Phil. 4:13

Journal Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

Three Stones Evangelism, Construction & Sunday Services

Local Directions  along the way for Evangelism Team

Last week was one of those weeks was when you look back and see that much was accomplished but you are left trying to catch your breath and wondering where it all went to. While it feels like it was a blink of an eye we are thankful most of what was accomplished has great eternal significance.
To start with, in addition to our regular ministry responsibilities we have returned to school for our third term of Swahili with our teacher Wycliffe. We have been blessed with a teacher who has been teaching Americans and Europeans Swahili for over twenty years. There is a vast difference between conversational Swahili and biblical terminology, and given the fact that the majority of our ministry involves communication we want to be as effective as possible for God’s honor and glory. The investment of time in language studies will help push us to the next level which is beyond the conversational realm. We have come a long way and we receive high marks from our Kenyan brethren but we know we need to go further. Our work this week also brought us back to the interior village known as Mawe Tatu or Three Stones with Pastor Shadrach for evangelism.
                                   Evangelism Team

There were nineteen folks that showed up to share the love of God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a blessing for Terry and me to come along side of our brethren who have a burden to reach their lost family members and neighbors.      Terry's Team

Our team of soul winning gospel preaching members is growing with each passing week. 

We hiked down muddy trails passing through corn fields, over creeks and hills to bring the good news of the gospel to those who have never heard.
Rom 10:14 "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? "
There were thirteen precious souls who made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus and were added to the book of life.
My team shared the gospel with a Mama and her four sons who were repairing a washout with large stones on the trail in front of their home.

The Mama said she had received Christ some time ago and has been praying for her sons to be saved. God answered her prayer on that trail as each one of her sons received Christ as their Savior.   Praying Mother and Answer+++

Not only was there great joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth but there was also great joy in that faithful mother when the burden of her sons salvation was lifted. The blessed part of obedience is that you never know how God is going to use you to answer others prayers until you obey. Lest you think people are making professions of faith based upon our race, Terry and I are not there to be out front and the lone soul winners but rather to train and to support the Churches efforts to fulfill the great commission. Our Kenyan brethren are far more effective and are winning many more to Christ and for that we say, “praise the Lord!” for that is the ultimate fulfillment of our calling. 
                                         Timbers for Trusses

In addition to evangelism, this week the trees for building the new sanctuary have been cut and transported to the Pastors house for processing. I am not sure I can adequately describe how labor intensive this work is being armed with only a chain saw and an ox cart.
                        Timbers for Posts

You cannot call Lowes or Home Depot here and have the wood delivered to your plot. The Pastor and the members of this church definitely have a will to work for the Lord. Pillars should go up this week and trusses the next.

There is such an excitement in the air over what God is doing in this church and village. Sunday services were under the tent at a village called Mayanja which is located at the base of Mt.Elgon. Now when I say at the base, I mean it is literally located at the base and even during the service you can catch yourself gazing upon God’s creation and the beauty of the peak of this mountain where much of our work has taken us. This was our first visit back to this new church plant since we left for furlough. Being deeply involved in this church plant from the initial evangelism visits I can’t help but to evaluate the work there after what has been one year now. It does our hearts good to see the Landmark Baptist Church at Mayanja growing in so many ways. For example, we find members who have been saved and baptized over the last year still faithful. I know that should not be anything out of the ordinary but during an age of worldwide apathy it is a victory in itself. We also find the church family in unity and harmony as they work together as a New Testament Church.
                                        Youth Choir

This provides an environment where new converts are being added to the church regularly. There are also four new preachers who have been called and are currently being educated and trained.
                                                Youth Drama

Finally, the young Pastor Nixon has withstood many personal trials over the last year. I do not have liberty to publish what they are but what needs to be said is that while Satan has unleashed an onslaught of attacks on this young man of God he has stood and been found faithful. His faithfulness has been blessed by God and the members of his church love him as they can clearly see what his faith is made of. There is so much more taking place in our lives on a daily basis but I try to keep my journal blog as brief and pointed as possible while trying to recapture a glimpse into the work God has called us to do. We covet your continue prayers.

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya

Phil. 4:13

Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com