Macedonia Mission Team Week One

          Mac Team from California in the Rift Valley

A group of eleven traveled over ten thousand miles from California for a short term mission trip this week to work with Terry and I here in Kenya. This was their first mission trip to Africa, so it has been so fun to watch and listen to their first impressions. It brought back many great memories of our first trip to Kenya in 2006. They were in awe of the stunning beauty of Kenya as we traveled across the country with stops to overlook the Rift Valley and at the equator. After settling them into their lodging we immediately shuttled out to their first opportunity to fellowship with our brethren at Landmark Baptist Church of Mawe Tatu/Nzoia and to introduce them to village life and culture.

To their credit, they have gracefully adapted to the food, the chai, the dust and dirt.         Tea Time Village Style

It was clearly apparent from their testimonies on their first night in country (many with tears rolling down their cheeks) that God led them here and that He is going to do a great work in their lives as they touch the lives of the people we work with.             Prayers for Children

Within the first week we have done a women’s seminar, village evangelism, vacation Bible School, Sunday service and Baptisms. The ladies did character studies and then Terry presented the ladies of LBC Mawe Tatu with a new wood burning oven.

After teaching them how to bake her famous banana bread and corn bread the ladies of the Church cooked the group banana bread for breakfast the next morning and it was great.          Terry Teaching Baking

While the ladies had their seminar we took the men to the neighboring village of Soysambu to do house to house evangelism.         Evangelism Team

There were twenty four villagers who professed Christ and the men were able to experience Kenyan culture in a very up close and personal way as we shared the gospel and spent time in the people’s homes.

The next day we hosted close to five hundred Children for Vacation Bible School.

In addition to games, songs, puppets and prizes, the children received a gospel message through using the wordless book/witness bracelets.

The group did a great job of sharing the love of Christ and for sure our brethren know they love them. Only eternity will reveal the full impact of this great work, but what we do know is that hundreds of seeds were planted and watered this last week.            Cole Evangelism

It has been great for Terry and I to sit back and listen to all of the first impressions of things that we no longer think are strange, however, one of the most memorable moments involved one of our visiting Pastors who was absolutely moved when he saw the thousands of fingerprints in the mud walls at the LMBC at Mawe Tatu where many people who got their hands dirty to help build the sanctuary. Our two visiting Pastors will have no shortage of sermon illustrations in the coming months. Yesterday was a great day of singing, teachings, preaching and baptisms.

                               Pastor Brian Baptizing

Teaching Songs

There were twenty eight who followed the Lord in scriptural baptism yesterday. After the baptisms and a season of prayer for young children, Pastor Brian Langley got the shock of his life when he was presented with four live chickens.  

The look on his face was priceless, so I came and rescued him

from what was obviously an uncomfortable position to be in but a huge blessing!       Pastor Brian                           

Pastor Russ

Bro. Kevin

These are small reminders of the many areas of culture adaptation that Terry and I have gone through over the last few years that are totally natural to us now. 

               Parachute Game at Mawe Tatu/Nzoia

Smiles of Happiness

We thank God for sending these fine folks half way around the world to serve and worship with us as we know this is going to be a life changing experience. While the team is holding up very well we need your continued prayers as the hardest part of the trip is yet to come.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life as we travel this journey of faith. May Jesus be exalted above all other names!

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya

Phil. 4:13