Remembering Fallen Hero’s, Pieces of the Puzzle & Nairobi

Flanders Field

Waregem, Belgium

In Flanders Fields
by:John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.Waregem, Belgium

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Living abroad produces a strange paradox in the life of a Missionary.

On one hand, you do all you can do to assimilate with the land and people God has called you to, while on the other hand you are constantly trying to keep your personal identity of the country and culture where you were birthed and raise by the grace of God. Even though we are 8000 miles away, Memorial Day still has a profound effect on those of us that live abroad as a special day of remembrance for those who have died in our nations service. There are several things that are very personal about this day of remembrance for us. Both Terry and I were raised in military families who have fathers who served our country with long distinguished and decorated careers which included combat in Viet Nam.  

Terry’s father, Jesus Delgado Borja served three tours of combat as a Green Beret in the jungles of Viet Nam and was a war hero in the truest sense of the word.

While Jesse, as we affectionately called him has gone home to be with the Lord, we remember his service and the many men who gave their lives while serving with him.

My father, Carlos Manuel Fernandez Sr. who is a retired Lt. Colonel and a real war hero also served two tours of duty in the jungles of Viet Nam and was highly decorated for his service in the U.S. Army.

During his two tours of duty I know my father lost many friends who were part of the band of brothers as well.

I record this piece of family heritage to let you know that we have a deep personal and family connection to many who have given their lives for our country so that we have the freedom to do what we are doing today by preaching the gospel at home and abroad. From the earliest days of courtship, as a teenager, I can remember Terry serving at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina and the visor of her car being covered with Poppy flowers.

Memorial Day is even more special when you live in a country that does not have a rich history of having soldiers who are willing to sacrifice their life for other people. Only within the last year has Kenya started to identify with this type of sacrifice by sending their troops into Somalia to combat the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, but only long after American troops where giving their very lives in the streets of Mogadishu.

Fallen but not forgotten by this Missionary and his wife.

This week was spent getting all the pieces to the puzzle together for the construction at the Landmark Baptist Church of Mayanja which is located at the base of Mt. Elgon.

                                    Chris & Missionary Chuck

New Doors

                                           Loading Doors                                    

Posts

I am thankful that the men who fabricate the steel posts, trusses, doors and windows are all men who we have discipled through our Eldoret Bible Study, however, with that said they are still Kenyan’s who work at a snail’s pace.  

                                             Sebastain

Given the fact that every piece is handmade I give them a lot of grace and have also used this as yet another opportunity to teach the preachers we work with the value in planning projects and scheduling well in advance.  

Organizational skills and stewardship are somewhat lacking in African culture but nevertheless it is a topic that Jesus taught His disciples on as well.

Luke 14:28..." For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"

In addition to the assembling construction materials, we have traveled to the capitol city of Nairobi this week to pick up supplies.

We thank you for your prayers and support and asked you to continue to pray for us as we seek to do God’s will in all that we do.

                                                New Sign Lake Victoria

God Bless,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya