Our week and New Year started off in Nairobi as we were there to drop off our honored guests, Philip and Rose Marie. With visitors to the foreign field being far and few between their visit to Kenya was a real encouragement and blessing to both Terry and I. We received word that they arrived back home safely on schedule without incident and without luggage (again).
Not sure what is going on with Delta but they are batting a thousand in the luggage department.
This first week of the New Year also brought much activity with regard to vehicle repairs and we also completed the fabrication of the trusses for another new sanctuary which we plan to install Wednesday of this week. New Year for me is a time of both reflection and anticipation.
As 2012 came to a close we are able to look back on all the great things God has allowed us to experience by His Amazing Grace.
In that regard, please note the Year End Review and Summary posted on Dec. 31, 2012 which is below....
For Terry and I, it was another great year where we saw hundreds of new converts and continued seeing new and exciting growth in the lives of hundreds of others, most of whom we consider our children in faith. We do not use this term lightly but when we have invested years of teaching, training and mentoring into people whom we have brought to the Lord, we do consider them our children.
During 2012, we taught them God’s Word, we laughed with them in the joy of the Lord, we cried with them as we buried their dead, we rejoiced in the birth of their children and we could be found somewhere in an interior Kenyan village breaking a sweat with them in service to our King. The bonds found in service to Christ go well beyond ordinary relationships and is something that Terry and I will cherish for the rest of our lives and into eternity.
We also want to thank all those who have stood with us both prayerfully and financially. Thank you for celebrating with us when we were on the mountain top and thank you for encouraging us to press forward as well as lifting us up when we were in the valley.
Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
The New Year also brings in a great anticipation of what our great God is going to do in our lives and the lives of thousands of others through His Son, Jesus.
Jesus, the name above all names, the Lily of the Valley and the Bright and Morning Star, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord’s.
This Sunday service gave us a microcosmic glimpse into what we can continue to look forward to.
At the invitation of Pastor Shadrach at the LBC Mawe Tatu, we visited for worship service and to use the
newly constructed baptismal pool.
This Church was our first church plant and is growing both physically and spiritually. Physically speaking, it may have been one of the largest crowds we have ever seen there and it was quit touching to see a line of people stretched out across the village as we walked the short distance to the newly constructed baptismal pool.
Remembering our first meetings in Pastor’s Shadrach’s house with just his family and Terry and I and to see where it has come to today will bring tears to your eyes.
What could be more important than seeing God alive and working in the lives of so many through His precious Son? Full House
Please don’t think that it is all about numbers for us as the great numbers we have seen saved and transformed equate to precious souls whom Jesus gave His life for.
Aside from physical growth, spiritual growth can be seen in the lives of these new converts as they live a separated life unto Christ and also through their service.
This growth is also seen through those who sing solo’s and in the choirs to those who are taking on leadership roles in the church and those who are giving testimonies as well as new young preachers who are answering the call of God on their lives.
One such young man named, Pius, who has only been saved during the last year stood before the congregation on Sunday and read God’s word during the scripture reading.
These are the true success stories that continue to motivate us to keep plowing new ground while returning to water the seeds that have been planted over the last year.
By the way, the new baptismal pool worked very well and it eliminated about two hours of trekking to and from the river. As you look at the pictures, note the faces of the children standing in amazement as the new coverts follow Christ in scriptural baptism.
Pastor Japheth
It is then, we realize that standing there is the future generation that this local New Testament Church will need to reach with the gospel thus handing down the faith to the future God loving, God honoring and God serving Christians.
We look forward to this New Year and how can we not look forward to it with great expectation as we serve a great God who is able to do exceeding and abundantly above that which we are able.
May God bless you in this New Year he has given us to bring him glory!
Not sure what is going on with Delta but they are batting a thousand in the luggage department.
This first week of the New Year also brought much activity with regard to vehicle repairs and we also completed the fabrication of the trusses for another new sanctuary which we plan to install Wednesday of this week. New Year for me is a time of both reflection and anticipation.
As 2012 came to a close we are able to look back on all the great things God has allowed us to experience by His Amazing Grace.
In that regard, please note the Year End Review and Summary posted on Dec. 31, 2012 which is below....
For Terry and I, it was another great year where we saw hundreds of new converts and continued seeing new and exciting growth in the lives of hundreds of others, most of whom we consider our children in faith. We do not use this term lightly but when we have invested years of teaching, training and mentoring into people whom we have brought to the Lord, we do consider them our children.
During 2012, we taught them God’s Word, we laughed with them in the joy of the Lord, we cried with them as we buried their dead, we rejoiced in the birth of their children and we could be found somewhere in an interior Kenyan village breaking a sweat with them in service to our King. The bonds found in service to Christ go well beyond ordinary relationships and is something that Terry and I will cherish for the rest of our lives and into eternity.
We also want to thank all those who have stood with us both prayerfully and financially. Thank you for celebrating with us when we were on the mountain top and thank you for encouraging us to press forward as well as lifting us up when we were in the valley.
Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
The New Year also brings in a great anticipation of what our great God is going to do in our lives and the lives of thousands of others through His Son, Jesus.
Jesus, the name above all names, the Lily of the Valley and the Bright and Morning Star, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord’s.
This Sunday service gave us a microcosmic glimpse into what we can continue to look forward to.
At the invitation of Pastor Shadrach at the LBC Mawe Tatu, we visited for worship service and to use the
newly constructed baptismal pool.
Remembering our first meetings in Pastor’s Shadrach’s house with just his family and Terry and I and to see where it has come to today will bring tears to your eyes.
What could be more important than seeing God alive and working in the lives of so many through His precious Son? Full House
Aside from physical growth, spiritual growth can be seen in the lives of these new converts as they live a separated life unto Christ and also through their service.
This growth is also seen through those who sing solo’s and in the choirs to those who are taking on leadership roles in the church and those who are giving testimonies as well as new young preachers who are answering the call of God on their lives.
One such young man named, Pius, who has only been saved during the last year stood before the congregation on Sunday and read God’s word during the scripture reading.
By the way, the new baptismal pool worked very well and it eliminated about two hours of trekking to and from the river. As you look at the pictures, note the faces of the children standing in amazement as the new coverts follow Christ in scriptural baptism.
Pastor Japheth
Baptism
Baptism
We look forward to this New Year and how can we not look forward to it with great expectation as we serve a great God who is able to do exceeding and abundantly above that which we are able.
May God bless you in this New Year he has given us to bring him glory!
Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda
Kenya/Uganda
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