Build Ye the Sanctuary of the Lord and the Beauty of It All

Build ye the sanctuary of the Lord could easily be the theme of this season of ministry as we  strive to accomplish that which God put in our hearts.    This week we were able to hang the trusses at Landmark Baptist Church at Soysambu which brings us one step closer to a permanent sanctuary for God precious people to meet in.   The men of the church were amazed how everything went together like a giant erector set.  With the exception of Pastor Japheth and Pastor Shadrach most of the men had never worked with steel.

Pastor Japheth

There was a short Bible lesson in all of this construction with regard to counting the cost and preparation which Jesus taught his disciples.

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? 

I explained to them that behind the scenes there is a lot of planning, purchasing, fabricating and a lot of prayer and giving to get to this point.    With that said, we had a great day of fellowship as we labored together for our Lord and Savior.   We enjoy worship services with our Churches but working side by side affords us a unique opportunity to see and know the hearts of our people on a very intimate level.   

This Lord ’s Day we worshiped with the Landmark Baptist Church of Mayanja which is located at the base of Mt. Elgon.   The spirit was sweet and it was great to reconnect with the Church family that has such a special place in our hearts.    We left the worship service with our cups running over as we experience the beauty of it all.

                                             The Beauty of It All

It is easy to get caught up in the task at hand of the ministry as Martha experienced in Luke 10:40 which says that she was cumbered about with much serving.  However, there are times when God’s presence overcomes the tasks involved in service to reveal His great love and grace.    As we worshiped together on Sunday with this group of scripturally baptized believers we could clearly see the beauty of it all.

There was the beauty of God’s people singing praises unto the Lord.  There was the beauty of God’s people hungry for God’s word and the love for Jesus as well as each other.    There was also the beauty of this Church governing it own affairs as they baptize, received members and actually elected a new Pastor from within the men we have trained up. Their former Pastor resigned to start another Church while we were in the USA.

It all indicates a healthy Church family that is obedient to the commands of our Savior and recognizes that all authority of the Church is in Him alone.   In closing, there was the beauty of them showering Terry with gifts at the end of the service.   This is not customary with every Church but for some reason LBC Mayanja has such a special place in their hearts for my dear wife that they want to express that great love for her.   She received a nice laying hen, eggs, bananas and matches.

It seems they have remembered the words of the Lord Jesus who taught His disciples that it is better to give than receive.   Please keep us in your prayers as we press towards the mark of the high calling.    Thank you for the privilege of allowing us to share this journey of faith with you as we try to follow the church planting formula clearly found within the pages of the New Testament. 

God Bless,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing,
                                          and hearing by the Word of God.