School, Seminar, Mayanja Evangelism & 3 Stones

 

This week has been somewhat of blur. However fast the pace God has been so good to us and we have experienced His presence in many ways each day. We have completed our first three days of a more advanced language study this week with our teacher Wycliffe. This second round of language training is more in depth and will better enable us to communicate God’s Word to His people. We have found out this week by being totally immersed in the culture it is already paying big dividends.

In addition to language training I resumed the Eldoret Bible Study and Outreach with the men God has placed in my path and put on my heart.                                             Vincent and I

Our study was truly a blessing and I was encouraged to see that not only those who started attending last year were still faithful but there were many new comers that I had the opportunity to share the gospel with. During the study a young man named Vincent gave a testimony that really touched my heart. He told of how thankful he was that he received Christ through the Bible study and how his life has been totally transformed since that day. Before I left for the USA in January, Vincent was homeless, had no clothes and not even a blanket. Terry and I provided some clothes and a blanket.
Upon my return he has found employment as a photographer and has new clothes and a new place to live. He praises the Lord for turning his life around and knows what it means to have God’s favor in his life.
                                                                                                           Fundis

             At the close of the Bible study I was able to hand out safety glasses which were given by Dean Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Alma, Arkansas. For men that work primarily with steel and have never owned a pair of safety glasses in their life this was a real blessing.

I’m not sure how, but we also managed to attend a three day seminar Pastor Shadrach invited me to teach at Mawe Tatu (3 Stones).

This seminar marked a step of maturity for the Church as many of the members of this new work have never been to one. Not only was it well attended by three of the five churches we are currently working with
but there were also many of
Pastor Shadrach’s neighbors who attended.
Many of them visited the Church for the first as a result of the seminar. From the testimonies, most wanted the seminar to go on for a week. I can’t help but to think of the stark contrast to our great country where you have a revival or campaign and people are barely able to fit a couple of days in their busy schedule. Here in Kenya the people are starving for the teachings from God’s Word.

Yesterday we traveled to a new village located at the south end of Mt. Elgon to do evangelism. The village is called Mayanja and is at very low elevation compared to the works at the top of the mountain we began last year. We met with a young man who is a friend of Pastor Peter named Nixon.
Nixon has a burden for this village and has started a weekly Bible Study for those who get saved through the evangelism efforts. It seems as though God has added another young man to our team who wants to reach people for Christ. While we praise the Lord for the fourteen who professed Christ as Savior the people seem to be less open to the gospel than those on top of the mountain who have experienced so much tragedy. As we went house to house (Acts 20:20) there were two meetings that really made an impact on me.
Pastor Peter is pretty much my guaranteed visitation partner as our hearts are so much alike in our service and in devotion to God. We have become so close that we are virtually inseparable.
I thank God regularly for allowing me to serve with a man who is truly a man of God and from what I have seen is for sure the cream of the crop. As we approached a large compound it was apparent to me that there was something different. Pastor said to just go in and pray because it was a house that made liquor. There were around ten people present who were drinking. We prayed and as we headed to the door they asked me to share God’s Word with them. Now I learned a long time ago that you cannot witness to a drunk but it was still early in the morning and they did not appear drunk, well except one. I opened my Bible and with God’s help I preached through much of John chapt. 1-3. It was one of those moments where you knew God was doing something through the power of His Spirit. While there was no professions or decisions made both Pastor Pete and I left there knowing that God’s Word was proclaimed and did not return void. I told Pastor that after that sermon the next drop of liquor was going to be so bitter compared to the presence of God. We pray for those folks and know that but for the grace of God go I. The Other meeting which was so special was when Terry and Mary visited the house of the village Elder. He said he was hoping that someone would bring a Church to his village one day and that he believed that God had brought us there. These types of meetings continue to strengthen our faith. It was also a blessing to have Pastor Alex come down from the top of Mt. Elgon to add in the evangelism at Mayanja. He is possibly the most humble man I have ever met.

                                                                                                    Distributing Coloring Books

On a final note: through all of our activities this week we have been able to distribute many of the items we transported on our return trip which were given by God’s people in the states.

As aforementioned we gave out Safety and reading glasses which were given by Dean Springs MBC, Soap and Personal hygiene items given by Scrub Creek BC, Handmade dresses made by the ladies of our home Church, Ft. Cooper Baptist Church as well as coloring books and crayons given by Temple MBC in Bald Knob, Arkansas.

We thank God for those who support this ministry and share the love of Christ in many different ways. May God use all of these items for His honor and glory.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                           Nelson

                                                                        
Kenya, East Africa

On The Road, In the Air and a Warm Welcome

As I look back at this week, I am amazed at how far we have traveled and how we have realized God's Grace while in the air, on the road and back to the work. The week started with a drive from Florida to Atlanta, Georgia. Then a flight from Atlanta to London in which we spent a night and then a flight from London to Nairobi. After a night in Nairobi we drove to where our home is located in Eldoret. All of our flights were on time, all of our 12 pieces of luggage arrived intact and we had no vehicle problems. We never take the traveling we do for granted and we thank God for traveling mercy.

While we are still feeling the affects of Jetlag we were anxious to travel back to the Western Providence to worship with the people God has knitted our hearts together with. As we traveled the 100 plus KM's I found out my hopes that someone would repair the Uganda Highway leading to Western were quickly dashed. Instead of someone in the Government miraculously repairing the pots holes in the road I quickly found out that the holes had only gotten bigger and deeper. The condition of the highway added another twenty minutes to our trip. Kenya has taught me that if you hurry, hurry you will miss a blessing so you do what you can do at the pace that the conditions allow. Our first stop was at the Church called Namarambi. This is one of the Churches that we were able to support last year through evangelism efforts as well as purchasing a plot and a tent for the young Church plant to meet under. Not only was the Church and Pastor Daniel healthy, but God has added to their numbers through salvations as well as new members. The people are so thankful for the Churches and Christians in the USA who have provided this humble place of worship. Needless to say, we were all so happy that God has allowed us to be reunited for another year of service together. We are truly excited about building on what was accomplished last year for God's honor and glory.

                                                                Youth with Pastor Daniel

                                                           Youth Sunday School

                                                       Jacob Playing New Keyboard

 Children of Namarambi

                                                           Pastor Peter and Preachers

Ugali & Chicken for lunch

On an interesting praise note: Last year when we helped the Church purchase the plot, Pastor Daniel wanted to purchase a whole plot, but due to financial constraints we were only able to help him purchase a half plot for the Church. But God in His goodness and grace brought a new member into the Church last month who owned the plot next to the one that was purchased and they gave the other half to the Church. So in other words, God gave Pastor Daniel and the Church the desires of their hearts at no cost to the Church. God blessed faithfulness because faithfulness blesses God.

Praise the Lord for his mercy endureth forever!

After a brief visit at Namarambi we proceeded to the Landmark Baptist of Ndivisi to worship with Pastor Peter and his people. We had a great time of worship together and I was invited to teach during the Sunday School hour. I taught on the Model or Lord's prayer and how incorporating the prayer into my personal prayer life over the last year has help keep me focused on the areas of prayer that I have a tendency to neglect. Not by repeating the Lord's prayer, but by dividing my prayer into the specific areas Jesus taught us to pray. This has truly brought me closer to the Lord and brought more answered prayers than I have had in many years. The people were surprised by the amount of Swahili I was able to teach in and after services they asked me if I had been speaking Swahili while in America? That is one of the advantages of having a help met that is an intricate part of the ministry as Terry and I used Swahili from time to time while on vacation and I found myself translating conversations into Swahili while talking to friends and family. Along this line we ask you to pray for us as will return to language school for the next three months in an effort to expand our vocabulary and aide in our hearing and comprehension. Each time we arrive home from working with God's people there is such a sense of peace, purpose and privilege in fulfilling God's calling on our life. Thank you for allowing us to share what the Lord is doing with two simple servants from Florida here in Kenya.

God Bless,

Chuck and Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

Florida, Atlanta, London and Nairobi

                           Terry & I with our Grandson, Chucky IV

As Terry and I sit here at Atlanta International Airport awaiting our flight to London we are filled with many mixed emotions. What started as a vacation to see our daughter Carla graduate from college has ended with: 4 mission conferences, 2 revivals, 12 appointments in Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma, a Men’s retreat and 2 weddings (One of which I performed).
 I will get back to that shortly.
On a personal side we have been able to spend quality time with our Children, Grandchildren, Immediate family and friends. Time we treasure now more than ever. Some of the most treasured personal moments were seeing our grandson Chucky playing tee ball,

watching our grandson Kason running around and fishing with my sons Chucky & Vinny.

On the ministry side we enjoyed performing a wedding ceremony for our dear friends Ken Smith and Willie May Knighton, we wish them many years of happiness together.

We also saw God move in the revivals and retreat with 10 professions of faith and dozens recommitting their life to Christ. We are returning with our cups filled, a little weariness from all the traveling and with hearts that are torn from having to say good-bye to our family and friends but yet anxious to return to the land and people where God has called us to serve. This is definitely the proverbial emotional roller coaster ride however there is a peace that passes all understanding when it comes to being in the will of God.              Bibles Delivered by Bearing Precious Seed Ministry

There is no greater place and no greater peace. We ask you to pray for us as we fly to London tonight then on to Nairobi on Tuesday.

Our 12 pieces of luggage include: KJV Bible and Swahili John/Romans from Bearing Precious Seed Ministry, Handmaid pillow case dresses, witness dolls, meds, reading/safety glasses, wooden crosses and instant grits for breakfast. The grits are part of our southern heritage that is hard to do without so please forgive us for indulging. There never seems to be enough time or room to thank all who pray for us and partner with us as we travel this journey of faith. But we praise God for each and everyone who has invested in our life and ministry. We also praise God for our resurrected Savior in whose name we go: Jesus.

Well, Time to fly 8 hours, joy of joys, LOL;

please pray for us and we will see you on the other side, Lord willing.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya East Africa

Back to the Buses and Back on the Road

It has been several weeks since I have posted a journal entry, however, so much has transpired over the last two weeks I felt it was time to record some events that I want to remember but also want to share with others to encourage them in the Lord as a reminder of how good God is to us.

With vacation and family time over our return trip home for a brief break has been extended for a few weeks to give us the opportunity to share what God has done in Kenya and also given us the opportunity to be encouraging many others in the Lords work. We are currently preaching at Churches in Florida and Arkansas. Some of the work in Florida has included: mission conferences, preaching at the Baptist College, a bus seminar and visiting supporting Churches. One of our favorite ministries over the years has been the bus ministry. Terry and I have worked in the bus ministry for some 10 years trying to bring as many children to Christ as we could. When our Associate Youth Pastor Francisco Garcia invited me to come to a Saturday visitation to encourage the workers and to go on visitation I was more than happy. It reminded me of the many Saturday mornings I would meet with our faithful workers to go into the many areas of Inverness, Floral City, Hernando, Brooksville, Nobelton and Springhill. I shared my heart to the dedicated workers who sacrificed their Saturday to be a witness for Christ and I taught them the three main Characteristics of a faithful bus worker was to have compassion for the lost, to be consistent in our service and to glorify Christ. After teaching and visiting bus families I was reminded of the pitiful spiritual condition of the American family and the need to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. While we are thousands of miles away sharing God’s love in Kenya our hearts are broken from what we see taking place in the USA. We are praying for God to raise up more Christians who will be missionaries to America. After the Missions/Faith Promise conference at our church we attended the Missions Conference at Lighthouse Baptist in Springhill, Florida. I was also given a great opportunity to preach at my college, Emmaus Baptist College. Then we hit the road for the longest leg our trip traveling to Oklahoma to visit my friend, Jimmy Jones, who is the new Pastor at Eastside Baptist in Broken Bow and then on to Arkansas to visit two Churches and attend the Pastors/Missionaries conference in Texarkana.

Sunday morning we attended Dean Springs MBC in Alma, Arkansas. These wonderful folks lead by their fine young Pastor, Jason Rutherford have purchased a plot and a tent on Mt. Elgon and been a great encouragement to us over the last year. The men of the Church also purchased safety glasses and reading glasses for us to distribute to the welders, mechanics and fabricators we work with on a weekly basis in Eldoret. We attended evening services at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The evening service was very special as we were able to meet with Geoffrey Keospy who is the young Kenyan National and is the nephew to the Olympic Gold medalist, Noah Nygny, who is our landlord in Eldoret. Kind of a long story about how God brought us together but he is attending the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff on a full scholarship as a long distance runner. I put him together with Pastor Roger Stuart of Olive Branch Baptist Church so Geoffrey would have someone to care for his soul while living in America. Pastor Roger and Church have whole heartily embraced Geoffrey and meet every Spiritual and Physical need this precious young man has had. It was a blessing to hear how much they love him and to see the Love of Christ in Action.                                              

 Geoffrey Keospy, the young Kenyan & I... 

I shudder to think of how difficult it would have been for Geoffrey to go through the culture shock and adjusting to life from a village in Kenya to the urban life of America without a Church family like Olive Branch. These pieces of the puzzle where put in place by God Himself long ago to insure that Geoffrey could be saved, scripturally baptized and become a member of a local New Testament Church in America that loves him dearly. Thank you, Lord, for loving us so much that you intervene in our lves on a daily and personal basis.

Please continue to pray for us as we travel to other Churches, conferences and retreats in order to encourage God’s people and to raise support for the work in Kenya.
We return April 5th. May God keep you and bless you.
                                         Geoffrey explains his culture...

Chuck and Terry Fernandez     
Kenya, East Africa

Missions Conference & Cross City Correctional Institute

After being home for three weeks now we are definitely starting to acclimate to life in our great country.

The pace of life here has seemed to return to a daily  “on the run” and “on the move” mentality that doesn’t allow much time for the little things in life which we have grown to cherish in Kenya with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a priority where they make time to sit around a table with hot tea to share each other’s life and hearts. We have become so goal and task oriented that we are missing that quality time with each other. Both Terry and I have had a difficult time adjusting to the food. That is something that we did not anticipate with our return. When you radically change your diet for one year and then radically change it again it takes some time to know what you can and can’t eat again. We are picking our food battles very carefully. Sunday we opened the Mission Conference at Fort Cooper Baptist with a great crowd and a great spirit. We are so thankful for a Pastor and church that has a burden for the lost and a heart for missions. The theme of the conference is “there cometh a night when no man will work”. God blessed both services and it was so good to see our friends and family attend with us. Each time we return to our home Church we are so encouraged by our Pastor and the members.

This year the church was decorated in the usual flags of various countries but in addition to the flags were little dresses hanging from the ceiling that were made from pillow cases. We thank the ladies of the Church who participated in this endeavor to provide the little girls that we work with in various villages, what will be in most cases, their first new dress. I sat on the platform Sunday looking at those little dresses hanging there and  knowing how happy the little girls are going to be to receive something that is made from a heart of love. One of the things that we love about coming home to Ft. Cooper is the precious memories that we have there. God reminds us of His grace upon our lives as we have seen the  Lord bless our church and family over the last twenty years.

This week we also preached a prison revival at Cross City Correctional Institute for Chaplin Herman Rivera. This year revival was the best that we have had over the last 5 or 6 years I have been preaching there.
 #1. The Chapel was full both days and the guards where actually pulling men off the compound telling them that they needed to attend. The second day we had to put out chairs.
 #2. There was a freedom and liberty of the Holy Spirit with alters full of men weeping and calling out to God.
 #3. There is a maturity and growth in a handful of men that have become a core of mighty men of God at CCCI. I have watched them grow in their faith and walk with God over the last five years that has brought them to a place in their walk where they are winning and discipling others inmates.
 #4. There were 8 who made professions and many rededicated their life to Christ. These meetings were very powerful and these men have become an extension of my ministry. I have a love and heart for them like I have for the people we are working with in Kenya. Please remember our Brothers in Christ who are paying their debt to society and growing in grace and truth through the power of the cross. From this point on we will be preaching at various churches throughout Florida and Arkansas until we return back to Kenya.
Thank you for your prayers.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa
Currently in Florida

Graduation in Georgia, the Sunshine State & First Impressions

Much has happened over the last two weeks and I have come to realize that those who are part of our ministry are as much a part of our life so I feel compelled to continue to keep a journal from time to time while we are states side as well. Our flights from Kenya to Atlanta went well with all of our luggage arriving intact. We were greeted by all three children as well as their spouses and/or significant others. Additionally, our grandchildren were waiting at the last check point. As we came up the escaltor our four year old grandson Chucky burst past the security check point when he saw us to jump into our arms. No national alert was issued but we have never been happier to see someone pass security. While our children are grown adults now it meant so much for us for them to take time out of their lives and drive to Atlanta to meet us. Our son-in-law Kevin put all of us up at one of the most posh hotels in downtown Atlanta.

We can’t thank him enough for making our first night back in country so special. Our first week has been spent in Georgia and we were able to attend our daughter’s graduation in Thomasville, Georgia. We are very proud of her accomplishment graduating as a surgical nurse while being a wife, a mother as well as helping her husband runs a very successful business.
After spending a week in Georgia we traveled back to our home state of Florida for some needed R & R. While we know our bodies are adjusting to the change in time zones there is definitely some reverse culture shock involved after living abroad for one year. I wanted to record the following
impressions of our first week back in country for the sake of remembrance and to share what it is like to transition back to our great country for a short break.
#1. The first noticeable differences are the roads. We have grown so accustomed to roads that are in total disrepair or no roads at all that we can’t believe how incredibly smooth, organized and well marked our roads are here in America.

 #2. After being on an African diet it is like being a child in a candy store with the choices we have in restaurants and at food stores. There are so many choices that it is hard to choose and you just want to try one of everything. It is also weird not to have to worry about bleaching vegetables or the meats that you eat. #3. There is a real adjustment after being around Africans the entire year and with limited contact with other white folks from time to time. We love the people that God has united us in Kenya to Work with. We Pray with them, We worship with them, We Cry with them , we laugh with them and we have become so much like them in many ways and now we find ourselves almost feeling like an outsider among our own people. It is something that is very hard to explain.

#4. I realize that our country is in the worst recession since the great depression but even though we are going through difficult times we are still a most blessed nation. Today my son Chucky dropped me off at Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things and proceeded to Lowes. I told him I would walk to Lowes instead of him having to drive back to pick me up as we have grown accustomed to walking in Kenya.
As I walked the quarter mile to Lowes I was taken aback by the number of vehicles on the road. It is rare to see people in our country walking unless it is for pleasure or exercise while in Kenya 90% of the population do not own cars and have to walk everywhere. These are just a few of our first impressions after being gone for a year but in any case we are glad to be back for a break. This weekend we will start visiting and preaching in local Churches again to continue raising funds for the ministry. As always we ask you to pray that God will bless our meetings and that we will be a blessing to the people we worship with. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your life as well.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa
Currently In Brooksville, Florida

Eldoret Evangelism, Stolen Generator & Mawe Tatu Baptisms

          Baptism of a young Muslim man, named Mganda, who was saved at our Bible Study...

The word “busy” would be an understatement if you used it to describe the week that we have had. With our return to the USA growing closer we used this last week in country to finish on a strong note. Tuesday we did street evangelism in Eldoret. Pastor Peter and Pastor Shadrach have been wanting to travel to Eldoret for some time to do Street Evangelism and attend the weekly Bible Study we have with the Welders, Mechanics and Fabricators. We spent much of the day sharing God’s Word in areas that are somewhat removed from the mainstream of the town.

                   STREET EVANGELISM                                                                

                                                                  BIBLE STUDY  

Most of the time was spent sharing the gospel one on one although there were times when  large crowds gathered to hear God’s Word proclaimed. In the end there were eight who made professions of faith. They were invited to the Bible study where Pastor Peter taught at one and Pastor Shadrach taught at the other. Remember these preachers are farmers from Western Kenya who live in very rural areas. Now they have come to the city to preach. They kept on saying the whole time, “I can’t believe how many people there are here”. After a great day of street evangelism and Bible study we returned to the truck only to find that the truck had been broken into and the small generator we had planned to use to build pews the next day was stolen. Now keep in mind the truck was locked and was parked in the middle of town in broad daylight. The guys were really bummed out after a great day in the city. So to cheer them up I shared with them, II Cor. 4:8 "we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed but not in despair".

Wednesday we traveled to Mawe Tatu (3 Stones) to build pews. After Pastor Shadrach help build pews at Namarambi last week he begged me to build them at Mawe Tatu before we left. We spent the day building pews with a chainsaw instead of a circular saw because we were missing our generator. God always provides and the pews turned out very nice. It was a good thing we built those new pews at Mawe Tatu because Sunday services was the biggest crowd since the Church was started last year. Sunday services were also one that really helped me leave with a cup that was running over. To start with, the young Muslim man named Mganda who was saved at our Bible Study a couple of weeks ago wanted to be scripturally baptized.

He traveled with us to Mawe Tatu and it was such a blessing to see him with a Bible in hand and singing praises unto Jesus. What a testimony to the power of God through the preaching of the cross. Sitting next to him was a very old man who we had witnessed to over 9 months ago. He finally decided to attend and has been attending faithfully for the last 4 weeks.
                                                                                                                         YOUNG BUILDERS

He is part of the reason for the record crowd as he brought his wife, children and many grandchildren. He was a joyful reminder that God grants the increase in His time.

CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW TO ENLARGE....

In addition to Mganda coming for baptism and the old man coming with his family, I sat on the sidelines and watched Kennedy who was saved only a few months ago give the teenagers a devotion for Sunday school. Lastly, the Lord reminded me during services today that Jeffet who directs the service and is Pastor Shadrach’s right hand man was one of the first people we lead to Christ at Mawe Tatu evangelism last year. He was a man before salvation whose life could be equated to the prodigal son. A man who lived a riotous life without God. Since this will be our last service in Kenya for a while I believe that God through His infinite grace and mercy gave me a real lift by reminding me that our first year in country was time well spent. We know that the Lord Jesus makes a difference in the lives of people but from time to time it is awesome when He shows you that He is making a difference in their lives through us.

What a privilege and what a blessing. We ask you to pray for the Churches and Bible studies while we are gone but I can assure you these folks are so totally sold out and surrendered to God that they will continue with or without us. Terry and I leave for Nairobi tomorrow to start a month vacation as well attending our daughter Carla’s graduation in Georgia. Our plans also include two mission conferences and a prison revival at Cross City Correctional Institute. We are so looking forward to seeing our Children and holding our Grandchildren whom we have not seen in one year. Please continue to pray for us.
On a parting note, I do not plan on making journal entries while at home but I will resume them after our conferences and revival. Thank you and may God keep you and bless you.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa

Happy New Year! Building Pews and Sunday Services

As I write this weekly journal entry it is hard to believe that the New Year 2010 is here and that Terry and I have completed our first year of mission work here in Kenya. So before I forget, let me wish everyone who reads this a Happy & Blessed New Year! With our return to the USA planned in just 11 days we are trying to accomplished as much as possible before we leave. Attendance was down a little for our weekly Bible Study here in Eldoret due to the fact that many have traveled to their home villages to spend Christmas and New Years with their family. However, we had two good meetings that resulted in another young man, named Kennedy, getting saved by God’s grace. This young man visited last week and had no idea what it meant to receive Christ as Lord and Savior or to be born again. After the meeting I spent time with him explaining the gospel step by step then sent him home with a Bible and a gospel tract. I asked him to study God’s Word for himself and then ask God what he needed to do. He came back this week and told those in attendance that he made a decision to receive Christ and follow the Lord’s teachings. Praise the Lord!

Also, one of our first time visitors named Sammy asked us to pray for his boss to allow him to attend these meetings. The only reason he was able to meet with us this week was because his boss was out of town. We united in praying that God would soften his boss’s heart to allow this sharp young man the opportunity to study his Bible and fellowship with us. Yesterday, Terry and I traveled to Western Kenya to build pews for the Church plant at Namarmabi. Three weeks ago they were able to purchase a plot, last week they were provided with a tent and I could not leave the country knowing that these precious folks were either standing or sitting in the dirt the entire service. With that said we purchased enough lumber to build seven pews.

It rained all day but thanks to the tent we set up we were able to build the pews so God’s people would have something to sit on. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship with the three Pastors who came to help build as well as Missionary John Wanyonyi from Sudan who was visiting his family in Western. As you look at the pictures be thankful for the padded high back pews God has provided for you at your Church but also keep in mind it was the best we could give them with the limited finances we have to work with. Today we traveled back to Western to attend Church with Pastor Peter and the Landmark Baptist of Ndivisi. God has truly knitted our souls together with this Pastor and His Church. While we will miss these dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ during our break it was comforting to know that

 we are only going to be gone for short period of time. During the service our hearts were truly touched when they presented Terry with homemade cards and two necklaces for our daughter Carla who is graduating as a Surgical Nurse in Three weeks. The people we have worked with over the last year are some of the most wonderful Christian folks we have ever met. They truly love the Lord and others with a Love that I can hardly explain. We praise God for his plan to unite us with such Godly people to carry out the Great Commission. Before we departed for Eldoret we had the opportunity to visit Terry’s Translator Mary who gave birth to a baby girl on New Year’s Eve.

It was a foregone conclusion that her last born would be named after Terry which is the fourth child named Terry or Teresa this year.

Terry and Mary have teamed up over the last year to share God’s love through his Son Jesus Christ in hundreds of homes, even when Mary was 9 months pregnant. They have developed a bond through a kindred spirit with a burden to reach the Lost. This connection while very rare in this day and age it is one of the strongest bonds because they experience one the most powerful moments in an individual’s life, that being when a person believes by faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing I know of short of the band of brothers in combat that produces that kind of unity. We covet your daily prayers and we also want to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to all those who have partnered with us in prayer and finances over the last year. God Bless you all!


Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa