November 8, 2009 The Water Fall Expedition Part 2

Seeing how I did not have enough room to remember and Share this experience I felt the need to include it in a second journal entry. After a great Church service today at Mawe Tatu, today we decided to take an excursion to a water fall that a friend had told me was located approx. 6Km from Eldoret.

In addition to wanting to see the falls on the way home, A couple weeks ago my Pastor email me and asked for some up to date pictures of Terry & I dressed in our Sunday best to use for the February annual missions conference at our Church. So all dressed up we felt it would be a great opportunity to get some nice pictures while experiencing some of Kenya’s beautiful creation.
We arrived at the site of the waterfall and started our private tour by the security guard from the power company which oversees the site of the waterfalls because of a hydro electric plant located there.

What started out as simply an opportunity to see some sights and get some pictures turned out to be one most stressful times since we arrived in country. Not only was the trip to the falls a long trek (5Km) but it was also dangerous because of the steep rocky slopes and having to cross the river three times. It was one of those situations that the further you went the more you regretted it and the harder it was to turn around. My stress came from worrying about Terry falling, hurting an ankle or knee and any one of another 100 scenarios. In addition to tough climbing in wet shoes and sandals our tour guide was a guard named Judas. Just what I needed, to be led into a dangerous terrain by a man named Judas.

 About half way through the hike I had to ask him if he was saved. He said yes which did not give me much comfort at the time but never the less eased my conscious. So enjoy the pictures and the laugh but remember you have been tangled in a spider’s web before also. LOL.

Pastor, we did our best but the lighting was poor and we were slap wore out by the time we arrived at the site.

God’s Speed,

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
 
 

Recovery, Rewards and Return

This week has been a week of recovery from the episode of Malaria I encountered last week. Thanks to the many prayers and modern day medicine we have made almost a full recovery from what I imagine is going to be the first of many bouts. While we do our best to prevent it there is nothing that is 100% secure against what is a killer for those that don’t get proper medicine. Being sick reminded me that all things do work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose and that there is something very spiritual that takes place during an illness that can actually draw you closer to the Lord. That is what I believe took place in the life of Job as well as some of the disciples. It has also been a blessing to me.
After a short recovery period we went right back to

work teaching a two day marriage seminar for five of the Churches located in the Turkana District. All I can say is that it was an extremely rewarding opportunity to share with young married couples the joys, the challenges and the biblical principles for having a successful Christian marriage.
What made it so much fun was that I was not teaching by myself as Terry was teaching the ladies while I was teaching the men.

The ladies of Turkana have never had another woman teach them  the role of the Christian wife. Then during our joint sessions we were able share some teachings that we have learned, some the easy way through the Word of God and some the hard way  through trial and error over the last 28 years. It really felt good teaching those young couples from a standpoint of having already experienced the thrill of marriage as well as the challenges that will occur over a long period of marriage. It saddens me to think that over 50% will never be able to experience working through what is not only a great challenge of life and faith but what is also one of the greatest blessings of being privileged
 enough to share a lifetime with another person. That blows me away every time I think that God loved me enough to give me such a wonderful person to love and to cherish till death do us part. O.K., enough of the mushy stuff! LOL.

 After almost a month in the desert of Turkana and wanting to get to cooler weather in order to get stronger physically Terry and I started down country on a road called in jest the 'hole-st of holeies' road.

We left at 5am and rolled to Eldoret around 2pm. It is a beating that you have to experience before you can appreciate the smooth roads of America. You travel through desert dried river beds, miles of powder dry sand, rocks, mud and mountains and the truck is shaken violently for 7+ hours. Words cannot describe that road which is more like a trail from the Baja 1000 race but we made it safely with no problems. When I got up this morning I surveyed the damage to the truck and found a pool of power steering fluid under the front from a broken hose, a wore out idler arm ball joint and shock bushings that need to be repaired. Needless to say, I will be at the garage this week. Our plan is to rest as much as possible and then sprint to the end of the year here in the Western province of Kenya.
Thank you so much for the extra prayers for my illness and by the way it rained three times while we were in the desert.

Please continue to remember the people of Turkana.

                                   ***Click on picture

God’s Speed,

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Kenya East Africa

 
 
 

 

Repairs, Malaria & Grounded...Oct 25, 2009

This week we were able to make needed repairs to the church at Napetet Village here in Lodwar as well as continue needed repairs to the house here in Turkana. When we were here in 2006 we were able to help
transport and deliver a steel gate to the Church. The gate is designed to be big enough to drive a vehicle into the compound and also has a pedestrian door that allows foot traffic. Three years later the pedestrian door has broken off and needed to be welded.
Pastor Michael got a ridiculous price from a welder in town that they could not afford. So Tuesday I brought my welder with Bro. Eddie’s diesel generator and we repaired the gate so the compound can be secured again. Wednesday and Thursday I made needed repairs to our

shower here at the house. As you can see from the pictures I made the repair with the materials that were available here in Turkana.
Sometimes life on the foreign field is just like life in America only you don’t have everything you need at your finger tips. By the time Friday afternoon came around I started feeling weird like being lightheaded. Friday evening I developed a high fever and started feeling achy from head to toe. Terry said Friday night I was talking out of my head. I don’t remember what I said but I knew I was miserable. After talking to other missionaries they agreed that I had all the symptoms of Malaria. Saturday morning I started taking  Malaria medicine that Dr. Hugo Mallozzi had left with us from the
Mac Med campaign in January.
Saturday evening was the worst of the two

days as I felt like was sleeping in a pool of water from fever, feeling cold, aching joints and light headed. Unable to hardly function we could not to go to visitation on Saturday or Church on Sunday. After 16 pills of Malaria medicine I feel like I am turning the corner now. As I write this Monday morning my fever seems to be broke, I am not as sore and my head is not spinning.

Today I will take the last of the malaria medicine and prayerfully will continue to improve as we have marriage seminar to teach on Thursday and Friday. You may be wondering how you get malaria in the desert?

Well, the house is on the Turquel River and there are mosquito’s caring the virus here by the thousands. I have been bite several times in the evening by going outside to get something out of the truck or checking on the dog. All it takes is one bite.

I have been reminded that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Having malaria has also given me a greater appreciation for men that have had it without modern day medicine for a cure or no meds at all.
I was reminded of my father and Terry’s father who both served their country in Viet Nam two and three tours and experienced this illness while fighting for our country. My thoughts and heart went out to the missionaries of old who did not have any meds at all and often died from it. I thank God for those men and also say thank you to all who have prayed for me over the last few days.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

This week we have had internet, electricity and plenty of water with the new tower and tank. It is amazing what we take for granted until you take those things away for then you surely notice it.
On Friday we traveled with a team of seven to a village called Naduat to do

evangelism. This village is commonly referred to as “Gold” due to fact that is a mining village. It located a couple hundred kilometers from the Sudan border and is somewhat of a wild or rough village made up of many different types of people who have all assembled there with hopes of making a living or finding that one giant nugget of gold that will bring fortune. We were met by the chief who gave us a warm welcome and said that he believed that the gospel is needed and would make a difference in the lives of the people there. We divided up into several teams and started to move hut to hut sharing God’s Word.
Without exception every visit we made was with people that were working at crushing the rocks that had come out of the mine and or panning through the crushed rock for the gold. So being mindful of
their work we asked them for 15 minutes to share Gods Word and pray for them. Most welcomed the break from their hard labor but others continued to crush while we were teaching, preaching and praying. During the course of our visiting we took a break to visit the site of the mines. Large groups of people were assembled around what where holes in the ground approximately 6 feet across and some over 100 feet deep. We knew what holes were active because there was a couple of pair of flip flops and a rope going down into the hole. Leaning over
the edge we could barely see one or two people down in the bottom of the hole with a flashlight tied to their head digging and chipping away with a hammer and pick.

Not only is it extremely hard work but it is extremely dangerous work as many have died when the walls give way. With that as the backdrop we shared the love of Christ with groups of 10 and had many receive Christ as Lord and Savior.


I have attached a picture of what I have referred to as the “golden girl”. Over the last 10 months I have seen and visited hundreds and possibly thousands of children but for some reason this little golden girl stole my heart. She was standing next to a USA can covered with gold rock dust and holding onto a pole while her parents received Christ. My hearts prayer is that she will be raised in a Christian home and one day comes to know our Lord and Savior. After hours of visiting we assembled under a tree to have a Bible Study with the new converts as well as those who have been adding Church under that tree for a while. I preached a simple message from 1 Peter 2:21

“Following the Footprints of Jesus”.

At the end of the service a dozen more came forward to receive the Lord. By day’s end there were over 50 who made professions of faith in Christ. To God be the Glory!

On Saturday we traveled with Bro. Eddie to watch and learn how land is purchased here in Turkana for a Church. We hauled all the necessities in order to have hot tea, cookies and bananas with the Chief, the village elders, the Mommas, Children and Land owner. It was a successful meeting without any disputes or problems that resulted in the sale of a plot of land 200 X 250’ to the Landmark Baptist Church of Negolipus.

After snacks and fellowship we measured the land and consummated the deal on the hood of Bro. Eddie’s truck by the signing of the appropriate parties. While the signing took place I separated from the group to pray that God will bless every prayer, every lesson, every song, every sermon and every person that walks through the doors of the Church which will be constructed in December by a team that will be traveling from the USA. I wish

you could have been there to see that desert plot of nothing that will become a place of honor, praise, worship and eternal significance.

While the plot was purchased in the Turkana desert I also received word that Pastor Peter was able to purchase the plot on Mt. Elgon for that new Church work as well thanks to Dean Springs MBC. What a great day for God’s honor and glory!
Today, Terry and I traveled back to “Gold” to teach and worship with the people in that new work.

The wind was blowing fiercely and we were sandblasted under the tree we met under but in the end the Lord Jesus was lifted up that he might draw all men unto himself. We closed the service by praying for six sick ladies and one came forward to receive Christ. We thank the Lord for His goodness, His grace and His love for us as we serve him in what is one of the highest honors there is. Charles Spurgeon once said,
“If God has called you to be a missionary, don’t stoop to be a king”.
What a privilege to be called to preach His Word.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

Back to the Desert, Baby Faye passes and Answered Prayers

Dear Friends and Family;
We have been without internet and phone much of last week and even
now I am up late trying to get enough signal to send this to you.
I have had to shorten my list and eliminate pics so please feel free to forward this to others you know that may want to keep up with our journal. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Will try to send more when we get a better connection.

Chuck

Back to the Desert, Baby Faye passes and Answered Prayers

Terry and I traveled back to the Turkana desert on Tuesday to do some mission work for an undetermined period of time. The trip was uneventful which is a blessing here but the road seems to have deteriorated more since our last trip with Bro. Jimmy Jones.

Turkana has not had rain in almost a year and the people and animals have been suffering from the effects of an extended drought. We were without water our first 3 days here and electricity for 2 days.
We had to use barrels of water we filled the last time we were up for cooking, cleaning and bathing. However, one of the priorities on my list was to put up a water tower and tank.
So immediately upon arrival I started cutting steel and welding on the tower. While I had a welder I had no welding goggles and had to use two pair of sunglasses. The glasses did the job for protecting my eyes but not my face and I got a little welding burn. But no harm no foul.
After completing the construction of the tower to include a new 1000 liter tank tied into the house we had to sit patiently for water another day without water. However, the Lord answered prayers and sent an all night rain here on Friday. The river is running full again, there is 1000 liters of water in the tank and we are happy.

All the herdsman are happy for their camels, goats, donkeys and sheep have water and will have new growth on the vegetation. What a blessing to people that had reached a point of desperation.
The Bible says that the Lord will never put more on us than we can bear.
While working this week I received two phone calls from Western Kenya.
Sad news came from Pastor Shadrach of Mawe Tatu that Baby Faye passed away on Wednesday. She is the sick girl I sent a picture of last week. Terry left money for her to receive treatment before we left which she did but she still passed away. They buried her next to the Pastor Shadrach’s Baby we buried last month. If we had no hope and we did not know that children are the heritage of the Lord you could not hardly function here with the high infant mortality rate. The people are so use to it and seemed to be hardened to the loss of infants that they simply keep doing what they always do, that is accept God’s will and persevere.
The good news we received was from Kennedy who called and said that he has led his mother, Jessica, to Christ. He returned to Bondo this week. Before we left we gave him six Bibles and gospel tracts to share with his family.
His family has been in a mess with a lifestyle of alcoholism but now there is hope through salvation in Jesus Christ. He was so broken and burdened for his family and we rejoice with him in his mother’s new faith in Christ. Those are two major prayers that have been answered this week!
Rain and Salvation, talking about showers of blessing!

Yesterday, Bro. Eddie asked me to travel with him and his Pastors to a village called Nagolipus to sit in on a land purchase for the new Church there.

We drove 50 km out in the desert only to find that the rain Friday night had made the road impassable.

 It is amazing to go from 6 inch deep sand to 6 inch deep in one rain.

We knew we were not going to make it when we stopped to pick up a chief from a neighboring village to sit in on the negotiations and he said, “You can go but I am not going because if you cross the river you will

not be able to come back for days.”

Ok, that is good enough for me.

If the chief says it is not safe than I don’t want go, I am with the chief.

Then late last night Bro. Eddie calls me and asks if I would go back to where the road was so bad during the day to pick up one of his Pastors, wife and baby who were sick and take them back to Lodwar town.

We dropped off Pastor Moses and his wife at the Church in Napetet so they can get treatment in the morning. Please pray for this young Pastor and his wife.

Today Terry and I traveled to the Lakeside village called Kalacol. We had great services there with Pastor Steven. I preached from Psalms 100:4 in Swahili, we prayed for rain, and God sent the rain and now it is time to be thankful.

In addition, to a wonderful worship service we got to see the young lady named Lucy who got saved in August during a revival campaign in Kalacol. She was the one who was described as a “Devil Woman” but is now attending the house of God each week and growing in her walk.
Talk about a transformed life and family that was heading for certain destruction ....a 'Miracle' of God has taken place in Lucy's life and family....
In Swahili we say, “Bwana Asifiwe!” = Praise the Lord!

Your Missionaries to Kenya

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Recuperation, Canopy, Conviction and 'Packing Again'

***CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE
Journal: October 4, 2009,

After taking Bro. Jimmy Jones to the airport in Nairobi and returning back to Eldoret on Tuesday we have tried to catch our breath before we

leave for Turkana this Wednesday. Not sure how long we will be in the desert but this will be our first opportunity to stay longer than two weeks. So needless to say we spent time this week stocking up on things that we cannot buy in Turkana. The last trip we took a small  freezer so this trip we will take a cooler full of frozen chickens and some hamburger meat. We have plenty of other food from the stuff we shipped in our container last year and we are in good shape. Please pray for us as we travel again and that the Lord will use us while we are in Turkana.

This week I purchased a used carport type canopy from a Missionary named Terry Childers.  Bro.Terry is leaving the field after 23 years of service here in Kenya.
I originally purchased the canopy to keep the trucks out the sun and heat of the desert but the Lord convicted me one day because Pastor Shadrach and his Church at Mawe Tatu (3 Stones) have outgrown his small house.

Twenty people cram into his house and thirty sit outside trying to listen and participate every

Sunday. So to make a long story short, the Lord put on my heart to give the canopy to Pastor Shadrach so they will have something to meet under as a collective group. In short, the Church needed it more than I did.

Yesterday we traveled to Mawe Tatu to set up the carport canopy and I asked Pastor Peter to meet us there to take a look at it to see if he would want to use something like it for the two Churches on Mt. Elgon.

He said it would be a great blessing and stepping stone for the new Churches to allow them to grow in number before they can afford to build a permanent building. Now I realize the carport canopy’s are not indigenous but I can’t think of any better temporary solution for the four Church plants we have been working with that have all outgrown the houses they were started in. It looks like I will have several more made from the pattern of the first one for the other Churches since they seem to be very happy with them as a temporary solution.

As we put up the canopy yesterday the kids were dancing and singing because they thought they were getting a new house. We explained to them it was God’s house and they were still so happy to see the canopy go up. Please continue to pray for these young Church plants while we are in the desert. It is comforting to know that whether we are there or not they are still serving the Lord and winning the lost. Their faith is so great that it truly humbles you. Thanks for allowing us to share our work with you as we try to follow Jesus.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa