Overcoming Obstacles & Circuit Riding Preachers ...Lake Victoria Area

Boat Makers in Lake Victoria Area

Finished Product of the above boat.....

Our travels this week returned us to Lake Victoria to meet with the believers of Wichlum and Got. Drying Minnows

 

It seemed like there were obstacles at every corner and it was a trip that almost never happened.
Obstacle #1... after the truck was fueled and loaded with the new tent and benches for the believers at Wichlum to worship under late Friday evening, it stopped running.
We had a friend tow the Land Rover to the shop where I have mechanics I trust because they attend our weekly Eldoret Bible Study.  
                          My 'trusty'  Eldoret Mechanics

Fortunately it was only a loose wire to the fuel solenoid.
With the rugged territory we cover each week it is a wonder that anything on the truck stays together.
Obstacle #2... About 50 km’s into the trip we arrived at the scene of a terrible accident where two semi trucks collided head on blocking the Uganda Highway.
                                   Roadblock

This is something we face almost every week we travel to the Mt. Elgon region due to the steep and slick roads, combine these conditions with overloaded trucks and you have a recipe for accidents.
After sitting for about an hour, I decided to cut a muddy path on the side of the road to go around the accident.
Thank God for four wheel drive and some good off road experience. We were the only vehicle to safely pass.
Obstacle #3... the trip to Lake Victoria is around 250 km’s.  (approx. 120 miles)
About 50 km’s from the Lake, without warning the idler pulley locked up with a screaming belt.
To make a long story short, after the engine cooled down I was able to pack the bearing with new grease and limp along the entire weekend as well as the 250 km trip back to Eldoret. It made a long trip longer but once again it a story of God’s grace and traveling mercies.  
The two villages at Lake Victoria have grown into a strong fellowship of believers as they are both led by Pastor Jackson, the fisherman we brought to Christ in Wichlum.
We also delivered Bible Institute Studies and a new bike as he has been walking 10 km’s from Got to Wichlum three times per week. He is effectively Pastoring two groups of believers.     Circuit Riding, Pastor Jackson's new bike....

I call him our “circuit riding preacher”.

During our last Pastor’s/Preachers seminar I introduced this concept to the men of God we are teaching and mentoring.
As a young Pastor I remember studying the life and ministry of B.R. Lakin who during the 1920’s served as circuit-riding preacher, riding a mule from church to church through the mountains and foothills of rural West Virginia and Kentucky.
In sparsely populated areas of the United States it was common for clergy to serve more than one congregation at a time and it worked especially well in the service of rural villages and unorganized settlements.
Because of the distance between churches, these preachers would also ride on horseback. They were popularly called circuit riders or saddlebag preachers.
These frontier clergy traveled with few possessions, carrying only what could fit in their saddlebags.
They traveled through wilderness and villages, they preached every day at any place available (people’s cabins, courthouses, fields, meeting houses, later even basements and street corners).   
Thank God for these men who were willing to sacrifice to give others the Word of God.
In addition to delivering what I classify as ministry tools to help facilitate continued growth, we were able to visit many of our recent converts to exhort them to continue in their faith.            Pastor Peter & Missionary Chuck

 

In particular, there are three old Mamas’ that have such a great faith and a longing for God that they really encouraged us. They are the first ones to arrive for the teachings and the last one’s to leave.    Continuing Faith....

This kind of dedication provides stability and consistency for this young Church that other will see and follow.
We were also happy to see the young back slidden preacher named James attend the meetings, that is an answer to prayers as he makes his way back to God.
                        James and Missionary Chuck

In closing, we want to give special thanks to Pastor Tim Johnson and the members of Dean Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Alma, Arkansas for purchasing the new tent & pews for the believers of Wichlum to meet under. 

For those of you who tune into our weekly journal, don’t be alarmed if you do not receive one for several weeks as Terry and I are returning to Florida this week to attend the wedding of our last born son (Vinny). We also continue to experience problems getting email’s out so we apologize for this issue, however, I am still posting weekly on our journal blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com.
May God continue to keep you and bless you.
Thank you for your prayers and support.

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa

                                      Cleaning Nets at Lake Victoria

Phil. 4:13

Tent Making and Ordination

Much of this week’s activities included making a new tent and pews for the work in Lake Victoria. Purchasing steel, cutting, fabrication, painting and assembly was all part of our regular ministry duties. We will be traveling next week to the fishing village of Wichlum again to deliver the tent and to do some teaching and training of the man God has called to preach there. The highlight of this week’s work was the ordination service of Pastor Peter Barasa. It was a good thing we completed the tent for Wichlum as it was needed along with two other tents to hold all the people who came to Ndivisi Landmark Baptist Church to be a part of the ordination service for this special Pastor and preacher. From the first day we met Pastor Peter and teamed up with him to reach the lost on Mt. Elgon we knew there was something very special about him. Every once in a while God will allow us to be a part of a special person’s life and they impact your life effortlessly while just being who God made them to be. This is the case with Pastor Peter, his heart for the Lord, his love for the lost and God’s people is something that is rare to find in this day and age anywhere in the world. After almost three years of working side by side to preach the gospel on Mt. Elgon, the Kerio Valley and now Lake Victoria, we have grown to love and respect him in a great way. It was an honor to ordain him as a preacher of the gospel and to be his brother in Christ.

This was the largest event we have experience during our ministry thus far and was one of the most joyous events. Terry and I were so happy to see the outpouring of love expressed to honor this sharp young man who has surrendered his life to preaching God’s Word. Pastor Peter’s family, friends, neighbors and Church members all testified of a life honoring God. 

                  Pastor Peter & Family

For my part, I taught on the qualifications of a Pastor and the qualities of a “good shepherd” as well as serving a member of the presbytery.

After the teachings and the preaching of the charge, the presbytery had an opportunity to publicly ask Pastor Peter questions concerning his doctrine and biblical knowledge which he answered with great command of the scriptures. He has not only been a great leader within our team but is also a great student of the Word. The ordination process was yet another opportunity to teach the younger men of God the method and biblical tradition that has been practiced by the New Testament church for over two thousand years. Praise the Lord we have a biblical pattern to follow! After he was thoroughly examined along with his wife and children, the presbytery prayed for him with the laying on of the hands.

1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Pastor Peter now is not only a phenomenal man of God but also carries one the highest honors and stamp of approval as a God ordained preacher of the gospel. A Kenyan tradition we have grown to love was at the conclusion of the ceremony when all those in attendance give Pastor Peter and his family a love offering. What makes it is special is that the offerings include: live chickens, bananas, corn, beans, tea cups, lanterns, a live sheep (fitting for a shepherd) and of course money. This shower and outpouring of love really touches our hearts every time we experience it.

As special as this was I believe the most precious moment may have been just before the dismissal prayer and lunch when the newly ordained Pastor, his wife Sporta (who Terry has gotten close to) and their five children sang a special.

Wow! What a great way to end a great day!

                        Women's Choir

Crowd

Thank you for traveling this journey of faith with us as we serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. 

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya

Phil. 4:13

About Our Father’s Business While It is Day

                  Our Father’s Business

Jesus made two statements in the gospels that characterize our mission work this week. The first one was as a child who went missing in Jerusalem from His parents and was later found in the temple confounding the doctors. When confronted by His parents He told them,

“How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?  

Our Fathers business is what compels us, challenges us and consumes us.

As I look back at the week in review I can see our fathers business remains the top priority for us as we fulfill His will for our lives. 

                                      Delivering Doors

For time sake, I will record this week’s activities in somewhat of log form to capture the essence of our Fathers business on the foreign field.

Monday: A. Write and report weekly journal, send out approx. 1000 emails

B. Purchased wood for pews at Wichlum, C.

Clutch went out in Land Rover while Terry and I were in Eldoret, thank God it did not go out while in the interior,

(2^nd one in 11 months)

Tuesday: A. Pulled motor out of Land Rover to replace broken clutch fork, throw out bearing & motor mount.

B. Replaced piston, ring and fuel pickup on chainsaw to cut trees on Mt. Elgon for new sanctuary.

C. Tuesday evening Eldoret Men’s Bible study, (There are ten men that I am mentoring and teaching the Word of God each week), taught from Titus on the qualifications of a Pastor. 

D. collected pews from welder to be assembled

Wednesday: A. collected Swahili Bibles for members without a Bible

B. Started cutting trees on Mt. Elgon for the Landmark Baptist Church of Cheptabrubru.

Thursday: A collected cement, tin, wire, vents and doors for restroom at Landmark Baptist Church of Mayanja.

Note: Terry and I praise the Lord for our Pastor and members of our sending Church.  

Not only is Ft. Cooper our sending Church but it is our home Church were we grew up in the Lord. We are thankful for all of those who partner with us financially; however, Ft. Cooper BC has taken the leadership role in the building process by raising the funds through special offerings to build the Landmark Baptist Church at Mayanja.

Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Friday: A. Traveled over 200 km roundtrip to deliver the supplies for the restroom at LBC Mayanja.

                             Restroom Digging

 

B. Had fellowship with Pastor Nixon and Church Members

                                    (Very Important in Any Culture)

C. Met with Pastor Peter & Pastor Timothy to discuss plans for our newest Pokot Tribe Church, outreach & upcoming ordination service.

D. Attended fellowship & Bible Study at Landmark Baptist Church of Ndivisi, taught on Paul’s first missionary journey.

E. Had the unique opportunity to witness to a Muslim who claimed to be a former Christian, however during our conversations he admitted that he was never born again. 

He did allow me to share the gospel with him and pray for him.

Saturday: A. Collected educational material from printer to deliver to four preachers who are continuing their education.

B. Prepared Sunday sermon and Sunday school lesson. Note: Remember that we are not only studying and preparing to interpret, illustrate and applicate the Word of God but preaching and teaching in Swahili takes many extra hours of translating.

Sunday: A. Traveled 100km’s round trip to Landmark Baptist Church of Mawe Tatu

 B. Taught and Preached on the return of Christ.

C. Baptized five new believers in the River Nzoia, this make fifty-nine new converts who have been baptized in the last three weeks.

 

In closing, I know that this type of journal log is not atypical for my style of writing and I hope I did not bore you with a lot of details but sometimes it is good to remember how we are spending each day that is a gift from God. If it seems like we are busy, you are right. But know that we are happy in the Lord doing His work and given the great sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for us there is nothing too small or great that we would not do for Him.

Jesus also reminds us that we must work while we can when He said,

“I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”  

                              Terry & Sporta

God Speed,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya

Pokot Outreach becomes Landmark Baptist Church of Chepsabei

                                    Not ALL Fun!

After one year, what started with a burden to reach the Pokot tribe in the Kerio Valley has developed and been organized into the Landmark Baptist Church of Chepsabei.

We baptized twenty three charter members into the church this week then that followed their baptisms by voting on their new Pastor Loquardo, the church secretary and church treasurer.                   Baptism

We have not been in any rush to plant churches, however, God continues to assemble born again believers and call men of God to Pastor them. Church planting is a humbling experience as we watch God work in individual lives as well as the villages He has put on our hearts. It is hard to describe the incredible transformation that has taken place in Chepsabei since that first Spirit led day God brought us there to preach the gospel. No missionary, no church had ever entered into this village that was living in total darkness but praise be to God they have seen the light and it is truly radiating throughout this village.
2 Co 4:6..." For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. "
 We now see individuals who were living with such oppression upon their lives through drunkenness and witchcraft that they are now totally delivered and set free to live for God. 
At this point, there is so much joy, happiness and unity within this group of born-again believers that is literally contagious to those of us who are working to teach, train and disciple this group as well as many of their fellow villagers who are enjoying this sweet fellowship.                       
                                       Solomon's Family

This Church plant, which is our seventh in the last three years, has also been an incredible faith builder for our team of six who were on the initial survey trips into the Kerio Valley to work with the Pokot tribe.    Teresa Baptized

 

I still hear those men regularly reference how God directed us to Chepsabi while seeking His will for us to reach this tribe for His honor and glory. It was an awesome experience and we will never forget how His presence was so strong, so real and so powerful.  
We have enjoyed God’s goodness and His sweet presence in such a way that we want others to experience this personal relationship with our God through His Son Jesus. This work has been a team effort as Terry has been teaching the ladies and we have had a rotating team of preachers from Mt. Elgon come on a weekly basis.

The believers of Chepsabei are already having an effect on the neighboring village of Asilong as some have also been saved there. God has called another Kenyan National preacher to work in this village. Our love for these folks grows deeper with each passing day as we continue to invest our lives and the lessons God has taught us into the lives of these new believers. Our work is more than nameless people, nameless villages and nameless Churches but is rather deeply personal as Terry and I form close personal relationships with people that will last throughout eternity.
                                      Church Vote

 

This approach to mission work involves time, energy and commitment to those who we bring to Christ but is one of the richest and most rewarding experiences a person will ever have. It is our conviction that these types of deeper discipling relationships are what Jesus modeled for us as he walked, talked and taught His apostles for some three and half years. This is “Great Commission” centered mission work as commanded by our Leader and Savior.  
Mat 28:19....." Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
Mat 28:20...." Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Amen.
In Closing, We want to give special thanks to the ladies of First Missionary Baptist Church of Auburndale, Florida for making pillow case dresses and shorts for the children of Chepsabei.       

Terry Helping

Dressing Little Ones

New Dresses

Sisters

New Shorts

Happy Girls

We covet your continued prayers and we need your continued support to be able to reach the lost and disciple the saved here in Kenya. 

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

Phil. 4:13

Lake Victoria Crusade & Revival

We spent the last five days at Lake Victoria working in the fishing village of Wichlum and as well as the neighboring village of “Got”.  This was our third mission trip to this area and was by far the most powerful yet.  The camping was rigorous and the pace was intense but as the Bible says," great grace was upon us all."

Our introduction to the Luo tribe and the Lake Victoria mission started in 2009 when I led a young man named Kennedy to Christ. He became our traditional hunting guide for antelope and gazelle.   However, God has used those hunting trips in a way that we never could have expected or imagined.   During the course of our trips we have brought Kennedy’s family to Christ and did some village evangelism in Wichlum.   
                                           Kennedy Sharing God's Word

So I guess you could say we went hunting for animals but ended up fishing for men.  This third trip was no longer about hunting but was solely ministry related.    We have seen over one hundred profess Christ in this rough fishing village where there is not a single Church.
After each trip we would leave the new believers with Swahili John & Romans as well as some basic discipleship material.                                                                  Swahili John & Romans

Now God’s amazing grace and life changing salvation never ceases to amaze me but what is also amazing is how the way the Lord works in the lives of these new believers who have been saved and personally calls others into service.   You see during our absence from year to year there have been a group of believers who started assembling themselves on a weekly basis for prayers and Bible reading.    This group has been led by a fisherman named Jackson who has taken the initiative to lead them and also started doing evangelism in the neighboring village of “Got”.
                                         Evangelism Team

I will never forget the day we led Jackson to Christ as he was just returning from a night of fishing with three small fish on a string.   (Talking about scripture coming to life!)
                                    Chuck & Jackson

From the very first day he professed Christ he took us around to visit his neighbors to preach the gospel and now his entire block of neighbors are born again Christians attending His bible study.  We could hear several of Jackson’s fellow fishermen say, “If God can save Jackson and use him to do His work, all of Wichlum can be saved.”   Jackson Baptized

 Given the move of God upon these folks lives our team thought it was time to come along side of this group who have proven themselves faithful even without a Pastor or Church to encourage their growth and strengthen their young faith.
We did two more days of evangelism in Wichlum and we also had a three day tent revival.

There were 56 who made professions of faith on this trip and we baptized 32 who have been patiently waiting for over a year to follow Christ in scriptural baptism.
                                          Lake Victoria Baptism

Scriptural Baptism

Jackson has surrendered his life to the ministry and we are in the processing of training him and equipping him to do what God has called him to do.   One of the saddest visits we made was on the first day at the house closest to the plot where the tent was set up where we met a young backslidden preacher.   Very sharp, very articulate, with a very clear account of salvation but now a drunkard who has wondered far from God.   Here he sits in the middle of a village of over 3000 people who are lost without Christ wasting his life with riotous living.   We tried to encourage him in the Lord and he attended the meetings two days but was missing on the third.
His name is James and he could use our prayers.
The Mt. Elgon and Pokot Ministry are areas that God really burdened us to reach but in His great love and through His sovereignty He is raising more men of God to reach into this region of Lake Victoria.   We covet your continued prayers and thank you to all those who partner with us to fulfill the great commission.              

        In His Service,

        Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

        Kenya