Kenya/Uganda/10-40 Mission Development 2023 A Year In Review

 

December 31, 2023 Let me preface this year-end report as I do each year by saying, "Happy and Blessed New Year" and “To God be the Glory, Great things He hath done”.   Let me also say Thank you to all of you who faithfully support the Great Commission centered works Sis. Terry and I are a part of in East Africa as well as Florida through your prayers and finances.  2023 was another exceptional year for our East African Ministry. In fact, the growth was so expansive that i feel comfortable saying I am not sure there is another place in the world today that we are seeing God move and so many saved & so many New Testament Churches planted. My Pastor, Tim Myers regularly says, "it is the closest work to the book of Acts that I have ever seen". In fact, there is not enough room in this report to tell you all the great things that God is doing in what is now three East African Countries. We see a great love for our great Savior in action. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Over the course of 2023, weekly evangelism efforts have led 15,816 souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They were able to baptize 10,311 of their new coverts and unite them with Local New Testament Churches. Praise the Lord! First & Second generation Churches continue to plant dozens of new Churches which now number well over one hundred. For perspective purpose only, Sis. Terry and I help plant 16 Churches over a seven year period as full time resident missionaries to Kenya and Uganda. Everything that has been reported are propagated from those 16 Churches. Please Note the details at the close of this report and please continue to pray for these young Churches as they obey the commands of Christ by sending out evangelists two by two in 2023. Mark 6:7a And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two. (Below) These pictures are indicative of the massive growth we have seen over the last seven years. Top group is the original 16 pastors with a couple of deacons. The bottom photo was take during March Trip 2023. New Islands Reached   2023 saw Landmark Baptist Evangelists preached the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ in dozens of new villages. Those villages are located in the Mt. Elgon region and the Uganda side of the Kerio Valley as well as Lake Victoria. For example; some of the most exciting new outreaches took place in the last three weeks of December with Evangelists from the Mt. Elgon region traveling to Lake Victoria. Not only were they able to strengthen and encourage the Landmark Baptist Churches of Siaya and Bondo area but they also took boats to Mageta and Maguda Islands. They would lead forty seven to Christ during their ministry safari. In fact, God blessed them as they were planning to go house to house but after the Chiefs found out who they were they would gather the people together for open air preaching.   Bible studies have been established in Makusaelwa were 17 folks have been saved, Yalusi where 8 have been saved, Nabakholo saw 16 profess Christ, Emakunga 52 saved, Chepkora 40 saved, Ondoti 56 saved, Mukuyuni 81 professed Christ, Siritanyi 30 saved, Passpalamu 69 Saved. The LBC Evangelist's will continue to teach these new converts and baptize them in the near future. Please pray for these dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ and consider their needs of God called Pastors, Bibles, Tents to meet under and eventually a permanent Sanctuary. If you are interested in partnering with us in 2024 to help encourage these new believers and eventual Churches, please contact me at: missionaryfernandez@gmail.com or call me at 352-277-1753. NOTE: if you look closely at above and below pictures you will only see two Swahili Bibles in the hands of all those in attendance from Mageta and Maguda Islands. Would you or your Church partner with one of these new outreaches to purchase the number of Bibles for the number saved? Providing God's Word   Through our faithful ministry partners, in 2023 we were able provide hundreds of solar audio Bibles in the Swahili, Pokot and Karamojong languages. Additionally we provided hundreds of hardback Swahili Bibles along with John and Romans for the Evangelists to use during village evangelism. People are starving for the Word of God in Kenya and Uganda. We will continue to do our best by the grace of God to provide them with His Holy word to help them know Him and grow thereby.  Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. New Country with Historic 1st New Testament Church 2023 produced historic news of the organization of the first New Testament Church in the 10/40 window of an unreached country.  We have provided training in Kenya for the men God has called to preach the Gospel in this closed country.  They have returned  to their home Nation and preached the gospel leading twenty seven to Christ. We subsequently transported them to Kenya for Baptism and with the help of our LBC Pastors organized them into the first and only New Testament Church in their country. This is exactly why Sis. Terry and I continue to maintain a ministry presence in East Africa. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church.   As the return of the Lord draws nigh, He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come unto repentance towards God and faith in our Lord.  Please pray for protection of those involved in this new and exciting Church plant.  If you want to know more about this country please contact me privately through email or phone. A Message From One of our Partners: My name is Jason Rutherford, and I serve as Pastor at Alma Heights MBC in Alma, Arkasas. After praying privately for years and praying as a church for months for the lost in the closed countries of the 10/40 window, God connected our church with Brother Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez over a year and a half ago. Partnering with them and our brothers in East Africa, we are seeing God do amazing things. Be praying for the people who have no access to the gospel: God is opening doors! 2023 Sanctuary Construction    (Above) Landmark Baptist Church at Matili has been completed since picture was taken in March. Thank you Pastor Isaac Slape and the folks at Calvary MBC in Muldrow, Oklahoma for partnering with LBC Matili   Landmark Baptist Church at Kaborioti and Kamachei received iron sheets to construct their sanctuaries. It does our hearts good to know our brethren are not totally dependent on us building turn key sanctuaries and are willing to do their part to help build. We simply parnter and encourage however we can. Landmark Baptist Bible Institute Mt. Elgon Completed in 2023   We have completed the LBBI at Mt. Elgon (Below) The classrooms, bathroom/showers and dormitory were used during our March seminar. As you can see they only need bunk beds to get the men of God off the ground. This facility is key to teaching and training Men of God to reach the lost and Pastor the Lord's New Testament Churches. 2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. NEW 2nd BIBLE INSTITUTE UNDER CONSTRUCTION These are the poles and trusses which have been shipped to the Kerio Valley for Landmark Baptist Bible Institute in the last two weeks. As previously reported, the bricks are made. The wood has also been transported from western Kenya and we fully expect to see poles going in the ground in January. We build by faith knowing we need another $13,000 to bring this structure to completion. Thank you to all have sacrifically given towards this important Bible Institute. Neh. 2:18 And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. 2023: Thousands Trust Christ on Mt. Elgon, Kerio Valley, Lake Victoria & Unnamed Country New 2nd Bible Institute Under Constructio Listed below are only part of the Number of Professions of Faith and Baptisms as reported by the Pastors and Evangelists of the Landmark Baptist Churches we currently partner with in East Africa. While I fully understand that the names do not resonate with you unless you have traveled with me over the last fifteen years. Surely the Souls saved, Baptized and Added to the Churches will give you reason to rejoice. To God be the Glory! Great Things He Hath Done!   Ndivisi 456 saved and 270 baptism, Mawetatu 94 saved 16 baptism,Namarambi 223 saved 38 baptism,Soysambu 15 saved 12 baptism, Evaclate 82 saved 69 Baptism , Chelekei 207 saved 201 baptism, Matili 193 saved 190 baptism,Kibuk 290 saved 119 saved, Matisi 92 Saved 88 Baptism Bokoli 201 Saved 196 Baptism Mayanja 66 saved 62, Sinoko 106 Saved 104 Baptism, Kimatuni 220 saved 218 baptism, Namajalala 101 saved 80 baptism, Nakoba 114 saved 22 baptism, Kibuku 78 saved 56 baptism, Manafwa 126 saved 65 baptism, Sirongo 82 saved 26 Baptism, Namanje 96 saved 78 Baptism, Kimwanga 69 saved 38 Baptism, Mechimeru 114 Saved 100 Baptism, Makhonge 124 Saved 120 Baptism Chesamisi 186 Saved 180 Baptism, Chenjeni 200 Saved 189 Baptism, Chelebei 196 saved 157 baptism, Kamachei 220 saved 215 baptism Tindibale 126 saved 81 baptism, Tuebei 105 saved 79 baptism, Kumabusi 126 saved 97 baptism, Kapkerwa 84 saved 60 Baptism Chebichi 189 saved 126 baptism Kibuke 119 saved 115 baptism, Saboti 159 saved 150 baptism, MIanga 212 saved 185 baptism, Chemondi 161 saved 15 baptism, Chesokwo 118 saved 120 baptism, Cherwandoi 340 saved 311 baptism, Chemta 269 saved 112 baptism, Kamabusi 156 saved 84 baptism,Cheptaburuburu 354 saved 306 baptism,Chepguruguru 288 saved 265 baptism, Huruma 146 saved 64 baptism, Panandeka 216 saved 211 baptism, Cheptandan 145 saved 109 baptism, Kaboriot 392 saved 315 baptism,Kipsigon 81 saved 44 baptism, Siaya 90 saved 66 baptism,Got 88 saved 12 baptism,Wichloum 64 saved 60 baptism, Uwendo 218 saved 208 baptism, Chenjeni 202 saved 189 baptism,Cheptais 371 saved 330 baptism, Sikhendu 50 saved 32 baptism, Malomonye 112 saved 110 baptism, Lunyu 181 saved 166 baptism, Nalondo 104 saved 86 baptism,Tuebei 37 saved 21 baptism,Chebei 120 saved 71 baptism, Lutacho 196 saved 182 baptism,Chebosi 199 saved 99 baptism,Mvunje 55 saved 25 baptism, Kopsiro 313 saved 262 baptism, Butiru 208 saved 207 baptism, Chalicha 209 saved 160 Baptized , Cheptais 271 saved 230 baptism Kibisi 112 saved 48 baptism, Cheposibpoi 70 saved 43 Baptized, Moriweris 25 Saved 20 Baptized, Kakoron 40 Saved 15 Baptized, Kapswama 30 Saved 20 Baptized, Tandaposi 22 Saved, Lukhome 18 saved,     NOTE: We do not submit these numbers to take credit or ownership in any shape or form, but to encourage your faith today in our Lord Jesus Christ. We only glory in the cross of Calvary but recognize the importance of what God is doing through a fellowship of Churches in East Africa which is not currently being replicated in many parts of the world today. We want to thank our Co-Sponoring Pastor Tim Johnson and Dean Springs MBC for their support and for the Churches of the American Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who partner with Sis. Terry and I in East African and Florida. Please keep us and the Lord's Churches in Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.   In His Service,   Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez AKA: Missionary Loboduk & Mama Terry Your Missionaries   Sending Church: 1st Baptist Church East Bay 10102 Big Bend Rd. River View, Florida 33578   Co-Sponsoring Church Dean Springs MBC 2106 Dean Springs Rd. Alma, Ark Thank You For:

 

2023: A Year To Remember!   December 27, 2023     Our Mission is the Commission! Matt 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:  Matt 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.    Going!Go ye therefore As you can see from the (below pictures), we continue to take the Lord’s command literally.  The Florida Church plant is known in Brooksville and the greater the Hernando County  area as a GOING Church.  Our goal is to make one thousand visits per year.  While I am not sure of the actual number I know that we made hundreds of visits  last year which gave us the opportunity to build relationships and to preach the gospel.   Sis.Terry and I made the commit to go out in the highways and hedges each and every week.  We are joined by a faithful visitation and outreach team that is bringing them in from the fields of sin.   Visitation and door knocking takes great effort and persistence, however we know God is with us  and He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above that which we are able to do in  our flesh.  We have seen twenty seven professions of faith this past year as a result our evangelism efforts.  We go because we are commanded to go but we also go out of a love for the our  Savior and the Souls of Men.     Instead of waiting for people to come to Church we take the Church to them by putting feet to  our prayers. Jesus personal ministry was a going ministry in which He engaged the lost, the lame  and the blind where they were. Going opens many opportunities to care for people which in turns  opens the door to preaching the gospel. The (above) and (below) pictures are of some having  compassion for the lost at a homeless camp we called "Tent City" as well as praying for  a homeless family in 2023.I       Hero's Of Faith One of the many highlights of 2023 is that we were joined by Men of God  from other ABA Churches as well as Missionaries to participate in  "village outreach". Our most recent esteemed and honored guest would  visit us in the last two weeks was veteran Kenya/Ugandan/Sudan   Missionary Ernie Hopper (Above). It was a blessing to fellowship with  Ernie and Cissy Hopper as we went door to door.  It speaks volumes of their heart while home on Furlough.     Teaching and teach all nations,   One of the many lessons our years in Kenya  taught  us was the need to preach the gospel and to ground new converts in the  word of God as soon as possible.  We first and foremost teach the lost  what the Bible says about their need of salvation and what the Bible says about how to be saved.  After salvation, we teach them about the need  to follow Christ in Baptism and then how to observe all things Christ commands. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. We make every effort and afford many opportunities for these new Converts  to be grounded in their faith through one on one Bible teaching as well  as weekly Bible studies.    We are also in the process of teaching and training preachers of the gospel.   (Below)     2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. The (above) picture is of a young man named Sean Harold. He is currently starting His fourth year of Bible College at Emmaus BC in Brandon. He is a tremendous blessing to the Church plant working with the youth, running van routes as well as giving our weekly doctrinal devotion. We are teaching Him the practical side of New Testament Church planting.         Baptizing baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: In obedience to the commands of Christ, we baptized twenty three precious souls in 2023. Most were new converts but a few were folks who had been saved but never scripturaly baptized.  As of the time of this report we had four more accept Christ over the last three weeks of December and will be scheduling them for baptism in the next two weeks. One of the highlights this last year was a river baptism in which ten followed Christ in scriptural Baptism (Below). Young and Old alike were baptized in the Withlacoochee River.        Building Improvements     On a no less spiritual note, Since purchasing the building last year we have begun to make it our own. To that end we received an offering that allowed us to put in a pavilion in the form of a pole barn. We invested significant sweet equity in this project and it turned out to be a real asset to the Church plant ministries. It doubled our seating capacity for fellowships.   (Below) Finished Pavilion     Steeple Update     The Steeple is now engineered, permitted, painted and ready to place into the installed bracket (Right). We are only waiting for the crane company to set it into its final resting place on top of the roof. We will be excited to see it pointing toward heaven soon.     Prayers for Health     As You can see from the above pictures, 2023 brought health concerns for both Terry and I. Sis. Terry's were very serious as her years in Africa still affect her health. She is making significant health and strength progress since this picture was taken with our daughter Carla about two months ago. Please pray for us as we press towards the mark of the high calling.   As the Apostle Paul said, I spend and I am gladly spent for you. That could characterize my depleted health condition upon return from Kenya in March 2023. We work hard for the Lord and we need our health to continue to improve and remain Strong so that others may hear the good news of the gospel. Thank you for your prayers.     Thank you for Holding the Rope!    Php. 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Once again we want to take this opportunity to thank God for Pastor Tim Myers and His wife Sheila and our sending Church family at 1st Baptist Church East Bay. Additionally we thank God for the Churches of the American Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who partner with Sis. Terry and I in East African and Florida. Please keep us and the Lord's Churches Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus in 2024.   In His Service,   Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez AKA: Missionary Loboduk & Mama Terry Your Missionaries   Sending Church: 1st Baptist Church East Bay 10102 Old Big Bend Rd. Riverview, Florida 33578   Co-Sponsoring Church Dean Springs MBC 2106 Dean Springs Rd. Alma, Ark.