Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas in the Desert, H2O & Logistics

Road To Turkana


Terry and I enjoyed Christmas this year on the road by traveling to the desert of Turkana to transfer medical supplies and to close down the house we rented in Lodwar when we first arrived in country. With our primary ministry focus being Western Kenya we felt it prudent to maintain only one household until such a time as the Lord allows us to return to Turkana in more of full time situation. We don’t feel like the Lord is done with us there yet because we have some friends that have offered us a studio apartment free of charge anytime we are there. So after the weekly Bible study on Tuesday we loaded up the truck with medicines for the Turkana people and traveled on Wednesday. Before we left, the men of the weekly Bible study gave us two laying hens as a Christmas gift. Each time we receive a hen it is a humbling experience as we know the amount of food and the quality of food this represents to the average family here. God gave us traveling grace again with no break downs and safety on what is probably the worst road in the world. We thank him for his grace especially when we found out upon arrival that two people who work with the catholic diocese where shot on the same road on the same day we traveled. One was shot in the neck and the other was shot in the thigh while traveling the opposite direction as we were. Security on that road is increasingly becoming a regular problem. This being the first Christmas away from our family it was good for us to stay busy working on moving and closing up the house. Poor Terry had to do all the packing while I did all the lifting and moving.

Delivering Water                                                                                                   

We spent Christmas day having dinner at our missionary friends Kishule and Ali’s house in Lodwar which is the couple where we are storing our household items in their studio apartment. Some of the larger items we shipped via truck back to Eldoret. While Terry and I did not exchange gifts this year we were able to give a few. The most humbling gift we gave this year was the gift of water. One of the guards from the house we employed called and said that he and his family had been without water for three days. He asked if we could bring some from the house.
 So Christmas day we delivered 250 liters of water and some small toys for his Children. With temperatures that range from 100’ to 120’ water is the most valuable resource in the desert. After three days of packing and cleaning we were able to be free of the liabilities that come with maintaining a home which we have not been able to utilize as much as we had hoped. Before we returned to Eldoret we were blessed with some Turkana Christmas carolers

dressed in traditional Turkana attire. After a few songs we gave them bread and a small amount of money for a Christmas gift. It was a great experience. The holiday season here in Kenya takes on quit a different meaning as there is not the materialism that has seemed to overtaken our country because of the abundance of blessings. People here are unable to buy gifts as they are more concerned with daily survival. This being the case the focus seems to be more on the birth and life of the Lord Jesus Christ which is what Christmas is really all about. As I write this entry we have now safely returned to Eldoret and await a truck loaded with household items we can use here. We have had a unique Christmas experience with camels, sand, H2O and moving. Thanks for allowing us to share our life with you all. May God Bless you this Holiday Season and Have a Happy New Year.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa               






Children of Turkana


Monday, December 21, 2009

We Wish You A Merry Christmas....


Muslim Convert, Tabernacle in the Wilderness and Namarambi Tent Raising

                                              


With time running short we are desperately trying to achieve our year end goals as we will be returning to the United States early next month for our daughters graduation, missions conferences and a prison revival. This week we had a record high eighteen men attend the welders, fabricators and mechanics weekly Bible study here in Eldoret. These meetings continue to be fruitful and now the original 4 men are inviting fellow WFM’s to attend and to come to Christ. One such young man who attended this week is named Mganda who is a Muslim from Uganda. Some of the men in this group have been praying for this man as his life has been spiraling out of control in more ways than I can mention.
However, at the urging of his co-workers he attended this week’s meeting to learn more about what it means to be a Christian and how to become a Christian. At the end of the teachings he came forward to express his desire to follow Christ. This is God’s    amazing love and grace in action. The prayer and the burden that these men have for their lost coworkers are being answered one by one.              

There is true hope for those that are heading down the wrong path as this is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What impresses me through this bible study and outreach is that while I initiated the bible study with a few friends it has continued to grow each week and I have not made the first visit to invite these newcomers. They have all come through the invitation of their friends and coworkers who have been attending. What an impact this small group is having on the community as these men truly want to live for God. Praise the Lord for His mercy endureth forever! This week we also completed the construction of the last of three tents we will have put in place this year. With Terry’s help I fitted and finalized the construction here at the house before we took it out to Western Kenya to set up. Setting up these temporary tents reminded me that it was a tent that God commanded the Children of Israel to set up as a temporary tabernacle for their worship. This first mentioned principle is found in Exodus 26.
                                                                                                                                         SURVEYING
In addition to the children of Israel utilizing a tent for worship I find we are also in good company with the Apostle Paul who was a tent maker Acts 18:3. So while we are somewhat forced to use these temporary tents due to simple economics we are following a Bible precedence that was affective for a given period. This step will also allow these young churches to grow until such time as God allows them to build a permanent building. Yesterday Terry and I traveled to a village called Namarambi to help Pastor Daniel set up the tent for Sunday services. Pastor Daniel was so happy to have a plot that is paid for and now a tent to worship under. Their faith has truly been tested over the last six months as they
have had to move from house to house to worship but now they are praising the Lord for providing a place that is paid for and they cannot lose. As a handful of believers we held hands in prayer        Happy Pastor

asking God to bless the plot and tent. Our prayer was that the small plot and tent would be a place of prayer, a place of power, a place of preaching and a place that God Almighty would fill with His presence. It is a place that we prayed would bring Jesus honor and glory through the surrendered lives of individuals. It is a most humbling experience to stand in the center of what is Holy ground because as we have sought God’s will and we have obeyed Jesus commandment to be witnesses unto Him as well as teach all nations. There is no fancy building, no padded pews, no steeple or sign but what a privilege to allowed to be a small part of a great work. This week we ask you to pray for this young work at Namarambi and also remember Terry and me as we                       TENT CREW

will be traveling to the desert to bring back supplies from Turkana.
Merry Christmas to all because Christ is what Christmas is about.





In His Service,

Chuck and Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa




TERRY & MOMMA'S

Monday, December 14, 2009

Fishing for Men and Hunting for Gazelle In Bondo, Kenya


Wow! So much has happened this week I am not sure where to start and I am not sure I can fit it all into one journal entry but I will try.
Let me preface this entry by saying that all that took place this week was an answer to prayers in a way that could only be credited to the glory of God. On Tuesday of this week Pastor Peter, Kennedy, Chad Harris and I loaded up camping gear and headed to a town called Bondo which is located near Lake Victoria along the border of Uganda.

Our mission was to reach Kennedy’s family with the gospel as his mother had been saved last month and he was burdened for his father and siblings as well.
In addition to ministry work we took a day off to go traditional hunting which was something I have been wanting to do since I arrived in country. I will get back to that after I share the blessings of how God answers the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. The trip from Eldoret was almost 300kms and we arrived at Kennedy’s home late to set up tents. Chad Harris who is a Missionary I met here in Eldoret was the man to set up the tents in the dark.
Thank God someone knew how to set up tents with their eyes closed.

I will also get back to Chad later. After setting up in the family compound we were invited to share God’s Word with around 20 family members who were present that evening.
For one hour I shared God’s love through God’s plan of salvation. When someone or some event is prepared by much prayer God’s Spirit is able to move with great liberty while his Word is proclaimed. That is exactly what happened each day as people all over Kenya and the USA have been praying for this trip and this family. The first night 7 of Kennedy’s family made professions of faith including his father who was an extremely hard man. From that point on throughout the week Kennedy’s father had such a change in countenance. As each day passed and we taught him and his family the Word of God through daily devotions he became filled with so much joy. It was an amazing transformation that took place right before our eyes and in a matter of a few days.
In addition to nightly devotions we did house to house evangelism through the region of Kennedy’s home. Many of his cousins and neighbors came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in addition to those in his family. This was the direct answer to the prayers of a faithful young man for His family.

There were a total of 13 that made professions of faith. So with our primary mission accomplished we set out to fulfill our secondary goal which was strictly a desire of my heart and that was to go traditional hunting for Antelope and Gazelle.                                                                                               PRACTICE

After unsuccessfully soliciting my friends and missionaries here in Kenya to take me hunting I meet Chad Harris who is an avid hunter from Ohio. Upon telling him of my heart’s desire he said “count me in” when you are ready.                                                                HUNTING PARTY

Little did I know that Kennedy who I led to Christ several months ago would be the key to our hunting trip as he is from what is probably the best hunting area in the country, “Bondo”. After getting a permit from the Office of the President of Kenya for hunting, Kennedy organized a hunt that was something beyond imagination. I was under the impression we would be hunting with around 20 people and dogs but in reality we hunted in the middle of five hunting sections that had a total over 3000 people and 1000 dogs. It was the most insane thing I have ever been a part of.

We arrived at the site late and so we rushed into the wooded area only to find people and animals running everywhere. Pastor Peter and Chad had the best opportunities of the day to actually throw their spears at running Antelope and Gazelles. I was not so lucky.

After about two hours Pastor Pete and Chad stopped hunting as Chad pulled a muscle chasing a huge antelope.



As they headed back to the truck to rest I looked for the most respected hunter with a dog that looked like he had blood on him from a previous kill. I found a young man named Martin who put me in the middle of the action.

I was present to see several animals taken and was given a heart, liver and ribs just because I was there.


There was one anxious moment when I found myself in the middle of a group of men wielding machetes and spears and fighting over a gazelle that had just been killed. In any case they resolved the dispute without bloodshed as I managed to slip out of harm’s way. The experience of traditional hunting was one of the most deeply rooted cultural experiences I have had since arriving in country. This week has also drawn the four of  us closer than before. Terry was as usual a super trooper as she spent four days by herself for the first time since we started our mission work here. She also survived to tell the story and I thank God for her. Sunday we visited Landmark Baptist of Mawe Tatu (3 Stones) to find Pastor Shadrach and Church doing well. These folks really love the Lord and their young Pastor who is one of the finest in our work. Pastor Shadrach has already secured his place for next year’s trip to Bondo. With all that was accomplished this week I can’t help but to think of God’s providential intervention in the life of one young welder fabricator who came to Christ and is growing into a strong young Christian man. God is able and God is in control.
God Bless,


Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya





Monday, December 7, 2009

Mt. Elgon Tent Raising, Missionary to Sudan and Namarambi Plot Purchase


It has been an extremely busy week in the ministry. On Tuesday we had our weekly Bible study with the hard working fabricators, welders and mechanics of Eldoret. There were 14 in attendance and we have had three professions of faith. Thus far we have been able to teach the men about: Integrity, Compassion, Loyalty and Passion for Christ. It still amazes me that these rough neck men would take one hour out of their work day to study the Bible. Have you ever heard of a company in the USA that shuts down to have an hour long Bible study & time of prayer? Perhaps 100 years ago.



Now that the rains have stopped on Mt. Elgon we were able to travel up the mountain on Wednesday to assemble the Tent on the new plot that was purchased last month by Dean Springs MBC of Arkansas. At first there were only a handful of people there to observe and assemble the tent but before it was over there were dozens of curious villagers as well as faithful Church members who stopped in to lend a hand and or to celebrate a milestone event in the day of new Church. This day was one of those days in the history of a new Church that lends itself to being a great faith builder for all. While we know we walk by faith and not by sight there are tangible events that take place in life when God shows himself faithful to those that will seek His righteousness.

Wednesday was one such day. The people were so happy to have their own sanctuary even if it is temporary because they have been meeting in what could best be described as a cattle stall.


 After assembly we had a small dedication service to thank God for what he has provided and to commit the plot and tent to be used for His honor and glory.



Yesterday we traveled to the new Church plant at Namarambi. We have not frequented this Church much as they have been negotiating to buy a plot and we have learned that if we are involved in any shape or form the price on the plot nearly doubles. So we have purposely stayed away while Pastor Daniel negotiated the price. He finally negotiated the price of 50,000 ksh which is approx $650.00 usd. So with the deal negotiated we came to visit having committed the balance of what the Church was able to raise. We have not really raised the funds for this plot but by faith we provided the balance knowing God will provide as they are getting ready to lose their second meeting place this year. If we did not move forward there is a good possibility that the work accomplished this year would have been lost. So while I know I make my missions treasurers nervous from time to time,  I believe that God blesses faithfulness and will provide for this young work in Namarambi. Prayer and faith is what we need for God to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing.
While at Namarambi yesterday Bro. John Wynonyi who is a Missionary to southern Sudan visited his Father Daniel. John has been in Sudan since March and started with a Bible study and now is moving forward at the same pace of the Church plants we are involved in here in Western. Pastor Daniel is the Father of 5 preachers! That speaks volumes about His faith and His family. It was a day that will not soon be forgotten seeing the joy and hearing the praise of the people as God has provided a huge need in the growth of this young work. In closing, I am certain that God’s hand is upon this group of believers as they have been faithful through very tough times and persevered. Please pray for this young work and this week we ask you to pray as we travel to Bondo near the Uganda border to bring the gospel to Kennedy’s family and to go traditional hunting for Antelope and Impala.

Next week’s journal should be interesting. Stay tuned and stay faithful.



Chuck & Terry Fernandez, Kenya








Monday, November 30, 2009

Tent Assembly, Thanksgiving, Mt. Climbing & Bible Study


This week we accomplished the final construction and assembly of the tent for the first Church on Mt. Elgon. We assembled it here in Eldoret in order to make sure everything was in good order when we put it up on the mountain.

With the plot already purchased the people are ready for a shelter to worship under. It is my intention to travel back to Mt. Elgon on Wednesday to assemble the tent with Pastor Peter.

This week fifteen men attended the weekly Bible study here in Eldoret and it continues to be a blessing to all involved, including the teacher. In addition, there was one more man who was saved.

 Terry and I spent Thanksgiving together, alone, and it was a little tough as this was the first Thanksgiving we have spent away from our family in 28 years. Thank God for cell phones as we were able to talk to all of our Children and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. One of the things that made Thanksgiving a little more bearable was a huge package we received from Terry’s sister, Karen. Every time we get a care package from the USA it is like Christmas and we feel so special. Included in the package was canned turkey! Since you cannot get turkey here in Kenya we felt blessed to eat actual turkey with stuffing that Terry made. Thank you Karen, for making our Thanksgiving special and reminding us of how thankful we are for our family.

Yesterday we traveled to another village on Mt. Elgon called Kaperewa to do evangelism and to promote a new Bible study Pastor Peter’s younger brother Timothy has been lead to start.
Timothy recently moved to Mt. Elgon to take a teaching position at a private school. He feels lead to start a weekly Bible study there with hopes to plant a third Church on Mt. Elgon.

This village is at a lower elevation and a considerable distance from the other two Churches we currently have on the mountain. Getting anywhere on Mt. Elgon is still very difficult and it is the only place I know you have to cross rivers, go mudslinging and rock climbing all in the same morning. It is very hard on the truck and driver. Mt. Elgon has some of the most fertile soils in Kenya and grows some the largest and healthiest vegetables I have ever seen. However, the mountain also seems to yield some of the most fertile ground, spiritually, in all of Kenya. When we visit the homes of the people of Mt. Elgon almost without exception they remember and speak of the violence. With hundreds of people slaughtered there last year it still weighs very heavy on the hearts of so many of the residents.
This being the environment there is a liberality of Spirit that seems to be unsurpassed.

The people are so hungry and so wanting to have God in their lives that they readily come to faith in Christ as their hope for eternal life and their hope for peace in their land.

Yesterday there were 49 who professed Christ as their Savior in Kaperewa and we gave out 100’s of copies of the book of John and Romans in Swahili. We also gave out many Bibles as well. I have included a picture of Terry’s e-team with her translator Momma Mary who is 9 months pregnant still out sharing God’s love and God’s Word.

If that is not inspiring I don’t know what is. The love that these folks have for God is contagious and their faithfulness in serving Him is unwavering. God has truly given us some great Christians to work with. We concluded a great day of evangelism traveling over 250kms with a broken clutch cylinder upon arriving in Eldoret. We limped into the house very late in 2nd gear but we thank God it did not let go while we were on Mt. Elgon. The Lord truly gives us grace each and every day. We will be back at the garage in the morning again. It is comforting to know that the mechanic who works on the truck is now attending the weekly Eldoret Bible Study and fellowship.





 God Bless.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez



Kenya, East Africa