Mt. Elgon, In The Shadow of the Almighty

Evangelistic Team at Mt. Elgon...Refugee Tents in Back

After a short break from language school to visit Turkana we returned back to the Western providence to start a new evangelism campaign at Mt. Elgon and help encourage a new Church plant at a village called Namarambi. Before I get into the details of the evangelism efforts on Saturday I feel the need to give some you insight into the history of Mt. Elgon so you can better understand how the Lord is moving there and so you can better understand the range of emotions we went through before, during and after our visit. In brief, Mt. Elgon has a horrifying past over the last two years with some of the worst tribal clashes that have taken place in Kenya. There were over 600 killed there as well as many other atrocities that I don’t want to mention. These clashes occurred at the same time as the post-election violence here in Kenya but were not a direct result of the election. It was a time of opportunity for two clans within the Mosai tribe to fight for land. To make the matter worse a corrupt Army Colonel was sent in with a battalion of men to stop the fighting and ended up committing as bad or worse atrocities than the clans themselves. In addition the clans and the Army was a gang from bordering Uganda that came across to take advantage of the weakened tribe. There were four principle groups involved in some of the bloodiest and ruthless fighting that took place over the last two years. With that as the backdrop and news of a Canadian missionary couple being beaten and left for dead as well as a Belgium lady shot and killed there last year I had serious concerns. However much pray and after Pastor Peter Wanyonyi visited the Chiefs and District Commissioners we were given assurance that it was safe to return again with an evangelism team. So this is the bloody history of Mt. Elgon. You also need to understand that yesterday’s evangelism efforts was God’s answer to a young man’s prayer from over five years ago. God gave Pastor Peter Wanyonyi a burden for Mt. Elgon over five years ago at a Pastors conference. He has been praying during that time that God would allow him to reach the Mosai tribe there and to plant a church. Little did he know all that would take place before God would answer that prayer. So with that as the backdrop Terry and I left El Doret at 6:30 am on Saturday to travel to Western.
We meet Pastor Peter and seven others from various areas to start our journey to Mt. Elgon. The Lord gave us traveling grace to Mt. Elgon and we started to climb the Mountain. Now keep in mind we are a group of 10 piled into the green camel (Landcruiser). The road up the Mountain was at least 33 degrees and maybe more in certain places. Mt. Elgon at its peak is around 13,000 ft. The dirt road/path without any guardrails closely resembled a trail with rocks and what we call Georgia clay. It was for sure a 4x4 low range climb that took around 45 minutes to make. When we arrived at the top Pastor Peter tells me that we were only about the 3rd vehicle that he has ever seen make it that high. He said most never make it up the mountain, I am thinking to myself and we did it with 10 people on board? So just getting up the Mountain was a major accomplishment and getting down would be just as interesting. As we made it to the top we arrived at an area that could only be described as a refugee camp with an Army garrison located at the top of the mountain to separate the clans. The typical Kenyan housing of mud with thatch or tins roofs were very limited and the predominant housing was tents given by the Red Cross. Many people are scared to rebuild their homes until they feel it is safe again. You see the first thing that the rival clan did was burn the houses down, then they burned the storehouse and then proceeded to kill the men. After they killed the men, the Army arrived and did more of the same and actually hauled off all the sheet metal to be sold. We found many homes with widows and many women in the field working without a husband.

We divided up into five visitation teams and we started out into the village that is a farming community on the side of the mountain. Terry went with her translator Mary and I went with Pastor Peter. As we shared the love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ I was constantly reminded of Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. We met people that lost loved ones who were put to death in unspeakable ways, people that were in need of a touch from God. People living in land that needed healing. We met men who were struggling with life, hope and love. We met mommas that were still traumatized by the past. The message of the gospel is what is needed in the life’s of the lost not only to give them eternal life but to give them hope and a reason to live. We assured them that God had not forgotten them and Jesus is also the source of comfort and strength. There is a place in the shadow of the Almighty that we can dwell knowing the fullness of God here on earth. It is in that place that we encouraged those affected by the recent violence to dwell and know that He is God and that He never leaves nor forsakes us. He loves us with an everlasting love and His grace is sufficient for us no matter what life brings our way. Not only did we see 27 professions of faith on Saturday but we also had a chance to minster to many hurting people. We lead entire families to Christ, many taking a break from weeding in rows of corn, digging up potatoes and picking green beans. The word of God was planted, watered and for some God gave the increase. We were also able to give medical aid to several very sick babies. The day with filled with sadness from the losses and joy from the additions to the kingdom of God but in the end we believe the name of Jesus was exalted and God was glorified. The people were definitely ready and in need of the Love of God.

Please continue to pray for Mt. Elgon as we will return again next weekend to continue the evangelism. On Sunday we visited a small group of believers that meet in a home in a village called Namarambi. We had a great time of worshiping and preaching with these folks.

We have organized an evangelism campaign there as well in three weeks. As we close our weekend our hearts are full of joy and our cups runneth over from the grace God gives us to be privileged enough to do His work. Nothing is more humbling than to be used by God almighty.
Terry with children of Mt. Elgon

Thank you for your prayers and allowing us to be a part of your life.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa.