The Virtuous Woman, Roofing & Leaches

 Women from the five new churches we are currently working with met this week for the last ladies seminar of the year.    As the women gathered together, there was such a sense of pride and happiness in the fact that we have organized something which is specially designed to help them reach their fullest potential as a Godly woman.  In a society and culture where women are placed much lower on the social scale it has been so good for them to have Terry encourage them in the Lord.    I was reminded of this by one of the elder men who told me as we were waiting outside that if a person saw two men and a women walking down the road, the woman could only follow and would not even be referred to as a person walking with the men but rather a possession.   Using teaching from Proverbs thirty one, Terry was able to encourage the Mama’s in their faith by showing them their value to God, their Husband, their children and their community.
                               Mamma's Ministry

The virtuous woman referred to in Proverb 31

 comes very much alive in a culture where women still mend and sew clothes,

 Prov. 31:13  "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands, and are deeply involved in the care and management of the farm."

Prov. 31:16 " She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. " 

The men did their part for the seminar as they actually cooked (which is unheard of) for the women so all would be able to attend the seminar and for my part, using the generator and a projector I put together a lengthy video presentation dedicated to the Mama’s of the churches. 

                             Woman's Seminar

After the seminar I heard one Mama tell her husband she saw her face on the wall.    There is a great value in creating a strong fellowship among these five young churches as they learn to depend on the Lord and each other as well.   We believe the best friends anyone can ever have is that of brothers and sisters in Christ united for God’s honor and glory.   While all five Churches are located in the Mt. Elgon vicinity they are not necessarily next to one  another.  We have worked hard to keep them connected so they know each other and will have strong ties that will continue long after Terry and I are gone. Construction of our second sanctuary continues to move forward as the roof was completed this week and the mud walls started to go up.                       Mud Walls

With a dedication service weeks away at least the people have a real roof over their heads now.

                                                Mixing Mud

I believe they will put the tent away and start meeting in the sanctuary next week while it is still under construction.        
                                                Completed Roof

Yesterdays services at Myanja were a real blessing.
                                             Happy Pastor

There were six people who made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and we baptized them the same day along with eight others giving us a total of fourteen baptized.

It is rare to see people saved and baptized the same day as in the book of Acts but that is what we did yesterday and it was awesome.     Baptism is such a joyous occasion as new converts make their faith in Christ known publicly and unite with the church. 
                                                   Baptism 

We tend to always have to hike several kilometers to get the water hole and the walk is more of march with singing and praising the entire way.    There was moment in time yesterday that brought shear joy to my heart as we returned from baptizing these fourteen new believers.

                                    Baptism Hike

As we hiked back to the village we were met by a woman who seemed overly happy and was clearly praising God for these new believers.    I could not understand what she was saying to each new convert as they walked by her house because she was speaking in her mother tongue but I could see her addressing each one while praising the Lord.    Pastor Peter said she was praising the Lord for these new converts whom she had many conflicts with over the years as neighbors. He said she was saying, “Praise the Lord you are now a Christian!”, and you, and you and you as she pointed them out.    What a blessing to see a community and village transformed through the salvation of souls one person at a time.   These small exchanges seen along this journey of faith from time to time make every effort and sacrifice worth it even more.    In closing, while changing from my wet baptism clothes I noticed blood running down my leg from leaches that had attended the baptism as well.  Are leaches harmful?  Oh well, that is another first for me but yet just another day in the life a missionary here in Kenya.   May God keep you and bless you.

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya East Africa

Phil. 4:13

Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

Nairobi, Acts 20:20 Evangelism & Donkey Whisperer

 We had to take a short break from construction this week to make a trip to the capital city of

 Nairobi in order to renew our work permit for three more years.  It was a great opportunity to pick up supplies that we do not have access to here in Eldoret.   However, in my mind it was somewhat of a milestone in our ministry as we have successfully completed our first term with God’s help and renewing our work permit cements our commitment to return for a second term.   For us, it is more than just coming back to Kenya for the work but rather coming back to the people God has allowed us to work together with as well as seeing our new converts grow in the faith and mature into servants of God who will reach others.   We need to thank Bro. Ernie Hopper for helping us process this necessary paper work with the appropriate government agency.    Lord willing we will be approved in three to six weeks.   After the short trip to Nairobi and a short bout of food poisoning which we brought back with us, we returned to a village called Kapkateny which is located on the steepest side of Mt. Elgon for evangelism.    Before we could get to the area of the village we were going to work in we got stuck in hole that was so deep that the truck was sitting on the frame.   This was one of those situations that even four wheel drive is not going to get you out.   There were no trees to hook the winch to but within five minutes there were around one hundred people surrounding the truck willing to help.  It was what I can best describe as a wild mob and a scene of absolute chaos in which people are just pushing on you in hope of getting something out of the deal.   To make a long story short about twenty men lifted the back end out of the hole as we pull away in four wheel drive.   This part of the village where we got stuck was the center of trading where all the goods come off the mountain to be loaded and transported by trucks throughout Kenya.   These folks are rough and rowdy.  Now the dilemma was to thank them without getting mugged.    I knew I could not pull out money as there were too many pushing at us and it would have turned out to be a free for all with me in the middle.  So I decided to give them something more valuable than money.   We gave out over one hundred Swahili John and Romans in about three minutes.   The crowd dispersed with a few grumbling about only getting a Bible but Pastor Peter reminded me that perhaps that is the group that the Lord wanted us to share His word with.    With the crisis averted we divided up into teams to start climbing from what I have seen is the steepest part of Mt. Elgon.

     Evangelism Team

Last week we were in the hot arid plain of the Kerio Valley, this week we are climbing mountains.   As we started to climb I had not taken more than fifty steps up the steep path and I was quickly reminded that this is something you have to get acclimated to as I was out of breath and my heart was racing.  It is funny because after about thirty minutes of climbing I was able to keep up with Pastor Peter who climbs through this area regularly to reach our Church at Kispisogon on the top of Mt. Elgon.

                                Pastor Pete on Steep Path

I was also able to keep up with our host Mafredi who lives there.  I will get back to Mafredi shortly.    Most people were happy to take a break from harvesting coffee beans to hear the gospel preached.   Terry and Mary encountered several liquor breweries in operation as well as a few drunks along the way but they were well received.

This is what we like to call Acts 20:20 evangelism in action as we go house to house to bring God’s word to the people.

                        Old Mama Believes

At the end of the day we saw forty-six people make professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and we planted hundreds of seeds that we pray will grow at a later date.

                                           Tired Terry                            

Now there is a story about our host, Mafredi, that I cannot resist entering in my journal because it is so fascinating. 

  Mafredi and I

Pastor Peter led Mafredi to Christ last year as he was hiking through Kapkateny to get to the top of the mountain.  We learned from our first visit that he was one of the few men that stayed to defend his home during the tribal clashes of 2008.  He defended his home and family with a machete and a lid from a steel drum.   He is known throughout the village as a great warrior but now he is a born again believer with a new life and a great warrior for Christ.   He is also a very successful businessman who owns numerous donkeys to transport goods up and down the mountainous trails.   After delivering goods during the day he moves his herd of donkeys down the mountainous trails during the late evening.   This is a very dangerous time as thieves are out and he is carrying a lot of money from the day’s business.  So to avoid the thieves he has made a sack that he hangs down underneath one of the donkeys and rides inside it.   The donkeys are well trained as they have made the journey hundreds of times and they know the way home without Mafredi leading them.   The would be thieves cannot see Mafredi in the sack and they let the herd pass without incident.   He said he can hear them saying, “where is the shepherd?”.    The first time I heard this story I did not hardly believe it but I confirmed this very common practice with Mafredi who I now call the donkey whisperer in jest. 

We thank God for this man who is now a born again believer and who has a great burden for his village.   Please pray for the people of Kapkateny.   They wake up each day to one of the most spectacular views in all of Kenya but with that same view comes very rugged terrain that makes life hard.   Thanks for sharing this weekly journey and journal of faith. 

May God continue to bless you and keep you

            Looking for Direction of....HOME

Chuck & Terry Fernandez              

Kenya

Blog: missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

                             Dennis

Builders and Bow Hunters

Terry Helping as Usual...

Over the last twenty two months we have done our best to let God set our ministry goals and priorities.  I believe because of His leadership we have accomplished way more than we ever could have dreamed or anticipated.   As the time has passed and as God has given the increase we find ourselves more involved and busier than ever.   Much of our work load in addition to seminars, Bible studies and evangelism currently involves three simultaneous building projects. We have one down and two to go before our first scheduled furlough in two months.   One of the many things I remember from my military training in ROTC and from my father who is a retired U.S. Army Colonel was a method of planning called the “reverse planning sequence”.   It involves working backwards from your “D-Day” to the present day and is a very effective way of keeping you on schedule.  Well, looking at my calendar and staring down the barrel of a new year which we will start back in the USA with our children and grandchildren, I can see that we need to continue to push ourselves in order to properly prepare our work for our furlough.   Because of the demands of our schedule we are spending much more time traveling to the Mt. Elgon region to deliver materials and to help build wherever we are needed.   This week we finished the trusses on our second sanctuary and we are preparing to install roofing next week. 

Each truss has to be built in place as there is no way to prefabricate them and then to lift them onto the new sanctuary.   With the trusses installed, the buildings full shape and size is clearly defined and the excitement grows each week with the anticipation of our dedication service next month. 

We definitely need prayers for our backs in particular because we are truly feeling the pain from two years of off-roading in the interior and paved roads which are absolutely in utter disrepair.

  Add to this three building projects, the fact that we are middle age grandparents and you have a recipe for chronic back pain.

Camel Crossing

My hat goes off to our missionaries who have served in Africa for dozens of years as I know they have endured daily back trauma year after year.   In addition to the business of building we took our third trip into the Kerio Valley to minister to the Pokot tribe and in particular the people of a village called “Chepsabei”.  

There are many things that make this part of our ministry very special but each time we visit I am reminded of just how important it is because we are truly sharing the gospel with people who have never heard it before.  On more than one occasion I have heard the words of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:31 from the villagers of Chepsabei, ”how can I except some man guide me”. 

We are continuing to push deeper and deeper by foot inside this huge sprawling village that covers many kilometers.  The temperature can run up to one hundred degrees and I have to give credit to my dear wife Terry as she went this week in spite of not feeling well.  I know her servant’s heart was leading her as she did not want to let the momma’s down that she has started a relationship with in this village. 

Terry & Mary bringing God's Love to Mamas and Children

Her involvement with the ladies cannot be overstated as they practically cheer when they see her coming.  I have to admit she was a great encouragement to me knowing she was suffering from her health but willing to continue to serve the Lord.  The Lord honored her sacrifice as she and Mary lead ten people to Christ.

I thank the Lord for her. With each visit we are meeting large groups of new people. We also now have our new converts that anxiously await our return and welcome us as brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Terry gives Mamas Audio Bibles in the Pokot Language

It is an amazing thing to see the hand of God at work before our very eyes in the lives of these new believers as they make peace with Him through the Lord Jesus.   Amazing Grace how sweet the sound!

We are also learning more about the Pokot culture as these precious folks open up their lives to us.  For example: this week I learned that in addition to being pastoralist’s that raise camels, goats, sheep and cows for a livelihood they are also skilled bow hunters.   While we were waiting for our guide Peter who is a new convert there were many children who gathered around us.  Most of the young boys carried small bow and arrows with steel broad heads.   At first I thought they were just for target practice or for pass time until we met one of their fathers who was returning from hunting with a “man’s bow”.   He explained that they hunt a smaller version of the antelope in the grazing foothills of Uganda which borders their village.
***(click on picture to enlarge and see expressions on childrens faces)

Each time we visit we leave more solar powered audio bibles in the Pokot dialect which are turning into small group community Bible listening stations throughout the village. 

In closing, our group has been confronted by one of the local witch doctors who tried to scare us away but "greater is He that is us than he that is in the world."    We covet your continued prayers.

God Keep You and Bless You,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya

Phil. 4:13

Blog:  missionarieschuckterryfernandez.blogspot.com

Mamas & Children...Pokot Village



The Wordless Book, New Windows, Doors & Bibles

Even though we are knee deep into the construction of our second church we took time this week to allow Terry to teach God’s Word at an Elementary School.    She was able to use witness dolls given to us by one of our supporting churches in Florida in combination with the “wordless book”.  The wordless book has been credited to Charles Spurgeon who first used it back in 1866 to teach children the plan of salvation through colors:  Yellow= God’s Love, Black=Our Sin, Red=Jesus Blood, White= God’s Grace & Green=Everlasting life.  

Two thoughts cross my mind when recalling this wonderful opportunity to share God’s word. 

First, as we serve God here in Kenya my heart is broken for our great nation because the reality is that we probably would not be welcome to share this same message in

 any public elementary school.

 

Secondly, the other side of my heart is rejoicing in that fact that these beautiful young souls have been given the most important truth they will ever hear in their life.   Jesus Saves!  I also believe they will always remember the day the mzungu (white woman) came to their school and taught them about Jesus.  

Many times our status in a village increases exponentially in popularity depending on how remote the location is.   In most of these villages we are the only white folks the children will ever see.

That places a great responsibility on us to share God’s love with them in a manner that we hope will impact them for their entire life. 

On the construction side, the pillars of our second sanctuary went up nicely this week and we delivered windows and doors made of steel. 

One of the benefits of having a weekly Bible study in Eldoret with men that weld and fabricate these products is that I get a great price and quality products.  

These sanctuaries may possibly be the only mud buildings that I have seen in the Mt. Elgon region with steel windows and doors.   The nicer doors and windows are among the few upgrades we have planned for the churches we build and while it does not seem like a big thing it gives the members a great sense of pride in the community because they have upgraded God’s house.

While a plot of land and a tent is a good temporary solution to a growing church without a building it sends a negative message to the village community and is perceived as a poor church without resources.    The members are delighted not only in fact that this stigma is being removed but more importantly in the fact that God has supplied their needs and they give him praise.    In closing, we are giving out new Bibles in both Swahili and English on a weekly basis to those who do not have one.  

There are many responsibilities that come along with being a foreign missionary however one of our main responsibilities is to get the Word of God into the hands of God’s people who do not have a Bible or cannot afford one. 

This is a burden that we carry and we thank God that he has provided Churches and people who supply free Bibles to those in need.  Jesus said in

 Mat. 4:4..." It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." 

 Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.    We covet your continued prayers as we travel this journey of faith.  

 2Th 3:1 

 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. 

God Bless You and Keep You,

Chuck & Terry Fernandez
Kenya, East Africa

Phil. 4:13

New Gator Fan