Missionaries Fernandez: 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

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