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

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