Mt. Elgon Express, Survey & Saying Goodbye

       It was back up the mountain again this week to deliver windows, doors and the sign for the Church at Kipsigon.   

      We are thanking God for the break in the rain because while even though the road is horrible it is at least passable.   With the Mt. Elgon express (Land Rover) fully loaded, we beat and bounced our way up the mountain by the grace of God. The difficulty of this climb cannot be overstated but is one that we are rewarded each time we make it to the top with a hero’s welcome. 

      It was a blessing to sit back and listen to the conversation of the Pastors and members as they describe how great God is and how thankful they are for His provision of these building materials. 

      Make no mistake about it, they have hundreds of hours of hard laborious work ahead of them but they are willing to do their part to build the house of God.   They also took great pride in their new sign.   While they are currently meeting in a temporary tent it is as if they are saying we are here to stay and this is who we are.    After the delivery we were able to spend some quality fellowship time with Pastor David and Pastor Alex.  

     We see poverty everyday but our hearts are touched by their housing situation as they currently live in make sift temporary houses the size of a walk in closet in the States.   Their permanent homes were burned to the ground in 2008 during tribal clashes but you would not know it by the joy they have in their hearts as they serve the Lord.   While they struggle to provide for large families without any source of income other than farming they have never asked for anything.   After a time of fellowship we visited the new plot on the other side of the mountain where the Church at Cheptabrubru will be built.  

     We had to hike a considerable distance as it is not assessable by road.    This small hike was no easy feat but is one that we have learned to accept as part of our work on Mt. Elgon.  Sometimes it is easy to overlook the fact that we are hiking at almost 13,000 ft. above sea level.  To put into perspective, the U.S. Marine Corps does their week of survival school training in the Sierra Mountains of California at around 8,800 ft., Semper Fidelis.   Terry is the one who has excelled in adapting to our mission field on the mountain or in the desert.  She is always there beside me and I thank the Lord for such a remarkable woman. Pied Piper Terry

      As we surveyed the plot it was apparent that it was large enough at almost an acre but it is located on a steep incline like everything else and is going to require an enormous amount of excavation to level it for a building which will all be done by hand and hoe.   God bless them. 

      We are also making our rounds saying goodbyes and making sure that everyone that is a member in the six churches we are currently working with have Bibles & basic discipleship materials before we leave.

      It is hard to believe we will be reunited with our children, grandchildren, family and friends in just a few weeks but we know ourselves well enough to know that we are reaching a point where we need an extended break.Terry & Friends

      Not only has these last two years pushed us physically but there are pressures and demands that we need relief from that associated with living in a third world country.    These pressures and demands drain us emotionally and spiritually.  

      The goodbyes are hard because we have grown to love our brethren in Kenya many of whom  we have led to Christ and are our children in faith but there is a comfort in the fact that we know we will see them again soon to resume our work together for God’s honor and glory.  

       Please pray for us as we are both a little under the weather and have a lot of preparations to do before we start our furlough.   Thank you for being a part of our lives.

      Pressing toward the Mark,

      Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

      Kenya

      Phil. 4:13