“On the Hook” and “In the Valley”

                                 Young Preacher Thomas

 Keep in mind we are from Florida, and in boating terms, “On the Hook” might mean to be anchored somewhere in a body of water but in automotive terms it means to be broke down and being towed in by the tow truck. That is precisely what happened this week as we traveled to a village in Western, Kenya known as Mawe Tatu. Our plans were to secure trees to be cut and processed for the new sanctuary there but about half way into the trip the front driveshaft came apart ripping out the main wire harness as well as severing the fuel lines. Needless to say, it was a huge mess that left us stranded for hours while waiting for the tow truck.

                                  Waiting For Tow Truck                   

Then when the tow truck arrived it left us wondering if it was capable of towing the Rover back to Eldoret. (Refer to Pics)

In any case, we made it back safely but had no transportation for several days.

As always God knows what we need and this set back actually forced us to take a few days to rest our bodies and particularly our backs after the rigors of moving back into the country again. Once the Rover was repaired it was immediately back on the road carrying us deep into the Kerio Valley to visit the Pokot village called Chepsabei.

We thoroughly enjoy working in this hot and rugged land and we praise God for leading us to work there. Every trip there has moments of sheer joy. For example there is the descent into the valley from an elevation of approx. 6000’ to desert semi-arrid elevation below 1000’. Just at the peak of this descent we can look miles out into the valley with great anticipation knowing that God has called us to this region to reach the lost and He is doing a work in the lives of many people who live there. There is also great joy in seeing these young believers and followers of Christ praising, learning and growing in their faith. 

                                     Terry With Old Mama 

The work with the Pokot tribe was the last work we started before we left for furlough. Needless to say, we were anxious to worship with these new believers and to see how they were progressing in their walk with the Lord. A young Kenyan national preacher from the Mt. Elgon region named Timothy has been leading this work in our absence and has done a great job of teaching these young believers the Word of God. He loves them dearly and they love him so much they have given him a Pokot name. His Pokot name is “Loquardo” which means: LIGHT.           Tim & Tom....Pokot Tribe

Not only has he done a great job of continuing the work but God has blessed him with two young men from that village who have surrendered to the gospel ministry. This is an answer to our prayers. As I have explained to Timothy, our mission with the Pokot is to bring them to Christ and to train up leaders and God called preachers from Chepsabei so they will eventually have a Pokot Pastor and Pokot Missionaries to carry the gospel further and deeper into areas which are inaccessible to us. It was a thing of beauty to see these two young preachers inter act as they led the people in singing and teaching the Word of God. There is something special about two young men purposing in the heart to be living sacrifices for our Savior as they fulfill God’s will for their lives. What a powerful team God has formed as it is apparent that their souls have been knitted together to do God’s Work as they minister to the Pokot tribe. God is an awesome God!

I preached from the book of Acts on Why and Where they were first called Christians.

 

Over the next few month’s we will teach on baptism and basic discipleship to prepare those who have professed Christ to be baptized and organized into a New Testament Church. While the numbers were down due to a large village wedding, this village is being transformed by the love of God through the gospel one person at a time.

                                    People of  Chepsabei

We were able to supply the most recent converts the Word of God by giving them solar powered audio Bibles thanks to the special offerings given by our brethren in the USA. Your sacrificial gift has blessed these new Pokot believers.
     Asante Sana = Thank You Very Much.

We always depart with great joy in our hearts over what the Lord is doing in this large somewhat obscure village in the Kerio Valley known to us, the residents and God.

                                  Circle of Prayer

The climb out of the valley is very hard as the mountainous road is rough and rocky but at the peak of the climb we are always rewarded with a blast of cold air from this high elevation. It is so refreshing after working in the 100 degree heat.

We say thank you Lord. 

Please keep us in your prayers this coming week as we do have trials ahead of us but we know God’s grace is sufficient.

  2 Co 12:9 And He said unto me,

 " My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. "

God Bless You,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Kenya, East Africa

     PS: Special Thanks to First Baptist Church of Eastbay and Anchor Baptist Church for supplying 100 Solar powered audio Bibles.