TEACHING....
Maintenance could very easily describe this week’s ministry
activities. I am aware that I spend much time recording the
intense maintenance of the Land Rover, but unfortunately it is a very real part
of our daily life as a result of the extreme off road areas the Lord has led us
to. And while this week’s maintenance, the completion of the new
rear duel shocks and spring system was part of our week, it was not the only
maintenance which took place.
Dual Shocks......
Terry and I took a few days to
travel to Nairobi to maintain ourselves since we have been hard at it over the
last seven weeks. We found that during our first two
year term we really did not take enough time to recuperate from the rigors and
stresses of serving in the remote interior areas of Kenya. This
left us drained and chronically fatigued. Anyone that has
experienced this condition knows that it affects you spiritually and directly
relates to your effectiveness. This was a lesson that a veteran
missionary tried to explain to us several years ago but one that we had to
experience ourselves the hard way. He said that, “if you do not
remove yourself from the work here in Kenya every six weeks or so you will find
yourself in a bad way”. We now know what he was talking about and
have made a conscious effort to try to better maintain our overall
health.
Terry & Mamas....
I realize Nairobi is still in Kenya; however, it is the
capital city where all the embassies are located with many modern malls and
restaurants. There are places you can visit that actually remove
you from the culture and surroundings for a short time. It is
these short experiences that help you decompress from living in a land and
culture that is completely foreign to our own. Culture shock is
very real but I believe that culture rejection is sometimes needed to regain
some level of comfort with your surroundings. Case in point, since
our last visit to Nairobi, they have opened a Kentucky Fried Chicken.
It may not sound like much but just the sight of Colonel Sanders smiling
face helps removed you from the foreign environment, even if it is just for a
few moments.
The trip to Nairobi also gave us the
opportunity to pick up supplies that are not available in Eldoret.
Since fuel prices have risen over twenty percent since our last term
there are many items that are no longer making it up country, especially food
supplies. After returning from Nairobi we jumped back into the
work at hand with a renewed vigor. We delivered windows to the
LBC of Three stones .............
And this also gave us the opportunity to test the new double
shocks and springs. They greatly reduce the impact that rough and
rocky roads have on our backs.
We were amazed to find within the
last ten days the construction of the sanctuary was almost completed. M3...(Three Stones) Sanctuary...
I was told that over sixty neighbors within the village turned out one
day to help mud the walls while the Pastor and His Associate Pastor finished the
roofing. This speaks volumes of the testimony of Pastor Shadrach
and the membership as they serve the Lord and live out their faith before their
neighbors.
Inside Sanctuary
After services we visited the home of
Japheth to have lunch. Japheth’s testimony is one that continues
to be a great source of encouragement to Terry and I. It was
almost three years ago that Japheth saw us coming to visit his house during
village evangelism and ran out the back door. Since that day we
caught up with him and the Lord got a hold of his heart bringing him to
salvation. Once a drunkard and living a heathen life, he has been
transformed into a mighty man of God that leads the building projects and has
given the rest of his life to the Lord surrendering to the ministry.
Japheth Family
Japheth was always respected for his commercial abilities as he
has completed major construction projects all over the country but now is
respected as a man of faith and integrity. He and Pastor Shadrach
form one of our strongest leadership teams. We see
the transforming power of God in action in saving Japheth and calling him into
the ministry. He has been a blessing to us and many
others.
1Co 1:18 "For the preaching of
the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God. "
Nelson Cleaning Mud
In His
Service,
Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry
Fernandez
Kenya
Phil.
4:13
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