Construction Consultant, Tension and Mother’s Day

                                     Hunting Guide

Construction continues to dominate this season of ministry as we have multiple sanctuaries currently under construction. While the task seems daunting it is also reflective of the progress of our ministry in that we have made hundreds of converts over the last few years that have now grown in numbers as well as faith and need a permanent meeting place. The move from timber to steel has been somewhat stressful for me due to the fact that I have had to be more personally involved in the construction process because the sanctuary at Cheposbei, North Pokot is our first ever steel structure.
Some of the stress and lack of peace has come from the fact that there are certain areas that I feel we 'under built', especially with regard to the trusses.  
With this as the back drop for the week, the Lord knew that I could use some help which would come in the form of a phone call from my hunting buddy, Chad, who said he was passing through Eldoret with a new Missionary named Taylor who happened to be a certified licensed contractor from Texas.  
Chad said they needed a place to stay for a couple of days and that Taylor had heard about our hunts and wanted to go. 

Needless to say. I used this merciful provision from God to see what advice a real contractor could give me. 
So this was the deal, I would take them on a morning Pokot hunt for Dik-Dik (smallest antelope) in Kenya if Taylor (an avid hunter) would be my construction consultant for a day.                                        Taylor

They really had to twist my arm to make that deal!

                                           Helpers

The result of the Taylor's consultation were some recommendations on using wire and turn buckles to give the trusses more lateral stability, upgrading the bolts and a new design for attaching braces for the walls.           Wire

Under Taylor’s direction we installed a few of the tension wires so I would have an idea what needed to be done in the future.            Tension

Nothing beats practical application taught by an expert.

                                           Progress

The next morning we would get up at day break with the Chief and a hunting guide who was a fourteen year old shepherd boy from the village to try our hand at hunting Dik-Dik with traditional long bows.

                                        Hunting Guide

We were definitely hunting in a target rich environment as there were literally hundreds of animals, but the Dik-Dik is a formidable game because they are so small and fast.  

The short end of a long hunting story is that arrows were flying and we all had our opportunities, however, none of our arrows found the mark. 

Before the hunting critics come out of the wood works it is important to realize that this could be one of the toughest hunts in the world.

                                       Hunting Party

It might be compared to trying to hit a grey hound dog who is sprinting at full speed through thorn thickets and briar patches. For me, given the limited contact we have with friends who are from your country and culture, these type of experiences are all about the fellowship and not the hunt.

After seeing our guest off we headed to the Landmark Baptist Church of Ndivisi for Sunday service. They do not recognize Mother’s Day here in Kenya but we (especially Terry) were keenly aware that it was Mother’s Day and while she got messages and phones calls from all three of her children there was a definite void in her day. These types of special days remain the hardest part of doing mission work on the foreign field. The only consolation was that we had the opportunity to be with God’s people whom we have grown to love so dearly.

During the service we also dedicated five newborn babies.  

The dedication service included recognizing that children are the heritage of the Lord, the family dedicating themselves to raise the children in the admonitions of the Lord and the Church family making a commitment to encourage and pray for these young children and families. I think before the service was over Terry had the opportunity to hold all of the newborn babies which did her heart good.

                                Terry & Ladies Choir

Thank you for your prayers, love and support.

God Bless,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez