Funerals, Tent Making and 14 Baptized

CHILDREN DEDICATION BLESSING

This week was an emotional roller coaster and it seems as though we were consumed with the work of the Lord at every waking moment. It was one of those weeks that you look back on and realize that it is over in the blink of an eye. With that said, the only way I feel I can adequately record all that we accomplished this week is through somewhat of a journal log rather than a journal blog in order to maintain my long standing belief that people do not want to read more than about a page at a time. So following is an overview of this week’s ministry activities:

A. We had two funerals this week in the work that we are involved in: Mama Grace, treasurer, at LBC Mayanja fell ill this week and died very suddenly and unexpectedly.

B. A young man from LBC Namarambi was shot in North Pokot by Turkana cattle raiders this week and died from His wounds.

C. We took a survey trip to the village of Netima which is located near the LBC of Mayanja at the base of Mt. Elgon. This village has been in our hearts and prayers for the last two years as several of the members of the LBC of Mayanja live in this village and walk ten kilometers to Mayanja for worship.

D. With my trustee “help met” by my side, Terry and I cut, assembled and painted the necessary items for the new tent and benches to be used at the outreach at Soysambu, not to mention shopping and collecting all these items which in itself is a laborious task here in Kenya.

Note: Thank you North Loop MBC for partnering with us financially to make this possible. 

E. We traveled with three of our Eldoret converts for joint services with the Landmark Baptist Church of Mawe Tatu and Soysambu.

F. Had Children’s dedication for eight new babies born over the last month.

G. Baptized 14 converts from the outreach at Soysambu.

H. Delivered the new tent and benches to be used for their midweek bible study and for Sunday services they are now holding,

(they have outgrown the house they have been using), Praise the Lord!

Mama Grace’s funeral painted the picture of someone who was loved dearly and will be missed sorely by all. Not only was she a faithful Church member/treasurer of LBC Mayanja but she was also a cook at a very large neighboring primary school for thirty years. Needless to say, school was postponed to allow the staff and students to come and pay their respect for Mama Grace. 
                                       Mama Grace & Terry                    

Mama Grace gave Terry a Blessing before she went to be with the Lord

The testimonies of a Godly Christian woman who had a servant’s heart were incredible and lasted for over an hour. Equally as impressive was the fact that there were four Landmark Baptist Churches present to help plan and organize the funeral.

 Grace's brother, Dismus

Funeral

There were also dozens who made professions of faith during the invitation at the close of her funeral. The setting was not unusual for this time of year as she lived in the middle of a cornfield, however it added a strange dimension to the service with hundreds of people scattered in and amongst the corn and banana trees.

                         Landmark Baptist Church Ladies

Sunday, we combined the services of the LBC Mawe Tatu and the outreach at Soysambu which provided an amazing day of worship. We baptized 14 new converts and I had the privilege of teaching their leader Japheth how to baptize.

Baptism Service

He did a great job as he was able to perform his first baptism. The outreach at Soysambu continues to be a great source of blessing and encouragement to Terry and I.  

We were very surprised by their reaction to the pictures we showed them of us doing the work this week on their new tent and benches.

                                   Painter Helper

They were blown away when they realized that we do not just purchase these items but that we actually put our blood and sweat into them so that they will have a place to worship the Lord.                New Benches

In closing, words cannot describe the sights and sounds of the joy expressed by these new young Christians. They are so happy to be saved and so happy to be growing in the newness of life as they walk with the Lord.   

                      PRAYERS....THANKING GOD! 

We thank our God for allowing us to be a small part of His great work in the lives of so many and we covet your continued prayers

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya