New Convert...Celina's Husband...
Hunting Antelope
This
week has been a mad dash to the finish line of our departure for
furlough/deputation. There are so many things that need to be
accomplished before you leave your home for an extended stay.
I won’t get into all the details but I am thankful for my military training
in times like these as they taught me what is known as (RPS)= Reverse Planning
Sequence. With people that literally live on the road while
trying to manage a ministry out of a suitcase, it is important to have a good
checklist that starts with your date of departure.
With
the clock ticking I had to make a trip to the Kerio Valley to deliver a bail of
clothes that had been given to the faithful members of the Landmark Baptist
Church of Cheposabei by one of our last visitors, Philip Shemwel.
Phil was so touched by their generosity during his visit as they
showered him with gifts to include a goat and Pokot attire, and he wanted to
give back to the people who have so little. In addition to
delivering the bail of clothes, I had made a promise to a young Missionary
Intern named Caleb Foster to take him antelope hunting with the Pokot.
Caleb & Missionary
Caleb, who is an avid hunter is staying in Eldoret for one year and is
working with our Bible Baptist brethren. Needless to say, I have
tried to teach our men to be men of integrity and men who keep their word so it
was very necessary to take Caleb hunting before I left.
Chief Joshua, center, Missionary, left, Caleb, right.
Upon our
arrival to Pokot, we found that Pastor Timothy Loquardo had scheduled evangelism
at the neighboring village of Kalas.
We now have many members of
the LBC Cheposabei who walk the five kilometers from Kalas each and every week
to attend church. It matters not what we have on our schedule,
the first priority is always preaching the gospel. The sword
(word of God) comes first and after this the bow.
Our village
guides for evangelism were two women, Monica and Celina whom Terry had led to
Christ last year. The first time we met Monica she was falling
down drunk, the second time we met her, Terry shared God’s plan of salvation
with her through His Holy word and she professed Christ as Lord and
Savior. Now, here she is taking us to her family and neighbors
houses to witness to them. Monica & Celina
That is a transformed life that wants
others to experience the peace that passeth all understanding through a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Then we also had an old mama
named Celina who was so concerned about the salvation of her very old husband
that she practically dragged us to her home to share God’s word with him.
Her husband was not in good shape physically or spiritually.
We led seven to Christ that day to include Mama Celina’s husband who was
so anxious to receive Christ that he continually told us during
our teachings that he was ready to believe and receive Jesus.
Celina's Husband
After evangelism and after distributing the bail of clothes, the next
morning we headed out to hunt Diki Diki, (the world’s smallest
Antelope).
This hunt, which is the third time I have been able to
do traditional bow hunting with the Pokot’s was my best opportunity yet.
The reason I say this is because while Caleb was chasing Diki Diki with
the District Chief we were using the most effective technique I have seen yet
and that is using a herd of goats as cover. As soon as we entered
into the woods we found a large herd, (around one hundred goats) with no
shepherd. It seems as though these pastoralist release their goats
every morning into a known territory and then round them up at the end of the
day. So we hijacked this herd and walked gently and quietly
amongst them as they fed. These ultra small antelope were totally
off guard as they are not threatened by the goats. The goats
worked great as they cover your sight, your sound and your scent.
Goat Herd
My best opportunity came when I spotted a Diki Diki feeding at the edge
of the goat herd unaware of my presence.
With heart beating, I
slowly walked within thirty yards of my prey and released one arrow which missed
the mark but spooked the antelope. Now before the hypercritical
hunters come out of the wood work, remember that a thirty yard shot with a
traditional wooden Pokot bow is likened to a seventy yard shot with one of these
new ultra light and very accurate compound bows. And besides, the
hunt is actually as fun as the kill.
In Closing, as
you read this we are either on road or in the air to return back to the
USA. Please pray for traveling mercies and our young Pastors and
Churches while we are gone and thank you for allowing us to share our hearts and
lives with you each week.
God
Bless,
Bro.
Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya
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