Everyday Life, Building Progress and Happy Mother's Day

Looking back at our week in review, we have slowed the hectic breakneck pace we set since the beginning of the year.  However, even during the times of forced slow down when we are not on ministry safari doing evangelism or discipleship training in the Kerio Valley,  on Mt. Elgon or at Lake Victoria, we are still busy fabricating poles, trusses, windows and doors for the five new sanctuaries we are trying to complete this year. 

Additionally, Terry is getting ready for a Women’s seminar for the ladies in our associated work on the 22nd, 23th & 24^th of this month.  Teaching

Prayers

Then there is the less glamorous part of foreign mission work and that is just living life.

Tasks like purchasing food, paying bills, ie: rent, electric, internet and phone are all part of our everyday life in East Africa.   Let me add that nothing here happens fast and things are not generally well organized so the simplest of task in a developing country can be difficult.

Let me also add that if you are not accustomed to waiting for prolonged lengths of time to accomplish the simplest of tasks you will live a very frustrated life.  Fortunately, both Terry and I have assimilated well and after nearly six years we have adopted the Kenyan moto:  “Hakuna Matata” = “No Worries” or “Haraka, Haraka hiena Baraka”= “Hurry Hurry and there is no blessing”. 

 Our one trip to the interior this week was to worship with the Landmark Baptist Church at Ndivisi which is located at the base of Mt. Elgon. 

                                                  Inside New Sanctuary

New Sanctuary

The rainy season has started and it was extremely muddy and the roads, trails and paths we traveled were very slippery.   It is for this reason we run the best mud terrain tires money can buy and we simply would not be able to visit many of our churches without them and four wheel drive.   Walking down muddy paths with running water up to your ankles is not something Americans generally experience while dressed up in their Sunday best to get to Church but is the norm this time of year in Kenya.                                      Muddy Roads

The LBC at Ndivisi under the Leadership of Pastor Peter is really making great progress on their new sanctuary and is nearing completion. 

As you can see from the pictures, they still need to install windows, doors and cement the interior floor.    During the Sunday service, one of the members brought one bag of cement as a love offering.  

It may not sound like much but that one bag represents about one weeks pay in Western Kenya.

Not to mention it was very moving to see the man and the Chairman of the building committee kneel and pray over the bag of cement together as they gave it to God. 

Since Sunday was Mother’s Day and since they do not observe Mother’s Day in Kenya, I took the liberty to teach the congregation about our tradition in America of honoring our Mother’s.    It was during that time that I presented Terry with a painting that our daughter Carla has commissioned by a local artist in Eldoret.  

Terry was both surprised and touched by this expression of love. 

It is on these type of holidays and special occasions that we miss our family the most and our hearts are somewhat torn from being so far way from those you love. 

In closing, I want to wish my Mother, Faith Fernandez a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! 

Thank you for being a great Mom. 

Abraham Lincoln once said,  "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."

God Bless All of Our Mother’s

Bro.Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya