First Baptism, Growing Pains and Letters from the Field

Being fresh off our two week mission trip to East Africa gives us the unique perspective of knowing and seeing firsthand what God is doing here in Florida as well as to the uttermost parts of the earth.   We serve an awesome almighty God who is omnipresent and speaks to the hearts of His people all over the world. He continues to pursue the lost with His great love and grace as well as call and equip His servants to do His kingdom work.
Just two weeks ago we scripturally baptized over fifty new converts who obeyed the Lord Jesus in Kenya and this week we baptized our first new convert here in the USA. There was joy in the presence of the angels to seeing one of our young men receive Christ and follow Him in scriptural baptism.
Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

We are committed to coming along side of this young man for many years to come to exhort and encourage Him in his new faith by building him up with the Word of God.   We have also seen four more folks make professions of faith in Christ since Herbert did and praying God will continue to give an increase one by one.   Our young Church plant continues to yield much fruit as we press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.   The Bible Studies are not  meant to take the place of the assembling of the brethren but rather an opportunity to build a closer relationship with our people while we are teaching and disciplining them one on one in the comfort of their own home. 

Africa taught us that the relationship is paramount in everything and while I know this techno age does not lend itself to this type of discipleship, God is blessing our efforts and we are hosting as many as six Bible Studies per week.   This is clearly a work that God is doing by His power in the lives of many.   With growth comes the inevitable growing pains.   One such pain is that we are already outgrowing the classroom capability of our meeting place and particularly with the Children's ministry which Terry is heading up. 

We have one nursery room for babies and one classroom which is not much bigger than the average kitchen.   We are bringing in four van riders and would pursue more however given our limited classroom space we are concerned about overcrowding, safety and learning environment.   If you have followed our ministry over the last seven years you know we are somewhat creative when planting Churches, ie: using tents and temporary buildings until the Church is able to move to a more permanent situation.   With that said, Terry and I were traveling a couple of weeks ago and saw a small Church using a (Shed) as a classroom.   It seems to be an alternative for our Classroom/Jr. Church situation and one that we could take with us when we outgrow our current sanctuary.   With that as our challenge we have started a "classroom" fund in an effort to allow growth and so things will be done descent & orderly.   We have already received offerings of $1,500.00 towards our goal of $5,000.00 and if you are interested in helping us expand please designate your offering "Classroom #Floridaplant". 

We have partnered with our Kenyan brethren to build fifteen sanctuaries over the years and now find ourselves in need in Florida.   We thank God for our ministry partners who share our vision and burden to reach the lost and to plant New Testament Churches until Jesus comes back.   While we are talking about building sanctuaries, Pastor Nixon has taken funds our team of four left him to purchase a tent with and applied that to our first sanctuary in Uganda. 

Seems as though one of the members there donated a plot and they decided to step out on faith and move forward with a permanent structure.   The work in Uganda is several years old now and is worthy of our building support. Will close for now, hope you have enjoyed our latest blog update while you have had your morning coffee or with your favorite energy drink while on the run.   Please pray for us as we do what God has called us to do for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda#Florida Plant 

Letter From The Mission Field, Gary Weidenbach

My third trip to Kenya, and it is still the people, they are what draw me back. 

From the local Pastors, to the people we meet in the deserts of the Kerio Valley, it is the people. 

I have been blessed to observe the village people surviving day to day.  Their life is one of hard labor, feeding their families and maintain a house and home, with very few of the luxuries we have in the States, some of which we might consider necessitates, such as electricity, vehicles, and indoor plumbing.  Many of their houses are no larger than a 2-car garage with mud walls and dirt floors. Most all walk, have an old bicycle to ride, or take some form of public transportation to get back and forth to the market.  They carry their items everywhere they go, no putting it in the trunk of a car.  Older siblings take care of the younger ones, boys tend to the family livestock, while mom and dad farm the small plot of land they may own.

And yet I do not feel sorry for or have pity on them.  I do not believe they would want your pity.  The brothers and sisters of the area have given to me, both physically and spiritually, more than I can ever repay.  Their love, excitement, and enthusiasm is like lighting a fire with dry kindling on a cold winter night.  The wide smiles and open embraces are almost intoxicating as they welcome you into their home or church.  You can actually get lost in the knowledge of your harsh surroundings, just by being around the people.  They clap with excitement that you will be praying for them, and shriek at the idea that you would want to come back again.

Did I mention the singing during worship time?  They sing with a joy in their hearts and a praise on their lips, unless you get to experience it, I have no words to describe.  It's seems the longer they sing the louder they get.  The singing, like a moth to a flame, just draws you into worship.

My third time here, and it is still the people, it has always been the people and their love for the Lord and a real desire to serve Him as not only their Lord, but their Savior.

G

In Closing, I want to thank Chuck and Terry Fernandez for the many hard years of labor they have given for our Lord in East Africa and for allowing me to be a small part of their ministry. I pray I can always carry a part of the African people in my heart and my life.

My third trip