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Floods, The Death A Saint
& A Legacy Since our last Kenya/Uganda update we have seen major flooding occur in
the Nyanza Province bordering Lake Victoria. We have a Landmark
Baptist Church located in the town of Siaya which was under water for many
days. Pastor George and eleven members lost their homes to the flooding
and subsequent mudslides. Since the initial report we have
sent aide to help Pastor George and five of the members to rebuild their homes
(below); however there are still six families which are in need of mabati
(iron) Sheets to put a roof over their heads. Please pray for these
remaining six families whose homes have been destroyed. We are
thankful for the special offering from the ABA disaster relief to help start
this rebuilding process.
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Yesterday we received news that our dear Brother in Christ
Solomon Mogal (below) went home to be with the Lord after suffering from
stomach problems which resulted in His death while in
surgery. Brother Solomon was a man who taught me much and
was instrumental in helping establish our first Pokot Church in the Kerio
Valley. As you can see from the (Below) Picture he was
disabled, but he never let His disability get in the way of having a family
(13) Children & serving the Lord. He would be among
our first Pokot converts in the village of Chepsabei. The local
witch doctors would challenge His faith by beating Him and putting a stake to His
side telling Him they did not want the Church at
Chepsabei. He stood fast and became a Church leader at the
Landmark Baptist Church which would send evangelists further into valley
and also into Uganda establishing (17) New Testament Churches since
2010. Some of the many important lessons Brother Solomon
taught me were that Wealth is relative: This is one of the most important
lessons for a Western Foreign Missionary working in a third world country
to learn. While His children clothes were often tattered, He
lived in a 15’ mud house with a thatch roof, He was one of the wealthiest
men in the Kerio Valley. Solomon owned dozens of camels, cattle &
goats. Relative to the economy in the Kerio Valley, Solomon had
great wealth. With that said, His spiritual wealth was greater
than His social economic status. He truly laid up many treasures
in Heaven. Another valuable lesson Solomon taught me was that if He could
hobble around with one good leg and crutches in the hundred degree heat of
the Kerio Valley, than how much more effort should we able body people be
able to put for in to our evangelistic efforts. He helped us
reach the neighboring villages of: Lopshincow, Asilong, Katuparut and
Kakaron, Uganda. Finally, Solomon had the joy of the Lord
each and every day. Regardless of His hardships, anyone who knows Him
knew somebody who was always cheerful, smiling and
upbeat. Our Mission team truly owes Him much for helping
us establish Pokot Churches in the Kerio Valley. He will be
sorely missed but we are thankful He left His crutches behind never to be
needed again in the presence of our Lord. Psalm
116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
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A Legacy Continued This post has to do with
another amazing servant of God. In fact, it is more about two amazing
Women who are servants of God. We recently received a report
that the Landmark Baptist Church at Ndivisi which is located at the base of Mt.
Elgon has started a youth outreach ministry in the village led by Mama Sporta
Wynonyi, the Wife of Pastor Peter Barasa Wynonyi. It seems as
Sis. Sporta who was personally taught and trained by Sis. Terry became inspired
to see the pictures and hear the stories of Sis. Terry going out each week to
reach children for Christ through the Florida Church
Plant. Pastor Peter tells me that one Sunday he arrived at
Church to find one hundred and fifty Children at the Church for the first time
as a result of Sis. Sporta and her co-labors going out into the village to
bring the Children in. In many ways, Sis. Terry’s Kenyan legacy continues
to live on through Mama Sporta’s efforts. With Children being third
class citizens, they have often been overlooked but now our Landmark Baptist
Churches see the necessity to reach the youth at a young age. Praise
the Lord for those who have compassion and make a difference for
Christ. Some would gather roses along the path of life,
and some would gather money and rest from worldly strife. But I would
gather Children from the among the thorns of sin, for I would seek a golden
curl or freckled toothless grin. For money cannot enter in that land of
endless day, and roses that are gathered will wilt along the way. But Oh
the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea and the gates of heaven swing
open wide, I can take them in with me. 
Landmark Baptist Bible
Institute - One of our major objectives this year and most challenging financial
projects would be the Classroom/Dorm building for the Landmark Baptist Bible
Institute of the Kerio Valley. The estimated costs of this
structure are around $40,000.00. This seems expensive relative to the
sanctuaries we normally help construct, but building costs have doubled in the
last three years and this structure is going to have a unique design to help
dissipate the 100’-120’ heat of the Valley. The Land has been
purchased and bricks are being made by Pastor Timothy Loquardo and the members
of the Landmark Baptist Chepsabei. That name may be familiar as it
is the same Church that Brother Solomon Magal belongs
too. During my February trip we toured a school in the
valley which used this new design and last month our Pastors meet with the
welder who is going to build the special trusses and
poles. Our sending Church: 1st Baptist Church East
Bay & Co-Sponsoring Church: Dean Springs Missionary Baptist Church are
leading the way with special offerings to jump start this
project. We have received $7,000.00 in designated funds
leaving an approximate balance of $33,000.00. Please pray for this
important facility where preachers from Kenya, Uganda & a neighboring
closed country will be trained. 2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast
heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who
shall be able to teach others also.
Thank you for taking time to
read this report. We want to thank our God for the Churches of the American
Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who
partner with Sis. Terry and I in East Africa and Florida. Please keep us and
the Lord's Churches in Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling
in Christ Jesus.
In His Service,
Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry
Fernandez
AKA: Missionary Loboduk &
Mama Terry
Your Missionaries
Sending Church:
1st Baptist Church East Bay
10102 Big Bend Rd.
River View, Florida 33578
Co-Sponsoring Church
Dean Springs MBC
2106 Dean Springs Rd.
Alma, Ark
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