Floods, The Death A Saint & A Legacy

 June 9th, 2023

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.   The Death of a Saint 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. 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