God's People Returning to Mt. Elgpm, Rebuilding Homes and Harrowing Stories

God's People Returning To Mt. Elgon

With security and stability returning to Mt. Elgon, our brethren are starting to return to pick up the pieces of their lives and ministries in the wake of recent destruction.   Over two hundred people lost their lives during the latest round of violence.   Pictures are hard to come by but I have included a couple of the Pastors whose lives were affected by this tragedy.   Five of our Landmark Baptist Pastors have been displaced and forced to flee to the base of the mountain where they have found temporary relief and safety.  Three of them lost Church members as well as family members.   After nearly a month, they are ready to return to rebuild their homes.   The specific Churches affected by the violence are the Landmark Baptist Church at Huruma, The Landmark Baptist Church of Cheptandan, the Landmark Baptist Church at Cheptkururu, the Landmark Baptist Church at Chemta and the Landmark Baptist Church at Panadeka.   These Churches represent one fourth of the Churches on Mt. Elgon where God has done an amazing work.  In ten years, God has planted twenty Missionary Baptist Churches in villages about every five kilometers apart on what we call the Chweli side of the mountain.   Dozens have been saved and Bible studies have been started by these faithful Men of God during this time of personal tribulation.  It is a sobering reminder that God is faithful and worthy to be praised and what man meant for evil, God has used for good. 

The Above picture is a file pic of homes that have been recently burned on Mt. Elgon.

The picture Below is of Pst. Alex Cheriembee's three children who had just returned to find their home burned.  (sorry for the poor quality.)

The Picture (Below) is one of the largest Landmark Baptist Churches on Mt. Elgon which is located at the village of Cheptkurukuru.    Again, these pictures are the first I have received and very hard to come by, but as you can see, much of the tin has been stolen from the roof and sides.  Some of the structural part of the sanctuary has actually been burned.   We thank God that the Church is not the building but with daily rains (about 2pm) we understand the necessity to rebuild as soon as possible.   This Church had over one hundred and fifty members before the violence.   Please pray for them as they return home  and try to put the pieces of their lives and ministry back together.

 Below from left to right):  Pastor Robin, LBC Chemta,  Pastor Victor, LBC Chepetandan & Pastor Alex Cherembee (in blue), LBC Cheptkurukuru.  These are the only three Men of God who were able to attend our recent Pastors seminar at the base of Mt. Elgon. The other two Pastors affected  were not able to attend due to curfew and check point obstacles.  They are Pastor Benard, LBC Panadeka and Pastor Moses, LBC Huruma.  

 Harrowing Stories From Our Pastors

Our recent trip afforded me the opportunity to sit down and hear the first hand accounts of the tragedy our Pastors experienced on Mt. Elgon.   Both Pastor Robin and Pastor Alex lost three brothers in the violence and they were all still very much in shock at the time of our meeting.  We grieve together with these men, their families and Churches.  The most harrowing story came from Pastor Robin who narrowly escaped with his life after being confronted by the killers in his home.   Pastor Robin evacuated His family when word first spread thru the village that the violence had begun.  He said that he stayed behind and it would be at 1am in the morning the killers entered his house to kill him.  Pastor Robin (who is very small in stature) said he hid under a table and was repeatedly asked by the killers, "where is your father"?   They thought he was a child, so he answered them in a child's voice, "my father is away".   He said they left him alone as they were only killing the men of the village.   He would flee down the mountain after they departed with His life spared.    

 Our Plan to Help

Many have asked how they can help.  The most immediate and pressing need is to help the Pastors rebuild their homes.  Before they can help anyone else, they need to insure their family has a roof over their head.    Our plan is to purchase 25 sheets of tin roofing for each of the five Pastors whose homes were destroyed.  One piece of tin roofing is only $8.00.  The family will do the mud construction but they need help with the most expensive part which is the tin roofing.

The cost to repair the Churches are as follows:  Landmark Baptist Church at Cheptkurukuru needs $1600.00 to replace the roof and sides with tin and $700.00 to replace the burnt sections of wood.   The Landmark Baptist Church at Cheptandan needs $1500.00 to replace the stolen tin roofing and sides and $650.00 to replace the wood.    Everything was stolen at the Landmark Baptist Church at Chemta which needs the steel poles and trusses, wood and tin sheeting.   The approximate cost to replace all of this is $4000.00.   Our folks at the Florida Plant feel led to lead the way by taking special offerings over the next thirty days to help our brethren on Mt. Elgon.   Your prayers would be greatly appreciated and if you or your Church are looking for VBS project or just want to be a blessing to those who have lost so much, please designate special offerings, "Mt. Elgon".   

 Terry and I praise the Lord for each of our ministry partners and for all who allow us the opportunity to share what God is doing in our lives and multiple mission points.   We covet your continued prayers.

 In His Service,

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

Kenya Part 1 Kerio Valley

Week one of our trip to Kenya found us camping out, deep in the interior of the Kerio Valley.   Camping in the "bush" is not easy but provided us the opportunity to maximize our time in country.   It also gave us the opportunity to spend time with our Pastors and Churches in a different setting other than "work".  It's hard to describe the unique feeling of going to sleep and waking up in a remote village.  You will hear sounds and see sights that can only be found by camping out among the indigenous population.  Additionally,  we are able to connect with God 's people both culturally and spiritually in ways that is not possible when blowing in and out of their lives on day trips.  Our one -man cot tents were amazingly comfortable and had built in mosquito nets for added protection.



Our ministry team from Left to Right in the (below) photo consisted of Pastor Peter Barasa, Bro. Sean Harold, Pastor Shadrach Mbilii, Pastor Timothy Loquardo and Pastor Jamie Hogan.  This was Bro. Sean's first trip to Kenya and Bro. Jamie's third trip.  Our brethren are starting to refer to Bro. Jamie as a resident now, which is a great honor.   Our three National Pastors have been by our side since we started our mission work nearly ten years ago and God continues to use them in a mighty way.   Each one has His particular mission field within the country which includes Mt. Elgon, the Kerio Valley and Lake Victoria.   It is important to note that I did not assign them these areas, they are God called and God led.  This Missionary simply shared His vision, passion and burden to reach the lost for Jesus Christ and their greatest work has been over the last few years without me.   It's been said that the work of the Foreign Missionary is to work himself out of a job and let the Nationals maintain and continue the work which he started.   Please pray for these great Men as I am starting to see signs of weariness in all of us as we have worked hard over the last ten years to press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.  While our roles have changed, our hearts are still very much knitted together in Christ with these great Men of God. 





  This elderly Pokot couple (above) are some of our early converts in the Kerio Valley.   They have adopted me as their "American Pokot Son" and I proudly bear their name, "Loboduk".  Please pray for BABA Loboduk as His health is failing fast and I am not sure I will see Him again on this side of eternity.   Also note: MAMA Loboduk with her solar audio Bible next to her ear while I am greeting  Baba.   Thank you to all who have given so these Born Again Believers can hear the Word of God in their mother tongue.  They are faithful members of the Landmark Baptist Church at Chepsabei and they walk as many as four kilometers one way in 100' heat to attend Church.  

 

Preachers Preaching the Gospel  

Acts 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 

The pictures below are from village evangelism in Morrweries which was formerly known as the "Village of the Murderers".   The large group pictured is one family, a few Church members and some neighbors.   We typically teach the Bible during these impromptu meetings and then let the National Pastors take over if there are some who want to be saved.  We want these converts to become disciples of the National Pastors as they will have the harder work of grounding them in basic Bible truths and doctrine.   They will follow up to confirm the souls saved and schedule baptism after more teachings.   







 The old Pokot Mama on the ground is blind and in her last days on the earth.  I thank God she has heard about God's great love for her through His Son's death on the Cross, His burial and Resurrection.  The plan of salvation was thoroughly taught and our hope is that she believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and we will see her again in Heaven.   It is also awesome to think that while she cannot see, she can listen to the Word of God spoken in Pokot through her audio Bible until she meets the Lord face to face.  



   The man pictured (below) is a village elder who made a profession of faith in Christ and received an audio Bible to help him grow into a mighty man of God.   This village has been totally transformed one soul at a time by the power of God.   Once a village of death, destruction and darkness, it has become a village of peace, love and joy.  Acts 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

 Family of Faith

 The beautiful family (below) are now a family of faith.  The two wives are converts of previous evangelism efforts and have been Baptized and added to the Landmark Baptist Church at Morreweis for several years now.  They have been praying for Baba to be saved and it would be this day that He would believe and receive Christ as His Savior.    I can see this family of faith sitting around their home, led by Baba listening to the Word of God.  I say, AMEN! Rom. 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

 

After village evangelism we gathered together at the newly completed sanctuary for a brief fellowship with testimonies.   It does our hearts good to return again from time to time and see the fruit that remains from believers that are abiding in Christ.   This village is a snapshot of the work Terry and I have done in Kenya and Uganda over the last decade and while we know we are laying up our treasures in heaven, God allows us the blessed privilege to see our Brothers and Sisters in Christ continuing to be faithful to our Lord and Savior and looking for His soon coming. 

Ethador's Story

The (below) picture is of a Pokot man named Ethador sitting with His Grandson under a tree in Morreweis.   He is the village elder who was our first convert at Morreweis.   I will never forget the day we met him as it was a day in which our guide would stop short of the village because he was frightened and concerned for His life.  The guide has previously led the Kenyan Police to this village to arrest Ethador of murder some ten years earlier.   Now he sits as a child of God,  a member of the New Testament Church and a changed man who loves Jesus.   It was good to reconnect with Ethador and to know He's continuing His walk with God.   His testimony is one that has been repeated by many others in this land and we can only say, to God be the glory, great things he hath done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Equipping National Pastors

As you can see from the (below) picture,  we have left an adequate supply of John and Romans from Fish Ministries as well as solar audio Bibles from the many Churches and individuals who gave towards this worthy cause.  Pastor Stephan of the Landmark Baptist Church in Morreweis will judiciously distribute them in the coming months to new converts as he sees fit.  Matt. 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  

Stay tuned for Part 2 and update on the violence on Mt. Elgon.  Thank you for allowing us to share our journey of faith and thank you again to each and every ministry partner who supports us prayerfully and financially.   Please continue to pray for the work in Kenya/Uganda and Florida.

 

In His Service,

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

 

 

 













Mt. Elgon & Solar Audio Bible Update

Three Landmark Baptist Churches Burned
The latest news from Mt. Elgon from what we can discern is that over two hundred people have been killed during this latest time of unrest.  The government has placed a curfew on the entire mountain and we are receiving conflicting reports of how many Churches have been damaged or destroyed.  We have been told that three sanctuaries have been destroyed at this time.  We have also help relocate five of our Landmark Baptist Pastors with their families to the base of the mountain where thousands have fled to safety.  Some of these Pastors are already starting new works in their villages of refuge.  Many have inquired as to how they can help but at this time it is too early to know how we can assist our brethren and Churches.  We will better be able to assess the situation when we arrive in country next week at which time we will be able to talk to those who have been directly affected by this violence.  In the mean time, please continue to pray that God would give our brethren and Churches an extra measure of His amazing grace.
 

PREACHERS PREACHING THE GOSPEL

Acts 8:4  "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word."

This week a team of preachers from the base of Mt. Elgon traveled to the areas where those who fled the violence have come to take shelter.  They said that thousands of people are literally just living among the trees waiting for the opportunity to return to what is left of their homes.  The good news of the gospel gives people hope in Christ in this life and for all of eternity.  Even though the quality of the below pictures are not so good, you can see the man of God preaching to the refugees among the trees.  There were four who made professions of faith in our Lord and Savior during last weeks preaching campaign.  Pray for those who have been displaced and for the Men of God preaching the blessed hope of the blood from the precious Word of God..

BIBLE  UPDATE

As you can see from the pictures below, we have purchased one hundred and fifty solar powered audio Bibles with the help of many of our faithful ministry partners both in the Pokot and Luo tribal languages.  Our goal was one hundred, but as God continues to give the increase we will continue to purchase more for our second trip planned this fall.  Thank you to each and every person and/or Churches that have sacrificially given so that others might hear the Word of God in their mother tongue.  We also have ordered cases of Swahili Bibles to be waiting for us when we arrive this week.

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

 
Thank you for allowing us to share our journey of faith and thank you again to each and every ministry partner who supports us prayerfully and financially.
Please continue to pray for the work of Kenya/Uganda and Florida.

In His Service,
Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda/Florida Plant

Time to Fly:  Please pray for traveling mercies as we make the four flights starting tomorrow to deliver Bibles and to encourage God's people.

Any and all Financial Support needs to be Sent to
Sending Church Information:
First Baptist Church of East Bay
10102 Old Big Bend Rd.
Riverview, Florida 33578

OR DONATE THRU SECURE PAYPAL SIDEBAR ON RIGHT

 



 



Pray for Mt. Elgon, 3 Churches Destroyed & Audio Bibles Update

Three Landmark Baptist Churches Burned

We have been receiving alarming reports from our Churches on Mt. Elgon over the last week.   Its been ten years since the tribal clashes of 2008 where over twelve hundred people where slaughtered on Mt. Elgon.   We know first hand the destruction of life and property as we were some of the first outsiders up the mountain in the month's following the clashes.  It was heartbreaking to talk to the residents as we shared the hope of heaven through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Now a full ten years later and after thousands having trusted Christ as well as twenty New Testament Churches planted, the devil has brought death and destruction again.   From primarily reports we are hearing that three of our Landmark Baptist Churches have been burned and or destroyed.  The specific Churches are the Landmark Baptist Church at Kipsogon, the Landmark Baptist Church of Cheptandan and the Landmark Baptist Church at Cheptkururu.   All of this death and destructed started as a result of what has been reported as retaliation when those responsible for the 2008 clashes were released from prison.  They started in one village that spread to numerous villages as criminals as well as neighboring tribes from Uganda used the occasion to steal land and steel.   (below pictures are file pics)

Thousands Flee Mt. Elgon 

 Please pray for our brethren and Churches during this time of trial and tribulation.   We will do our best to keep you informed as soon as our Pastors from the base of Mt. Elgon are able to climb the mountain to help encourage our brethren there.   These events have already affected our plans to conduct a Pastors/Preaches seminar on Mt. Elgon during our upcoming mission trip.   The mountain is currently under government curfew to put an end to the killing and destruction.   The Churches and Christians in the affected villages have been forced to flee, however they take the gospel with them and they are already looking for new areas to start new works.    We find history repeating itself as in the book of Acts where the early church was scattered abroad. 
Acts 5:36  For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
Acts 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Acts 11:19  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch,

preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

.. Burned & Stolen Steel 

As you can see from the above picture, we started using steel and tin for our Churches early in our ministry due to the cost of timber and the destruction of termites.  Unfortunately, the steel and tin has become a target of opportunity to the thieves and thugs on Mt. Elgon who burned what would burn and then stole the tin roofing and the steel trusses and posts at LBC Cheptandan and LBC Cheptkururu.   We will do our best to help them rebuild their lives and Churches as soon as time and finances allow.  In the mean time, we can pray for God's grace.   

 Bibles Update  

We have placed an order for one hundred audio bibles in the Pokot and Lou tribal language to be used during our mission trip in the next few weeks.  Thank you to all who have felt the burden and sacrificially given to get the word of God into the hands of those who are unable to read or write.  We have also ordered Swahili Bibles to be waiting for our arrival.  While we set a modest goal we can always use more than the hundred  audio Bibles we requested.  The bottom line is the more we receive the more we will buy.   We look forward to giving hardback Bibles and Solar powered audio Bibles to new converts in the Kerio Valley and Lake Victoria.    Php.  4:17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

 

Thank you for allowing us to share our journey of faith and thank you again to each and every ministry partner who supports us prayerfully and financially.   Please continue to pray for the work in Kenya/Uganda and Florida.

 

 In His Service,

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

 

Finding Our Way Back Home, Continued Growth & Year End Report

Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year!

Terry and I pray you and your family had a blessed Christmas and as we look forward to the New Year we look forward to God's continued blessings as well as Jesus soon coming.   When we look back at 2017 we can't help but to thank all those individuals and Churches who have faithfully and sacrificially supported the work Terry and I are doing in Florida/Uganda and Kenya with your prayers and finances.  We will need your continued prayers and support as we press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus in 2018.


Personal Note: Finding Our Way Back Home 
As another year passes, we see ourselves still trying to find our way back home.   Its been several years since we came off the field as full time foreign Missionaries and while our home is in Florida our hearts are still very much in East Africa.   That statement may seem odd unless you have been a foreign Missionary at some time in your life and been forced to return home.  We love our country, our American brethren and Churches, but the longer we are home the more we realize that we are still foreign in many ways.   The dear members at the Florida Plant realize this week in and week out as we constantly update them on what God is doing through the Kenya/Uganda Church development side of our ministry.  I often think to myself and wonder how many Churches take live calls during service from East African Pastors and how many others Churches have to endure their Pastor teaching them Swahili/Spanish and English?  They listen intently but I'm sure they think Terry and I are weird in so many ways, LOL.   All of this unsettledness reminds me of this saying about Missionaries,"home is everywhere, home is nowhere."    This year we have made an effort to continue to re-assimilate by purchasing a piece of property in Florida for our RV. 

It has been eleven years since we started this season of ministry doing deputation out of an RV.  And its funny how life turns full circle and we are back in an RV.  We sold our home, our vehicles, our business and virtually everything we owned and walked away from life as we knew it.   It blows my mind that over a decade has passed in which God has done so many amazing works in and through our lives but yet we are still recovering and rebuilding our lives. 

There is always sacrifice involved in serving the Lord whole heartily but the reward is always greater. Please do not misunderstand this blog entry, we do not share these personal details for sympathy but to ask for your continued prayers as we find our way back home and continue to rebuild our lives.   Ultimately, we understand that we are all pilgrims and sojourners just passing through.  

Record Numbers: 40 Professions of Faith    

Our first year (2015) at The Florida Plant we led 23 to Christ, last year we saw 27 make professions of faith in Jesus Christ and this year we have led 40 precious souls to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This includes our youth ministries, van ministry, prison ministries, VBS and various other soul winning outreaches.  We preach the gospel each and every service and make a serious effort to purposely go soul winning on a regular basis.   Additionally we have in home bibles studies and discipleship training to help our converts grow in their faith.  This year we have also started Faith Bible Institute as part of our regular Bible study programs.   

 

 

Record Numbers: 112 Attendence:  

 

Our attendance continues to grow slowly but surely.  Our first year we averaged 20-30, our second year we average 40-50 and this year we are averaging 60-70 with a record high of 112 in attendance.   We regularly have quarterly promotions and programs to encourage our members to invite their family, friends and co-workers.   Its been said, "if you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing."  We consistently ask the Lord to fill His house and set goals to accomplish His will.



Record Numbers:  Contacts & Visits: 

We know the reason we are continuing this season of growth is because the Lord is giving the increase. 1Cor. 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  We also realize the law of the harvest teaches us that the more seeds we plant and water the more fruit we will have to harvest.   To that end we have made over five hundred contacts and visits over the last year.   This is primarily accomplished by engaging our community through our van visitation program but we also have various other aforementioned outreaches.

  

    Prison Ministry:  Spanish & English:   

The prison ministry continues to grow numerically and spiritually as the inmates grow in their faith and wisdom from the Word of God.   We are targeting new arrivals and encouraging the older Christians to become soul winners inside the walls. Additionally we have seen several men surrender to the gospel ministry this year and have also seen record highs in Chapel services.   God has given me a heart of love for these outcasts of society and as I teach and preach the Word of God to them, it is as if I am in a foreign land sharing God's Word with another lost tribe.   Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  

Deputation,  Mission  Conferences & State & National Meetings 

 

In no way am I comparing myself to the Apostle Paul, with the exception that I consider myself to the be among the least of the Missionaries.   However, I can surely relate to a statement he made with regard to the care of the churches in 2 Cor. 11:28  "Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."   Maintaining a ministry that spans two continents has it challenges.  One of those challenges is the delicate balance between doing ministry and supplying the financial needs of the ministry.   To that end, Terry and I are regularly burning the road with deputation appointments to seek new support and maintain current support.  This also includes attending mission conferences of supporting Churches as well as local, state and national Missionary Baptist meetings to report on our work.    During the last eleven years of this journey of faith we have come to realize that God has never let us down and he always supplies the needs of His people when we do His work, His way.

   

Thank you for allowing us to share our journey of faith and thank you again to each and every ministry partner who supports us prayerfully and financially.   Please continue to pray for the work in Kenya/Uganda and Florida.

  

In His Service,

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

 Specific Prayer Needs:

More Converts

More Baptisms

New Van for Van Ministry

Larger Florida Building

Tents for New Bible Studies

Audio Bibles for Kerio Valley

Paper Back Swahili Bibles

New Sanctuaries Kenya/Uganda

English (KJV) Bibles