September News
Posted on September 1, 2008 - Filed Under Newsletters |
AN AMAZING GOD
This past month God has continued to show us evidence of how and where He is working in Samburu. Charlie has been sharing the stories of Nicodemus, Lazarus and several others. Regardless of which story he tells, the response is usually similar. “We have never heard this before…what you are saying is true…please continue to come…I know I am a sinner…my heart feels something when I listen to this story…God is going to change me today.” They say that Charlie is the first person to come and tell them these truths. People are hearing the simple message of the Gospel, told through age old stories and they are being convicted of their sins and repenting. It is nothing we are doing, but it is the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
As we strive to keep things uncomplicated and go the direction He leads, we are being blessed to see His faithfulness in drawing people to Himself. The one thing we perceive as a challenge area is for more approved workers…ones that speak Samburu! We would love to see believers become burdened to do the same thing Charlie does on a daily basis. Gathering people into a group and teaching them the Word of God; using the stories of the Bible for evangelism and discipleship. It is great that they will go with him and translate, but if each one had his or her own group that they taught regularly, how much would the work be multiplied? But Africans do not like to do things “on their own”. Independence and autonomy are not highly valued in this culture and so we wait, pray and watch to see God’s solution to reaching the thousands.
MINISTRY NOTES
This past week, we saw over a dozen new believers baptized from 2 different local churches. Many of them were children. One was a young man in his mid-twenties. This is a difficult age to reach in any culture and we are excited and encouraged to see all of them make a public profession of faith. We also saw signs of growth and maturity in the pastors of these churches as they carefully taught and organized the groups for baptism. It was a joy to witness.
A new ministry point is being established even today. Last week, Charlie went to a town about 30 minutes from here where he has been training a small group of leaders. When he arrived, there was only one and he asked if they could go visit another of the group at his home in the next town. It is a large-ish town we pass through every time we travel to Nairobi. For years we have wondered about working there, but there were obstacles. We didn’t know anyone in the town and there is also a dominant presence there of another denomination who have opposed us in the past. But we have always felt there must be great opportunity there. God has apparently now opened up that opportunity. That very day, they were able to gather a group and share the story of Nicodemus. The people were awed, convicted, repentant and begged them to return and continue teaching these words that they knew to be true, even though they had never heard them before!
FAMILY NEWS
We’ve had a healthy and happy month of August. We received our crate which was shipped from the US last April or May and have had lots of fun unpacking and opening all the goodies we bought while we were Stateside. Charlie has worked at assembling Joseph’s new bedroom furniture (Ikea) and some shelves and other things. The one thing our house here is lacking is storage. We have 2 very small closets in the entire house and neither of them are in Joseph’s room. That problem is now solved, with a place for everything and that makes me happy. The man who packed the crate for us at Central Freight was a whiz and he got everything in we wanted and then some. Charlie has a new recliner to relax in at the end of the day and he loves it. Joseph’s pedal car arrived in good shape and he and Martin’s (our gardener/caretaker) children enjoy riding it down the slopes and across the yard.
Sam has finished his summer job in Texas and gone back to NC where hs is (hopefully) looking for work and saving money for an apartment. Travis is also looking for work in Dallas and so I’m sure they would both appreciate your prayers.
We had another snake this month, but this one was outside the perimeter of the cat’s domain, so I guess he still has a job here. Martin found it while he was cutting grass. Charlie received a goat yesterday at his new ministry place in Suguta so we are adding to the menagerie. I am supposed to cook it for him as he was told it would be “very good for him.” We’ll see.
NEW WHEELS
We are this close to receiving our new truck and will probably have it by the time most of you are reading this newsletter. We are so grateful to the many Southern Baptists who contribute through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon. These gifts make it possible to have the funds to purchase vehicles, housing, etc.
The bonus is that we will have visitors coming from Nairobi to bring it to us and drive our current one back. Plus, they have done some grocery shopping in Nairobi for us and we won’t need to make a trip in for supplies so soon!
PRAYERS and PRAISE
- Thanks for your prayers for scheduling. Charlie was able to work things out and has been able to add some new places and start new groups.
- Pray for our pastors as they are (still) encountering persecution from other denominations for their lack of formal schooling and certification. Pray for a good solution to this issue once and for all. This is obviously an attack to discourage them and it has unfortunately been effective to the point where several said this week that they are not really pastors at all. Check the blog for a little background on this one if you like. www.samburuofkenya.org/blog
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