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 beforewhat you are saying is trueplease continue to comeI know I am a sinnermy heart feels something when I listen to this storyGod 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 workersones 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 Gods 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 didnt 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

Weve 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 Josephs 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 Josephs 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. Josephs pedal car arrived in good shape and he and Martins (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 Im sure they would both appreciate your prayers.

We had another snake this month, but this one was outside the perimeter of the cats 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. Well 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 wont 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

As we walked down the long, dirt path to the gate, Joseph ran ahead. What freedom, what fun, I thought. When he got a certain distance away, I found I was not only watching him run, but I could see far beyond the gate to the vast expanse of open land. The view opened up to reveal hills, goats, sheep and an unending sky filled with cottony clouds. And then I noticed how small he was and how big a land he had to conquer in front of him. The next day, I took him up the hill behind our house to give him an even bigger view of all the area around. From that vantage point, we could see even more hills and now the animals looked like small spotted stones all scattered about.

This week has been a revelation as people seem to have come out of the woodwork with reports from locations where we havent worked in years. Tuesday, Charlie came home from his pastors meeting with a list of about 11 villages that were either asking for us or had someone who still expressed an interest in learning Gods Word. Then he met a former worker who says he is teaching in a town about 30 minutes from Maralal and has 2 other men he is working with. Later, some men from a village we havent been to in 3 years came to visit at the house.

We have asked God to show us where He is at work so we may join Him there and it is proving to be a Big World indeed.

MINISTRY NOTES

We are getting some exciting reports this week about several people being saved, others who are ready to be baptized and additional places to start or re-start what we call loips. These are places where people come together to hear the news of God. The meaning is actually that of under the tree. This is the most commonly used phrase among the Samburu for the Bible teaching Charlie brings because the loip is typically the meeting place. While some bring buildings, religion, rituals or other things, few bring the simple message of scripture. For a people who cannot read, there is no other way to know Gods Word and so we strive to give it to them as straightforwardly as possible and we are met with gratitude for doing so.

The next several weeks will find Charlie covering a lot of ground as he seeks to visit these old and new areas to determine what, where, who and how. What should be done, where should he go, who should he work with and how can it all best be accomplished?

August is also a time when school lets out for 4 or 5 weeks in Kenya. Some of our women have just expressed a desire to hold Holiday Bible clubs this month and would like some help with stories. Yes, it seems quite last minute and it is, but that is the African way. I began thinking about it in June. Charlie has now challenged the pastors with this task and we pray it will be a wonderful opportunity to teach even more children and hopefully reach their parents also.

FAMILY NEWS

Thank you for all your prayers and emails about Charlie. He spent a week in the hospital in Nairobi after being ill 2 weeks at home in Maralal. While there was no conclusive diagnosis for the high fever, and awful headaches, he is clear of anything now and feels better than he has in a long time. God is so merciful and we are so grateful for His healing.

We now ask your prayers for Charlies father who has had a recurrence of throat cancer. He had surgery this week to remove a tumor and now we are waiting for pathology results which should be available next week. Please pray for his healing and salvation.

The 2 boys in Texas are doing well. Sam will finish working at Camp Tejas soon and head back to Virginia to look for a job and an apartment with his friend. Travis just moved into a new house with several of his musician friends in Dallas.

You can catch Joseph in his latest exploits by going to Facebook. In addition to reading, writing and rithmatic, he is learning Xbox. No letters on being too young, please. He loves to have a few minutes on Tiger Woods Golf or Guitar Hero. And every day brings a new cast of characters as he assigns each member of the family a part in todays imaginary play. Today, were all those Fantastic Fours. Im the stretchy guy, daddy is the strong man, and so on until all 5 of us have been turned into someone else. Never a dull moment.

And we have added a cat to the mix. His name is Java and he belonged to colleagues who have retired to the US. He sleeps a lot, but I havent seen a snake since he arrived.

PRAYERS and PRAISE

• We are most thankful to be well and at home. We had friends from Nairobi come back with us on our return for a short visit. Others are planning to come this month. We are grateful for the company as it is a long, hard drive to get to this beautiful place!
• Many thanks to all of you who give to the International Mission Board through your local church cooperative giving and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your gifts will soon provide us with a new (to us) 4 wheel drive vehicle. This is a vital part of our work. There are no roads to most of the places we go; only dirt paths through the bush or the mountains. Thank you.
• Pray for Charlie as he seeks to develop a new schedule of work to enable him to reach more people and go more places. Pray for his body to be strong as he does more traveling on the rough roads. Pray for his mind to be discerning as he looks for approved workers to disciple.
• Pray for many children and even adults who will have opportunity to hear the gospel via holiday Bible clubs this month. Pray for the leaders to be sensitive to the needs of those in attendance. Pray for the teachers to be able to learn the stories and communicate the spiritual truths of each one.

(see some new pictures here… sorry – no snake pix!)

MINISTRY NOTES
Charlies study in Revelation continues to impact the pastors he is teaching each Tuesday. They are learning things they have never known and more than that, they are acting on the things they are learning. One of his other groups has fallen off as they were not committed to showing up regularly each week. Pray that this opening in his schedule will be filled with the opportunities God has ordained. The other 3 groups are continuing ahead and you can join us in prayer in the following ways: Lchenei: These people are currently facing trouble from rival tribes. One familys garden which was looking to produce a good crop was entirely eaten by zebras. Many of the men have gone with cows, leaving women and children to make it on their own. This is not unusual in this semi-nomadic culture, but we do ask you to pray for their safety and provision as outsiders threaten. Pray for the church to show their strong faith in the community and demonstrate their dependence on God. Maralal town group: Praise God that recently another woman from this group made a profession of faith in Christ. Pray that others will continue to be drawn to the Lord and that we will also be able to share the Word with Turkana speakers in this area. Forest: These people continue to come to hear the Word. Pray that it will have an impact on their lives and they will be obedient to what they hear. Several women seem to be responding very positively and catching the truths in the stories.

GODS OPPORTUNITY
As you have prayed with us about helping us see where God would have us to work, He has been faithful. A couple of months ago, we asked you to pray about ministering to AIDS patients. Earlier this month, as Charlie was meeting with the pastors in town, they saw a man waiting outside the church yard. He never called out. He just waited. When they began to talk with him, he explained that he was a community health worker (this is an unpaid position) and asked if we could help with some food for patients with HIV/AIDS/TB. He had a list of approximately 30 patients who live in an isolated area at the rear of the hospital compound. Many are very ill. The treatment drugs are harsh and need to be taken with food. It seemed God had answered our prayer. Charlie bought the food that afternoon and arranged to distribute it the next morning. Four pastors and 2 women went with us. They told these folks how God loved them and wanted to bring them hope. After a story of Lazarus and a couple of testimonies, they gave them an opportunity to be saved. Our co-workers counseled individually with any who were interested and in the end, 18 prayed to receive Christ. We were so proud of the care and concern these Samburu Baptists displayed. There was a unity of purpose that we have rarely seen. It was a day that glorified God and encouraged all of us. We pray it will continue. In addition to food for everyone, we also bought a wheelchair for one of the women. Some of the people were too weak to even carry their food home, so we transported it for them. Pray that these people will feel welcome in our churches and that our pastors and others will continue to reach out to them.

YOUR EFFECTIVE PRAYERS
After the story about me killing the snake went public, I received several emails. In fact, we got more response to this than anything weve ever sent out. Anyway, one of our colleagues wrote that I should be sure to share this with one of our prayer networks as who knows who was praying for you that day. It really struck me. As Ive thought about it again, Ive realized that while I was keenly aware of an immediate danger, I wasnt thinking about deadly consequences. In my mind, I only allowed myself to go as far as oh no, I have to kill this because I cant let it get away and have it hanging around threatening us. Thank you so much for continually asking for Gods protection over us. Another item that is always the topic of conversation when missionaries come together is health, or rather illnesses. In our short 6 years on the field, it certainly seems that good health is a real challenge on the mission field. And lastly, we are receiving answers as you request with us for Gods wisdom and direction in ministry. Pray also for us to remain encouraged and not be bothered by circumstances beyond our control. God bless all of you. We count you as our faithful partners.

But these things I plan wont happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently for it, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation

This month finds us back in our home in Maralal. We spent most of the first week setting up the house again as we had packed up most everything before we left. while we were away, they made several improvements on our place. The flooding we had before we left had damaged some floors. In addition to the new tile, we have a new ceiling in our living room, with bonus insulation, fresh paint and adequate drainage outside. Previously, when it rained on our corrugated metal roof, the pounding was so loud, we had to shout at each other to have a conversation over the racquet and hearing the television was impossible. It is so quiet now when the rain pours, you can hear the bugs hit the window. And the rain stays outside, where it belongs. Praise the Lord and thanks to all of you who give to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your generosity provides the money needed to do the work and the personnel to oversee and manage all the logistics involved. Thank you.

The last couple weeks have been spent re-establishing relationships and seeking to find where God is working. We believe that these 2 simple things are key elements in our work here among the Samburu. If we are to proceed in a way that is effective in reaching the Samburu and pleasing to the Lord, we must know how to relate His message and where and with whom to work. As an example, on Friday Charlie went to teach at a location where he had been storying previously. As he began to teach the story of Moses and the plagues, he asked if they knew where this story was located in the Bible. A woman whom we know well, answered, What does it matter? We cant read. My point is not whether her answer is valid, but rather that she felt comfortable enough with Charlie to share what she was really thinking, not what she thought he wanted to hear. We have known her and her family for 6 years. We have been with them through births, deaths and family crises. And because of that, we gained valuable insight into how she feels about the methods we are using to try to bridge the culture gap and bring the news of God in a way that is easily understood and retained. And even though Charlie had not done Chronological storying here in quite a while, the people knew where in the timeline he should startwhere he left off. And they remembered exactly which story he had ended withover 2 years ago. Oral storying works. Praise God for this confirmation.

SO WHERE IS GOD WORKING?

To give you a basic update, here is a summary of what we have learned about the work that is going on and where we are to date.

There is a weekly prayer/teaching meeting held in the home of a church member just outside of Maralal town. Various ladies attend, many of whom are unchurched. This group is led by one of our Baptist women and several women have made professions of faith from this group.

We will begin a weekly discipleship teaching group in this same location (on a different day) using our storying methods.

Charlie is committed to discipling a small group of young men who are interested in a deeper knowledge of Gods Word. He also meets weekly with them and currently he is teaching on holiness.

We believe there are still a couple of groups meeting in the forest, but have not been able to meet with the leader of that work, yet. We also have yet to make a survey trip to Sononi to see how to proceed there.

And finally, there are a couple of other things we are praying about. One that is on Charlies heart is the group of young men known in town as the plastics. They are a ragtag bunch who try to scratch out a living any way they can. We have seen one young man change his life completely over the course of years we have been here. He calls Charlie his godfather because of the kindness Charlie showed to him and the ways he helped him when he was a drunkard. He is now sober and says he is trying to start a church in the remote town of Baragoi, which is his home place. The other is a community of people living with AIDS/HIV. We do not know of any church that is working with this group currently and wonder if it is something God would have us be involved in. Please pray for all of these concerns that we will know and obey Gods will.

But these things I plan wont happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently for it, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation

PRAYER AND PRAISE

Pray for all of us to be daily suited for spiritual warfare as there is surely a battle for believers as we work to do Gods will.

Pray that any who are working in the church with evil hearts and desires will be convicted of their ways and repent.

Pray for wisdom in seeing where God is working; discernment to know how to join Him. Pray that we will separate ourselves from all that is not holy. Ask for Gods protection as we seek to please Him.

Pray for our 2 oldest sons in the States to have wisdom and a desire to seek Gods plan for their lives and follow Him. Pray also for Gods protection over these 2 young mens hearts and minds.

ROSEANN ROSEANNA DANA USED TO SAY

Its always something. We are sitting in Nairobi right now after driving 7 hours in to bring Joseph to the doctor. With high fever for 3 days and no accurate diagnosis, we decided to be safer and not sorry. The doctor here says he is fine and our diagnosis and treatment of ear infection appears to have been okay. Whatever he had, it is finally responding to the antibiotic and we can rest easy. You never know and while we dont like to travel for nothing, you cant be too careful with a little one. On the other hand, in fact, Id rather do it for nothing than have it be something. Thank you, Lord for the good report in a place where it can be so many other things. Thank you all for your prayers, even when you dont know why they are needed, exactly. And thanks to our mission for providing the best medical care and support possible. One more reason to give to Lottie Moon.

By the time you receive this newsletter, we will most probably be in Nairobi. It is odd to think that we have only 4 more days left in Maralal. Four more days of life in the village, where every day passes much the same as the one before. The nights are quiet and dark and the difference in days is sometimes marked by the absence or presence of water or electricity or how many people had which needs to bring to us today. “Civilization” and American friends are just an 8 hour drive south. In Nairobi, no one will call us off to the side and begin the conversation with “I have a problem” (which means “I need your help/money.) Many requests come in the form of “my children have no food”. How much and how often can you give and to how many? Life here requires a discerning mind, a prayerful attitude and the ability to remain compassionate without becoming jaded. It is a test of the soul. “What would Jesus do?” becomes very personal and real.
So…whew! We are looking forward to our time in the States. We have quite a bit of travel the first 2 months and then we look forward to some quiet times to visit and enjoy family. Our plans include trips to Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. We will be staying in Dallas and are excited about being home for the State Fair of Texas for the first time in 7 years. What will Joseph think of Big Tex? I can’t wait to find out. “Howdy folks!” See you there!
MINISTRY NOTES

Last week, we were blessed and encouraged by a sense of the “good old days” while traveling to minister to people in the forest. We were with “J” and “E”, who have been our helpers and friends since we arrived in Maralal in 2001. As we drove higher and higher in the mountains, we were all thinking the same thing. How wonderful it was to be able to return to this place after being forced out in 2003. How good the people of this area always were to us and how receptive they were to the Word of God. As one old man said after being approached by a works based faith, “I will not trade the news of God for a cup of food.” He was referring to the many lures used by some to get church members to change affiliations. Our friends asked if we remembered that old man and what he said. Charlie replied, “I will never forget him.” This is a request repeated often by Samburu when one is leaving, “don’t forget me.” How could we ever forget a thin, old man who had heard the Word of God given to him in his heart language and who refused to trade it for the one “thing” he probably needed most…food?

And Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matt. 4:1-4
PRAYER AND PRAISE

*  We appreciate your prayers for safe travel as we depart Kenya on September 6th.

*  Pray for Samburu believers to be faithful and obedient to the work of the Lord. Pray that they will each use their spiritual gifts to honor God.

*  Pray for a young boy we have met and helped a little. Pray for his home situation as he lives with his grandmother and spends a lot of time on the streets. Our friends here will try looking after him a bit and my prayer is they will see an example of how a little encouragement can help a “street child” choose the right path in life.
Our Vision

By now, I hope you have noticed the vision statement listed at the top of each newsletter.  This was given to us as we prayed and studied for 3 weeks in September during a Strategy Leader training seminar.  We realize it is a God-sized task and can only be accomplished as workers are obedient to tend the harvest fields. Ask God to provide the workers needed from among the Samburu. Pray for us to be open to creative ways of reaching the thousands of unreached people and effectively discipling those who choose to follow Christ.

God’s Promise

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently for it, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation
PS – BEFORE YOU GO…

Have I said this before? When it rains it pours. Living in this semi-arid region, the color of grass is normally brown and the dust flies from the road as you drive anywhere. But these past few months we have seen rain like never before. It started around the middle of June and has rained every week since then.

Our friends traveled over 3 hours by foot on Wednesday to visit us and say goodbye. “Mama” is in her late forties and the daughter was carrying a month old baby. As we drank chai and talked, it began to rain. Buckets. Then it began to flood the bathrooms, so our chatting was cut short. As Charlie mopped and scooped, all I could think was, “please, God, not his back.” Then he went outside to “see if I can fix this.” Twenty minutes pass and when I look out, he is drenched to the skin, bent over, digging out a trench with a “jembe”, a heavy pick axe/hoe type implement. I send Sam to get Martin (our guard/caretaker) and he takes over. They do get it fixed and I begin to wonder if our friends will be able to return home. It’s nearing 2:00, still pouring and there are small children at home that they need to get to. “And the animals,” they remind me. No way we can drive in this. Water is over the road and they live way off the road. I ask if they ever pray to God for it to stop raining. “No, we fear to ask God that.” I quietly do, it finally does and they are able to leave. A couple hours later it begins to rain again and I pray they can (or miraculously already have) arrive safely home.

Along that line, we also have a friend who is a Samburu elder and has been having meetings with some of the Pokot. While the fighting and cattle raiding continues, our friend attends the “peace meetings” and preaches to the men who come. He has had a burden for the Pokot for some time and we are grateful for God’s providence in bringing them near so they can hear His Word.
And as if we couldn’t do without another surprise, a young Muslim man has sought out Charlie’s help with a project. He is part of the youth leadership committee at a local mosque. Although Charlie refused to help with the project, he still invited Charlie to come and speak with his group. Charlie was very plain with him and told him if he came he was going to “preach Jesus”. “Fine”, the young man replied, “the Koran teaches that Jesus was a good man.”
“No,” insisted Charlie, “I will preach that He is God, as the Bible teaches.”
The invitation stood and Charlie sat on the ground in front of the mosque with eleven young Muslims and gave them the message of the Gospel last week. They were impressed with his knowledge of their religion and his easy and understandable way of teaching. The imam was also in attendance. Today, we saw the young man in town and he told us the imam was also pleased with Charlie’s manner and method. And then, an amazing thing happened. He asked Charlie if he would be able to come again and this time, meet with some elders! Pray for the many doors God is opening and that we will be wise and faithful to boldly walk through.

PRAYER AND PRAISE
* Pray for believers to be faithful to all the opportunities God is opening up to share the Gospel.
* Pray for us to do all that God intends as we finish our final 4 weeks in Maralal before leaving for the States. Pray that His priorities will be our own.
* Pray for the believers to have confidence in God and depend on Him to meet their needs and equip them for His work.
* Praise God for Sam’s 5 years of joy and service in Maralal and for his last month to be just as joyful as he says “goodbye”.

Our Vision
By now, I hope you have noticed the vision statement listed at the top of each newsletter. This was given to us as we prayed and studied for 3 weeks in September during a Strategy Leader training seminar. We realize it is a God-sized task and can only be accomplished as workers are obedient to tend the harvest fields. Ask God to provide the workers needed from among the Samburu. Pray for us to be open to creative ways of reaching the thousands of unreached people and effectively discipling those who choose to follow Christ.

God’s Promise
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently for it, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation