Dear Supporters and Friends, September 2007
Hello from Kisii. I apologize for the lateness of our ministry update. On the next page, I have given some brief updates on our ministry as well as some prayer requests for the ministries that God has given us. As I am writing this letter here in Kenya, Tonya, Abigail and Kay-Leigh are in the states getting treatment on Abigail’s broken arm.
Abigail broke her arm on July 4th, when she fell off the trampoline. It was a compound break but it did not come through the skin, so they could not get it set right without surgery and 2 wires to hold it in place. During the three weeks that she had to wear the cast she developed infection in her arm and had to take four round of antibiotics before her next appointment, the first week of September. The had been doing physiotherapy because the break was just above the elbow. At her next appointment, the surgeon was not please with the progress of her usage of the arm and said that it was locked. He wanted to put her asleep and try a procedure that would force the elbow to bend. If it did not work then he wanted to redo the surgery to try to fix the problem.
We felt that there were to many things that he was going to try, so after prayer and consultation with our pediatrician, pastor, and parents in the states, we decided that we should seek treatment in the states. Tonya and the girls left for the states on September 10th. They are staying with Tonya’s parents near Chattanooga, BIMI and doctors approved by the insurance. They have all been a great assistance during this time.
They have put Abigail on stronger antibiotics for three weeks and as she has continued the physiotherapy she is getting a little more use of the arm. There was a large amount of infection in the bone, that showed up on the x-rays but by the time it was recognized, the later x-ray showed that it was healed with no medical explanation. Praise the Lord. Our Heavenly Doctor was looking out for her. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Abigail also had tests run on her bone mass. All the results showed her levels were low so she will continue with calcium supplements to build up the bone mass that was lost. She will have to be tested every six months until she stops growing. Please pray for the arrangements and the details that we will be able to get the supplements and testing here in Kenya. Tonya and the girls will be returning the first week of November. It will be a great blessing for them to be back.
Please pray for the expenses during this time. We were able to be helped with some emergency money from our church to fly them to the states. The cost was $5,000, as well as other medical expenses that will incur. Please send any funds to my home church for this need. You can contact Tonya through her telephone number is 423-310-1761 or by e-mail at
robroa@juno.com for more recent updates.
Thank you again for your prayers.
Ministry Update
We are excited about what God is doing in the ministries that God has enabled us to revive since returning from our furlough in October 2006. It is so exciting to be in the middle of God’s will and have so many opportunities open. There is truly not a better time to be alive. God has enabled us preach his word, evangelize, disciple, train men and women. Here are some brief updates:
1. Church Planting in Rongo. God has enabled us to finally get the Title Deed for the property that the national pastor and a couple members were trying to steal for their own ambitions. Pray for the steps in transitioning the church in voting the pastor and those he put in positions out of those positions. October 7th is when the business meeting will take place.
2. Other Church Planting. Ibanchore, Makairo, Opoya, and Kanyalganda are the next villages where we have Bible Studies that are growing. We hope to open these churches by the end of the year.
3. Prison Ministries. Pray that our permit can be renewed soon to continue this fruitful and needy ministry in the four prisons in our area.
4. Church Planting in Kisii. Calvary Baptist Church is continuing to grow and since there are many mature Christians who have come from other churches we have begun teaching on the need and use of a constitution to plan for organization.
5. Youth Ministries. We held two weeks of youth camp during the month of August in the villages of Makairo and Ibanchore. We ministered to 70-75 youth the first week and over 200 the second. Thirty-Seven youth were saved in total during the invitations. It was the first time this was ever done in the villages for the youth. Also we have a VBS for the children here in Kisii. We held it for 2 days because we only have 4 workers that are familiar with this ministry. We had attendances of 205, and 225 respectively. In America this would not be possible with only a few workers.
6. South Nyanza Baptist College. The College has been able to open up for Swahili classes. The Lord has also given me 3 national pastors who are helping in teaching some of the classes. We are gearing up for graduation with 6 students, who are on course to finish. We are hoping to be able to expand to the Pastor’s wives and also open a satellite school. Thank you again for your prayers and support
For Souls in Kisii,
Luke and Tonya Shelby
Missionaries in Kenya
