Tuesday 3 March 2009

Trip to Kampala, Uganda

Thank you so much for praying for our family as we traveled to Kampala, Uganda for the BIMU Conference.  We made it there and back to Kisii; and the only problem that we had, was that our van overheated about 5 or 6 times.  But each time we were able to pull over, let it cool down, refill with water, and then get started once again.  We thank the Lord that we had no other problems!

We had a wonderful time while we were in Kampala.  We got to meet many of our fellow missionaries for the first time.  It is nice to be able to put faces to the names that we have been praying for for years.  Our children had a great time making new friends, who also know what it is like to grow up on the mission field.  They all had a lot in common, and they were able to have lots and lots of FUN!  As parents, we got a lot of good preaching from veteran Missionary Mark Sigstad (missionary in Nigeria for over 25 years)!  He preached on the home, family, and ministry; and it is exactly what we needed.  We also enjoyed all of the fellowship and fun that was scheduled for the adults as well.  It was truly a week of refreshment and encouragement for our whole family.

We want to say thank you to all of those responsible for the planning and preparation of the meeting, and thank you for allowing us to take part in your meeting.  You were all a tremendous blessing to each of us.  And thank you again for all of you who prayed for our safety as we traveled the 9 1/2 hours to Kampala and then back to Kisii, Kenya.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

January 25, 2009, was a milestone at Calvary Baptist Church in Kisii Town.  This church will be two years old the 2nd Sunday in April; but on this Sunday, Calvary BC celebrated its official "Organization Service."  Now this church will have the Biblical authority to send out National preachers to start new churches around our region of Kenya.  This has been a really big step for this church.  Please pray that Calvary BC will be a shining example to the other young churches in South Nyanza Province of Kenya.  We Praise the Lord for allowing us to lead this church.

Calvary Baptist Church - Kisii Town

Calvary Baptist Church's theme for 2009 is "Church in Action."   Whether it is "Men in Action," Women in Action," "Witnessing in Action," or "Forgiveness in Action;" we are trying to get everyone in the church involved in something.  The month of February is "Love in Action" month.  We have been having Bible Study lessons and preaching on "Love."  Love is not something the average Kenyan knows anything about; at least not the Biblical meaning of love.  So, it has been very interesting to see our people trying out some new (to them) life lessons.  The Sunday School hour has been devoted to the "husband and wife relationship;" and after only the 2nd week, we have already seen some changes in a few families!  Everyone is talking about love in the home, and we are excited to see how God is going to continue to work in the lives of our people over these next few weeks.  Please pray that every couple will take this month's teachings to heart, and then start putting them to use in their own homes.

"Women in Action"

Please be in prayer for our first "Women in Action" meeting, which will be on Saturday, February 14, 2009.  This year our ladies will be continuing to study the lives of different "Women in the Bible."  We started this series of Bible studies in 2008, and they have been a great help to our ladies.  We are looking forward to what God will teach us this year from the examples of godly women He gave us in His Word.  This month we have been studying Rebekah and her life up to the time of her marriage.  I will also be teaching our ladies how to make a Valentine Card!  That may not seem like much, but many of our ladies have never used a pair of scissors or glue before!  But we are going to give it a try.  Hopefully they will leave the meeting with a special gift for their husbands, and then they will be doing a small part torwards this month's theme of "Love in Action."  Please pray for us; that we will be willing to make the changes, that the Bible tells us of, needed in each of our lives.  So that we might have a stronger and bettter marriage.