Wednesday 20 June 2012

April-June 2012 Prayer Letter

Dear Supporters and Friends, April - June 2012

We have finished moving into a newer house in Kisii on the other side of town. After praying for about a year and looking slowly in other parts of town, the Lord opened a door for us to move to a quieter part of town. The owners are one of the first families that we met when we first came to Kisii, almost 12 years ago. They are also doing a lot of fixing up and accommodating things that we need in the house as we are still moving in. Electric, water, phone, security and other essentials are definitely more stable; and that definitely makes life easier in Africa when they are.

Recently we had mentioned about Tonya, her problem with her iron levels, and the possibility of her going back to the States for a blood infusion or transfusion. Three families from some of our supporting churches mentioned a family member who had the same symptoms, and they were told to begin a totally Gluten free diet. They saw results very quickly, so Tonya has tried that. She is feeling much better, although there has not been any significant change in her blood work. We have been told that it could take some time to see these changes. The big challenge is getting the ingredients to mix her own flours, making pasta, and many other things that are not ready made for the gluten free diet here. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

An Orphan Feeding Program has begun in two locations, as the Lord has provided funds to do this. In Kuresoi it is a full time program; and in Sidundo it is still just part time, during the week that I am having Bible College classes there each month. In Kuresoi, it assists the children, as they usually have to walk all the way home from school to eat lunch, now they are being fed at the Pastor’s house on school days. And now there is better contact with each of them to know their day-to-day needs. In Sidundo, other difficulties have arisen concerning leadership of the church, and knowing the way forward for the children who will need to be cared for more in the orphanage. We are getting to know the children, and we are also seeing some of final details being resolved to get closer to accommodating the children in our first Orphan Home. Please continue to pray for Calvary Baptist Church in Sidundo. We are training the 13 College students, who are now leading the church in different areas of ministry including the preparations for the orphanage. Pastor Charles is no longer in the church due to discipline problems. God is blessing though and raising up new leadership in the church. Souls are being saved, and we just baptized 12 last Sunday.

We have also finished the building extension project in Kisii, and we have been using it for almost two months. There are small things that need to be finished, but it is a blessing not to be cramped with space. The Lord is continuing to bless in the local leadership of this church in handling the day-to-day issues with me being away part of the time.

Thank you for your prayers and support for our ministries.

For Souls in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby

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