January 2022
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Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters, and Family,
Happy New Year! We are excited about the opportunities that we see the Lord opening up for His work here in Kenya. We are also excited about what the Lord is doing in our children’s families, what the Lord has enabled them to accomplish in 2021 as we shared last month, and what God has in store for them in this new year. We have seen last year as a year of opportunities to minister and make up for lost time during the Covid lockdowns. We thank the Lord for His guidance and direction.
Church Planting (2 Churches started)
In April, Berean Bible Baptist Church opened in Narok town; and in August, Bible Baptist Church in Oltepesi village was started. Narok town is the largest Maasai town in Kenya and is of great influence to the surrounding areas. This has opened up the Maasai community to us like it has never done before. We have tried in three different areas before, but there were always hindrances to getting a church established. We are thankful for what God has done.
Building Projects & Special Offerings $34,950
- Bible Baptist - Rongo: floor, plastering walls, painting, wiring, electricity, inside doors, etc.
- Bible College: dorm divisions, and bunk beds.
- Agape Bible Baptist: floor, walls, and Sunday school room.
- Raganga Baptist: sound system.
- Calvary Baptist: finishing parsonage for the pastor, storage rooms, and painting.
- Special Orphan Christmas gifts.
- Calvary Baptist Church - Sidundo: building approval process started and some materials already brought the the site.
South Nyanza Baptist College (over 80 enrolled)
Local Church Bible College branches helped the students continue to study during the time of corona virus. Even though they shut down churches, they kept schools, colleges, and universities open. We kept the Bible College running with the help of 10 faithful pastors, scattered out in the region, who had classes for their members and from surrounding churches. Classes were taking place on Saturdays, Sunday afternoons, and even the middle of the week in some places. We had over 80 in classes at one point, and 74 finished the year with their final exams. We thank the Lord for this kind of retention of students throughout the year. We were able to finish the year with a conference for two thirds of the students who were able to travel to Kisii. We also held a graduation for 14 students in our 3-year diploma course.
2,605 Saved - Praise the Lord!!!
Through the ministries in these local Independent Baptist Churches, we have seen a great number of people saved in home Bible studies, church services, weekly soul-winning, and evangelistic outreach while starting the two churches. God is so good! We also saw at least 8 College students saved as well.
Thank you for partnering with us in the planting and in the harvest of 2021. May God bless you in 2022!
For Souls in Kenya,
Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
