Exciting Ministry Updates from Kenya: Land Dedication, Building Progress, and Outreach Initiatives Ahead!

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We have had a fantastic few months here in Kenya, filled with exciting progress and fruitful ministry. Recently, we were thrilled to host a group from our home church Bible Baptist Church in Arkansas for a short but impactful trip. They joined us in canvassing for a new Bible study in Chemilil, distributing tracts in Kisumu, participating in a church painting project, visiting our church in Kisii Town, and enjoying a memorable game drive where they saw lions and other wildlife.

Calvary Baptist Uwasi Land Dedication Service & Project Update: 

In June, we celebrated the dedication service for the new property of Calvary Baptist in Uwasi. It was a joyous occasion with an attendance of 108, including many visitors. We are grateful that three souls were saved during this special event. The land purchase and title transfer are now complete, and we've used over $8,000 for initial renovations and moving expenses. The church is now settled in their new location and filled with excitement for the future. Progress on their church building is moving forward steadily. We have laid the foundation, erected the metal frame structure with the roof, and are now preparing to raise the walls using bricks salvaged from previous buildings on the old property. Additionally, we are planning to install electricity on the property, a crucial step that will require approximately $600.

Maasai - Oltepesi Land Fencing & Ilkerin Plot Development: 

In August, we will begin fencing the land in Maasai - Oltepesi, a project that carries a cost of $750. This initiative is crucial as we continue to nurture spiritual growth among the community, particularly focusing on the leadership training of Bro. David and Bro. James, who are instrumental in leading the Bible study there. Please pray for their spiritual growth and readiness to serve God's purpose. We are also finalizing plans for a plot in Ilkerin, that was generously given to us by the community, with hopes to establish a church in the coming months.

Outreach Meetings in Buyangu and Ong’adi: 

Next month, we have outreach meetings scheduled in the villages of Buyangu and Ong’adi. These are new areas for our ministry, located in Vihiga and Nandi Counties respectively. Our focus will be on canvassing the area, engaging in soul-winning efforts, and identifying potential attendees for Bible studies, laying the groundwork for new churches. These efforts are led by Bro. Ezekiel and Bro. Marsden, recent graduates who are dedicated to spreading God's Word in these villages. In Ong’adi, situated on the edge of Kajulu Forest in Nandi County, we are pioneering a Bible study among a new (to us) language group, while also utilizing Swahili.  We have started working in a couple of different areas where the Kalenjin language is spoken. We are excited about the progress of First Bible’s project to translate the Bible into the Kalenjin language, which is expected by year's end. This will greatly enhance our ability to reach and teach in local villages. Please join us in prayer for the success of this project and its impact on sharing God's Word effectively.

Your prayers and support continue to be invaluable to us as we strive to spread the Gospel and strengthen Kenyan Christians through our ministry efforts. We are grateful for each one of you and the part you play in God's work here in Kenya.

May God richly bless you,

Luke & Tonya Shelby

July 2016 Prayer Letter

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July 2016

Prayer Supporters and Friends,

We are excited to be back in Kenya with the people that God has called us to minister to with the Gospel of Christ. We have been very busy, and we will try to give you the highlights so that you can continue to pray for our ministries here. We left Abigail and Breanne behind in the USA, so that they can complete Bible College. They have had a busy summer, working at daycares and being able to attend Camp BIMI in Chattanooga for a week, as well as stay with Tonya’s parents. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their studies in August.

On arriving in Kenya, we had a supporting pastor and former missionary to Kenya and Tanzania, Pastor Tim Whitfield, with us on our first weekend; and a young man, David Smith, who is just out of college, on a survey trip with us for the next two weeks. We had a good time with them while we were getting settled.

We visited one of our rural churches about 2 1/2 hours away from Kisii with David Smith; so that he could see a village ministry, and we held an evangelistic meeting there. 10 adults were saved, and it was a great time! David preached in English, which was translated to Swahili, and then on to the Dholuo language (the tribal language in the village). So there were languages going in all different directions. It was fun! Getting there was not so fun though. It was raining when we got close to the village, and the roads are not good when it rains. We were sliding around and almost slid down into the ditch. So we used the bumper jack to push the truck back up to the center of the road. At this point, we noticed that a leaf spring had broken and slid over putting a hole in the gas tank (with a pen size stream coming out of it). As we continued our journey, David and some of our college students were pushing the vehicle back to the center of the road as I drove to keep us from sliding down into the ditch. When we finally got there covered in mud, and we were able to slow down the leak by putting a screw in the hole until we could get back to Kisii and fix it. I think it was a good missionary experience for David. Please pray for him as he prepares to do deputation and to get to the field as soon as possible.

There have been several blessings over the last few months and we thank our new supporters for taking us on. We were able to increase our support considerably during our furlough, and we know it will help us do so much more in our ministries here in Kenya. Thank you! Also thank you to everyone who prayed for or gave toward the purchase of a dependable vehicle for our family. We were able to buy a newer vehicle (Toyota Prado) since our return. We have had approximately $5,000 come in to help with the cost of $23,500, and we would appreciate your continued prayers for the rest of the needed funds to come in. Please consider a gift from your church to help with this need.

God bless you and thank you for your prayers.

For Souls in Kenya,

Luke and Tonya Shelby