Leaving for Kenya.......

"I'm leaving, on a jet plane.."

Dear Friends,

Well, what a surprise! Charles Thomas went with us to Kenya this summer and got fired up. Ben Kiker and his "magnificent seven" friends, got fired up, got some friends, and I'm fired up and have some friends, so we are 21 strong, going to Kenya. Nixon Bunch and I will go to Orlando Feb. 1, for a Church planting conference with the Acts 29 organization. Friday at 6:30am we will head to Kenya and arrive, Lord willing Saturday night, and catch a taxi to Karatina early Sunday morning to dedicate the church at Ihwagi, with James Kahaia.

James Kahaia has been our wonderful driver for years. He grew up as a child from a difficult family situation in the church at Karatina, and now several of the family are in ministry. His brother Charles heads up Awana for East Africa, from Kenya. Ben, Charles and their crews willarrive Thursday night, and Friday morning and go together to Karatina, settle, do visiting Saturday and all of us meet at the dedication. Antioch Baptist Church at Ihwagi will be a dream of many years and prayers fulfilled! Thanks all who have prayed, given and visited, and worked there.

We have been blessed to have almost $6,000 from fund raising for wells in Kenya by East Ellijay Baptist over the last couple of years now being activated to dig a well at Migori, and at Isovya, which is an orphanage we will visit.

Whitney Crouch worked with others over the past few years and raised $6,500 for Patrick Kitema at Antioch Baptist Kitui. In the middle of opposition by Muslims and witchcraft, the work now moves ahead, and we will dedicate the partially completed new church there.

Mark Dennis and Elaine have raised $2,850 for the Karatina orphanage, and we look forward to buying shoes, and blankets and as much as the money will stretch, for that ministry to small AIDS orphans, and young children.Mark has helped twice with our police seminar, and his great magical illusions.

A donation of $1,000 for use as needed provided for surgery for a Bible school student's 3 year old club footed child this Wednesday, it is so exciting. Lord willing, he will be able to walk normally in six months.

Ben and Justin Chadwick worked with their crew to raise $5,700 for the new church at Solio. Daniel Vancleave and Cherie raised $2,500 with their youth group in Albany, Ga. for the same ministry. This group of 6,000 people was displaced from government forests, and relocated to the Solio savannah on 4.5 acre plots per family. Our Bible school had evangelistic meetings there, and the Kenyan government has now given us 2 acres to build on. Maybe there will be a church there our next trip!

So many of you have given so kindly to the work there, and have fueled strong works established in many Kenyan communities all across the country.

Thank you. East Ellijay Baptist has given for many years to help Papa and Mama, and several Bible school students be able to complete their 3 year training. Thanks.

Whitney challenged each team member to try to raise $200 for Bibles, and New Testaments to take, and now we have 18-20 containers of Bibles. Each team member surrenders one of their 2 free 50 pound suitcases so we get freight free materials shipped. Over 900pounds of material going to help evangelize and disciple.

SO, please pray for safety, favor with officials, good health, effective spiritual ministry in us and through us. We will send some pictures home, then do more when we get back. Ben and company leave the next Thursday night. Whitney, Nixon and I will go with a team to Kitui Friday afternoon, visit the orphanage Saturday, have a game night, Saturday night with the church at Kitui, dedicate the church Sunday morning return to Karatina. We fly back Tuesday night the 15th.

A ministry team is forming for late July/August, so if you are interested in ministering, pray about giving and or going. We usually do a seminar for police, pastors, We might go to two different locations.

Pray as we get last minute details done, for our families as we are gone, and our responsibilities here, that we leave briefly.

We will have a birthday party for Papa and Mama on Sunday afternoon. Papa is almost 84, and Mama turns 90 in July. She is recovering well from her minor stroke a few weeks ago. Sandra and Terry Washer, my sister and her husband have so graciously been helping plan, and make reservations on that side. We get to see their newest grandchild and meet with Kristie and her husband I have not met yet.

Papa's email is dlfields1224@gmail.com you can put TO STEVE and it will get to us. We are 8 hours ahead of you in time.

Love,

Steve Fields for our team

706-889-1700