New Courage

Well, since the one last night went through, I have renewed courage to type a fast epistle. We have to leave to stage two of our journey.


Charlie Thomas called last night as the crew boarded the plane, and said all was well, PTL!

Nixon and I arrived Sat. night about 11:30pm at the Mennonite Guest house, got to bed an hour later and up at 6am to leave about 8 am for Karatina. We had breakfast with Kristie and Daniel Elmer, (Sandy Washer, my sister's daughter, who had just had a baby a few days earlier, and came to Kenya due to possible complications at birth, but all was well.). I had never met Daniel. He teaches in the Bible school in Zambia, and we bonded immediately.

Our driver made good time and we arrived at Mama and Papa's about 10:30, and loaded up to go to Ihwagi to dedicate that answer to prayer. Many of you have toured the area, helped us pray for land, then funds to build, and now a paid for, dream come true! Several sister Antioch churches came together, and choirs sang and I preached from 2Cor. 8,9 "Jesus Christ became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich....Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!".

Thanks to all who have sacrificed time, talent and treasure to provide a better facility to minister the gospel in. Several came forward at pastor Harrison's invitation, and we had a precious time of prayer, and got to dedicate a little baby to the Lord also!

The ladies had prepared rice and Githeri (beans, potatoes etc). and we all ate there.

Mon. am we went to the Aberdare country club and took a walking safari to see giraffe, zebra, eland and impala and warthogs. With this big gang, every event was a boistrous adventure. We had 21 of us from Fla, NC and Ga.and some I met in Kenya! We then took a game drive in jeeps, and with a little financial motivation, we were able to keep our driver in front, and "share" our dust with our loved ones behind us!!!

An elephant siting was "worth something" and so on. We had fun singing and finally got to THE ARK where we stayed. up to 20+ elephants came in to drink and lick salt in the mud. The area has been a bit dry, so the lake there attracted them. A large, beautiful leapord lounged across the other side of the lake, looking for the unwary worthogs, and we got a beautiful view with binoculars. Buffalo etc. came and we drank good coffee and tea and really had fun interactiving.

Derek Tirschell came to me about 11pm, looking for Ben Kiker. We could not find him and Derek said he wanted to become a Christian, but needed some help. Of course I told him he would have to wait until he got back to Georgia, and see a preacher!!!! N O T! Ben and I had the delight of kneeling with him later as he called on the Lord to save him, and the team had a joyful celebration as we welcomed a new brother in Christ.

The sunrise was clear the next am, so we could see Mt. Kenya with snow on it, and the rolling mountains and plains, and did some "profile" shots as the dawn brightened, it was awesome. At 8:30 am we loaded into jeeps again and rode to Solio game preserve and got to see lions, rhino, monkeys, baboons etc. and had a great day together.

Each evening different ones had devotions together, and I stayed with Papa and mama.

Must hurry, we are leaving. Wed. am we did a karate demo at a Poly Tech. school nearby, Nixon went to Papa's freshman class, others went to tour the hospital.

Wed. lunch we baptized Justin Chadwick who made a profession of faith last Feb. on this trip. We also baptized Joyce, his wife and Derek Tirschell! COOL! We then drove to Solio settelements where we are establishing a church, 1.5 hours away.

Thurs. 8:30 am the team left.
Me, Nixon and Whitney are headed to Kitui, Mwingi, Isovya and will be back Sunpm Lord willing.

Must go.
Love, Steve