Kenya-East Ellijay

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

Monday morning, Happy Valentine's Day

Dear Praying Friends,

Wow! We had a whirlwind tour! We left a bit late Friday morning as our driver, Joseph, who lives next door had to help his neighbour with her van. We went to the market and bought cabbage to take up country where there is drought. We left about 9:30 am. We went through several routine police checks, and had to pay a small fine at a speed trap for going 90kmph instead of 80.

We arrived about 1:30 for lunch with Joshua and Julia in their home. We walked over to see the plot of land they have a downpayment on, and a balance of $5,500. It is about 1/2 acre, with full evidence of the curse on mankind on it, LOTS of thorns. With some levelling, it will provide a place near town, where they can have a small church building and a flat space to do AWANA.

At each stop, we were privileged to deliver Study Bibles, Study New Testaments and Halley's Bible handbooks to the leaders. Thanks for your donations, and for favor at the airport, where KLM allowed us three extra containers at NO CHARGE!

We then drove on to Kataooni (kah..ta..oh..nee) which was a long, dry, dusty ride. The further we drove, the more evidence of drought there was. It last rained in December, and this is their hot season. Jackson and Elijah had plowed some land with oxen, and planted, but got just enough rain to germinate the crops, but then the rain stopped. The Kenyan government sends in relief food, but as you can imagine, those are just survival rations.

We stopped under the Baobab tree where we went with Eric, Jennifer and the team, 2 years ago, then drove to Jackson and Elijah's nice little homes they have personally built. We had a good meal of rice, beans and potatoes, in a stew, and chapati (round flat bread, sort of like pita bread). We left after dark and headed back to Mwingi to our hotel, and were glad to get a shower and get to bed.

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to Kitui, a couple of hours away and met Patrick Kitema there. He went with us to Isovya, the small orphanage/training school for teaching young women to be seamstresses, and young men to be carpenters and masons. The drive there was likewise, long, slow and dusty. At some places you have to negotiate over large rocks, and gullies, and just crawl at 2 or 3 miles an hour.

After a program there, of lively singing, and rythmic shuffling (sort of like a dance) I spoke on a clean, educated pig but nevertheless a pig inside, a dirty, indifferent pig with full testimony to being a pig, and then a CHANGED pig, one that has receive a "cat nature" to replace his "pig nature". This pig is not changed by education, or culture, he is changed by a new nature. We are too, 2 Cor. 5:17, Romans 6, Col. 2 when we, by faith, receive the new nature of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to be a new kind of being, that is able to worship God in Spirit and Truth, and is able to overcome the self-centred, selfish world system, the flesh and the devil and live a life of ongoing, progressive repentance and conformity to the character and Spirit of Jesus Christ. One young woman, Carol, made a profession of faith.

The well there is at 39' deep, and has water, and is lined with brick and concrete, but needs to go another 11' deeper. This will provide more water to make more bricks, and build a dormitory for the guys. We left there at dark and drove to Patrick Kitema's and Elizabeth had prepared a meal of rice, soup, chapati and we went back to the hotel, exhausted.

Sunday morning we had fried eggs and bread and coffee for breakfast, and went to church. Patrick taught from Galatians for Sunday school, then after a break, we sang and I preached from Genesis 35:5 and part of the story of Jacob , and God's supernatural intervention in his life, much as He has done there at Kitui to provide, land, victory against demon possessed people, and confrontational Muslims, and now to have a beautiful, brick shell of a church on an increasingly attractive piece of land, with a fence around it. From a stranger in town, to a growing ministry. The "potty" was upright poles, with tyveck around it. Patrick invited anyone who did not like it especially, to donate concrete, and a better one would promptly be built!

After a lunch nearby, we did the long journey home. We stopped by Blue Post for a pit stop, and to look at what we might buy tomorrow as we head out, of course, we were thinking of you. We got home about 9 pm.

We are heading to Bible school class with Papa and Mama this morning and tomorrow morning, then we will head for Nairobi and eat lunch with Terry and Sandra, and shop at the Sarit Centre and the "roundabout" market, for last minute trinkets, then head to the aiport about 4 pm. Our drivers see us through customs, then head home before dark, and we fly out about 11:30 pm to London, Whitney goes to Paris, then we meet again in Atlanta on Wednesday pm and Travis Crouch will drive us all home, Lord willing.

Nixon and Whitney have been great, adjusting to heat, food, accomodations, lots of new places and people, and a continuous, sustained pace. They have been able to see where our pastors live, the difficult circumstances they minister under, the financial need for just basics, and the need for encouragement and prayer as they work. They have also seen the fruit of perseverance, and God's provision in various places, and been able to witness ministries developing in a new town, with rented rooms, to church owned property, Mabate buildings ( a church building made completely from roofing material, top and sides) to more permanent structures.

Elijah and Dorcas named their little two month old "Steve", and I got to hold him and give some money to take the little guy to hospital, as he was very congested.

Well, we have had our oatmeal breakfast, and coffee, and head of at 7:40am for class at 8am-10am to Mama and Papa's classes.

Thanks for your love and prayers.

Steve, for the team here.
See you SOON! Lord willing.

Rabbits and Such

2011-02-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

I already wrote last week about Monday. On Tuesday Terry and I went visiting in Mathaithi and had one good visit with a neighbor to the church.

A lady at Ihwagi sent 7 rabbits to feed the visitors, only trouble they needed to be killed and cooked and eaten… all of which needed time. Some of our guys killed them. I cut and cooked two for the visitors because I didn’t have time to do more, and already had my meal planned for Wednesday when they all came here to eat. Anyway, what I prepared was all eaten and enjoyed. The rest we were told could be given to our Youth In Training kicds. We are thankful. So, Wednesday we had about 25 here for lunch. Our apartment is small, so Terry set up tables outside, and had backache the rest of the week. Things went smoothly. The visitors then went to an outreach ministry and came back late.

Thursday Daniel and Cherie (nephew and wife who stayed with us) left with most of the visitors. We then had two singles move here; the girl in the office and the guy on the floor in the living room.

Had class at Pan African school. Whitney, the girl, went with us and seemed to enjoy it. It went well. In the afternoon I helped sort through clothes (the visitors are encouraged to bring clothes and leave them here to help people. With 20 visitors, there was quite a lot.) to be given out in the ministries.

We were saddened to hear that the girl we visited in the hospital last Saturday, died on Thursday. The funeral is Wednesday or Thursday this week. She had made a profession of faith.

Friday we went to the town orphanage managed by the Town Council and donations from outsiders. Steve (brother) and friends raised a lot of money for uniforms for the kids and are letting our ladies make them and the sweaters for school to make a little money. So Pastor H will be in charge of the money, and I am to get money from him. Would appreciate prayer for God’s guidance.

Saturday class with YIT kids went well.

Today we only had 2 deaf in church…

We leave early in the a.m. to go and see Daniel and Kristie until Wed. a.m. Lord willing. There wasn’t room for us at Menno, so are staying at a place closer to town.

Sandy for us both

New Courage

2011-02-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

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

Steve's Update

2011-02-11T06:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

This is Thursday evening 10/02/11. I typed a long, descriptive email this am. and sent it, but it does not show in the sent, or draft mail. I really will not type all of that on this computer again, I hope it actually went out, and you got it, if not, that was my second and last attempt at an epistle this time from here!

Nixon, Whitney and I head with Pastor Harrison and Joseph, to Kataooni, Mwingi, Kitui, Isovya and Kitui and come back Sunday pm.

The team left about 8:30am, one van full of luggage, and 2 vans full of our loved ones!

Nixon, and Whitney are staying in my sister's home, and we leave at 8am.

We have been blessed. One profession of faith by Derek Terschell, while we were at the ark, and I baptized he, Joyce and Justin (who became a Christian this trip last year) Chadwick.

Mama moves slowly, Papa is doing well for 84 +-.

I am headed to bed, after I pack.

Love, Steve

Leaving for Kenya.......

2011-01-31T10:02:00.000-08:00

"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

Back from Israel

2011-01-31T10:00:00.002-08:00

Hi Y'all,

We left Israel one week ago today. The trip down to Kenya was long and quite turbulent. We were met at the airport by a taxi from Menno at 1:45 a.m., which was nice. We got to sleep at after 3 a.m., then were up for breakfast at 7:30 because we wanted to see Daniel, Kristie and Meg. Meg (17 month old granddaughter) will take a while to warm up to us.

When Barbie (my sister) arrived with Pastor James, we went shopping downtown and she was able to get some final things she wanted. Daniel and Kristie went, too. It was very hot. We got back to Menno in time for tea and supper, then we took Barbie to the airport. There were lots of flights going out. She took extra snacks in case her flight got cancelled from Amsterdam on, but it didn’t.

Thursday afternoon I went over to Pan African High School and it has been arranged to go over there each week for knitting and Bible on Thursday afternoons. It is just a small group, but I would rather start that way. Saturday we started up our classes for youth at YIT church. Numbers were down, but it takes people time to get back into the school routine.

Today we had four in deaf church, but it went well. Gloria (Sis Alices’s daughter who used to live with us years ago when she was in Grade one) has some degree as a social worker and has learned sign language. She was in deaf church last week, but we were gone. I don’t know if she plans to come back into this area to work or not.

So, it will take a couple of weeks to get back into routine, but we are trusting the Lord to guide us as we shift some of our ministries around.

There is a new couple in Bible School who are from Tanzania. They have a little boy who looks to be about four, who walks on the out side of his feet and his feet point towards each other. How blessed we have been to have normal limbs for our little ones.

One of the street girls who doesn't come regularly is critically ill and taken to hospital today. She is HIV positive, though only about 15.

Sandy for us both

December 19, 2010

2011-01-31T10:00:00.001-08:00

Dear Friend,

It is December 19. We do trust the week is special for you.

We were so thankful to learn this week that my sister, Barbie, is coming out on Wednesday to be here for three weeks, which will cover our time in Israel, and a few days this week before we go. We are so thankful she will be able to be with Papa and Mama. We are to go down and pick her up, then she will leave the night after we get back.

Also, due to some possible complications, it sounds like Daniel and Kristie will come up from Zambia for the birth of the second baby. We don’t know the date of their arrival, but have tried to help get information for them this week.

Mama was released from the hospital on Thursday. The trip was three hours each way… hot and dusty. The trip back was quite taxing on Mama, but she did ok. She is doing quite well, all things considered. Papa has given her “five star+” care. We tried to take care of things at their house while they were gone.

Last week there was a teen camp for the churches here. Our YIT boys who are teens, went. They all came back with prizes. One of them was number four in verses (the number memorized and said during camp). Patrick, who is 16 just learned to write his name this year, and he even said three verses! But the special thing was that John, who came in to the dorm earlier this year, accepted Christ. We are so thankful.

Today we had closing of AWANAS until school starts in mid January. I believe there were about 60 kids there. The weather was clear, warm for this area and nice for being out in the field.

We were blessed today with a visitor in our deaf church; a girl who is hearing but knows signs. We don’t know anything about her, but find it interesting how visitors keep coming. Terry lost his balance moving a small pulpit and fell but didn't break anything, though did hurt his shoulder.

This week promises to be busy for all of us I am sure, there and here.

Sandy for us both

Hi from Kenya, December 2010

2011-01-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hi from Kenya,

The mercies of God, what a theme for my song,

O I never could number them o’er;

They’re more than the stars in the heavens above

Or the sand on the wave beaten shore.

For mercies so great, what return can I make,

For mercies so constant and sure?

I’ll love him, I’ll serve Him with all that I have,

As long as my life shall endure.

Well, this has been some week:

The safe arrival of our ninth grandchild: John Wesley to Nathan and Rachel in Zambia. He weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. What a blessing that the rogham injection is available there, as John was their fifth RH + baby. Rachel is RH negative. Mother and baby are fine, and were home within twelve hours from going to the hospital.

Two years ago today, Dad had his stroke. He is doing better, but has a good ways to go yet with his speech, though he does teach in deaf church just about every Sunday a.m. and Wednesday night.

This morning, many folk were out of church due to it being closing day at camp at Karogoto, where they had gone. Pastor Harrison was there, so Papa preached. We were just about to close our deaf class when I was called to go to the church. Mama was sitting in front, kinda in a stupor, a far away look on her face. Her face pulled some to one side. Papa was sure she had a stroke. He called Dr. Macharia, who came right away. Mama pulled him down to her and whispered in his ear, “I had to have a problem so that you would come to church.” He told her to not talk, but she kept making “wise cracks,” and looked so much like her daddy. Dr. Macharia had her taken to the hospital across the street and gave her an injection to stop swelling in her brain. Within 1 ½ hours she was being taken to Nairobi with Papa, Pastor James driving. They should be there by now.

Admin note: (Mama Fields is now recovering.)

Tuesday we went up to make reservations for Steve and friends to go to the Ark. We took Papa and Mama out to eat up there for their Anniversary the last of the month, since we will be gone to Israel then, Lord willing. I had called Charles Nderitu to make reservations, the only problem being I had two Charles Nderitu’s on my phone: one is with our fellowship, the other associated with the Ark. By mistake I called the wrong one to say we would be there in one hour for lunch. By the time we finished the meal I got a phone call from the OTHER Charles, saying they had prepared lunch for us and wondered where we were. I felt SOOOOO bad. We had such a good time. I am so glad we were able to go. The day was SO special.

Will be in touch.

Sandy for us both

Kennedy to Western Kenya

2011-01-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

Kennedy and his family left on Monday for Western Kenya, to go back to the church ministry they were in before they came here. They arrived safely Tuesday afternoon. Martin, who has been living up on the plot at Mathaithi was moved down to the boys’ dorm this week after doing some painting and cleaning up work in his quarters. The boys seem pleased to have him there.

Our ladies’ class closed this past week for the holidays. It was fun to have some time to do some sewing this week.

Thursday we were able to go and visit the home where the twins live that are to come in to the dorm in January. The road was rocky and rough and on the way we had a flat tire, but it was all torn up before we knew we had a flat. The drive was beautiful up in the hills covered mostly with tea plantations. Pastor Ndegwa helped Terry replace the flat and we arrived up in the home late where 15 ladies and kids were waiting to meet with us. We were able to have a good time with them, and each of us (Pastor Ndegwa, Carol, Dad and I) were able to each give our testimonies. Terry did really well speaking, which was a blessing to me, as it has been two years this week since his stroke. The twins’ family is Catholic. One of them knew verses, and was “different” than the others. They served us tea before we left. The walk down to the home and back up was almost too much for Terry (the cow/people path was steep and narrow)… we hadn’t had rain for several days, so it was dry… a blessing under the circumstances.

Yesterday we were able to meet together with those involved in the ministry with us, along with the kids in the dorm. We were 21 (two of the girls were away) … six of the kids were new in the dorm this year. It was a special time. The best part for me was seeing the older ones more relaxed this year than last year, and their coming by to say, “Thank-you” for the meal after… a step forward. Also, seeing several hands go up saying they had come to know the Lord since they came into the dorm.

My brother, Steve and 19 others are planning to be here in February for a few days. So we have started working on getting their schedules, reservations in different places and transportation worked out. Two of the group are Daniel and Cherie (my sister's son and his wife).

We were six in deaf church this morning.. one was a new teenager. They all participated in the lesson, which was good.

Sandy for us both

Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

It is November 21. I do trust your Thanksgiving Day is a blessing to you. We continue to pray our lives “will be an alleluyah, a gift of praise to God our King.” We also remember thanks to our God for His Gift to us, which we are trying to share with others.

This week has brought some changes for us, which we know are God’s leading and which we know He will continue to make clear. Due to a series of conversations and events, Kennedy and his wife will be leaving us within a few days to go back to where they came from to pick up the ministry they were in before they came to Bible School. They go with our blessings. We are thankful for their help while they have been here.

Thanks for praying for Ndegwa. He had a good time of learning in Nairobi. He arrived home safely yesterday, but we have not yet had time to discuss issues of the week. No word on the land in Mathaithi.

Monday evening we had a good “counseling” session with our one young man who is our first to leave our care. I had never been convinced that he knew the Lord, but that night he at least said the right things, and also had thanks for helping when he was in such need. He took our advice, counsel very well and when we saw him later in the week, was very warm – always a good sign!

Tuesday at ladies’ class, Kennedy’s wife led and did a good job. Two of the ladies caught on very quickly on how to do intarsia knitting. I was thankful.

Wednesday evening after Dad taught in prayer meeting (they answered questions very well on the lesson last week), a lady came with a paper, asking us to take in twins aged nine – a boy and girl. They are to be brought back tomorrow with a decision as to whether or not we take them. PLEASE remember us in prayer. There is a lot involved in this decision, and only God can guide us together in what to do.

Work is going forward on Ndegwa’s house in Mathaithi…. We were given some money towards it this week. We are thankful.

Friday was a special day in our town as President Kibaki came to town to lay the cornerstone for the new market. He ate lunch at the Government House next door to where our YIT boys live. Of course most of them were away in school, but some got to see him. We enjoyed the benefit of an extra clean town, and our road patched up …. For a few days anyway!! A lot of preparation went into his coming. We thought how careful all was for his coming…. Yet most don’t care/prepare for our Lord’s return. We are so thankful he had a safe time here. We tried to stay out of the way, though Carol and I did go visiting in the afternoon and were able to share the gospel with several.

Saturday classes with our youth at church went very well… we had a new girl in our group and they listened well to the Word.

Today we had 8 in deaf church. Afterwards we had prepared lunch for them at our house, which they really enjoyed… on cup of soup was left. All the rest of the food disappeared! Good service at Mathaithi this evening.

Sandy for us both

Singing.......

2010-11-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

Today I just missed so much the spontaneous singing when people get in the car there in Zambia. And often in meetings, someone just starts singing and everyone joins in. How I miss that…. Singing like that is just not here very often. But, we press on, “looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.”

The week has not been without trying to settle problems between young people, and even some adults. We pray often that God will help us be menders of breaches and help reduce tensions between folk, and not make them worse.

Visitation was called off due to lightning, thunder and rain. But we had our other regular classes. I was again left with a teen girls’ class without knowing it would be that way. It is a challenge to speak in Swahili (Kikuyu is the mother tongue of most), but yet they don’t like to read that Bible. So, I am finding that if the girls read the verses we are studying in English, Swahili and Kikuyu, it helps. Also, to try to fill-in-the blank type of work sheet is impossible at this point with such a variety of understanding. So, I continue to learn from them in language to help show them that we need to help each other. Some are so sweet and helpful. Others are still not used to be around me…. They weren’t here when we left in July, and we have just been back one month.

Dad is teaching the deaf church again and it went very well, though we were few in number. He also taught Wednesday night. I always remember your David sitting on the front bench there in Itimpi with his Bible on his crossed leg as he listened to Opa teach….

We had to build a shelter to put our donated hay in. It is completed and we trust we get the hay this week. The shelter will also be used for our meeting place if it rains during church time on Sunday evenings.

Would you PRAY with us as there is a man who is trying to get an extra acre donated to us by the government, along with a small portion joining on to the ½ acre we already have. We will have to pay for closing costs, but that is minimal compared to the cost of an acre of land (I am guessing that would be $25,000 in that area). Pray that the man will proceed and see the matter through. It is a much coveted piece of land by other groups. Only God can work through this man to give it to us.

Our young man who is going out of the dorm this month has a job promised. Ndegwa went and checked into the promise and found it is not to be fulfilled. So, we PRAY for wisdom to know what to do with him.

This week is my last one of teaching in Bible School as far as I know right now. I will miss it in some ways, but really believe this is the Lord’s will, as we get more into the ministry with the church-plant we are working in.

I know Pastor Ndegwa would appreciate prayer this week as he has gone to Nairobi for a week of class. He is taking a course so that he can be the social worker that the government requires, and we then don’t have to pay another pserson to do this.

I was reminded this week of what the Jews did in Hosea’s time (13:6)..”they had their pasture… they became satisfied and being satisfied they became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” Let keep our eyes on Him and remember to be thankful for His provisions and love, and hedging about those who love Him. (Ps 145:20).

Blessings in the Lord,

Sandy for us both

Washers ministry letter

2010-11-10T05:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend,

It is November 7, 2010. Last Monday afternoon, Carol and I went to visit the Gramma of one of our teen girls. Esther, the girl, has been drawn to immorality at the tender age of 13. When Carol had confronted her about it, Esther told her, “I have needs…. “ (which girls have, for supplies) and she knew of no other way of getting those things. Esther wasn’t there when we met the Gramma in her one room wooden structure abode, but a cousin with her small baby, a small child and the Gramma were there. Torrents of rain came down making it difficult to talk above the pounding roar on the metal roof. But, we were warmly received and they listened politely to the message of salvation. Esther was in class yesterday along with six other girls (knitting and Bible). The lesson was the second half of Proverbs 9. They listened so well and I thank the Lord.

Tuesday ladies’ class went well and I thank the Lord for His help as I taught. Swahili is coming more fluently now as the Lord helps me continue learning, though some days the first words that come out are Bemba and I get these blank looks which let me know I was not understood!!

Wednesday night we met two brothers aged 7 and 10 whose Dad is being sent to prison because of neglecting his kids. The mom died. The boys were going to be taken to Nakuru into a large children’s home. We have been given permission to take them in, as well as another 11 year old whom we have taken care of some in recent weeks due to being mistreated by his Gramma. He has been in and out of hospital due to her abuse and some nurses at the government hospital have been trying to pass him around to try to give him a place to stay. So, without trying to get more kids, it seems we have three new ones this week. Our first young man goes out at the end of this month. He already has a job.

Thursday I met with the principal of the school across the street. God in His grace, gave me about a 25 minute slot of time to talk to him about God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It was truly God’s working. Then, two Bible School students and I were able to meet with some of the students to plan for next year’s Bible study and opportunity to learn to knit. We had opportunity to admonish them not to get into “trouble” over the holidays.

Last Sunday a man had made a profession of faith at our evening service out in the field where we meet at Mathaithi. The man asked us to come visit, so we did on Thursday. He got several in his family together to hear the plan of salvation, and this evening we are to have our first meeting with adults up at Mathaithi. If it rains, we will meet in our hay shed, which is finished but not full of hay yet! We look forward to this beginning work with the church planting ministry up there.

Terry is going to be taking over the teaching in deaf church, and will teach again on Wednesday night, Lord willing.

We had a good meeting with our YIT (Youth in Training) staff yesterday. We have much to thank the Lord for in what God has done this year.

So thankful that God is the One Who strengthens us with strength in our souls,.... and prefects that that concerns us. Ps. 137

Sandy for us both

--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Back to work........

2010-10-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

It is Oct. 31….

Our big market was moved just before we went to USA. The Chinese are building a two story market on the old site, with parking spaces also, we are told. It will take three years to build. Meanwhile, the market is laid out in a quagmire area…. When it rains… quite a challenge to get through without falling in the mud, and finding the people I used to buy from. I found one (with some help). She was discouraged, so I spent some time talking with her. One of the street boys (who doesn’t come to our group) helps me, too. He doesn’t know the Lord.

We have had some good rains and are so thankful for them. As we came out of church Wednesday, the western sky had billowing dark clouds silhouetted by the setting sun. On the horizon below the clouds was a fine line of sun with a few rays beaming through. To the North the heavily snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya were visible above clouds already below the highlands, which were sunlit as the sun set in the stormy West. How blessed we were to see the beauty.

Classes were a blessing this week in Bible School. I especially enjoyed John 12:20-26. We went visiting Thursday up in Mathaithi and had varied responses to the Truth; from “You can’t tell me anything I don’t know,” to just silence.

We have been given 100 bales (the old fashioned rectangular kind) of hay for our seven goats and two cows. We are thankful. The foundation was also dug for Pastor Ndegwa’s house up at Mathaithi. We will work on it as we can after the roofing sheet church is finished. The work on the well has made no progress yet.

The deaf ministry is in a slump. We are praying the Lord will give wisdom in our priorities and ministries. There were three deaf and four hearing today.

A man made a profession of faith while the Awana program was going on this evening up at Mathaithi. We are to try to go and visit his family this week.

This week we are to meet with the Principal of a local school to see about ministry there next year. We are praying for God’s leading in decisions.

Thankful for the faithfulness of our God Who has given His Word, taught, led, comforted, rebuked, shown mercy to our predeccessors, as and will do so to our children and their children. Psalm 119:90.

Love you,

Sandy for us both

We are about over our “bugs” though Terry still has back trouble.

--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Washers back home....

2010-10-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Driving up from Nairobi when we arrived, the dryness looked like Zambia! With the backdrop of dryness, the jacaranda and African tulip trees look even more vibrant in color…. Just beautiful. This week we have had three good rains here in Karatina. We are thankful.

Though I have written since June 27, that is the last letter written on this letter file! Today is October 24, 2010. I didn’t write everyone last Sunday because we hadn’t been able to get the email up and working yet. Then, be both have been sick this week…. Colds/flu or something…. We didn’t go to church today, as we didn’t want to share our germs. I do believe we are on the mend.

We are just about settled in and unpacked. I was able to bring back two knitting machines; one for me to teach on as someone else learns on the other. They aren’t fancy. I haven’t decided yet whom to use to teach them, so that they can then teach others. Also, there is no room in this apartment to set them up!

Tuesday afternoon I went to ladies’ class. Together we went to see Carol, Ndegwa’s wife. She has had to stay home a lot due to the baby being sick with bronchial problems. We had prayer and a short Bible time there. There were nine of us.

Wednesday was a holiday here. At church in the evening Terry and I shared about out time away, then the ladies had made a cake to celebrate our return, doing the way I had showed them, which was special. There were about 60 there.

Thursday and Friday I had class in the mornings in Bible School. School will be out at the end of November, so there are just a few more sessions to be with them. Two of them are graduating this year.

Thursday afternoon we went up to Mathaithi with Ndegwa, Carol and Kennedy and visited near the plot there. The church structure they had hoped to complete before we got back was not completed due to shortage of funds, but I believe we have enough for that now.

Sandy for us both

--
Terry & Sandy Washer
tswasher@gmail.com

NEW LOOK

2010-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

NEW LOOK

From Dave and Elwanda Fields

Box 1082 Karatina 10101 Kenya, East Africa

Cell: 0722212314. E-mail < dlfields1224@gmail.com>

Your question: Are they talking about present style in USA? Our answer: NO.

That has never been of interest to me (Elwanda).

This morning, October 11th I was quite excited when I saw Mt. Kenya again with snow on top! It has been hidden behind the clouds for many months. Even that is not the NEW LOOK to which I am referring.

Many years ago, Dave and I were living in another area in Kenya, to re-place a missionary couple on furlough. I asked Jeannie, a missionary who lived there, to give me a chorus about the Word of God.

This is what she taught me:

We need a NEW LOOK at the Old Book; we need a NEW LOOK at God's Word.

We need to search the Scriptures every day, hide God's Word in our heart.

We need a NEW LOOK at the Old Book; we need a NEW LOOK AT GOD'S WORD.

That chorus comes to my mind so often because I continue finding facts that had been sown in my heart but not firmly planted.

Presently, my co-teacher Fredrick and I are teaching the course APOLOGETICS to Seniors and Juniors on Wednesdays and Fridays. NEW LOOK? Absolutely! I have to study. Kenyans are very intelligent. As we have students from several tribal language backgrounds, we labor to understand the accent of each one. Even with hearing aids, I often resort to checking with Deacon Fredrick to be sure that I know what had been said. That is not a complaint but just a statement of fact.

During this month of October my co-teacher will reach his 27th birthday. Early in last July had my 89th birthday. Is there an age-gap? Not in Bible School. He knows more than I have learned or forgotten. I praise the Lord for providing what we need when we let HIM do it.

My Grandfather's birthday was October 22nd. In his honor/ memory there is an October Madison Reunion. This year, it was Oct. 9th at our old home church but new building we understand. Steve, our firstborn with Martha and their 3-1/2 year old Sophia attended. So did Sandy and her husband Terry Washer. They had gone to USA for the wedding of Joy, their lastborn, to Brian Collins. They stayed for medical reasons and to visit supporting churches. Lord willing, they will be back and live just a hop, skip, and jump up the road from us. Dave and I will be so glad to have them nearby. We cannot fail to thank God for the ones here in Karatina who filled the gap.

Our four children (1) Stephen (2) Paul (3) Barbie (4) Sandy are a blessing to us. I often think of how much they have taught me - much more than I taught them. When Dave and I married in 1948, many people wondered why he chose me. One of the young hopeful girls gathered her attractive girl friends who were students where Dave had once been and asked me (and I quote) "WHY ON EARTH DID DAVID FIELDS MARRY YOU?" Then she added some false and ugly implications. It was not a secret that I am more than five years older than he. Because I was older than the average American girl and unmarried, friends tried to help me "get some man to marry me!" They seemed to assume that nobody really wanted to marry me and sorry for me. God placed me as the second daughter of our parents. I clearly understood the importance of having the right man as my husband. One night I just knew that I had to know for sure before the next morning, the one whom the Lord had chosen to marry me. He made it very clear that it was David Lee Fields. Yes, he was and is the God-chosen one for me and I am thankful.

You who pray for us and those who send voluntary financial support is something for which Dave and I praise the Lord and thank you. May God bless you. Proverbs 3:5, 6; Romans 8:28-29.

Washers headed to Kenya!

2010-10-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Folk,

We leave Greenville 9:a.m. Wednesday for Charlotte. We are to fly out there at 2:30 to Chicago, and leave Chicago for Nairobi via London at 5:30p.m. We are due to arrive in Nairobi about 1:30 your time here, and need prayer for favor and no hassles as we go through customs. We have a lot of luggage for use in the ministry.

We would appreciate prayer as we say good-bye to our family here also.

Will be in touch after we get there, Lord willing.

Terry and Sandy

Terry & Sandy Washer

Home Safe

2010-08-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Kenya team has arrived home safely. We thank God for His blessing, protection, and the ministry in Karatina and surrounding towns. We appreciation your support, and your prayers.

Admin.

Headed Home!

2010-08-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

09 August, 2010

Dear Praying friends,

I leave 10am tomorrow for Nairobi, so the guys can get home before dark.

I will spend the afternoon and evening at the Mennonite Guest house, leave 5:30am for the airport and fly out through Amsterdam and arrive in Atlanta 9pm Wed. evening.

Mr. Kibingi who wrote a Christian Police officers book here in Kenya will meet with me for dinner tomorrow evening, so pray for that.

Sunday evening I met with a team from Parkridge church in Pa. who is here with 410 Bridge demolishing a building, so they can build a building to house the knitting project 410 B. started here. They were a great group, and we had a good time together.

Yesterday at church, a small boy came in with a large boil on his forehead, so Dad took he and the father, Dennis to see the Doctor in town. He lanced the boil and today at the follow up, it looked great.

Dr. Macharia also said my sore throat looked better, and my cough was not to worry about.

This has been a great visit in so many ways. Each person that God allowed to come was a personal joy to me, and a blessing to the ministry here. Each one said they felt they had had an effective and fulfilling visit, and we look forward to discussing how God is leading them regarding the future.

Some are already planning to come when Ben Kiker comes in February.

The Ihwagi church is putting the ring beam on, and will be ready for the roof soon. Pray for the necessary funds to finish and furnish it with some benches. We really believe this will expand the ministry there greatly. Pastor James and his wife Tabitha send grateful thanks to all who have prayed and given to make this wonderful dream, a REALITY!

The Solio leader said they were meeting today regarding the plots to be assigned to various denominations, so we continue to pray about that.

Thank you to those who have sent emails. Pray for this remaining time here, and my time with various ones as I travel, that God will guide my words, and meditations.

Love and prayer,

Steve,

Papa and Mama

We Remember......by Mama and Papa Fields

2010-08-09T13:25:00.000-07:00

WE REMEMBER

August, 2010

Dave and Elwanda Fields, Box 1082 Karatina 10101 Kenya, East Africa, dlfields1224@gmail.com

In July 2007 we had a letter from a Pastor in USA, saying "It breaks my heart to write this but I must tell you that we cannot continue supporting you. The reason is that we have no money. We will continue praying for you and when we again have funds to send, we will remember you."

Today in August, 2010 we received a voluntary support gift from that church. Do we remember the Pastor and that church? YES! How could we forget? Thank you.

The Fields Four (1) Stephen (2) Paul (3) Barbie (4) Sandy are all busy in the places and ministries that they believe is God's assignment.

Stephen (Steve) came in late July with six others from USA for seminars attended and appreciated by Police and Scattered Pastors. The team with our son did not all come from the church where he is Pastor in Ellijay, Georgia. It was so good to see and hear three bounce back and forth in informally presenting wonderful Truths from The Word of God.

Today, all except Steve will go to Nairobi and proceed to USA. He will soon say good-bye to us but also look forward to seeing Martha and their Sophie. These last two who are leaving today, have contributed lasting notes on our computer and personal histories that will be helpful to us as we seek to be channels for passing on to others in our Antioch Independent Baptist Church and Bible School here.

Some of us have interviewed young men who have applied for entrance as freshmen in the Bible School in January.

Hopefully you will understand how deeply we appreciate you and your part in the ministry here as expressed by your prayer and financial support.

The Washer Wedding and such!

2010-08-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

We were so blessed with a safe trip to USA, arriving July 15 in Charlotte. It is special to see Mom Washer, our kids and grandkids, and to enjoy hugs from them and see them face to face, as well as many friends again.

Brian and Joy were married last Saturday here in Greenville, SC. The wedding was honoring to the Lord, Who brought them together. It was well attended, and we were thankful to see family members from GA and NC, though some only briefly. We have included a few pictures of that event.

We are finding it interesting that, as we go places, we are asked, "Would you like to be given the Senior Citizen discount on .....?" So, I guess we look the part!

Thank-you so much for praying for us in the big happenings of the last few days.

Reports of ministries on the field sound good, and we thank the Lord for His blessing and strengthening each one who has more responsibility due to our being gone.

Terry and Sandy Washer

2010 Trip is winding down...........

2010-08-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

05 August, 2010

Dear Praying friends,

Thanks for your prayers for wisdom and safety. We had a safe trip to Nairobi. We went by the Mennonite guest house and got extra rooms for all of us, but they had no vacancies for Charlie and Mike for Friday, so we decided it was OK to come back to Karatina after we dropped Donna and Anna off at the airport. After arriving in Nairobi we ate lunch at the Java House which was swamped because so many businesses were closed to vote. Funny how you long for a hamburger after a while without one. They call them BEEFburgers here, since that is what they are!

We then went to the Sarit center, a 3 story building with all sorts of businesses in it, but it was closed, so we went to the curio market, and experienced haggling, watching things being made, and had a great time. I have been there many times with other friends, so they recognized me, and pastor Harrison and James. Most of the people were really wanting to make some sales as traffic in town was slow, and volume of visitors was down. I pray that as you look at the carvings we have brought through the years, that you will pray for the hundreds of people who have been, and are being impacted by the Antioch Independent Baptist fellowship of churches across Kenya. If we were as determined to reach people for Christ, and connect, and keep angling for a hearing, as these vendors are, many more people would be saved. There is a difference between non-Holy Spirit led harrassing someone, and Spirit led, prayerful pursuit of those who have not "heard" with their heart, and surrendered to the Lord Jesus.

We all went to bed early and got up at 4:30am and left for the airport at 5:30am. Traffic was light, but there was already a long line, so we waited until the girls were going through immigration and left, and they called when they got on the plane.

We were all sleepy coming back, except James Kahaia who was driving. I talked with him about many of the single Moms in his church who make $2 a day picking tea leaves, and pay $9 per month for rent in small places, with their children. With the new Church being built at Ihwagi, we anticipate the ministry to expand. There will be more room, Sunday school space, and room for Awana, which is a very successful Children's program, with fun, Scripture memory, and Bible teaching.

I felt a sore throat coming on, and Dr. Masharia gave me some antibiotics and medicine, and instructions, and I came home and went to bed. Charlie and Mike went to James Kahaia's for lunch. They had both ministered in the church.

The potential for outreach here is great. Basketball training, volleyball, Awana, helping churches own their facilities to remove the burden of rent, helping pastors have the basics to begin supporting themselves, by having goats, cows, chickens, etc. Developing accountability with the maturing congregations, and helping the experienced pastors with Bible training materials.

Mike suggested used laptops with Bible study materials installed, since they all read English, and distributed to the places with electricity. Internet hookup would be unnecessary, and the quality and volume of good Bible software is great. E-sword is a free program with lots of great tools, a Bible dictionary, word studies, a variety of translations, and commentaries. This would greatly enhance Bible training on site, not take up much space, etc. Notebook Computers are now available for $250-, that would be light to bring, and easy to set up. We are praying for certifiable Bible training materials with a recognized degree, that we could use here, that the government here will also recognize.

Each one in the team has been great, connecting with all ages, praying, and creating their own ministry opportunities. It has been a delight to get to know Anna, Donna, Charlie, Mark and Elaine. Mike and I have been close friends for years, and I look forward to their perspectives on the ongoing ministry here, as we seek to be involved with God, where HE is working.

Mike and Charlie will go with Pastor Harrison in the morning to see his farm, and talk about their ideas for the future. (I will stay here and hang out with Papa and Mama.) They will leave for Nairobi about 2pm, spend the night at Menno, then fly out at 8am Sat. morning. They have different bookings, so will arrive at different times.

We are so thankful for each family that has allowed them to come, and each person that has given, so they could come and minister. I am missing Mark and Elaine, and Donna and Anna already. Mark could have traded animals for magic tricks if he had been there, he is good.

Thanks for your prayers for each of us. We are praying for you and the churches there.

Love,
Steve, Papa, Mama and Charlie and Mike.

Solio church planting !!!

2010-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

03 August, 2010

Dear Friends,

We left a little after 9am for Solio today. It is about 50 miles from here, and is on the North end of the Solio ranch where we view rhino, and other game. The government took about 6,000 displaced Kikuyu people and gave them each 4.5 acres in seven separate villages on the savannah plains near Solio. The government has provided tractors to plow fields, is building schools, and small hospitals for each village, but requires them to pay a little for the land, and for plowing etc. over the next five years.

Michael and Wilson (sometimes) have been going up weekly on Monday to minister at the fourth village. We pray we will be given 2-4 acres there to build a church and begin the ministry on weekends, and move Michael and his wife and three children there. That land decision may be in the next two weeks, so please pray about that. Mike sent 4 pictures from our trip. (See the previous blog post today...Admin.)

Presently Michael and about 10-15 people meet in a little compound of a man there called Michael. This man has offered us the opportunity to build a small building out of roofing, on poles immediately, while we wait for land and other things to come together. Another older man named Joseph, gave us his testimony of how he was saved when the Karatina team came to evangelize. He has offered two of his acres, if we are not given land by the government!!

When we arrived, the man in charge of all the managers of all the 7 villages met us, and took us to greet and attend a parent, teacher children's gathering, on their last day of school. They teach in small buildings made of roofing material, while they build a block building for the school. We saw, but did not enter the hospital. We then looked at the Nursery for trees they will plant in October, when the rains start. They had a million seedlings there he said. We saw the bore hole and water storage tank. The well is 210' deep. Then we went to Michael's ("Solio Michael") plot of land and sat and talked and took pictures. We donated a NASB study Bible to the manager, and Joseph, the new convert. Michael asked us to come and bless his home and their present church site. Charlie led in that prayer. Mike led in a prayer with the school kids, and parents when we met earlier. The wind there was strong and steady, so trees will help provide wind breaks. We saw some corn, but it was stunted, and not doing very well.

All of us enjoyed getting to see a church in its infancy beginning to grow. Wilson, the manager at Solio said our groups were the first to come evangelizing. We estimate that we can quickly get a roof on poles for a temporary shelter, and church at Michael's home. We estimate about $15,000 to build a church and pastor's house, and a Sunday school room, to get started.

We stopped by a place to eat, and got to see baboons, take a 5 minute horse ride, and have a good chat.

Pray as our team goes to Nairobi tomorrow to take Donna and Anna. We will spend the night and take them to the aiport early, 5:30am.

Tomorrow is the voting on the referendum on the new constitution, PLEASE PRAY for God's best will, and the best for Kenya. There is much to be concerned about if the wrong decisions are made.

Papa and Mama send greetings, as do many of the people here. The Bible school students thank those of you who help them be able to come to school.

Mike and Charlie start home Sat. and I leave Wed. am.
Thank you for your prayers and generous gifts, and involvement.

Love and prayer,
Steve Fields

Solio !

2010-08-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Home where the Solio church meets.

Solio School meeting outdoors.

Pastor Michael and host couple inside the homeplace where the Solio Church meets.

Charlie with Solio village in background.

Pastor Steve's Kenya Update!

2010-08-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

02 August, 2010

Dear Praying friends,

Well, our part of the conference is completed. During the conference, one of the pastors became ill of a long term condition, and Papa took him to the Dr. who did what was necessary, kept him 5 days and charged us $560 approx. The man can now walk normally.

The Point Man Ministry came and gave a leadership presentation Friday.

Our group, including Mama and Papa left and went to a lunch, a game viewing walk,then to the Ark. On the walk, we saw warthogs, zebra, and got very close to 6 giraffe. We were thankful for the nice cool weather, and gentle breeze. The Ark is a large building with 3 floors and viewing windows overlooking a lake that has salt in the dirt in front of the Ark. The animals come to lick the salt, and to drink from the lake. Mama and Papa rode the tour bus out there, we took a game drive. Unfortunately, the vehicle broke down before it got to us, or maybe fortunately. Anyway, it was supposed to leave at 2:30pm but did not leave until 5pm, and was a bit disappointing in viewing any game.

We saw an elephant on the horizon, and Anna almost fell out of the vehicle pointing, and screaming at the elephant she saw. I had offered 80 Kenya Shillings for the first one to see an elephant, I promptly paid, but it was dusk and far away so we drove on to the Ark and a wonderful dinner.

Dad had befriended a businessman from Holland, and we invited him to join us for supper, his name was Peter. Charlie had a long interesting talk with him after supper. A drizzle set in, so all that came was buffalo, bush buck and some giant forest hogs, but no elephants. Charlie and I got to watch two buffaloes skirmish for a while, and then went to bed.

We got up early, ate breakfast and boarded the Jeep for a game drive at Solio ranch. Since our drive was poor the evening before, our driver took us by the long route, and we got to see a nice, big elephant up pretty close. We all praised God for that. Mark and Elaine had to leave Sunday afternoon, and we so hoped to see an elephant. We saw 22 rhino, oryx, buffalo, warthogs, zebra, monkeys, gazelle, some beautiful giraffes, and some beautiful birds; no lion this time. We did see the remains of a buffalo that had been killed.

On the way home from Solio ranch, we detoured to go see the Equator. We took pictures in front of the sign, and mingled with 3 busloads of Scouts from an international scouting jamboree.

Sunday morning Charlie and Mike went to Ihwagi, Mark and Elaine taught kids class at Karatina, Donna and Anna helped with another group of kids. I preached from Haggai on " how to get into the place where God can bless you". It was about 60 degrees and people were very cold in church. Mark and Elaine left after lunch; we miss them. Mark had done some really neat magic tricks, and both had bonded well with us, and the people here. Donna, Anna, Mike and I went to visit the local government run hospital. There were lots of sick people, and poor conditions in several places, but better than nothing. We had prayer with several of the patients, and their friends and family.

Monday morning we walked in town, and then ate lunch, then went to visit the Jamii hospital, owned by Dr. Kibuku, who Papa and Mama won to the Lord Jesus. It was a good tour, and a clean, private hospital. Anna played with the children, Donna went to visit with Kennedy's family, and Charlie, Mike and I went to see the new building progress at Ihwagi. It is almost up to the ring beam, and will be ready to put a roof on soon.

Tomorrow, we head to Solio ranch to see the area where we are being given some land to build a church, and a pastors house. On the way, we are to meet with the police Commander, in Nyeri.

We are already missing Donna and Anna, we pray God's richest blessing on their labors and contacts here, and their trip home Thursday morning.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement.

IHMXS
Steve, Papa, Mama.

2010 Kenya team images

2010-08-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

Here are some images of our 2010 team in Kenya from Mike Parham. Remember all in your prayers!

Admin

Antioch Baptist at Ihwagi with Pastor and leader and our team

Antioch Baptist Seminar Students

EEBC Team Members Mike, Charlie and Steve with Pastor Harrison of Antioch Baptist-Karatina

Papa and Mama Fields and Steve upon the teams arrival

Team Update!

2010-07-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

29 July, 2010

Dear Friends,

I was so sleepy I could not type last night.

Our week with the pastors and police is over for us, as we head to the Ark tomorrow. We had 50 police and about that many pastors.

Mike Parham covered the book, "the seven habits of highly successful people", integrated with Scripture and other talks. All there felt it was very helpful information. I personally received great blessing from it, and some good counsel for myself. Mark Dennis, a policeman who is here with his wife Elaine, did magic tricks, spoke on creation, and they really loved on people. They bought toys for a lot of the children who are in the compound area of the church.

We went at lunch to look at the new church under constrution at Ihwagi, brother James Kahaia's church. It is about 30'x80' including Sunday School rooms, and a fine new outhouse! The blocks are up to the base of the windows. It is exciting to see these churches growing numerically, spiritually, and making a difference in their regions. We look forward to sharing pictures with you, when we can slow down enough to do so.

I was able to deliver a container of sewing supplies Tom and Patty Greathouse had sent for the orphans at Isovya, to help them as they learn the tayloring trade.

Charlie has been great, he is alot of fun, has great ideas, and we all have adopted Anna. She went out and played with the guys in a Kenyan version of 21 (basketball). I was impressed with her ball handling in traffic. One of the guys she blocked, then blocked a couple of her shots.

Anna, Donna and Elaine worked in the kitchen for a while making chapatis, cutting cabbage and enjoying the wonderful crew working in there. I did my duty on quality control on chapatis, they were consistently GOOD!

The power was off for a while today, but we got a cord run from another building. We covered the last 3 habits today, then had questions.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,
Steve for the team

Teaching and Singing

2010-07-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

28 July, 2010 02:12 PM

Dear Friends.

Thank each of you for your diligent prayers for us.. The last 3 days have been rainy, and muddy, but Praise the Lord the power has stayed on, and the people keep coming.

Mike Parham is our lead teacher on the 7 habits of highly effective people, and we have studied:
1. Being proactive
2. beginning with the end in mind.
3. keep the first things first.
We have talked about living from principles,
moving from dependent, to independent to interdependent;
time management etc.

Charlie, Mark and I just chime in with each other, and it has been most profitable.

I woke up Sat. night at 2am, Sun. night at 3am. but trust I can sleep well tonight,,, Wed. night.

We have a great time singing "New Hallelujah", "Come Now is the Time to Worship" and some other songs Joe helped me compile.

Well, I am less and less coherent, so I will sign off for now, I can't keep my eyes open!

Greetings from all here.
:Love and prayer,
Steve

My first Kenya report 7/2010

2010-07-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers, we have experienced the kind intervention of the Lord several times already.

Donna and Anna Thomas from Clevland, Tenn. a Mom and 20 year old daughter from Bryan College, and on their basketball team; Charlie Thomas (no relation), track coach at Morehouse College in Atlanta; Mike Parham, pastor, missionary and now heading the public defender team in our judicial circuit; all left Atlanta at 11:50pm Wed. 21st. We got 10 containers of books on board for $1,000, since I scarfed one of each person's free 50 pound bags. They gave everyone a boarding pass from Amsterdam except me?? and told me to get one in Amsterdam. When we got there, they said I had to wait until boarding. Mike got me in the front of the security check line boarding the plane, and they said they were overbooked, and did not know if I would get on the flight. I explained we were a group, 4 of whom had never been to Kenya, and thank God I got a ticket just before boarding.

Our flight was rougher than usual. I sat beside a couple from Germany who were doing a second 2 year stint as optometrists in Tanzania. He said that a 15 minute cataract surgery gave half of his patients vision again! They had been raised Lutheran, then got into an evangelical church and seemed to be devoted Christians. They had well worn Bibles. They had a little baby with them, but it did well.

We were an hour late, and Pastor Harrison, and Pastor James had been waiting more than two hours, but cheerfully greeted us as we breezed through customs with no hassle (another PTL!)

The Ibis #2 in Karatina, is nicer than the Starbucks hotel we have been using, and much quieter, with good food. Everyone is together on the 2nd floor. Mark and Elaine Dennis arrived Sat. a.m. and got settled in.

Sunday Charlie went to Ihwagi, to James Kahaia's church. The new building is under construction, and is already up to window level, about 30'x80' Charlie said. Charlie preached there, and they enjoyed it, Mike preached at Karatina, on the 23rd Psalm. Mark and Elaine went to Nyeri, and due to ordination proceedings etc. did not get out
of church until 3pm, and home by 7:30pm, they were exhausted. Donna and Anna and drove out to Karogoto (in Kerri Kiker's Memory) Church, and had a good service there. There was lots of singing, special choirs etc. I preached then we came and met the others at Starbucks diner. We have had fried chicken, more roasted really, rice, chips (fries) curried fish, fish etc. We had alot of laughter and fun. It has been great to spend time with each team member!

It was great to see Papa and Mama again, Mama just turned 89 on the 10th.
They were delighted with the gifts some of you sent, thank you again. My bed is in the living room, in the corner, a bunk with mosquito net hanging down. It has been cold enough at night for a blanket and thick quilt. I woke up at 2am Sun. Morning, and 3am this morning, so I hope for a long night's rest tonight.

Today was our first session with about 60-70 who came in late last night, and this morning. Mike did the introduction to the 7 habits of highly effective people, and covered "being proactive". Charlie, Mark and I chirped in, and it was a great day. The head police office in our region will be coming tomorrow for us to cut the 10th anniversary of the police seminar, so that will be a big event in the morning. Donna had an upset stomach, so pray for rapid healing.

Papa and Mama, Pastor Harrison and Juma are interviewing candidates for Bible school. It costs a little over $100/month to sponsor one, if you have the calling for it, and would like to help train pastors. Our previous students who are pastors now, bring candidates they believe should be considered for Bible institute, pray for wisdom in choosing.

Most of the children are still in school, so we have had fewer to interact with.

A 5 person team from BobJones University was here for the weekend working with the Youth in Training street kids. We went to part of a session, and it was great.

Ndegwa is trying to set up a modem for the rest of the team to get on computer at their hotel.

Well, I am sooo tired, so that is all for now.

Love,
Steve for the rest of the team.

And they're off..........

2010-07-22T05:40:00.001-07:00

Hey Folks,

Steve and company left yesterday on their way to Kenya! Keep Steve, Charlie, Mike, Donna, Anna, Mark and Elaine in your prayers. Pray that their hearts are prepared to share and love those in Karatina, and that the hearts of the people there are prepared to receive it. Greetings to Mama and Papa Fields.

Admin

Safe Travels-Terry and Sandy

2010-07-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Just a note to say we had a safe, though L O N G trip and arrived safely on Thursday night. Nathan came with us. His wife, Rachel is in Zambia with the four boys, expecting the fifth at the end of the year.

Daniel and Kristie are expecting their second baby in February. She has been quite sick.

We were met at the airport by some of our kids, and friends. We are staying with Mom Washer.

Thanks for praying for us,
Terry and Sandy

Annual Kenya trip-July 2010

2010-07-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

Subject: Kenya trip
Dear Friends,

Wow, the time is flying fast and in a few days our team heads to Kenya. I made an unanticipated trip in February with Randy and Janice Durden. It was wonderful to go visit some of our former students who had established ministries in Western Kenya. We had a wonderful ministry trip and great fellowship, especially getting to share in Janice's first trip to Africa. There was a little more adventure than we wanted, but we survived, and thank God for His care over us, and the privelege of going.

This trip is my regular annual one to minister to pastors and police. We had 14 potential fellow travellers, but one family had a premature baby, so that took out five, another person broke their foot, and that took two of them out, others could not work out the details, but I have a wonderful team going. Donna Lacey Thomas and her 20 year old daughter Anna, who wants to be a missionary physician. Donna leads praise music, so she will work with Mike Parham, a veteran pastor, missionary and presently the Public defender for our tricounty area. He works regularly with policemen and will lead our ministry team as we minister from Mt. 5-7, Colossians 1, and 2 Peter 1:3- on the stages of Christian growth. Covey's book the "7 habits of highly effective people", clearly, and comprehensively details the pre-requisites to fulfilling life and leadership, Biblical principles. We will work with about 100 policemen, and 60-80 pastors. I have ordered 600 "How to Find God", New Testaments with wonderful notes. They cost about $2.50 plus the freight to get them there with us. I would like to give some to each policeman and pastor to return with to their place of service.

We had prayed for money to build a church for James Kahia, who has been in the ministry for several years with Dad and Mom, we have received gifts to get that project going. We prayed for money for a motorcycle for Jackson and Elijah to run and use as a taxi for their town, and support for their families in ministry. We have been blessed with $1,500 to get that, and then he will repay some of it, so we can help other pastors earn a living. God also provided money for the food and transportation of the pastors coming, and we look forward to His continued provision for the projects He sees fit to fund.

We will arrive July 23 + or - a day. I will return on Aug. 10, the others a bit earlier. The primary need now is for funds to pay for freight going over. I have already bought the materials we will take, and am packing them.

Brother Charlie Thomas will be going also. He is (one of) the track coach(es) at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Also, Mark Dennis and his wife will be working with us with the police.

We plan to visit Solio, where the Kenyan government has settled 4 large groups of people, and has donated land for us to build a church and pastor's simple house to evangelize, and disciple there. We already have students ministering there on weekends.

Papa and Mama send greetings. Mama will be 89 on July 10, Lord willing. Terry and Sandra (my sister) will be coming home to USA for their daughter Joy's wedding, and return in late August, I think.

Thank you for your prayers as we prepare to go, for our safety, and effective, God pleasing ministry, and God's care for our families who remain here.

Love,
Steve Fields

It's cold in Kenya

2010-06-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Hi,

It is June 27th, and BRRRR it is cold. We spent quite a few days this week literally walking in the clouds. Its been a long time that I have felt frozen even in church and found it hard to concentrate. It was probably about 58-60 inside the church. Papa is having trouble with arthritis in one knee, so came to church with a woolen blanket to wrap around his knees… good idea! The sun shone a little this evening, but not long enough to warm the air or dry the ground.

On Tuesday, the ladies from the Youth in Training church and I drove to Karogoto to show them how to make cake on a charcoal stove. With our nine and their 20+ we were quite a group. We sat on benches outside, and they watched while Brother Kennedy’s wife stirred as I explained. It went very well and the cake turned out beautifully, though was hardly enough for the group! Carol (Pastor Ndegwa’s wife) gave a good word from the Bible. The tea was most welcome!

When we got ready to leave, our van wouldn’t start, so I called Terry, and he and Sam came to help us jump start it. (I had left the parking lights on by mistake, and there was a corroded battery terminal) It was so sweet that many of the ladies from Karogoto stayed and sat on the grass to wait for us to make sure we got away safely. It was a nice time of fellowship with them… an added blessing. We also were able to see how they operate their knitting machines…. Maybe some day we will be able to learn. It was good for our ladies to see.

Thursday was a very difficult day in school…. I think the hardest I have ever had as far as noise and distractions with kids goes! I Cor.15:58 was my comfort when I got home.

That afternoon we received a phone call from the lady at Immigration to say our work permit had been renewed for three years. Praise the Lord with us! That is just the part of the process. The six times to check on the permit, having the permit stamped in our passport, security bonds, aliens cards, and re-entry permits are all part of the process. We are thankful for the progress made. Thank-you for praying. We were able to get the security bonds on Friday. It is paid to an insurance company so that if it is deemed best that we leave the country, the ticket is paid. It took the whole day, and we are thankful to have them in hand. Tomorrow we are to go down to complete the necessary procedures, Lord willing.

Saturday was our Daniel’s birthday (in Zambia – Kristie’s husband). It was good to talk to them a few minutes.

Today when church started we were only three. We went ahead, and before we were done, we were ten. Geoffrey gave a good lesson.

Thankful for victory and strength through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Cor. 15:57,58

Sandy for us both

On Tuesday we drove to Nairobi...........

2010-06-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we drove to Nairobi to check on our work permit again… again we were told by the same lady that it is not ready. She asked us to wait while they searched. We waited about an hour, then she asked that we stay overnight and check again on Wednesday. We had not gone prepared to do that. She was very nice, and promised we would have the permits in hand before we leave in July. So, we pray to that end.

I had a special blessing in class with the ladies this week. We were to start the Wordless Book on Friday, starting with the gold page about reminding us of heaven. I sometimes take hot tea to the ladies for a treat and did that day along with some cake. I knew one had lost an uncle this week. When I got there, heard that another had just received word that her grandmother who had had a big influence in her life, had died the night before. She knew the Lord. It was such a blessing to share the truths of heaven in class, and knowing there is no parting with those knowing Him, there. The timing was a special reassurance. The lady in class is to go to the funeral later this week.

Saturday we went with Papa and Mama to put a downpayment for the visitors going to the Ark at the end of July. We were welcomed very warmly by the staff. We hadn’t been up there in almost one year. I had called ahead and asked if they could have a cake for Mama for her birthday as a surprise. They did! The beauty we enjoyed in the view on top of the hill, of the foothills of Mt. Kenya, the beautiful trees, flowers and a few giraffe and impala, while seated in an old colonial style hotel with a cassette of Jim Reeves being played over their p.a. system , while eating a delicious lunch, were all together quite a juggle for the senses! The cooks came out of the kitchen and sang, “Happy Birthday,” to Mama. She was so pleased.

Today we were blessed after our deaf service, to be able to “remember the Lord’s death…” together with the main church member family. It was Geoffrey’s first time to have communion with the church (he is deaf) family.

So thankful to be part of the family of the Living God… what manner of love He has given us to give us that privilege.

Sandy for us both

--
Terry & Sandy Washer
tswasher@gmail.com

CAUGHT not TAUGHT

2010-06-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

15 June, 2010 07:41 AM

Our IFM Mission address is:
Independent Faith Mission
P.O. Box 7791
Greensboro, NC 27417-0791.

That is not our personal address here. We, Dave and Elwanda Fields have the following address:

P.O. Box 1082
Karatina 10101, Kenya, East Africa 0722212314.

So what is caught not taught? When I was a kid and at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church on Rally Day I was told to say, “I’m almost always catching things like whooping cough and the flu, scarlet fever and chicken pox. I’ve caught some scolding too. I’ve had the measles and the mumps – all that comes my way. NOW I’ve caught the enthusiasm ‘cause you’re here today.”

That is not what our son Paul David had in mind. He wrote that as he and Marla are missionaries in Paraguay, South America, their children would not know Dave and me who are their Grandparents. They planned a visit for them. We were here in Karatina.

They faced taking anti-malarial drugs and the result if instructions are not followed. Also singing songs that had to be interpreted, leaving a name that was given to a new born baby, talking with people of several different dialects and finding those who respond with an unspoken oneness.

Paul said that their young daughters CAUGHT something that they were not TAUGHT: a vision for reaching other lands with the wonderful message of salvation. Where are they now? Jenna Fields Wright with her husband Jim and their three children are in upper Cameroon, Africa. Michelle (Shellie) with husband Arnaldo Silva and their four children are looking toward Uruguay, South America.

SOME of YOU WHO WILL RECEIVE THS LETTER have CAUGHT that same vision! How do we know? You send financial help for our Bible School voluntarily, or for us, as BIBLE SCHOOL is an important part of each day Monday through Friday. We thank you. We are also very grateful for those who PRAY for us and for our Bible Schools scattered through-out Kenya.

Dave called me just now for a wonderful blessing. A former student in Bible School was here. He is now a Pastor. His older sister prayed so much for him when he was in Bible School because he was very slow in speaking. Even after he was married and the first baby was born. That same sister named the baby while he was still thinking. The name is “Jenna.” The same Jenna that I mentioned earlier – Paul and Marla’s second daughter.

More blessing arrived just after Pastor left. Someone who is very important to us came with his fiancée. We had never met her. She seems like a sweet girl and is very attractive. They even brought the material for the wedding dress. No one even thinks I am a seamstress as I am not, but we are interested in that material. Why? Dave is 83 years old and I am almost 89. At this age others are our children, grandchildren or great-grand-children. They are all special to us.

As you go on in life, do enjoy people. They are so precious.

The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). May you have that joy day by day.

Sincerely,
Dave and Elwanda

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

It is June 13. We thought it was Father’s Day today… I have looked and see no place where we have it marked, as it isn’t celebrated here. We made this same mistake last year…. Oh well!

The church fellowship last week at Ihwagi raised about $5-600 between the six congregations, for that church to use in building. We are thankful with them for this start towards their goal.

Sometimes the Lord just amazes me (me of little faith!) how He keeps bringing ladies to the YIT ladies group whom I had really “given up on”. One girl has come to church and the fellowship and I thank the Lord. On Tuesday we cut our Bible study/knitting class short and all walked together to visit ladies who hadn’t come to class. We were able to share the gospel with a good number in a lower class area where several ladies come from. There now is a “witness” there, so we trust they live right and will bring others to know the Lord.

Thursday afternoon we were able to go out to a farm to visit the parents of Martin who works with us in the YIT ministry. He deliberately didn’t tell us that his parents live half way down the side of a steep hill, reached by narrow, winding footpath!! If he had, we probably would not have gone. The Lord kept the rain off for two days, so that was a big help. I was Dad’s “living crutch” as we walked down very slowly! The house, once reached, was built on a level area cut out of the side of the hill…. Compact but nice.

Martin’s parents greeted us warmly and listened to the Word though they are Catholic. His younger brother was NOT happy to see us and refused to listen. We were served tea and arrow root (yum!) before hiking back up the hill. Going up Dad had a stick in one hand and a cane given to him by Martin’s Dad in the other. We arrived home safely close to dark.

Saturday we had a good class with teen girls at Ndegwa and Carol’s house. I enjoyed it, then came home and prepared Father’s Day lunch for today…. After we ate it we found out Father’s Day is next week!

A lady at Immigration gave me her phone number to contact her. I tried three times this week and didn’t succeed. So, we have to go again on Tuesday because that is the day she told us to come. So again this is a matter for prayer. Thank-you.

We were twelve in deaf church today and enjoyed a good time in the Word. This afternoon we had about 30 in our YIT evening service.

The weather is getting really cold.

Sandy for us both

Terry & Sandy Washer

tswasher@gmail.com

2010-06-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

It is June 6, 2010.

God encouraged my heart through a devotional by Oswald Chambers taken from Hebrews 13:5,6: “… He hath said, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee….’ That is why I can boldly say, ‘The Lord is my Helper…’ Isn’t that special?

Monday we left early with the three visitors (Luke, Phillip and Trey) for Nairobi. We went to Immigrations to see if our work permits were in. THEY STILL ARE NOT IN. The lady told us she would personally look into what has gone wrong, and even gave me her phone number, which may save us a trip down if it is not ready June 15 when she told us to go back. It now is down to the last five weeks before we are to leave for the States for a few weeks. We were told that if it still isn’t in before we leave, that we just come back in with a tourist visa. WE WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER BEFORE WE GO IF POSSIBLE, SO WOULD APPRECIATE PRAYER TO THAT END.

We were able to get major things done on Monday, so Tuesday were able to come home after leaving the three visitors to catch a ride to go and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!

We had three special small amounts of income this past week:

1. The DC (government official) gave us a load of firewood to help cook food for our boys.

2. We try to collect every bit of scrap metal that we can, to sell. This week we sold some and were able to get about $4. Sound little? It is by itself, but just every dollar helps to meet needs. This isn’t a complaint but to thank the Lord for how He helps meet needs locally even from unlikely sources.

3. A Bible School couple gave us about $3 to help the ministry. The hearts from which it came left me in tears of thanksgiving for what God did for them to be willing to share out of their meager funds.

Another HUGE surprise came in form of an early Father’s Day note from our Joy. We had checked into going to Israel with a tour that is tailored to allow those in wheelchairs to go. Pastor John Vaughn suggested to Joy to ask our mission if they would help write friends and family to see if, putting funds together, our way could be paid. Joy wrote to say that Lord willing we will be able to go on the tour at the end of the year. How do you express surprise, joy, excitement, along with being humbled by the opportunity made possible by others? All of the above have been emotions we have experienced, along with thanksgiving to those involved in making this possible. We thank the Lord also.

Today was a special day as people from the six different congregations in the area, met at Ihwagi for fellowship and to put money together to help the church out there raise money for a church structure. It went very well and was a blessing, though we don’t know how much was raised.

To see the ministries going forward with good Kenyan leadership is a blessing,

Sandy for us both

Terry & Sandy Washer

Karatina, Kibirigwi, Karogoto

2010-06-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hi,

It is May 30. Tomorrow we are to leave for Nairobi to check on our work permits and to submit Papa and Mama’s.Would appreciate prayer about both.

Well, let’s see. Monday we Bible School ladies went down to see Sam’s wife and the new baby. It was a good time together.

Tuesday Terry and I went with the visitors (Luke Mosley of East Ellijay Baptist and University of Georgia friends Phillip and Trey) to visit a private clinic in Kibirigwi at the bottom of the big hill. While they asked questions, saw a couple of patients, Ndegwa went with one visitor to hand out tracts.

I was called to…. I didn’t know where I was going, but ended up at a nursery school. I had our large evangecube along and was able to share it in Swahili (except verses in Kikuyu), and the teacher spoke in Kikuyu. It was such a good, enjoyable opportunity, and we were asked to, “Please come again anytime.” I got home in time to go to ladies’ class, which went very well. I am so thankful. Two girls were there who need the Lord, one of whom has resisted help in the past. She asked me to pray for her mom who is in prison, which was an encouragement to me, that she opened even that much.

Saturday we had games, and a meal with our dorm kids, all our YIT (Youth in Training) leaders and their families, and our three visitors. It went so well…. And enjoyed the fellowship.

Today we took the visitors out to church. I am to go back with the ladies from our YIT church on June 22, Lord willing, to make cake on a charcoal burner, Bible study, and for our ladies to see the knitting machines they have there. I would love to see our ladies learn how to use those to help them make a living. I had a knitting machine in Zambia, but it got burned in the fire we had there.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through HIM,

Sandy for us both

Terry & Sandy Washer

tswasher@gmail.com

Grasshoppers and Ministry

2010-05-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

It is May 23.

Tuesday it was a blessing to be in the ladies’ class with good help from one of my students who finished Bible School with her husband last year. It is encouraging to see how far she has come. This week she is to start teaching some of the lessons we had in Bible School to the ladies in our group. She and her husband are like dorm parents to our boys in the dorm. The two girls we have live with Pastor Ndegwa.

There have been lots of grasshoppers this year, two kinds; one of which is eaten with great appreciation by Zambians, but NOT Kenyans! So, their only predators in our yard are our dogs! We also have had a lot of Nairobi flies. They are small, thin, black and red bugs that put their tail up like a scorpion and sting you – often you don’t feel it. Then, when the sting itches, you scratch, pop a blister, which spreads the "itch" more on your skin! Our two girls had popped blisters all over their faces, and are now healing! They (the bugs!!) get inside the clothes on the line. I have decided the best way to get rid of them is to scorch them in the dryer!

Thursday we went to visit the grandmother of two of our boys in the dorm. (Our US visitors went with us). We called the family to come and hear the Word. They told us they had a deaf girl working for them. When she came, we already knew her from deaf church! She doesn’t come often due to lack of funds. She was excited to see us. We had a good visit. We were so thankful for a huge stalk of a bananas, fifty avocadoes and some dried corn they gave us to help us feed the guys in the dorm.

Saturday some of our teen girls from church came for knitting and Bible Study. It was good… I really enjoyed it.

Ten in deaf church today with a good time in the Word.

The boy who decided to leave the dorm last week has threatened Pastor Ndegwa with his Mungiki friends. Today they came to church and asked Ndegwa why Patrick left. He told them Patrick was asked to leave because of not going to school for a week (this is second offence) . He is causing trouble, but the Mungiki guys see it was his own fault. We would appreciate prayer for Ndegwa’s safety. It is so disappointing after having had this boy for three years. But, he heard the Word and made his choice like Ps. 1: 1-3 (which he had memorized).

Pray for us as we go May 31, Lord willing, to check on our work permit again.

Sandy for us both
--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Hi Y'all, from Terry and Sandy

2010-05-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

It is May 16. Several days this week were a challenge to get office work done, with electricity off more than on…

We had new ladies at our ladies’ class on Tuesday. It was quite a rebuke to me that on Monday I had just taken the names of two of the visitors off of my prayer list….and then they showed up at class for the first time!! So thankful the Lord doesn’t give up on us and helped me with teaching that day.

There were 12 of us in deaf church today… thankful for the good service and lesson.

Dad has taught on Wednesday night for two weeks, and has done well. I am so thankful.

Our visitors from USA arrived safely. We took them up to Outspan to go to Treetops. They came to our Youth In Training church this evening and then up to see the Mathaithi plot. It was a sweet time in prayer as we committed the needs for development to the Lord. Luke led in prayer.The well men worked everyday this past week. They are cutting into stone, but at least now, when you look down, you can see water at the bottom. How much is due to the rain we don’t know at this point.

It was a disappointment Friday, to lose one of our first boys to come to us three years ago. He has been "walking, standing, sitting.... in the counsel of the ungodly..." and has been asked to leave. We are SO saddened about this. But, that is part of this work.. and we keep going.

Will keep it brief. Much love to you.. Sandy for us both

--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Everybody OUGHT to KNOW-The Fields News

2010-05-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

Everybody OUGHT to KNOW

May 11, 2010

Greetings to e-mail Friends, from Dave and Elwanda Fields, Box 1082, Karatina 10101 Karatina, Kenya 07-222112314

MINISTRY

It seems that each class in Bible School wants to know this chorus that has been lying dormant for many years. So I'd better copy it here:

Ev'ry body to know WHO JESUS is!

HE'S the LILY of the valley.

HE'S the BRIGHT and MORNING STAR.

HE'S the FAIREST OF TEN THOUSAND -

EV'RY BODY OUGHT TO KNOW!!

If short term workers, longer term workers are counted, KENYA IS BOOMING!

(1) Luke and two friends in May.

(2) Many people, with or without our first son Stephen (Pastor Steve in North Georgia) are planning to come in July, I understand. Meeting so many people for the first time is exciting but please don't ask me to name and explain about each one in the future.

(3) Pastor Harrison is occupied for, and in, various parts of Kenya in interest of our Antioch Ind. Baptist Churches and Bible Schools.

(4) Deacon Fred and wife are busy telling others who Jesus is. Yesterday, a woman who was so much in need heard, believed, and professed Christ as her personal Savior. He helps me in various ways in and out of the classroom.

(5) Brother Godfrey is with Dave in classes and many other places plus at computer in our home. He sends all e-mail letters. I hear weddings bells ringing for him but he does not indicate that he is hearing.

We are racing with time as we have so many subjects to teach and to be sure that students understand. We need prayer for that. This morning, with seniors and juniors in Bible School, "I have a question" was heard many times. We welcome them.

Dear Friends, you have no idea what an encouragement we received when a North Carolina greeting card came by post today. There were so many names that are familiar and that was exciting to me. Thank you, Mildred.

FAMILY

Our May baby was Barbie back in the very early fifties. Now she has children and grandchildren. She tries to help each of them in South Georgia or wherever they are. She was almost holding on to the foot of our second son Paul. They were very close together in age.

Paul and Marla are missionaries in Paraguay, South America. They also have children and grandchildren. The mothers are home-schooling children and that is not easy. Years ago I had tried it to help Sandy but gave up. She did it and they all did well in higher education.

Joy Washer, Terry and Sandy's youngest, and Brian Collins are to marry in July, Lord willing.

We are much in prayer for Tammie, wife of Kevin (financial secretary for IFM). She had a bad injury while bicycle riding.

Independent Faith Mission P.O. Box 7791 Greensboro, NC 27417-0791

With several other things to write, we had better just say THANKS to you who PRAY or PRAY and SEND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

LOVNG GREEETINGS TO ALL WHO RECEIVE THIS,

Dave and Elwanda

Washers Update

2010-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

It is May 11. I didn’t write last night due to feeling pretty yucky with malaria. … feeling some better today.

In the routine goings of things, I found out that one of our new students is a trained seamstress. She was going to teach the ladies today how to cut out a shirt with no pattern. I would love to have been there, but couldn’t.

Wednesday night the mother of Anne , the girl who is living at Pastor Ndegwa’s house, came to church for the first time. It was so good to see her again. We had met her on visitation. Come to find out she is a sister to one of the ladies who attends all the time!

Our ladies knitting group at the church has not grown in number, and the mother of the boy we took in last week, left to be with her husband. We will miss her. She came on Wednesday night to say “thank-you” for taking her son in.

Thursday we had some good contacts with people with visited at the hospital... one a relative of a man in our church. Then, Saturday, Sam's wife (he is one of our Kenyan "kids" from years ago), safely gave birth to a baby girl.

Saturday morning we had a meeting here with our YIT leaders, which went well. We are thankful for a good working team.

Sunday we had eleven in deaf church, with a young couple coming together for the second time. She is hearing, he deaf, with a newborn. They don’t live near, so it is a challenge to come. The message was good. We trust they will come again.

We had a nice Mother’s Day meal here with Papa and Mama . It was special to have Mama for another annual celebration! She is 89 this year.

This morning three young guys arrived safely from GA. and plan to be here for almost three weeks. We trust their experience witll be a blessing, enriching and heart opening to the needs.

Today we had our regular Tuesday afternoon class. I wrote above that the group hadn't grown. Well, today we had three new young ladies...two of whom we had met on visitation and had contact with off and on (mostly off!). So, I was so thankful to the Lord for His help in sharing the Word in Swahili with no pre-planned lesson (not the way I usually do things). Kennedy's wife was such a help in the meeting.

All for now, and have a blessed rest-of-the-week.

Sandy for us both

Terry & Sandy Washer

tswasher@gmail.com

Answers to Prayer-The Washers

2010-05-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

It is May 2.The rains have been very heavy and the Ragati River is VERY full.

Regarding the two we wrote about last week: The girl, with her own approval and that of her mom, is living with Pastor Ndegwa and Carol on a three month trial basis. She starts school tomorrow. Several wrote that they would pray, and we thank the Lord for what we believe is His leading for the present.

The boy: his Dad came back to see the family. He has some work. He and his wife talked to Pastor Ndegwa on Friday, and said they are happy for him to be in the dorm. So, he is there, and does have an uncle in the dorm also. We now have two smaller boys and pray they will be good friends.

Saturday we had all eleven of the kids over for a video and then took them out to eat for a simple lunch. They seemed to enjoy it and we did, too.

Bible School started up this week again, plus ladies’ meetings. It takes a little while to re-adjust to the schedule. I do thank the Lord for helping get most of what I needed to do during the holidays.

I am so thankful for God’s provision of a sewing machine, through a supporter, for one of the ladies graduating this year. She is doing well with learning (her picture was in our last prayer letter), and I trust it will be a tremendous help to her. We will wait and give it to her at the end of the school year so as not to stir up “attitudes” and wrong motives.

Blessings from the Lord be yours,

Terry and Sandy

The Washers-Prayer Letter

2010-04-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

What do you do when a young boy comes to you in tears saying,"My family is moving, but I don’t want to go. I want to stay here so that I don’t miss school….Please help me stay." His Dad is Masai, Mom is Kikuyu. The Dad left for another town to look for work and wants the family to come, though he doesn't have work yet. If he leaves, with the cost of school transfer, new uniforms, etc. and Dad with no work, it is unlikely he will be back in school any time soon. The mom and other kids come to church. His uncle aged sixteen is in our dorm. Rufus (this boy) was number two in his class last term.

Another case: a 13 year old girl whose mom is HIV positive recently came to live here. She wants to go back to school, but the only way for her mom to get money is by her "way of life." The girl listened with a tender heart when we met with her this past week to try to encourage her to be careful about friends and lifestyle. Carol, Ndegwa’s wife led her to the Lord recently. We ache to help, to take her from her environment. We would appreciate prayer to know God’s perfect will for both of these.

Friday and yesterday we had a soccer tournament with our group, the youth group from the church, the Children’s Home and street kids. The Lord gave us two afternoons rain-free – an answer to prayer, and accident free. There were close to 100 kids there and good attitudes, all of which are answers to prayer.

One of the Bible School ladies came yesterday to the tournament to show me the sweater she finished for her son. It is beautiful. I am SO excited for her good job, with something she has learned to do just this year.

We bought four rabbits this week to try to have meat for our boys and also they are a good income source. Well, we had them in a store room ‘til we can make a hutch for them. But, they decided the great outdoor yard was much more to their liking! I am so glad there weren’t people watching while we tried to catch the little beasties! So that we wouldn’t have to wake up and repeat the process today, we decided to send them up to where the boys live for now!

We had eleven in deaf church today and had good discussion on Truth and tradition!! Some things are so engrained in religious backgrounds that they don’t realize how much is not written in the Bible! It was good. Reminds me of Jesus’ discussion with the Scribes and Pharisees who put tradition above God’s Word.

Still no word on our work permit.

Sandy for us both
--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Pastor Steve, 2010 Pastor/Police Conferences

2010-04-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We have been praying about what we should do. The economy has drastically affected our community and church community, so I was not sure about going back for a pastor's conference, and police conference. I have received permission from the church leadership and plan to go in late July through early August. The police conference will be Monday July 26-Friday, The pastor's conference will be Mon. Aug. 2-5, so they can go home for services.

Please pray for those planning to go. I have 3 policemen who want to go minister. I have 2 or 3 more who want to be there especially for pastor's conference, and just after, when the children and youth are out of school.

Pray for funds to help the pastors come from all around Kenya, as many of them live on meager incomes, and this week at camp is the best sustained eating they do all year. They get to fellowship with other pastors, pray and share together, and encourage one another. Many have been to other conferences, and were in school together at Karatina.

Pray for God to prepare our hearts, and their hearts, and for His clear leading in how we can best serve the churches there.

The time is short, so if you want to go, let me know. The ticket I priced today was $1,904 from Atlanta to Amsterdam to Nairobi, and back. Accomodations are about $10 per night, and then meals. My number at the church is 706-635-4390.

Papa and Mama are very excited that I get to come. My sister Sandra and her husband Terry will be in the USA July 15-Sept.15, for their daughter Joy's wedding, so they will feel good that I am there for at least part of the time.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,
Steve

Washers-Nairobi and Karatina

2010-04-23T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

This past week was super busy. We had several opportunities for visitation. There were no professions of faith, but the seed was planted. They were former contacts whom we had visited and talked to before.

Tuesday and Wednesday we were in Nairobi. We went down to take Papa and Mama to their doctor. Also, Terry went to have his hips x-rayed because of pain shooting down his right leg. The doctor said one of the screws in his back has come loose, but there are two there. He was quite sure the pain is referred pain from the back. He gave Terry a medicine that is really helping him sleep better.We ended up staying the night because it was so late when we got done there.

We also went and checked on our work permit. It was not listed as being "in." So, we were sent to another office. There we were sent to make a photocopy of our receipt so that they could look for it. We called brother Charles who is the Secretary for the fellowship, and he is going to look into it this week. We got our visitors visa extended , so at least we don’t have to go again this week when the other one expires.

While we were in Nairobi, Sam took Papa’s car to get the seats recovered from the van he gave us, and had them put in the new van. Papa was SO pleased with the outcome….. it really looks nice. We are thankful Papa has left the insurance on the van he gave us, to go until it expires at the end of the year, I believe.

Yesterday evening, the son of our neighbor asked me to teach him keyboard. He finished grade 12 last year and passed, but not well. So, we will see what comes of this. We have prayed for the family for a long time.

One more week before school starts again.

Sandy for us both
--
Terry & Sandy Washer

ACCIDENTLY ON PURPOSE-Mama & Papa Fields

2010-04-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

ACCIDENTLY ON PURPOSE or GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

What does that say to you in April, 2010? To me, the first part only brings memories of a song I learned many years ago. I have no idea where or why! Maybe about 70+ years later, it makes no difference! However, when we add, "GOD ANSWERS PRAYER," we rejoice in that truth.

When I had just turned 12 years of age, I was so thankful that the heavy thing which had weighed me down for eleven months was gone. Why? I had trusted Christ as my Savior. Six days later I was sure that God sent a message especially for me: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Just after I turned thirteen, I asked the Lord if He would just take me - I meant by death. I knew I would go to be with Him when I died and I was afraid to face life as a young teenager. He took me, but not the way I had prayed. Now, only a couple months before turning 89 I can sing a song: "He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be. In only six days He made the moon and stars, the earth and skies, and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and how patient He must be for He's still working on me." "Everybody ought to know Who Jesus is!"

--This bright April morning a stranger entered our gate. He quickly identified himself by name and the person for whose house he was searching. Dave sensed that this was one of those important occasions and treated it that way. Maybe some day we will hear more about this young man who appeared "on purpose."

--Was it in March that I asked you to pray for a couple for whom I only gave initials? I sincerely believe that they are responding to whatever the Lord is saying to them - or to him at least.

-- Some years ago a young teenager introduced his uncle to me. I gave him the plan of salvation and assured him that I would not speak of that important subject again unless he mentioned it. One late afternoon many years later, he said he wanted to accept Christ as his Savior. We were not at home, I wanted to carefully explain from the Bible but circumstances did not permit that. Since that time I have never seen him but I, along with his older sister and brother-in-law, shared our burden with Bible School students. Since our last letter to you, we had the wonderful word that he seems, BEYOND DOUBT, to be God's child. Now, we beg you to pray for him as he faces the spiritual battles that he surely is having. Also we are asking for prayer for another four members of his family. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!!

-- Without apology we ask that you join us as we ask for prayer support for the following as
We are all targets of our enemy -- devil:

A. Our four children, STEVE, PAUL, BARBIE, Sandy -- and their scattered families.
B. Deacon Fredrick, his wife, and small son.
C. Brother Godfrey not yet married.
D. Pastor Harrison, his wife and their adult children - all away from home for further education.
E. The many Antioch Ind. Baptist Churches. Their Pastors are all graduates of our own Bible School in Karatina which is in the Central Province of Kenya. Three other Antioch churches are also here. We often refer to the remaining ones as "Scattered" as they are in different provinces.
F. Our Independent Faith Mission. P.O. Box 7791 Greensboro, NC 27417-07 91.
G. Dave and Elwanda (Madison) Fields.

Easter from the Washers, Karatina

2010-04-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

It is April 4. We have had LOTS of rain this week. Friday night it poured all night, a steady, quite heavy rain. The Ragati is about three feet from the brim on the far side of the river down by the bridge…never seen it like that. We have also had hail twice in recent days.

I am so pleased with the ladies’ progress in knitting, in the YIT (Youth in Training) church, and the Bible School ladies. They are doing so well. The weather is already cold, so I am sure they are working harder to get the sweaters made. The second ones they make will be to sell, we hope, to try to get back some of the money we have put in to yarn.

We met with the YIT ladies on Tuesday, then have a break for the school holidays. Wednesday we had Bible School, and are out of school for a month there also. I was able to cut out and make Janelle’s outfit for the wedding . I trust I can get Felicia’s done this week.

Thursday we had planned to go visit, then look at a place for Ndegwa and Carol to move to. It POURED rain, which makes the roads impassable, so could not go and see the one couple. The place we looked at with Ndegwa and Carol would not be a good place.(The house they are in has been sold out from under them, so they have to move.) We would appreciate prayer this month for the right place for them to move to. The new baby also seems to have respiratory problems, so they need a place that isn't moldy!

We have not been able to go up the Mathaithi either due to the road. Terry has spent enough hours “in the ditch” recently that it is not worth the risk! A van just doesn’t do well up there.

Contact was finally made with the well digger this past week, and he SAYS he will be there tomorrow. we will see. He had been having family strife and problems.

One of our boys was dismissed from the dorm yesterday because of drugs. It is sad to see him go, but when he got caught he was angry and not repentant. Another has been caught smoking, but admitted and wants help. Such a difference in attitude. We know we are dealing with former street kids. Each case needs clear guidance from the Lord.

Today we had 12 in deaf church and good participation in the service. Geoffrey did a good job of telling the resurrection story, and the purpose of Christ’s death, a blessing. When I sin and have a heart heaviness due to my sin, I often think of how Jesus felt when he carried the sin weight of each of us, all at once. Not even His own wrong, and how heavy that load was.

Thankful today He is faithful and just to forgive sin because the PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE.

Trust you have a blessed week--
Sandy for us both

--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Kenya trip-Feb/March 2010-Pastor Steve

2010-04-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends.

I tried to send a long, detailed email from Dad and Mom's, and it vaporized, frustrating! I arrived on Mon. pm, it was wonderful to see pastor Harrison at the airport. We went to the Mennonite guest house, to spend the night, and drove up to Karatina Tues. am. It was wonderful to see Papa and Mama at the door.

Ben Kiker and 6 others were already there, and had spent several days in the ministry there. We met for breakfast and lunch Wednesday, then I left with Pastor Harrison, and Joseph for Nairobi to take alot of the men's luggage, and to meet Randy and Janice Durden. They breezed through security with Randy explaining all the luggage as a "missions trip, and I brought my wife!". The customs agent laughed and waved them through.

We had a great breakfast, then got on the road to Kitui. After a several hour drive, seeing the increasingly dry landscape, and dry river beds (not just creeks) we arrived. This year there has been SOME rain, enough to grow some corn. Patrick Kitema showed us his little church made of roofing, and the property we had purchased. We layed hands on the building beside his property, and prayed we could buy it and convert it into a church and housing for Patrick and his family. The muslims that live there defecate (polite word) around their church, dump trash and "someone" steals materials from the church. We are praying for Patrick to find a meaningful job to allow him to be bi-vocational, and care for his family and ministry. We ate supper in their little rented home, and it was a pleasant time.

The next morning we left for the long, slow drive to Isovya orphanage, where Pastor Rueben and his wife train girls to sew dresses and suits etc., on treadle sewing machines, and sew on paper flour sacks, because they do not have material. I just received a picture of the girls wearing clothes they had made from material we brought. Tom and Patti Greathouse had sent a backpack, cap and other items for the group, and Ben Kiker had raised money for Study New Testaments "How to Find God", from Bibles at Cost. Pastor Rueben wrote that they stayed up until 10:30 that night singing and praising God for His provision, and our good, encouraging visit. It was great to see the well children from North Ga. Christian Academy had helped raise money for, and see another one being dug to provide water to make and fire bricks for a new dormitory, and later to help provide more water for the 200 people being served right now from the community.

The ladies cooked a tasty meal of rice, stew, greens etc. and then we left to drive about 4 hours to Mwingi. Joshua and Patrick (another one), who minister there greeted us, and showed us their little rented church. Jackson and Elijah and their wives also came from Katoh-ohni (phonetic spelling). We had supper at Joshua's and had a great time getting to know their families. Elijah had just been married about 2 months. The ladies do sewing to help provide for their homes. We are praying for a motorcycle for Jackson at about $1,200, and let him pay back some of it. He could be a taxi person through the week, and that would help them financially. We would like to get one for Elijah also. He expressed a heartfelt need to be able to provide a cup of porridge each week to the children who come to church, as some get very little food. An idea for such things would be to fast one day a week, and give the value of the meals, say 3x7=$21x4=$84 per month. What a difference that would make in your life, and a church in Kenya. A Sunday school class of 25, giving a $ a week each, could give $100/month. Get a picture of the church, pastor, children etc. Ask God what He wants from you.

We met with the leaders that night, and the next morning, then left for Karatina, where Papa and Mama live. Randy and Janice and I went to Karogoto on Sunday. Janice worked with the children, while I preached. We met Papa and Mama for lunch, and then went to church at Karatina, that afternoon.

Mon. am Randy and Janice left for wildlife viewing etc. and I hung out with Papa and Mama, and Terry and Sandy through Wed. pm. I got to go to class with them, and hear their teaching, share a bit, and meet the students. It was so good to get to be with Papa and Mama for that time. Once, I thought Mama was going to fall, and quickly grabbed her arms, and on one of them, the skin immediately peeled back, like on a boiled potato. We wrapped her with saran wrap, to prevent pulling more skin off later.

Thursday am we left early for Nambale, a long, but beautiful drive up to, and through the Great Rift Valley. We met pastor Harrison's daughter Esther in a town on the way, where she goes to college, and had a good lunch. We got to our hotel, but then had to go eat at Pastor Juma's and got back much later than we like to drive at night. The hotels we stayed at were fine, with clean rooms, and fairly good security. We met Fri. through Sunday noon, in a tent at pastor Juma's. He said about 90 pastors from that area came, and we were blessed to be able to give more of the New Testaments, many of you had given money for to Ben Kiker. Janice taught the kids, and they had a blast. I dressed up at a clown, that really scared everyone, but they laughed in relief that it was a joke, not a crisis. The house, Sunday school building and church were a blessing to share with Pastor Juma. We dedicated the new Sunday School building, which had amusingly to us been named "Whitepath Fabtech", in honor of Randy and Janice. The sentiment was a sweet one. Janice had this great idea to buy a developing machine for photos, and it was a real HIT! Randy had to pray, and lay hands on it to get it to work there, but being able to give each one a photo of their family, thrilled them.

We hated to leave, but rushed off after a quick lunch for Migori. What was supposed to be about 4 hours, was 6, and then our accomodations had been given away to a better paying customer. The ones we found were even better than where Randy had stayed when he went there with Colby. We had supper, slept, then toured three locations of churches our graduates are ministering in. WOW! How little goes so far over there. Pray with us as we seek to enable these hard working pastors to get a means of making a living, and using their gifting and training to minister. Another well we had helped dig still serves a good group of local people, and an effective preschool and nursery service.

We left that afternoon, again hoping for a 4 hour trip, which after coming to a flooded bridge, going through a huge herd of cattle, driving an awful road, at night, in wild country we got down on our knees, and praised God for safety, and a good place to be at Kichwa Ntembo (elephant's head). We stayed in tents, very heavy duty, sophisticated tents with showers and commodes. Warthogs roamed the grounds, and we got to see lions, elephants, rhino, cheetah, antelope, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, and a Masai demonstration, it was great.

Wed. we left for Nairobi, and after a hard couple of hours, got onto a good paved road and got to Nairobi. We met with a couple who have worked for years with the Navigators in Zambia and Kenya, and had a great visit. We watched videos of his hippo hunt, and later went to the airport, and finally made it home.

It was meaningful to us to see where the men are ministring, and know better how to pray for them, and seek to help them become self-sustaining. If you would like to pray, or give, let me know, we will try to send more pictures later. Thanks for your prayers for safety, effective ministry, and for giving so we could take materials to enhance the work of God in Kenya.
If you need to call, my number is 706-889-1700.

Praise God who sent Jesus Christ, who came lovingly to buy our salvation with His lifeblood, and then left the wonderful Holy Spirit, so we could become more and more like the Lord Jesus.
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Washers update from Kenya-March 28

2010-03-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

Hello from Kenya!

It is March 28.

Last Monday, some former students came from their ministry near Nairobi, to visit us. They have a 7 year old boy, and a five month baby girl. I really enjoyed teaching her. They just started a church in January, as they had to go back after school, to work for one year in theministry from which they came. They had come from Philip’s work, and left after the year was up…. It was so good to see them again. They named their baby Sandra!

Joy called us Tuesday night to tell us that Mom Washer had had a pace maker put in last week. We called her on Wednesday, and she is still adjusting, but doing ok, I believe. We are thankful.

Terry and Ndegwa had decided to sell the little pickup Ndegwa drives for the ministry, and get something a little bigger. We mentioned it in talking, to Papa. He said he would be interested in giving up his van for the ministry and he get a newer vehicle. Anyway, to cut it all short, the pickup sold on Friday. We gave the money to Papa to put towards his van, which is due in in Nairobi this week… a second hand vehicle straight from Japan. Mr. Mwaura is going down to clear several vehicles, and Pastor James will go to drive Papa’s van back. Papa is so excited! So, for a few days Ndegwa is without wheels. He will use our van for a busy schedule tomorrow, Lord willing.

Friday we went to the home of one of our Bible School ladies and taught the ladies there how to make cake on a jiko in a sufuria, like we had done in Kiamariga. Terry had made me promise not to drive on muddy roads if it rained. The rains have been heavy. (The Ragati is fuller than we have ever seen it) The last ½ mile was "one of those roads" and rain was definitely headed our way. So, I left the van on a solid road at someone’s house, so that I could do what Terry had said, but we also prayed that the Lord would take the rain another way, and HE DID! We were served a meal (a total surprise), had tea, bread, made cake, had a Bible lesson, and then because it was so late, we left with about ½ the cake and the ladies in the van. We got home after 6, all very tired, but thankful for the good visit. All the ladies came home with food from the farm, for their families.

Today we had 12 in deaf class….the most we have had in months. Geoffrey is learning the Word, but it doesn’t seem to be making any difference in some. We have two couples (all deaf) who come quite faithfully.

Well, as a new week and month start, we also close our first term in Bible School. I need to sew two more brides’ maids dresses, and maybe one for little Jenna for Brian and Joy's wedding, during the holidays. Fun!

Sandy for us both-- Terry & Sandy Washer-- Terry & Sandy Washertswasher@gmail.com

Randy-Last email from Kenya 2010

2010-03-11T06:19:00.000-08:00

This story is long but you must read to the end as I recount the story that drove us all to our knees later that night!

Well….finally another ‘breather’ only now I’m sitting in the lounge in London. I’ll try and reflect the best I can, as this has been the craziest trip.

The Aberdare country club experience can only be described as a 9th inning, 7th game of the world series, 3 and 2 count with 2 outs, bases loaded and down by 3 grand slam walk off home run! And I hit the pitch! The last night there we were the only couple for the entire candle light dinner. Wow! Even John Denver music was playing.

We met at 7:00 to start the 13-hour shake and bake ride to Nambale. The last portion of the trip was through the rain while passing miles and miles of sugar cane fields with tractors loaded for the processing plant. We stopped at Juma’s house for dinner and arrived about 10:00 at the Uganda border town ‘Western Ambience’ hotel with A/C and wireless internet that would only partial work but it was nice. I just could never connect to my email.

Friday we spent the day helping the kids with activities and taking pictures. They didn’t realize we had brought the photo printer and planned to give them the prints the next day….but the printer turn out to be a huge ordeal. The transformer for converting fried the power source to the printer…but guess what? In the nowhere bush country town, I found a guy to de-solder 3 resisters and a capacitor and pull ones off and old board he had and got it going again! I don’t know where in the US I could do that. I wanted to offer the guy a job in the test group at the plant right on the spot!

Saturday, the kids went crazy with all the activities, pictures being given out and about 90 pastors came for training…we fell in bed exhausted. Sunday was the quick service/dedication and we left for Migori only to arrive after dark with no room! They had given it away but we found a better place and had a good nights sleep.

Monday, we meet with a bunch of pastors and different churches and had a great traditional meal in a mud hut type church building……now this is where the trip gets REAL exciting so pay attention.

As I stood in the outhouse I thought…this is it the furtherest point of the journey and from here we’re headed home with the animal stop in Maasi Mara. Little did I know the next few hours would be some of the most exciting hours of my life. Clue number 1…when people change from English to their native tongue while looking at a tourist map about directions…you should get involved!

The big debate here was which route to get to the lodge. But if you have ever been to Yellowstone Park you know the lodges can be a days drive apart…..same for Maasi Mara. The ‘decision’ was to go the back road since it didn’t look too bad like rain. Mistake.

The drive was to take about 3 hours and we had 4 and ½ before dark so we THOUGHT we should be good. The road started well enough but slowly gets worse…then the rain came. We are in a 2-wheel drive Nissan van and began the slipping and paying much more attention to the road. I casually make a comment that this is fun and reminds me of our Sunday afternoon 4 wheel drives in Georgia. We head down a hill that is rutted and most likely cannot be returned upward….and come face to face with a flash flood! We are immediately stranded 2 hours down a dirt road and to make matters more fun? We are in Maasi territory and they are also trapped on both sides of the raging river completely covering the bridge and falling into a torrent of brown water.

Out of the van to evaluate. The engineer kicks in (what tools do we have, how can we turn around and get these Maasi guys to push). A quick thought to the flood…will it lower as a linear curve or is the exponential decay…gosh, get the watch and start timing.

As we are pondering what to do, two Maasi warriors in full dress appear on the far side They cut depth checking limbs with razor sharp knives and proceed to risk life and limb to slowly, slowly cross to our side. What’s this about? Why the risk. As they make it, we try to smile and wave but we are totally ignored and they run past. Janice had finished taking pictures and retired to the van to wait out the river crossing possibility. Steve and I stand talking through options. Then I tap Steve on the shoulder and point….the warriors are returning with about 10 to 12 more. Okay now for all those who do not know, Janice has already told us of a nightmare of the van being surrounded by Maasi warriors in which they say ‘give us the short white woman’ and we drive off, leaving her. Oh my goodness, maybe she had a vision.

The warriors approach quickly and Steve and I do have a plan and we are well armed. An element of surprise ….us being able to fight….gives me hope….and I’m thinking ‘is this it? I hope I die well in the fight. Maybe they are not used to fighting as we have been taught. But they have weapons too! I remember when facing multiple opponents…remember to go for the strongest first, a loud yell to scare them….my mind is spinning.

The Maasi sail past? What? To the river they go. It turns out that 2 Maasi children have fallen into the flood and unfortunately have drowned. These men were trying to retrieve the bodies. ..I reflect. I must be tired and have an over active imagination. Back to the flood.

We’ve now waited about the 1-½ hours to spare that we had. I vote to try and turn the van around knowing if the van goes down the river we are really in trouble. It’s too big of a risk and the water is still too high. Joseph (the driver) takes off to cross regardless. Janice jumps from the van and we watch as somehow it defies all the physics and makes it across. Now for the second interesting point ….Janice’s ‘reoccurring’ nightmare over the years is having to cross a river in the flood. (Wow two converging visions on the same day!) Her neck turns red from the stress but she doesn’t hesitates as we successfully inch through the raging river.…minutes seem to turn into hours as we cross…. she doesn’t laugh with relief as I expected, but jumps in and says ‘let’s get the heck out of Dodge!’…. but to no avail. We now have cattle as far as we can see in front of us and we are trying to get up a mud-bogged hill. They make a solid wall as they stop again and again. Another 15 precious minutes lost to get them out of the way.

Now…darkness is not too far but we have a person who is to meet is in the next village to show us the way. He’s not there (of course) so we are directed to go to the next junction and take a right. When we ask several people how far it is to our overnight lodging we are told everything from 20 – 30 km. We later find out it’s actually 100! Lesson here….do not ask men that travel by bicycle how far something is…and just accept that they always say ‘the road is good.”

The road would not have been a huge problem if we had been driving 4 wheel drive and had someone following us in another 4 wheel drive with a winch. BUT NO! we were in 2-wheel drive. After Joseph the driver proves to be totally inexperienced driving in the mud I was put in the driver seat to get us through the 20- 30 ft long mud holes. In front of us a car has flooded out and was pushed out of the way. My brain goes into survival mode again…drive on the LEFT not right, the steering wheel is on the right not left and the panel display is backwards as also how the lights work, the van tracks totally differently than my jeep….why did I say that I drive in this stuff? Pride comes before the fall and I think of Charis and her boast to ring a chicken’s neck but really couldn’t when it came down to it. So…here I am…going to be responsible for bogging down the van, sleeping with the animals and who knows what the night ghosts might bring.

The first hole throws Janice in the air and re-distributes the packing and passengers but we’re still moving! Team driving with Steve, we stare at the road trying to keep moving as fast as possible but guessing the best route. A hyena passes in front…that’s not good…. if we got to push. Finally, after miles and miles of the best mud bogging imaginable we arrive at a junction. How, I do not know, the cell phone works and we call the lodge for advice. They encourage us to try the lodge only 4 km down the road to the right. We go but the road quickly turns into a pig trail…we back track….find another pig trail. We stop to evaluate and what do we see? A flashlight ….a Maasi father and family have come to see what is going on. We find out that the lodge we are attempting has been closed for 2 years…back to the main pig trail.

We decide to try for the next lodge another 22 km in front. More mud, rocks…..I even get the van teetering twice on only two tires such that we have to ‘rock the van’ to get enough traction to move. I check the mileage on the dash…it hasn’t moved and doesn’t work. There are minimal signs that are unclear, but somehow (maybe with all the encouragement we are giving the LORD) we turn sharply over a partially collapsed bridge to come to a gate. The gatekeeper cuts out the lone light and stares at us from his dung/mud hut. He is trying to figure out whether he needs to call for reinforcements. With much talking he is convinced we are truly desperate. Later… as we recall this moment we believe we have experienced what it must be like to arrive at heavens gate and…. then it is thrown open wide as the gatekeeper says “Welcome!”

I pause for a moment as everyone unloads in jubilation ….I think of two things…..one is that this must have been what Peter Capstick (Africa’s most notable hunter) wrote about after a hair raising experience during a leopard hunt….he needed 3 matches to light his cigarette afterwards due to the adrenaline ( I don’t smoke, but it would take at least 3 for me now if I did) and the second thought was of the 10 healed lepers from the bible story that only 1 returned to thank him for the healing…well it was 5 for 5 on this ‘thank you LORD’.

Giving thanks to God for the positive ending to this overwhelming experience was not done while lying on our backs or sitting upright that night. For the first time in many years Janice and I (and later we found out Steve in his tent) got down on our knees to properly thank the good Lord!

The next day is perfect. We have ended up at a tent camp that was in the top ten best places to stay in the word in 2009! Isn’t God funny! The game drive is unparalleled.

Yesterday, we headed to Nairobi to meet some new Navigator friends Bob and Patty Meredith. We share hunting stories and life joys over dinner. We get to watch a hippo hunt from last year that Bob videoed and I feel a tinge of envy about Zambia dangerous game hunts. (but I think I have an invite!)

So now we’re about to board for Atlanta….totally perplexed yet a 4th time of Kenya experience. I fail to accurately portray it in words!

See you soon

Randy/dad xxxxxoooooxxxxx

The Washers

2010-03-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

It is March 7, 2010.

Our visitors left this week: Steve and his friends. They are in Western Kenya right now and fly out this week.

Steve called us with some special news today: They were at Pastor Juma’s church at Nambale. That is where Moses is from, one of the two young men whom we helped with sign language schooling. Moses had three deaf at the church this morning, and two of them made a profession of faith. We are so thankful that he is getting involved with his people out there.

Today was the third year anniversary of the beginning of our ministry with the street kids. We probably had about eight that first day. This morning there were about 65 present, of which about 1/3 were adults…parents or relatives of the children. It was such a blessing to see. Awanas was also started today. We are using the books and method of games but we will not be participating with other churches in competition except our churches here. We have to go up to the field near our new property, which means walking up there with the kids… at least one mile. Well, they got up there today and it rained!! We were going to put off putting up a shelter, but we can’t. The rains are early and good, so we are going to need to do something. So thankful God will give us the needed wisdom.

Tuesday afternoon we had the ladies’ meeting for learning to knit, along with a Bible study. It was good… even one of the moms of one of our boys who has not been coming before, was there.

Bible School classes went along ok. We are planning to go to the home area of one of the student’s who is Kikuyu, to show them how to make cake, and then have a Bible Study time. We trust we can go March 26th.

Tomorrow we need to go to Nairobi again to check on our work permits. We re-applied before it expired, but it has expired, so we need to check on the status.

We are trusting we can also get dates for our going to USA for Brian and Joy’s wedding.

Sandy for us both--

Terry & Sandy

Brother Randy Reports In

2010-03-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

Well….I’ve finally been given a “breather” to write down a few notes about the trip…I’ll try and start from the beginning.

We arrived (and our entire luggage) in the dark of night. The first challenge is to get past immigration without having to pay the guard for his benefit. When prompted as to why all the luggage, I responded we were going on missions to the orphanages and churches and have activities for them. Then, with a smile and a twinkle in my eye, I said I do have a wife and she needs her clothes….a large grin and wave landed us past at no charge. Steve and Pastor Harrison and driver Joseph were the welcome committee.

We went to the Mennonite house in darkness with no problems and spent the first night with little event and started early for Kitui. The first stop was quickly for the ATM, some water and candy for gifts. The long drive was mostly due to road construction. I was amazed to see true paving machinery (dozer, grader, pavers, packers) but quickly found the Kenyan oxymoron…they were sweeping the road with home made brooms. Ah, the paradox of new technology with the depression era of the US.

We meet Pastor Patrick in Kitui and went immediately to see his church. It left you speechless. Old metal tied to tree limbs that has so much resistance to Christianity has the neighbors “taking a crap” (sorry to be so blunt) all around the church. Patrick comes and cleans it up before services. We went to his house for dinner. His two room home had been converted for his guest dinner. Rice and goat stew with fresh mangos for dessert. An excellent meal. Back to the hotel (that really was nice, by their standards) for a fitful drum beating nights sleep (I think it was a disco and not more but not sure).

Now on to Isovya…a nice ride that would give any jeep enthusiast a happy day. The orphanage was well kept, the kids were grateful, the well was great. The boys sleep in the traditional mud (cow dung) and thatch roof hut. We toured the sewing, carpentry and masonry training areas. How primitive to American equipment yet, while looking at a foot powered sewing machine, the pastor’s cell phone rings….right here in the bush! My brain screams….I can’t combine the two.

On towards Mwingi arriving at dark to be welcomes by flashlights for a church in blocks with no power. Many kids but a short welcome….this is absolutely the fastest time 6 (yes 6) pastors in one room can sit down so quickly….I’ve got to remember this flashlight thing maybe it helps them to focus on what they have to say if the light is blinding them. Janice can’t bring herself to speak and I accept their welcome on our behalf. The emotions, tiredness and shock of it all have finally left her without words.

We eat dinner outside Joshua’s home while the neighbor boils and skins a chicken while watching the moon rise and stars greet our gaze. Rice, stew and mangos again. But it is very good and the chapote is filling. We meet with the pastors Jackson and Elijah from the remote bush to discuss their needs and situation. Sleep tries to find our eyes around midnight but to no avail. The heat, mosquitoes and constant car alarms ensure another day of napping between pot holes.

The Mwingi accommodations were nice and secure. We start early and meet with pastors Joshua and Patrick to discuss their needs and ministry. Off for Karatina with a lunch stop in Ambul… and excellent stop that puts a smile on Janice’s face. Pastor Harrison shares stories of the independence from the British with stories of the forest fighters. He shares the fear these painted Africans implored by leaving the arm and foot of a killed British soldier in a pot to frighten the opposition into thinking they ate him. Fear is a powerful agent and it makes me think of today’s Muslim jihad…. Maybe we should do something like that to slow them down then I wonder how I could have such thoughts…..then again maybe war does require that. I think those thoughts must have come from meeting with the pastors from Eastern Kenya. They are close to Somalia where the Muslims seem to be thriving. I had thought while we were meeting with them that this might be a place where I could directly fight against Islam…by helping these pastors win the hearts and souls of the people to Christianity.

Mama and Papa Fields was the next haven for finally achieving some rest and recovery. Papa Fields insist on washing, Mama Fields greeting us with song and smile and stories. I find out quickly that Papa Fields loves the beef jerky we’ve brought but was really hoping for Fritos…I’ve got to remember to send some with the next folks coming. Mama Fields almost falls at bed time and off to the hospital for a skin tear on the arm from where Steve fortunately catches her.

Sunday finds us at Karagoto in the church building in Kerry’s honor. I plan the “normal” thank you for having us here speech only to feel certain I’m suppose to challenge them. I implore that people in America know of their church because of Ben and Kerry and people are watching. We all want to see how they do and what they will be known for doing. I conclude with a question that if a letter was written to their church like in the New Testament “what would be story”. Steve stands up to preach on the letter written in Revelation….chills run down my skin as I realize the prompting wasn’t from myself.

Lunch at the Starbucks hotel (don’t even think it has any similarity to the US Starbucks) and then to Karatina church for evening service. Steve and I walk back under dark rain clouds that deliver the all night refreshment well accepted by the Kenyans. This place has changed so much since my visit 6 years ago with all the greenery and water flowing in the creek.

We pack and leave early for Treetops. There are only 9 people for the whole 100+ available trip. We become friends with all as we share dinner and travel airplane adventures (or nightmares). We have taken the safari tour and see the traditional animals during the shortest 2 hour period of our trip. We take new testaments to hand out thinking the 7 we’ve taken are more than we can possibly find receivers for under the impression it would be like giving one away in the US. We quickly realize we not packed near enough and run out within 2 hours.

Today finds us relaxing at the Aberdare Country Club where in the 1940’s the “Lords” of Britain would come to relax. Known as the “white highlands” where only whites (no blacks) were allowed. Again, I ponder…this country that’s goes from the extremes. Janice says if Nairobi is hell then this is heaven. A place where I’m offered a comb (fork) and a scoop (spoon) but can sit and wirelessly connect to my computer at work to see the current part problems for production. I guess as white as I am and as black skin as these folks are I should have guessed the extremes. It’s a joy that the skin color plays no role in our friendships.

Not sure when I will be able to send the next report but will when I can…
Randy

Pastor Steve in Karatina

2010-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:00

Hey praying friends,

Sorry I am having a hard time getting my ellijay.com emails, (and do not want an international call with passwords etc. on a cell phone), so Martha will forward any previous emails to my gmail address, I am able to access that until next Wednesday night, when we will be flying home God willing. If British air strikes, then it will be dejavu from last year's Kenya air strike just before we boarded the plane. I got to witness to a Rwandan soccer player playing for Greece that night, and gave him a "How to Find God", and told him I hoped to see him in heaven one day as a result of our encounter.

Papa and Mama get up early to go to Bible school, so we had oatmeal at 6:30am and devotions, then got ready for class. Papa was giving a test so I went to Mama's for the first session, and we taught out of the book of Judges about the cycle of blessing, refocusing on the blessings instead of the Blesser, straying from, and increasing ignoring, and ignorance of God, loss of fear of God, increasing blatant sinfulness, warnings, punishments, regret (vs. true heartfelt repentance), mercy, rescue by God, return to the cycle and deeper sin, until the wrath of God is poured out. Sounds alot like the USA and the world right now doesn't it? We had a good time of Q&A and interaction.

After break, I went to Papa's class for a while, then to town with them, then Mr. James Githaiga our principal Police contact came by for a visit. He is recovering from bone spur surgery on his foot. The local Provincial Police Officer has given permission for a Chapel near the Police HQ, so pray with them for funds for that. That is a great blessed answer to prayer.

We ate Samosas (spiced meat, deepfried in a shell) for lunch. We are going to Dr. Kibuku's for supper. He is recovering well from his throat cancer, and is back to work.

We will pack tonight, then leave at 5:30am for Nambale/Busia (boosee-ah). I am excited about the material we will be sharing, it has been inspiring to me.

I have not gotten to be with many of my local friends, because I have been staying with Papa and Mama as much as possible. Pray for Phoebe, she is due for their baby any day now. Thank you for your prayers about her tumor, it has not interfered so far.

Mama has some sayings clipped around her computer, let me share some of them.
VISION: a people whose lives are changed through Scripture.

The only way to have God's grace is to be poor in spirit.

WORRY is putting a question mark where God has put a period.

You have to learn to be patient if you are going to plant seeds and wait for them to grow.

I Sam. 30:6 when David lost family, friends, possession he "encouraged himself in the Lord his GOD".

History unheeded results in history repeated.

Hudson Taylor: "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. He is too wise to frustrate His purposes for lack of funds. He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterwards, and He much prefers doing so". He worked in China for many years as a pioneer missionary.

HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE
My Father's way may twist and turn, My heart may throb and ache, But in my soul I'm glad I know, He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray, My hope may fade away, But still I'll trust the Lord to lead, For He doeth know the way.
Though night be dark, and it may seem That day will never break, I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake.
There's so much now I cannot see, My eyesight far to dim, But come what may, I'll simply trust, And leave it all to HIM.
For by and by the mist will lift, And plain it all He'll make, Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake.
Author Unknown.

God keeps His promises.

The last time I was here typing in Mama's office, I feared she would be avalanched in books, but her helpers have organized alot of it for her, and I can sit here fearlessly now.! LOL. Martha tells me you all had snow again yesterday, wow, the global warming Al Gore warned us about is getting serious. Glad he invented the internet so I could write you about it.

A story we will share Sat. is of a missionary Chip Ingram tells of that was carrying medical supplies into the jungle, and had to camp overnight. A man later told him they (6 men) had come to rob and kill him and found 26 men guarding him, so they left. The missionary shared the story in the USA at a supporting church and a man said "we were with you in spirit!". The man and 25 others had joined in prayer for him on that precise morning at a prompting of the Holy Spirit, (it was night where the missionary was) and God had worked another of His wonders. We value YOUR prayers as we are here, and are praying for many of you.

We look forward to seeing you "here, there or in the air".

Warm love and prayers,
Steve for the group who lives or works here.

Pastor Steve Update

2010-03-02T11:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

I spent an hour on a good detailed email of our trip to date last night, and it did not go, two have tonight, so maybe I can locate the other one and send it. The power here goes off arbitrarily. I will wait to do another detailed one with pictures until I get home, Lord willing.

My brother Paul Fields' father in law, Mr. York died and his funeral is today. Marla did not make it home in time to see him alive, but they are at the funeral, and return to Paraguay on March 23. They would appreciate your prayers, some of the family are unsaved. Mr. York was a pastor. Paul and Marla have been in Paraguay about 26 years I think.

I have had a very busy schedule until the last two days. I have spent them with Papa and Mama, we made a video for Sophia tonight. I have been repacking for our two next stops at Namabale, near Uganda, where we will be Thursday pm-Sun. after church. They will have 50 boarders for the mini conference, and daytime attenders. I am planning on about 125. We will do 9-5pm with some breaks, both days. Fri. on Eph. 4, The miracle of life change, Sat. Eph. 6 Spiritual warfare, using some material from Chip Ingram.

We will leave here at 5:45am Thurs. and drive 8 hours to the place we will stay in. Sat. Janice will work with children, and I will do a clown appearance. Sunday Pst. Harrison will preach, and I will pray a dedication prayer over the new Sunday school building. We have soccer balls, a projector, soundsystem, several DVD seminars, and a case of the "How to find God", New Testaments. Ben Kiker raised money for 1,000 of them, thank God for the great response.

Terry Washer, my brother in law has had a bad cold, so I have not got to spend much time with him, Sandra, my sis, has been down several times. She is busy sewing a couple of dresses for their daughter Joy's wedding on July 31. They plan to go to Zambia as missionary Bible school teachers. He is a Bob Jones U. grad.

Our visit at the Isoviya orphanage school was great. They have 34. They loved the back packs that Tom and Patti Greathouse sent, and the shirts, and the caps were a big hit. We were able to give each one a "How to find God", NT and have a meal with them.

Our Mwingi team of Jackson and Elijah could use a motorcycyle to use as a taxi Mon.-Fri. and then to minister on weekends. That would cost about $1,000-1200. We will pray for 2, but even one could help give them an income. Their wives are seamstresses, and are teaching others poor ladies to be able to sew. They also do hair. I was impressed with their industriousness.

Their church is Katooni (katah-oh-ni) and we had a wonderful service there when Eric and the gang came with us. In Mwingi town itself, we have Joshua, and Patrick, and their wives. The work is building up there. Patrick Kitema in Kitui has alot of Muslim opposition, and occult spiritual opposition, but is making progress.

Well, it is late, and I need to get to bed, so I will hope this goes through.

Thank you so much for your prayers. There was great spiritual breakthrough on the Kiker team. We have experienced some wonderful moments of favor from God already. We look forward to a great time at our next two stops.

Please pray for our Disciple Now weekend at East Ellijay Baptist Fri-Sunday. Eric Colson and his team will lead those 85 young people.

Love and prayer,
Steve Fields

I guess you can answer me at slfields@ellijay.com and I will ck. it when I can. We arrive back Thursday 11/3/10 in Atlanta, Lord willing. British Air has voted to strike, hope they put it off for a while!

Admin Note

2010-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Beth Mabry for sending out the emails and being sure they get through. Thanks for being the "voice of Kenya" for Pastor Steve and all for all these years!!

Administrator J.

2010-02-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

Howdy from Kenya!

It is Feb 28. So thankful to have our computer back in working order again. I didn't write last week because it had a virus and wouldn't cooperate. So thankful Pastor Ndegwa is learned in such things. Terry taught his brother years and years ago. He taught Ndegwa, and we are reaping the blessings of that!

We faced some difficult situations this past week. It is interesting we are studying Psalm 37 in one of our classes, and so thankful we had promises from the Lord there, that He is in control, even when others think they are.

Last week we started getting mud in our well! There is some water, butmore digging needs to be done. The well digger has been gone a lot due to family health problems. We also have had quite a bit of rain, so how much is really well water, we don't know. We also had electricity hooked up this week! Wow! What a blessing. Now we can go ahead with finishing the welding for the water tank stand, on site. We have one 5,000 litre water tank purchased, and later would like to get another.

Our ladies' ministry seems to be going well, and we thank the Lord. We trust it will help these ladies to be able to learn something they can do to help their families. Most of them attend church faithfully.

Tonight we had the final choosing of who did the best job on making the Tabernacle model. Some might think they look roughshod, but when you use what you have, what the kids came up with was really good. The young boys (7-10) won the contest and were given a Testament each. They even put crust from real bread for the table of shewbread, and rice kernels for manna. One group even put pieces of sticks inside the brazen altar for the fire. We were very impressed.

There has been a group here from Ellijay, Georgia. They were an easy group to work with. Tuesday evening we had 16 here for supper… quite a houseful for our small house!... it went well. The Wagitus, Pastor Harrison and wife joined us.

The visitors spent a good bit of time going to the schools where our boys attend and doing a karate demonstration with the Sudanese guys on Wednesday evening. They also attended our prayer meeting.

We had a good day today with ten in deaf church.

Terry is down with a cold I shared with him!! We belong to our Living God who is my Rock, Strong Tower, Shield in all the difficulties of life.

Sandy for us both

Please pray with us about our work permit. We went down to check on it two weeks ago, and it wasn't processed yet.

--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Administrator's Note

2010-02-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in the travels of an email through cyberspace, some nuances are lost such as spacing, punctuation and capitalization. Changes in formatting as a result are not corrected so that the original text is not accidentally changed.

Read and enjoy! God bless those who are ministering in Kenya!

Administrator J.

2010-02-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Let me bring you up to the present..

We left Isovia feeling so blessed. Steve's gifts from others in the states just made such an impact. Each student received a backpack, Bible, toothbrush and hat. Also, they were given a large selection of fabric, meaning they can now stop sewing on food bags. Teaching the students a trade is just so valuable. I would rank their needs in this order.they need Christ, family, water and a trade in order to have a chance at life. Charis summed it up well after her trip when she said "Kenyans are smart, hard working and loving people, but they have no opportunity for a better life." Pastor Harrison says that most of their time is spent looking for water..they can't get past that.

So we leave the "bush country" and our goal for the rest of the day is to get to Mwangi before dark..traveling after dark is not a good idea. We pull in the church just as darkness falls and we are instantly surrounded by children. Steve begins his magic tricks and the children are all smiles. One of the simple joys of this trip is giving out "sweets" or candy everywhere we go. We literally hang out of the van yelling "sweets" as we encounter children along the roadside. Their beautiful smiles just make your day. Small things do matter!

Back to the church..there is no electricity so we have a brief welcome from Pastor Joshua by flashlight. Different Pastors and then Steve and Randy take turns at the front while someone else runs the spot light. Joshua and Patrick serve here. They are so proud of the successful Awana program and they hold one service there while Joshua travels to do an early service beforehand.

Later in the evening the pastors share their stories..sheepishly they tell us that they sometimes go without food due to lack of money. Congregations are so small, there is very little offering. Thankfully, their wives are employed and are able to help with support.besides the small amount they get from the Bible Institute.I think about $100 a month. One thing that would really help is if they had a motorcycle..they could then earn money as a taxi and also us it for ministry.

Elisha..a Pastor further out.. is so touching as he shares that his heart is to be able to give the children some porridge before Sunday school. He cries.I join him. The children are often too weak from lack of food to make it to church. (Keep in mind this is a church out in a remote area.)

It is amazing that even $10 US dollars could accomplish this for a month for their church children. I will forever be compelled to do more.God is pealing back layers in my life .revealing to me that I can surely "do" with less, because I have so much.so that I can help more.

Morning will find us on the road to Keratina and cooler temperatures! Sweeeeet..

Blessings,

Janice

2010-02-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

This is Janice Durden and it's my first time to Kenya! I thought I would send the first installment of our trip.Randy, Steve Fields and myself. We have been out in the middle of this "Dark Continent" with no chance of sending you an update before now.
I'm not a great writer and I'm even quite sure that those who have come here before me may not agree with my impressions.but hey they are mine. Allow me to preface all this by telling youl Randy and I had a deal about this trip.he would plan all the details(usually my job) .well since he had been 3 times already that made sense.but I could not complain about anything. Not that I complain an exorbitant amount, but I prefer to think that I frequently express my opinions. (No comments to the contrary, please) I promised to be a happy camper no matter how "out of my comfort zone" things got. He actually decided that He would pull my "smiley face" if I did not play by the rules. Mercy..now we'll just have to see how I do!

From my journal..
We landed in Nairobi after dark! What a wonderful thing to see Steve and Pastor Harrison.a really wonderful thing..
My senses are assaulted instantly with the different culture.throngs of people everywhere (dark people, in dark clothes moving aimlessly).crowded streets.honking horns.burning trash.
My thoughts were."Get out of this town and fast!" We made it safely to the "Minno" House (run by Christians) and were allowed in by the guard. Once inside the double bolted door, extra alarm set, and door stop shoved under the door.we were anticipating a restless night's after a very long journey. And that is what we got. Randy warned me that you sleep with one eye open and your "ear to the tracks." I'm not usually paranoid.but well.. these security measures must be for some reason.so one eye open all night long. Tomorrow I will see Nairobi in the daylight!

So this is Africa!!!!! The word "foreign" took on new meaning as we left the "Minno" compound. Leaving the compound we headed to our first out post of Katui.Atlanta traffic is nothing compared to this! There must have been 1 million people going in our direction..all stuffed in vans, some hanging on for dear life, weaving and dodging one another in an African game of "chicken." The smell of burning trash permeated the air. Through the smoke ..I got a glimp of some of the world's poorest souls.I thought to myself..."this must surely be what Hell will be like."Massive amounts of humanity wondering in a smoke filled haze. I had such mixed emotions of."why am I so blessed.
why are these poor people sooooo pitiful in contrast..

We head out of town at a snails pace. I want to take pictures but was instructed."keep your window closed and your shade pulled." Finally, we hit the open road and we detour toward the Blue Post to meet the Kiker team for lunch. The Blue Post was a wonderful place to dine and buy curios. It was such a blessing to see Ben and meet everyone that traveled with him. They envied us for having two more weeks here. Little did I know that later that evening I would envy them for leaving today. I know..I know we are not supposed to envy, but you know what I mean. (Refrain from judging till you read more.)

After a loooong ride we reach Katui. We are there to check on the progress of Pastor Patrick as he started a work there in the last few years. We want to encourage him and understand how we can support him in the future. His church is a pole barn.a very poor one..our cows stay in better, but he is so grateful for what God has provided. The opposition there is mostly Muslim. The actually defecate around his church before Sunday worship to show there displeasure. I don't know about you, but yeah.that let's me know he's not welcome there. We actually lay hands of the building of these people.since it is just next door, and pray for God to change these circumstances. He later share with us that a Christian Pastor was stoned to death two weeks ago for preaching the gospel near his church. Hmmmmm.I believe I'll sleep with both eyes open tonight!

Pastor Patrick asked us to dine with his family and he was so humble and sweet.my heart began to just ache and my eyes cold not contain it..they had so little. Their living area was two rooms that were about a 10x 10. (1/2 serving as a small café by day) We ate traditional capote, rice and a goat stew that was very good. I can't say that I wasn't a little worried about the whole stomach thing that can happen.but we were careful and we prayed a lot!

After dark we returned to the hotel. But, I could not sleep because of the drums b-eating, b-eating, b-eating..I wanted to strangle somebody. what a humorous picture that was. At home we just call the police.but here you just shove in more wax earplugs and hope they don't come pay you a visit. But no worries.. in addition to all the security measures of last night we now have a guard outside near by..snoozing I bet. Hey, but I did not complain and I did not lose my smiley face.

Day 2
Traveling to Isovia was like nothing you can imagine. The road quickly turns to dirt. then huge washouts ..then finally just a little pig trail big enough for the van. We saw a little girl with a water bottle filled with cloudy water. Steve said that was her water for the day. People are walking along the road, some children as young as 4 were herding goats or cows..some carrying baskets on their heads all headed to "market."What in the world could be here in the absolute middle of nowhere? But as we entered the trade school compound of Isovia we hear children singing and dancing with such joy. We had the most wonderful worship service with the students. Steve Fields spoke as Patrick interpreted in their tribal language. Randy spoke, but when they gave me a chance to speak.I just couldn't do it ..just COULD NOT. The lump in my throat was just preventing it. I quickly realized that this place makes you so emotional.

This stop had been one of the things I was looking forward to most about this trip! I wanted to see the well that the students from North Georgia Christian raised money to build. The NGCA students filled their water bottles full of coins till they were able to raise over $2500. We wanted them to learn that even they could make a big difference in someone's world. Earlier, last year, they were so moved when Eric Colson came out to the school and demonstrated what the water looks like that the children have to drink. Eric told how the women would walk 4 hours to get water and 5 hours back, everyday! The Isovia students were so pleased to show us the well. They used the hand pump to deliver the crystal clear water that now sustains over 200 people. Uhhhhh.just more tears.

I must say the joy with which the dear pastors and the children have as the worship was just such an inspiration! Mama Fields later told me that Pastor Reuben, the head of Isovia, was one of the first Christian Pastors to start a church in Kenya. That was over 35 years ago. And they were just now getting water. They still have outhouses and no electricity.but praise be to God they have clean water!

I'm so thankful that Pastor Steve has brought us to this place. His heart for the Kenyans has been a blessing to them and so much more so now to Randy and I.
More tomorrow.whew.... it's late! Blessings,
Janice

2010-02-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks,

Pastor Steve has arrived safely in Kenya. He left a voice mail at the church and said the flight went well and going through customs was very smooth. As ya'll know, this is answered prayer already with all the stuff Steve takes with him. Pastor Harrison who is the pastor at the Antioch Baptist Church in Karatina and Joseph met him and drove to Karatina.

He reported that Pastor Harrison and his wife, and the whole Kiker team met at Sandy and Terry Washer's house (Steve's sister and brother in law) to have a big dinner and celebrate Papa David Fields 83rd birthday, with Brother Dave and his wife Elwanda.

The Ben Kiker team has been to some of the schools in the community to give karate demonstrations, and to minister. Steve reports they will be playing volleyball with a bunch of Sudanese guys. I'm thinking the Sudanese may win this one. The Kiker team is to minister in the church at Karatina this week also.

After this week Pastor Steve is set to go with the Durdens to minister in other areas in Kenya.

Continue to pray for safety, the Fields family in Kenya, and the work there.

Thanks,
Joe.

Kiker Team in Kenya

2010-02-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

THANKS!
for your prayers re. freight and safe trip for Ben Kiker and his team.

I loaded everything according to the inst. the airline gave us. One 60# free suitcase (so we stuffed New Testaments in all extra poundage), one 70# at $100 and no more. I went ahead and packed the other containers at 70# as I usually do and just took them, after all, we DID pray we could get them through. The people at the KLM counter were very kind, and told us we were misinformed, and could ship TWO free 50# containers (so we scrambled to adjust them) then a 70# for $300. The over all effect got us 20 containers of New Testaments, soccerballs, Bible school study materials, materials for the Isovya orphanage (backpacks, caps,) etc. We also got 8 or 9 tambourines in, etc. I was thrilled to be able to get most of it over there. At Nairobi, Pastor Harrison negotiated them down from $300 customs on the soccer balls etc. to $100, since they were all gifts, not for resale.

The men have a karate session with the police Headquarters in Nyeri, and will be playing the Sudanese refugees who live nearbye and come to the church to play volleyball. I can't wait to hear if Ben figures out a way to beat 10' tall (slight exaggeration) Sudanese in volleyball!! A couple of the guys with Ben Kiker have never been out of the country, what an initiation!

For those of you who do not know Ben, he is my Karate instructor, and long time friend. He went with me last year, and we have a church at Karogoto built with donations in Kerri Kiker's (he and Vicki's daughter who was killed in a wreck) memory. She stayed often in our home as a young child, and was my first little "varmint", as I affectionately call the special children around me.

Through the generous contributions of several, we were able to get almost 1,000 New Testaments with numerous Bible study notes in them.
They cost just under $2, and have notes on Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? marriage....etc.

I leave Sun. 7:30am for the airport, and fly out at 12:30pm. I will be trying to take the remaining New Testaments, 2 accordions, numerous Bible study DVD training materials, so pray for favor as we get them shipped, and lots of blessing as we visit the orphanage at Isovya, then to Dad and Mom's, then to Nambale, Migori, Masai Mara, and home.

May God bless you in YOUR mission field.

5 questions I teach (borrowed of course) when witnessing about the Lord Jesus, that work well for me are..(you only listen, and clarify on the first four questions, DO NOT ARGUE (yet)).

1. Do you believe in spiritual things? (if they ask what you mean, you say "God, angels, the devil etc.?)
2, In your opinion, who was Jesus Christ? (Was He God as He claimed?
a prophet? an imaginary figure?)
3. Do you believe in heaven or hell? (are they literal?)
4. Where are you going when you die? (If they say heaven, you can ask "if you were standing at heaven's door, and God asked why He should let you into His perfect, sinless heaven, what would you say?)
5. If you were wrong, would you want someone to tell you? (if they say no, just change the subject, they cannot stand it, they will ask you to continue)

So pray for me in my contact with people on this journey, that I get to use that often. I carry a couple of the NTestaments with me to give, and it is amazing the doors the Lord opens up.
We will notify you of the blog Joe Hensley has set up, so you can ck that also. He went with us to Kenya on one of our trips.

Thanks for your prayers, pray for our families, and churches.

Steve Fields

Team is leaving tomorrow!

2010-02-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

Part of the team is leaving Atlanta tomorrow for Kenya. Please keep them in your prayers. Be praying about the containers of toys, clothes, books and Bibles that Steve is taking over, that they'll arrive and the funds will be there for shipping. Pray for safe travels and the preparation of the hearts of our group and the people there.

Thanks,
Joe.

2010-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

From Terry and Sandy Washer

Hi,

It is Feb. 14, our 35th. engagement anniversary!

Well news: our well diggers have reached mud!! So, we are looking forward to reporting next week that water is welling up! Do pray with us for this.

Heart patient: Tuesday Pastor Ndegwa was to take the mother of the girl I mentioned last week, to see a doctor in Nyeri. The mother didn’t show up. We found out later that last Sunday night the little girl became critical and was taken to Nairobi and was in intensive care in a coma. We heard today she was given meds to bring her out of the coma, but nothing else has been done. So, we will see how the Lord leads as the child is brought home this week, we trust. The other two children had been left here on their own. The older boy (about 8) has been sleeping in the boys’ dormitory. The three year old has been staying at Pastor Ndegwa’s. Come to find out none of the kids are in school… as the mom didn’t have money to send them. This, too, is a prayer need, to know how to tactfully talk to the Mom without her feeling like we are interfering.

Neighbor: This week the Lord gave me opportunity to present the gospel to our neighbor for the first time. She called me to her house. I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Visitation: Thursday we went visiting with Ndegwa and Carol to the home of one of our dorm boys. Thankfully the roads were dry or I don’t think we would have gotten through. The family with five kids still at home, live on a small, level place dug out of the side of a hill overlooking a beautiful valley of neat gardens by a mountain stream.
Their two room wooden shack didn’t give protection from the intense sun as we sat outside. I was thankful for the strong breeze. We had "tea" and shared the gospel with the parents, siblings and a couple of neighbors before going to the grandfather’s place and sharing again.
We arrived home not long before dark.

Fellowship: Friday after class, the Bible School ladies and I drove to Kiamariga to have a ladies’ fellowship with the church there. We were six from here; total of 20 with a good number of kids. I showed them how to make cake (carrot/banana) and cook it on a charcoal stove. It turned out beautifully and was SO good! While it cooked, one of the third year students gave a devotional. We arrived home safely after 6p.m.

Those are the highlights of the week.

This week we are to go to Nairobi to see about our work permits… and umpteen other things. We would appreciate prayer for God to guide in planning the day to best use the time we are there.
Sandy for us both
--
Terry & Sandy Washer

Freight arrives!

2009-07-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Dear praying friends,

We got news our shipment of containers of Bibles etc. had arrived, so I got up early and we left at 7am for Nairobi. James Githaiga of the police, and his boss who is a captain, Mr. Mwangi went, with James Kahaia driving wonderfullly as usual. There was a burst water main on a major roundabout, and traffic was backed up terribly, and many drove extra wildly trying to hurry. We arrived at the airport at 11am!

We got a clearing agent thru a mutual Christian friend here, and began the PROCESSSS!! Office to office, to office, to get various documents stamped, and argue with various officials. Finally $260 and alot of hassle later, we left at about 5pm, with our goods. One of the benefits of this was that the chief of police over all the airport was on the sidewalk as we arrived at the terminal and he and James G. started in policework together. He greeted us warmly, and said to give him a call of we had a problem. After we got the stuff, we presented him with a Bible, The policeman who escorted us all day was really excited that he got to go into his most senior officer's office and actually be spoken to.

I was able to give New Testaments to several CID officers who requested them, and one of the Customs officials. I had the opportunity to share with James' boss, what we would be sharing during the police officer's conference, and he read part of the book "The Peacekeepers", during the day.

Eric and the gang taught in the Bible school, and went to the orphanage again this pm to deliver toothbrushes and 2 soccer balls. How thankful we are for this safehaven for these children, to give them a chance in life. I met a man who was raised there who is doing well in Karatina.
The young children here have to b e at school at 7am, and leave at 5pm. Education is highly competitive here. Only those with the best grades go to the best High schools, etc. then college.

Well, I am exhausted, so I am off to bed. The gang is going to the ARK tomorrow to see animals, I plan to hang out with Papa and Mama, and pack to head southeast to the Isovya orphanage, Saturday.

Love, from Steve and the gang

Jambo from Kenya!

2009-07-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear praying family,

This is Steve Fields. It is Monday night, and the last few days have been full of activity. We, Tom and Patti Greathouse, Ashley Cook, Eric and Jennifer Colson (our youth minister at church, and Jennifer teaches in our High school Release time program at the Christian Learning Center) and I left Atlanta at 9:40pm Wed. evening the 15th. I asked a porter to help us with a cart, and he got us into an expedited line and we were at our gate quickly and smoothly, first great hurdle went well.

The flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirites (I think) was over 13 hours. I was between two rather large guys, so it was not a very restful part of the trip, I did get some sleep, but all of us were separated on the flight, which was FULL, 500 people! The Dubai airport is BEAUTIFUL, elegant etc. We ate, toured stores, bought some little things as we thought about many of you.

A young man asked me if I was a businessman, as I was purchasing something, and I told him I had been, but was a pastor. He asked if I was Catholic, and I told him I was protestant, Baptist. He asked if I was "a born again" type pastor. I asked if he was born again, and he said no, but his mother in the Philippines was, and could read English, so I gave him my Recovery New Testament, and my address if he wanted another one. What if his Mom is praying for him in the Philippines and that Testament speaks to him and he is saved. Cool thought, maybe God will show us the replay in heaven.

After 6 hours, got on our next flight on Air Kenya at 2:30am, and arrived at 6:40am Kenya time, and were thrilled to all be in KENYA! Our initial flightplans had been cancelled by Delta, and we had lots of confusion trying to get rebooked, and get decent connections, and confirmed plans, so we were glad to get here. It was just amazing to be riding up the road in a van together in Kenya, just like we planned! Brother James Kahia, and Joseph met us with two vans, and Terry and Sandra (my sister, who works here with Dad and Mom). We went to the city market and looked at curios (carvings etc.) and of course bought things to bring home, then drove on to Blue Post, and ate lunch and looked at other varieties of things they had for sale in several African style huts. You have to negotiate for everything, so that was fun to experience with our first timers.

I have designated myself as chief negotiator for Ashley's "brideprice", and prospective grooms. She has really been going up in price, she is a wonderful, servant hearted girl. I got to sit by her on the Dubai/Nairobi leg of the trip. We had fun talking about the witnessing bookmark we are using, and various Bible questions. I warned her about our passing over the equator, as we looked at the visual map on the screen, and just as we passed over it we hit some appropriate turbulance, so we had fun telling the rest of the group about feeling it, and they were trying to figure out how to break it to her that I had tricked her, then realized she had tricked them into thinking she believed it. LOL

It was so great to get to introduce my friends to Momma and Papa, and then they went on to the Starbucks Hotel to check in and get some rest. We thought of you at Church and Elevate and cannot wait to see the video of your testimonies.

We spent Saturday going around to several branches of the work here. Dad had just bought a small plot for the Church at Iwhagi where brother James Kahia ministers. That was something we specifically prayed for when Joe Hensley was here with our other group. Presently there is a calf in a paddock on it, and a crop of cabbage, and the church meets in a rented room nearbye. We will buy Metal roofing, and build what we call a Mabate (ma-ba-teh) church. The roof and sides will be metal roofing, with windows and doors cut at appropriate places. When finances are available, and the group is growing, we build out of hand cut volcanic rock blocks. We only build what God provides money for, and are grateful for every step we can take forward in a ministry. It was good for our team to see the little steps we take in establishing a church work in a community.

We then drove to Karogoto ( where we have the church in Kerri Kiker's memory), and looked at the little rented room we started with, the small church built by money in lieu of flowers for Debbie, and the beautiful new one in Kerri's memory (See Kerringforkenya.org). We saw the knitting project that employs almost 40 women, part time knitting school uniforms . 410 Bridge has taken this initiative to partner with USA churches and Kenyan communities to make a social, and spiritual impact in communities. The Karogoto church houses the project for now, but it is not controlled by them. 410 Bridge also built a water project by hooking a ram type pump to a little creek at the bottom of a steep path and pumping water up to a tank near the church. Labor to run the pipe, and build the tank etc was provided by teams from USA who came to partner with Kenyans in this wonderful, practical gesture of love in Karogoto. Pastor Harrison works as
the chairman in this area with Kurt Candler from Alpharetta (with 410B). Many people came by to fill up their water containers while we were there, and expressed profound gratitude for being saved the extra walk, and time and energy to walk down to the creek, and haul a heavy container of water back up the steep path, then go home.

Pastor Charles Muita, who is a builder by trade, and also went through the Antioch Bible school, pastors the church, and escorted us around the area. We at lunch at pastor Harrison's "Family Cafe", then drove to Kiamariga to see Enos and Phoebe, and see the church that was also only a dream when Joe and the other team were here, but is now a reality. Thanks to loving donations of many. Phoebe served us tea in what she considers her "mansion", (compared to the rented, cramped rooms they had before). We all spent time talking of the next steps in the ministry there. They were rejoicing at the new contact with a small, local boarding school, that is bringing about 50 children 1 or 2 times a week for games, songs, and discipleship. The couple running the school are very positive about the impact of the church on their children. We plan to run power to the church for about $6-800 for fixtures, installation etc. and then they will be able to play Christian DVD movies, teach children electric keyboard and become increasingly broad in outreach in that area. There is room for AWANA, a safe, dry church, and well trained, loving leadership, made possible by your help in training leaders, donating to the ministries and seeing the Kingdom of God spread in hearts and communities.

We went and looked at Mathaithi, at the gate of a High school, where Papa and Mama have bought a good size plot to house street kid ministry, outreach to the school and community and a corner to be buried in, if Jesus does not return first. Their prayer to "burn out, not fizzle out", is certainly answered.

Godfrey and Fredrick are teaching the Bible school students, as Mama recovers from a recent fall, and Dad cares for her. She is back at her desk doing lessons, and emails, and walking better, for which we thank the Lord. Sunday, Eric preached at the main church at Karatina, and I heard he did a great job as usual. Jennifer and Ashley taught Sunday school, and had a great time. I spoke at Karogoto, and Tom and Patti did children's church, and Pastor Muita said they did well. We ate lunch at Terry and Sandra's then walked to Papa and Mama's and talked and then went to Street kid ministry meeting, and it went great. We had fun singing some songs, and got pictures of each of the street kids, so you can pray for them. One, Patrick, had just made a profession of faith that day. Terry and Sandra head up this ministry with Ndegwa and Carol. They also work with the deaf, and hold services and ministry to them. Terry continues to improve after his stroke, and is able to be involved in the ministry. We went back to Papa and Mama's and Eric played guitar and we sang songs for next week, and Papa and Mama told stories, and it was a very special time.

Due to this and that, I was up until 12am then got up at 3:30 am to go with James to pick Susan Cook up at the aiport. Her plane was late , then traffic was Jammed, and she got to experience "live and let live", driving. Susan (Ashley's Mom) loves to pray, and prayed for a friendly face during the 6 hour Dubai wait, and met a wonderful Christian lady who also had to travel separately from her missions team. When they got on the plane they were "coincidentally", seated beside each other!!! God does such cool little favors for us. While we waited for her, James and I got to help a Campus Crusade worker who was temorarily stranded, and was in Kenya to work for a month. We got home, and ate lunch at Starbucks, then bought corn meal
for the orphanage, and went there and spent the afternoon. Our group is so loving! They let the little girls braid their hair, Eric played soccer with the kids with an improvised knot ball, and we just hung out. It will be fun to deliver a couple of soccer balls (Justin Chadwick got 50 donated), and a donated toothbrushes (David Settle got 500 donated).
This is an amazing adventure to get to share together. There is a whole new family love you can get as you minister together, and learn to love each other 24/7 instead of our usual short times together.

Thank each of you who are praying, giving and sharing your loved ones with God's children here. Pray that we can get our 17 or 18 containers here without further cost or trouble. Justin got it shipped for us, we hope to be able to get the materials
tomorrow, though we have not heard about their arrival yet at the airport.
We need alot of the stuff now, before we head to Isovya on Saturday. Pray for open doors, effective ministry, discerning hearts and minds, and God's clear guidance each day in His work. Continue to pray for our safety, and daily wisdom in spending our time and resources.
It was such fun remembering Colby's "who ripped the commode out of the floor", first impression of a typical Kenyan latrine. My portable "potty stands", will be very welcome, when they get here!

So much for now,
Warm love and prayer, Steve for Papa and Mama and the team here

2008 East Ellijay-Kenya Team

2008-08-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

2008 East Ellijay Baptist-Antioch Baptist Karatina, Kenya Team
Tanya, Lewis, Joe, Sarah, Rachel, Barbara, Jim, Jessica, Rachel, Roger, and Pastor Steve

East Ellijay and Karatina kids together.

Team headed to "The Park"

Treetops, and animals!

Water is hard to come by in many parts of Kenya...........

The well East Ellijay young folks and children made possible at Kiamariga!!

Go tell all the nations the Good News!

Mama and Papa Fields house.

Sandy at the Karatina Market

Solio Safari!

Mama Fields, Tanya, Lewis, Joe

The Aberdares, feels like home...............