Kenya Missions Update

May 21, 2005

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ!

The next Generation

Since the last prayer letter, we have had both a meeting for elders and a meeting for the next generation of leaders. With the advice of three of these "younger" men (younger in reference to my age, I am dealing with the fact that I am getting older, so younger means in their 20’s and 30’s) we met with 11 of them for a day. These were people who are active in church leadership and emphasis prayer and praise. Also present were three elders who represented the elders. It was a wonderful 5 ½ hour meeting. Another one is scheduled for July 2nd.

Here is a sampling of the activities of the next generation who are preaching the Gospel, and let me say to no personal gain in their own lives in the physical, but I am sure they are growing spiritual as a results of their love for Christ.

Wilson Kandie – travels to a place called Metkei. Between the top of the escarpment to Eldama Ravine and area of about 30 miles, we have one church in that whole area. Wilson has a vision of evangelizing that area. He is starting at Metkei. Each week he tries to travel there on Thursday and comes back on Monday. The official opening of the church is this Sunday the 22nd June. This strains his family budget, puts additional burden on his wife who is home taking care of their 4 children.

John Arambo – he and his family now live in a small town called Flax. They were a few months ago blessed with twins. They now have three children. John had a dream of starting a church in Flax and has about 30 people who meet there on Sunday. The presently rent a room in a building for $7 a month. This week, John and I talked of projects to help support his family to remain there. Possibilities are a wood working shop, helping him to start a bread business with a bread oven and his wife to start a sewing business. John is a prayer warrior and loves to go to churches to teach about praying.

Paul Rotich and Christopher Leboo – Last year these two men were sent to Baringo area to help the 13 weak churches. (Both have families and children) They were sent by three churches in the Moiben area. Those churches gave sacrificially last year to the sum of $133 every other month. We did the other month. After much discussions and goal setting this last month, they will go back and specially work with 6 churches for the next year. These three churches have asked us to increase our giving, as they have special needs this year. Kokwet church is in the process of buying a piece of land to build a building on, Kabomoi is also planning to build a building this year. And Mafuta needs to build a kitchen and sleep area. They host the Nairobi Great Commission School extension program at their church and each month students have to sleep and eat at church members homes. So, they will again send them and give $80 every other month and we have agreed to make up the $53 to help send the two men. And we will pay for them to go the other month.

Weather

Last year we are told that the rains came and left. As a results, the harvest was very poor. This year seems to have the same pattern. Those who planted their maize early have a nice looking crop, but it really needs more rains than we have been receiving. The beans also planted in the maize (which is the food people depend on before the maize crop is harvested) is at a critical stage and a lack of rain will decrease its production. Pray for a more even and consistent rain pattern over our area.

Prayers for the upcoming month

Eight elders and I will visit with the leaders and elders in the Tugen area on 25th –27th of May. This is a trip of 68 miles from Eldoret. Pray for that meeting and for protection on the road, and for Grace and the girls while I am gone.

Fielden and Janet Allison will be hosting a couples meeting here in Eldoret on 3rd to 5th of June. It will be at the Huruma Church building. Only husband and wife teams who want to go back to their churches and help in counseling others in the area of marriage will be allowed to attend. This is a big need in our communities and churches. Pray for the Allisons and their students.

Visitors in June

Arriving in Kenya on 4th of June (through 26th) are 5 people who have come to work with the deaf Christians in East Africa. One of them is Stephen Greek, our former teammate here in Eldoret; Dr. Jerry Drennan, the Deacon who is our Missions Chairman; and Gary Stephens, one of our elders from our sponsoring church, The South 11th and Willis Church of Christ. Pray for their safety in travels and wisdom as they teach. Kirsten & Ruth and I will travel to Sotik with 5 deaf Christians from Eldoret on 10th June and return on the 12th June. We will attend the seminar that will be held for the deaf.

On 17th – 20th , I will drive them to Mbale, Uganda to Messiah Theological Institute. This is a college that has started by the Mbale team. Several deaf from Kenya and Uganda go there every month to take one week religion courses. They, in the near future hope to establish an agricultural college. Jerry Drennan has an interest in helping to establish a curriculum in the area of technology. Agriculture and Technology is what started a lot of our Land Grant Universities in the states in the 1800’s.

Then 21st – 23rd , they will visit with us and on the 22nd, we will meet with some elders and then travel to the Navillus Church and on the 23rd, visit with the Kaimosi Churches.

From the Daily Nation Newspaper

"While more than two-thirds of our people live on less than $1 a day, cows in Europe and Japan receive $2 and $7 respectively in subsidies daily."

Kirsten & Ruth Korner

For the month of April, the girls had school off. They both missed their friends at school. They both have such a strong desire to learn! Kirsten can’t wait to read! (more than the words that she already knows) Kirsten has her head in the sky as well, she informed me she is either going to be a pilot or the one who serves the food in the airplane. Two big events have happened in her life this last month. One, she turned 7 and had several friends over for food and fun. And see the picture below, what she has longed for, her school uniform!!

Ruth will turn FIVE on Monday. She had a school party yesterday. She got all dressed up in her "Sleeping Beauty" clothes. Ruth is becoming her own person. She is very expressive in terms of body language. She is no longer afraid to use Kiswahili and we now have conversations in that language. She is excelling in her preschool. Just that French language is giving her a bit of difficult time.

Kirsten and Ruth are both a blessing to have the privilege to raise. Thanks Lord!

In Service to Christ,

Keith, Grace, Kirsten & Ruth Gafner

Serving Him in East Africa