Kenya Missions Update

May 16, 2006

The exciting news is that the Gafner’s are no longer in the dark! We finally have electricity in the house, as of the 4th of May. There are stories to tell about what the Lord has done in our lives. When it came down to getting the meter, satan tired one last time to frustrate us and delay us getting the electricity and having us pay more for it. But we have a secret weapon, prayer!

So, instead of typing this letter to you in town, I can write it on our computer at home. Then will take the diskette to town and at an internet café, send it off to you. We are looking at what to do in the future. Our internet server will soon have the service where we do not need a telephone line to do internet connections. Or, we may just keep up the present system, which is a whole lot cheaper, but less convenient. So, stay tuned, will let you know. We may be changing our E mail address soon.

Life has been busy, some days you wonder where the day went. Then the week, and now it is mid May already. At the risk of being long and telling you all that we have done, let me tell you about one thing and several prayer requests for visitors. In April at the Tendwo Youth Meeting a special event took place, that was a Sunday School teachers workshop. Only 10 Sunday School teachers attended, but when word gets out, I am sure more will want to attend future meetings. Benjamin KipSerem has had the heart for years for youth, specifically for Sunday School aged children. Over the years, we sent him to special meetings from a group from South Africa. He has also found a group here in Eldoret called, ‘Rainbow Covenant’ whose ministry is in Sunday School aged children. They are a faith based group depending on donations to help them. They have a Saturday morning program for children. It was an exciting few days, as teachers came from Nigeria and Ethiopia to teach the teachers. Keep praying for Benjamin and the Rainbow Covenant as they reach out to young people. In this culture, small children are not considered much and are neglected in many ways when it comes to good quality Biblical teachings.

Pray for:
Today, Dr. Susie Bullock and two others will arrive in Kenya. They will be host of the Kenya Seed Company in Kitale. Which is located 1 ½ hour drive from us. They both are working at Texas Tech University and they are here to explore a relationship with the university and the Kenya Seed Company. They will also travel with a student from Texas Tech. I will meet them on Thursday and they may possibly sleep at our house that night if it is too late to travel to Kitale. They have asked me to be part of the meetings, helping them in whatever way I can, especially helping them to understand the culture. Then on Saturday, they will travel to Mbale, Uganda to be with the team there and see about how they can help the Agricultural Program at Messiah Theological Institute.

Monte Cox a former Eldoret missionary will be coming with 6 or so people from Harding University. They are scouting several places on the continent of Africa for a possible clinic and extension school for Harding Students. They will arrive in Eldoret on the 30th and leave on 3rd of June.

June 1 until 14th pray for the deaf campaigners. They are seven men who have come to work with the deaf Church of Christ members here in Kenya. There is Steve Greek who is a former missionary in Eldoret and Dr. Jerry Drennan the Missions Chairman from our sponsoring church. Kirsten, Ruth and I will join them in Sotik for the Deaf Workshop on the 9th – 11th. They will then travel home with us and be in Eldoret for two days. They will fly out on the night of the 14th.

June 29th, David and Mary Helen Bush will arrive in Kenya. They are former missionaries in Kenya as well. They will be travelling with a group from their church. We will connect with them on 8 – 13th of July. Most of the group will be in Sirwa working with some Christians there and with the local school. We will keep an older couple with us here in Eldoret. They fly out on the 16th of July.

Dr. Kevin Kehl, also a former Eldoret missionary will be around from 12th – 23rd July. He will be travelling with a former ACU who is now coaching at Texas Tech University. So they will be scouting new talent and Kevin will be visiting and encouraging Christians.
Pray also for Keith, that the Lord will give me sensitivity and wisdom as I counsel others. Recently two men came separately and asked about family planning and particularly about vasectomies. Last week, was busy counseling a man who was told by the elders to sit down in the church and put away his ‘girl friend’ for he has a wife. He decided to go and leave the church and start another fellowship. And then counseling a man, who have gotten to know in the last year. He is not a member of the Church of Christ. He has a lady at his house who he is “praying with,” she is living with him and they are both Christians. His church “prayed” for them, so they thought it was okay to live together!

Pray also for Keith’s work permit renewal. In April we spent 9 days in Nairobi. Major on the list was getting the paper work filled out for my renewal. Second was to visit with family members that we had not seen since Dec. 2004. I am told it will take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months. Let’s pray for 2 weeks, since they already have had it for a month.

Thanks for your love, prayers and support!

In Service to Christ,
Keith, Grace, Kirsten and Ruth
P.S. the girls are growing up. Kirsten turned 8 in April and Ruth turns 6 next week!