Dexter Church of Christ: Kenya Missions Work

Kenya Missions Update

May 4, 2007

Greetings in the most Marvelous name of Jesus

So many things to report, the Lord has been very wonderful to us and in the ministry! Also, in the last month we have also had heartache.

First the Wonderful. School has been out for the month of April. The girls will go back to school on Monday. They had a two-night sleep over at one of their classmates with six other of their classmates. It took them two days to recuperate from that.

Then for Pasaka or Easter, Grace’s mother (cucu or grandmother for the girls), Aunti Mercy and Cousin Martha came to visit us from Nairobi. That was a lot of fun. It was nice that they came for 5 nights, so we weren’t stressed to get all the talking done quickly. Cousin Martha is greatly adored by the girls, she is starting university. We went to Kerio View Hotel to celebrate Kirsten’s and Moms birthdays. It overlooks the Kerio Valley, which could be one mile lower than where we were. It made me feel like Moses looking down into the promised land, that he would not be able to enter.

Chelalang Church of Christ hosted the ladies meeting from11th – 16^th April. There were ladies there from 56 Churches of Christ. Well over 250 ladies in attendance. Praise the Lord, 9 ladies from Baringo came to get what I hear was Wonderful Spiritual food! On Sunday, I looked toward the village centre and did not see a single person. I think they were all at the meeting! All the other churches and their leaders attended the meeting with us. The school’s headmaster stood and talked, he said that he is also saved. He introduced the staff and committee of the school that were present. Three of the committee members of the school are pastors in the local churches. Satan did not have a chance at this meeting, the place was anointed and dare I say that Chelalang village has a good reputation because the Christians are working together for God’s Glory! Praise the Lord!

Last Saturday, several people came to Saroiyot, our little center outside of town. We had a prayer session from 3 PM until midnight. PRAISE THE LORD! From the March 3 day of prayer and fasting that 12 of us participated in at Navillus, we have published a 16 page booklet on Prayer and Fasting. We are now distributing this to each of the churches. Also, we are asking each member to fast and pray on the first Monday of the Month. Please plan to join us. In July, we are planning another 3 days of Prayer and Fasting.

I also reported to you about Leonard and Mildred going to Church of Christ Children’s home in Kitale. God has really given the home favor, as the Kenya Seed Company has joined hands with us and planted maize on a section of the five acres. They will also bring vegetable seedlings to be planted. And they will bring grasses to be planted to be used for a dairy cow. A group from America will come in two weeks to build a zero grazing unit for the cow. Praise the Lord for all he is doing to help the orphans.

Now for the heartaches. Otto our dog died. He was the best watchdog that I’ve ever seen. He would walk around all night, rain or no rain. We found him at our home on a return from furlough in 1998. The night watchman had found him. So, he is the first dog that both girls can remember. About a month ago, he went missing for two days. We finally found him in a three foot hole we had dug for the future fruit tree. We got him out and then on a Wednesday I found him at the bottom of the hole again. We got him out, but he did not walk or want to eat. He knew it was his time to go. Thursday, he lay outside the hole and died. What amazed me is the smell of death is very keen in the animal kingdom. In a very short time, he was covered by flies and ants were already filling his nostrils taking out whatever. The girls reacted differently, one crying and the other taking it as a part of life, telling the other one to stop crying. They have different personalities. But still everyone was sad. We buried him there and will name the fruit tree planted next to him as Otto’s tree.

We have started keeping rabbits at home as well. This is a project that the girls are having to teach them responsibility and care for animals. Also to provide food for us in the future. Last weekend for three nights we had Kirsten’s and Ruth’s three friends stayed at our house while their parents took a much needed mini-holiday. Well, the favorite rabbit was the white one. Kirsten used to dress him in her doll clothes. One of the visitors left the cage door open, he got out and the dog ate him. I was not home, but I understand that much crying took place that day. When I arrived home the next morning, tears still flowed easily as the story was told.

We also have other animals at home. A baby lamb was born. Chickens for eggs and 75 roosters who are six weeks old. We are giving the roosters all of the needed vaccinations for diseases and then in June will host probably two meetings where farmers will come in for a two day seminar on poultry raising and go home with a grade rooster to upgrade their indigenous flocks.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Because of the weakened US $ and the increased strength of the Kenyan Shilling, we have taken a 4.2 % drop in our buying power.
Signs of rains are in the sky, now we need the sky to release the rain. Crops have been planted, but for three weeks now, they are crying for moisture.
Meeting with 7 elders on the 18th and about 30 leaders and elders on the 19th and 20th.
We hope to start a LTE (Leadership Training by Extension) at Saroiyot. Pray for this as several of us make the final plans for it. Students have already been interviewed and are waiting on us to open the doors to come and study.
Wisdom, protection and God’s grace in our own personal lives and in the ministry.

Below is something that I sent in a newsletter years ago. I hope it will help you in praying for the Gafner family and other missionaries.

In Service to Christ,

Keith, Grace, Kirsten and Ruth

SPECIFIC PRAYERS FOR THE MISSIONARY ON THE MISSION FIELD

National prayer for all missionaries
ODD DAYS OF PRAYER	EVEN DAYS OF PRAYER
DAY 1 - RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD loving and studying God's word strong prayer life be filled with the Holy Spirit maturing spiritually *progress over personal sin	DAY 2 - PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS adaptation to climate health in the midst of disease safety in danger victory over loneliness, depression
DAY 3 - FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS husband/wife children/parents family life as a model to nationals coping with singleness	DAY 4 - ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE language study continual improvement in fluency *cultural adaption and understanding
DAY 5 - EFFECTIVE MINISTRY teaching, preaching, witnessing boldness, open doors *prepared hearts, fruitfulness	DAY 6 - TEAM RELATIONSHIPS other missionaries national evangelists, pastors, teachers
DAY 7 - COUNTRY OF SERVICE govt - national and local political situation visas, continued open door outreach to cities, villages, tribes

From materials of OMF International, 10 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120


	Dexter Church of Christ

Learn More Contact Us Events Mission to Kenya Fun Worship Duties