Kisii,
Kenya
August
6, 1986
Fraley's
Chapel Church of Christ
c/o
Jim Brown
Rt.
# 8 Box 320
Corinth,
Mississippi 38834
Dear
Fellow-workers in Christ,
We've been in Kenya for 9 months now! It's hard to believe that all that time has
passed already. It's a beautiful day
today as I write this letter. The
temperature is in the mid 70s, and we will probably get some rain this
afternoon. Right now it is sunny and
not a cloud in the sky. God has been so
good to us, that I can hardly count all of our blessings. He has given us this beautiful day, health
and energy. He has given us this
harvest to gather, and he has given us YOU to work with us, and to help
us along the way. For that we are truly
thankful.
This last month has had it's ups and downs as
all months do. I'll start with the
"ups". Eight people were
baptized last Sunday at a very small congregation called Ruga Ariyo. We especially rejoice over those eight
souls, as that congregation has struggled along without much growth for too
long. Please pray for them as they grow
and gain strength. Two of those eight
people were in their seventies. I was
particularly encouraged to see such elderly people who are willing to change
and become like children and strive to learn Gods word more fully.
At another congregation in the Kigoto area, we
attended a special Sunday worship where the men of several congregations
gathered together to study about giving.
That has been a hard concept for a people who have so little money. Their lessons were aimed at study to
determine if things other than money can be given to the collection in order to
help the work of the church.
I have had opportunity to teach two different
ladies groups, and I think they encouraged me more than I could ever encourage
them. The ladies have to leave their
work in the fields in order to attend the class, so I know they are very tired
when they come. Also, many of the ladies cannot read. However, they are good listeners and will try to memorize
important scriptures. At one class the
ladies were so appreciative that they gave Faye and I three eggs apiece as a
gift. That is a very expensive gift
coming from a people who rarely get to eat eggs.
The mission’s teachers say that all new
missionaries go through several stages of adaptation to a new culture, the
first of which is called the "Honeymoon Stage". In this stage, the new missionary is so full
of enthusiasm and excitement, that it blocks a realistic view of the people and
the culture. Well folks.
our
honeymoon is over! We have taken off
the rose-colored glasses and are beginning to see things a little more clearly.
It is true. Kenya is a ripe harvest and
the people are at the peak of receptivity, but these people have struggles
too. All too often they stumble and
fall, and are pulled back into the world.
And too many times, whole churches fall by the wayside. They need our
constant and fervent prayers. Please
remember them daily. You can be the
biggest help of all through your prayers.
Please don't forget to write to us. The most important part of our day is
when we go to the mailbox. You are our
lifeline. Oftentimes we pour over your
letters five and six times each. It is
a bleak day when we do not hear from you. We pray for all of you and your work
daily. And, we love and miss you very
much.
In Christian Love,
Barry
and Stacy
NOTE: We are meeting our budget just about as expected. There is enough in it now to meet some larger expenses such as, vehicle registration and insurance, and new tires. Also, at this rate, we will have enough money saved to pay for our plane tickets when our leave time comes around. Thanks!