Barry and Stacy Rosie

P.O. Box 2568

Kisii, Kenya

East Africa

June 8, 1987

Fraley's Chapel Church of Christ

c/o Jim Brown

Rt. # 8 Box 320

Corinth, Mississippi 38834

Dear Friends,

The rains are still upon us here in Kisii, and we are literally up to our ears in mud. Barry left early this morning heading for God Kwach where he scheduled a Bible lesson, but he doesn't have much hope of getting through the mud. Two weeks ago, when we traveled to God Kwach for our weekly Bible class, we sank clear to the tops of our tires in mud, and on the way home, we drove through a four-foot mud puddle. No Kidding! When we first sank into the mud, one very neighborly Luo, called his friends, and twenty of them just lifted us out of the mud. Yes, you have the picture. By hand, they just lifted our car out of the mud. How's that for a good deed? The Luos say all this rain is good for their corn. They are expecting a big crop this season. I'm a little concerned about what the rain is doing to their health. We all are literally waging war against the mosquitoes, and bronchitis and pneumonia have a strong hold this month. Barry and I are in tiptop shape though. You've all heard me say before; The germs just don't like us!

Other than the mud hindering us, the work is moving right along. Five more baptisms this month in the new congregations. You know, sometimes we look at those figures (six baptisms in April, nine in May, and five in June) and we feel a little deflated. We came to Kenya with visions of standing up, preaching a gospel sermon just like Peter, and experiencing three thousand conversions in one day. It's just not that way, and in many ways we are thankful for that. After all, how would we ever be able to keep up with teaching that many new Christians? As it is, we are able to individually nurture each new soul in Christ. And with all that one-to-one teaching, they become so much stronger in the Lord. Soon, we pray, they will be able to convert others to Christ without us. So don't get the idea we are preaching to, and converting thousands daily. But! We are so encouraged to see each new Christian bring one friend or relative to hear the word. After much prayer and thought about it, we feel God is handing us as much as we are able to handle. And so. . . we're out there in the rain and mud, hustling for Him daily.

I'm going to ask you for special prayer for a friend of mine. Her name is Siprina Auko. I call her Mama Dixson, because her eldest son's name is Dixson. That's a common way of addressing a mother with respect in this culture. Mama Dixon lives in the God Kwach area, and all of her family was converted to Christ months ago. But Mama Dixson is holding back. She says she is trying to discern if she is really being taught the Truth. Mama Dixson is an old and illiterate, but very wise woman, so in a way, I can understand her hesitation and desire to be able to discern the Truth. But at the same time, I want so desperately for her to become a part of Christ. She attends every worship and Bible class, listens attentively, and asks good questions. Please pray with me for the doubt to be removed from Mama Dixson's heart so that she can know the full measure of Christ.

We love and appreciate you. We miss you. And we pray for you and your work there daily. Until next month, Oriti (Good bye, literally He guards you).

For Him,

Barry and Stacy Rosie