Barry and Stacy Rosie

P.O. Box 2568

Kisii, Kenya

East Africa

March 5, 1987

Fraley's Chapel Church of Christ

c/o Jim Brown

Rt. # 8 Box 320

Corinth, Mississippi 38834

Fellow Servants in Christ,

Another month has passed and we continue to be blessed both spiritually and physically. Daily we learn more about the Luo people and their culture. As we continue to grow in the language and culture we find new areas that can be developed to help the work. Leadership among the churches is weak at this time.

It is our desire to be able to train men so that the churches can be more independent. Also, we have started helping a young man who is learning sign language. In the past sign language was looked down upon, and lip reading was demanded in the schools for the deaf. As sign language becomes more accepted the work with the non-hearing Luo people should blossom. Already about 14 have been added to the Lord. Several within the last few months. The Luo people as a whole are very encouraging to us. Many times I am told I know the Luo language. At the same time though, I realize how far I have to go to be fluent. Knowing what I want to say, and not being able to say it, at times, is a constant reminder of the need for growth.

After 1 year and 3 months in Kenya our work is finally starting to fall into a routine. Stacy is going out at least once a week to teach the ladies of various congregations, and I have 3 new places that I go and teach on a weekly basis. Sometimes Stacy is able to go along with me and teach in those places also. On Sundays in the month of March we are trying out a new idea. We are going to go to the same congregation every Sunday to hopefully encourage and build them up. After the month is over we want to hold an evangelistic meeting in their area to reach the community.

We ask your prayers for this effort, both for us and the Luo Christians and non-Christians that it may be accepted well. In our Tuesday night devotionals with the Barrs, another missionary family and ourselves, we have been watching a series of videotapes on "Covenant". These have been very interesting and informative, dealing with Gods covenants that have been made with man down through the ages. At one time God made a covenant with Abraham. To seal the covenant or make it binding Abraham took some animals, cut them in half, and God passed through between the two halves of the animals (Gen. 15). This is interesting because we have found out that in the recent past the Luo 's also made covenants. To seal or make the covenant binding the Luo people would cut a dog in half. In the Luo language this was called "ngado guok", to "cut a dog" or to make a covenant. Hopefully this can be used in the future to show the Luo people the importance of keeping Gods covenant in their lives. Baptizing people here is not as hard as keeping them faithful after they are baptized. By teaching "covenant", it is our desire to impress upon them the magnitude of their action in baptism, so they will remain faithful.

As Paul was thankful for the help that he received from the Philippians, so we are for the help we receive from you. Without your love for us, and desire to help the work with the Luo people, none of this would be possible. Please continue to pray for the work and write when possible. May the Lord bless you as richly as He blesses us daily.

In Christian Service,

Barry and Stacy Rosie