Fraley's Chapel Church of Christ
c/o Jim Brown
Rt.  # 8 Box 29A
Corinth, Mississippi 38834

Dear friends and fellow workers,

        We wish you a wonderful, blessed and productive year for our Lord in 1988.  Barry and I certainly have a lot to be thankful for from 1987, and to look forward to in 1988.  We are planning a full and exciting year in "88* and ask your prayers for us and the work here in the corning months. We are seeking God's guidance daily, and appreciate your prayers and emotional support.

Biggest and Best:
God presented us with Kit Bartholomew Rosie on December 29, 1987 at 7:42 pm.  Although elfin in appearance, he weighed in at 8lbs. 5 oz. and seems to have his father's appetite.  I believe he also inherited his father's quiet, strong disposition for which I am daily thankful.  Kit weathered the birth process much better than mom, but currently we are both on the road to recovery, and learning and growing together with God's help hourly.

Most Encouraging:
has been God's harvest among the deaf community in Kisii.  Each time we meet with the deaf congregation, we are amazed at the miracle God has worked among the deaf here with only our meager hands to utilize.  Be sure and read the attached ”Update on the deaf church in Kisii town".

Slow, Steady and Strengthening:
Barry has spent the entire year with the four new congregations in South Nyanza (Ruga Gem, Sindo, Kanjiri, God Kwach) and he is generally pleased with their growth and maturity.  They have such a long way to go and he looks forward to working, praying and growing with them again in 1988.

A Backward Glance:
We are nearing the end of our first term on the field in Kenya.  God has blessed us in so many ways we cannot recount them all.  And God is blessing you too for your involvement in this work.  Continue to Pray.

1.  In the month of January, Barry and Lawrence plan to visit every church and preaching point in South Nyanza, gathering data and statistics of growth over the year 1987 in hopes of studying trends in church growth and formulating better future plans.

2.  February will be spent in intense prayer and teaching of new congregations in hopes of shoring them up in preparation for our ex-tended absence due to furlough plans.

3.  Plans and preparations are in the making for helping the deaf congregation to stand more independently.  They are rapidly growing out of our garage!

4.  Furlough is just around the corner.  We can't wait to share with you our work, and in your work for a short time this coming spring and summer.

5.  Upon return to Kenya in September, the balance of 1988 will be spent re-establishing ourselves with the work here in South Nyanza, and all efforts will be towards continuing to build, strengthen, grow, and learn with our Luo brethren.

Be thankful with us and pray with us for all that has happened in "87" and all that will happen in "88".  We love you and can't wait to see you!

                                                                                                    For Christ,
 

                                                                                                    Barry, Stacy and Kit Rosie
 
 

Many of you have been interested in the deaf church that is growing in Kisii town.  There have been over twenty baptisms among the deaf and their families.  There is a large community of deaf in the town, partly because there is a hardware business that employs over fifty deaf men.  Several other businesses employ three to five deaf people.  No one realized how many deaf there were in the town until Simion Momanyi learned sign language and began working with them.

The Bible studies Simion was teaching have now grown into a small congregation that meets every Lord's Day.  The church meets in a one-car garage, but is outgrowing it.  We have been praying for a solution to the meeting place problem.

There is a primary school nearby: it was considered as a meeting place, but the headmistress is Pentecostal and does not welcome anyone else using the facilities.  The next nearest school that might be rented is across town, and since most of the deaf live on our side of town and all walk, it is too far away.

A few days ago, Mr. David Mwebi, a Kisii neighbor, came and offered a small lot for sale.  He is building some apartments nearby and needs money to finish them.  He said several people were interested, but he would give the church first choice.  The deaf Christians live and meet just a couple of blocks from the lot that is for sale! It would be within easy walking distance for them.

The lot is 67' x 80'. David's first price was $5000, but after negotiating, he settled on $4200.  It seems that this property, located in the very neighborhood where many of the deaf live, is an answer to prayer.  A small temporary building with mud walls and tin roof can be erected to meet immediate needs, then can be replaced as the congregation grows.

This lot seems small, but parking is not a problem as everyone walks.  It can probably be expanded in the future if it becomes necessary.  If the church had its own meeting place, another congregation, with services for hearing people, could be started. The building could also be used for Bible studies, ladies classes and leadership training classes.

In order to secure this property as a meeting place for the growing deaf church, David must have the money as soon as possible. The deaf congregation must move from their present meeting place soon, and it seems that David‘s offer is an answer to prayer (no one had even looked for property to buy).

The deaf in Kenya are an unreached people. There is no other place in in Kisii that they are being taught the Bible through sign language (most people in Kenya think the deaf are entirely incapable of learning). The deaf in Kisii have responded with enthusiasm and thanksgiving to the message of salvation in a language they can understand.

Thank you for your prayers for Simion and for the new deaf Christians.  Please continue praying for them.