His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
April 1, 1991

Fraley's Chapel Church of Christ
c/o Jeff Young
Rt. # 2 Box 421
Corinth, Mississippi  38834

           "Do not be anxious then saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink? or 'With what shall we cloth ourselves?"  For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."   Matthew 6:31-33.

Pengo is a Christian who lives in the remotest part  of South Nyanza district. He has a large family, a few acres of land that flood each year  in April, and a herd of cows, sheep and goats.   In December, Pengo hosted the  annual gathering  of the Christians in South Nyanza for a weekend of singing, prayer and Bible study.   About 60 Christians attended the meeting most of whom walked for several days to attend.  Many carried a small sack of dried corn and a few shillings to donate to the meeting for the food.  Several bushels of cabbages and a basket of onions and tomatoes were also donated to help feed the guests.  But Pengo was worried.  Luo culture demands  that a host feed his guests well, even if it means taking food out of the children's mouths.  And feeding guests well demands meat.   What was he going to do?   No one had donated meat for this meeting.  And the few shillings that were donated would only buy two or three chickens.  Pengo solved the problem by the best way he knew how, but it wasn't easy.  He killed one of his cows to feed the meeting.  Killing a cow for Pengo is comparable to you giving about one half of your years salary to feed some guests for one weekend.  No, it was not easy at all for Pengo.  In fact, he had some difficulty even doing it gracefully,  letting everyone know the sacrifice he had made, and asking to be paid back by the Christians.  When no cow or money was given to him  in return,  Pengo became angry.   For months afterward he reminded his brothers and sisters in Christ that they owed him for his sacrifice.  Being a new Christian, Pengo had not yet learned that God is the One who provides.   But our God of truth,  who said, "seek first His kingdom. . ." blessed Pengo with a faith building lesson.  He provided!  This year, Pengo had two cows who each gave birth to twins.  A feat almost unheard of in South Nyanza where cows are little bigger than dogs in a land short of food and rampant with disease.  Our God of truth gave to Pengo fourfold what he had sacrificed for His Lord.  Today Pengo is praising God for providing.

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Otieno and Achieng' have been married for over 13 years and they only have one son.  In Luo culture where a man's children are counted as his wealth Otieno is considered a poor man, and Achieng' is laughed at or pitied by the women in the neighborhood.  A traditional Luo man would take another wife to solve this problem, but Otieno and Achieng' are Christians.  Adding wives cannot solve their problem.  Faith in God can.  God's way is not always the easiest way though.  Last year, Otieno's brother died.  In the eyes of the community this was the perfect solution to Otieno's problem.  Traditional Luo's practice levitate marriages.  A man takes his dead brothers wife, in fact, has a responsibility to take her, and continues to have children by her for his dead brother.  But Otieno refused.  As a Christian, he was seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first.  The community was in a uproar.  How dare Otieno refuse to do his duty to his dead brother (especially when it is believed that a dead relative can haunt one who displeases them).  The community elders thought Otieno crazy.  Why not take this sister-in-law as wife and become wealthier when she has more children?  The community elders must not be defied!  But Otieno defied them in obedience to his God.  Otieno said, "I could not even go out of my house because the elders were troubling me so."  Otieno persevered for his God, and his God provided.  Achieng', after 13 years, conceived last September and they will soon have a new baby in May.  The village elders are astounded.  Can it possibly be true that if one seeks after Him then He truly provides?  Otieno thinks so!

     Isn't it wonderful how God provides when we are seeking after Him, and in ways that we least expect?  ?his Year we have been seeking after Him but have been floundering, beset by sickness, death, vehicle problems, and the difficulties of working alone on the mission field.  He is providing though:

   * He provided us with a much needed visit by the elders of the Hermitage Road congregation in Richmond and Lawrence Barr former missionary in South Nyanza.  Their visit provided balm to aching hearts and encouragement to go on in this work.  For that we thank and praise Him.

   * He provided us with new co-workers (the Roger Moon family) with whom we are bonding closely.

   * He is sending us a third family also (the David High family) who will arrive soon.

   * Thanks and praise to Him, we hope soon to have a new and more dependable vehicle.

   * Most importantly, He has provided us with all of you (who are also seeking after Him) and whose prayers are so needed and welcomed!

We are praying for you as you seek after Him and continue to labor for Him, for we know that He will provide.

In Christian love
 
 

Barry, Stacy & Kit