His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
June 5, 1993

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

Greetings in the name of the Lord,

     This month of the year is always the hardest in South Nyanza.  For it
is called the month of death by the Luo's.  So far we have not received any
requests for medical help, however it is just the start of June.  We are
all experiencing a lot of the same sicknesses that the Luo's have; running
noses, headaches, sinus congestion, bronchitis and coughing,  The usual
that happens in America yearly with the change of seasons, however, due to
the lack of health care, health care knowledge, cold medicines and money
for treatment, many Luo's succumb to their sicknesses and die.  The Lord
has already taken home a Jaduong' (elderly Christian man), from the
Nyang'wara congregation, and the mother of Wilson Koroso, a Christian in
the Kombe congregation.  Please pray for your Luo brothers and sisters
during this season, so the Lord will bless them with health and strength
enough to survive.
     Since we have returned to South Nyanza, with the news that currently
there are only three and one half years remaining for us to serve among the
Luo people (before we begin a new work for the Lord in a new area), we have
experienced many mixed feelings among the Christians.  A few of the weaker
Christian men, are happy to hear that we will be leaving soon, since they
want to be leaders in a hierarchical system, and cannot while we are
present to teach against such a system in the Lord's church.  Some say that
we cannot leave, because the missionaries need to be present if the
.churches are to survive.  They feel insecure about making decisions on
their own, and say that the missionaries need to be present to tell them
what needs to be done Lords Supper; Giving; Teaching matter, etc.).
Others, feel that if the missionary does not worship with them on a regular
basis the church can not grow.     They feel  that they are not capable of
carrying on and teaching others and themselves.  Then there are some mature
leaders in South Nyanza that realize it is time for the missionaries to
leave, so the church can "walk with Christ", instead of walking with the
missionary.
    Many feel that our efforts in the remaining years need to be spent
trying to work with the weaker churches.  Many of which are not interested
in God, but in physical needs.  We, however, feel the need to try and
strengthen those Christians that are spiritually minded, so that when we
leave, many will be able to carry on by themselves.  We realize the need to
have a balanced work, and see that in order to be ready to leave the Luo
Christians in three and one half years, much teaching still needs to be
done.  Some churches are growing daily, without our help, and for this we
praise the Lord.  These churches take the initiative to worship, encourage
others, visit sick and wayward Christians and hold mid-week Bible classes
by themselves.  It is our hope and prayer to also instill this desire in
some of the other churches, making them less dependent on outside help,
through teaching and strengthening those that are capable of leading the
Lord's church in each congregation.  Hopefully, nurturing them to have the
mind of Christ, and a servant attitude towards the church and surrounding
community (Phillipians 2:5-8).
     As we continue to pray about the needs and feelings of the Luo
Christians, we ask that you also keep them in your prayers.  Many bridges
still need to be built and crossed to make this a lasting work for our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  We thank you for allowing us the opportunity to
work among the Luo's, and pray God's richest blessings upon you.

For Christ,
 
 

Barry J. Rosie