His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
March 10, 1993

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

Dear friends and family in Christ,

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Psalm 63:7.

We have so much about which to rejoice!

REJOICE!

We had a wonderfully relaxing, enjoyable and spiritually uplifting furlough.
Thank you so much for receiving us with open arms, making our short stay in
the States so special, and for sending us off again with such heartfelt prayers.  Furlough
was a real blessing and we are rejoicing while resting in the shadow of His wings.

REJOICE!

It is so good to be home again (humble though it be this time around).  There is truly
no place like home.  The Luo's have also welcomed us back with open arms and with many
words of appreciation for moving into South Nyanza and living right amongst them.  They
seem so happy with our move.  It has certainly been worth the sacrifice of electricity, running
water and telephone.  But wait!  There are more reasons for rejoicing.  Direct dial telephoning
has come to this area and we are just within the border for having a phone installed.  Our phone
will be in soon and our new number is #011-254-387-43263.  My Luo sisters have come in
droves to greet us and to pray for our new house and situation.  We are resting in the shadow of
His wings.

REJOICE!

Kit has started school and we are down to a regular routine.  Starting school each morning
has come as natural to him as breathing.  He even reminds me if I am a few minutes late getting
started.  We are both enjoying school so much and Kit is proving to be a very apt student.  He has already learned all his vowel sounds and has begun to sound out words.  He will be reading in no time.  I'm so proud of his progress.  Home schooling can be very difficult, but we are resting in the shadow of His wings.

REJOICE!

Our "choo" (pit latrine) is finally finished.  Bushes have sufficed for the last two months and we were being content with our lot, but when you're resting in the shadow of His wings, even a latrine becomes a huge blessing and cause for rejoicing.

REJOICE!

We arrived back in Kenya to receive some more super good news.  You may remember
several months back when I shared with you the story of Elisha Otieno and how he stood
on faith against his family and friends who were demanding that he take his widowed sister
in law as second wife.  You may also remember that Elisha had been married for thirteen years
and had no children of his own.  His wife Florence had not conceived in thirteen years, but that
did not deter Elisha from standing for truth.  He was persecuted by the neighborhood to the
extent that he couldn't leave his house.  But truth prevailed and soon after, God blessed Florence
and Elisha with a baby boy.  Florence is now expecting their second child and we now call her
"Florence Hannah".  She and Elisha are resting in the shadow of the wings of the Savior.

REJOICE!

Last Sunday we visited the Ugoro church in the home of Samwel Omolla.  Maybe you have
someone in your congregation like Samwel.  Quiet, unassuming, not particularly talented,
but a real pillar of faith and rock to the congregation.  The trouble here is that Samwel has
very little of what can be called a congregation.  He lives in a remote area.  One which the
missionary cannot often get to.  Many of the Christians there have lost heart because their
minds were set on earthly things.  And Samwel is not one of those multi-talented people who
can carry a whole congregation on his shoulders.  But there is cause for rejoicing.  We arrived
there unannounced on Sunday morning to find Samwel, his wife, and seven children gathered
around the Lord's Table.  Samwel was teaching them from the Bible in a way the way that especially children understand.  What better way to assure the growth of the church than to concentrate on the children, the Christians of the future.  I can see at least seven congregations growing out of that little home church.  Samwel is not losing heart, he is not sitting back and bemoaning his lack of talent or ability to keep the adults of the church entertained.  He is not waiting for the missionary to come and do the work.  He's using what he has to ensure a church of the future, and he's just the type of mature Christian we are trying to develop.  And best of all, Samwel is resting in the shadow of His wings.

REJOICE!

We are certainly back to work.  Barry has already been away for five days teaching this
month and there are two more weekend courses planned before the end of March.
Teaching school is full time for me, and my ladies classes are already booked up
through April, not to mention the ladies course I am in the process of planning, to teach
the Luo women how to teach their children about God.  But there's one more thing we
consider a blessing.  Already, we are making plans to make at least two survey trips
in the next year to other countries in Africa, in hopes of pinpointing that field of unreached
peoples that need His Word so desperately.  Put them on your prayer list please.  We
are hoping to go to Namibia and Tanzania this year, and then hope to survey Madagascar
and Burkina Faso in 1994.  And please don't forget to rejoice, because we are resting in
the shadow of His wings.
 

REJOICE!  AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO PRAY!

We value and need every single prayer you send up for us, for this work among the Luo,
and for the work we are seeking in the future.  Pray especially for Florence Hannah and the
birth of her baby, and for Samwel and family as they labor for Him in their remote corner.
We love you, pray for you, and know that you too are rejoicing and resting in the shadow of His
wings.

For Him,
 
 

Barry, Stacy and Kit
 

PS.  We have received word from our elders that there was a mistake in the address of
the January newsletter and that our support checks were going to the wrong place.
Sorry for the inconvenience.  Please take note of the address at the top of this
newsletter and send support checks there.  Thanks a bunch!