His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
May 1, 1994

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

Greetings from South Nyanza,

    Hope this months newsletter finds that you are all well.  We are all
well, only troubled by the common cold that has been brought on by a
change in the weather.  That is right, the long dry season that has
predominated Kenya for so long has finally broken.  Our water tanks and
well are both full, for this we praise the Lord.  The Luo community has
finally been able to plant, with hopes of a good harvest in the months of
August or September.  Please pray that the rain will continue, but not be
to much as to flood out the corn.
    As we work along side our Luo brothers and sisters we are pleased to
see them continually reaching out, and showing Christ to those in need of
spiritual food in their respective communities.  It is a blessing to be
able to attend meetings and have others willing to teach along with me.
Or, to go to a meeting and have others answer biblical questions besides
myself.  As we continue to see maturity of this kind, we are ensured that
the church will go on in South Nyanza.
    However, there are still areas of teaching that remain to be
covered.  During a three day meeting with the Moon family, we were able
to outline some of these areas, and put them before the Lord in the way
of prayer.  We were also able to draw up a tentative schedule outlining
those churches, and church leaders that we will try to teach intensively
in our remaining years.  We pray this schedule will help our brothers and
sisters know Christ even better, and be eager to reach out on their own
in both physical and spiritual matters, as our day of departure draws
closer.  Just as Jesus left His disciples (in the care of the Holy
Spirit; John 16:5-7), and returned to the Father, we hope to leave the
Luo Christians in God's care so that they may grow unhindered in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord.
    One area of teaching that is still needed is in the area of giving.
If the church cannot learn to give in accordance with their own daily
needs, then foreign, or outside help will always be needed if the church
is to survive.  The Luo people, along with many other peoples, do not see
themselves as givers, but rather receivers.  And it may be that as long
as the churches are provided for by outside help, the Luo Christians will
never see the need to be givers themselves.  A lot of this mind set has
been brought on by nations such as the United States.  For example, many
times when Kenya asks for foreign aid, countries such as the United
States, Britain, Germany and China (to name a few), give liberally to
help those that are in need.  Thus stopping Kenya from finding ways to
help themselves.
    Another good example, would be a conversation between a Christian
and myself one day.  This conversation took place before we were to go to
the United States on furlough in 1988.  A Christian brother asked if I
could request one vehicle (per church), that could be used by the
churches to spread the Gospel.  I told him I would not pass on his
request.  You see, in the first place to provide enough vehicles for each
congregation to have their own, would cost a lot of money.  And second,
upon further questioning to show him how much it cost to maintain a
vehicle, he decided that the churches in the United States could send
money monthly for fuel, tires and any other maintenance needs.
    It is true, that the Luo Christians are not as "blessed" as
Americans.  However, when you come to think of it, just how many
countries in the world are as blessed as "we Americans".  The United
States truly has been blessed by the Lord, but this should not, and does
not relieve us as Christians of the responsibility of laying by in store
(1 Corinthians 16:1,2).  As an example of giving, the average Luo
Christian gives approximately the equivalent of six and one half cents
(U.S. money) monthly, while their monthly income averages $25 U.S.
dollars.  One tenth of twenty five dollars is two and one half dollars.
However, the average Christian is only contributing roughly one thirty
seventh of that amount.  As you can see, we have much teaching ahead of
us in this area.  And this is only one of many that need addressing.
     Please pray for your brothers and sisters in all of the above
mentioned areas.  Their prayers together with ours are sure to bring
renewed growth and strength in the coming years.  We long for you daily,
and are grateful for your interest and prayers, both on our behalf and
concerning our Luo brothers and sisters.

Your Brother in Christ,
 
 

Barry J. Rosie