March 1996

His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
March 1, 1996

More than three years have passed since our last visit in the United States. At that time we expressed a desire to close out the work in South Nyanza and move to another field. It was our intention to return to our Luo brothers and sisters with the news of our impending move in 1996, in hopes that the transition between South Nyanza and another field could be made both smoothly and efficiently. Since that time many things have happened to make us question the wisdom of moving on. While we are seeing great growth spiritually in some areas, there are still many needs.

While visiting the churches from time to time has helped to encourage and strengthen, there is still a need for a more formal in depth teaching of those who are responsible, in the area of leading their respective congregations. In many instances there are none who are "qualified to teach", as the apostle Paul mentioned is necessary in the following verse.

There are several instances that show a need for more in depth teaching. One example of this happened just yesterday while worshipping at the Kibuon congregation. Many of you may remember Stacy writing about a woman named Debora and her young son Benjamin, who traveled to our home in hopes of being baptized. We were in the states at the time on furlough visiting with all of you, and upon returning to Kenya heard about how they walked a long distance to find us and put on Christ as their personal Saviour. All of this happened because they found W.B.S. literature that had our address stamped upon it.

It has been four years since Debora and Benjamin were baptized (October 1992), and a visit to their home (our third) was very revealing as to the state of their Christian walk. There are now five Christians that worship at Deboras' home. It is doubtful that they worship on a regular basis. When they do worship, Benjamin is the one who is responsible for seeing that they worship. During worship I was the person responsible for everything, including the opening and closing prayers. Benjamin led the meeting, and it is very easy to see that he needs much teaching in the area of worshipping our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

After I finished preaching, Benjamin was ready to close out the worship service. I followed him outside as to not embarrass him in front of those gathered, while mentioning the necessity to partake of the Lords Supper. After a short delay the items necessary for partaking were brought and put on the table that was in the middle of our circle. Then I proceeded to teach about the Lords Supper while explaining that the Christians in the first century partook every Sunday. When the Lords Supper was finished, Benjamin was once again ready to close out the worship service. This time a visiting Christian from the Nyarach congregation pointed out that one Item still remained in order to complete our worship. I stood up to teach on giving.

Before and after the worship service there were many questions to be answered from the word of God, showing that there is a desire to add knowledge and increase in wisdom. However, without the proper guidance, teaching and time in fellowship, the above mentioned worship service will continue to take place. There is a great need to train up leaders in the church of our Lord, giving them the materials in their own language (many cannot read English or Swahili), that will make it possible for them to study and grow in our Lord Jesus Christ. Without this teaching many follow the ways of the denominations from which they have come, and others see the church as just an extension of their denominations.

Please pray that Benjamin (and others like him) can receive the teaching that is so much needed in their daily lives, and also pray that we might be able to equip the leaders of His church for better service in the years to come as is stated in the book of Hebrews.

May the Lord richly bless you as you labor in His vineyard. We are looking forward to the time in the near future that we might talk face to face.