Bwanabob

7/27/2000

Dear Friends,

Things have been going well here in Kenya even without electricity. Many might have heard that most of the country was without power last Saturday, but when your used to not having power for half of a day, there’s no problem in loosing power all day.

On Monday my fiancé, Ericka, left Nairobi and headed back to the States. She’s returning to get everything ready for our wedding on September 23rd. I’m staying on here to try and get everything settled for our time in the States. It will only be for four months and I hope that while I am gone it will help the Turkana pastors to grow into some of the areas I have been working in.

I have a blessing to report, while in Nairobi I picked up vitamins to distribute in Turkana. While at the PSF (Pharmacies Without Boarders) office I asked them if they had the cure for Malaria. They said of course and gave me the price right away, less than 10 cents per dose. I was able to buy enough tablets to cure close to 400 people for about $30! The same medicine usually retails here for about $1 per dose. Malaria is probably the main cause of death in Kenya and next to that are AIDS related illnesses. This medicine should be a great help to the churches and villages where we minister in the bush. Please pray that the medicine will be used in a way that will give honor and glory to God.

I’m not sure how much news everyone gets in the States about remote areas in Africa, but this last week we had some pretty serious fighting near Turkana that could affect us in the future. Just over the border in Uganda the Karamajong people have had some “cattle wars” that left nearly 100 dead. It is reported that some Turkana were involved in the fighting as well. There is currently peace between the Turkana and Karamajong people, but if this peace breaks it could make it very insecure to work in the areas west of where our churches are. Just pray that things will settle down and that this recent conflict won’t escalate and hinder the spread of the Gospel.

On Saturday I’m planning to head back to Turkana with most of the material for a church roof and a load of household items for Ericka and I. Please pray for the truck. It is a good little truck and has never left me stranded, but I’m always doing preventive maintenance and finding little problems before they become big problems.

There is quite a bit on my schedule this month that I wasn’t able to do last month, so pray that I can get everything done. We have a pastors meeting in Lodwar, a youth camp, then a two day ladies meeting.

Thank you all for your prayers and hope to see some of you in the States this year.

In Christ, Bob Clark

7/11/2000

Dear Friends and loved ones,

It’s been some few weeks since I’ve written, Ericka and I have been running quite a bit but we’re doing fine. This week we were to be in Lodwar at the Bible Institute. Unfortunately, we have both come down with a cough and sinus problems. Ericka went to see a doctor and he started her on some antibiotics, so now I’ve started the same medication. As for the Bible Institute I arranged for the pastors to continue without me, please pray for them. A large part of my ministry is encouraging the local churches to stand strong and encouraging the pastors to rely on the Lord for strength and direction. This month of Bible Institute is a little test of their ability and willingness to go on without me. Please pray for them!

I’ve been wanting to start work on the roof for the church at Juluk. I have the material to begin making steel trusses and all is here for me to start, the only problem is being sick and not having electricity to weld with. We are on a very erratic rationing schedule for electricity in Eldoret. It seems I’ll need to haul everything to Lodwar, assemble the rafters there, then carry them back south to Juluk. Very little ever works as planned here in Kenya. I guess one of the top qualifications for a missionary is STAY FLEXIBLE!

Last week Ericka and I visited some friends who work with the Masai near the Masai Mara game park. It was an encouragement for both of us. Ericka was able to get lots of great advice from Pam. Paul and I discussed some common problems we are having in the ministry even though we work on different sides of the country. Praise God for those who’ve gone before us! On the way back north Ericka and I used a different road that everyone said was fine. Come to find out it was one of the worst I have ever been on, it wore us out and made for a very long day getting back to Eldoret.

Ericka and I continue making plans for the wedding on September 23rd and for life when we return to Kenya. My pastor has suggested that I stay in the States for a few months and raise some extra support. Our plan is to return to Kenya in January before we start the second year of Bible Institute. I don’t like being away from the work, but this is the way the Lord has directed. I won’t be leaving Kenya until September 9, so keep e-mailing me here until we have a new address in the States.

Thanks for your E-mails and God bless you all.

In Christ, Bob Clark