Bwanabob

5/12/2001

Dear Friends,

We haven’t written in some time so I hope we can fill you in on the last months news. We’ve had no lack of work to do and Jesus told us “Occupy till I come.” We are definitely set into the occupation of Turkana.

After we bought the plot of ground for the Bible Institute we began right away trying to get it ready to move classes there, but we’ll have to see how the students and pastors feel about meeting there with minimal facilities. We were able to finish the choo (outhouse), we also finished the gash (brush-arbor / shade area), we also have a bathing area minus doors, but most folks bathe after sundown anyway. The plot also came with a small mud house that we can use for a classroom. Along with the mud houses at the church plot right next to the school we might be able to accommodate everyone there. If not we’ll just have to meet in our house again this month.

Last month was also a month for meetings. School was out and everyone was home, so it was the best time to schedule our mini seminars. We started with a church leaders meeting for the men of our southwest churches. There were about 15 men in attendance from three different churches and one mission/preaching point. Our guest speaker was Benjamin Oyangi, a veteran evangelist from down-country Kenya. Benjamin gave lessons on how good church leaders make for a strong church and help the pastor do more work for the Lord. I taught lessons on temptations men face in our churches like greed/money, power struggles and “chasing women.” While we were teaching the men, Ericka taught the ladies of the area a couple of lessons.

Next we had a meeting for the ladies in the southern three churches. I taught one lesson, Benjamin Oyangi taught a lesson and Ericka taught the rest. I’ll let her fill you in on the details.

After the Ladies meeting we traveled back to Lodwar and were able to speak for a youth meeting. I taught a lesson on Gods plan for us taking a spouse and how we can defeat AIDS by following Gods plan. Again Benjamin Oyangi taught a lesson and so did Ericka.

All of the meetings were short, but we were able to help teach in each one and also provide a little assistance toward putting on the meeting. Although, this time I tried to decrease the amount I put into the meeting and tried to have the churches increase their part in the meetings. I believe that it’s all part of giving the churches confidence that if they ever find themselves without a missionary they will be able to say, “Hey, the missionary was helping in this small way while he was here and we were doing all the rest. Why don’t we go ahead and keep doing what we did before without what the missionary brought.” This is our goal anyway, to have the churches be completely indigenous and self sufficient, looking to the Lord Jesus for their needs.

All the churches are showing a willingness to give offerings and work toward their goals. Three churches have given offerings now to start new buildings. Pray that the Lord will provide enough funds for us to help them in their endeavors to build. Also, pray for the building of the Bible Institute, that we will do things in the Lords time and that resources will be there as needed.

Ericka’s report

The ladies’ seminars were wonderful. I taught ladies from each of our 5 churches and also ladies from a couple of the preaching points that the pastors have. I asked God to guide my words and that what is said will reach the ladies and that God would be glorified. During the seminars I taught about the Responsibilities of a Lady in the Church, How to Raise your Children in a Christian Home,and How to be a Good Wife. God truly spoke to the ladies. After each seminar there were ladies that came up and said that they would stop doing the sins that they were in and change. In one of my lessons I taught that we weren’t to use bad words, i.e. yelling, calling names, swearing, and fighting. Many women said that from now on they would stop using bad words. Or they said that they didn’t know they were supposed to do something and said they would start. Like one lady said, “I didn’t know I was supposed to love my children, and now I will.” It is amazing to see how God can guide a persons words and make them understood for a person of a different culture and for that person to completely change what they are doing. When they come up and tell me things like that, it makes my heart leap for joy. And it truly shows me that this is where God wants me. This also shows that God’s words are true in every culture. Some of these ladies walked many miles and made many sacrifices so that they could come and hear the teachings. They are starved for the Word of God! Total attendance for all of the seminars was more than 100 ladies.

Please pray for me and the ladies’ group of Lodwar, we are starting a new series of lessons dealing with how to live a Christian life. Most of the ladies in the church are new believers and are needing as much spiritual milk as they can get. Pray that they will learn and attain much from the teachings and that the words of the teacher for those lessons are from God.

Bob here again.

Thank you all for your prayers. We ask you continue to pray for us in the following areas. That we will have strength and the guidance of the Lord as we preach and teach. That the Lord would provide resources where they are needed. Pray for our group that will be coming in June to help us, that we will all be a blessing to one another and our plans would go smoothly.

God bless you all,

In Christ, Bob and Ericka