Michael Gowens' 2013 Africa Journal

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Elder Vernon Johnson's Update on Gospel Labors in Africa – 23 August 2011

1. Kenya – The elders in Kenya continue to be blessed to reach out to others in the villages surrounding Kisii. There are now numerous fellowships that have been established in the Kisii area. Recently a group of preachers approached Elders Martin and Charles inquiring as to what Primitive Baptists believe. Subsequently these two elders preached to the respective congregations. Consequently, there are six more preachers who have indicated that they want to study the bible beliefs held by the Primitive Baptists. Elder Martin has also informed me that there are several young men that the elders in the Kisii area believe are about ready to be ordained. I expect several ordinations in the near future and this to be followed by the constitution of several more churches.

2. Uganda – Elder Charles continues to go to Mbale , Uganda each month and preach to a sizeable group of brothers and sisters in that area. He continues with studies with the leaders for about a week in that city each month.

3. Tanzania – Elder Moses is leading a new fellowship in Mbeya. This is the childhood home place of the late Elder Obey Ndalima. The previous post includes a journal written by Elder Charles of Kenya who made a recent preaching tour of Mbeya.

4. Zambia – The work continues in this country. Elder Mark Hasenmyer and myself have a scheduled trip to visit with the fellowship headed by Bro. Kezala Ngoma in October of this year. Bro. Kezala leads a group of about 50 people in the town of Mumbwa a few kilometers from Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia .

5. Botswana – The work here continues with a handful of believers. I am now able to study with a couple of the brethren on Skype. I had planned a trip to South Africa and Botswana in November of this year, but I have had to postpone the trip to late January/early February for financial reasons.

6. Ghana – Bro. Aikins Doh and a Bro. Nathaniel are heading up three fellowships in Ghana . Recently Bro. Aikins received a visitor from Nigeria who had visited him about two years before. At the time of the first visit Bro. Aikins shared with the man some of our beliefs and copied for him several of the studies that I had sent to Bro. Aikins. On the return visit the man told Bro. Aikins that he had studied the materials and that he had a group of over 50 people that he is leading and trying to teach to them what he had learned. The brothers name in Nigeria is Christopher Onyeneka. He is a business man in Nigeria .

7. Nigeria – Bro. Christopher Onyeneka requested Bro. Aikins to come to Nigeria and begin teaching the members of his fellowship the beliefs of the Primitive Baptists. Bro. Aikins recently visited Nigeria and spent nearly two weeks with this group of people. I have attached Bro. Chris letter of request and Bro. Aikins journal of his visit.

Bro. Vernon Johnson

Elder Charles Kenyanjui's Trip to Dar and Mbeya, Tanzania

Dear Brethren,

I thank God for your faithfulness to the cause of Christ, I give thanks always for you, your families and the churches.

I departed from Kisii on Wednesday night 20th July 2011. After a long ride I reached Dar on Friday 22th July 2011 at 1:00AM at Ubungu bus terminal, and I met Elder Anthony waiting for me. Then he took me on his motor bike to the church.

On Saturday 23th July morning hours I visited with Elders, Anthony, Moses and his wife to be in the upper room in the church, and we rejoiced together in the Lord. In the evening I meet with the Lord's people for a worship service, and I preached to them. They were so happy to receive me back. I really show the love of God for we rejoiced in the Lord together.

On Sunday 24th July we had two brethren who wanted to join the church by means of baptism so I baptized them before worship service starts. Among those I baptized one was Lonica Magadilo who will join Elder Moses has his wife as from on Sunday 14th August 2011.

After the baptism service we joined the Lord's people for the worshiping service. The turn out was good, and it was a blessing for me to preach. I preached from Matthew 7:13 -14. There is indeed a strait gate and a narrow way that few people find, but it is not leading to heaven, but rather to life or temporal blessings. It is the path of truth and true vital godliness here in this present world. It is the path in which alone is found the enjoyment of a life [true living] that can be obtained in no other way. It is the path of truth in doctrine, practice and experience. It is the path of those who worship God in spirit and in truth. The Scriptures plainly tells us that Christ redeemed His people to God by His blood out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation {Rev 5:9} Also, they reveal to us that this elect family constitutes a great multitude that no man can number, of all nations,{Rev.7:9]

After worshiping service was over I called Elder Moses to come forward and his wife to be, I announced their marriage before the church and they were happily received by the church; this was the first announcement which was made. I gave Moses a chance to put on the engagement ring to his bride. It was a blessing to me and to the church. On 25th July we had a meeting with the Elders present namely Moses, Thaddus, Anthony and myself on how to edify the church in Dar and how to nature the fellowship which God has opened in Mbeya.

On 26 July Tuesday Elder Moses and I we departed to Mbeya. We took the bus at 6:00 am. It was along ride and we arrived safely through God's Grace, Love and Mercy, at around 7:30 p.m. On 27th Wednesday we went to see the hired house which serves as a church, it was a nice house and on a good side and behind it was a pit latrine for the Lord's people.

On 28 Thursday July we went to visit with the parents of the late Obey in Mbalizi here we took two buses. Bro. Moses had informed them that we were to visit them. When we reached their home they were waiting for us. We sheared good moment with them. There we met with the father of Obey, the mother and a sister to Obey and the twins of the late Obey, named Gift and Given. They came home for their August holy days. We had good moments with them, and the twins were so happy to share with us. After a short discussion, now the father of Obey said that the pastors from America have shown the true love of God by carrying our burden which we were to carry by

1. Taking care of the late Obey's family
2. Paying the school fees for the orphans
3. Cooperating and taking the body of their son home

They thanked God for your generous donation May God bless you. He said that due to your love and the love of Kenyans during the time his son was sick. After that both parents wept openly. Then I closed the speech with a word of prayer then we left for Mbeya. It was a wonderful moments.

On Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July we visited with some members of the fellowship and I really rejoiced to shear the word of God with them. On Sunday 31st July we went to the church, and I was happy to see the members arrived in the church building in time. I preached the topic was to be born of the spirit. The members rejoiced to hear the true gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One member of the fellowship who was old in age told me that THE PREACHING WHICH IS IN PRIMITIVE IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD. What a blessing.

On Monday 1st August early in the morning we left for Dar and we reached late at 9:30 pm. I thank God for the safely journey back to Dar. I rested for two days thus on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd August.

On Thusrday4th August 2011 I departed to Kenya and I reached home on Friday of 5th August 2011at 9:00 am in the morning, safely through God's Grace and love. I was happy to reunite with my wife Josephine and my children. Filden is doing fine, and he is at home for August holidays

May God bless you all. I thank my God making mention of you always in my prayers.

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Elder Charles Kenyanjui.

Elder Tim McCool's Journal of Trip to Ghana & Tanzania

Although this is a somewhat lengthy account of my recent trip to Africa, I hope the details of God's mercy and providential care will be a blessing to God's people.
This past February-March of 2011, Elder David Crawford and I planned to travel to Ghana, West Africa, for several days, and then fly to Tanzania, East Africa. While in Ghana, we expected to meet with Bro. Aikins Doh, and the fellowships that are ongoing there. While in Tanzania, we intended to meet and study with 12 preachers from Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania, as well as to examine and ordain 4 elders in the church at Daresalaam, Tanzania.
There is an old saying about “the best laid plans.” While the trip was incredibly rewarding spiritually, and I trust profitable to God’s people, it was not without its challenges.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Elder David Crawford and I met at the Atlanta airport to begin our journey to Ghana to preach the gospel. After visiting for several hours and looking forward to our trip, we were informed that Elder Crawford would not be allowed to board the plane without a visa or letter of application for a visa. I had previously obtained my visa, but Elder Crawford had none. With less than 20 minutes to departure, Bro. David was informed that he could not fly. After praying and consulting with one another, we determined that I should proceed to Ghana without Elder Crawford, who would try and obtain passage to Tanzania as soon as possible.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 After an all night flight I arrived safely in Accra, Ghana. Due to a breakdown in the transportation, Bro. Aikins Doh was not able to pick me up until about 5 hours later. We finally arrived in the Volta Region, City of Ho around 8 p.m. that night. At the time I did not know that Elder Crawford had secured a Thursday night flight to Tanzania.
Thursday-Saturday, February 24-26, 2011 Over these several days, we traveled to and from the second fellowship that was begun under Bro. Aikins’ guidance. I note that the attendance was greatly affected by the time of year being the planting season. I was encouraged to meet Bro. Nat, who is a close friend of Bro. Aikins and very much learned in the doctrines of grace. On Saturday night, we held services at Nat’s residence. I spent time reviewing the new birth, which we had covered previously.
I was informed that due to a death in the village of the first fellowship, the services would be held there around 4 a.m. the next morning. Apparently the local tribal leader had forbidden all church services after sunrise in respect of the dead. Bro. Aikins, Bro. Nat and I discussed the sinfulness of this requirement.
Sunday, February 27, 2011 I arose around 3 a.m. and prepared for the two church services. We were unable to reach the first fellowship until about 6:45 a.m. Upon arrival, I was informed there would be no Sunday service at all at the first fellowship. I visited the residence of the dead villager and was astonished to see the activities for the dead. Old women were chanting and playing drums, little children were running about, and much ado was being made over the dead. I later found a brother who was a leader in the first fellowship and informed him that I would meet with them immediately in worship if he would gather the members together. I also informed him how sinful it was to observe customs related to the dead rather than worship God. Unfortunately, he did not take me up on my offer.
We left and traveled to the second fellowship and held a morning worship service at Bro. Nat’s house. There were around 12 in attendance. Bro. Nat offered himself to be baptized. We left and the car broke down about 15 miles from town. It was extremely hot, but a vehicle came along and eventually picked us up. Later that afternoon, I baptized Bro. Nat in a creek.
Monday-Wednesday, February 28-March 2, 2011 The last three days were filled with some studying and repairing Bro. Aikins’ car. A very eventful service occurred in a 3rd fellowship Monday afternoon. In a village not far from the second fellowship, we visited until dark with these good people, and about 30-35 were gathered at the local chief’s residence to hear the truth for the first time. It was interesting to see that Bro. Nat was able to answer many of the questions asked by the villagers.
On Wednesday, we traveled to the capital of Accra, and I boarded a plane for Daresalaam (via Nairobi). The flight arrived at 5 a.m. in Nairobi, the on to Dar at 9 a.m.
Thursday, March 3, 2011 –In Daresalaam, I was picked up at the airport by Bro. David, my dear friend Elder Martin Onyoni, and several other brothers. I must note at this point that Bro. David, while waiting for my arrival, checked with the airline about moving up our upcoming Wednesday flight. After many days of study in Tanzania before I arrived, he felt like it was time to go home after the ordinations this coming Sunday. I too had previously checked about an earlier flight, but both of us were disappointed to learn the flights were full.
We traveled to the hostel, which was situated on a hillside overlooking an inlet of the Indian Ocean. From there we traveled to the market to obtain pork that Bro. David intended to prepare on the next day for lunch. After obtaining the meat, we traveled to the church building. What a blessing the church has in being able to worship in such an excellent building. The late Elder Obey Ndalima would be so pleased.
We ate lunch at the home of the late Elder Obey, and enjoyed an afternoon service. It was wonderful to be with the Kenyan preachers, the Tanzanian preachers, and also the Zambian preachers who joined us.
It is significant to note that Bro. David and I conversed with a Swiss doctor whose family was also staying at the hostel. This man, who we now know as Dr. Kimmler, is employed at a medical clinic in Mbeya (about 13 hours away by bus). He just “happened” to be in town for the birth of his 4th child. His wife was in the local private hospital, waiting to have the child any day. The good doctor was in his late 30s or early 40s, and a wonderful person. He explained to us that he had been working in Africa for many years and his only purpose for being in the capitol was for the birth of the child. His presence in Dar became more significant to us later.
Friday, March 4, 2011 – We held services at the hostel, which supplied a large upper room in which all 14-15 of us could fit. I covered the three “courtrooms” of justification (grace, faith, and works) throughout the day. During our studies, Bro. David was preparing an American style bbq meal for the brothers. Around 3 p.m. the meal was ready, we broke services for the day and ate. The meal Bro. David prepared was such a blessing to us all. I was honored to help serve the meal to our brothers.
Saturday, March 5, 2011 – We rested this day and enjoyed time seeing some sights. While traveling, Bro. David pointed out to me that he had a tiny nick on his finger that was bothering him. It seems that he cut his finger on Thursday or Friday morning when preparing the uncooked meat. We finally made it back that night at Bro. David went to bed.
Sunday, March 6, 2011 –This was quite a spiritually eventful day. Bro. David woke me very early this morning. He appeared pale and feverish, and showed me his finger, now greatly swollen. His first words were, “Bro. Tim, I am very sick.” The first thought that occurred to me was to go to the airport at the first opportunity today. The second thought was to go and pay a visit to Dr. Kimmler.
Bro. David went back to his room and I paid a visit to Dr. Kimmler’s room. His wife had delivered their 4th child on the day before (Saturday). I found him in his room and entreated him to come and see Bro. David. In a few minutes he came to Bro. David’s room and viewed his finger, and informed Bro. David that he had an aggressive form of staph that is on African meat and only affects Americans and Europeans. Dr. Kimmler said,” Yah (imagine Swiss lingo), I was hoping you wuld not cut yur finguh when I saw you handling thaht meat…” This was certainly disturbing.
At that point, Dr. Kimmler produced from his pocket a 3-day dose of antibiotics that he described as the latest drugs from Switzerland for this particular form of staph infection. I must pause and give praise to the God of heaven in providentially blessing us to encounter this doctor, who just "happened" to be in Dar at the precise moment that we were, and who just “happened” to have the right medication for Bro. David's illness. Truly, He is able to overrule and overcome all obstacles.
Bro. David immediately began the medication and we left for morning services. He was so sick that he slept through the services in the pastor’s study upstairs at the church building. The church members were fed a catered lunch, and then we held the ordination services of Bro. Kenny, Bro. Anthony and Bro. Thaddeus that afternoon. Bro. David through sheer determination and the enabling grace of God made it through the service as the clerk and also questioning the candidates. Elder Martin and I delivered the charge. We finished around 4:30 p.m. I might add that we had intended to ordain Bro. Moses, but regretfully he was hindered from being in the country on this day. (NOTE: Bro. Moses was ordained a few weeks later).
The burden to visit the airport was still pressing me. Bro. David was so ill that it was necessary for him to lie down at the hostel. When we put him in bed at the hostel, I had a burning confirmation in my heart that he would not be able to rest very long. Along with Elder Martin, Bro. Kezala (from Zambia), Elder Anthony and another brother, we immediately departed for the airport. I checked in at security in order to visit the KLM business office that was housed in a back hallway of the airport. I met with much discouragement along the way – I was told no one would be there, we had already both checked on upgrading the flights - yet I could not ignore the burden that was pressing me onward.
I arrived at the office to find the door securely locked and no one inside, but I noticed a sheet of paper pushed through the top of the doorway. Disappointed, I took the African brothers to supper at the airport, then I returned alone to the KLM office to wait. Curious, I pulled the piece of paper out of the door and discovered it was assignment instructions for the KLM personnel for the 12:45 a.m. flight that very night. This was a clear indication to me that someone would return soon, so I replaced the paper and sat down and waited.
While I waited, I received a call from back home. It was time for worship at Bethlehem, and I was able to talk by speaker phone to the ones gathered for worship in Alabama. In light of my anxiety over Bro. David's serious condition and the fear of not getting him home safely, this was highly encouraging. I informed them nothing of the recent developments.
After more waiting, a flight attendant came and allowed me into the office. I inquired about the flight change, and she informed me it was not only full, but overbooked! This was more discouragement, but I could not help but think the Lord had put it in my heart to come to the airport and press on. Moments later, a friendly airline employee checked the flights and was able to move our tickets up to that very night. My soul rejoiced in this providential provision! By now it was nearing 9 p.m. and the flight was in less than 4 hours. Excited, we rushed from the airport and returned to the hostel, only to find Bro. David fast asleep and very sick.
After incessant knocking on the door, Bro. David managed to come to the door with sweat pouring off his face. My first words to Bro. David were:
“Bro. David, pack your things, we’re going home.”
Bro. David responded, in his feverish stupor, “I…I… can’t Bro. Tim, I am too sick.”
I responded, “Bro. David, we have to go home, the Lord has moved up our tickets to tonight. You can lean on me, I will carry you, but we must get you home tonight.”
He said, “You’re right, Bro. Tim, but I don’t know if I can pack…”
At this point Elder Charles and Elder Martin stepped forward to graciously offer their services to pack for Bro. David, whose bed was drenched in sweat and he still trembling in his weakened condition. I note that after only one dosage of the powerful medicine from the providential Dr. Kimmler, the swelling of Bro. David's finger had completely assuaged. Bro. David gave instructions while Bro. Martin and Bro. Charles packed his luggage.
We quickly returned to the airport, said goodbye to our brothers in Christ, and checked in. The main thought on my mind was, “Won’t the folks back home be surprised when we show up two days early!”
After a few minutes waiting that seemed like hours, the helpful attendant showed up and finalized our booking on the midnight flight. I must note this further bit of providence. We carried several hundred dollar bills (USD) apiece for the trip. We found that the Tanzanians would take no US 100 dollar bills dated earlier than 2003 due to counterfeiting that had taken place there. This rendered over 1/2 of our cash unusable. On this particular night, neither of us had any 100 dollar bills left that were dated later than 2003, and the upgrade for the tickets had to be paid in cash. Throughout our time in Tanzania, there was only one place we used 100 dollar bills where the cashier did not check the date on the bills to see if they were 2003 or earlier - the KLM employee who upgraded our tickets for the midnight flight.
While resting before boarding, I spoke with the flight attendant who had informed me the flight was overbooked. She indicated that for months there had been travelers seeking to move up a flight to Sunday night and all she knew of had been turned away. She was amazed that we were able to get on the flight. We boarded, and although Bro. David was in no condition to travel, the Lord blessed him with grace to handle the flight. With much praise to the Lord for His providential care, I breathed a prayer of thanks and a sigh of relief as we settled into our seats. I must also note that the "random" selection of Bro. David's seat on the plane was such a blessing from God. While I was buried deep in the back rows of the plane, Bro. David mercifully was given a front row seat next to the aisle where he could stretch out and rest better. In his ill and dehydrated condition, this was truly a blessing.
Monday, March 7, 2011 - We arrived in Amsterdam around 7 a.m. Bro. David was extremely exhausted, severely dehydrated and still very sick. Shortly, the flight left for America and we settled in for the remaining 10 hour flight. Bear in mind that at this point none of our family back home knew we were coming home, but were expecting us two days later on Wednesday.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, Georgia, we made phone calls and arrangements for pick-ups. Bro. David remained in Atlanta until his family came to pick him up the following day. A Primitive Baptist doctor in Atlanta graciously took Bro. David from his hotel that afternoon to his home to treat and observe him. Even though Bro. David was severely dehydrated, it was not necessary for him to enroll in the local hospital, primarily due to the miracle medicine and his quick return home.
I flew to Birmingham and was picked up by Elder Sam Bryant who graciously drove me to Tuscaloosa. A dear brother from church picked me up in Tuscaloosa and drove me home to be reunited with my precious family. Needless to say, they were surprised and overjoyed to see me two days early!
Closing thoughts: I want to add a few lines about the merciful providence that the Lord showed to Bro. David and me. Sometime after our return, Elder Crawford suffered a relapse of the staph infection. The doctors in Florida who treated him could not identify the form of staph they found in his body. It was nowhere to be found in the U.S. Furthermore, neither Elder Crawford nor I could recall the name of the Swiss doctor or the medicine he providentially provided. Due to the fact we had left the country so fast, we never had an opportunity to speak with or thank the doctor. Thankfully, I was able to communicate with a person still staying at the hostel, who graciously provided me with the name and contact information of Dr. Kimmler, the Swiss doctor. I spoke to the good doctor by email and obtained the name of the medicine given to Bro. David. His doctors confirmed that the powerful medicine is not available in the continental United States. At this point, Bro. David has not experienced another relapse of the infection. If he does relapse, it may become necessary for him to travel to Switzerland for treatment.
I fully acknowledge that the account given here is more focused on the things that occurred to Elder Crawford and me, and I pray that this does not come across as a slight to the dear African brothers and sisters. I do, however, think it important to document what happened while it is still fresh in our memory. I hope this journal will help the believers back here in America understand the challenges that our brothers in Africa face, and just how blessed we are here in the U.S. Finally, I ask that prayers continue for the ongoing work in Africa, for the ones who are traveling to share the truth of grace, and for Bro. David and his family, in hopes that this dear devoted brother may continue to experience good health with no relapses.

Elder Darrel Chambers' Journal of Africa Trip

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is
well with me in Kenya. I am greatly enjoying the natural and Spiritual
blessings of the Lord in this country far from home. The natural
beauty of this land is more than I imagined. The weather is surprisingly
pleasant. The Lord's grace and providence is abounding. We have had
very good and Spiritual meetings and the congregations have been very
responsive. They sing beautifully and with great joy. Many are
sickly and some afflicted with birth defects or show the signs of polio.
Yesterday, we visited a man with prostate cancer and he was
regretting that he could not attend the services that were just next door. He
was bedfast and very weak; but, he struggled to set up with help just to
speak a few words and to have prayer with us. Today, we visited a family
who lost a 16 year old son to Malaria just two days ago. Bro. Martin got
the word while he was traveling with me. He had visited the boy named
Fold, just the day before and thought he was improving. Fold and his
parents are active members in the First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii
Kenya and Elder Martin Onyoni is his pastor. The family and church members
gathered in the yard of the family this afternoon and they asked me
to speak a few words of comfort from God's word, which I attempted to
do. We changed our schedule today to accomodate a visit with this family
and I am glad we did.

Earlier in the morning we met with this church and were joined by the congregations of two other churches in the nearby area. The small room (apx 20'x20') was filled to capacity with about 125-150 people. It appeared that more than half of these were under the age of 15
and about 40% were under the age of 10. I spoke on Heaven and tried to
encourage and provide hope and comfort to this congregation that had
lost a precious young member. It is late and I have much to do to prepare
for the preachers meetings that begin tomorrow. I just wanted to let
everyone know I am doing fine and enjoying the rich blessings of God. I am
blessed far beyond my comprehension and I thank the God of glory and our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ for His abundant mercy and grace.

The Onyoni family and others really appreciate the gifts that were
sent and I appreciate the support of those who helped bear the expenses
for this trip. Please keep these precious people of God in your prayers.
If the trip were to end tomorrow, it was well worth the effort. I look
forward to almost 2 more weeks and ask for your continued prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Monday, March 28, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is
still well and we are greatly enjoying the blessings of the Lord. I have
much more strength than I normally do on my trips to the Philippines
because the travel is easier, the weather is milder, and I am getting a full
nights sleep. I did find one mosquito trapped on the inside of my
mosquito net this morning and he was gorged on my blood. But, I never
found a bite or a whelp. I am on malaria meds so I am not concerned.
I spray the room (with a powerful insecticide that kills everything
immediately and makes the sprayer gag), I spray my clothes and myself
with deet filled mosquito repellant, and we use a mosquito net. There is
lots of sickness and death among the church members and their families, so
I am extra precautious. The eyes of many of the church attendees look
sickly and many of them are very frail and thin, especially the men. Most of
the women appear very healthy and are generally larger than the men (not
necessarily taller).

We had a good meeting with several preachers (some not yet ordained)
this morning. We had very good question and answer sessions and some basic
doctrinal teaching as well. The hotel where I am staying furnished a
nice conference hall at no charge. We purchased lunch from the hotel for
all the preachers which was good. I ate something that looked and tasted
like turnip greens. Brother Martin said it was not turnip greens or Kale
(which they grow everywhere and is a main staple), but he did not know
the name of the green. He said that several American preachers had gotten
sick after eating this, and only Elder Paul Blair had tolerated it.
Well, 8 hours later I am still fine, so I thank the Lord for even these
small blessings. He is so merciful to me, I cannot thank Him enough.

This afternoon, we traveled up a steep mountain road that the 4 wheel
drive pickup was not able to pull the load of preachers up. We had to
stop and let most of the preachers get out and push to help us up the
road. But, the extended cab pickup was loaded even in the bed with
preachers and supplies. The road was not too bad because it had dried
since yesterday. But, if it had been wet, we would have had a long
long walk up a steep and muddy road. When we got to the top, Elder Martin
smartly turned the truck around and pointed it down hill. It began to
rain before we got into the building and rained hard for a few minutes
while I was preaching. The rain was loud on the tin roof and I had to
preach extra loud to be heard over the roar of the rain pelted tin.
The congregation is a relatively new fellowship that Eld. Martin has not
been working too long with. They were made up of many children (about 80%
of the congregation). The Pastor and his family, including his brother
who is also exercising in the ministry but not yet ordained, made up most
of the rest of the congregation. The building was very large and a brick
structure, but is was far from finished. The pastor said that they
had many more members that really wanted to be there but because it was
the middle of the afternoon on a Monday, they had to work. We arrived
just as the schools were letting out and the children came straight there and
many were there without their parents. This congregation sang in a very
lively and animated manner and they rejoiced and were very responsive to the
preaching. Since this was a relatively new fellowship, I spoke on
some basic principles of the doctrines of grace found in Eph 1 & 2 and in
Rom 8. But, I used a lot of other passages as well. Elder Martin is a
great interpreter and it is almost like preaching without an interpreter as
he interprets very quickly. I felt to have as much liberty to preach as
at any time I can ever remember. It was a great service. By the time
service was over, the sun was shining brightly and I barely had time
to take a few pictures before leaving. We had to hurry to travel to a
mechanic to get the diesel pump adjusted as Eld. Martin thought the
truck should have had enough power to climb the mountain and it was also
running rough. We did make it to the mechanic in time for a five minute
adjustment that seemed to make the truck run much smoother. He plans
to have some major service work done tomorrow before we drive it to
Uganda on Thursday.

After we returned, we needed to buy some supplies at the local
supermarket, and Eld Martin had to take some preachers home. It was
late and they were hungry so I suggested we buy sandwich makings and have a
picnic supper at the hotel before he took them home. He agreed that it
would be better to feed the men before sending them home. They greatly
appreciated the meal and they all wanted me to make the sandwiches for
them. I was glad to have the opportunity to serve these men who have
been so anxious to wait on me hand and foot for the last two days. None of
them had ever eaten mayonnaise and did not know what it was. None of
them had ever had bologna and didn't know what it was. We had sandwiches
of wheat bread, mayo, bologna and cheese. They loved it and really
appreciated it. I told them this was a time of breaking bread
together and fellowship. One of the preachers dumped out the plastic
disposable plates we had eaten on and took them home to re-use. They were very
sturdy and nice plates. We also had potato chips (which they really
loved) and some cookies that we bought for snacks at the preachers
meeting. I made each of them two large sandwiches. All was eaten,
although I could only hold one (and that was more than I needed). We
all ate for less than one of us had eaten at a hotel two nights earlier.
And we have chips and cookies leftover for tomorrow. Also the preachers
took home the remaining bread and mayo.

I'll go for now as it is late and a loud thunderstorm is approaching
and I need to get a shower and some sleep. Please continue to keep us in
your prayers and thank you so much for all your previous prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bottom line up front - all is well with me in Kisii, Kenya

It has been an eventful day, but a good day. I awoke to a flooded room
due to a toilet tank leak, and had to be moved to a different room.
While at breakfast, I was informed that a minister was there for the morning
bible study early, so I enjoyed his fellowship during our breakfast
together.

Some of the preachers that came the day before were not able to be there
today for various reasons including a wife in the hospital and one had a
flare up of Malaria. We also had some new attendees that we had
previously met in some of the church services. I had been requested to
speak on the topic of worship on the Lord's Day (Sunday) instead of the
Sabbath (Saturday). The predominate religion in this area is Seventh
Day Adventist, so most of the men either came from that religion or had
relatives still in it, or both. I spent a better part of the morning on
this topic. Then we discussed several other topics that were the
results of specific questions including questions about baptism, tithing, the
use of deacons in the church, and church appropriations of funds, the second
coming of Christ and the events of the resurrection day and the final or
general judgement, Judas Iscariot, the mixing of works and grace as
opposed to the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace alone, and
several other topics that I cannot currently recall. These men were all already
well-grounded in the basic doctrines of grace,so these times of being
able to get questions answered were deemed profitable by all. I was thankful
to have the other ministers join in the discussions and provide answers
in Kisii instead of only in English. When they answered in Kisii, they
were considerate enough to interpret for me into English.

We didn't have a formal lunch, but we did enjoy snacks of potato chips,
bananas, cookies, etc. This was about 1:00, then we had another round
of discussion topics that were part of the topics included in the previous
list.

Afterwards, we traveled over an hour to the Ogemba Primitive Baptist
Fellowship. This trip was supposed to take 20 minutes but we were hit
with a terrible storm. It was sunny and pretty when we left the hotel,
but by the time we approached the top of the mountain it began to rain.
Then it became very windy and I asked if they had tornados in Kenya; and
Bro. Martin said, no. Shortly, the van began to shake, and I wondered
if we had a flat, then I realized the van was shaking from side to side and
the tops of the spindly trees were pointing almost horizontally in one
direction. I told Bro. Martin that the 5 other preachers in the truck
with us were worth their weight to keep us from turning over. We crept
along for several miles on the top of this mountain. Shortly after I
noticed the trees pointing in one direction, I noticed the trees were
now pointing in the opposite direction, so I knew there was circulation in
the wind. Water and debris was all over the road and the driving, even at a
snails pace was treacherous; but Bro. Martin is a very good and careful
driver. By the time we got to the dirt and steep road that escalated to
the pinnacle of the mountain, the storm had passed and it was only
sprinkling and the wind was almost calm. The soil in this area is the
same red clay that they have in Madison County, AL and it is very stick
and slick when wet. The ruts and gulleys in the road kept us from
sliding off the side, but made it impossible to turn into the driveway of the
Pastors home. We slid and spun for half an hour it seemed and even had
people all the other 5 preachers pushing on the truck that had all 4
wheels slicked over and spinning with no traction. It was a mess.
Finally we just left the truck where it was and walked to the house. We
were supposed to meet at a nearby outdoor lot, but because it was still
sprinkling, we met in the leaders house. We had a full room of people
in the mud hut, tin roofed, mud floored, simple home. But we had a
wonderful service with outstanding singing once again. I spoke on the account of
the Rich Young Ruler and salvation by grace apart from works. With men,
salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible, even the
salvation of a thief on a cross, or a Saul of Tarsus. The accounts of
all three of these men were discussed, with the majority of the time spent
on the rich young ruler. An elderly woman requested to be baptized at the
end of the service. We already had two believers who had requested baptism
and we had planned to baptise them in the river near the church after the
services. However the storm had left the river a raging rampage and
unsafe for a baptism, so the Kenyan brethren decided to move the
baptismal service to tomorrow at a swimming pool in Kisii. I was relieved,
because Eld. Martin forgot to bring his extra clothes and was relying on me to
baptise them.

We managed to back the truck for almost a quarter of a mile with the
brethren assisting to keep it pushed in the middle of the mud road til
we could find a spot level and wide enough to turn it around and travel
back down the hill to the plateau area of the mountain. The sunset was
beautiful as we traveled back down the mountain and it was dark by the
time we reached the supermarket. I asked the Elders if they wanted to
return home after their long day, or if they wanted me to fix them
sandwiches again first. They opted for the meal. We also bought some
other supplies for our trip. We had a wonderful meal of
sliced/processed beef, ham, and cheese with mayo and ketchup on brown wheat bread. Elder
Charles ate with us tonight and was not with us last night. This was
his first time to eat brown wheat bread, processed beef, or processed ham,
or mayonnaise. He did not know what mayonase was, and asked if it was peanut
butter. They all thought the sandwiches were great, and I doubled up
the meat on all of them, because they greatly need the protein and the fat.
The I treated them to some ice cream and Elder Charles had never had
that either. The ice cream made Bro. Martin's sensitive teath hurt. I
planned to send the leftover meats and cheese home with one or more of the
brethren, but none of them had electricity or refrigerators to store it
in. So, we were allowed to store it in the refrigerator at the hotel.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and discussed some of the church
issues with these faithful leaders of the Kenyan labors.

Tomorrow promises to be another long and eventful day, and I look
forward to the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ
with hungry children of God once more. Thanks again for your prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bottom line up front - all is well with me in Kisii, Kenya

Actually it is already 1:00 AM on Thursday and I still have to shower and
do a few things prior to going to bed. Tomorrow we have an early meeting
at 7:00 AM and then an all day trip to Uganda after visiting the bank and
a few other errands.

I will also be without internet while in Uganda and it will be sometime
next week before I will likely be able to write again. We had a very
prosperous day with meetings with preachers and others who feel to be
called of God and are studying to be preachers. The afternoon service was
cancelled because the preachers wife is pregnant and was having
difficulties and had to be admitted to the hospital. The preacher and
several of his congregation went to the hospital and it was too late to
reschedule to another location when we got the word. Elder Charles also
missed our meeting this morning because he had to carry his wife to the
hospital. We replaced the scheduled afternoon service with an additional
study session with the ministers. This proved to be very beneficial
according to them and actually made better use of our time.

Tonight we visited Eld. Martin's 9 yr. old daughter in a boarding school.
It had been quite awhile since Eld Martin had seen her and they were glad
to see each other. We bought a few pieces of carved soapstone souvenirs
that were very nice as we drove by the actual artists locations that were
located near the school. In the retail stores these are very expensive,
but they were very reasonable buying directly from the artists.

Then I treated Eld. Martin's family to beef and ham and cheese sandwiches,
which they had never had before, and we ate them in their home. They
treated me with the utmost of hospitality in their mud home that is
actually very nice. The mud walls are straight and square and almost as
smooth as a sheetrock wall. They have the color and texture similar to a
clay flower pot. We had a great time of fellowship with the family. Eld.
Martin has a 3 year old son Vernon, with quite a reputation for
mischievousness, but he is always quite and well behaved in my presence.
Eld. Martin's wife Annah jokingly asked me if I wanted to take Vernon back
to America with me. I said sure, my wife would love to have another
little boy. Vernon is quite attached to his grandfather who lives next
door, so I asked him if he wanted to leave his grandfather and mother and
come to America with me. While still clinging closely to his mother he
said yes. They laughed because they knew he misunderstood my english as
he would hardly look at me and never let go of his mother.

Mixtures of joy and sorrow flooded my emotions as I said goodbye to my new
friends and brethren today. They were all so kind and complimentary and
we had many African handshakes and hugs as we departed company. I have
finally learned how to properly shake hands with my son-in-law who always
attempts to give me an African handshake (he is from South Africa). I am
glad to still have another week with Eld. Martin and I look forward to
meeting many other good brethren on the remainder of my trip.

Look out Uganda, here we come!

Got to go get a shower and a little sleep.

I am having a wonderful and blessed time. Thank you all for your
continued prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is well
with me in Uganda. I wrote this yesterday morning and last night, and I
spent about 2 hours attempting to send it last night. We kept having
power outtages and the internet would not work afterwards. Everytime I
got it almost done, we had another problem. My phone stopped working
Thursday and Bro. Martin has temporarily changed SIM cards with his phone
and determined that the problem is likely with the SIM card. We will
attempted to get it reconfigured or changed today. We tried yesterday,
but we arrived 5 minutes prior to the store closing and they asked us to
bring it back tomorrow (Now today). Bro. Martin’s phone is also out of
minutes and there are no Kenyan company phone stores him for him to
purchase more. So, we are cut off from communications until - hopefully
this morning. I am borrowing the hotels internet using Eld. Martin’s
laptop to send this message. Since Donna doesn’t always check her e-mail
regularly, maybe someone can call her and tell her we are fine and to
check for this e-mail.

We had a good trip Thursday from Kisii, Kenya to Mbale Uganda, crossing
the equator and driving by Lake Victoria and many beautiful mountains in
the process. We drove through Kisumu, Kenya, which had a large shopping
mall that we stopped to buy water and food supplies, and I also I bought
some souvenirs. The people of Kisumu were very proud to note that Kisumu
is the former home of President Barack Obama. We were not accompanied by
Bro. Chris as planned as he had a sick wife. It seems that death and
sickness cause these people to change their plans on a much more routine
or regular basis than we are used to.

Thursday was the first day that we did not have a worship service,
although I did get to spend the day with other preachers and we had prayer
at various times. The trip was enjoyable, but tiring. We were very
thankful to have no problems with the vehicle and to have safe journeys.
Driving must have been very difficult on the roads we traveled and I
appreciated Bro. Thomas, our driver and fellow church member from Kisii.
It took 10-1/2 hours including our 2 fuel stops and one stop at the
supermarket. This also included the time spent at the border. We
purchased food for sandwiches at the supermarket and I made sandwiches and
we ate them as we bounced down the road. Much of the time we drove on the
dirt shoulder of the road because it was much smoother than the pothole
pocked surface of the road. Pothole is not actually a good description
for the craters that are in their roads. Elder Martin drove for awhile to
let Brother Thomas eat. I sure wanted to keep our driver strong and alert
for the treacherous road conditions.

The border control area was a very congested mess of large trucks, people,
beggars and confusion for me. I would have had no clue how or what to do
without my African guides, who even called ahead and had another guide
arranged to help them through the process expeditiously (if you can call
it that). We had to get a temporary license and insurance for our vehicle,
costing over $100, and then I had to go through the Kenyan office and
complete forms to leave the country. We then went through a security
check point and paid for my Visa (only $50) to enter Uganda. We had no
problems purchasing my Visa. Then we waited in line and had our vehicle
inspected. They only asked about the contents of our bags and did not
check them. Elder Martin was very cautious at the border area which was
very congested with people and large trucks that almost ran over you
although they were moving very slowly when they moved at all. At one time
Eld Martin suggested that I secure the camera and roll up the window as
there are many pickpockets in this area. I should have known this and
agreed and complied immediately. The lines were very long and part of the
job of our guide was to help us bypass some of the lines. He was paid
nothing, but Elder Martin said we would give him a tip after he helped us
on the return leg of this journey. Even with the guide, this process
still probably took over an hour.

There were many crippled folks in this border area who rode on tricycles
pedaled by their hands. Their legs and feet were withered and deformed
and it appeared to be the results of polio or some birth defect. None of
them seemed to be begging or asking for aid though. There were many young
children running between the trucks and everywhere including a number that
were playing in the trash heap. All during my trip, but especially on
this leg of the trip, people would stare at me, some waved, or said
“hallow” (hello) as I would pass. Some laughed and said funny things, and
I was told that others were derogatory in their comments that I could not
understand. I was also told that many of these people had rarely if ever
seen a white man. One man pointed and said, “look, a white man.” I told
my embarrassed brethren that this did not bother me as I am also a very
curious person and would likely stare and investigate someone who was so
different in appearance than what I consider normal.

After getting through the border control area, we soon drove through the
area where baboons are normally seen playing in the woods beside the road.
It was nearing dark, and we did not see any of these creatures as they
normally do. They assured me, we would likely see some on the way back as
it would be earlier in the day. Our goal was to arrive at the hotel
before dark, but we were about 3 hours late for that. The hotel was
beautiful and nice except for the bullet hole in the top of the ceiling
and the termites that scurried along the baseboards. The floors are
marble, the television has a news channel where I was able to get a little
world news, there is a fan, and a good supply of hot water. The bed has
no mattress as we know it though. It is what we would call a foundation
or box spring. It still feels good by the end of long days and I sleep
well on it. I slept for almost 7 hours without waking Thursday
night(thank You Lord!), but I only got about 5 hours last night. I am
having some nasal drainage from a sore throat (probably minor allergies
and abuse of my voice with singing, teaching, and preaching all day). I
do not feel sick otherwise.

When we arrived at the hotel, I thought all 4 of us were staying in two
rooms that each had a double bed. So I arranged to meet the brethren for
breakfast at 8:AM. Then, two of the brethren left to stay with church
members and I had a room to myself. The next morning, at nearly 8 I
knocked on Eld. Martin’s door and he had overslept and my knocks had
awakened him. He was dizzy, groggy and feeling poorly. I gave him some
snacks high in carbs and protein, and at breakfast all he wanted was hot
water. I insisted on him eating some of the meal that was included in our
bill, and he had an egg and some bread. He seemed to be feeling poorly
most of the day, but by suppertime (10 PM) he was feeling better.

We had a great day of fellowship and bible study and singing in the home
of a Ugandan Physician (who was at his clinic) on Friday. His wife and
children hosted us. The doctor’s name is Boaz, his wife is Freda, and
their children are Dora, Mary, Elizabeth, and Caesar. Caesar is a very
cute 3 year old that I enjoyed giving candy to, giving him horseback rides
on my knee, and tickling. He was also intrigued by my laser pointer,
especially when I showed him that it would shine through my ear. We hit
it off great. All the African children I have seen are extremely well
behaved. We studied on the 3 types of Justification found in the Bible (
Legal through the blood of Christ, Personal in a believers mind through
faith, and justification in the sight of others through good works).

We also discussed the Federal Headship of Adam and of Christ for their
respective children. Adam represented all his children and passed to them
the nature of sin and as a result they do sin and die. Christ represented
all his children and bore their offenses on the Cross and paid for them
with His blood and suffered the wrath due us for committing those sins.
As a result, the grace of God and the gift of Eternal Life is given to all
represented by Jesus on the Cross (His elect Children). We then answered
several questions of the brethren regarding some of the types and shadows
of the Old Testament and some of the Genesis accounts of Adam and Eve.

We visited a Bible store last night and purchased several bibles, one for
the pastor (Elder Charles) and 5 smaller bibles for members of the
Fellowship group. We also went to a copier center and purchased several
copies of Eld. Dolph Painter’s Daily Devotion that the African Ministers
have really enjoyed. We also shopped and purchased a shirt for Elder
Charles as he ruined his white shirt by leaving a pen in his pocket today.
We returned to the hotel and fellowshipped with several brethren until
8:15, and then I rested and watched some news while Eld. Onyoni took a
shower. We went down to eat around 9:00 and then I finished this update.
I was so concerned for Elder Martin’s health earlier Friday, as he was
really weak and exhausted. He says he never eats so much as when he is
around Americans, but he really needs to eat much more than he does. I am
glad he is feeling better. The church members are planning to prepare
meals for us today (Saturday) and also tomorrow, and I have tolerated the
type of food they plan to prepare, so I may eat a little and supplement
with some MREs and snacks.

Ugandans speak a British accented English in addition to Ugandan and if we
both speak slowly and repeat ourselves, we can usually understand each
other. The Ugandan language is difficult to read/speak as many words do
not sound anything like they are spelled. The Kenyans even have to use an
interpreter. There is a mountain within sight that they want to take me
to visit after services late tomorrow evening. There are many beautiful
waterfalls there. They say that on top of the mountain it is a different
world and is like a separate country within their country. The people
there are largely sheltered from outside contact, and live mostly like
their ancestors, although they do have schools. The land there is very
fertile and most of the fruits and vegetables sold commercially in this
part of Uganda is grown there.

Got to go for now, perhaps I will get my phone fixed today and will be
able to report in again then.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

April 7, 2011

Greetings to all. Other than being very sad because this is my last day
in Africa, I am fine. I have already said goodbye to everyone except Eld.
Martin. We are currently in the Nairobi Airport, and the contrast in the
beautiful weather here to the sweltering weather we left in Tanzania is
cerainly refreshing. We are outside plugged into an electrical outlet
next to the refrigerated coke machine. We flew early this morning from
Dar Es Salaam and had prayer in the airport with about 7 of us present
(Me, Elders Martin, Kenny, Anthony, Moses, Thaddeus, and Brother James. I
want to spend the next few hours visiting with Eld. Martin before we
depart. A lump enters my throat when I think of leaving my constant
companion for the past 2 weeks. He is a prince among men and a great
Christian friend. I will forego writing a lengthy account at this time
and may write one by hand when Elder Martin and his laptop depart later
this afternoon. I have a 9+ hour layover here before departing late
tonight for Amsterdam, arriving early in the morning there. I will then
leave mid morning for Detroit, spend about 4 hours there, and then return
to Huntsville, AL. I hope to be able to catch an earlier flight from
Detroit to HSV, but it is doubtful that I will be able to do so. I am
doing great physically; but I know I will be very tired as the entire trip
takes 1-1/2 days due to time changes. I hope to add some updates, perhaps
later today from an airport internet cafe, or after I return home in a few
days. Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, and support. This has
been a wonderful trip with many rich experiences in God's Kingdom among
His children in 3 countries in Africa.

Thanks again, and God bless you all.
Darrel Chambers

Letter from Elder Martin Onyoni

Dear Brethren,
I give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in my prayers. I remember without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love.
I rejoice to hear of the safe arrival of Elders Tim and David, though Elder David has not fully regained from the effects of the fever he suffered while in Dar. I thank the Lord for the mercy of His healing power. It is my prayer that this healing power may continue to be manifest in Brother David according to the Lord's will.
We Kenyan brethren arrived safely in our homes yesterday, Wed. 9th March Morning at 7:30 Am after a long rough bus ride of over 36 hrs. I'm thankful to the Lord for we were able to make it by his mercy and grace. I know that all of you had been lifting up your prayers for the trip and I appreciate and thank the Lord for you all.
We had a wonderful fellowship in Dar with the church ( in Dar )and fellow brethren from various countries. The meeting really proved to be a blessing to each one of us.
I thank the Lord for your sacrifices and the efforts that each one of you put towards our trip. It is my prayer that the Lord may continue to bless you all and the fruits of your labor. I rejoice to reunite with my family members.
I ask that you keep praying for me and my family, and my ministry.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Elder Martin Onyoni.

Elder Vernon Johnson's African Labors Update

By the grace of Almighty God, the gospel labors in Africa continue to expand and grow. Currently, Elder Tim McCool has recently departed from a trip to Ghana where he labored with three fellowships near HO, Ghana. These fellowships are being led by Bro. Aikins Doh. Elder McCool left Ghana and is now in Dar Es Salaam, where he and Elder David Crawford are meeting with men from Dar Es Salaam, the five elders from Kenya along with another exercising brother from Kenya, and two exercising brethren from Zambia. On Sunday, 6 April, at the church in Dar Es Salaam, four men in the church at Dar Es Salaam will be ordained to the office of elder. These four men are Bro. Kenny Mwankenja, Bro. Anthony Joseph, Bro. Moses Joseph, and Bro. Thadeus Numbi. These men have been under the leadership of Elder Martin Onyoni for the last two years and have grown much in the grace of God and the knowledge of the scriptures.
Studies and worship continue in the country of Uganda. Elder Charles Kenjanjui leads three fellowships in that country. He spends a week in Mbale, Uganda every month assisting and studying with the brethren there. There are several men who have expressed a belief that they have been called to preach the gospel of the grace of Christ to God's people there in Uganda.
The efforts in Kenya are expanding rapidly. Several new fellowships have opened up in and near Kisii, Kenya the last few months with several other men in areas outside of Kisii are now expressing an interest in the true gospel of the grace of Christ. There are three additional men who are exercising that Elder Martin has expressed to me that he believes are near being ready to be ordained.
Elder Darrel Chambers will be leaving the last few days in March to meet with Elder Martin Onyoni in Nairobi, then travel to Kisii to assist the brethren in the churches and fellowships there in Kenya. From there Elders Onyoni and Chambers will travel to Kitwe, Zambia and meet up with Elder Mike Ivey and myself to preach to and teach a large number of men in Kitwe and Mumbwa, Zambia. The fellowships in those two cities are led by a Bro. Floyd Mwila and a Bro. Kezala Ngoma.
Later on in the year, I hope to be able to travel to Botswana where there are three men who are currently showing a great interest in the gospel of the grace of Christ and are leading three groups of people. These men are in the area of Serowe and Francistown, Botswana.
In addition, gospel labors in Tanzania are expanding as a new fellowship has opened in Mbeya on the west side of Tanzania. This is the city where Elder Obey came from. Bro. Kenny Mwankenja is leading the efforts there.
Later on in the year, Elder Sam Bryant is planning on going to Kenya and Tanzania to assist the brethren in those two countries.
I request your prayers on behalf of the gospel labors in these countries in Africa. I also thank all of you who have helped us by prayer and financial support in the past. Truly we are dependent upon our Lord and Savior and the leadership of the Holy Spirit as we go forth with the gospel in those countries.



Elder Vernon Johnson

Elder Martin Onyoni's Email and Pictures from Kenya

Dear brethren,

Greetings in the Mighty name of our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope this finds all of you okay.
First of all, I take this opportunity to thank the Lord for every remembrance of you and your faithfulness for the cause of Christ. I also thank the Lord and appreciate your support you gave during the Tanzanian brethren's visit in Kenya and the PB efforts in Kenya. Much of your prayers were answered for we felt blessed, encouraged and edified during that occassion. The brethren's visit was of a great blessing to all of us. They too felt blessed from their visit.
During their visit, the brethren preached the truth in demonstration of the Spirit. I felt that they preached like they have never done before, for they were filled with the spirit during their preaching. Members were edified and felt blessed from the truth which was preached by this 'new' men. One could tell that they were no longer preach brethren but already experienced preachers. May God be given all praise, honor and glory for this. The Kenyan preach brethren also got an opportunity to speak to the Lord's people along with the visiting Tanzanian brethren. They too did a wonderful job.

On Tue 07th Dec. 2010, during the afternoon worship service at Omogonchoro PB Fellowship, five including the leader of the group ( once a pastor of a different order of faith, and now no longer since he has joined PBC ) and his wife came forth requesting for a home in the Lord's church by means of baptism. We all rejoiced to welcome them and immidiately after the worship service, which we conducted in his small sitting room where thhis group normally meet. We drove the whole group to a swimming pool in Kisii town, 20km away from their location for a baptism service. It was getting dark in the evening but by God's grace, I humbled myself to baptize these dear brethren an occassion which was witnessed by the whole group and those who visited the group. I felt blessed to baptize these dear brethren. Those baptised are now members of the First PB Church of Kisii - Kenya, where the Lord has blessed me to pastor. We also had another baptism service on Sat 11th Dec. 2010 at the same swimming pool, where five brethren belonging to a Nyamira PB Fellowship led by Bro. Christopher Nyangoto (he had been a pastor of a different order of faith). He together with his wife were among the five baptised. The also became members of the church the has blessed me to pastor.

On the last Sunday of our meetings that is on 12th Dec. 2010, two brethren came forth requesting for baptism. They will soon be baptized.
The Lord willing two more brethren from Tanzania i.e Bbrethren Moses and Anthony will be visiting Kenya during the first two weeks of January 2011.
Attached are some of the pictures I attampted to take during this occassion. I know there are several brethren who have in the recent past asked to be updated on the events of the Primitive Baptist Ministry in Africa, it will be a blessing if you share this with our PB brethren in America.
Please I ask that you keep all of us in your prayers. I just want to let you know that you and your families and the churches you serve are always in my thoughts and prayers.
May God continue to bless the fruits of your labor is my prayer.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Elder Martin Onyoni,
First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii - Kenya, Pastor.

Michael Gowen's Review of October 2010 Trip to Kenya & Uganda

“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

I was blessed to accompany Elder Vernon Johnson on a trip to Kenya & Uganda, 10/11/10 to 10/29/10. Our purpose in making the trip was to strengthen the brethren and to spend some time studying the doctrines of grace with several who are “asking the way to Zion”.

On our last night in Uganda, Elders Johnson, Martin and I were joined for dinner by the only American we had seen in two and one-half weeks. The subsequent conversation we had provides a good context in which to summarize my experience in Kenya and Uganda.

This 35 year-old veterinarian from Wisconsin was working for the United Nations on a humanitarian aid project. Her husband had returned to the States two weeks prior to attend to business and she was anxious for conversation with someone from home. After she asked a couple of leading questions about the menu, we asked if she would like to join us at our table.

She explained to us that her particular U.N. position involved both animal & plant husbandry. Together with her husband, she helped to “set up” poor Ugandan communities with poultry farms and row crops. She also bought cattle from various places for the U.N. World Food Program, which activity explained her visit to Mbale on this occasion.

We learned that she was a graduate of Dartmouth University, a prestigious Ivy League institution. Whatever her views might have been when she finished school, a decade of real-life experience on the ground, some of it in Africa, had taught her to appreciate the blessings we enjoy in America and to appreciate the impact Christianity has had on Western civilization. She talked freely about the blessings of living in a free republic, her concerns for the overtures toward a collectivist and socialist political paradigm in America over the past several years, and her faith in God.

The conversation soon turned to us. Br. Vernon explained that we were Primitive Baptist ministers and that we were here to visit some of our Primitive Baptist brethren and to instruct several inquirers in “the way of the Lord more perfectly”. She asked about the difference between Primitive and Southern Baptists and we explained our concern to emulate the simplicity and content of apostolic Christianity and to be as thoroughly Biblical in doctrine and practice as possible. Br Vernon added that we believe in the doctrines of grace. She nodded in understanding and inquired if we were similar to Orthodox Presbyterians. We explained that we do, in fact, affirm Total Depravity, Unconditional Election and other doctrines popularly associated with Calvinistic traditions, but were not “Calvinists”. Br. Vernon clearly defined that we do not believe in “Gospel Regeneration” like Calvinists do, but that the Gospel is for God’s people who have already been born again. She seemed to understand the explanation.

Her next comment surprised me. She said, “I wish you could come to my area. Truth is what these people need.” She went on to explain how superstition was keeping tribal people in bondage. She told how one man’s cow would die and instead of tracing the event to some disease or contaminant, he would explain it in terms of a neighbor’s hex. She talked about the cheap value many of them place on human life, the fact that many women tend to measure a husband’s love by how frequently they are beaten, the prevalence of polygamy, and the habit of measuring a man’s importance by how many wives and children he has. Personal superstition and government corruption keeps these people locked in a vicious cycle of poverty. She said “Truth is what these people need.”

I wonder how many modern people would agree with her perspective. I get the feeling sometimes that folks today place a higher premium on humanitarian efforts to feed the hungry, care for orphans, provide medical care, build houses, and attempt to eliminate poverty than they do the preaching and teaching of the word of God. The popular attitude seems to be that the person who has only the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to give is not really providing much real help.

Indeed, the church of God should do all that it can to relieve human misery and alleviate human suffering. But that sort of humanitarian aid is not the primary business of the church. The main business of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is to proclaim gospel truth, not to provide relief for economic and social ills. Our message is “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

You see, it is only the gospel of grace that truly explains the condition of the world and the cause of every societal ill. The gospel message begins with the premise that man is hopelessly fallen and inherently depraved. Because of Adam’s transgression, the world in which we live is under the curse of sin. Poverty, disease, war, crime, violence, human exploitation and every other problem may only be explained in terms of the native sinfulness of fallen human nature. Perplexity over the cause of suffering and pain vanishes in light of the clear Biblical doctrine of total depravity.

Further, the gospel points to the only solution for the miseries spawned by sin – the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. It affirms that man cannot save himself from the curse of sin and that his only hope is in a covenant-keeping God. How wonderful it is to see the light turn on in someone’s mind as they begin to see themselves in terms of the big picture of God’s covenant plan of redemption! How encouraging to see a person discover the rest that remains for the people of God in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Many of God’s children in this world are in the same condition as the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:2). Crippled by the carnal nature with which they were born, they have no strength to walk a godly walk. Indeed, like this lame man, they possess life, but have not yet found the strength to “Walk in the Spirit” so that they do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:19).

Like this lame man, again, many of the Lord’s born-again people have settled for a beggar’s pension in life (Acts 3:2, 5). They do not even realize that a better life is available. They expect and hope for nothing more than a nickel of entertainment here and a dime of recreation there to go along with the dollar of material possessions they have managed to accumulate. They are children of the King but live like panhandlers and beggars in this world (Is. 55:1-2; Jno. 10:10).

Furthermore, like this lame man, they are oblivious to their real need. They think that they need a handout, but what they really need is to be turned toward the Lord and taught how to walk. They need to be saved from ignorance (Rom. 10:1-3).

It is to such people that we bring a gospel message that may initially disappoint them: “Silver and gold have I none.” The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is not primarily a charitable institution, but a herald of the name of Jesus. We traffic in real remedies, not mere band-aids—in real-life, long-term help, not mere temporary assistance. We are interested first and foremost not to remedy the poverty in someone’s pockets, but the poverty of understanding in his mind, the poverty of emptiness in his soul, and the poverty of aimlessness in his life.

Whether or not a child of God is conscious of the fact, his greatest need is the truth of the gospel, not an extra coin or two in his pensioner’s cup. So our message is, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” To give a man the truth of the gospel of grace is true humanitarian aid. Never underestimate the profound effect that an understanding of the truth may have on a person’s entire lifestyle.

It is important to note that the truth of the gospel will only help the child of God who believes it (Acts 3:16). Gospel seed that falls by the wayside where the devil can snatch it quickly away (the prejudicial hearer), on shallow ground where elation is only momentary (the emotional hearer), or on briar-infested ground where the cares of this world choke the benefit of the word (the distracted hearer) will bring forth no fruit unto perfection (cf. Mt. 13). I have no doubt that some of the gospel seed sown in Africa fell into one of these categories. Some had preconceived ideas that made them reluctant to embrace the true gospel of grace. Others were caught up in the emotion of the moment but later reassessed their decision to unite with our people. And some were too involved in the affairs of this life to really concentrate on the truths we proclaimed.

Nevertheless, some gospel seed will fall on the good ground of a receptive and responsive heart. In Africa, only God’s born-again people who believed and embraced the message experienced the humanitarian assistance we had to give. I pray that it will truly help them to walk in the old paths, to walk humbly with the Lord, to walk in the light as He is in the light, and to walk in close fellowship with Christ.

How does the truth of the gospel help God’s children that believe it? Like the lame man, it tends to transform a person’s entire attitude toward life. It fills him with joy, peace & hope (Acts 3:8; Rom. 15:13). It opens wide the door to new opportunities. He now realizes that he is not predestined to subsist on a beggar’s pension, but has the resources necessary to live victoriously, like his Savior, overcoming the world (1 Jno. 5:4; Jno. 16:33). His heart is now filled with gratitude and love for the brethren (Acts 3:11). He treats his wife and children better; he becomes a more diligent employee; he practices honesty in his business dealings; in every sense, the truth he embraces has the potential to transform his daily walk.

Also, the transformation in one person’s life opens doors of opportunity to a larger audience (Acts 3:9-12). That prospect, in turn, has potential for doing even wider good in an entire community and culture.

Contrary to the secular idea that those who preach and teach the truth of the gospel are providing no real help to poverty-stricken people, I claim that they are the only ones who actually do something to remedy the malady. The gospel enables the born-again children of God who believes it to walk a truly Christian walk. It is true humanitarian aid! The old adage puts it well: “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

It was the eagerness with which our African brethren wanted Gospel truth that impressed me. I didn’t get the impression that these good men were motivated by material concerns. Though there are exceptions to every rule, the overwhelming majority of these folks are sincere seekers of the true Gospel, not demagogues using religion to line their pockets. They value truth more than silver and gold. I’m thankful we have ministers and faithful church members who are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make sure that those who value truth so highly might have the opportunity to be exposed to it.

May God bless Elders Johnson, Bryant, Ivey, Kitchens, Blair, McCool, Crawford, Hasenmyer and others who carry and broadcast the precious seed of the Gospel of grace to come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them. Such truth to inquiring children of God is, indeed, what people really need.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, encouraged, and assisted me to be able to make this journey. May the Lord abundantly bless you, each and every one.

For His Glory,

Elder Michael Gowens
Lexington, Kentucky
11/1/10

Vernon Johnson's Journal: October 2010 Trip to Kenya & Uganda

On Monday, 11 October, 2010, I was accompanied to DFW airport by my loving wife, Hazel, and my granddaughter Rebecca and her boyfriend, Bradley White. We said our goodbyes and I boarded the plane for Amsterdam around 2:30 P.M. After an uneventful flight, we arrived in Amsterdam around 7:00 A.M. Netherlands time. At the airport I met with Elder Michael Gowens who had arrived from Detroit about the same time.
We boarded a 10:30 A.M. flight to Nairobi and after another uneventful flight (the best kind) we arrived in Nairobi around 7:30 P.M. We checked through customs and then gathered our bags and met the following brethren who had come to meet us at the Nairobi airport:
1. Elder Martin Onyoni
2. Bro. Wycliffe Omari (Our driver)
3. Bro. Aikins Doh from Ghana
4. Bro. Samson Nyameri – an attorney from Nairobi.
We had a good evening meal and retired to a good clean hotel in Nairobi to get some rest.
On Wednesday, 13 October, 2010 we had breakfast and began our journey to the Nairobi fellowship. We were met by about a dozen to fourteen men and women (Many of the fellowship had to work and could not come to the meeting.
We had a spirit filled song service that truly was heart-felt. Next we had prayer followed by the preaching services.
A young brother Richard from the fellowship spoke first on the subject of justification by grace using Rom. 3:23 and Rom. 9:15, 16 as his texts. In summary, his sermon stressed that the elect are justified by grace through the blood of Christ according to the covenant of redemption.
Next, Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana spoke to us about some of the benefits of the word using 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 as his text. He spoke to us about the need for good sound doctrine and reproof from the scriptures and that we, as children of God, need to study and meditate upon the word daily. The Lord blessed him in his message and delivery. The Lord blessed him in his message and delivery. This was the first time that I had gotten to hear him preach as he did all the interpreting for us in Ghana. I was very pleased with his efforts.
Next, I spoke using Luke 16:16 as my test which reads, "The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it." I tried to develop each part of this text.
Finally, Elder Michael spoke to us using John 17:1-5 as his text. He pointed out that John chapter 17 was the Lord's prayer and that this is followed in chapter 18 by a discussion of the trials of Jesus and chapter 19 by the crucifixion of Jesus. He also pointed out that the 17th chapter of John is divided into three parts:
1. v. 1-5 discusses the eternal salvation of His people.
2. v. 6-21 shows Jesus praying for the ongoing life of his disciples in this world.
3. v. 22-24 Jesus concludes with the future of his people in heaven.
Elder Michael also pointed out that this corresponds to the salvation, sanctification, and glorification of the Lord's people.
In summation, Bro. Mike spoke concerning Christ as the Great Intercessor for his people and that he continues his intercession for us today.
The messages seemed to be well received by the members of the fellowship which consist primarily of young adults.
We said our goodbyes and drove about 2 hours to Naivasha. After an afternoon of relaxation at our hotel we made our way to have a service with the fellowship at Navaisha in the late afternoon. The fellowship generally consists of young adults who have come to Navaisha for work. The jobs generally are service type jobs with very low pay. Subsequently the people work hard to obtain funds for food and shelter for their families.
Because of their job requirements al the adults but one were working at the time of our services. We had the one adult – a young man who leads the fellowship and about 12-14 children ages I would guess ranging from 2-16.
We had a very spirit filled song service with the most of the children joining in the singing of praises to God. After song service and prayer Elder Michael spoke on the battle between David and Goliath. I followed speaking about Jesus as our champion fighting against our enemy and great giant of sin. The messages seemed to be well received.
On Wednesday, 14 October 2010, after breakfast we began our long journey to Kisii from Naivasha. The road had been greatly improved and travelling was much more comfortable than from my previous trips. Around 2:00 P.M. we arrived in Kisii and checked into the Mash Park hotel. Around 4:00 P.M. we left the hotel to go to a new fellowship in Omogonchero headed by a Bro. Peter Ongero. Bro Peter is a very delightful young man who seems to have a very good heart. The group consisted of about 35-40 people. Elder Charles is helping them to understand the doctrines of grace. Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana spoke first and his text was 2 Cor. 6:14-16. He admonished the congregation to live separate lives from the world and ungodliness. He also admonished them to not mix the biblical beliefs of grace and biblical practices with false doctrines and false teachings.
I followed Bro. Aikins and spoke on Matt. 1:21 "He shall save his people from their sins." I spoke on who are "His people" and how we identify ourselves as being a part of His people. I also spoke on how Jesus does "all" the saving from sins.
Elder Michael followed and spoke from Jonas 2:9 on "Salvation is of the Lord" and was richly blessed to show how the Lord alone has wrought our eternal salvation.
On Thursday, 15 October, 2010 the morning service was held at a new fellowship lead by a Bro. Peterson Mbegera. When we arrived the congregation was singing. Since they were singing in Swahili and the tunes weren't familiar, I did not know what they were singing. However, it was apparent they were singing with much joy in their hearts. Elder Michael later asked on of the sisters what they were singing and she replied they were singing songs of praise to God. She then added, we want to sing the truth.
After introductions and prayer I lead off preaching on Matt. 10:29-31 and Luke 12:6, 7. I compared the very little value that the sparrows have with the absolutely morally worthless condition of man in his fallen fleshly nature. Then I compared the great value we possess because of what Christ has done for us in redeeming us and causing us to be born of the Spirit.
Elder Michael followed and spoke on John 1:29, "Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." He pointed out the significance of each word in that verse.
Finally, Bro. Aikins spoke on the "elect" using Matt. 6:25; Rom. 8:37 and Rom. 8:28-30. He pointed out the "all things" in v. 28 and 37 referred to the 5 things in verses 29 and 30. He spoke of all five things pointing out that it is God alone who performs all five things. He also made a point of what a blessing it is to be one of God's elect.
At the close of services an opportunity was given for membership through water baptism and the leader (Bro. Peterson Mbegera came forward requesting membership through water baptism.
There were about 35-40 people in this congregation. I expect many of them to join the PB church when they observe their leader being baptized. These people are coming from another order and have a lot they will need to unlearn and learn. I am confident the elders in Kisii area will be able to teach them.
The afternoon service was to be at one of the two fellowships led by Bro. Chris Nyangoto who is awaiting baptism. However, we received word that a funeral service was taking place at the time of our meeting and the worship service was cancelled in deference to the funeral service. We proceeded to Tabaka where Elder Michael and I bought some soapstone gifts for our family members. Then we visited in the home of Elder Martin and his wife Annah. We enjoyed a very sweet fellowship there.
In the morning of 16 October 2010, we travelled to Kisumu, about a 2 hour journey to meet with the Kisumu fellowship. After song service and prayer, Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the new birth using John 3:1-8 as his text. Elder Michael followed by speaking on 2 Sam. 14:14, "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him." Bro. Mike pointed out that death awaits all of us and yet God in his covenant of redemption has devised the means whereby the elect will not be eternally banished from him. I followed speaking on the waters of Marah and how Christ is the tree cast into God's judgmental waters poisoned by our sins. I pointed out how Christ was made to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
In the afternoon we travelled to a new fellowship led by Bro. Chris Nyangoto. After song service and prayer, Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the covenant of redemption using 2 Sam. 23:1-7 as his text. He was richly blessed in his delivery and handling of the subject matter. I followed Bro. Aikins by speaking on the blessings of being in Christ using Ephesians chapter 1 as my text. Elder Michael closed out by speaking on the eternal security of the elect using John 10:27-30 as his text.
The congregation was very enthusiastic and attentive to the messages that were delivered.
On Sunday, October 17, 2010, we had a joint meeting with four of the churches in the Kisii area. We arrived at the grounds near the location of the Bombure PBC and over 100 people were already gathered and were singing. We continued in singing and prayer and took questions while the vans brought people from the other churches. In all about 200-250 people gathered for worship services. Elder William Asugo and the Bombure PBC were our host. After song service and prayer a young Bro. Thomas was first asked to speak. He spoke on timely salvation including salvation from ignorance and trying to get right with God. He read and spoke from the following verses: Matt. 1:21; 2 Tim. 2:10; Rom. 10:1-4; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10; Matt. 11:28; and Phil. 2:12, 13. I felt the message was richly blessed and according to sound doctrine.
Next, Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana delivered a message of timely admonition to "Look forward, not back." He used the following verses in delivering the message: Phil. 3:13, 14; Is. 43:18, 19; Ex. 14:15; Gen. 19:26. This young man seems to be very sound in the doctrine and is growing every day.
Afterwards, I spoke about Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. I tried to show that the new birth of Cornelius took place before the gospel was preached to him.
Finally, Elder Michael spoke on John 6:60, 66-68. He contrasted the different reactions of the multitude to which Jesus taught with the reactions of the few disciples.
John 6:60 – "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying, who can hear it?"
John 6:68 – "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
Elder Gowens made the following points among others:
1. The Lord spoke about total depravity; election; the sovereignty of God in the new birth and redemption from sin; eternal security of the saints; and the final resurrection of the elect unto glory.
2. The true gospel has the same affect upon the multitudes today – This is an hard saying, who can hear it.
3. There are a few true disciples who have come to believe as Peter: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
At the close of services an invitation for membership was given and three came forward requesting membership through water baptism.
Following services, we were invited to Elder Williams' home where we had sweet fellowship and were served a delicious lunch.
When we began our journey to the evening services a deluge of rain accompanied us. The road was very rough and nearly impassable and we actually became stuck in the mud, but some of the members came down and helped us to get out of the bog. We got within about 300-400 meters of the meeting place where we had to get out of the car and climb a steep muddy terrain. We all arrived safely, though wet, and muddy, and tired. There were about 20 of the saints who had gathered with us at the Nyarenda PBC pastored by Elder Richard Onounga. We had an uplifting song service followed by prayer.
Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the subject of salvation by grace and not by our works. He used the following texts: Eph. 2:8, 9; Tit. 3:5; and Gal. 3:1. Again he has blessed to speak the truth and in his delivery.
Next, Elder Michael spoke on the three appearances of Christ using Heb. 9:24-28.
Finally, I spoke on the love of God contrasting God's love with our love.
After services, we made our way down the hill and Elder Michael fell down due to the slick conditions. We both agreed that it looked like we would be bringing a good bit of Kenya back to the U.S. on our shoes.
On Monday, 18 October 2010, we arose, had breakfast, checked out of the Mash Park hotel in Kisii, Kenya and began our journey to Uganda around 7:45 A.M. Those travelling include myself, Elder Michael, Elder Martin, Elder Charles, and Bro. Wycliffe Omari, the driver. We stopped in Kisumu to get a few goods for our journey. Next, we arrived at the Uganda border around noon and checked through Kenya customs to leave Kenya, then Uganda customs to enter Uganda. We continued on our journey and arrived at Mbale (pronounced Ba-Lee) around 3:15 P.M. We proceeded to Bro. Boaz Munga's house where we met him, his wife, and two of his children.
As a note, the trip was over rough roads with many potholes. The countryside along the way consisted of rolling hills and the main occupation we observed was farming. The land appeared to be very fertile. The people in the rural countryside appeared to be very poor of this world's goods. Most of the dwellings were small mud huts with thatch roofs. Cattle and crops seemed to be main farming activities with corn (they call it maize) being the chief crop. We had not travelled very farm within Uganda until we observed several baboons in the road. Elder Michael whom I had observed is very good at communicating with birds (they actually answer him) tried communicating with the baboons. However, they seemed somewhat irritated with his attempts. I suggest he be satisfied with talking to the birds and leave the baboons alone!
We arrived at the hotel where we are staying around 6 P.M. The hotel is very nice, clean, and appears very modern. The rooms are nice and large and comfortable, except the bed which was too firm for my back.
During the next several days we had discussions on various bible subjects with the brethren from three groups. These groups are headed by a Bro. Boaz Munga, Bro. Jonathan Mande, and a Bro. Masaba. Altogether there were about 30 people who attended our discussions and worship services.
The bible subjects discussed and the leader of those discussions are as follows:
1. Total Depravity – myself
2. New Birth – Elder Michael Gowens
3. Limited Atonement – Elder Gowens
4. Eternal Preservation of the Saints – myself
5. Types of God's covenants – myself
6. Rom. 8:28 "Contextual all" and "work together" – myself
7. Foreknow or elect – Elder Charles Kenyanjui
8. Predestination – Elder Martin Onyoni
9. Effectual Calling – Elder Gowens
10. Justification – myself
11. Glorificaiton – Elder Martin Onyoni
12. Two Salvations – myself
13. 3 Types of Justification – Elder Gowens
14. 4 callings in the scriptures – myself
15. Different elections taught in the scriptues – myself
16. Purposes & Benefits of the gospel – Elder Gowens

In addition, we had worship services on the following days:
1. October 21, 2010. Elder Michael spoke using as his text Luke 18:9-14. I spoke on Rom. 10:1-10; and Elder Charles spoke on Rom. 8:2.
2. October 22, 2010. Elder Martin spoke on the subject of Bondage under false doctrines. This was followed by Elder Michael speaking on Heb. 4:9 on the subject of "rest in the Lord."
3. October 23, 2010. Elder Michael spoke on the subject of "Rejoicing in the Lord" using Heb. 3:17, 18 as his text. I then spoke on the courtroom of the heart and mind using Rom. 2:14, 15 and Isaiah chapter 6 as my texts. Elder Charles concluded the worship service by speaking on the "Sheep & Goats" in Matt. 25:31-46.
4. October 24, 2010. Elder Michael spoke on Ps. 115:1-3. Elder Martin followed by speaking on John 10:27-31. I concluded by speaking on the entrance to the Kingdom of God.
5. October 26, 2010. I spoke on Cain and Abel and the covenant respect of persons. Elder Martin spoke on John 14:1-4. Elder Michael concluded by speaking on 2 Cor. 1:8-10.
In the early morning of Sunday, 24 October, 2010 prior to morning worship services a baptismal service was conducted at a nearby hotel swimming pool. There were ten brethren who were baptized. The names of these ten brethren are as follows:
1. Jonathan Mande 2. Boaz Munga 3. Dauson Were 4. Elisa Wotti 5. Nathan Magala 6. Moses Mogesi 7. Derrick Gidongo 8. Moses Samanya 9. Jonathan Wasubini 10. Samson Nyaberi
Following the Sunday morning worship service an additional ten men and women came forward requesting to join the church through water baptism. These will be baptized when Elder Charles comes back to Uganda in November.
The work in Uganda is still in its infancy and will require a lot of teaching. Please pray for Elder Charles Kenyanjui as he endeavors to teach the brethren and sisters there. He will be going to Uganda each month and spend approximately a week at a time preaching and teaching the brethren there.

Elder Vernon Johnson
2 November 2010

My email address is vernon@dentonpbc.org
Our church website is www.dentonpbc.org