Update From Laura Ferrel

                                                                                                                              October-November 2009
 
Greetings from Nanyuki, Kenya!
 
Prayers are being answered on a daily basis. Thank you for your supplications for rain for this country. Almost daily the rain has come and it isn’t the damaging kind.  We had to wade through the tall wet grass to hang our laundry. Yesterday out gatekeeper used a machete, cut the grass and carried off a bushel bag of cuttings to feed the cattle.
 
School here at Mt Kenya is almost complete for 2009 and the Standard 8 students who are preparing for their monumental tests. These determine which schools they can attend and what will be their futures. This presents terrific pressure in their young lives. They need prayer!
 
Visiting Uganda was a wonderful experience for me as I taught the women of “Open Door Baptist Church” and then the Pastor’s wives at the fellowship meeting in Mbarara. Russ and Sylvia Daniels have done an incredible job in establishing and building a 2 story church which houses the church and school. They just completed a new edifice for 23 orphans. The national pastor, Pastor Naoboth has full charge of all these ministries.
 
Please allow me to introduce two Ugandans who touched my life:
Judith Kakayi, a 23 year old mother of two young boys, recounted this story: Several years ago at a family picnic the LRA (Lords Resistance Army) from the north arrived!  Each person fled for his life. Judith’s mom, Kettey remembered her 3 year old son asleep in the house. She ran to get Okello and as she fled with the youngster under her arm an LRA yanked him from her. He grabbed her son by one foot and swung him around in a circle over his head.  He then bashed his head against the wall. The child’s brains gushed out. The mother was pleading with the man for her son’s life.  He took a machete and slashed her to death. Judith saw these horrific murders!  I am so glad my Lord has spared me from such atrocities.  Judith is a precious believer and has a lovely spirit, but this event has scarred her life.
Thursday morning before my leaving Entebbe, Uganda, Judith came running with the report that Patrick’s 9 month old baby had died in the night. Every one of the workers and Russ hastily dressed to go visit and comfort Patrick.  Just as the group was ready to leave the compound for the visit, Patrick arrived at the Daniel’s. For almost 2 years prayers had been offered for Patrick’s salvation. In fact, just the prior Saturday, Russ had reemphasized his need of Christ through Scripture. He again refused as he said he couldn’t give up drinking and smoking. Sadly now with tears streaming down his face and a broken heart he intently listened to the message from the Bible. Gently Russ reviewed the plan of salvation and the story of King David’s loss of his baby. David said, “I can go to the child.” Patrick bowed his knee to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and became a child of the King!  As he left the premises the last words from his mouth were, “I must share this with my wife, so we both can see our baby girl again!”
 
Revelation 3:8, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” God has opened a church door in the town of Nyaharuru west of Nanyuki for the month of November. I am to instruct all the teachers in preparation and presentation of Sunday school lessons. It is a huge responsibility, but God is giving me ideas and with Him I can do all things. Could you please intensify your prayers for me?
 
For several years I have requested prayer for my sister, Eileen Foster, She has multiple myeloma, and has endured ongoing treatment for this bone marrow cancer. Finally, she is undergoing new chemotherapy which is working! The numbers are so significantly lower that she shows no sign of cancer now. Thank you for your prayers!
Speaking of prayers, I have received many encouraging messages concerning your prayers for me, my supporters! Your messages and financial support is my lifeline! I need you and your concern! Just when I need it most you bless me with a message of love and hope. Blessings on you precious ones!
 
In His watch care,
Laura Nell Ferrell, Kenya

Marks Of The True Church

The marks by which the true Church is known are these: If the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin; in short he all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself. - Belgic Confession 1561
Onesmus Kibera
0733 600 213

FAVOR IN THE LAND

This last Sunday it was a great opportunity to sit and learn from a great preacher in our country! The English service music team visited the Parklands Baptist Church on 25 October 2009 for their second service. The message was titled Favor In The Land, the text was from Genesis 39:1-23. In Genesis 39:2 we are told that the Lord was with Joseph. Genesis 39:4 says Joseph found favor. Genesis 39:21 says the Lord was with Joseph. Pastor Ambrose gave a fitting point that when the Lord is with you, you will find favor in the land. However it is of importance for me and every Christian to note the following about God's favor:

1. Favor is bestowed v 2
2. Favor is observed v 3-6
3. Favor is challenged v 7-20
4. Favor triumphs v 21-23

As the word of God blessed me and the MKBC team at Parklands BC will you stand up in the confidence of the Lord! God is assuring you and I of His favor!

I thank Pst Ambrose for giving me a chance to greet the church and introduce the Mt. Kenya Baptist Church team. Pastor Masha too for giving us a very intuitive talk about the Praise and Worship teams in the Parklands BC the day before. Deacon Suji for networking for us with the Worship Pastor.

It was joyful to see fruit that remains - we met with Sandra and Wairimu who are two of others that are members of the PBC. Sandra is now in the world of work as she continues with her education. Wairimu is a lawyer working with Housing Finance! These ladies were students at Mt. Kenya Baptist School! We met other friends too who are members at PBC!

At MKBC, Deacon Washington continued with the Introduction in our series from the Book of I Timothy in our English service. In the Kiswahili service we had the joy of five that identified themselves with Christ as they went into the waters of baptism. Pastor Wilson Nderitu from Ichuga Bible Baptist Church was our guest pastor who brought the message and baptised them! Praise the Lord!

Looking Out For Number One

Lareau Lindquist in his book Too Soon To Quit says that Christians should examine their lives to see..."who is on the throne?" There is a continual daily struggle over this issue. Am I trying to be in control? Or, am I consciously submitting to His leadership?

None of us easily or readily submits to the Lordship of Christ. Nor do we usually settle this matter once and for all. It is a daily matter - often a many times daily matter - of deliberately inviting Christ to Control us. No just in the big issues, but in all issues: how to use our time...how we spend our finances... friendships... relationships... priorities... pleasures... everything.

Paul brings us to the heart of Lordship in Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

J. Stewart Holden once wrote:

"Christ does not want a place in your life.

He does not even want prominence in your life.

He demands pre-eminence."

Lareau further says, As Christ's servants, let's not fool ourselves about Lordship. Just because we are involved in ministry does not necessarily mean that we have recognized His Lordship in all of life. And Lordship in some areas does not automatically indicate Lordship in all areas.

So Lord I pray....

"Lord cause me to give you my heart, to give you my soul, to live for you alone for every breathe that I take and every moment that I am awake - LORD have your way with me!"

KJV-ONLY Controversy or Catastrophe?

KJV-ONLY Controversy or Catastrophe?: "Satan has subtlety and successfully used God’s Word to divide God’s family. Fellowship has been broken, churches divided and families destroyed over the KJV-ONLY controversy. The premise of the debate is the belief that the Bible has been perfectly 'preserved' ONLY in the 1611 Authorized King James Version.

The rhetoric of the KJV-Only crowd has trapped them into a belief system that rivals any cult and careful examination will reveal that the KJV Bible has become their idol. Those who disagree with the KJV-Only view are labeled Bible mutilators and modern translations are called perversions, corruptions and satanically inspired works.

Consider the 10 basic facts that follow and derive your own conclusion of whether or not the KJV is the “ONLY” reliable Bible version.

First, respected Bible versions existed prior to the 1611 KJV, including the Latin Vulgate (400AD), Wycliffe (1380), Tyndale (1525), Coverdale (1535), Matthews (1537), Great (1539), Geneva (1560), and the Bishop’s Bible (1568). Second, KJV-Only advocates defend the 1611 KJV as “perfect;” but it was revised in 1629, 1638, 1762 and 1769. Third, KJV-Only advocates vehemently oppose the Apocrypha, although it was part of the 1611 KJV. Fourth, the Textus Receptus, from which the KJV New Testament was translated, is incomplete and sections of the 1611 KJV were actually translated from the Latin Vulgate - a version that KJV-Only advocates call “corrupt.” Fifth, the translators of the 1611 KJV wrote, 'the very meanest (most common) translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession . . . containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God.' In other words, they believed that any translation of the Bible by Christian scholars was still the Word of God. They also included marginal notes with alternate word meanings, stated that the KJV wording was not above correction or improvement, and admitted that there were some Hebrew words whose precise meanings were open for debate. Sixth, KJV-Only advocates attack modern Bible versions for changing the “literal” words, but the KJV has also added words to the original text and changed words during translation. If exact wording were vitally important, then OT quotations repeated in the NT would be worded exactly the same; but often they are not. Seventh, the KJV-Only position is not the historic view of Christianity. While the early church used the Septuagint and Vulgate texts, KJV-Only advocates regard these as 'perversions” and claim the church had no accurate Bible until 1611. Eighth, the KJV was a political project overseen by the bi-sexual King James I of England, who had children by Anne of Denmark; and homosexual relations in Scotland with Esmé Stuart, Earl of Lennox and in England with Francis Stewart Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Ninth, holding to a KJV-Only position does not guarantee godliness or doctrinal accuracy. Some cults claim a KJV-Only position, but deviate from mainline Bible doctrines. Finally, the KJV-Only position requires speakers of other languages to learn English or be denied access to God’s “perfect” Word. That idea is in direct conflict with Rev. 22:7, “WHOSOEVER will (Spanish, French, Creole…), let him take the water of life freely…”

The fact is that many believers across denominational lines use the King James Version of the Bible, but they do not hold to a KJV-ONLY position. The KJV is a great Bible and the best selling version, but simple research reveals that it is NOT the “ONLY” reliable version. Satan has so effectively used the Word of God to divide the family of God that the KJV-Only debate is no longer a controversy – it’s a catastrophe! Believers draw lines in the sand, choose sides, and lash out venomously over this issue.

God, forgive those who are more concerned about having KJV on the Bible’s cover than they are about living by the principles contained within its pages and forgive those who use Your Word to divide Your family! Amen."

The Skill In Your Hands

1 Samuel 17:38-45

The story of David and Saul. They were both anointed by Samuel. There was a problem when David brought food to his brethren.

The people were afraid of Goliath. David volunteered to face the problem. King Saul's armor was not compatible to David. God endowed this young man with a skill of slinging. Courage too! (Joshua 1:9)

Do not underrate your skill as a tool for service to God. David sets the example that we can be able to use our skill to the Glory of God.

David overcame the main hurdle - FEAR. He had faith that the God who had saved him before WOULD BE CONSISTENT to his promise.

We learn that the skill God gives you - use it to His glory (1Cor10:31)

David strengthened himself and faced his peoples challenge. He would later do so again since God had already saved him- from even death. (1 Samuel 29:6b)

There various hurdles in peoples lives - facing the unexpected and the expected, for our youth facing examination and tests, for parents cheer responsibilities in life, for teachers the expectations of students succeeding in the immediate assessments. These can be hurdles that we need to use our skill in our hands to bring glory to God.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13

Chuck Swindoll: 10 Leadership Lessons Learned in 50 Years of Leadership

Chuck Swindoll: 10 Leadership Lessons Learned in 50 Years of Leadership: "

Chuck Swindoll, accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at Catalyst 09, offered the following lessons he has learned:

1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.


2. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.


3. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.


4. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.


5. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.


6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.


7. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.


8. Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.


9. God’s way is better than my way.


10. Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

HT: Z

"

Country Church Plot

Fund raising to buy a church plot for Orlando Ngenia BC.
In 1991 on the onset of the Kuwait war - a church in Florida sent a work team to Kenya, Africa. This team from Orlando Baptist Church built a church building in a village called Ngenia. The church members called their church Orlando Ngenia Baptist Church, after the church whose team came to put up the structure!.

Orlando Ngenia Baptist Church building

From this small congregation God has called great servants for His work. Just to mention but a few Pst Stephen Ngunjiri- Timau Bible Baptist Church, Pst Joseph Tabe - Abalozi BC, Missionary Joel Muli - Dar es salaam, Tanzania, Missionary Lukas Mutunga - Kiirwa Meru among other faithful servants.

God used this country church to be the growing ground of His servants!

Pastors Stephen Ngunjiri and Joseph Murage

We give God the glory for what He only can do! Pastor Joseph Murage (seen left) and the members of this country church desire to purchase a plot that adjoins the community land where the small church building stands. The community leaders wants to use the land of development thereto this country church must look for land to relocate.

The Orlando Ngenia BC invited churches within their fellowship to help fund raise Ksh 150,000 (USD 1900) to buy 1 acre of land. I wish they would get 2 acres. There is much that can be done to the glory of God in a rural area such as Ngenia.

From left: Stephen Ngunjiri, Benjamin Kaiyoni (Chumvi Baptist Mission), Paul Kimarus (Shiloh Kalalu BC),Lukas Mutunga (Kiirwa BC),me, Duncan Kamau (Ethi BC), Kinoti Jerusha (East Laikipia BC), Josepeh Tabe (Abalozi BC), Lay man in Orlando Ngenia BC.

May God continue to receive glory and praise in His church. He is the head of the body!

It is more blessed to give than to receive!

Buying Country Church Plot

In 1991 during the onset of the Kuwait war - a church in Florida sent a work team. This team from Orlando built a small church in a village called Ngenia.

From this small Church God has called great servants them Pst Stephen Ngunjiri - Timau Baptist Church, Pst Joseph Tabe - Abalozi BC, Missionary Joel Muli - Dar Tanzania, Missionary Lukas Mutunga - Kiirwa Meru among other faithful servants. We God the glory for only what He does To glorify His name. Pst Joseph Murage and the members of this country church desire to purchase a plot that adjoins the public land where the current small building stands. The land where this church stands belongs to the community and is set for development. The Orlando Ngenia BC called churches within our fellowship to help raise 150,000 (USD1900) to buy 1 accre of land. I wish they would get 2 accres. There is much that can be done to the glory of God in a rural area such as Ngenia.

May God continue to receive glory and praise in His church. He is the head of the body.

Onesmus Kibera
0733 600 213

Desiring God Pg 46 excerpt

We admire people who are secure and composed enough that they don’t need to shore up their weaknesses and compensate for their deficiencies by trying to get compliments. It stands to reason, then, that any teaching that puts God in the category of a second-hander will be unacceptable to Christians. And for many, the teaching that God seeks to show off His glory and get the praise of men does in fact put Him in the category of a second-hander. But should it? One thing is certain: God is not weak and has no deficiencies: “From him and through him and to him are all things” (Romans 11:36). He is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25). Everything that exists owes its existence to Him, and no one can add anything to Him that is not already flowing from Him.

What I Like Doing

Last year the safari rally was passing near our home. Millicent and I watched. Just like I like seeing the safos I love to serve the orphans at the Kids Alive Kenya. The lives of Kenyan children have been changed! I encourage you to visit and partner with KAK. Please visit our website www.kidsalive.org
Onesmus Kibera
0733 600 213