July, 2025
Greetings, brethren in Christ,
I arrived in Kenya on the 3rd of May, a little tired from the flight, but thankful for the Lord’s protection and mindful of your prayers. Rev. Eben Yoon was there at the Nairobi airport to pick me up. I have greatly enjoyed fellowship with him and his family, and I was also blessed with the chance to spend some afternoons with Rev. Brad Gsell before his eventual return to North Carolina.
I am the only American at the Bible College of East Africa at the moment, but it has been good to get to know the many brothers in Christ from Africa who are fellow-students here. We eat meals together, attend services and early morning prayer meetings together daily, and every Wednesday we go out in groups to evangelize in the neighborhoods around the college campus. During those occasions, I have had a variety of opportunities to present the gospel to many willing listeners with our group leader, Brother Reagan, though sometimes the discussions are conducted in Swahili and I can only pray in the meantime. Most people in Nairobi, I am told, do understand English, but the preference seems to be conversation in Swahili or in their mother tongue.
There was an afternoon youth camp one Saturday in May where I was able to get to know some of the young people from the area, who regularly attend the campus church. Pray for them, that I might be able to be a good influence on them, if it be the Lord’s will. I may also have the opportunity to begin teaching in the Sunday School regularly, so please do pray for that as well.
Last week we had the midterm exams, besides having previously completed an intensive course on the book of Romans. Praise the Lord for His grace. This term should end July 24th, and my understanding is that classes resume around August 18th. Pray that I would continue learning wondrous things from His law!
Over the midterm break, I accompanied my classmate, Brother Moses, to his home town in the county of Kericho. Here is a photo of Moses and his family. The trip there was about 8 or 9 hours in all, ending with a crowded motorcycle ride along dirt roads. It is a very beautiful place, with awesome trees and rolling hills where they plant crops of tea and maize (corn). It was inspiring to see the glory of God’s creation, and to worship Him in the open air as we did several times! “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Psalm 104:24.
We were hosted by a pastor who studied at BCEA over 20 years ago. He and his family were very kind, providing for all our needs and helping to organize everything for us. We were blessed with the chance to meet with several pastors from that area, and we also spent several days doing visitations for various church members and elderly folk.
On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak at an outdoor funeral, which I was not expecting. The Lord gave me some brief words to say, especially emphasizing the gospel and the need for Christ. Then, on Saturday, we attended a church fellowship with more than one congregation in attendance, and I was able to get to know some of the children and organize a few games for them, as well as spend time with believers. How glorious that we can find fellow Christians all over the world! I got to speak briefly as well. Indeed, you may take it for granted that I had to speak wherever I went! The people of Kericho were always very delighted to see a mzungu (foreigner) and would let no chance for me to deliver an oration slip away.
I taught a group of children in Sunday school on the Lord’s Day, with Moses translating for me, and then I taught a lesson at a high school with about 500 students. I believe the Lord truly blessed His Word and the prayers of His saints for those young people, and for the message. They seemed to truly hang on every word. Speaking without a translator, I found it much easier to speak freely and ask questions. After that, we quickly went on to a conference of several churches which met in a field, to acknowledge the progress constructing a church building for the local church, and I spoke on The Edification of the Church of Christ.
So, I would appreciate your prayers for me, for spiritual growth, wisdom and grace to profit in the Lord from the time I spend here, as well as for those I have been able to minister to, especially during my trips out of Nairobi. Also, pray for Moses, for whom I am very thankful as he did his best to make my trip both enjoyable and profitable. I know he was also praying for God’s blessing on my teaching and testimony. Thank you once again for your support and prayers! The Lord will hear us for we are in Jesus Christ the Righteous One!
“The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
In Christ our Saviour,
Josiah Durand