Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has now been nearly nine months since my arrival in Kenya. God has blessed my stay here in many ways, most of all with His faithful presence to cheer and to guide.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23
SUNDAY SCHOOL, VBS, AND CHILDREN’S FELLOWSHIP
God answered my prayers by opening the door for me to be able to teach the Junior Secondary class in Sunday School here at the BCEA Campus Church last year. We were going through a series of Bible Questions and Answers, so I taught about, among others, the following topics: Is God fair to elect some and not others? Can other religions save? What is the covenant of works? What is the covenant of grace?
Lord willing, I may be able to teach some of the classes here again before I go. My English was a challenge for the children at the beginning, and they were reluctant at first to actively participate in the class. But when I last taught them, many were able to answer, at le, the key questions at the end of the class. So, I would ask your prayers for the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. For as many as are saved, that the Lord would strengthen their walk with God, and for those who have not yet believed, that the Holy Spirit would convict them and give them new hearts.
During the August break, there was a Vacation Bible School on campus that lasted three days, with more than a hundred children in attendance. I was specifically helping with the Junior Youth and the Lower Primary children, and was able to speak to the former group on the last day. I strongly encouraged them to honor and love the Word of God, and to seek their creator while they are still young. Most of the teachers were fellow Bible College students who had stayed for the break, and it was a good time to fellowship with them, getting to know them better. Many of those children regularly attend Sunday School and Sunday Service as well.
Also, there have been several Youth Camps organized by the church here, and the regular Saturday Children’s Fellowships, where BCEA alumni, Brother Edgar, went over the Beatitudes with the children last year: I was asked to help organize some games for those fellowships, to aid in memorizing the Bible verses and learning the lesson.
BIBLE COLLEGE
Praise God that the third term, which was my second full term at BCEA, went well, and we completed our final exams in November. Several of the students from third year and fourth year concluded their studies, and we held the graduation towards the end of November. Pray for them as they go on to seek the Lord’s will for service in the ministry, some in Kenya and some in Tanzania.
Here at BCEA, we have ongoing evangelism in the neighborhood every Wednesday, early morning prayer meetings throughout the week (which I have been called upon to teach devotionals regularly), and frequent opportunities for fellowship, spiritual conversations, and even joint prayer and study of God’s Word with fellow students. I thank God for friendships formed and for the teachers and staff and all their service, which they render to the Lord.
AROKYET, KERICHO
Towards the end of November, I accompanied Brother Moses to Kericho again, at the invitation of Reverend Samuel, to help teach at various Youth Conferences and Camps during the break. My messages focused on Spiritual Growth and Godly Living. While there, I was also able to teach at a week-long VBS, to teach in multiple Sunday Schools, at many youth discipleship programs, at several primary schools, and at different church fellowships. I also attended a wedding, a funeral, and several coming-of- age ceremonies, and I regularly held children’s classes to teach the Bible to many of the neighboring children and friends of Reverend Samuel’s family.
At one school, I spoke to 700 children at once. It was a very overwhelming thing to only have a few moments to try to share Christ and the Bible with them; surely much prayer is required. There are a lot of things that these children don’t know, but my prayer is that now they know that they are ignorant, and guilty, weak, and helpless, and need Jesus Christ.
In all, the trip lasted over a month. I am very thankful for the way God’s providence guided and directed all my steps, answering prayers and letting me see and teach some of the same children I had met on the previous trip.
PRAYER ITEMS
- Here are the names of some of the children I witnessed to during my time in Kericho: Dorine, Delinda, Lessan and Abel; Brenda; Brian; Rhoda; Hiscah, Brian, Brighton and Braidon; Magdaline, Ruth and Raphael; Maxwell and Kibet; Owen and Jabez; Catlyn and Bravin; Deborah and Abigail; Chepsir; and Bruno and Jayden. I would appreciate your prayers for them and their families, especially that the children would learn to read the Bible regularly, and that families would be diligent in having regular, daily devotions together.
- Children at the college, including Lemuel, Dan, Effie and their families, and Precious, Gift, Daphney, Melizah, Peter, Melvine, and other Sunday School children. Many of the Sunday School children come to church alone, and most come from broken homes, and some from orphanages.
- For Moses, who graduated from BCEA and is seeking the Lord’s will for his future in the ministry, and also for the other graduates, including Reagan, Rodgers, Jacob (the teacher on the right below).
- For three little girls we encountered once during evangelism, Naida, Nasha, and Isha, who asked very good questions, and for others who have heard the Word during the evangelism in Nairobi.
- Potential trip to Kericho during the midterm in February, and for the churches there.
- Thank the Lord that Abraham’s father in Chile, who we have been praying for, has been attending the Misión de Gracia church, and even brought Abraham to the service once. Please continue praying for their salvation!
- Also for my return to Chile, Lord willing, on the 15th of March, and God’s guidance for the future.
To conclude, allow me to express my grateful heart to the Lord, and to each and everyone who has supported and prayed for me during this time!
“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Lamentations 3:24–25
God Bless You,
Josiah Durand