Dear praying friends,

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

These word are from chapter three verses twenty and twenty one of the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus. They describe something of what the Lord has done among us in the past month. We lack the right words with which to thank Him. There have also been challenges and trials but through them all the Lord has done exceedingly abundantly...

Our Sunday congregation has grown steadily such that we now search every room for any spare furniture including little stools. The number often runs to 80 adults and children. We thank the Lord who faithfully brings them and we pray that He will also do what they cannot do for themselves and that is to save them.

This past month is also significant in the life of our church as the church officially appointed two into eldership. Though they have already been doing the work, David Anderson & Naphtally O. were unanimously voted in as elders at a recent church members meeting. David is among us as a missionary from the UK through the Grace Baptist Mission (GBM). David clearly holds the conviction that he is here to help support and strengthen the young work. He desires to provide training for local men who will be able to join Naphtally in the continuing work of building the church and seeking to plant other Biblical churches. There is planned a simple "ordination service" this coming Lord's Day conducted by Pastor Sam O. from Grace Baptist Church, Kisumu.

The teaching and preaching ministries of the church are going on well. David is preaching through Mark's Gospel while Naphtally is on Galatians. For the Adult Bible study, they are doing Basic Christian Doctrines and spending a great deal of time teaching of Scripture since so many lack Biblical knowledge even among the professing Christians. Helida and Tim run the Sunday School classes which have had to be divided into two in order to cater for the varying ages. Please pray for us regarding a need for a piece of land upon which we can put up a church building.

The Lord has truly been good to us. But we must now share with you some sad news. We had to obey the Lord and carry out the first case of discipline in the church. One had to be removed from membership due to a repeated life of sin. We continue to talk to and exhort him to have genuine repentance.

We mentioned last time about rains. The rain patterns have changed dramatically. There is such a serious drought in many parts of the country that crops are dying fast. The great Kenyan bread basket (the Rift Valley Province) is expected to experience an unprecedented lack of harvest. But that is not all. The country's electricity generating dams are fast running dry. Masinga Dam is already closed and the other two dams will close unless the Lord has mercy.

A little bit of family news now. We mentioned in the past Prayer Letter (#04) that Tim had been selected to join the Atlantic College in Llantwit Major in South Wales for studies. He is due to report on 1st September 2009. We are so thankful to the Lord for what He has done for him and for us as a family. We believe it is wise for Naphtally to accompany him and help him settle in the college. While Tim has his airfare fully catered for, Naphtally needs to raise his return airfare. Even with the cheapest Airline, this is a big challenge for the family. The other issue is the securing of a UK visa; this is never guaranteed. We are in the process of contacting the British Embassy. We ask you to pray with us in this two matters please.

We value your prayers and so we ask that you continue to uphold us before the throne of grace as we press on with the work.

Yours in Him,

Naphtally & Helida with Tim & Liz