Dear friends,

We are again amazed at the passing of time on the one hand and the changing scenes of life on the other. The Book of Ruth both captures and demonstrates these two inescapable realities in a very helpful way. However, real help comes when we can humbly notice and admit the Almighty's hand in all that befalls us. This was Naomi's great discovery. Be assured, this is not a sermon! We are only sharing with you something of the Lord's gracious dealings with us so far.

In about one month's time, it will be our silver wedding anniversary! While we can not recall many things that happened on the wedding day, the words we printed on our wedding card which are taken from Ruth 1:16 remain vivid in our minds:

Naphtally weds Helida 30th March 1985

Though we cannot still fathom the depth of these words twenty-five years later, yet we believe and treasure them dearly.

Our daughter Liz and the other girls are pressing on in their new found faith. Liz is full of questions related to Christian walk. She is receiving much help from Queenvel, who is Naphtally's niece. She is staying with us during her college studies in Human Resource Management. Queenvel joined the church late last year after a credible profession of faith [P/L of 2009 #10].

Liz & Queenvel

The Lord continues to lead us on by His grace as a local church. While we see evidence of persevering grace in some members, we have cause to cry with the apostle Paul concerning others 'O that Christ would be formed in them'. The cares of this life are threatening to choke the young plant of the word in their lives. For example, with the majority in the membership belonging to the Jua Kali sector (self employment). When one misses work during the regular six days of the week, the temptation is to try to make it up on the Lord's Day rather than say with Ruth 'I will follow you (Lord) even if you kill me'. That, you will appreciate, calls for real faith. Please, pray for these young believers as they struggle with real life issues. However, in the midst of such 'birth pangs', we have the joy that more non-members are showing appreciation for our church and desire to join the membership. Please pray for the continuing ministry of the word. The children's work is also very encouraging. We hope in the near future to conduct Sunday School teachers training so that many can participate in this noble task.

The church continues to meet in the tent attached to the front of our rented house. This is something for which we are so grateful to the Lord. However, the strain and burden that this set-up lays upon our family is not small. With the weekly average attendance of sixty-five, the domestic design of the house is always stretched to extreme limits. There is also a measure of vulnerability as the home is exposed since 'not all have faith'. Brethren, we urge you to pray for our safety and that the Lord may open a way for us to be able to buy land and eventually build a public meeting place. Our church is young and majority struggle to make ends meet. However, we must not complain as it is the Lord who has brought us this far (three plus years!)

Representatives of Reformed Baptist Movement in Kenya (ReBMiK) met in Nakuru on 22nd and 23rd and had a rich time of prayer, fellowship and discussion over issues that affect our churches and beyond.

REBMIK members meeting in Nakuru town

It was a very profitable time as we talked openly and treated one another graciously as equals in the service and calling of the Lord. The association is involved in literature work, with the first issue of Grace Magazine having hit the road last month. The next issue is on the production line. You may subscribe for your hard copy or visit the association's web sight http://www.rebmik.org/rm. Apart from the magazine, the association is also developing theological materials for pastoral training. The other major undertaking is a Pastors' & Bible Students' Conference set for April 19th to 23rd this year to be held in Nairobi. Key speakers are from our member churches. The theme of the Conference is 'The Gospel'. Please pray for those of us preparing to speak and also for the logistical plans.

Registration of churches is mandatory under the Societies Acts, but it is not a straightforward matter. It has been made stringently difficult because of some extreme groups and because of others having divisions and splits. As a local church, we are in the process of preparing and presenting our application with the Government. We need your prayers in this matter too.

So far, God's common grace is visible over our country. The process of drafting a new Constitution is still far from over. Having gone through the hands of Committee of Experts (CoE) and the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), it is now upon the Members of Parliament to debate and agree. It will be a big test. All this will culminate in a National Referendum later in the year before we have a new Constitution, God willing.

In the past weeks and months, our country has been in the world's limelight, all for unfortunate reasons. Scandals and corruptions make our beloved country stink not just before the eyes of the world but certainly before God. About 9 Billion Shillings intended for Free Primary School Education and Thousands of tonnes of Maize meant for the poor and starving have all gone missing! Thousands of tonnes of Milk went down the drain due to what is believed to be yet another scandal! There is more talk (and politics) and less action in dealing with corruption.

Certainly, we have plenty in this letter for which you can pray for us about. Please do, as your participation is important to us.

Yours in Christ,
Naphtally & Helida with Liz and Queenvel.