Dear Friends,

We begin with an apology for yet another delay in sending out to you our prayer letter. There is and has been so much going on that writing our prayer letter has had to take a back seat. However, we know that such delay is not to our advantage since we know that a number of you look forward to our news for your continued prayers.

April began on a heavy note when I began a study programme under Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST). The School is based in Nairobi, but has an extension programme offered in Eldoret for those already in the ministry.

The lectures are delivered in blocks of three weeks during April, August and December school holidays. Then, the students continue with their assignments in the intervening weeks. It is the conviction of a number of local leaders within the Reformed Baptist Ministries in Kenya (ReBMiK) that the way forward is to prepare themselves now so we may provide Reformed theological training for our people in the future. Kenya desperately lacks affordable Reformed institutions. We ask for your earnest prayers in these matters. If the Lord should lay on your heart the desire to know a few more details about this, do let me know and I will give you move information.

ReBMiK held its first annual conference in Nairobi from 19th to 23rd  April. Injili Bible Church, Kawangware hosted the conference. About fifty people from different churches and Bible schools were in attendance, including a number of ladies.

Speakers were from among the leaders of the organizing churches who also are members of ReBMiK. The main theme was 'The Gospel', and I had the task of presenting a paper on the conditions of the Gospel, which are 'repentance and faith.'

Children have been enjoying their April holidays, and are set to return to school this week. Our church organized a Bible Club in the Pioneer Estate where a family (Abraham & Lillian) from our church stay. There were a staggering one hundred plus children coming daily for three days. Some older children (teenagers) in the same area have also asked what plans the church has for them!

A number of teenagers in our church have professed faith in recent days. Most of them will be leaving home for boarding schools this week. Please pray with us for them that the Lord will preserve them for Himself and that they will be a living testimony of His grace. Please continue to pray for our need of a plot of land where the church may eventually centralize its meetings and activities.

We were all looking forward to witnessing Peter and Alphonse going through water baptism today. But Peter fell ill with Malaria while Alphonse was delayed in his work away from Eldoret. They both have a Roman Catholic background, but the Lord graciously saved them some time last year. We will have to plan their baptism for another day. Loice, who was converted and baptised as a believer a number of years ago, joined the membership today. The times are economically tough for all here, such that a number of our own members have moved away. But we also thank the Lord for His work of grace so evident in His people; there is growing participation among the members. Wilfred had been without a job for many months, but he recently got employment as a civil servant serving as a District Officer in Western Kenya. He was able to be at the church meetings today. His family is still in the village until the time when he will be able to afford relocating them to his new work place.

We (Helida and I) were privileged to join Grace Baptist Church Kisumu yesterday at the occasion of the official opening of their church building. Pastor Sukesh P. of Injili Bible Church Kawangware, Nairobi preached very helpfully from First Corinthians three verses one to eleven.

On the family front, Helida is keeping well. We set up a miniature poultry business to provide a form of extra engagement for her at the home. Liz was down with Malaria for about one week but we are thankful to God that she is well now.  She  celebrates  her 15th birthday on Wednesday 5th of May. Time passes fast! We are sorry that we have not written about Tim of late. We had hoped that he will find opportunity to send out his 2nd Newsletter from college, but he has been very busy. Lately, he has had health challenges at college. Since his appendectomy a few years ago and subsequent adhesions, he has had repeated painful attacks in his stomach. Then, more recently, he sprained his foot while playing for his class against the second years. This earned him a taste of walking with crutches for a while. Early in April, he teamed up with four of his college mates for a project in Edinburgh and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. They were there for just over one week. In God's great goodness, Tim will be able to travel back to Kenya later this month for his long summer holidays. We are ever so grateful to God for this arrangement. I have recovered fairly well from my tonsillectomy done last month and now I am able to carry on with my normal ministry.

There is just too much debate about our country's draft constitution. Many 'interpretors' are cashing in on the lack of knowledge of the majority of the citizens. Various religious groups are equally sucked in. We just ask you to remember us in prayer as we prepare for the referendum by the middle of this year.

We have been having a lot rain again, but sadly there are areas where it has caused great destruction and even deaths.

Brethren, there are many matters in this prayer letter for which we ask you to join us in prayer. It would certainly be very encouraging to hear from you so that we too may pray for you.

The Lord be with you and richly bless you as you serve Him.

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