September 6, 2008

Dear Special Friends,

Greetings to each of you from Kitale, Kenya. The work of our Lord continues on, and we thank Him for the opportunities that we have had to minister for Him this past month. Early in the month, Pam and I traveled to another part of Kenya to do some medical clinics in a remote region. Pam worked with another Kenyan nurse for three days, and I was able to do some Biblical teaching to the people there during the clinics as well as in a Bible Institute of a missionary friend. These were the first clinics that we had done this year, so it was great to combine the teachings from God’s Word with being able to help people with their physical problems. We are planning on enlarging the ministry here later on, and this will include going to remote places to help people physically, but more importantly, to help them spiritually. As our Lord allows, we hope to start more churches from this ministry.

Pam has continued to teach in our churches about home based care for those suffering from AIDS. Some of our churches members have volunteered to go into homes, to meet with the families, help to bathe their loved ones, to teach the caregivers about nutrition, and to show the families other ways to better care for their loved ones. The volunteers have also been taught how to share the Gospel, and offer comfort through the reading of Scripture to those and their families who are suffering. The volunteers are ready now to go into the communities, and start to serve. They will be meeting with the village elders of the various communities this next week in order to find out who needs these services. God has blessed us with a CHW (Community Health Worker) in our third church who does this every week, so he has been a tremendous help in this project. We are really praying that God will use this outreach to show many the love of Christ, and that our people can be the “hands and feet” of Jesus to those who are hurting. We want our Lord’s churches here to be different, in that we are taking His Word to those who are stigmatized. Our prayer is that people will see Christ in us, and will receive His gift of eternal life, and that churches can be established.

The hospital ministry with the premature babies continues on. Pam goes once per week to the premature unit of our district hospital to teach the mothers about caring for their little ones: many who were born early at seven months, and have special needs. Many of you gave clothes, hats, blankets, undershirts, socks, diapers, and some handmade soft toys. They are being used now, and the mothers are so grateful for your gifts. After her teaching, Pam explains the plan of salvation to the mothers, so we are so thankful for this outreach in a government facility. Carrie, our daughter-in-law, will be returning at the end of this month, and she plans to continue on with this important work. Thanks again to so many of you who gave. We deeply appreciate your interest in this ministry.

Roger, Julie, and family are a blessing to us here. It is exciting to watch them as they get used to the different culture here, and are eager to minister. Roger taught for two days in our Bible Institute this past month, and has plans on how to enlarge the work of the Lord here. Julie is home schooling, but is involved with the missionary ladies in a Bible study each Tuesday, and has been such an encouragement to Pam. Emily, Amy, and Josiah are adjusting well, and making Kenyan friends. God has been so good to bless us with this family to partner with us in the work of the Lord here.

We have struggled lately with tax issues here. We have paid taxes here and in the U.S. for eight years now, and have a tax accountant who advises us. We pay our taxes monthly, as well as our tax accountant. In July, we received notice that we were being audited. Our accountant wanted to meet with us personally about these issues, so we made several trips to meet with him, as he is an hour and a half away in the nearest city to Kitale. He advised us on how to meet with the tax authorities, so we met by ourselves the first time, as our accountant didn't want to go. Unfortunately, they had many questions that we couldn't answer. The authorities are bearing down on taxpayers in the hopes of increasing taxes. Our accountant called the authorities and made an appointment for us this week to go in again to talk to them. When we arrived, we were told that the main person had malaria, and would be out on sick leave for the rest of this week. No one else was able to meet with us. So, it has been very frustrating and stressful, as we have been faithful to pay our taxes. We were being audited, but were not told about all of the information that was needed from us. We have learned new information each time that we have met with our accountant, as well as the tax officials. So, nothing has been settled, although our accountant told us that we need not worry, as we are not in a business, and make no money in this country.

We are having to return to the States for some much-needed health treatments, so will be leaving Kenya on September 15th to return to the U.S. We have struggled with these issues for a long time, and thought that treatments we received in the States during our recent furlough would have resolved them. However, we have discovered since returning, that they were not adequately healed, and they have been complicated by our return to Kenya. We are hoping and praying that after some further treatments, the Lord will give us sufficient healing, so that we will be able to return once again to Kenya, and the ministry here as shortly as possible. Also, the issues we need to address require that we rest, both physically and spiritually. During our furlough, we did so much traveling to make reports and visits, that we got almost no physical rest. It is necessary that we get away from the constant daily stresses placed upon us by the ministry here. We ask you to pray for us and understand our need for some rest, treatments, and healing.

Thanks again for all of your prayers, love, and interest in the Lord’s work here. Our new address is listed above, as well as our E-mail. We will miss Kenya terribly, and the people here. Our hearts are here, but we must return for a time. Please do keep us before the Lord, and pray for the Lord’s work here, and for Roger and Julie who will continue on in our absence. May our Lord richly bless each of you, and your labors for Him in your part of His harvest field.

Your grateful missionaries,

Mike and Pam