January 6, 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I'm in Africa!!! Ok, I'm not actually in Africa as I sit down and write this update. I'm just in my apartment in Kettering, Ohio. However, by the time you read this update, my family and I WILL BE in Africa!!! It's hard to believe the time has finally arrived. When we first started down this road it seemed like such a long, long way away. Now it is here. Oh, how we praise God that He has done the impossible time and again in order to get us ready to leave. One of the things we have learned this year is how BIG our God really is. I'm confident He will continue to amaze us as He works His will through us in Kenya, bringing lost souls into the kingdom of Christ and establishing New Testament Baptist Churches.

Please pray for faith and strength for me and my family. Up until two months ago I had 100% excitement and 0% trepidation. By the end of November it was to 90-10, and now it is closer to 70% excitement and 30% trepidation. By the time you read this, I wonder what it will be. But in all honesty, we know we are doing God's will and following our Savior unto the "uttermost parts of the earth". What could be more exciting and peaceful than that? It's worth the cost to follow Christ, beloved.

By now you've probably heard of the political problems in Kenya, which have led to country-wide riots and chaos. We've been asked many times, "You aren't really still going over there, are you?" Well, yes, we are still going. While the riots, chaos, killings, and church burnings may have altered our peace of mind a little, they haven't altered our desires to go. Obviously we will take every precaution we can, and fortunately we will not actually be in Kenya until June. But we're still planning on going. We trust that things will stabilize somewhat between now and June. Please also be in prayer concerning our shipment. The loading and export of the container is being delayed until the end of February in order to give more time for things to settle down in Kenya. We really don't want our shipment to make it to Kenya just to see it looted or destroyed. This could happen anyway, but we considered it wise to delay the shipment for a month. Pray for peace in Kenya.

Let me close this update with a hearty thank you to all the individuals and churches around this great country of ours that have helped us, supported us, received us, and loved us this past year. We wouldn't be where we are (IN AFRICA!) without you. Thank you, also, to those individuals and churches who have decided to support us with prayer and finances in order to keep us on the field. We thank God for your partnership in our ministry. Thanks for "holding the rope" back home. Now, finally, to all the family and friends we leave behind: We love you, we will miss you, and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Remember, it's not good-bye forever. It's just "until we see you again." FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST IN KENYA!

May God's peace and joy be with you.

Roger, Julie, Emily, Amy and Josiah Tate