On the road again...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Friends in Christ,

Today started unexpectedly. We were supposed to be ready to go at 10:00 for our visits, but at 7:45am we received a call from Charles saying that he was at the hotel with some of the men from Nyeri and they wanted to visit! We were all still in bed after a long day and late night the previous day, so it caught us a bit off guard. But we got up and Larry and I walked up to the lobby to meet with them. We were updated on what was going on with our churches in the Nyeri area, and had a good visit with these men. We wrapped up at a bit before 10:00, ate a quick breakfast, packed our things, checked out, and were ready to load up and head to Nyahururu by 10:30.

It was a two hour drive from Nyeri to Nyahururu across increasingly dry landscape. When we arrived in Nyahururu we saw corn that had tasseled, but that was no more than two feet tall! Much of Kenya has been facing a harsh drought for going on four years now, and many of the people are suffering. It is a heart wrenching thing to see. Our congregation tried to help as well, but there is little that they can do. In spite of the severe drought, the Bougainvillea tree outside the Miano home boasted beautiful red flowers. If only the corn could thrive like that!

When we arrived we were greeted by Pastor Miano and his wife. They welcomed us into their wooden home and gave us boiled chicken, chapati, and vegetables. Although we were not very hungry we ate what we could, and it was very good.

Following the meal we gathered around the word with a few others who had been able to come, to encourage them with the Gospel during this difficult time of drought. We pray that the Lord would send rain for these people soon, according to His good and gracious will.

After about an hour and a half in Nyahururu we began the long journey back to Nairobi. We made it back to the Southern Blue at about 7:00pm.

After settling back in and eating supper, I set out to go through the over 250 pounds of books that we brought over from CLC members in the states. These books were donated by individuals, schools and churches throughout the CLC and will be put to use here in many ways. Some will be give to the new seminary that is starting in Arusha, Tanzania. Other books like Bibles and catechisms will be given out to pastors and evangelists throughout East Africa. And some children’s books will be given to the Etago orphan school. They will all be put to use in the work of ministry here in East Africa. We give thanks to the Lord for all that our fellow members have done to assist the work here, and ask that you keep the work here in your prayers. There is so much to do, and so little time to do it.

In His service,

Nathanael Mayhew

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).