Africa Primitive Baptist Outreach

Elder Vernon Johnson's Update on Gospel Labors in Africa – 23 August 2011

2011-08-24T07:32:00.002-05:00

1. Kenya – The elders in Kenya continue to be blessed to reach out to others in the villages surrounding Kisii. There are now numerous fellowships that have been established in the Kisii area. Recently a group of preachers approached Elders Martin and Charles inquiring as to what Primitive Baptists believe. Subsequently these two elders preached to the respective congregations. Consequently, there are six more preachers who have indicated that they want to study the bible beliefs held by the Primitive Baptists. Elder Martin has also informed me that there are several young men that the elders in the Kisii area believe are about ready to be ordained. I expect several ordinations in the near future and this to be followed by the constitution of several more churches.

2. Uganda – Elder Charles continues to go to Mbale , Uganda each month and preach to a sizeable group of brothers and sisters in that area. He continues with studies with the leaders for about a week in that city each month.

3. Tanzania – Elder Moses is leading a new fellowship in Mbeya. This is the childhood home place of the late Elder Obey Ndalima. The previous post includes a journal written by Elder Charles of Kenya who made a recent preaching tour of Mbeya.

4. Zambia – The work continues in this country. Elder Mark Hasenmyer and myself have a scheduled trip to visit with the fellowship headed by Bro. Kezala Ngoma in October of this year. Bro. Kezala leads a group of about 50 people in the town of Mumbwa a few kilometers from Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia .

5. Botswana – The work here continues with a handful of believers. I am now able to study with a couple of the brethren on Skype. I had planned a trip to South Africa and Botswana in November of this year, but I have had to postpone the trip to late January/early February for financial reasons.

6. Ghana – Bro. Aikins Doh and a Bro. Nathaniel are heading up three fellowships in Ghana . Recently Bro. Aikins received a visitor from Nigeria who had visited him about two years before. At the time of the first visit Bro. Aikins shared with the man some of our beliefs and copied for him several of the studies that I had sent to Bro. Aikins. On the return visit the man told Bro. Aikins that he had studied the materials and that he had a group of over 50 people that he is leading and trying to teach to them what he had learned. The brothers name in Nigeria is Christopher Onyeneka. He is a business man in Nigeria .

7. Nigeria – Bro. Christopher Onyeneka requested Bro. Aikins to come to Nigeria and begin teaching the members of his fellowship the beliefs of the Primitive Baptists. Bro. Aikins recently visited Nigeria and spent nearly two weeks with this group of people. I have attached Bro. Chris letter of request and Bro. Aikins journal of his visit.

Bro. Vernon Johnson

Elder Charles Kenyanjui's Trip to Dar and Mbeya, Tanzania

2011-08-12T20:10:00.002-05:00

Dear Brethren,

I thank God for your faithfulness to the cause of Christ, I give thanks always for you, your families and the churches.

I departed from Kisii on Wednesday night 20th July 2011. After a long ride I reached Dar on Friday 22th July 2011 at 1:00AM at Ubungu bus terminal, and I met Elder Anthony waiting for me. Then he took me on his motor bike to the church.

On Saturday 23th July morning hours I visited with Elders, Anthony, Moses and his wife to be in the upper room in the church, and we rejoiced together in the Lord. In the evening I meet with the Lord's people for a worship service, and I preached to them. They were so happy to receive me back. I really show the love of God for we rejoiced in the Lord together.

On Sunday 24th July we had two brethren who wanted to join the church by means of baptism so I baptized them before worship service starts. Among those I baptized one was Lonica Magadilo who will join Elder Moses has his wife as from on Sunday 14th August 2011.

After the baptism service we joined the Lord's people for the worshiping service. The turn out was good, and it was a blessing for me to preach. I preached from Matthew 7:13 -14. There is indeed a strait gate and a narrow way that few people find, but it is not leading to heaven, but rather to life or temporal blessings. It is the path of truth and true vital godliness here in this present world. It is the path in which alone is found the enjoyment of a life [true living] that can be obtained in no other way. It is the path of truth in doctrine, practice and experience. It is the path of those who worship God in spirit and in truth. The Scriptures plainly tells us that Christ redeemed His people to God by His blood out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation {Rev 5:9} Also, they reveal to us that this elect family constitutes a great multitude that no man can number, of all nations,{Rev.7:9]

After worshiping service was over I called Elder Moses to come forward and his wife to be, I announced their marriage before the church and they were happily received by the church; this was the first announcement which was made. I gave Moses a chance to put on the engagement ring to his bride. It was a blessing to me and to the church. On 25th July we had a meeting with the Elders present namely Moses, Thaddus, Anthony and myself on how to edify the church in Dar and how to nature the fellowship which God has opened in Mbeya.

On 26 July Tuesday Elder Moses and I we departed to Mbeya. We took the bus at 6:00 am. It was along ride and we arrived safely through God's Grace, Love and Mercy, at around 7:30 p.m. On 27th Wednesday we went to see the hired house which serves as a church, it was a nice house and on a good side and behind it was a pit latrine for the Lord's people.

On 28 Thursday July we went to visit with the parents of the late Obey in Mbalizi here we took two buses. Bro. Moses had informed them that we were to visit them. When we reached their home they were waiting for us. We sheared good moment with them. There we met with the father of Obey, the mother and a sister to Obey and the twins of the late Obey, named Gift and Given. They came home for their August holy days. We had good moments with them, and the twins were so happy to share with us. After a short discussion, now the father of Obey said that the pastors from America have shown the true love of God by carrying our burden which we were to carry by

1. Taking care of the late Obey's family
2. Paying the school fees for the orphans
3. Cooperating and taking the body of their son home

They thanked God for your generous donation May God bless you. He said that due to your love and the love of Kenyans during the time his son was sick. After that both parents wept openly. Then I closed the speech with a word of prayer then we left for Mbeya. It was a wonderful moments.

On Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July we visited with some members of the fellowship and I really rejoiced to shear the word of God with them. On Sunday 31st July we went to the church, and I was happy to see the members arrived in the church building in time. I preached the topic was to be born of the spirit. The members rejoiced to hear the true gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One member of the fellowship who was old in age told me that THE PREACHING WHICH IS IN PRIMITIVE IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD. What a blessing.

On Monday 1st August early in the morning we left for Dar and we reached late at 9:30 pm. I thank God for the safely journey back to Dar. I rested for two days thus on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd August.

On Thusrday4th August 2011 I departed to Kenya and I reached home on Friday of 5th August 2011at 9:00 am in the morning, safely through God's Grace and love. I was happy to reunite with my wife Josephine and my children. Filden is doing fine, and he is at home for August holidays

May God bless you all. I thank my God making mention of you always in my prayers.

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Elder Charles Kenyanjui.

Elder Tim McCool's Journal of Trip to Ghana & Tanzania

2011-06-29T09:43:00.001-05:00

Although this is a somewhat lengthy account of my recent trip to Africa, I hope the details of God's mercy and providential care will be a blessing to God's people.
This past February-March of 2011, Elder David Crawford and I planned to travel to Ghana, West Africa, for several days, and then fly to Tanzania, East Africa. While in Ghana, we expected to meet with Bro. Aikins Doh, and the fellowships that are ongoing there. While in Tanzania, we intended to meet and study with 12 preachers from Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania, as well as to examine and ordain 4 elders in the church at Daresalaam, Tanzania.
There is an old saying about “the best laid plans.” While the trip was incredibly rewarding spiritually, and I trust profitable to God’s people, it was not without its challenges.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Elder David Crawford and I met at the Atlanta airport to begin our journey to Ghana to preach the gospel. After visiting for several hours and looking forward to our trip, we were informed that Elder Crawford would not be allowed to board the plane without a visa or letter of application for a visa. I had previously obtained my visa, but Elder Crawford had none. With less than 20 minutes to departure, Bro. David was informed that he could not fly. After praying and consulting with one another, we determined that I should proceed to Ghana without Elder Crawford, who would try and obtain passage to Tanzania as soon as possible.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 After an all night flight I arrived safely in Accra, Ghana. Due to a breakdown in the transportation, Bro. Aikins Doh was not able to pick me up until about 5 hours later. We finally arrived in the Volta Region, City of Ho around 8 p.m. that night. At the time I did not know that Elder Crawford had secured a Thursday night flight to Tanzania.
Thursday-Saturday, February 24-26, 2011 Over these several days, we traveled to and from the second fellowship that was begun under Bro. Aikins’ guidance. I note that the attendance was greatly affected by the time of year being the planting season. I was encouraged to meet Bro. Nat, who is a close friend of Bro. Aikins and very much learned in the doctrines of grace. On Saturday night, we held services at Nat’s residence. I spent time reviewing the new birth, which we had covered previously.
I was informed that due to a death in the village of the first fellowship, the services would be held there around 4 a.m. the next morning. Apparently the local tribal leader had forbidden all church services after sunrise in respect of the dead. Bro. Aikins, Bro. Nat and I discussed the sinfulness of this requirement.
Sunday, February 27, 2011 I arose around 3 a.m. and prepared for the two church services. We were unable to reach the first fellowship until about 6:45 a.m. Upon arrival, I was informed there would be no Sunday service at all at the first fellowship. I visited the residence of the dead villager and was astonished to see the activities for the dead. Old women were chanting and playing drums, little children were running about, and much ado was being made over the dead. I later found a brother who was a leader in the first fellowship and informed him that I would meet with them immediately in worship if he would gather the members together. I also informed him how sinful it was to observe customs related to the dead rather than worship God. Unfortunately, he did not take me up on my offer.
We left and traveled to the second fellowship and held a morning worship service at Bro. Nat’s house. There were around 12 in attendance. Bro. Nat offered himself to be baptized. We left and the car broke down about 15 miles from town. It was extremely hot, but a vehicle came along and eventually picked us up. Later that afternoon, I baptized Bro. Nat in a creek.
Monday-Wednesday, February 28-March 2, 2011 The last three days were filled with some studying and repairing Bro. Aikins’ car. A very eventful service occurred in a 3rd fellowship Monday afternoon. In a village not far from the second fellowship, we visited until dark with these good people, and about 30-35 were gathered at the local chief’s residence to hear the truth for the first time. It was interesting to see that Bro. Nat was able to answer many of the questions asked by the villagers.
On Wednesday, we traveled to the capital of Accra, and I boarded a plane for Daresalaam (via Nairobi). The flight arrived at 5 a.m. in Nairobi, the on to Dar at 9 a.m.
Thursday, March 3, 2011 –In Daresalaam, I was picked up at the airport by Bro. David, my dear friend Elder Martin Onyoni, and several other brothers. I must note at this point that Bro. David, while waiting for my arrival, checked with the airline about moving up our upcoming Wednesday flight. After many days of study in Tanzania before I arrived, he felt like it was time to go home after the ordinations this coming Sunday. I too had previously checked about an earlier flight, but both of us were disappointed to learn the flights were full.
We traveled to the hostel, which was situated on a hillside overlooking an inlet of the Indian Ocean. From there we traveled to the market to obtain pork that Bro. David intended to prepare on the next day for lunch. After obtaining the meat, we traveled to the church building. What a blessing the church has in being able to worship in such an excellent building. The late Elder Obey Ndalima would be so pleased.
We ate lunch at the home of the late Elder Obey, and enjoyed an afternoon service. It was wonderful to be with the Kenyan preachers, the Tanzanian preachers, and also the Zambian preachers who joined us.
It is significant to note that Bro. David and I conversed with a Swiss doctor whose family was also staying at the hostel. This man, who we now know as Dr. Kimmler, is employed at a medical clinic in Mbeya (about 13 hours away by bus). He just “happened” to be in town for the birth of his 4th child. His wife was in the local private hospital, waiting to have the child any day. The good doctor was in his late 30s or early 40s, and a wonderful person. He explained to us that he had been working in Africa for many years and his only purpose for being in the capitol was for the birth of the child. His presence in Dar became more significant to us later.
Friday, March 4, 2011 – We held services at the hostel, which supplied a large upper room in which all 14-15 of us could fit. I covered the three “courtrooms” of justification (grace, faith, and works) throughout the day. During our studies, Bro. David was preparing an American style bbq meal for the brothers. Around 3 p.m. the meal was ready, we broke services for the day and ate. The meal Bro. David prepared was such a blessing to us all. I was honored to help serve the meal to our brothers.
Saturday, March 5, 2011 – We rested this day and enjoyed time seeing some sights. While traveling, Bro. David pointed out to me that he had a tiny nick on his finger that was bothering him. It seems that he cut his finger on Thursday or Friday morning when preparing the uncooked meat. We finally made it back that night at Bro. David went to bed.
Sunday, March 6, 2011 –This was quite a spiritually eventful day. Bro. David woke me very early this morning. He appeared pale and feverish, and showed me his finger, now greatly swollen. His first words were, “Bro. Tim, I am very sick.” The first thought that occurred to me was to go to the airport at the first opportunity today. The second thought was to go and pay a visit to Dr. Kimmler.
Bro. David went back to his room and I paid a visit to Dr. Kimmler’s room. His wife had delivered their 4th child on the day before (Saturday). I found him in his room and entreated him to come and see Bro. David. In a few minutes he came to Bro. David’s room and viewed his finger, and informed Bro. David that he had an aggressive form of staph that is on African meat and only affects Americans and Europeans. Dr. Kimmler said,” Yah (imagine Swiss lingo), I was hoping you wuld not cut yur finguh when I saw you handling thaht meat…” This was certainly disturbing.
At that point, Dr. Kimmler produced from his pocket a 3-day dose of antibiotics that he described as the latest drugs from Switzerland for this particular form of staph infection. I must pause and give praise to the God of heaven in providentially blessing us to encounter this doctor, who just "happened" to be in Dar at the precise moment that we were, and who just “happened” to have the right medication for Bro. David's illness. Truly, He is able to overrule and overcome all obstacles.
Bro. David immediately began the medication and we left for morning services. He was so sick that he slept through the services in the pastor’s study upstairs at the church building. The church members were fed a catered lunch, and then we held the ordination services of Bro. Kenny, Bro. Anthony and Bro. Thaddeus that afternoon. Bro. David through sheer determination and the enabling grace of God made it through the service as the clerk and also questioning the candidates. Elder Martin and I delivered the charge. We finished around 4:30 p.m. I might add that we had intended to ordain Bro. Moses, but regretfully he was hindered from being in the country on this day. (NOTE: Bro. Moses was ordained a few weeks later).
The burden to visit the airport was still pressing me. Bro. David was so ill that it was necessary for him to lie down at the hostel. When we put him in bed at the hostel, I had a burning confirmation in my heart that he would not be able to rest very long. Along with Elder Martin, Bro. Kezala (from Zambia), Elder Anthony and another brother, we immediately departed for the airport. I checked in at security in order to visit the KLM business office that was housed in a back hallway of the airport. I met with much discouragement along the way – I was told no one would be there, we had already both checked on upgrading the flights - yet I could not ignore the burden that was pressing me onward.
I arrived at the office to find the door securely locked and no one inside, but I noticed a sheet of paper pushed through the top of the doorway. Disappointed, I took the African brothers to supper at the airport, then I returned alone to the KLM office to wait. Curious, I pulled the piece of paper out of the door and discovered it was assignment instructions for the KLM personnel for the 12:45 a.m. flight that very night. This was a clear indication to me that someone would return soon, so I replaced the paper and sat down and waited.
While I waited, I received a call from back home. It was time for worship at Bethlehem, and I was able to talk by speaker phone to the ones gathered for worship in Alabama. In light of my anxiety over Bro. David's serious condition and the fear of not getting him home safely, this was highly encouraging. I informed them nothing of the recent developments.
After more waiting, a flight attendant came and allowed me into the office. I inquired about the flight change, and she informed me it was not only full, but overbooked! This was more discouragement, but I could not help but think the Lord had put it in my heart to come to the airport and press on. Moments later, a friendly airline employee checked the flights and was able to move our tickets up to that very night. My soul rejoiced in this providential provision! By now it was nearing 9 p.m. and the flight was in less than 4 hours. Excited, we rushed from the airport and returned to the hostel, only to find Bro. David fast asleep and very sick.
After incessant knocking on the door, Bro. David managed to come to the door with sweat pouring off his face. My first words to Bro. David were:
“Bro. David, pack your things, we’re going home.”
Bro. David responded, in his feverish stupor, “I…I… can’t Bro. Tim, I am too sick.”
I responded, “Bro. David, we have to go home, the Lord has moved up our tickets to tonight. You can lean on me, I will carry you, but we must get you home tonight.”
He said, “You’re right, Bro. Tim, but I don’t know if I can pack…”
At this point Elder Charles and Elder Martin stepped forward to graciously offer their services to pack for Bro. David, whose bed was drenched in sweat and he still trembling in his weakened condition. I note that after only one dosage of the powerful medicine from the providential Dr. Kimmler, the swelling of Bro. David's finger had completely assuaged. Bro. David gave instructions while Bro. Martin and Bro. Charles packed his luggage.
We quickly returned to the airport, said goodbye to our brothers in Christ, and checked in. The main thought on my mind was, “Won’t the folks back home be surprised when we show up two days early!”
After a few minutes waiting that seemed like hours, the helpful attendant showed up and finalized our booking on the midnight flight. I must note this further bit of providence. We carried several hundred dollar bills (USD) apiece for the trip. We found that the Tanzanians would take no US 100 dollar bills dated earlier than 2003 due to counterfeiting that had taken place there. This rendered over 1/2 of our cash unusable. On this particular night, neither of us had any 100 dollar bills left that were dated later than 2003, and the upgrade for the tickets had to be paid in cash. Throughout our time in Tanzania, there was only one place we used 100 dollar bills where the cashier did not check the date on the bills to see if they were 2003 or earlier - the KLM employee who upgraded our tickets for the midnight flight.
While resting before boarding, I spoke with the flight attendant who had informed me the flight was overbooked. She indicated that for months there had been travelers seeking to move up a flight to Sunday night and all she knew of had been turned away. She was amazed that we were able to get on the flight. We boarded, and although Bro. David was in no condition to travel, the Lord blessed him with grace to handle the flight. With much praise to the Lord for His providential care, I breathed a prayer of thanks and a sigh of relief as we settled into our seats. I must also note that the "random" selection of Bro. David's seat on the plane was such a blessing from God. While I was buried deep in the back rows of the plane, Bro. David mercifully was given a front row seat next to the aisle where he could stretch out and rest better. In his ill and dehydrated condition, this was truly a blessing.
Monday, March 7, 2011 - We arrived in Amsterdam around 7 a.m. Bro. David was extremely exhausted, severely dehydrated and still very sick. Shortly, the flight left for America and we settled in for the remaining 10 hour flight. Bear in mind that at this point none of our family back home knew we were coming home, but were expecting us two days later on Wednesday.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, Georgia, we made phone calls and arrangements for pick-ups. Bro. David remained in Atlanta until his family came to pick him up the following day. A Primitive Baptist doctor in Atlanta graciously took Bro. David from his hotel that afternoon to his home to treat and observe him. Even though Bro. David was severely dehydrated, it was not necessary for him to enroll in the local hospital, primarily due to the miracle medicine and his quick return home.
I flew to Birmingham and was picked up by Elder Sam Bryant who graciously drove me to Tuscaloosa. A dear brother from church picked me up in Tuscaloosa and drove me home to be reunited with my precious family. Needless to say, they were surprised and overjoyed to see me two days early!
Closing thoughts: I want to add a few lines about the merciful providence that the Lord showed to Bro. David and me. Sometime after our return, Elder Crawford suffered a relapse of the staph infection. The doctors in Florida who treated him could not identify the form of staph they found in his body. It was nowhere to be found in the U.S. Furthermore, neither Elder Crawford nor I could recall the name of the Swiss doctor or the medicine he providentially provided. Due to the fact we had left the country so fast, we never had an opportunity to speak with or thank the doctor. Thankfully, I was able to communicate with a person still staying at the hostel, who graciously provided me with the name and contact information of Dr. Kimmler, the Swiss doctor. I spoke to the good doctor by email and obtained the name of the medicine given to Bro. David. His doctors confirmed that the powerful medicine is not available in the continental United States. At this point, Bro. David has not experienced another relapse of the infection. If he does relapse, it may become necessary for him to travel to Switzerland for treatment.
I fully acknowledge that the account given here is more focused on the things that occurred to Elder Crawford and me, and I pray that this does not come across as a slight to the dear African brothers and sisters. I do, however, think it important to document what happened while it is still fresh in our memory. I hope this journal will help the believers back here in America understand the challenges that our brothers in Africa face, and just how blessed we are here in the U.S. Finally, I ask that prayers continue for the ongoing work in Africa, for the ones who are traveling to share the truth of grace, and for Bro. David and his family, in hopes that this dear devoted brother may continue to experience good health with no relapses.

Elder Darrel Chambers' Journal of Africa Trip

2011-04-07T09:30:00.004-05:00

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is
well with me in Kenya. I am greatly enjoying the natural and Spiritual
blessings of the Lord in this country far from home. The natural
beauty of this land is more than I imagined. The weather is surprisingly
pleasant. The Lord's grace and providence is abounding. We have had
very good and Spiritual meetings and the congregations have been very
responsive. They sing beautifully and with great joy. Many are
sickly and some afflicted with birth defects or show the signs of polio.
Yesterday, we visited a man with prostate cancer and he was
regretting that he could not attend the services that were just next door. He
was bedfast and very weak; but, he struggled to set up with help just to
speak a few words and to have prayer with us. Today, we visited a family
who lost a 16 year old son to Malaria just two days ago. Bro. Martin got
the word while he was traveling with me. He had visited the boy named
Fold, just the day before and thought he was improving. Fold and his
parents are active members in the First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii
Kenya and Elder Martin Onyoni is his pastor. The family and church members
gathered in the yard of the family this afternoon and they asked me
to speak a few words of comfort from God's word, which I attempted to
do. We changed our schedule today to accomodate a visit with this family
and I am glad we did.

Earlier in the morning we met with this church and were joined by the congregations of two other churches in the nearby area. The small room (apx 20'x20') was filled to capacity with about 125-150 people. It appeared that more than half of these were under the age of 15
and about 40% were under the age of 10. I spoke on Heaven and tried to
encourage and provide hope and comfort to this congregation that had
lost a precious young member. It is late and I have much to do to prepare
for the preachers meetings that begin tomorrow. I just wanted to let
everyone know I am doing fine and enjoying the rich blessings of God. I am
blessed far beyond my comprehension and I thank the God of glory and our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ for His abundant mercy and grace.

The Onyoni family and others really appreciate the gifts that were
sent and I appreciate the support of those who helped bear the expenses
for this trip. Please keep these precious people of God in your prayers.
If the trip were to end tomorrow, it was well worth the effort. I look
forward to almost 2 more weeks and ask for your continued prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Monday, March 28, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is
still well and we are greatly enjoying the blessings of the Lord. I have
much more strength than I normally do on my trips to the Philippines
because the travel is easier, the weather is milder, and I am getting a full
nights sleep. I did find one mosquito trapped on the inside of my
mosquito net this morning and he was gorged on my blood. But, I never
found a bite or a whelp. I am on malaria meds so I am not concerned.
I spray the room (with a powerful insecticide that kills everything
immediately and makes the sprayer gag), I spray my clothes and myself
with deet filled mosquito repellant, and we use a mosquito net. There is
lots of sickness and death among the church members and their families, so
I am extra precautious. The eyes of many of the church attendees look
sickly and many of them are very frail and thin, especially the men. Most of
the women appear very healthy and are generally larger than the men (not
necessarily taller).

We had a good meeting with several preachers (some not yet ordained)
this morning. We had very good question and answer sessions and some basic
doctrinal teaching as well. The hotel where I am staying furnished a
nice conference hall at no charge. We purchased lunch from the hotel for
all the preachers which was good. I ate something that looked and tasted
like turnip greens. Brother Martin said it was not turnip greens or Kale
(which they grow everywhere and is a main staple), but he did not know
the name of the green. He said that several American preachers had gotten
sick after eating this, and only Elder Paul Blair had tolerated it.
Well, 8 hours later I am still fine, so I thank the Lord for even these
small blessings. He is so merciful to me, I cannot thank Him enough.

This afternoon, we traveled up a steep mountain road that the 4 wheel
drive pickup was not able to pull the load of preachers up. We had to
stop and let most of the preachers get out and push to help us up the
road. But, the extended cab pickup was loaded even in the bed with
preachers and supplies. The road was not too bad because it had dried
since yesterday. But, if it had been wet, we would have had a long
long walk up a steep and muddy road. When we got to the top, Elder Martin
smartly turned the truck around and pointed it down hill. It began to
rain before we got into the building and rained hard for a few minutes
while I was preaching. The rain was loud on the tin roof and I had to
preach extra loud to be heard over the roar of the rain pelted tin.
The congregation is a relatively new fellowship that Eld. Martin has not
been working too long with. They were made up of many children (about 80%
of the congregation). The Pastor and his family, including his brother
who is also exercising in the ministry but not yet ordained, made up most
of the rest of the congregation. The building was very large and a brick
structure, but is was far from finished. The pastor said that they
had many more members that really wanted to be there but because it was
the middle of the afternoon on a Monday, they had to work. We arrived
just as the schools were letting out and the children came straight there and
many were there without their parents. This congregation sang in a very
lively and animated manner and they rejoiced and were very responsive to the
preaching. Since this was a relatively new fellowship, I spoke on
some basic principles of the doctrines of grace found in Eph 1 & 2 and in
Rom 8. But, I used a lot of other passages as well. Elder Martin is a
great interpreter and it is almost like preaching without an interpreter as
he interprets very quickly. I felt to have as much liberty to preach as
at any time I can ever remember. It was a great service. By the time
service was over, the sun was shining brightly and I barely had time
to take a few pictures before leaving. We had to hurry to travel to a
mechanic to get the diesel pump adjusted as Eld. Martin thought the
truck should have had enough power to climb the mountain and it was also
running rough. We did make it to the mechanic in time for a five minute
adjustment that seemed to make the truck run much smoother. He plans
to have some major service work done tomorrow before we drive it to
Uganda on Thursday.

After we returned, we needed to buy some supplies at the local
supermarket, and Eld Martin had to take some preachers home. It was
late and they were hungry so I suggested we buy sandwich makings and have a
picnic supper at the hotel before he took them home. He agreed that it
would be better to feed the men before sending them home. They greatly
appreciated the meal and they all wanted me to make the sandwiches for
them. I was glad to have the opportunity to serve these men who have
been so anxious to wait on me hand and foot for the last two days. None of
them had ever eaten mayonnaise and did not know what it was. None of
them had ever had bologna and didn't know what it was. We had sandwiches
of wheat bread, mayo, bologna and cheese. They loved it and really
appreciated it. I told them this was a time of breaking bread
together and fellowship. One of the preachers dumped out the plastic
disposable plates we had eaten on and took them home to re-use. They were very
sturdy and nice plates. We also had potato chips (which they really
loved) and some cookies that we bought for snacks at the preachers
meeting. I made each of them two large sandwiches. All was eaten,
although I could only hold one (and that was more than I needed). We
all ate for less than one of us had eaten at a hotel two nights earlier.
And we have chips and cookies leftover for tomorrow. Also the preachers
took home the remaining bread and mayo.

I'll go for now as it is late and a loud thunderstorm is approaching
and I need to get a shower and some sleep. Please continue to keep us in
your prayers and thank you so much for all your previous prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bottom line up front - all is well with me in Kisii, Kenya

It has been an eventful day, but a good day. I awoke to a flooded room
due to a toilet tank leak, and had to be moved to a different room.
While at breakfast, I was informed that a minister was there for the morning
bible study early, so I enjoyed his fellowship during our breakfast
together.

Some of the preachers that came the day before were not able to be there
today for various reasons including a wife in the hospital and one had a
flare up of Malaria. We also had some new attendees that we had
previously met in some of the church services. I had been requested to
speak on the topic of worship on the Lord's Day (Sunday) instead of the
Sabbath (Saturday). The predominate religion in this area is Seventh
Day Adventist, so most of the men either came from that religion or had
relatives still in it, or both. I spent a better part of the morning on
this topic. Then we discussed several other topics that were the
results of specific questions including questions about baptism, tithing, the
use of deacons in the church, and church appropriations of funds, the second
coming of Christ and the events of the resurrection day and the final or
general judgement, Judas Iscariot, the mixing of works and grace as
opposed to the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace alone, and
several other topics that I cannot currently recall. These men were all already
well-grounded in the basic doctrines of grace,so these times of being
able to get questions answered were deemed profitable by all. I was thankful
to have the other ministers join in the discussions and provide answers
in Kisii instead of only in English. When they answered in Kisii, they
were considerate enough to interpret for me into English.

We didn't have a formal lunch, but we did enjoy snacks of potato chips,
bananas, cookies, etc. This was about 1:00, then we had another round
of discussion topics that were part of the topics included in the previous
list.

Afterwards, we traveled over an hour to the Ogemba Primitive Baptist
Fellowship. This trip was supposed to take 20 minutes but we were hit
with a terrible storm. It was sunny and pretty when we left the hotel,
but by the time we approached the top of the mountain it began to rain.
Then it became very windy and I asked if they had tornados in Kenya; and
Bro. Martin said, no. Shortly, the van began to shake, and I wondered
if we had a flat, then I realized the van was shaking from side to side and
the tops of the spindly trees were pointing almost horizontally in one
direction. I told Bro. Martin that the 5 other preachers in the truck
with us were worth their weight to keep us from turning over. We crept
along for several miles on the top of this mountain. Shortly after I
noticed the trees pointing in one direction, I noticed the trees were
now pointing in the opposite direction, so I knew there was circulation in
the wind. Water and debris was all over the road and the driving, even at a
snails pace was treacherous; but Bro. Martin is a very good and careful
driver. By the time we got to the dirt and steep road that escalated to
the pinnacle of the mountain, the storm had passed and it was only
sprinkling and the wind was almost calm. The soil in this area is the
same red clay that they have in Madison County, AL and it is very stick
and slick when wet. The ruts and gulleys in the road kept us from
sliding off the side, but made it impossible to turn into the driveway of the
Pastors home. We slid and spun for half an hour it seemed and even had
people all the other 5 preachers pushing on the truck that had all 4
wheels slicked over and spinning with no traction. It was a mess.
Finally we just left the truck where it was and walked to the house. We
were supposed to meet at a nearby outdoor lot, but because it was still
sprinkling, we met in the leaders house. We had a full room of people
in the mud hut, tin roofed, mud floored, simple home. But we had a
wonderful service with outstanding singing once again. I spoke on the account of
the Rich Young Ruler and salvation by grace apart from works. With men,
salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible, even the
salvation of a thief on a cross, or a Saul of Tarsus. The accounts of
all three of these men were discussed, with the majority of the time spent
on the rich young ruler. An elderly woman requested to be baptized at the
end of the service. We already had two believers who had requested baptism
and we had planned to baptise them in the river near the church after the
services. However the storm had left the river a raging rampage and
unsafe for a baptism, so the Kenyan brethren decided to move the
baptismal service to tomorrow at a swimming pool in Kisii. I was relieved,
because Eld. Martin forgot to bring his extra clothes and was relying on me to
baptise them.

We managed to back the truck for almost a quarter of a mile with the
brethren assisting to keep it pushed in the middle of the mud road til
we could find a spot level and wide enough to turn it around and travel
back down the hill to the plateau area of the mountain. The sunset was
beautiful as we traveled back down the mountain and it was dark by the
time we reached the supermarket. I asked the Elders if they wanted to
return home after their long day, or if they wanted me to fix them
sandwiches again first. They opted for the meal. We also bought some
other supplies for our trip. We had a wonderful meal of
sliced/processed beef, ham, and cheese with mayo and ketchup on brown wheat bread. Elder
Charles ate with us tonight and was not with us last night. This was
his first time to eat brown wheat bread, processed beef, or processed ham,
or mayonnaise. He did not know what mayonase was, and asked if it was peanut
butter. They all thought the sandwiches were great, and I doubled up
the meat on all of them, because they greatly need the protein and the fat.
The I treated them to some ice cream and Elder Charles had never had
that either. The ice cream made Bro. Martin's sensitive teath hurt. I
planned to send the leftover meats and cheese home with one or more of the
brethren, but none of them had electricity or refrigerators to store it
in. So, we were allowed to store it in the refrigerator at the hotel.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and discussed some of the church
issues with these faithful leaders of the Kenyan labors.

Tomorrow promises to be another long and eventful day, and I look
forward to the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ
with hungry children of God once more. Thanks again for your prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bottom line up front - all is well with me in Kisii, Kenya

Actually it is already 1:00 AM on Thursday and I still have to shower and
do a few things prior to going to bed. Tomorrow we have an early meeting
at 7:00 AM and then an all day trip to Uganda after visiting the bank and
a few other errands.

I will also be without internet while in Uganda and it will be sometime
next week before I will likely be able to write again. We had a very
prosperous day with meetings with preachers and others who feel to be
called of God and are studying to be preachers. The afternoon service was
cancelled because the preachers wife is pregnant and was having
difficulties and had to be admitted to the hospital. The preacher and
several of his congregation went to the hospital and it was too late to
reschedule to another location when we got the word. Elder Charles also
missed our meeting this morning because he had to carry his wife to the
hospital. We replaced the scheduled afternoon service with an additional
study session with the ministers. This proved to be very beneficial
according to them and actually made better use of our time.

Tonight we visited Eld. Martin's 9 yr. old daughter in a boarding school.
It had been quite awhile since Eld Martin had seen her and they were glad
to see each other. We bought a few pieces of carved soapstone souvenirs
that were very nice as we drove by the actual artists locations that were
located near the school. In the retail stores these are very expensive,
but they were very reasonable buying directly from the artists.

Then I treated Eld. Martin's family to beef and ham and cheese sandwiches,
which they had never had before, and we ate them in their home. They
treated me with the utmost of hospitality in their mud home that is
actually very nice. The mud walls are straight and square and almost as
smooth as a sheetrock wall. They have the color and texture similar to a
clay flower pot. We had a great time of fellowship with the family. Eld.
Martin has a 3 year old son Vernon, with quite a reputation for
mischievousness, but he is always quite and well behaved in my presence.
Eld. Martin's wife Annah jokingly asked me if I wanted to take Vernon back
to America with me. I said sure, my wife would love to have another
little boy. Vernon is quite attached to his grandfather who lives next
door, so I asked him if he wanted to leave his grandfather and mother and
come to America with me. While still clinging closely to his mother he
said yes. They laughed because they knew he misunderstood my english as
he would hardly look at me and never let go of his mother.

Mixtures of joy and sorrow flooded my emotions as I said goodbye to my new
friends and brethren today. They were all so kind and complimentary and
we had many African handshakes and hugs as we departed company. I have
finally learned how to properly shake hands with my son-in-law who always
attempts to give me an African handshake (he is from South Africa). I am
glad to still have another week with Eld. Martin and I look forward to
meeting many other good brethren on the remainder of my trip.

Look out Uganda, here we come!

Got to go get a shower and a little sleep.

I am having a wonderful and blessed time. Thank you all for your
continued prayers.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All is well
with me in Uganda. I wrote this yesterday morning and last night, and I
spent about 2 hours attempting to send it last night. We kept having
power outtages and the internet would not work afterwards. Everytime I
got it almost done, we had another problem. My phone stopped working
Thursday and Bro. Martin has temporarily changed SIM cards with his phone
and determined that the problem is likely with the SIM card. We will
attempted to get it reconfigured or changed today. We tried yesterday,
but we arrived 5 minutes prior to the store closing and they asked us to
bring it back tomorrow (Now today). Bro. Martin’s phone is also out of
minutes and there are no Kenyan company phone stores him for him to
purchase more. So, we are cut off from communications until - hopefully
this morning. I am borrowing the hotels internet using Eld. Martin’s
laptop to send this message. Since Donna doesn’t always check her e-mail
regularly, maybe someone can call her and tell her we are fine and to
check for this e-mail.

We had a good trip Thursday from Kisii, Kenya to Mbale Uganda, crossing
the equator and driving by Lake Victoria and many beautiful mountains in
the process. We drove through Kisumu, Kenya, which had a large shopping
mall that we stopped to buy water and food supplies, and I also I bought
some souvenirs. The people of Kisumu were very proud to note that Kisumu
is the former home of President Barack Obama. We were not accompanied by
Bro. Chris as planned as he had a sick wife. It seems that death and
sickness cause these people to change their plans on a much more routine
or regular basis than we are used to.

Thursday was the first day that we did not have a worship service,
although I did get to spend the day with other preachers and we had prayer
at various times. The trip was enjoyable, but tiring. We were very
thankful to have no problems with the vehicle and to have safe journeys.
Driving must have been very difficult on the roads we traveled and I
appreciated Bro. Thomas, our driver and fellow church member from Kisii.
It took 10-1/2 hours including our 2 fuel stops and one stop at the
supermarket. This also included the time spent at the border. We
purchased food for sandwiches at the supermarket and I made sandwiches and
we ate them as we bounced down the road. Much of the time we drove on the
dirt shoulder of the road because it was much smoother than the pothole
pocked surface of the road. Pothole is not actually a good description
for the craters that are in their roads. Elder Martin drove for awhile to
let Brother Thomas eat. I sure wanted to keep our driver strong and alert
for the treacherous road conditions.

The border control area was a very congested mess of large trucks, people,
beggars and confusion for me. I would have had no clue how or what to do
without my African guides, who even called ahead and had another guide
arranged to help them through the process expeditiously (if you can call
it that). We had to get a temporary license and insurance for our vehicle,
costing over $100, and then I had to go through the Kenyan office and
complete forms to leave the country. We then went through a security
check point and paid for my Visa (only $50) to enter Uganda. We had no
problems purchasing my Visa. Then we waited in line and had our vehicle
inspected. They only asked about the contents of our bags and did not
check them. Elder Martin was very cautious at the border area which was
very congested with people and large trucks that almost ran over you
although they were moving very slowly when they moved at all. At one time
Eld Martin suggested that I secure the camera and roll up the window as
there are many pickpockets in this area. I should have known this and
agreed and complied immediately. The lines were very long and part of the
job of our guide was to help us bypass some of the lines. He was paid
nothing, but Elder Martin said we would give him a tip after he helped us
on the return leg of this journey. Even with the guide, this process
still probably took over an hour.

There were many crippled folks in this border area who rode on tricycles
pedaled by their hands. Their legs and feet were withered and deformed
and it appeared to be the results of polio or some birth defect. None of
them seemed to be begging or asking for aid though. There were many young
children running between the trucks and everywhere including a number that
were playing in the trash heap. All during my trip, but especially on
this leg of the trip, people would stare at me, some waved, or said
“hallow” (hello) as I would pass. Some laughed and said funny things, and
I was told that others were derogatory in their comments that I could not
understand. I was also told that many of these people had rarely if ever
seen a white man. One man pointed and said, “look, a white man.” I told
my embarrassed brethren that this did not bother me as I am also a very
curious person and would likely stare and investigate someone who was so
different in appearance than what I consider normal.

After getting through the border control area, we soon drove through the
area where baboons are normally seen playing in the woods beside the road.
It was nearing dark, and we did not see any of these creatures as they
normally do. They assured me, we would likely see some on the way back as
it would be earlier in the day. Our goal was to arrive at the hotel
before dark, but we were about 3 hours late for that. The hotel was
beautiful and nice except for the bullet hole in the top of the ceiling
and the termites that scurried along the baseboards. The floors are
marble, the television has a news channel where I was able to get a little
world news, there is a fan, and a good supply of hot water. The bed has
no mattress as we know it though. It is what we would call a foundation
or box spring. It still feels good by the end of long days and I sleep
well on it. I slept for almost 7 hours without waking Thursday
night(thank You Lord!), but I only got about 5 hours last night. I am
having some nasal drainage from a sore throat (probably minor allergies
and abuse of my voice with singing, teaching, and preaching all day). I
do not feel sick otherwise.

When we arrived at the hotel, I thought all 4 of us were staying in two
rooms that each had a double bed. So I arranged to meet the brethren for
breakfast at 8:AM. Then, two of the brethren left to stay with church
members and I had a room to myself. The next morning, at nearly 8 I
knocked on Eld. Martin’s door and he had overslept and my knocks had
awakened him. He was dizzy, groggy and feeling poorly. I gave him some
snacks high in carbs and protein, and at breakfast all he wanted was hot
water. I insisted on him eating some of the meal that was included in our
bill, and he had an egg and some bread. He seemed to be feeling poorly
most of the day, but by suppertime (10 PM) he was feeling better.

We had a great day of fellowship and bible study and singing in the home
of a Ugandan Physician (who was at his clinic) on Friday. His wife and
children hosted us. The doctor’s name is Boaz, his wife is Freda, and
their children are Dora, Mary, Elizabeth, and Caesar. Caesar is a very
cute 3 year old that I enjoyed giving candy to, giving him horseback rides
on my knee, and tickling. He was also intrigued by my laser pointer,
especially when I showed him that it would shine through my ear. We hit
it off great. All the African children I have seen are extremely well
behaved. We studied on the 3 types of Justification found in the Bible (
Legal through the blood of Christ, Personal in a believers mind through
faith, and justification in the sight of others through good works).

We also discussed the Federal Headship of Adam and of Christ for their
respective children. Adam represented all his children and passed to them
the nature of sin and as a result they do sin and die. Christ represented
all his children and bore their offenses on the Cross and paid for them
with His blood and suffered the wrath due us for committing those sins.
As a result, the grace of God and the gift of Eternal Life is given to all
represented by Jesus on the Cross (His elect Children). We then answered
several questions of the brethren regarding some of the types and shadows
of the Old Testament and some of the Genesis accounts of Adam and Eve.

We visited a Bible store last night and purchased several bibles, one for
the pastor (Elder Charles) and 5 smaller bibles for members of the
Fellowship group. We also went to a copier center and purchased several
copies of Eld. Dolph Painter’s Daily Devotion that the African Ministers
have really enjoyed. We also shopped and purchased a shirt for Elder
Charles as he ruined his white shirt by leaving a pen in his pocket today.
We returned to the hotel and fellowshipped with several brethren until
8:15, and then I rested and watched some news while Eld. Onyoni took a
shower. We went down to eat around 9:00 and then I finished this update.
I was so concerned for Elder Martin’s health earlier Friday, as he was
really weak and exhausted. He says he never eats so much as when he is
around Americans, but he really needs to eat much more than he does. I am
glad he is feeling better. The church members are planning to prepare
meals for us today (Saturday) and also tomorrow, and I have tolerated the
type of food they plan to prepare, so I may eat a little and supplement
with some MREs and snacks.

Ugandans speak a British accented English in addition to Ugandan and if we
both speak slowly and repeat ourselves, we can usually understand each
other. The Ugandan language is difficult to read/speak as many words do
not sound anything like they are spelled. The Kenyans even have to use an
interpreter. There is a mountain within sight that they want to take me
to visit after services late tomorrow evening. There are many beautiful
waterfalls there. They say that on top of the mountain it is a different
world and is like a separate country within their country. The people
there are largely sheltered from outside contact, and live mostly like
their ancestors, although they do have schools. The land there is very
fertile and most of the fruits and vegetables sold commercially in this
part of Uganda is grown there.

Got to go for now, perhaps I will get my phone fixed today and will be
able to report in again then.

Blessings,

Darrel Chambers

April 7, 2011

Greetings to all. Other than being very sad because this is my last day
in Africa, I am fine. I have already said goodbye to everyone except Eld.
Martin. We are currently in the Nairobi Airport, and the contrast in the
beautiful weather here to the sweltering weather we left in Tanzania is
cerainly refreshing. We are outside plugged into an electrical outlet
next to the refrigerated coke machine. We flew early this morning from
Dar Es Salaam and had prayer in the airport with about 7 of us present
(Me, Elders Martin, Kenny, Anthony, Moses, Thaddeus, and Brother James. I
want to spend the next few hours visiting with Eld. Martin before we
depart. A lump enters my throat when I think of leaving my constant
companion for the past 2 weeks. He is a prince among men and a great
Christian friend. I will forego writing a lengthy account at this time
and may write one by hand when Elder Martin and his laptop depart later
this afternoon. I have a 9+ hour layover here before departing late
tonight for Amsterdam, arriving early in the morning there. I will then
leave mid morning for Detroit, spend about 4 hours there, and then return
to Huntsville, AL. I hope to be able to catch an earlier flight from
Detroit to HSV, but it is doubtful that I will be able to do so. I am
doing great physically; but I know I will be very tired as the entire trip
takes 1-1/2 days due to time changes. I hope to add some updates, perhaps
later today from an airport internet cafe, or after I return home in a few
days. Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, and support. This has
been a wonderful trip with many rich experiences in God's Kingdom among
His children in 3 countries in Africa.

Thanks again, and God bless you all.
Darrel Chambers

Letter from Elder Martin Onyoni

2011-03-10T09:28:00.001-06:00

Dear Brethren,
I give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in my prayers. I remember without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love.
I rejoice to hear of the safe arrival of Elders Tim and David, though Elder David has not fully regained from the effects of the fever he suffered while in Dar. I thank the Lord for the mercy of His healing power. It is my prayer that this healing power may continue to be manifest in Brother David according to the Lord's will.
We Kenyan brethren arrived safely in our homes yesterday, Wed. 9th March Morning at 7:30 Am after a long rough bus ride of over 36 hrs. I'm thankful to the Lord for we were able to make it by his mercy and grace. I know that all of you had been lifting up your prayers for the trip and I appreciate and thank the Lord for you all.
We had a wonderful fellowship in Dar with the church ( in Dar )and fellow brethren from various countries. The meeting really proved to be a blessing to each one of us.
I thank the Lord for your sacrifices and the efforts that each one of you put towards our trip. It is my prayer that the Lord may continue to bless you all and the fruits of your labor. I rejoice to reunite with my family members.
I ask that you keep praying for me and my family, and my ministry.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Elder Martin Onyoni.

Elder Vernon Johnson's African Labors Update

2011-03-05T09:26:00.002-06:00

By the grace of Almighty God, the gospel labors in Africa continue to expand and grow. Currently, Elder Tim McCool has recently departed from a trip to Ghana where he labored with three fellowships near HO, Ghana. These fellowships are being led by Bro. Aikins Doh. Elder McCool left Ghana and is now in Dar Es Salaam, where he and Elder David Crawford are meeting with men from Dar Es Salaam, the five elders from Kenya along with another exercising brother from Kenya, and two exercising brethren from Zambia. On Sunday, 6 April, at the church in Dar Es Salaam, four men in the church at Dar Es Salaam will be ordained to the office of elder. These four men are Bro. Kenny Mwankenja, Bro. Anthony Joseph, Bro. Moses Joseph, and Bro. Thadeus Numbi. These men have been under the leadership of Elder Martin Onyoni for the last two years and have grown much in the grace of God and the knowledge of the scriptures.
Studies and worship continue in the country of Uganda. Elder Charles Kenjanjui leads three fellowships in that country. He spends a week in Mbale, Uganda every month assisting and studying with the brethren there. There are several men who have expressed a belief that they have been called to preach the gospel of the grace of Christ to God's people there in Uganda.
The efforts in Kenya are expanding rapidly. Several new fellowships have opened up in and near Kisii, Kenya the last few months with several other men in areas outside of Kisii are now expressing an interest in the true gospel of the grace of Christ. There are three additional men who are exercising that Elder Martin has expressed to me that he believes are near being ready to be ordained.
Elder Darrel Chambers will be leaving the last few days in March to meet with Elder Martin Onyoni in Nairobi, then travel to Kisii to assist the brethren in the churches and fellowships there in Kenya. From there Elders Onyoni and Chambers will travel to Kitwe, Zambia and meet up with Elder Mike Ivey and myself to preach to and teach a large number of men in Kitwe and Mumbwa, Zambia. The fellowships in those two cities are led by a Bro. Floyd Mwila and a Bro. Kezala Ngoma.
Later on in the year, I hope to be able to travel to Botswana where there are three men who are currently showing a great interest in the gospel of the grace of Christ and are leading three groups of people. These men are in the area of Serowe and Francistown, Botswana.
In addition, gospel labors in Tanzania are expanding as a new fellowship has opened in Mbeya on the west side of Tanzania. This is the city where Elder Obey came from. Bro. Kenny Mwankenja is leading the efforts there.
Later on in the year, Elder Sam Bryant is planning on going to Kenya and Tanzania to assist the brethren in those two countries.
I request your prayers on behalf of the gospel labors in these countries in Africa. I also thank all of you who have helped us by prayer and financial support in the past. Truly we are dependent upon our Lord and Savior and the leadership of the Holy Spirit as we go forth with the gospel in those countries.

Elder Vernon Johnson

Elder Martin Onyoni's Email and Pictures from Kenya

2010-12-07T09:03:00.005-06:00

Dear brethren,

Greetings in the Mighty name of our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope this finds all of you okay.
First of all, I take this opportunity to thank the Lord for every remembrance of you and your faithfulness for the cause of Christ. I also thank the Lord and appreciate your support you gave during the Tanzanian brethren's visit in Kenya and the PB efforts in Kenya. Much of your prayers were answered for we felt blessed, encouraged and edified during that occassion. The brethren's visit was of a great blessing to all of us. They too felt blessed from their visit.
During their visit, the brethren preached the truth in demonstration of the Spirit. I felt that they preached like they have never done before, for they were filled with the spirit during their preaching. Members were edified and felt blessed from the truth which was preached by this 'new' men. One could tell that they were no longer preach brethren but already experienced preachers. May God be given all praise, honor and glory for this. The Kenyan preach brethren also got an opportunity to speak to the Lord's people along with the visiting Tanzanian brethren. They too did a wonderful job.

On Tue 07th Dec. 2010, during the afternoon worship service at Omogonchoro PB Fellowship, five including the leader of the group ( once a pastor of a different order of faith, and now no longer since he has joined PBC ) and his wife came forth requesting for a home in the Lord's church by means of baptism. We all rejoiced to welcome them and immidiately after the worship service, which we conducted in his small sitting room where thhis group normally meet. We drove the whole group to a swimming pool in Kisii town, 20km away from their location for a baptism service. It was getting dark in the evening but by God's grace, I humbled myself to baptize these dear brethren an occassion which was witnessed by the whole group and those who visited the group. I felt blessed to baptize these dear brethren. Those baptised are now members of the First PB Church of Kisii - Kenya, where the Lord has blessed me to pastor. We also had another baptism service on Sat 11th Dec. 2010 at the same swimming pool, where five brethren belonging to a Nyamira PB Fellowship led by Bro. Christopher Nyangoto (he had been a pastor of a different order of faith). He together with his wife were among the five baptised. The also became members of the church the has blessed me to pastor.

On the last Sunday of our meetings that is on 12th Dec. 2010, two brethren came forth requesting for baptism. They will soon be baptized.
The Lord willing two more brethren from Tanzania i.e Bbrethren Moses and Anthony will be visiting Kenya during the first two weeks of January 2011.
Attached are some of the pictures I attampted to take during this occassion. I know there are several brethren who have in the recent past asked to be updated on the events of the Primitive Baptist Ministry in Africa, it will be a blessing if you share this with our PB brethren in America.
Please I ask that you keep all of us in your prayers. I just want to let you know that you and your families and the churches you serve are always in my thoughts and prayers.
May God continue to bless the fruits of your labor is my prayer.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Elder Martin Onyoni,
First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii - Kenya, Pastor.

Michael Gowen's Review of October 2010 Trip to Kenya & Uganda

2010-11-03T07:51:00.001-05:00

“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

I was blessed to accompany Elder Vernon Johnson on a trip to Kenya & Uganda, 10/11/10 to 10/29/10. Our purpose in making the trip was to strengthen the brethren and to spend some time studying the doctrines of grace with several who are “asking the way to Zion”.

On our last night in Uganda, Elders Johnson, Martin and I were joined for dinner by the only American we had seen in two and one-half weeks. The subsequent conversation we had provides a good context in which to summarize my experience in Kenya and Uganda.

This 35 year-old veterinarian from Wisconsin was working for the United Nations on a humanitarian aid project. Her husband had returned to the States two weeks prior to attend to business and she was anxious for conversation with someone from home. After she asked a couple of leading questions about the menu, we asked if she would like to join us at our table.

She explained to us that her particular U.N. position involved both animal & plant husbandry. Together with her husband, she helped to “set up” poor Ugandan communities with poultry farms and row crops. She also bought cattle from various places for the U.N. World Food Program, which activity explained her visit to Mbale on this occasion.

We learned that she was a graduate of Dartmouth University, a prestigious Ivy League institution. Whatever her views might have been when she finished school, a decade of real-life experience on the ground, some of it in Africa, had taught her to appreciate the blessings we enjoy in America and to appreciate the impact Christianity has had on Western civilization. She talked freely about the blessings of living in a free republic, her concerns for the overtures toward a collectivist and socialist political paradigm in America over the past several years, and her faith in God.

The conversation soon turned to us. Br. Vernon explained that we were Primitive Baptist ministers and that we were here to visit some of our Primitive Baptist brethren and to instruct several inquirers in “the way of the Lord more perfectly”. She asked about the difference between Primitive and Southern Baptists and we explained our concern to emulate the simplicity and content of apostolic Christianity and to be as thoroughly Biblical in doctrine and practice as possible. Br Vernon added that we believe in the doctrines of grace. She nodded in understanding and inquired if we were similar to Orthodox Presbyterians. We explained that we do, in fact, affirm Total Depravity, Unconditional Election and other doctrines popularly associated with Calvinistic traditions, but were not “Calvinists”. Br. Vernon clearly defined that we do not believe in “Gospel Regeneration” like Calvinists do, but that the Gospel is for God’s people who have already been born again. She seemed to understand the explanation.

Her next comment surprised me. She said, “I wish you could come to my area. Truth is what these people need.” She went on to explain how superstition was keeping tribal people in bondage. She told how one man’s cow would die and instead of tracing the event to some disease or contaminant, he would explain it in terms of a neighbor’s hex. She talked about the cheap value many of them place on human life, the fact that many women tend to measure a husband’s love by how frequently they are beaten, the prevalence of polygamy, and the habit of measuring a man’s importance by how many wives and children he has. Personal superstition and government corruption keeps these people locked in a vicious cycle of poverty. She said “Truth is what these people need.”

I wonder how many modern people would agree with her perspective. I get the feeling sometimes that folks today place a higher premium on humanitarian efforts to feed the hungry, care for orphans, provide medical care, build houses, and attempt to eliminate poverty than they do the preaching and teaching of the word of God. The popular attitude seems to be that the person who has only the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to give is not really providing much real help.

Indeed, the church of God should do all that it can to relieve human misery and alleviate human suffering. But that sort of humanitarian aid is not the primary business of the church. The main business of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is to proclaim gospel truth, not to provide relief for economic and social ills. Our message is “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

You see, it is only the gospel of grace that truly explains the condition of the world and the cause of every societal ill. The gospel message begins with the premise that man is hopelessly fallen and inherently depraved. Because of Adam’s transgression, the world in which we live is under the curse of sin. Poverty, disease, war, crime, violence, human exploitation and every other problem may only be explained in terms of the native sinfulness of fallen human nature. Perplexity over the cause of suffering and pain vanishes in light of the clear Biblical doctrine of total depravity.

Further, the gospel points to the only solution for the miseries spawned by sin – the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. It affirms that man cannot save himself from the curse of sin and that his only hope is in a covenant-keeping God. How wonderful it is to see the light turn on in someone’s mind as they begin to see themselves in terms of the big picture of God’s covenant plan of redemption! How encouraging to see a person discover the rest that remains for the people of God in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Many of God’s children in this world are in the same condition as the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:2). Crippled by the carnal nature with which they were born, they have no strength to walk a godly walk. Indeed, like this lame man, they possess life, but have not yet found the strength to “Walk in the Spirit” so that they do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:19).

Like this lame man, again, many of the Lord’s born-again people have settled for a beggar’s pension in life (Acts 3:2, 5). They do not even realize that a better life is available. They expect and hope for nothing more than a nickel of entertainment here and a dime of recreation there to go along with the dollar of material possessions they have managed to accumulate. They are children of the King but live like panhandlers and beggars in this world (Is. 55:1-2; Jno. 10:10).

Furthermore, like this lame man, they are oblivious to their real need. They think that they need a handout, but what they really need is to be turned toward the Lord and taught how to walk. They need to be saved from ignorance (Rom. 10:1-3).

It is to such people that we bring a gospel message that may initially disappoint them: “Silver and gold have I none.” The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is not primarily a charitable institution, but a herald of the name of Jesus. We traffic in real remedies, not mere band-aids—in real-life, long-term help, not mere temporary assistance. We are interested first and foremost not to remedy the poverty in someone’s pockets, but the poverty of understanding in his mind, the poverty of emptiness in his soul, and the poverty of aimlessness in his life.

Whether or not a child of God is conscious of the fact, his greatest need is the truth of the gospel, not an extra coin or two in his pensioner’s cup. So our message is, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” To give a man the truth of the gospel of grace is true humanitarian aid. Never underestimate the profound effect that an understanding of the truth may have on a person’s entire lifestyle.

It is important to note that the truth of the gospel will only help the child of God who believes it (Acts 3:16). Gospel seed that falls by the wayside where the devil can snatch it quickly away (the prejudicial hearer), on shallow ground where elation is only momentary (the emotional hearer), or on briar-infested ground where the cares of this world choke the benefit of the word (the distracted hearer) will bring forth no fruit unto perfection (cf. Mt. 13). I have no doubt that some of the gospel seed sown in Africa fell into one of these categories. Some had preconceived ideas that made them reluctant to embrace the true gospel of grace. Others were caught up in the emotion of the moment but later reassessed their decision to unite with our people. And some were too involved in the affairs of this life to really concentrate on the truths we proclaimed.

Nevertheless, some gospel seed will fall on the good ground of a receptive and responsive heart. In Africa, only God’s born-again people who believed and embraced the message experienced the humanitarian assistance we had to give. I pray that it will truly help them to walk in the old paths, to walk humbly with the Lord, to walk in the light as He is in the light, and to walk in close fellowship with Christ.

How does the truth of the gospel help God’s children that believe it? Like the lame man, it tends to transform a person’s entire attitude toward life. It fills him with joy, peace & hope (Acts 3:8; Rom. 15:13). It opens wide the door to new opportunities. He now realizes that he is not predestined to subsist on a beggar’s pension, but has the resources necessary to live victoriously, like his Savior, overcoming the world (1 Jno. 5:4; Jno. 16:33). His heart is now filled with gratitude and love for the brethren (Acts 3:11). He treats his wife and children better; he becomes a more diligent employee; he practices honesty in his business dealings; in every sense, the truth he embraces has the potential to transform his daily walk.

Also, the transformation in one person’s life opens doors of opportunity to a larger audience (Acts 3:9-12). That prospect, in turn, has potential for doing even wider good in an entire community and culture.

Contrary to the secular idea that those who preach and teach the truth of the gospel are providing no real help to poverty-stricken people, I claim that they are the only ones who actually do something to remedy the malady. The gospel enables the born-again children of God who believes it to walk a truly Christian walk. It is true humanitarian aid! The old adage puts it well: “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

It was the eagerness with which our African brethren wanted Gospel truth that impressed me. I didn’t get the impression that these good men were motivated by material concerns. Though there are exceptions to every rule, the overwhelming majority of these folks are sincere seekers of the true Gospel, not demagogues using religion to line their pockets. They value truth more than silver and gold. I’m thankful we have ministers and faithful church members who are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make sure that those who value truth so highly might have the opportunity to be exposed to it.

May God bless Elders Johnson, Bryant, Ivey, Kitchens, Blair, McCool, Crawford, Hasenmyer and others who carry and broadcast the precious seed of the Gospel of grace to come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them. Such truth to inquiring children of God is, indeed, what people really need.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, encouraged, and assisted me to be able to make this journey. May the Lord abundantly bless you, each and every one.

For His Glory,

Elder Michael Gowens
Lexington, Kentucky
11/1/10

Vernon Johnson's Journal: October 2010 Trip to Kenya & Uganda

2010-11-03T07:49:00.001-05:00

On Monday, 11 October, 2010, I was accompanied to DFW airport by my loving wife, Hazel, and my granddaughter Rebecca and her boyfriend, Bradley White. We said our goodbyes and I boarded the plane for Amsterdam around 2:30 P.M. After an uneventful flight, we arrived in Amsterdam around 7:00 A.M. Netherlands time. At the airport I met with Elder Michael Gowens who had arrived from Detroit about the same time.
We boarded a 10:30 A.M. flight to Nairobi and after another uneventful flight (the best kind) we arrived in Nairobi around 7:30 P.M. We checked through customs and then gathered our bags and met the following brethren who had come to meet us at the Nairobi airport:
1. Elder Martin Onyoni
2. Bro. Wycliffe Omari (Our driver)
3. Bro. Aikins Doh from Ghana
4. Bro. Samson Nyameri – an attorney from Nairobi.
We had a good evening meal and retired to a good clean hotel in Nairobi to get some rest.
On Wednesday, 13 October, 2010 we had breakfast and began our journey to the Nairobi fellowship. We were met by about a dozen to fourteen men and women (Many of the fellowship had to work and could not come to the meeting.
We had a spirit filled song service that truly was heart-felt. Next we had prayer followed by the preaching services.
A young brother Richard from the fellowship spoke first on the subject of justification by grace using Rom. 3:23 and Rom. 9:15, 16 as his texts. In summary, his sermon stressed that the elect are justified by grace through the blood of Christ according to the covenant of redemption.
Next, Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana spoke to us about some of the benefits of the word using 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 as his text. He spoke to us about the need for good sound doctrine and reproof from the scriptures and that we, as children of God, need to study and meditate upon the word daily. The Lord blessed him in his message and delivery. The Lord blessed him in his message and delivery. This was the first time that I had gotten to hear him preach as he did all the interpreting for us in Ghana. I was very pleased with his efforts.
Next, I spoke using Luke 16:16 as my test which reads, "The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it." I tried to develop each part of this text.
Finally, Elder Michael spoke to us using John 17:1-5 as his text. He pointed out that John chapter 17 was the Lord's prayer and that this is followed in chapter 18 by a discussion of the trials of Jesus and chapter 19 by the crucifixion of Jesus. He also pointed out that the 17th chapter of John is divided into three parts:
1. v. 1-5 discusses the eternal salvation of His people.
2. v. 6-21 shows Jesus praying for the ongoing life of his disciples in this world.
3. v. 22-24 Jesus concludes with the future of his people in heaven.
Elder Michael also pointed out that this corresponds to the salvation, sanctification, and glorification of the Lord's people.
In summation, Bro. Mike spoke concerning Christ as the Great Intercessor for his people and that he continues his intercession for us today.
The messages seemed to be well received by the members of the fellowship which consist primarily of young adults.
We said our goodbyes and drove about 2 hours to Naivasha. After an afternoon of relaxation at our hotel we made our way to have a service with the fellowship at Navaisha in the late afternoon. The fellowship generally consists of young adults who have come to Navaisha for work. The jobs generally are service type jobs with very low pay. Subsequently the people work hard to obtain funds for food and shelter for their families.
Because of their job requirements al the adults but one were working at the time of our services. We had the one adult – a young man who leads the fellowship and about 12-14 children ages I would guess ranging from 2-16.
We had a very spirit filled song service with the most of the children joining in the singing of praises to God. After song service and prayer Elder Michael spoke on the battle between David and Goliath. I followed speaking about Jesus as our champion fighting against our enemy and great giant of sin. The messages seemed to be well received.
On Wednesday, 14 October 2010, after breakfast we began our long journey to Kisii from Naivasha. The road had been greatly improved and travelling was much more comfortable than from my previous trips. Around 2:00 P.M. we arrived in Kisii and checked into the Mash Park hotel. Around 4:00 P.M. we left the hotel to go to a new fellowship in Omogonchero headed by a Bro. Peter Ongero. Bro Peter is a very delightful young man who seems to have a very good heart. The group consisted of about 35-40 people. Elder Charles is helping them to understand the doctrines of grace. Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana spoke first and his text was 2 Cor. 6:14-16. He admonished the congregation to live separate lives from the world and ungodliness. He also admonished them to not mix the biblical beliefs of grace and biblical practices with false doctrines and false teachings.
I followed Bro. Aikins and spoke on Matt. 1:21 "He shall save his people from their sins." I spoke on who are "His people" and how we identify ourselves as being a part of His people. I also spoke on how Jesus does "all" the saving from sins.
Elder Michael followed and spoke from Jonas 2:9 on "Salvation is of the Lord" and was richly blessed to show how the Lord alone has wrought our eternal salvation.
On Thursday, 15 October, 2010 the morning service was held at a new fellowship lead by a Bro. Peterson Mbegera. When we arrived the congregation was singing. Since they were singing in Swahili and the tunes weren't familiar, I did not know what they were singing. However, it was apparent they were singing with much joy in their hearts. Elder Michael later asked on of the sisters what they were singing and she replied they were singing songs of praise to God. She then added, we want to sing the truth.
After introductions and prayer I lead off preaching on Matt. 10:29-31 and Luke 12:6, 7. I compared the very little value that the sparrows have with the absolutely morally worthless condition of man in his fallen fleshly nature. Then I compared the great value we possess because of what Christ has done for us in redeeming us and causing us to be born of the Spirit.
Elder Michael followed and spoke on John 1:29, "Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." He pointed out the significance of each word in that verse.
Finally, Bro. Aikins spoke on the "elect" using Matt. 6:25; Rom. 8:37 and Rom. 8:28-30. He pointed out the "all things" in v. 28 and 37 referred to the 5 things in verses 29 and 30. He spoke of all five things pointing out that it is God alone who performs all five things. He also made a point of what a blessing it is to be one of God's elect.
At the close of services an opportunity was given for membership through water baptism and the leader (Bro. Peterson Mbegera came forward requesting membership through water baptism.
There were about 35-40 people in this congregation. I expect many of them to join the PB church when they observe their leader being baptized. These people are coming from another order and have a lot they will need to unlearn and learn. I am confident the elders in Kisii area will be able to teach them.
The afternoon service was to be at one of the two fellowships led by Bro. Chris Nyangoto who is awaiting baptism. However, we received word that a funeral service was taking place at the time of our meeting and the worship service was cancelled in deference to the funeral service. We proceeded to Tabaka where Elder Michael and I bought some soapstone gifts for our family members. Then we visited in the home of Elder Martin and his wife Annah. We enjoyed a very sweet fellowship there.
In the morning of 16 October 2010, we travelled to Kisumu, about a 2 hour journey to meet with the Kisumu fellowship. After song service and prayer, Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the new birth using John 3:1-8 as his text. Elder Michael followed by speaking on 2 Sam. 14:14, "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him." Bro. Mike pointed out that death awaits all of us and yet God in his covenant of redemption has devised the means whereby the elect will not be eternally banished from him. I followed speaking on the waters of Marah and how Christ is the tree cast into God's judgmental waters poisoned by our sins. I pointed out how Christ was made to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
In the afternoon we travelled to a new fellowship led by Bro. Chris Nyangoto. After song service and prayer, Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the covenant of redemption using 2 Sam. 23:1-7 as his text. He was richly blessed in his delivery and handling of the subject matter. I followed Bro. Aikins by speaking on the blessings of being in Christ using Ephesians chapter 1 as my text. Elder Michael closed out by speaking on the eternal security of the elect using John 10:27-30 as his text.
The congregation was very enthusiastic and attentive to the messages that were delivered.
On Sunday, October 17, 2010, we had a joint meeting with four of the churches in the Kisii area. We arrived at the grounds near the location of the Bombure PBC and over 100 people were already gathered and were singing. We continued in singing and prayer and took questions while the vans brought people from the other churches. In all about 200-250 people gathered for worship services. Elder William Asugo and the Bombure PBC were our host. After song service and prayer a young Bro. Thomas was first asked to speak. He spoke on timely salvation including salvation from ignorance and trying to get right with God. He read and spoke from the following verses: Matt. 1:21; 2 Tim. 2:10; Rom. 10:1-4; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10; Matt. 11:28; and Phil. 2:12, 13. I felt the message was richly blessed and according to sound doctrine.
Next, Bro. Aikins Doh of Ghana delivered a message of timely admonition to "Look forward, not back." He used the following verses in delivering the message: Phil. 3:13, 14; Is. 43:18, 19; Ex. 14:15; Gen. 19:26. This young man seems to be very sound in the doctrine and is growing every day.
Afterwards, I spoke about Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. I tried to show that the new birth of Cornelius took place before the gospel was preached to him.
Finally, Elder Michael spoke on John 6:60, 66-68. He contrasted the different reactions of the multitude to which Jesus taught with the reactions of the few disciples.
John 6:60 – "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying, who can hear it?"
John 6:68 – "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
Elder Gowens made the following points among others:
1. The Lord spoke about total depravity; election; the sovereignty of God in the new birth and redemption from sin; eternal security of the saints; and the final resurrection of the elect unto glory.
2. The true gospel has the same affect upon the multitudes today – This is an hard saying, who can hear it.
3. There are a few true disciples who have come to believe as Peter: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
At the close of services an invitation for membership was given and three came forward requesting membership through water baptism.
Following services, we were invited to Elder Williams' home where we had sweet fellowship and were served a delicious lunch.
When we began our journey to the evening services a deluge of rain accompanied us. The road was very rough and nearly impassable and we actually became stuck in the mud, but some of the members came down and helped us to get out of the bog. We got within about 300-400 meters of the meeting place where we had to get out of the car and climb a steep muddy terrain. We all arrived safely, though wet, and muddy, and tired. There were about 20 of the saints who had gathered with us at the Nyarenda PBC pastored by Elder Richard Onounga. We had an uplifting song service followed by prayer.
Bro. Aikins Doh spoke on the subject of salvation by grace and not by our works. He used the following texts: Eph. 2:8, 9; Tit. 3:5; and Gal. 3:1. Again he has blessed to speak the truth and in his delivery.
Next, Elder Michael spoke on the three appearances of Christ using Heb. 9:24-28.
Finally, I spoke on the love of God contrasting God's love with our love.
After services, we made our way down the hill and Elder Michael fell down due to the slick conditions. We both agreed that it looked like we would be bringing a good bit of Kenya back to the U.S. on our shoes.
On Monday, 18 October 2010, we arose, had breakfast, checked out of the Mash Park hotel in Kisii, Kenya and began our journey to Uganda around 7:45 A.M. Those travelling include myself, Elder Michael, Elder Martin, Elder Charles, and Bro. Wycliffe Omari, the driver. We stopped in Kisumu to get a few goods for our journey. Next, we arrived at the Uganda border around noon and checked through Kenya customs to leave Kenya, then Uganda customs to enter Uganda. We continued on our journey and arrived at Mbale (pronounced Ba-Lee) around 3:15 P.M. We proceeded to Bro. Boaz Munga's house where we met him, his wife, and two of his children.
As a note, the trip was over rough roads with many potholes. The countryside along the way consisted of rolling hills and the main occupation we observed was farming. The land appeared to be very fertile. The people in the rural countryside appeared to be very poor of this world's goods. Most of the dwellings were small mud huts with thatch roofs. Cattle and crops seemed to be main farming activities with corn (they call it maize) being the chief crop. We had not travelled very farm within Uganda until we observed several baboons in the road. Elder Michael whom I had observed is very good at communicating with birds (they actually answer him) tried communicating with the baboons. However, they seemed somewhat irritated with his attempts. I suggest he be satisfied with talking to the birds and leave the baboons alone!
We arrived at the hotel where we are staying around 6 P.M. The hotel is very nice, clean, and appears very modern. The rooms are nice and large and comfortable, except the bed which was too firm for my back.
During the next several days we had discussions on various bible subjects with the brethren from three groups. These groups are headed by a Bro. Boaz Munga, Bro. Jonathan Mande, and a Bro. Masaba. Altogether there were about 30 people who attended our discussions and worship services.
The bible subjects discussed and the leader of those discussions are as follows:
1. Total Depravity – myself
2. New Birth – Elder Michael Gowens
3. Limited Atonement – Elder Gowens
4. Eternal Preservation of the Saints – myself
5. Types of God's covenants – myself
6. Rom. 8:28 "Contextual all" and "work together" – myself
7. Foreknow or elect – Elder Charles Kenyanjui
8. Predestination – Elder Martin Onyoni
9. Effectual Calling – Elder Gowens
10. Justification – myself
11. Glorificaiton – Elder Martin Onyoni
12. Two Salvations – myself
13. 3 Types of Justification – Elder Gowens
14. 4 callings in the scriptures – myself
15. Different elections taught in the scriptues – myself
16. Purposes & Benefits of the gospel – Elder Gowens

In addition, we had worship services on the following days:
1. October 21, 2010. Elder Michael spoke using as his text Luke 18:9-14. I spoke on Rom. 10:1-10; and Elder Charles spoke on Rom. 8:2.
2. October 22, 2010. Elder Martin spoke on the subject of Bondage under false doctrines. This was followed by Elder Michael speaking on Heb. 4:9 on the subject of "rest in the Lord."
3. October 23, 2010. Elder Michael spoke on the subject of "Rejoicing in the Lord" using Heb. 3:17, 18 as his text. I then spoke on the courtroom of the heart and mind using Rom. 2:14, 15 and Isaiah chapter 6 as my texts. Elder Charles concluded the worship service by speaking on the "Sheep & Goats" in Matt. 25:31-46.
4. October 24, 2010. Elder Michael spoke on Ps. 115:1-3. Elder Martin followed by speaking on John 10:27-31. I concluded by speaking on the entrance to the Kingdom of God.
5. October 26, 2010. I spoke on Cain and Abel and the covenant respect of persons. Elder Martin spoke on John 14:1-4. Elder Michael concluded by speaking on 2 Cor. 1:8-10.
In the early morning of Sunday, 24 October, 2010 prior to morning worship services a baptismal service was conducted at a nearby hotel swimming pool. There were ten brethren who were baptized. The names of these ten brethren are as follows:
1. Jonathan Mande 2. Boaz Munga 3. Dauson Were 4. Elisa Wotti 5. Nathan Magala 6. Moses Mogesi 7. Derrick Gidongo 8. Moses Samanya 9. Jonathan Wasubini 10. Samson Nyaberi
Following the Sunday morning worship service an additional ten men and women came forward requesting to join the church through water baptism. These will be baptized when Elder Charles comes back to Uganda in November.
The work in Uganda is still in its infancy and will require a lot of teaching. Please pray for Elder Charles Kenyanjui as he endeavors to teach the brethren and sisters there. He will be going to Uganda each month and spend approximately a week at a time preaching and teaching the brethren there.

Elder Vernon Johnson
2 November 2010

My email address is vernon@dentonpbc.org
Our church website is www.dentonpbc.org

Update on Gospel Labors in Africa - Sept. 25, 2010

2010-10-04T11:30:00.004-05:00

By Elder Vernon Johnson

In the past three months, four different preachers from the Kisii, Kenya area visited Primitive Baptist websites in America . These men did not know one another, nor were they aware of the presence of Primitive Baptist churches and elders in the Kisii area. The three websites visited were Paradise Primitive Baptist Church website, Denton Primitive Baptist Church website, and Salem Primitive Baptist church website. These four men ultimately contacted elders of these three churches and the emails were forwarded to me and after inquiring as to the location in Kenya I realized they were all located in the Kisii, Kenya area. I furnished this information to Elder Martin who has contacted all four of the men. In addition, I furnished each with materials detailing Primitive Baptist beliefs and practices. Each of the men has at least one group of people that they are meeting with and attempting to lead in teaching the scriptures. I expect to meet all four men when Elder Michael Gowens and I go to Kenya in October. At last count I believe there are now eight fellowships in Kenya along with the five churches that have been constituted there.

The number of men who have contacted me in Zambia , Botswana , and South Africa continues to grow and I continue to furnish materials to the approximately forty men who have contacted me in those countries.

In Tanzania , the brother in law of Bro. Thadeus of the church in Dar Es Salaam has made inquiries as to the beliefs of Primitive Baptists and I have furnished him with materials to help him better understand what we believe. He lives in Mwanza, which adjoins Lake Victoria . This is very far from Dar Es Salaam . I am hoping that this will be the beginnings of a new fellowship in that location.

On October 11, 2010, Elder Mike Gowens and I will begin the journey to Nairobi where we will meet Elder Martin Onyoni. We will visit fellowships in Nairobi , Navaisha, Kisumu, and newly established fellowships near Kisii , Kenya . In addition, we will have a joint meeting with the churches in the Kisii, Kenya area. From there, we will travel to Mbale , Uganda where there are six men who believe they have a call to preach and three existing fellowships. I began communicating with these men and sending them materials more than a year ago. Elders Martin Onyoni and Richard Onounga visited with these brethren back in the spring and found them to be quite interested in the doctrines and practices of the Primitive Baptists. In addition, Elder Charles Kenyanjui and two other brethren will accompany us on the trip to Uganda . We will spend about 10 days in Mbale and preach to the three congregations and study with the six men who believe they have a call to preach. We request your prayers for our labors in Kenya and Uganda that God will be glorified and his people edified.

As is my custom, I plan on sending out a journal detailing our activities and labors during the time that Elder Gowens and I spend in Kenya and Uganda .

Elder Vernon Johnson

Africa Trip Update - Summer 2010, by Elder Sam Bryant

2010-08-02T16:12:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings from East Africa. On July the 19th, Elders Charles Kitchens, Paul Blair and I, along with Brother Austin Wouters (the Dutch Boy) left the Atlanta Airport for East Africa. We had an 8 hour layover in Amsterdam Holland, so we decided to take a 2 hour bus tour of Amsterdam. The city is over 700 years old. It is beautiful with many canals running throughout the city. It is called the Venice of the North. It was a special blessing to tour the city because Bro. Austin's grandparents were Dutch and left Holland during WW II. As we prepared to leave Holland, an airport employee asked him why he was leaving Holland since his name was Wouters.
We arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on Wed. Morning at 6:15 am. Elder Martin Onyoni and Bro. Wicliffe met us at the airport and we had a service at the fellowship at Nairobi at 10:00am. About 20 people met us there and it was a very blessed service. A young brother named Peter leads this group. Then we drove to Naivasha, Kenya where we held a late afternoon service with many children in attendance. We stayed in a comfortable round hut with a thatched roof and enjoyed a good meal. In the evening, we were entertained by a group of Masaii tribesmen and women.
The next morning we drove to Kisii, Kenya. We traveled through the Tea country and saw tens of thousands of acres of tea plantations, it was a beautiful sight. Tea is the largest export for Kenya.
We had an outdoor service at the home of an 86 yr. old Kenyan man who is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church there. Following the meeting, one asked for a home in the church. This was a blessed meeting. Then we drove to the Mash Park hotel in Kisii. All of us from America were encouraged by the soundness and sincerity of the three fellowships we have visited so far.
The next day, we did something we had never done in Africa before. We set this day aside to visit one of the wildlife preserves, Masaii Mara. It was recreational, inspirational and educational. It was beautiful beyond words. We saw Hippos, Rhinos, Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles, Impalas, Warthogs, Crocodiles, Zebras, Wildebeests, Lions, Etc, all in the wild. During July, one of the 7 wonders of the world takes place (according to our guide, who was a Masaii tribesman, and very knowledgeable). The Wildebeests and Zebras migrate by the millions from the Serengeti in Tanzania, to Masaii Mara in Kenya. We were blessed to see tens of thousands crossing the Mara River. Our guide learned by 2-way radio that there were some Lions on the hunt near the river. To see a lion in the wild would be a rare event, but to see one on the hunt would be indeed rare. We saw a pride of lions attack and devour 3 wildebeests. It was almost as if it had been staged for us to see. The brethren traveling with me got many videos and still shots.
The next day, we attended a fellowship that meets in a dung building. What an experience this was, to meet with a young pastor named Chris who had become disillusioned with the denomination that he had been associated with. He had been searching the internet and was impressed with the word "Primitive" Baptist. In British English, the name primitive means "original", and he landed on Elder Vernon Johnson's web site just as Elder Martin had done. Brother Vernon sent his e-mail to Elder Martin and they started visiting. Bro. Chris was blessed to see our doctrine very quickly, and he loves it. He is a very gifted speaker. We thoroughly enjoyed his fellowship.
So far, we have only visited fellowships in Kenya on this trip. There are 6 fellowships now, and 5 churches. On Sunday, there was a large gathering at the church where Elder William pastors. All the ordained ministers (Martin, Charles, William, Henry, and Richard) were present with members from 4 of the churches present. Brother Chris and his members joined us for the meeting. It was an open air meeting and was richly blessed. 7 or 8 joined the church on this day.
I am thankful to report that we have found the Primitive Baptist remaining steadfast and unmovable in the Gospel that is loved by the Primitive Baptist. They are abounding in love and in good works.
In the afternoon, we traveled to Elder Richard's church. It was too far for the members to come to the morning service. The roads in Kenya are brutal; however we arrived safely and had a wonderful service. We traveled back to Mash Park for a night of rest. The next day, we drove to Nairobi through the great Rift Valley, and caught a 10 PM flight to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Elders Martin and Charles accompanied us on this flight, and have spent the entire week with us in DAR. They are the interim pastors of the church here and have been doing a great job caring for this church since Elder Obey's death. We spent the entire week studying with brethren from Zambia. Within the DAR church, there are 4 brethren with the burden to preach (Bros. Kenny, Moses, Antone and Thaddeus). They met with us also for most of the sessions. Two of the men from Zambia realized that they did not agree with our doctrinal views and left after 2 days. We prayed for their safe return back to Zambia.
We continued to study all the basic doctrines and practices of the Church and found the brethren from Zambia growing more and more fond of the Primitive Baptist Church. One man in particular was exceedingly happy to have found the truth. He is a very gifted man and speaks English very well. It was an extremely rewarding week to us to teach the truth to men who are so eager to learn. The brethren from DAR have grown so much since Bro. Paul and I were here last year following Elder Obey's death.
We had worship services on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and it was so good to see so many old friends in attendance. The church building is beautiful. They have put in a concrete floor and electricity. The building is secured with strong wooden doors.
The sisters in the church prepared 3 meals a day for all the visitors and did a wonderful job. They cooked the food at Eld. Obey's house, which is about a 5 minute walk from the church building, and brought it to the church to serve there. The house is very nice by African standards. The house was built by love offerings from America, and it is indeed a house filled with love. We were all so impressed with Bro. Obey's daughter Jenny. She has blossomed into a beautiful young Christian Lady. She takes a very active role in the church. Jenny and Barnabas stay at the house on the weekends, and a young sister Stella is the keeper of the house along with her children. Altogether, there are about 9 people living in the house, and they are so grateful. Jenny told me at least 3 times, how thankful she was for all the help her family has received from America for the house, and for their education. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the two sets of twins on this trip. They are in boarding schools far away from DAR.
Barnabas is 16 years old, and is 6 feet tall and growing. Obey and Mary told me many times that Barnabas is a good boy. You can see it in his countenance. He is second in his class and loves school. What a blessing.
On Sunday, we had a worship service, which was followed by a Baptismal service, where five new members were baptized. Then we had a communion and feet washing service. I can not find words to describe the joy we felt in this service. It was followed by a meal there at the church, where everyone ate and fellowshipped.
Elders Kitchens, Blair and I, each preached at the 9 services we had during this trip. We also talked for many hours in DAR. Brother Austin learned a good bit of Swahili and has led several songs including Mungu Ni Pendo during the course of the week. He was a great blessing to us and especially to the young people in Kenya and in Tanzania. He became good friends with Jenny and Barnabas.
This is a brief account of my 5th trip to Tanzania. I still miss Obey, but I can see the fruit of his labor everywhere. In closing I want to quote the words of Elder Paul Blair. "I had the thought when we saw the people that are living at Obey's house get up to sing to us last night that -- This is the house that love built, and it is full of love. Obey always asked us if the church at DAR looked like a real Primitive Baptist Church. I wrote in my last journal entry, Rest well Obey....It does, it does."
In closing, I want to say how thankful I am for Elders Charles Kitchens and Paul Blair, and Brother Austin Wouters. They have been such a blessing to this work in East Africa.
In Christian Love,
Elder Sam Bryant

Update on Gospel Labors in Africa - June 24, 2010

2010-06-25T18:47:00.001-05:00

by Elder Vernon Johnson

Kenya – Within the last two and a half months four different men near Kisii, Kenya have reached out with a desire to learn more about the Primitive Baptists and our beliefs. First, a preacher from Kisii, Kenya contacted Elder Keith Ellis through the Paradise PBC website. Elder Ellis referred the man to me and I in turn sent him a package of materials and introduced him to Elder Martin. Elder Martin is now studying with the man and his congregation, teaching them the doctrines of grace. A second man found my email address and contacted me asking if I would help him with spiritual understanding. I mailed him a package of materials and introduced him to Elder Martin Onyoni. He and the group he was leading are now studying with Elder Martin and learning the doctrines of grace. A third man contacted Elder Martin directly and discussed with him our beliefs and indicated a desire to know more. I have furnished him with the package of study materials. Elder Martin is studying with him and his groups teaching them the doctrines of grace. Just recently a fourth man contacted Elder Ellis, who in turn referred him to me and I likewise to Elder Martin. I have sent the man the materials and contacted him with Elder Martin.
In Kenya, there are currently five churches along with fellowships in Nairobi, Kisumu, Navaisha, Tabaka, and now possibly up to seven additional fellowships near Kisii.
Elder Martin has also informed me that there are currently at least two men whom he believes that are ready to be ordained to the office of elder. Once these two are ordained there will be seven ordained elders in Kenya. There are several other young gifts that are exercising their gifts in the ministry.

Tanzania – In late April and early May, Elder Mark Hasenmyer and I went to Dar Es Salaam to preach the gospel to the church that the late Elder Obey was blessed to establish. In addition, we studied with the five men who have been preaching, but not yet ordained, at that church. We also had four men from Zambia to come up and participate with us in the studies and worship.
Elders Sam Bryant, Paul Blair, and Charles Kitchens are scheduled to go to Kenya and Tanzania in the last two weeks of July. They are scheduled to spend six days in Kenya and eight days in Tanzania. During their stay in Tanzania the four brethren from Zambia and one from Botswana will also travel to Dar Es Salaam to study with the brethren there in Dar. Elders Martin Onyoni and Charles Kenyanjui will remain there in Dar for an additional week studying with the brethren there after the American elders depart.

Ghana – Early this year Elder Tim McCool, Elder Martin Onyoni, and I went to HO, Ghana to preach to a group of people led by a Bro. Aikins Doh. While there, Elders McCool and Martin were blessed to baptize several people and we were blessed to preach to the fellowship and study with several of them for two weeks. Since our departure a second fellowship has been established in a nearby village.
Bro. Aikins Doh had been scheduled to go to Kenya to spend three weeks with him in late June and early July. However, due to the heavy airline traffic in Africa caused by the World Cup soccer championship in South Africa, Bro. Aikins was unable to get airline tickets to travel to Kenya. His trip has been postponed to later in the year.

Uganda – Earlier this year Elders Martin Onyoni and Richard Onuonga traveled to Uganda to preach to a group of people in Mbale, Uganda. These people are led by a Bro. Boaz Munga. There are six men who believe they have a call to preach. Currently there are three fellowships in the area around Mbale.
In October of this year, Elder Michael Gowens and I are scheduled to travel to Kenya and Uganda, along with Elder Martin Onyoni, to preach to the people in the three fellowships in Mbale and to study with the six men who have a call to preach.

Zambia – A door originally opened to four preachers in this country about a year ago. These are the same four men who went to Dar to study with Elder Hasenmyer and I in April/May of this year. What has happened since this original door was opened is phenomenal. There is currently somewhere between thirty and fifty preachers who are either studying with these four men or have been contacted by these men and subsequently have contacted me requesting the study materials I have been furnishing. On average I am receiving one to two emails a week from preachers in Zambia requesting the study materials I have been sending. About three weeks ago I received an email from a man who is pastor of a group of people numbering about 300. He had heard about the materials I have been sending and requested I send a package to him. He also said that he had contacts in Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Elders Mike Ivey, Martin Onyoni, and I are planning to go to Zambia early in 2011 to preach the gospel and to study with many of the above mentioned men, teaching them the doctrines of grace.

Botswana – At the same time that a door opened to the four men in Zambia a door also opened to a man in Botswana. Subsequently another man has become very interested in the beliefs of the Primitive Baptists. Botswana is between Zambia and South Africa. The first man in Botswana has been also working with a group of people in South Africa. When Elder Ivey and I go to Zambia we also plan to spend some time in Botswana.

Needs – Several have asked me about the needs of the people and ministry in Africa. The greatest need is prayer. Certainly, without the Lord's help all is vain. We must have his leadership in all that we do. Second there is continuously a need for bibles and song books. Zambia is an English speaking nation. If anyone knows of any church that has some No. 10 or No. 11 Old School hymnals that they are no longer using, then I request you let them know that we can use them in Africa.

Elder Vernon Johnson

Sister Mary Mwakalonge Passes Away

2009-12-12T07:48:00.002-06:00

Sister Mary Is At Rest: Letters from Eld. Sam Bryant, Bro. Rejoice Mwakalonge (Bro. Obey's brother), and Eld. Martin Onyoni (Kenya)

Beloved in Christ,

Around 10am Monday morning, December 7, Sister Mary, the widow of the late Elder Obey Ndalima, passed away. It was just 9 months ago that Elder Obey passed from this life on April 1st while on a preaching trip to Kenya. Elder Paul Blair and I arrived in Tanzania on April 22nd and spent two weeks with Brother Obey’s family and the church. I had never witnessed such deep crippling grief in anyone like I saw in Sister Mary. Her groaning was beyond words. It was obvious her spirit was broken. It seemed she didn’t have the will to carry on with life. Her emails to me in recent months seemed to indicate that she was doing better but Brother Rejoice said her tears never stopped.

She had been in the hospital for several weeks with malaria. She seemed to be getting better but apparently she had a stroke a day or so before she died. I am going to include an email from Brother Rejoice that will give more details about her sickness and death and the funeral service. I am also including an email from the pastor of the Primitive Baptist church in Tanzania, Elder Martin Onyoni.

I feel a deep sadness tonight as I write this email but I am comforted to know Sister Mary’s tears have stopped and her sorrow is past. Her body has been laid next to the body of her beloved husband to await the resurrection and her spirit is already rejoicing in Heaven. What a comforting gospel we have.

Sister Mary is survived by 6 children. The oldest is Jenny. She is 18 years old. Barnabas is 16. Gift and Given are 12 or 13. The youngest set of twins are 9 or 10. Their names are Nikolas and Grace. Sadly, they are now orphans. Some have asked what will happen to her children. At this time I don't know. I hope to visit them in January. It is my understanding that Sister Mary was able to get their house finished enough to live in. It would be such a blessing if someone in the church could move in with the children and see to it that all 6 children could stay together in a safe and loving home and get a good education. The house is a 3 minute walk from the church. They could be with their church family a lot. I think many of us would be willing to give a little every month to see that their needs are met. I will know more after I visit there early next year. At the present time, they will be staying with relatives. Please lift them up to our Heavenly Father in prayer.

In sadness but in hope,

Brother Sam Bryant

DEAR PASTOR SAM,
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. WE AR RECOVERING WELL FROM THE GRIEF.MARY HAS BEEN VERY DEPRESSED SINCE THE DEATH OF OBEY, THE LONELINESS HAS BEEN VERY OVERWHELMING TO HER; HER TEARS NEVER STOPPED SINCE APRIL.AFTER OPENING SCHOOL SHE CAME BACK TO MBEYA TO CONTINUE WITH HER STUDIES. LAST MONTH SHE GOT SERIOUS MALARIA, RECENTLY SHE GOT STROCK THAT ONE SIDE OH HER BODY STARTED PARALYZING. TWO DAYS AGO, SHE ENCOURAGED US OF HER IMPROVEMENT. A DAY LATER SHE LEFT THIS WORLD; IT IS LIKE A DREAM.WE HAD ALOT OF PEOLE DURING THE FUNERAL SERVICE. THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION ASKED THAT WE LET THEM CONDUCT A FAREWELL SHORT CEREMONY AT SCHOOL CAMPUS. WE ALLOWED THEM TO DO SO. THEY TOOK THE COFFIN TO THE UNIVERSITY WITH SOME OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS. OVER 2000 OF THE THEOPHILO KISANJI UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY ATTENDED, IT WAS VERY SPECIAL. THE CHANCELLOR SAID, " WE HAD NEVER HAD A TOUCHING EVENT LIKE THIS BEFORE."AT AROUND 2.30 WE HAD A SERVICE AT CHURCCH. OVER 1000 PEOPLE ATTENDED. AT AROUND 3:30 WE LEFT FOR BURIAL SERVICE AT IGALE VILLAGE. WE BURIED HER NEXT TO OBEY'S TOMB. IT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING BUT WE ARE GETTING ENCOURAGED WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS. THANKS FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT. WE WILL HAVE A FAMILY MEETING TODAY ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN. A QUICK THOUGHT IS THAT I WILL HAVE TO STAY WITH JANE AND BARNABAS AT MY HOUSE; WE WILL WORK ON FINISHING THEIR HOUSE IN TABATA AND RENT IT OUT TO EARN A LITTLE INCOME FOR THE CHILDREN NEEDS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE SCHOOL FEES.THE TWO LAST ONES MAY CONTINUE WITH SCHOOL WHERE THEY ARE IN MOROGORO AND MAYBE THE OTHER TWO WILL STAY WITH OUR PARENTS. YOUR ADVICE IS WELCOME.I WILL SEND YOU SOME PICTURES SOON.
REJOICE NDALIMA

Dear Elder Sam anad Sister Nelda,
I again thank you for passing to me the news of the passing on of Sister Mary a couple of days ago. I know that we are still very sorrowful and mourning for her death, but I thank the Lord that she is in better place where there is no sickness and problems. Though we miss her here in time we need to keep praying for their children. Pray for us that Bro. Charles, I and the church in Dar be blessed to be a great comfort to the children.
I made a call to Mbeya last night only to be informed that she was burried late yesterday ( Tuesday ).
I also thank the Lord that Bro. Charles made it safe back home yesterday morning and I rejoiced to hear how the Lord richly blessed their meetings in Dar.
Let us also be prayerful that the Lord may give us His Holy Spirit to comfort us during this trying moments.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Brother Martin Onyoni.

Africa Update by Vernon Johnson, Elder Martin's US Preaching Schedule, Letter from Elder Martin

2009-10-17T07:24:00.001-05:00

12 October 2009
Update on Status of Gospel Labors in Africa by Vernon Johnson

We are looking forward with joyful anticipation of Elder Martin Onyoni of Kisii, Kenya traveling to the United States in October and fulfilling a series of appointments. I am attaching the itinerary of his appointments. Also, I am attaching a very recent email from Elder Martin that is personally very encouraging to me.
Elder Martin and Elder Charles Kenyanjui of Kenya have been alternating each month traveling to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania to preach, teach and assist the church there until such time as the young exercising brethren are ready to be ordained. The Lord willing Elder Sam Bryant is tentatively planning to go to Dar Es Salaam and then to Kenya in either February or March 2010. Then in April 2010 Elder Mark Hasenmyer and myself, along with Elder Martin, the Lord willing, are planning to travel to Dar Es Salaam to help the brethren also.
Elder Martin, myself and another elder are planning to travel to HO, Ghana in January 2010, the Lord willing. A brother named Aikins Doh, whom I met in Nairobi about 15 months ago and four other brethren are laboring in a fellowship there. I have been sending them bible study materials, preaching sermons on CDs, bibles, song books, and writings by many Primitive Baptist elders for the last fifteen months, which they have used in fellowship with a rather sizeable group meeting in HO, Ghana. The First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii, Kenya, which Elder Martin pastors, has extended an arm for the gospel labors there in Ghana.
In Uganda, there are now five brethren who have expressed a belief that they have been called by God to preach the gospel. I have been sending materials, including bible study materials, bibles, preaching sermons on CDs, song books, and writings by many Primitive Baptist elders. No date has been set yet for travel to Uganda to preach the gospel to these brethren.
Perhaps the greatest door that the Lord has opened to us so far may be found in the country of Zambia. There are men in four different locations that I am sending or in the process of sending study materials, bibles, preaching sermons on CDs, song books, and writings by many Primitive Baptists elders. In three of the four locations there are several men who apparently believe they have a call from God to preach the gospel. In two of these locations the leaders are reaching out to people in other locations and sharing the materials with others. This labor has been ongoing only about five months so far. Again, there are no immediate plans to travel to Zambia. Once the brethren have had time to digest the materials sent to them, then we can begin to make plans to visit them, the Lord willing.
If anyone knows of others who would like to receive periodic updates of the work in Africa, please let me know their name and address and I will include them on our update list. My address is listed below. My email address is vernon@dentonpbc.org. My cell phone # is 972-832-5630.
Finally, I am thankful for all the prayers and support that many of you have provided. Most of all, I am thankful to the Lord for His leadership and enabling grace that has blessed those in Africa who have now heard the true gospel of the grace of Christ. May his name be glorified in all that we do.

Elder Vernon Johnson
3670 Lee Johnson Farm Road
Farmersville, Texas 75442

Elder Martin Onyoni’s Appointments

Lord willing, Elder Martin Onyoni, pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii, Kenya will preach for us on Saturday November7, 2009. We will have supper at 5:30PM and begin worship service at 7:00PM. Please make attending this special meeting a top priority. I encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to join us to hear the gospel preached and witness how the Lord is revealing the truths of salvation by grace alone in distant lands.

Schedule of Elder Onyoni’s preaching appointments:

Oct 22, 2009 P.M. Zion’s Rest PBC, Jasper, AL
Oct 25, 2009 P.M. Bethlehem PBC, Tuscaloosa, AL
Oct 25, 2009 P.M. Five Mile PBC, Akron, AL
Oct 26, 2009 P.M. Flint River PBC, Huntsville, AL
Oct 27, 2009 P.M. Union PBC, Woodville, AL
Oct 29, 2009 A.M. Grace PBC, Macon GA
Oct 30, 2009 P.M. Augusta Old Line PBC, Augusta, GA
Oct 31. 2009 A.M. New Antioch PBC, TN, Elder Paul Blair, Pastor
Nov 1, 2009 A.M. Vestavia PBC, Birmingham, AL
P.M. Vestavia PBC, Birmingham, AL
Nov 2, 2009 P.M. Ideal PBC, Hattiesburg, MS
Nov 4, 2009 P.M. Mt Gilead PBC, Smithdale, MS
Nov. 5, 2009 P.M. West Monroe New Prospect PBC, West Monroe, LA
Nov 6, 2009 P.M. Bethany PBC, San Antonio, TX
Nov 7, 2009 P.M. Lewisville PBC, Lewisville, TX
Nov 8, 2009 A.M. Denton PBC, Denton, TX
Nov 9, 2009 P.M. Borger PBC, Borger, TX
Nov 12, 2009 P.M. New Bethel PBC, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 13, 2009 P.M. Bethel PBC, Lindsay, CA
Nov 15, 2009A.M. Golden Gate PBC, Fremont, CA
Nov 15, 2009 P.M. Glorious Kingdom PBC, Oakland, CA

Recent letter from Brother Martin:

Dear Elders Mike and Paul,
Greetings in the Mighty name of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. I believe you are diong fine in the Lord. I sincerely thank the Lord for you and your great efforts in serving Him.
During my recent visit in Tanzania, I thank the Lord for the wonderful meetings we had and the way the five brethren who are studying the doctrines are a great encouragement to the church and to me and Bro. Charles. They really show a great zeal in studying the doctrines and standing to the truth. It is with great joy to see our dear brother Elia Kisigila who joined from a different order of faith after the death of Elder Obey study with diligent and getting amazed to find the bible truths which he had never received before. I thank the Lord for him and the other brethren. I believe brother Kisigila will be of a great blessing in future. I ask that you continue to pray for these dear brethren that they may continue to grow in Him.
Ever since my return from Tanzania last early week, I had been having a series of blessed meetings with sister churches here who had requested me to preach to each of them before my trip to the US. I really felt blessed when the Lord gave me the opportunity to preach to each of them. It was joy for all of us as we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our meetings.
As it is barely less than a week before my departure, I ask that you keep praying for me and my family, fellow elders, our churches and fellowships in Africa, and above all my trip and visit and that the Lord may abundantly bless my visit with all of you.
I anxiously look for ward to visiting you all and pray that the Lord may bless my preachings in your churches.
You and your families and the churches you pastor are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Say hello to your families and the churches you pastor.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Elder Martin Onyoni.

Updates of Efforts to Spread the Gospel in Africa

2009-07-15T11:33:00.002-05:00

June 29, 2009
Meetings in Tanzania
After Elder Obey Ndalima Mwakalonge passed away, Elders Sam Bryant and Paul Blair journeyed to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in April to assist and comfort the First Primitive Baptist Church of Tanzania. They were met there by Elders Martin Onyoni and Charles Kenyanjui of Kisii, Kenya. While there, seven came forth requesting baptism and were received and baptized. Included in those who joined was a former Pentecostal preacher. I have been requested to assist him and three other exercising brethren in their studies along with Elder Martin. Elder Martin agreed to serve as Pastor of the church and come to Dar Es Salaam once a month and stay for two weekends and preach there at the church until one or more of the brethren is ready to be ordained.
Efforts in Ghana
I continue to provide materials for study and preaching tapes and MP3-CDs to the brother whom I met in the airport in Nairobi on my third trip to Kenya. In addition, I am providing study materials to four other brethren who believe they have a call to preach. Ghana is an English speaking nation, so it makes communication with the brethren there much simpler. They have formed a fellowship there with a sizeable contingent meeting in a rented facility. We have provided through the assistance of others bibles and song books to these brethren. Elder Martin and the First Primitive Baptist Church of Kenya-Kisii have agreed to extend an arm to the labor in Ghana and to take the oversight of these brethren. I am planning a trip to Ghana in January 2010 along with Elder Martin Onyoni and perhaps one other brother from the United States.
Efforts in Uganda
Just prior to my last trip to Kenya, Elder Martin was met by a family friend from Uganda and shared with him some of our teachings and some of the study materials. The man desired to know more about the Primitive Baptists and what we teach. Shortly after my last trip to Kenya I began to provide the man (his name is Boaz Munga) with the study materials, preaching sermons, bibles, and song books. He is meeting with a group of people in Mbale, Uganda and they are studying together with the materials I have sent. No date has been set yet to meet with these brethren. Uganda is also an English speaking nation.
Efforts in Zambia
Elder Sam Bryant had invited Elder Mike Ivey and myself to Alabama for a series of meetings during the third week in May. On the first day of our arrival at Elder Bryant's home he received an email from the former Pentecostal preacher who joined the church in Tanzania. He requested that the study materials be sent to five friends of his in Zambia who had studied with him in the Bible College there. Since then I have been furnishing study materials to these men by email. Three of the men are showing a keen interest in these studies. One of the men indicated he had nine other men who desired to study the materials with him. I am in the process of making up a notebook with about five hundred pages of essays and studies on the things most surely believed by us. I will be sending this notebook to five brethren in Tanzania, and to the brethren in Zambia. A sizeable portion of these studies have already been sent to Ghana and about half have been sent to Uganda. Zambia is also an English speaking nation.
Possible door in South Africa
On the next to last day of our visit to Alabama, we visited a church near Huntsville, Alabama. After services a young sister asked to speak with me. She was from South Africa and along with her husband had fairly recently joined the Primitive Baptists. She asked that I send the study materials to her and that she would in turn share them with her parents back in South Africa. She expressed the opinion that the Primitive Baptist doctrine would be well received in South Africa, especially amongst the black population.
Continued efforts in Kenya
In addition to the five churches that were constituted when Elder Mike Ivey, Elder Obey, and myself met with Elder Martin Onyoni in Kisii, Kenya, there are three additional fellowships. The fellowships are located in Nairobi, Navaisha, and Kisumu. From the reports that I have received from the brethren in Kenya, these three fellowships are growing in their knowledge and desire to worship and serve the Lord and the Lord continues to direct his servants in these cities to these fellowships. When additional men are ready for ordination, these fellowships will be constituted into churches.
Needs
Some have asked me about the needs of the churches and fellowships in Africa. I write this not with the purpose of asking for financial assistance, but to let people know of the needs. If anyone feels led to assist, then that will be between you and the Lord.
There continues to be a need for King James bibles, song books, study materials, MP3-CD players for playing sermons, and for duplicated writings by Primitive Baptist on bible subjects. Sending mail by the postal service is quite expensive both here in the United States and then in the country receiving the materials. Often, it cost just as much on their end as it does to send the materials from the United States.
Travel and living costs are expensive for the brethren in Kenya to travel to the distant fellowships in Nairobi, Navaisha, and Kisumu. These brethren have minimal income just to support their families.
Vestavia Primitive Baptist Church is helping Elder Martin with his expenses in traveling to Dar Es Salaam.
Since Elders Martin and Charles will be visiting other countries, the cost of air travel will be quite expensive for them. They will need help.
Since the five churches in Kenya are near the city of Kisii, I believe it would be beneficial to have a weekly radio broadcast in Kisii to introduce many more people to the Primitive Baptists. I asked Elder Martin Onyoni to find out how much a broadcast would cost. For a weekly fifteen minute broadcast in Swahili or Kisii, the cost would be $200 a month.
Others have asked about assisting the brethren in their daily living. For this I refer you to Elder Mike Ivey of the Lewisville Primitive Baptist Church and Brother Bob Coleman of the Augusta Primitive Baptist Church.

Elder Vernon Johnson
3670 Lee Johnson Farm Rd.
Farmersville, Texas 75442

2009-05-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

FOURTH TRIP TO TANZANIA
The Journal of Elder Sam Bryant

Tuesday April 21, 2009

Elder Paul Blair and I left Birmingham, Alabama at 10:40 AM on April 21, 2009 for a sixteen-day trip to Tanzania in East Africa. I had not planned to make a trip this year. However, after Brother Obey’s untimely death on March 31st of this year, I felt a great desire and urgent need to visit his family and the church. When Elder Blair found out I was going he called and said he would like to go with me. I was delighted to have his company.

Wednesday 22, 2009

It takes 30 hours to make the trip. I grew weary along the way and thought about how hard the trip must have been for Brother Obey last November. Traveling this far is tiring when you are well and we know now he was far from well.

We arrived at the Dar Es Salaam Airport at 9:40 PM. It was sad to know Brother Obey would not be there waving and smiling from ear to ear and shouting, “Welcome to Tanzania.” Instead, we were met by Sister Mary who was weeping and asking, “Pastor Sam, where is Obey?” It is still hard to believe that Brother Obey is not with us any longer. Sister Ana from Kenya often says it just seems that Brother Obey is on a long trip and will be returning soon. Death is a gain for God’s children who depart this life but it can be an unspeakable loss to those who are left behind.

Brother Kenny, the deacon of the church, was with Sister Mary along with about 20 of the church members. We gathered in the parking lot and visited a few minutes and had prayer. Bro. Kenny drove us to a Swedish compound where we would spend the next two weeks. Sister Mary accompanied us. She and I had a long talk before they left us to go to their homes. She said Obey’s mother recently reminded her that he was very sickly as a child and had never been very healthy. However he never let that keep him from serving God.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Due to jet lag, I didn’t sleep much last night. I finally fell asleep about sun up. Early in the morning, Nelda called me on Brother Kenny’s phone. I was in a daze. I don’t think I made much sense on the phone but it was great to hear her voice. She was faithful to call almost every day.

Elders Charles Makori and Martin Onyon and his wife, Ana, and their son Vernon, who is eleven months old, had arrived from Kenya by bus. I had arranged for them to stay at the same compound with us for two weeks. They joined us for breakfast in the kitchen and we had the first of many good visits.

Obey’s brother Rejoice arrived around noon. It was so good to finally meet him. Brother Obey had told me so much about him. He is two years younger than Obey. I liked him instantly. He lived in the USA for seven years and speaks excellent English. He pastors a church in the Pentecostal denomination that he and Obey were raised in and is Vice Bishop of all the Pentecostal churches in Tanzania. He is a very busy man.

He told us about the funeral service at Mbeya. His father had been a pastor for many years and had gone through many trials in his life, but he had never seen his father weep until Obey’s funeral. He wept openly. Rejoice said that Obey had always lived such a humble life and was so loving and kind to everyone, even the pagans wept at the funeral. There were over one thousand people in attendance at the funeral including thirty pastors from different denominations. Elder Martin and others spoke. There was much weeping among the people; however as they gathered around the graveside, hundreds of people began singing hymns of praise.

At 4 PM today we left for the church service. The traffic was awful in Dar and we were late. I said I had learned that being late was a fine art in Africa. Rejoice said, “Time is our friend in Africa; in America, time is your enemy.” Bro. Paul said he asked Obey last July what he could bring to help the church members. Obey said, “wrist watches.” “How many,” Paul asked. Obey said, “Not to many, and not to few.” Rejoice said, “And what number is that?” We all laughed. Obey wanted his members to be at church on time but I don’t think the watches helped too much. Most of them have to walk wherever they go.

Many members had already gathered and were singing. Others came in later. They have learned some new songs and the singing was beautiful. Paul preached first. I followed and spoke on John 14:1-4. This was the last scripture Obey used in America in November of 2008. “Let not your heart be troubled.” Our hearts can be sad without being troubled as we remember that Christ is in the Father’s house and will be returning for us.

Rejoice asked to speak. A man named Elijah interpreted for Rejoice who spoke in English. He wanted to express his appreciation for the love we had for Obey. He also expressed appreciation for the money we sent to help pay for the funeral. He spoke good words. He made many statements that warmed my heart.

We drove back to our compound where the evening meal was ready. I was so thankful our brethren from Kenya were enjoying three good meals a day. They are very thin. We went to bed around 9:30PM and I slept until 1:30AM. I was wide-awake until about sun up. I went out on the porch and was soon joined by Paul. We discussed II Timothy chapter 2 for a long time. We discussed verse 10 and how much Obey had endured for the elect’s sake in east Africa. We also talked about the faithful men in verse 2 who would be able to teach others also. We prayed that God would bless the church in Tanzania with such men.

Friday, April 24, 2009

I finally fell asleep about 5AM and didn’t wake up until 10AM. I woke up to a beautiful morning. The ocean breeze was very pleasant. The temperature during the day would reach almost 100 and the humidity was very high. The ocean breezes were truly a blessing.

Kenny arrived at about 11:30AM with Brother Moses. We discussed many things about the church. We also talked to Brother Martin about the possibility of him coming to Dar to preach two Sundays a month. What a blessing it would be if Brother Martin could visit this church often until God raises up a new pastor in Tanzania.

After lunch we drove to the boarding school where Jenny is enrolled. She is Sister Mary’s oldest child. She is eighteen. We met with the head master first. Then he sent for Jenny. She wept as we talked about her dad. She seemed to really appreciate our visit and plans to be at church some.

We drove to the church and I had time to visit with Elijah, a pastor in the community who had become acquainted with Obey. He is well educated and speaks good English. He is a likeable person. I could see why Obey would have enjoyed his company. While Obey was in Kenya in the hospital, he had requested that Elijah perform the first wedding that was to be held in the Primitive Baptist Church in Dar. He is an ordained minister and had the necessary credentials to perform a wedding in Tanzania.

Elijah showed me his certificate from a bible college in Zambia. He said he and Obey had become friends a few weeks before Obey left for Kenya but they did not have much time to discuss doctrine. He expressed an interest in what we believe. I was thankful for that; however I told him anyone who desired to preach for the Primitive Baptist in Tanzania would have to study under Elder Martin and Elder Vernon Johnson for at least two years. He listened but did not comment.

The song service was a blessing to me. I had requested that the two ministers from Kenya preach this evening. Elder Charles went first. This dear brother wakes up at 5AM every Sunday morning and leaves his home at 5:30 walking to the church where he pastors. It takes him three hours. He rests from 8:30 to 9:00 and then conducts a worship service that lasts for two hours. Then he walks back home where he finally has some food! I felt honored to be in the presence of such a devoted servant of God.

He preached on Romans 8:2. He taught that the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death. He went back to Genesis 3 and explained that sin and death came when Adam broke the law. He showed that all of Adam’s family was dead in sin. Eph. 2:1 He did a great job explaining that the first law freed us from the second law in verse two. Then he went to Ephesians 1:4 to show that the chosen of God were the ones who were set free by the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. It was a wonderful sermon.

Elder Martin greeted everyone in the name of Jesus Christ. He gave a brief description of the work in Kenya and how Elder Obey had been such a blessing to them. Obey had made 20-25 trips to Kenya. He stated that they now have five ordained elders and five churches due in large part to Elder Obey’s unselfish labors among them.

His text was from John 4. He explained that God seeks worship, but not just any kind. He said there are so many types of worship in the world but God desires to be worshiped in spirit and in truth. He said the word must does not leave us an option as to how God is to be worshiped. The question comes back to us, how are we worshiping God? The woman said we must worship in this mountain. Many say we must worship in Jerusalem, in Rome, in Mecca, etc. The location is not important but we must have the spirit and truth to worship acceptably, according to Jesus. God desires true worshipers. He also explained that one must be born of the spirit before they can worship in the spirit. It was a powerful sermon. Elders Johnson and Ivy have taught these brethren from Kenya well. They desire to talk about the Bible constantly and they are well versed in it.

These brethren preached in English and Rejoice translated their sermons in Swahili. I told Paul that Rejoice may not believe what Primitive Baptists believe but he sure preached it tonight! He even said, “Amen” at the end of Elder Martin’s sermon.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

I didn’t fall asleep until about 5AM this morning and I didn’t wake up until 10:40. I was supposed to meet Rejoice at 10:30 this morning to visit. I was hoping he was on African time! He was. He arrived around 11:00. We had another very good visit. He told me a lot about their childhood. During the eighteen years that Obey worked for the government in Tanzania, Obey helped support him in his early days in the ministry. He told me about thieves breaking into his house last year and robbing him and stabbing him. He still suffers from the injuries. We also discussed the big job Mary has in raising six children without a husband.

Paul spoke first tonight and brought a good message on the raising of Lazarus. I followed and spoke on baptism. At the end of this service, three came forward asking for baptism and were received. Brother Kenny’s wife was one of them. This was a great blessing to the church! We shook hands with them and enjoyed a good time of fellowship.

Sunday, April 26 2009

This morning I was asked to preach. After the preaching, Elders Charles and Martin baptized the new members. Bro. Martin acts like a seasoned pastor. I was able to provide a catered lunch for the church. There were over one hundred and twenty present but there was plenty of food. Potatoes, rice, greens, fruit, and chicken was served along with soft drinks.

Monday, April 27, 2009

I slept all night! Maybe the jetlag is over. Paul and I cooked some country ham that he had brought from west Tennessee and some fried eggs and toast. It was delicious.

Bro. Kenny had suggested that we visit in the homes of the members on Monday and Tuesday. We had never done this before. It was a joy to learn how the different members had come to believe our doctrine. Some live in a one or two room apartment. There are several couples with small children and it is crowded. By American standards, life is extremely hard for these people. But the joy of the Lord is in their hearts and they are committed to building on the foundation that Elder Obey laid.

One visit was in the home of Sister Josephine, a single 30-year-old schoolteacher. Her testimony was very special. She spoke with great respect about the late Pastor Obey, how he laid a foundation for her life and brought such peace and joy to her. She told us how much the truth had set her free from bondage. She said that Brother Obey would often pray for her and a certain health condition that she had struggled with was greatly improved. She offered us soft drinks and said that Pastor Obey had taught her to never let any guests come to her home without blessing them. She said if we didn’t receive what she offered, she would miss her blessing. She is highly respected by all the church. What a blessing it was to visit in her home.

This evening our vehicle broke down and we had to wait for someone to come get us. Dar is a city of five million people and we were surrounded by thousands of strangers as we waited. However, I never felt any fear. It might have helped to have Tall Paul with me. He’s 6’4” and weighs 280lbs! I stayed close to him.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

When I got to the veranda this morning, Paul was talking to two men from America. One was a physician’s assistant from New York State named Mark. They were looking for a good cup of coffee and I gave them a new bottle of Folgers instant coffee and two Folgers coffee bags. They were very thankful. I told Mark about some problems Brother Martin was having with his stomach. He examined him and said that he sees a lot of peptic ulcers in Africa. He gave him a round of antibiotics he had in his bag and some tablets. Later in the week Martin said he was feeling much better. This brother endures a lot to travel and preach in Kenya and Tanzania. Please keep him in your prayers.

We greatly enjoyed visiting more of the members in their homes today. We had so many good discussions on the scriptures. We would sing a few hymns and have prayer. We also got to visit in Sister Mary’s home. She has been sick with malaria this week.

My appreciation for Elder Obey’s work of faith and labor of love has increased dramatically on this trip. Visiting in the homes of the members and observing their steadfastness in the truth and their love for the simple ways of the Primitive Baptists has been wonderful to behold.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

This morning I got Brother Martin to tell us about Obey’s last days in Kenya. He has promised to share all of this with us in a written account. During the 2 months he was in the hospital in Kenya, Obey’s winning ways had won the love and respect of many people in Kenya who were not Primitive Baptists, including the doctors and nurses who cared for him.

All of a sudden, we started hearing loud explosions that shook the buildings where we were. At a distance, we could see great clouds of smoke. It scared everyone. We had no idea what was going on but later found out that there was an accident at a military armory about four miles from us. Twenty- nine people were killed and over two hundred were injured. What a tragedy!

I had requested that three young men be asked to preach for us tonight. Brother Obey had been using them in their Sunday evening services. Brother Kenny introduced them and said they had 10-15 minutes each! Brother Moses went first. He spoke on Psalm 121. He did well. His brother Anthony spoke on Isaiah Chapter 1:18. He is blessed with a powerful voice and strong delivery. Thaddeus spoke on Acts 3: 1-11 and compared their church to the lame man that lay at the gate after their late pastor Obey’s death. He said the brethren from Kenya and America were like the apostles that did not give silver and gold but such as they had, they gave unto the church and now the church was able to walk and leap and praise God again! Imagine how the only Primitive Baptist church in Tanzania felt after losing their pastor who was the only Primitive Baptist minister in their country. He said our visit was right on time. How encouraging those words were to me.

These three men are novices but I certainly felt good about their ability to speak in the Spirit and teach what was in their hearts. They will be studying with Elder Martin and also, by way of the internet, with Elder Vernon Johnson. They are bright young men who are eager to learn. After they finished, I admonished the church to love these gifts and not turn their efforts into a preaching contest. I quoted from 1Corinthians 1 to show how churches can become divided over gifts. I then quoted from 1Cor 12:12 to show how a church has many members but one body and how all the members are to work together for the good of the body. I got great response from the church. These three brethren are loved and respected.

Following the preaching service, four came forth for baptism, including Brother Elijah. He had to go back for some clothes. Elders Charles and Martin administered the baptisms. The church seemed happy to receive Elijah and he seemed very happy. I was surprised but thankful. He and I had enjoyed some long discussions about the doctrine. The other ministers were in on these discussions and we were pleased with his submission to the word of God. He is a talented man with a great singing voice. He would be a great blessing to the church if he is truly convicted in his heart that Primitive Baptist are the true church of Christ.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

This evening I spoke on the difference between eternal salvation and salvation in time. The first one is a gift and the second one is to a great extent conditional on our obedience. I explained that this is a major key in understanding and rightly dividing the word of God. Elijah endorsed it strongly. This was the primary point that persuaded Brother Obey to become a Primitive Baptist. Rejoice was listening. Then we had a long question and answer session. I felt very good about the service.

Friday, April 31, 2009

We are not having a service today. We had a restful morning and I got to visit a lot with Martin and Charles.
Around noon Kenny and Anthony drove us to Rejoice’s home where we had lunch. He lives in a very comfortable house. They had electric fans and Bill Gaither’s tape playing on the TV. However they do not have running water. His children told me how much they miss pizza and hamburgers in America. I shared my snicker bars with them and I think I made some friends! Before we left we sung some hymns and Rejoice asked me to offer prayer. I felt blessed as I prayed in this family’s home. Rejoice was weeping. He feels deeply the loss of his brother. He told me that if Obey had lived another ten years it would have been amazing to see what he could have accomplished.

We said good-bye and drove to the Indian Ocean for a little outing. The Kenyans really enjoyed this. It was a beautiful beach. Little Vernon played in the sand. We drove back to the compound where we enjoyed more good fellowship and bible conversations until bedtime.

Saturday May 1, 2009

Today, we met at 3:00PM for song service. Brother Paul preached on charity from I Cor. 13. I followed him and used the same subject. Then we had communion and feet washing service. It was such a joy to see Gift and Given, Brother Obey’s twin boys, washing each other’s feet. We enjoyed many blessings in this service.

Afterwards, the church went into a business meeting and asked me to serve as moderator. A motion was made and seconded to call Elder Martin as their pastor. The vote was unanimous. Elder Martin had visited this church a number of times and they had learned to love him and trust him. I suggested that he make one trip a month staying for two Sundays. This way he would only have to make one bus trip a month. It takes 25 to 30 hours one way on the bus. He agreed to this and so did the church. On the other two Sundays, the church will use the three young men who have been exercising their gifts. I also suggested that the church open a checking account with a local bank and have three members who are authorized to write checks. All three signatures would be required on each check. The church also voted to do this. At the end of the business meeting the church expressed their joy in having a pastor and 3 young gifts in their church. Here in America, we are half a world away from these brethren but we can support them with our prayers and words of encouragement. They have a lot of responsibility and they need to know we are not going to forget them.

Sunday, May 2, 2009

I woke up at 7AM and got Paul up. We cooked country ham, fried eggs, and toast. Anthony and Moses came to get us at 9:00. Singing started at 10AM. We sung until 11:00 and I was asked to preach. At 12:00 noon, we started a memorial service for Brother Obey. Rejoice and his family joined us for this service. Elders Charles, Paul, and Martin spoke. Then brother Kenny spoke. Rejoice spoke on behalf of the Mwakalonge family. This service lasted until 2:30. We had been in service for four and a half hours. I was asked to speak. They say in Africa, “The white man has the clock, Africans have the time.” The people were very patient. We had a closing prayer and dinner was served. It was another blessed day. I hope we can have the memorial service transcribed. People here in America would enjoy what these men said, especially the message brought by Brother Kenny.

This evening I got to visit with Moses for a while in the veranda. He told me that what Obey taught him had blessed his life so much. He felt he had been lifted him out of a hole. He said that he had wanted to die. He had a problem with his hand and it would not stop shaking. Obey taught him and prayed for him and told him to be faithful to God and the church, “This is where your blessing is” Obey said. He taught him to sing the hymns and think about them and hide their message in his heart. His hand had stopped shaking and his heart was filled with joy. He is now one of the main song leaders in the church. I turned to Psalm 40:2 and read this passage. “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord.” Moses lifted his hands towards heaven and said, “This is my verse.” I sat there amazed.
I was visiting with a brother who had experienced the reality of Psalms 40: 2-3 in such a dramatic way. It was a high moment in my life as I thought about what the gospel can do for God’s children.

Monday, May 3, 2009

It was raining this morning. I felt refreshed and was looking forward to a good cup of coffee. I was the only one up. I sat in the veranda and thought about what a blessing this compound has been to us and how safe it is here. Swedes built it in the 1960’s. It has a wall all around it with guards at the gate. We get to meet so many interesting people from many different parts of the world who come here to spend a night or two on their way to some place in Tanzania. Some come for safaris. We have met doctors, nurses, builders, and people from many walks of life who have a love for Africa and want to help in some way. I have also enjoyed many good conversations in this place with missionaries who are trying to save Africans from hell. Needless to say, I have tried to save them from false doctrine!

I visited with one who has been in very remote places in Africa where the gospel had never been preached. I asked him if he had ever seen any evidence that the Holy Spirit had already worked in some of the people and made a change in them before he arrived. He told me he had seen that many times. We talked about the Spirit of God going where he pleases just like the wind does. He seemed interested in my views. I gave him my address. I hope someday to hear from him.

I enjoyed a visit with a 74year old businessman from Washington State. He spends 3 months a year in Tanzania building medical clinics in very remote areas. He does it without charge. He told me he had been in Africa on his last three wedding anniversaries. His wife told him if he was in Africa for their 50th anniversary, he could just stay in Africa. So he took her to Hawaii for 6 weeks to celebrate their 50th.

I’m so glad the Kenyans could stay with us. There are three houses in the compound for rent and also ten private rooms. We have hot water for showers and air conditioning that works ok. We are allowed to use one of the stoves in the kitchen and have one shelf in a refrigerator. The cost is very reasonable. They charge $20 per night for each person which is a lot of money in Tanzania but Brother Obey always wanted us to stay in a safe place.

Tuesday, May 4, 2009

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and started packing for the trip home. I wrote a letter to Barnabus, Obey’s oldest son. We left at about 2:00pm for Mary’s house. I had another good visit with her. She is very weak from the malaria. Barnabus read my letter and hugged me and thanked me for our visit. He is 15 and a very good boy. Mary showed me the lot Obey had bought to build a house on. He was able to finish the foundation. She told me she wanted to stay in Dar so her children could continue to hear the truth preached. Hopefully, she can.

As we said goodbye, I encouraged them to take care of their health. The average life span in Tanzania is 45. Kenny spoke and said two weeks had passed like two days. He talked about how timely our visit had been. Rejoice spoke. He said Obey had invited him many times to come to church when we were in Tanzania but he always thought he was too busy. How he wished he had come when Obey was alive. Many of us wept. Four of the brethren drove us to the airport where we caught a 10:50PM flight back to America.

Wednesday May 5, 2009

Nelda met us at the Birmingham Airport at 4:30 PM. We had been up for about 45 hours. It was good to be home with my dear wife. Bro. Paul took a shower at our house and drove five hours to his home. He had certainly been a blessing.

One night on this trip I had a sweet dream. In the dream, a wealthy man offered the use of his jet plane so I could travel to Tanzania any time I wanted to. I could be there in one hour and twenty minutes. I could spend the day in Tanzania and be back home by bedtime! What a dream.

I hope this journal will encourage many of you to pray for the Primitive Baptists in east Africa. They are young in the faith and there are wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is my prayer that God will keep them safe from anyone who does not love them and the truth they embrace. I also hope this will encourage other ministers to visit the Primitive Baptists in east Africa soon even though it takes 30 hours one way! And if anyone should desire to help Sister Mary and the church in Dar financially, it would be deeply appreciated.

In gospel labors,
Elder Sam Bryant

Elder Sam Bryant's Account of Tanzania Trip

2009-05-01T15:01:00.000-05:00

5/1/2009 Email from Elder Sam Bryant:
Beloved,

I hope this finds all of you enjoying good health and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for the blessing of visiting the church here in Tanzania shortly after Brother Obey's departure to Heaven. My appreciation for his work of faith and labor of love is greater than ever. As Brother Paul and I have visited in the homes of the members who were converted to the truth by Brother Obey, we have been amazed at their understanding of the gospel of grace. Brother Kenny told me this morning how much he loves the doctrine of grace and how much joy and peace it has brought him and how he loves to share it with others. I was so encouraged Wednesday night to hear the 3 brethren preach. Brother Obey had been using them a lot in the evening service. All three have talents to speak and teach in the Spirit. What a great blessing! And Elder Martin has agreed to pastor them for a while and be with them 2 Sunday's a month.

Brother Rejoice has joined us for services twice this week. He is a very busy man. He is vice bishop of the Pentecostal church in all of Tanzania. He also pastors a church here in Dar. He has shared so much with me about their childhood and how much Obey was loved in their home town of Myeba. He has agreed to give a written account of the funeral service for me to send out to PBs in America. He said there were over a 1,000 people attending the service. Elder Martin from Kenya spoke at the service along with others. Brother Rejoice told me that Brother Obey was so kind and humble and loving to everyone, even the pagans wept. He told me he had never seen his father weep in all his life but when he received the news about Obey's death he wept. However, at the graveside, he and Elder Martin said over a thousand voices were singing the praise of God.

Last night, I spoke on the difference between conditional time salvation and eternal salvation which is all by grace. Several people told me they noticed Brother Rejoice listening very carefully. What a blessing if he could see this wonderful truth.

Brother Paul has been such a help on this trip. He has such a love for these people and they love him. If a person is blessed to see beyond the poverty of this country and the sad living conditions they are trapped in and just see the people and their wonderful personalities and their love for God and for one another and their deep gratitude for what little they have and their close family ties you find yourself thinking that they are rich in what really matters.

I believe the foundation Brother Obey laid here in Tanzania is firm and the converts to the truth will continue to build on this foundation. They needed a visit from someone in Ameirca and they will continue to need our fellowship and encouragement and prayers.

We will have a communion and feet washing service tomorrow and we will also help them conduct a business meeting. On Sunday we will have a regular worship service and then serve a meal for them as we did last Sunday. What a joy it is to be able to serve them a meal of riceand potatoes and chicken and salad anf fruit and soft drinks. There are usually about 100 who attend these meetings. On behalf of all the people here who enjoy these blessings, I would like to say thanks to all of you who have helped make it possible for me to provide a meal for them.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Sam

Sister Mary Mwakalonge Hospitalized with Malaria

2009-04-30T14:59:00.000-05:00

4/30/2009 Email from Sister Nelda Bryant:
I will give a brief over view of the week. There's so many details that Sam will share upon his return. It has been a good week over all but it is mixed with joys and sorrows.

Sis. Mary has been hospitalized with Malaria. I'm sure her immune system is down from the hard trips of late to Kenya, sitting by Bro. Obey's side, and then the long trips to Mbaui for the funeral. Please pray for her quick return to health. Bro. Obey's sister is living with Mary and the children and is caring for them while Mary is ill.

The Lord has surely blessed the church with a manifestation of his love as they have now had seven to present themselves for baptism. Needless to say this has really encouraged the church that the Lord is still with them!

Sam said that Bro. Kenny thought that it would be a good thing for them to visit with each member in their home so this has been a large part of the effort this week.

They have been blessed to hear three gifts in the church and enjoyed their efforts...They are novices but their efforts were blessed and there's hope that God is raising up laborers to fill the needs of his children in Dar.

It has been a long two weeks but Sam says he feels that at this time it was very necessary for them to be with the church.

We appreciate your continued prayers and trust that the Lord will continue his blessings on the trip.

In Christ,
Nelda

Elders Sam Bryant & Paul Blair Arrive Safely in Tanzania

2009-04-26T14:54:00.001-05:00

4/26/2009 Email from Elder Sam Bryant:
Beloved,
Elder Paul Blair and I arrived in Dar Es Salaam on Apr, 22nd at 9:40 PM. We had always been greeted at the airport by Elder Obey and Sister mary, their children, and 15 or 20 of the church members. There was always such a joy to see that tall thin African waving those long arms, and smiling from ear to ear, and shouting "Welcome to Tanzania", This time it was very sad. We were greeted by Sister Mary, she was weeping and asking "Pastor Sam, Where is Obey, Where is my Obey?" Sister Mary knows where brother Obey is. This question was her way of letting us know that her husband will not be coming back. He had been on many long trips, but always came back. She knows he will not be coming back this time. We were also greeted by a grieving church who have suffered a great loss. We had prayer, and brother Kenny drove us to our lodging.
We have been in four services and they have been richly blessed. Elder Obey's brother Rejoice has been with us most of the time and has been interpreting the sermons for us. He favors brother Obey. He is about 5'9" and a medium build. He is 2 years younger than Obey. He is well educated and speaks very good english. I liked him instantly. Today he was preaching at his home church. There is so much I hope to share about brother Rejoice when I return.
Elder Martin Morara Onyoni and Elder Charles Kenyanjui Makori have been with us the entire time. They preached on Friday Night. Brother Paul and I were deeply impressed and carried away with their ability to preach. Their knowledge of the truth is incredible. They are loved and highly respected by the church here. Elder Martin has agreed to preach 2 sundays a month for the church here. What a blessing.
Wednesday night we hope to hear three young gifts in the church preach. We do hope that God will richly bless them to continue the work that brother Obey has started. It would probably take three men to do all that he was doing. He was willing to spend and be spent in God's Service. There is so much more that \I would like to say but time is running out. Keep brother Paul and I in your prayers. Mary is OK, her faith is strong. We went to see Jenny at the school where she attends and whe was at church today.
God Bless,
Pastor Sam

Elder Obey Ndalima Mwakalonge Passed Away

2009-04-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

MARCH 31st, 2009 Email from Elder Sam Bryant:
Beloved in Christ,

I am so sad to report that I just received word from Eld. Martin and Sis. Mary in Kenya that Bro. Obey passed away around 10 am this morning. This news will bring sadness to many people, especially his family and his church in Tanzania. The sadness I feel is unspeakable. However, I am finding great comfort in the fact that Brother Obey embraced the same truth that our beloved Apostle Paul did, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." He died knowing that salvation is a gift from a loving God and that multitudes of his African ancestors will be in Heaven by God's grace.

His burden was to establish the Primitive Baptist church in Tanzania. He was blessed to to do that. Before he returned to Africa, he told me he hoped some day to preach the gospel in Kenya. God richly blessed him to do so. He made many trips to Kenya to help with the gospel work there. He was able to help Elder Vernon Johnson and Elder Mike Ivy ordain 5 ministers in Kenya and constitute 5 churches there in Feb. He got sick while in Kenya and was never able to return to his beloved Tanzania.

Sister Mary told me she wanted to take his body back to his home town for burial. There he will rest until Jesus comes. Please keep his wife and children in your prayers. Also pray for the church in Tanzania. I hope to visit them as soon as possible.

Also keep Vestavia church in your prayers. We will mourn his passing deeply.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Sam Bryant

Elder Bryant and others prepare for trip to Tanzania

2006-05-03T22:37:00.000-05:00

Elder Bryant, Elder Charles Kitchens, and Elder Paul Blair are preparing to leave for Dar Es Salaam on the 15th of May. They expect to be gone about 10 days. Please pray for these 3 as they travel. The will be preaching to the congregation of believers regularly meeting in Dar Es Salaam with Elder Obey interpreting for them from English to Swahili.

News From Elder Obey

2005-12-19T05:43:00.000-06:00

I talked with Brother Obey on Saturday night (12/17). It was about 8:00 A.M. in Dar Es Salaam. He was preparing for worship services in his home, where he was expecting about 15 people in attendance.

At this time he only has a cell phone for communication and contacting him is very difficult. It took a couple of days and many call attempts to get through to him. He expects to have a phone installed in his home this week. This should make contacting him a lot easier.

Mary has been very sick recently, but is now well. Obey's children love the city-especially electricity! Brother Obey will be traveling for a couple of days to return to his villiage to bring a few more items that they had left behind in their move.

Brother Obey sends his love to everyone here.

News for Elder Obey

2005-11-21T19:36:00.000-06:00

We received a fax from Brother Obey this morning. He was sick for about a week a couple of weeks ago, but has now recovered. He sent the fax to us from Dar Es Salaam where he has been for the past week. He plans to move his family there to their new home this Wednesday. After his family is settled in their new home he will send us his new phone number.

Brother Obey states that in the few weeks he has been in Dar Es Salaam, God has opened many doors with two families ready to join with the Primitive Baptist. He will be holding worship services in his home for the time being. He is still working on the legal aspects with his government to have a Primitive Baptist church in Tanzania but seems to have made some progress.

Talked with Brother Obey Today

2005-10-14T23:56:00.000-05:00

I talked with Brother Obey by phone today. He is doing well. He had just returned to his village from Dar Es Salaam. He still has not moved his family. The process to get his childen transferred to a new school and his wife transferred (she teaches English in school) is taking more time than he anticipated. He now hopes to move to Dar Es Salaam the middle of next week.

Quick Note from Elder Obey

2005-10-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

Received a fax from Brother Obey a few days ago. He is doing fine. He hopes to be able to move his family to Dar Es Salaam around October 15th. Until this time he will have limited access to email. After he arrives in Dar Es Salaam, he will be working to get internet access to his new home that he is renting. Brother Sam did talk with him by phone early last week, but his phone number will soon be cut off since he is in the process of moving.

Fax From Elder Obey

2005-10-01T07:36:00.000-05:00

Received a fax from Brother Obey this morning. He must not have access to email at this time. He says that he is very busy. He has his car and has found a house to rent for $150/month and has already paid 12 months to rent the house. He is working on moving his wife and childern to Dar Es Salaam, which he estimates will take 2-3 weeks.

Also, he will be preaching in a very big open air meeting with 800-1000 people expected to be in attendance. He asks for our prayers.

Elder Obey still searching for a house

2005-09-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

Brother Obey has been struggling to find a house that meets his needs. He has been looking for 3 things: 1) A safe home, 2) clean water, 3) reasonable price. He thinks he has found one that meets his needs. He thinks he will get it rented on Friday. In a few days he will be returning to Mbeya and will be preaching at an open air meeting there. He expects 800-1000 people to be in attendance, including his father. This is the same area he preached at a couple of weeks ago with over 400 in attendance. He states that he has taken a lot of pictures but the internet cafe that he has been using has very old computers and slow internet access and is not able to send pictures yet. When he gets in his house and has his own internet service, he will begin sending us some pictures. Obey says hi to everybody. He will need bibles and hymn books soon.

2005-09-19T19:46:00.000-05:00

Elder Obey gets a car!

2005-09-17T08:11:00.000-05:00

Brother Obey emailed today saying that he received the money sent to him this week and has been able to buy a car and has a post office box. He has located a house to rent and it should be ready on Monday. He will send us another message on Monday.

Elder Obey now in Dar Es Salaam

2005-09-14T20:51:00.000-05:00

Brother Obey emailed Bro. Sam today and said he is doing great. He wants to thank everyone for their financial support. Over the next few days he has 3 goals to accomplish. 1) Find a house to rent. 2) Buy a car. 3) Open a postal box. Brother Obey does have enough money to buy a car but will need our support for his other expenses. He hopes to have these things taken care of by Monday of next week, when he will return to his villiage to get his children to bring them to Dar Es Salaam.

He stated that God is doing great things in Tanzania. He has been preaching since he arrived in Tanzania and his wife Mary and his 4 children have expressed their desire to join the Primitive Baptist Church. 30 others in the city of Mbeya want to join with the Primitive Baptist also. Brother Obey preached to over 400 people in this city for several days in an open air meeting about a week ago. Mbeya is many hours away from Dar Es Salaam, so the vehicle is much needed for Brother Obey to travel between these sites.

News from Elder Obey

2005-09-05T21:43:00.000-05:00

Brother Obey sent an email on Monday morning. He is doing great. He has just finished an open air preaching meeting and is very tired. He stated the preaching was so successful.. more than 400 attended and our doctrine was very well believed. He was also able to verify that he did receive the money transfer to his account. His greatest need at this time is a car as he is already very tired of walking on foot. He plans to go to Dar Es Salaam in about 4 days to rent a house and look for a car to buy. He really misses America, and stated that life there is very poor. But all in all God has been with him. He sends greetings to Vestavia Church. He is also missing ice cream.