2011, No. 4 (7/2/11)

Dear Brethren

The Lord has continued to be gracious to us as we preach to and pastor the flock of God here in Nairobi.

The latest news about Raphael Bulkash is that he has had to move his family from Sokoteey to another village called Ndigir. Here we have a nursery school, and they have been warmly welcomed. It is only about 5 miles away. He told me that yesterday there were 50 men at the service and 100 children! Please continue to pray that the Lord will give him patience, and grace to respond to the problems in a way that will adorn the gospel. I had to postpone my going a couple of weeks ago, and now I am preparing to visit towards the end of February.

We are looking forward to the 12 days visit of Geoffrey Thomas, long time pastor of the Alfred Place Baptist Church in Aberystwyth, Wales. This is the town where I went to study in 1964, where the Lord saved me, and where Geoff came in early 1965. We have been privileged to be in close fellowship ever since, and A.P. became our sending church in 1974.

Thursday 10th. – Morning arrival, getting caught up with sleep and trying to adjust to the heat. Afternoon visitation to faithful members.

Friday 11th. – Supper with 3 families in Kahawa Sukari, long-standing members.

Saturday 12th. – Men’s breakfast at 8 a.m. Annual General Meeting for the 56 members at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 13th. – Geoff Thomas will be speaking at both services, at 11 a.m. and at 4 p.m. A young man (Huston) will be baptized in the morning service, there will be a special lunch for the occasion, and we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper at 3 p.m.

Monday 14th. – We leave at 5.30 a.m. for the long drive to Kamketo, Pokot North, to be part of the annual Reformed Baptist Association of Kenya meetings (RBAK). I do not expect that we will arrive before it is dark (7 p.m.). This is always a wonderful time when like-minded brethren from different parts of Kenya get together for fellowship.

Tuesday 15th. to Thursday 17th. Geoff Thomas will be speaking 4 times, and I will have one session. Late Wednesday afternoon we will visit Kasei and see how the Secondary School has started. The last session is on Thursday afternoon and is the Delegates meeting. High on the agenda is the continuing need for unity among those confessing to be Reformed and Baptist in Kenya. The Association is earnestly committed to this for the glory of God.

Friday 18th. – We leave about 8 a.m. for the long journey back to Nairobi and do not expect to arrive before 9 p.m.

Saturday 19th. – Visiting of church members in the afternoon.

Sunday 20th. – Geoff will preach in the morning, and our pastor, Murungi, in the ‘evening’.

Monday 21st. – Final visiting to encourage members in the morning. Geoff departs in the evening to return to Aberystwyth.

This now our hottest season of the year, and although I cope with it well, it is hot! The journey to Pokot is long and arduous, as well as beautiful. We cross the equator. We make the steep descent into the great Rift Valley and up the other side. The road is the artery for transport across Kenya and into Uganda, South Sudan, Congo, and Rwanda, so lots of lorries. We climb up to 9,000ft. where the vegetation reminds one of the home country. In fact vast tracts of land around Eldoret were known as the White Highlands in colonial days. Then as we enter Pokot we sharply descend to the plains where the Pokot herd their cattle.

It is a privilege to be here in Kenya to serve the Lord where there is such openness and so many opportunities to bring the gospel to people.

In Christ’s service,

Keith Underhill

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