During one stretch of 10 days we visited 12 groups of members and prospective members, conducted 12 services and 12 follow-up Bible studies. The groups ranged in size from as few as 10 to over 100.

East African Challenges

Our work in East Africa currently consists of members and prospective members from the three countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The governments are fairly stable in these countries but that is not true of the neighboring countries. On this list are two of the most troubled countries in all of Africa—Sudan and Somalia.

Recently an article appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer that listed Kenya as a country with great potential for terrorist activity as a result of its proximity to Sudan and Somalia coupled with very porous borders.

HIV infection is quite high in this area and there are many orphans because of the high death rate from AIDS. In addition, typhoid fever, yellow fever and malaria all take a toll on the population, especially the young children. Poor sanitation and the lack of good drinking water are the primary causes of disease.

Through the Good Works Program wells have been dug in several areas and Church buildings have been constructed to provide a location for services in areas where the members were previously meeting in outdoor settings (OK in the dry season but virtually impossible during the wet season).

The work of the Church in this region is managed from our Church office currently located in the home of Antonio Ndung'u, a deacon and longtime Church member in Nairobi. He keeps the membership roll updated, answers letters and e-mails and coordinates our literature distribution.

In Kenya we have literature available in the major local languages. This makes it possible for more people to have access to the teachings of the Church and has raised the interest level across the country.

Currently we are working with 780 people throughout the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Most of these are in western Kenya with a few in Tanzania and a handful in Uganda. Of these 780, we have 93 baptized members in Kenya, eight in Tanzania and one in Uganda, for a total baptized of 102. In an average month we receive 40 to 50 Internet responses and another 50 letters asking questions or requesting a visit.

This year we had over 300 in attendance during the Feast of Tabernacles in Nairobi. Doug and Tanya Horchak and their daughter Becky attended the Feast with the members in East Africa this year while the Elliotts took a year off to attend elsewhere. Mr. Horchak reports that during the Feast there were 15 baptisms and 28 children blessed.

Diligent Deacons

In addition to Antonio Ndung'u, Mr. Elliott has divided the workload of caring for the brethren and prospective members among three other deacons: David Gichuru, Jonathan Otieno and Moses Nyaira. David Gichuru has been a member of the Church since the 1970s. Jonathan Otieno first attended Church with his father when he was 4 years of age and now at the age of 31 he is a deacon serving in the Migori area of western Kenya. Moses Nyaira began attending services in 1996 and was ordained a deacon in 2004.

These four deacons conduct Sabbath services, hold Bible studies and travel throughout the region meeting with prospective members. Moses Nyaira has a full-time job working for the Kenyan post office, and David Gichuru recently retired from his full-time job. Jonathan Otieno and Antonio Ndung'u are full-time employees of the Church. All four display a genuine love for God's people and a passion for spreading the gospel throughout East Africa.

It was humbling to see the sacrifices made by these men and their families to provide more people with the knowledge of the true gospel. Each week they travel to remote villages and major cities to meet with groups of people. They travel by public transportation (buses and vans), but in most cases they must walk several kilometers to reach the destination for a Bible study or meeting with prospective members.

Travel in East Africa is never easy. We experienced firsthand the poor road conditions and in some remote areas we were made aware that there are no roads. We traveled in our own rented vehicle (four-wheel drive Land Rover); therefore we did not have to worry about the schedule of the public transports nor did we have to worry with the many dangers of traveling by this method. Some buses are robbed so often that it is expected as one of the hazards of travel. The four deacons face these obstacles on a weekly basis.

"Our Calling"

One of the great challenges of East Africa is identifying those who are truly being called and focusing our attention on them. In each location that we visited we covered the subject of "our calling" either in the sermon or during the Bible study or question-and-answer period. We discussed Christ's statement in John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…" Time will tell how many will progress to baptism and membership in the Church. Currently we are concentrating on teaching the fundamental principles of God's truth.

There is good potential for the Church to grow in this region of the world; but with limited resources, we must be careful not to get ahead of ourselves. Our approach for the future throughout this region of Africa can be characterized by Peter's words in Acts 3:6: "Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you…'" The most precious gift that we have to offer is the truth of God's way of life. We don't have unlimited amounts of money, but what we do have is being used to print literature and provide for the preaching of the gospel to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is an exciting time, as the response has been excellent!

The Good Works Program has been a great help by assisting with the physical needs—wells, buildings, mosquito nets, etc.

Much Work to Be Done

Mr. Elliott will be returning to Kenya in December for our second annual youth camp. Each year he makes at least four visits to oversee the work of the deacons and monitor the growth of the Church. His wife, Merrie, travels with him at least twice each year.

There is much work to be done and each trip is filled with activity. I can attest to the fact that there is little downtime when you travel to East Africa. We traveled from the modern city of Nairobi to villages with mud huts and dirt floors. We conducted services in many different venues, from a well-appointed room on a college campus to an open field in the middle of a remote village.

My wife and I look forward to returning to Kenya in the near future to assist with the work that is being done by Mr. and Mrs. Elliott along with the four deacons and their wives. This trip was rewarding and also sobering. We already miss the new friends and family members that we were introduced to.

Please pray for the brethren in East Africa and the work that is being done. It is exciting to see the enthusiasm for God's truth and to assist new people who are being called to God's way of life. UN