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Valley Forge Baptist Church Missions

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East Africa Nations

31 May 2009

This is just a short note to say that we fine. Jo-Ann got back from her time in Sudan with serious insect bites all over her legs (one which was seriously infected and called for antibiotics), but with great joy in her heart at the experience she had in dedicating the medical center in a place called Rom.  Three hundred Sudanese people from the area mobilized to create an airstrip, the medical center, and accompanying grass huts.  On this celebration day, they gathered for the dedication – even commissioners and all kinds of Sudanese officials.  One has to understand the history of this part of the world to understand why Sudanese people would come from far and wide to see three rather small but permanent buildings dedicated.  Their excitement rose up as they dedicated this symbol of their community and nation being rebuilt.  On the side, Jo-Ann did a seminar on Christian education – and ministered to many – including prayer for a sick sorcerer.

Howie came back from Northern Kenya with stories to tell as well.  The zeal of the Northern Kenyan Pastors was something to see.  Just after arriving there, a Kenyan man beside me said, “Next year by this time, I will with either be a missionary in Somalia – or I will be dead trying to get there.”  That is the kind of passion and dedication it will take to crack the Somalis.   

While Howie was addressing the group in Northern Kenya, his mobile phone was continually ringing.  After the session, Howie called the number.  It was a church leader from Ethiopia who had heard about these meetings in Kenya and wanted this group to know that their “Ethiopian Brothers” across the way were thinking of them. He wanted them to know that they were not alone in their struggle and if God should bless, Ethiopian evangelists would soon be down in their area to help evangelize the Kenyan Borans – and hopefully reach out with them to the Somali as well.  

Not many days after that Howie was with the church leader from Ethiopia talking with the SIM-Kenya Director about what could be done by SIM in Kenya to help the Ethiopian evangelists.  The Northern Kenyan Pastors have planned their next annual meeting in the very north of Kenya in a town called Moyele.  Moyele is the border between Ethiopia and Kenya.  Their reason for choosing this town is so that Ethiopian church leaders can join them and they can discuss joint strategies of evangelizing Northern Kenya and even Somalia!  For this we praise the Lord.  

We tried to get this e-letter off to you a couple days ago but were unable to get it out while in Kenya.  We are in the States for a few weeks headed for Seattle, Missouri and North Carolina.  In Seattle introduce the new Sudan Director to some donors to the project.  Then we will be with Howie’s 89 year old mom for a few days in Canada before heading to Missouri and Judson and his family.  Pray for them. Jusdson’s last pay check from the military was in May so they will soon start to feel the financial squeeze until he can find meaningful employment.  

Our last stop is Charlotte where Howie has meetings with SIM’s Board of Governors. We will be visiting our former church and some old friends and sharing about Sudan.

Just as soon as we get back, we are hosting a meeting for Eritrean refugees here in East Africa.  We have been telling you that 2800 Eritrean believers who are languishing in prison as we write.  The goal of these meetings in Nairobi is to let the Eritreans themselves talk and come up with plans and strategies to help their own people in Eritrea and prepare for the time when peace will return to their land.  

Friends, I feel a little like Jeremiah who was called to be a “Prophet to the Nations.”  Here we find ourselves involved more and more with what is going on in Northern Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea.  In a few months, we are planning a trip down into Tanzania as well.  We are seeing more and more why the Lord has brought us here for a time such as this. We pray that we will lead lives worthy of your trust in us as your missionaries in this part of the world.  

Sincerely,
Howie and Jo-Ann Brant