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The Harris Newsletter Acts 8:30-31 “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” Greetings to you in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Another month has come and gone-along with the time that the Lord so graciously granted to us for the allotted period. And we would like to share with you a little glimpse of how we have been using this precious and priceless gift. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and visit with a young man from our church here in Kasule-(but who is currently attending a Bible School in Uganda), while he was home on break. I was able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him; “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (I Corinthians 15:3-4) And that if he would simply put his trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, that he could have a personal relationship with Him, and would “pass from death into life!” This young man professed to me that he indeed did this that day. While only God knows a man’s heart and can see his faith - I am just thankful to be able to be used of the Lord! And I continue to pray for more opportunities like this one to be presented before me, and that I would be able to recognize them, and take full advantage of every one the Lord brings my way. God has been so faithful to answer my prayers in more ways than I had imagined! Through some friends from home, I was able to receive a very large amount of “Gospel Tracts” to hand out over here. This is a little pamphlet that clearly shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both English and Swahili. We stamped them all with an address and phone number of the church on the back (reminding me of the “good ole’ days at Grace Calvary Church). I have already handed out well over half of them to people here in the village, in town, in Nairobi-anywhere and everywhere I go. Knowing that the Word of God does not return void, serves as a huge encouragement to me, as I see people reading these tracts with the Word of God printed on them. And I have been very encouraged by their response. Everyone wants one - they will even ask me for one if they see me giving one to someone else. Some have even called the number on the back seeking help. I am amazed at all the doors the Lord has opened with “just a little tract!” I have found that people are generally pretty open and willing to listen and be listened to. Many times they might have questions, and I especially enjoy opportunities such as these to show them what God says in His Word. I am reminded of the passage in Acts 8:30-31 that reads, “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” I will seek to be faithful in doing my part. Remembering that I do have a responsibility - and although “one may plant the seed, and another may water…ultimately, it is God who will give the increase.” I am so very thankful for our friends back home in the states who so willingly and generously helped make this possible. Thank-you for providing such a helpful tool for us - so that we might be better tools in the hands of the Master Craftsman. I am really excited about another ministry opportunity that the Lord has provided for me to be able to be involved in over here. It’s funny, because although there seems to be a great fear of being out at night, for various reasons (mosquitos causing malaria, being mugged, etc.) - this is also the time when a lot of people actually have the time and opportunity to come out. So, after putting the kids to sleep at night, I take this opportunity to go up to the front of the house where our landlord runs a little shop, and just visit with people. I will sit there and drink a soda, and talk with anyone who is interested. Mostly, it has been with those who run the shop (my landlord and various members of his house); but it also includes buyers and all kinds of “passer’s by.” I have noticed some genuine interest with sincere questions, and it seems they enjoy this time - I know I do! It has been really neat to see how the Lord can use someone like me and something like drinking a soda and just taking the time to talk - to bring honor and glory to His name. We spent about another week in the Capital of Nairobi this month. We praise the Lord with Jeff and Van (our team mates) as they were able to receive their official stamp, allowing them permission to stay in the country for two years under a “missionary work permit.” Now they can really allow themselves to “settle in” and prepare for the arrival of their new little one. As it turns out, they have changed the status of our paperwork-again. They are now trying to run Ellie as an “independent missionary” rather than underneath me as a “dependent” as was originally planned. This may actually turn out to be better in the “long run” (I’m sure it will, being that this is what the Lord has allowed). However, it does prolong the process-because they had to “re-submit” her paperwork, and run it through the system again. And we are experiencing some complications through it all. After both mine and Ellie’s paperwork is finally completed, then we can begin the process for both of the children to come underneath as “dependents.” The Lord is definitely teaching us patience - a whole new concept of what the word really means. But we are thankful for yet another opportunity to learn from the Lord, one of His own character traits that He desires for us to have. It’s helpful in understanding how wonderful our God is - when we remember how patient He is with us! On the home front, things continue to change rapidly as the kids grow. I gave Benjamin his first haircut (it was a “first” for both of us!) But he still looks as cute as ever-and at least people will not mistake him for a girl anymore. On the other hand, he has been quite a challenge for us this past month due to what we attributed to teething. He is having a LOT of trouble with his mouth, making him and everyone around him miserable. Come to find out, he has been suffering from a viral/bacterial infection combined - which has caused him to have some sort of gum disease. Thankfully, we have been prescribed some medicine for him that should cure it within a few days. Please pray with us for him especially, as he is in pain and is not quite himself. And for us as well, as it can be both trying and tiring for us as parents. Yet again - another lesson in patience! Rachel has been such a “Trooper” through it all though. She just continues to grow in every way - her speech, memory, understanding, etc. seems to improve daily. As for the language learning and our “hospitality ministry-” (just trying to use our home as a ministry however/whenever we can) - this had kinda been put “on hold” while we were running back and forth from Nairobi trying to get all of our paperwork done. But we are hoping to have it all sorted out here pretty soon, and are planning to get back into “the swing of things” as soon as possible. Our friends Matt, Peggy, and Rachel’s little friend Kenya Grace are back in Kisumu now, after a couple of months spent in the states. We were able to visit with them and catch up a little bit, and it was as if we were never apart! We shared such a nice time of sweet fellowship together! We are really happy to have them back - and are excited to be able to spend some more time with them. We hope that things are going well for you all on the “big home-front!” We love to hear from you and how the Lord is working in each of your lives. We think and pray for you often. Please feel free to let us know how we can be praying for you more specifically. We appreciate all of your love, prayers, and support. God Bless You! His Servant, Brad Harris |
