Newsletter

The month has already gone by and the festival of the Reformation is upon us. What a joy to hear the Good News that salvation is a free gift of God! 

I have sent out the newsletter to those who I have their email. If you would like to have a copy emailed to you please send me a note indicating you would like me to send it to you. You may do so at markarabe@yahoo.com.

A blessed Reformation!

Prayer Service at Atemo Secondary

Yesterday we had a prayer service of encouragement for the Secondary Students at Atemo School. It is a school supported by the ELCK. I was asked to preach and have words of encouragement for the students (form 4 or Seniors in High School) who will take their KCSP exam. It is like the SAT in the states. It lasts three weeks and they do one portion at a time.  The service was like a baccalaureate service for the students but also a time of encouragement for them as they take their exams. For those in the states it might be hard to sit through, on hard metal chairs for 3.5 hours--my sermon I think was the shortest part. Last Sunday we were at Ringa for a similar event. All in all it was a blessing to encourage the students as they spend the next three weeks taking a test that will determine their future, University, Vocational school or ???

Picasa Photostream

We have added to our blog by adding the Picasa photostream. Some have asked us to add more photos but since the internet is extremely slow out here in the bush we will add more photos when we head into Kisumu about once a week. So we will add more photos on our Picasa account.

The End of the First Week

Well today was the end of the first week of teaching at Atemo Bible College. The class is great we are studying the Small Catechism and today we focused our sights on Law and Gospel. I chose selections from the Apology and the Formula of Concord.  It was a lively discussion especially when we discussed the freedom we have in the Gospel. Amazing it is how much we want to always want to go back to following the Law.

Pay Pal

Thanks to our home congregation, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chico, California we now have a paypal account for those who want to send us financial support in this form. We are on Redeemer's website at: www.redeemerchico.org

Our Home

We have a beautiful little home in Atemo. The grounds are lush and plenty of places for the kids to play--and lots of kids from the village to play with. Gabby says it is better than our old home because of all the kids.

Wash Day

The girls helped mom on wash day. They thought it was great but we will see how long that lasts.

Atemo Bible College

Today was my first "official" day of teaching at Atemo Bible College (ABC). It was great as we examined the Commandments and connected them with the New Testament Scriptures. Yesterday I went to meet with the Principal and meet the students. The principal then had me introduce myself and then give a little introduction for the next hour and a half.

Overall it has been great as we study the small catechism together and God's Word. There are 29 in the class. They are studying to be evangelists in the ELCK and will be at Atemo for the next 2 years. Many are married and have come to Atemo to study and reside at the school. I will be teaching twice a week at the school and my schedule at Matongo and Ringa Girls School will come soon.

Home

We now are settled in Atemo. Gabriella says it is better than our home in Oroville. (I think it is the yard and the bunkbed). We are in a beautiful compound with a number of other houses and a wide open grass area. Photo will follow. The internet is a little more difficult out here and makes uploading challenge

We have a vehicle!

We thank God that we now have a vehicle. Noah, Gabby and Julianna sang in chorus "we have a car, we have a car" for about 10 minutes when I drove it to the guest house. Tomorrow--Wednesday-- we head west to Atemo. Now we will begin to settle in Atemo and get things in order for our house. I will begin teaching next week. Please keep our travels in your prayers as we head west.