York Association of Atlantic Baptist Churches

TIM & DIANE BANNISTER

NEWSLETTERS

September 2, 2002

Dear Friends:

     I had hoped to get this out a little sooner, but the beginning of term is always a little crowded, and I didn't manage my time very well. Sorry about that. Nonetheless, we Bannisters have quite a few praises to share, and a few prayer concerns as well.

     The big event in our lives over the last month was the three week visit of a group from our congregation in Canada - Brunswick Street Baptist Church - and what a blessing it was to us! Twenty one friends, aged twelve to fifty-something, joined us and worked their tails off for the entire visit. They had told us their goal was ministry, not tourism, so we took them at their word and put them to work. Two houses were built for destitute families, all but the "finish work." Two elementary school classrooms were renovated, 35 desks
assembled, and one very long roof painted. One DVBS and two puppet ministry
presentations were done in a church about two hours drive north, and two orphanages were visited and gifts given out. In addition, the crew got a little sightseeing in (after all, a visit to Kenya without a bush experience is an insult to God's creation!). We are still hearing thanks from folks whose lives have been affected by the work done here, and we pray that those who came from Canada were likewise blessed by all they saw, heard, and did. I know that many of you were praying for them and for us, and the Lord really blessed their ministry here. So that's a big praise item.

     A number of you have been praying for the local church pastor, Rev. Wilfred
Githongo. He has just completed his sixth (!) round of chemotherapy for cancer.
We are now waiting for word on its success. He was in church yesterday and
looked great, although he didn't have a lot of energy. Considering, though, that
he has outlived his prognosis by over a year, we are very grateful, and we
continue to pray for his full recovery. So this is both a praise for his current
health and a prayer request for his complete recovery.

     School term is in full swing, and yes, of course we have prayer requests.
Last term, three of the boys who are now in our dorm got themselves into a heap
of trouble. By rights, each could have been expelled, but we have worked things
out so that they are here, albeit a short step away from suspension. One bad day
could do it, so we are holding our breath and praying constantly for them. Pray
for Fred, Jeff, and Josh. Thanks. As well, pray for Peter, one of our boys who
has been delayed for medical reasons. We think he is arriving tomorrow, after
having surgery to correct a kidney problem. If the surgery is not successful, he
will have to have major reconstructive surgery done in December in the US, so
pray that God will give Peter complete recovery. Thanks.

       As usual, we ask for your prayers as well. The group from Canada occupied
our attention (gladly given, I assure you!) for much of the vacation, and we
feel as though we are scrambling to catch up with life, especially in the dorm.
Pray for Diane and me, and for our kids who were real troopers through the whole
visit, that we will get our rest each night and draw our strength from the
presence of the Holy Spirit. Pray that we will stay healthy as well.

     Once again, we thank you for being part of our prayer and support team.
God's blessings to each of you. Drop us a line when you get the chance - it's
always great to hear from you.

Tim, for Diane, Chelsea, Connie, Cody and Caleb