January - February 2010


“Daddy, tell us a story, PLEASE!!!” Have you ever heard these words? Stories are one of the most powerful things in the world. Stories entertain as well as teach. I believe this is why God used stories in the Bible to teach us about Himself. But we all need to remember that these are not just stories but the true history of the world and God’s working with mankind.

In Proverbs 21:1 it says that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.” This verse has become a reality to me over the past few months. We need to build a bigger auditorium for Injili Baptist Church; to buy land for an agricultural project and to begin a Christian high school. God provided the funds to buy three acres of land but we knew that four acres would be better.

Pastor Allan Owano started the process of buying our 3 acres but as it was finishing, the lands office called to inform us that there was a problem. The Muslim community asked for our land to build a new Mosque. They even went as far as to threaten us that if we did not give them that land they would buy the portion next to Good News Academy (our Christian kindergarten & elementary school) and block the road so we couldn’t have access.

Well, I don’t like it when people threaten God’s work so I told Pastor Allan we needed to pray and ask God for direction. After a few days of prayer, the Muslim minister for Parliament (Senator) for our district named Mr. Joho called Allan  and

Salvation of 30.

Purchase of 5 acres for High School project.
Donation of wells for High School project.
Record attendances at all 4 of the churches.
$40,000 given to build auditorium for Injili Baptist.
$20,000 given to start construction of the Valerye McMillian High School of Hope.

5 acres of property for new
High School and Injili Baptist

 New monthly support.

$20,000 still needed to for Injili Baptist Church

$8,000 needed for our boys education fund.

For those who have been saved to be baptized.
Safety as we travel around the US raising funds for our special projects.
Our family – We are adopting a 3rd child.

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 asked if there was a problem with our project. After a long conversation, he told Allan, “If you are willing to move your school and church down the road then I will purchase two additional acres and pay to wall them in for you.” So now we have five walled acres of land for the work of God. The heart of the king was certainly in the hand of the Lord that day.

We will be breaking ground on the MANNA Christian high school and the new Injili Baptist Church in March. We thank several generous donors in the states as well as MANNA Worldwide who are providing funds for this new endeavor. One thing that we are finding out about since our children are getting older is the rising cost of education in Kenya. Ethan and Conner will both be attending school when we return to Kenya and we are trying to raise the funds for their education. We need to raise the money for 3 years of schooling before we leave the US. We are still in need of $8,000. If you can help, please send a donation to the Sending Agency address below and designate “Bechtel Kenya - Ethan & Conner Education.”

We have had so many people tell us that they are praying for our family about our upcoming adoption. Our 3rd baby boy is due on April 2nd and we are praying for a smooth process so we can return to Kenya soon. Please pray for the lawyers, judges, birth parents, and for us as we wait for our son to be born. God is amazing and He can make our way smooth. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!Till the whole world knows Christ,

Bobby Lisa Ethan & Conner Bechtel

 

Web Editor - Don Tarvin
Updated 13 Mar 2010