In February we held our pastors meeting at Kitambaa Bible Baptist. Eighteen pastors attended and reported 206 salvation decisions in their churches over the last quarter.

The pastors met again April 1, and brought along their wives for a family relationship seminar at Heritage Baptist Church. My brother, Steve, who is working with a ministry called, “The Blessing,” came over and gave us an outstanding series of lessons in which the pastors and wives participated in the discussion. The seminar itself was a great blessing!

The early harvest has begun at Tassia Plantation and temporary workers have been hired to pick the ripening beans, so the church is continuing to meet. More than half of those still living at the plantation are attending. We are alternating between there and Kihunguro Bible Baptist, and I am helping Stephen by preaching every other week. We were turned down on our request for the property, but it’s for the best as the plantation will close after this harvest and no one will be living in the area for some time to come.

Our personal good news is that after nearly six years of waiting and trying to fulfill the US requirement of residency with us, Hannah’s adoption was finally approved on April 4, and she has her immigrant visa to return with us to the States.

Our not so good news is that our appeal for tax exemption that began in 2004 has finally come to an end. For the last six years we’ve been told every year that we would get some kind of exemption, but have never gotten it. Now we’ve been told that there will be no exemption and we must pay taxes. Our tax rate is 27% of all our income and benefits, which comes to around $11-1200 per month. We cannot afford to pay that at our current level of support and continue to do any work. This is making an early furlough for us essential.

Pray for us as we consider God’s leading for our future. We have no particular desire to leave Kenya, but circumstances have us praying about a possible field change. Pray also about my work permit which is up for renewal this month. If we run into the same trouble as we had before it may be a good indicator of what we need to do.

We are planning to be back in the States by the end of July. If you would like to have us for a meeting please contact me at pattersonlance@yahoo.com .