Write His Answer

Below is an amazing email from Terry Brynan who spoke at this year’s Philly conference. She’s back in Kenya and needs our prayers. Please make time to read her message and visit www.JesusIsOurAll.org.

Father, thank You for Terry’s commitment to You and Your people. Put a hedge of protection around her. Give her strength and wisdom and the needed support to minister to her people.

Terry’s testimony makes my struggle to get used to a new laptop and Microsoft Office 2013 seem like a walk in the park compared to driving treacherous mountain roads in blinding rain and facing killer bees. Please help me, Father, with the learning curve and forgive me for getting so frustrated with this wonderful ministry tool You have provided. Thank You that I now have 24/7 live-in tech support.

My son, Rob (my IT specialist), and daughter-in-law, Nicole, moved in with us 2-1/2 weeks ago. We spent a month working to make room for them. Despite everything we gave away or threw out, it still seemed overwhelming when we began unloading the truck. PTL the stuff they need fit. The rest went to a storage unit, and Rob is now working remotely from his new office in our basement. We feel so blessed to have them here.

Next week I plan to get started planning the May 11-14 Colorado and August 3-6 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Suggestions are welcome and your prayers are needed and appreciated.

His blessings – Marlene     P.S. Please scroll down for Terry’s message.

From: Theresa Brynan [mailto:tbrynan@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 2:19 AM
To: mbagnull@aol.com
Subject: Hi Marlene, it’s Terry from Kenya, need prayer, storm, bees, thanks

Hi my family, friends and prayer warriors,

I think I need more prayer.

I need more grace.  My body was so tired from driving through the mountains and on terrible roads for long distances. The storm and I collided in the mountains one night as I left after staying four days in the farthest bush. The rain was so heavy, I could not see but a few feet in front of the truck. The thunder and lightning cracked overhead. The water ran like rivers down the mountain.  I had to wait. The rain continued but slowed some. I inched my way up the rocky road weaving around boulders and large rocks that impeded my way. The curves were hidden in the darkness, the rocky cliffs and slippery mud filled ditches were my biggest concern.  I continued to pray. The road turned to a river and I could only see a few inches in the center of the road.  I prayed the road was still there.

I had gone 30 km but, still had 20 km to go to the place I had planned to sleep. God had a better plan. There was an elevated spot, a little rocky, yet flat, and I pulled my truck to rest in that spot.  I heard the Lord whisper to me, “You have everything you need.”  I thought for a minute, I checked and I still had a little clean water, there was a cup of honey (from the days of removing the bees from the dispensary) I had some instant coffee, some powdered creamer, an apple, a knife, my blanket and I had a little network for my phone. I thanked God for His provision and protection. I fixed some iced café (alright cold coffee), cut my apple, dipped it and my fingers in the honey and drank deeply of its sweetness. I called a friend and asked her to pray. I curled up warm and dry in my blanket and went to sleep.  I had the sweetest dreams.

The next day I waited for hours for the people to show but because of the rain and difficulty in getting out the word, only a few people showed up.  I made arrangements for another day. I continued the drive to my hut.

I had spent four days in the bush. I had faced many challenges. One of the goals I had was to remove the African killer bees from the dispensary.  That was just plain scary.  Two young men offered to help me smoke them out at night. They gathered sticks that repel the bees and heated them in the fire. The bees had overtaken the desk and the room.  Honey oozed in the drawers of the desk coating the rubber gloves, stethoscope, books, pens and medicine, etc. that were contained within them.  Honey combs filled with baby bees and hatching bees explained why the bees were so angry at being disturbed.  The bees swarmed relentlessly, the sound was eery.  ZZZZZ. It resounded in the night. The young men persisted to harvest the honey combs and honey they could find, hoping the bees would leave.  Some of the bees swarmed my truck following the honey and babies. That was the night I was stung only a few times and my hand swelled.

The next night we returned to the dispensary to find the bees still there but much quieter. They were covering the desk, inside every drawer along all of the sides but they seemed content.  The young men carried the desk outside under the trees.  They found more honeycombs and babies and harvested the delicious honey. Honey made from acacia flowers tastes like the acacia flowers smell, sweet like jasmine. It was a much more peaceful departure.

Late the next day, we returned to find the desk free of inhabitants and returned it to the dispensary.  I did not begin to rid the place of snakes yet.  One problem at a time.

I was so discouraged, I had heard the county government was working on opening the well (pump, pipes, tank and solar panels) they had drilled and capped last year.  When I arrived I found something had started but no work has been done on it for almost two months. Twelve thousand people and no clean water. Think of the amount of sick people you have if they are drinking water out of the nearest puddle or the nearest farm pond with animal feces floating by. The county government also started building a dispensary 50 km out (near my dispensary) but again, two months ago the building stopped. Clean water helps reduce suffering, disease and death. We need clean water and a medical facility. Please pray!

There are some things that are important to help the school.  Water is crucial, the rains are coming. There are four schools in the four different areas of the bush that need gutters to harvest the rain. The cost is about $2200 for all four schools.  I plan to buy the gutters and have them transported this week to the bush.  Then from one location in the bush I have to have them transported to the different areas of the bush which is a challenge. Then it has to be installed. Pray it all goes well.     

The children are so thin and dirty.  The last day in the bush, there was a school meeting at the school. It was important for the community to come and discuss the challenges they are facing.  They are coming together to make sure the school will be successful.

I was able to share updates and we praised God for peace with the neighboring tribe. I was able to distribute chlorine tablets, vitamins for the families, medicine for the sick children, new clothes and underwear for the children and two footballs (soccer balls). The children were overjoyed to have such beautiful clothing and underwear. Most of the children have never received anything new and no one had underwear.   A very compassionate friend of mine from US bought new clothes and underwear for the boys and girls. This is a tremendous boost for the school. There are 12 children in class 1 now and 36 children in nursery.  There are thousands of children who do not go to school. It is incentive for the parents to send their children to school.

This school is the last school in the bush (30 more miles).  There is no transportation and all of the children have to walk.  By providing mattresses, blankets and food, the children could sleep on mattresses on the floor and more children would be able to come to school. For mattresses (10) and blankets (10) for each school it will cost about $295 for each school or $1180 for all four schools. It will cost about $160.00 per month for food, breakfast and dinner for all 4 schools to feed the children who sleep there.  If you would like to help these children live out their dream. Please visit www.JesusIsOurAll.org  Please pray for their provision.

The mothers and children found a baby doll packed in the box of clothes. No one had ever seen a baby doll before, especially one that cries when you squeeze it.  They were animated as they squeezed, poked, prodded, and shook it. When it cried or laughed all ears would come close and strain to hear it. Their faces went from shock and surprise to laughter and joy.  It was beautiful to watch although it is sad they have no toys.

There are so many needs it is overwhelming, but you make a difference. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.  If you want to give please visit www.JesusIsOurAll.org.

If you would prefer to send check or money order you can make it payable to “Jesus Is Our All” and send it to

Jesus Is Our All
P.O. Box 111
Frederick, Pa. 19435  

Thank you for your faithfulness in whatever God calls you to do.

With love, prayers and gratitude,

Terry Brynan