Banta Larry Ellen 1985 Kenya

8/11/2019 Banta Larry Ellen 1985 Kenya

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Tribal Health > ^t

vangelism

Dr a n d Mrs L a r r y Banta

MEDICAL EVANGELISM

VOLUME V N o 1 FEBRUARY, 1985

W O R K E R S NEEDED

It is certainly hard to believe that nine months hove already passed since wereturned to the U S Much has happened and continues to happen in our lives. Thoughour stay in Kenya was short its impact on our lives has not been small, in fact it seemsto have grown over the post several months. Our hearts often ache to be back withthe Somburu children that we were able to help and with the womenwhohave changed so much OS they dedicated themselves to Christ.

Wehope that youalso have not forgotten the people of Kenya and other unreachedareas, and continue to pray for doors to open to effectual preaching ofthe GospelWe saw but a small piece of the total picture. Kenya has over 25 tribes that are listed

as unreached people Many of those tribes are in distant bush and desert areas andwould require a special kind of dedication to work among them.

Kenya s cities also hove great needs. Many of the handicapped, the homeless andthe destitute have not been touched by the Gospel. In fact workers of all kinds couldeasily be used of God in many types of special ministries.

Someof the following are examples of specialized ministries.

Childrens homes are needed, both for disturbed and normal kids.


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Work among the deaf is minimal there is yet no standardized sign language inKenya.

Mobil e med ical clinics to reach out in coun tl es s unserved areas .

More medical clinics are needed to be used by nearly any trained medical pers o n n e l

Rehabilitation work among physically and mentally handicapped

Agricultural and relief work in many areas.

you would like more information on specific needs in Kenya please contact theB a n t a s

Matthew 9:38 A sk th e Lord of th eharvest therefore to send ou tw o r k e r s into his h a r v e s t f ie ld .

A PSYCHIATRIST O N THE MISSION FIELD?

Many were shocked that I chose to complete residency training in psychiatry.What can a psychiatrist do on the mission field if we are able to return? The answer isprobably not yet entirely known as we are yet to meet anyone else who has gone tothe field with such training. The possibilities howeverare very great The training of apsychiatrist deals with many fields of medicine Usually the most difficult andfrustrating patientsare psychiatric. Through the course of training Iwill be learning agreat deal of neurology techniques in rehabilitation from physical as well as mentaldisease and in addition of course the management of a variety of very depressingm e n t a l d i s o r d e r s .

Kenya has five large cities of which two have mental hospitals No work outsidethe cities has yet been accomplished The World Health Organization is developingprograms for the undeserved a reas .

What better time for God s people to get involved i we cannot return to Kenyathere are great opportunities for missionary service right in the U.S. or even in somedeveloped countries


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ELLEN

Ellen has progressed very well with the regimen she ispresently on. Colds and flhave been successfully weathered with minor adjustments of medications. So for nsigns of additional complications hove arisen. The only real problemswere during thhot wea the r in the summer

E T H N

Ethan as many of you know was hospitalized in August for evaluation and wafound to have a seizure disorder. Since that time his physician has tried differenmedication to control the seizures. We con praise the Lord that he has responded venwell. In fact the seizures may have played a major role in his learning problems. He in a special class at present but is expected to join his regular class before the end othe year

THE WORK IN SAAABURU

The church in Samburu continues to grow with over 225 nowbaptized. The ChurcJbuilding is essentially complete. Two other churches started in the area will be constructing their own building. Harry and Willie Schaefer continue to assist in the work

They ore now considering starting additional work in the Eastern part of thedistrict Isiolo AAeru AAorsobit areas which are essentially untouched by the catholicmission so a t least medical care is still avai lable in the area

FUTURE P L N S

Slowly God is teaching us patience and how to really wait on Him. Our plans caionly be tentative as our future is not as sure as it might be because of Ellen s illnessAlthough we can t say what tomorrow will bring.

We have been able to narrow our sites a bit. We are very much desirous of remaining in full-time service to God whether on missionary salary or not. We would ocourse desire to return to Kenya and that will remain high on our consideration. Wore also considering Alaska and perhaps a U.S. Indian reservation. Present information from South Africa also opens some interesting possibilities. We haveputitentire

ly in God s hands and as he opens the doors we will proceed.In August 1986 we plan a one month survey trip to Kenya in conjunction with theAfrican Psychiatric Associationmeeting. We will make final plans following that tripMeanwhile we keep working and praying.


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PRESENT M I N I S T RY

At present Larry is serving os o deocon with the Benson Church of Christ. He isalso chairman of the evangelism and missions committees. Several of the area churches havebegun referring difficult counselingcases to Larry. Larry will be speaking

the Nebraska Iowaarea on occasion in regards to counseling and mentol health problems with th e Christian.Ellen recently started Sundayevening class for ages 2-7 called Adventures with

God. She is active in Women s prayer and Bible study groups In the area.

TRAVELS

Since our last Newsletter Larry and Ellen have reported to churches in SouthDakota, Nebraska, Texas and Louisiana. Ellen was a featured speaker at a women'sretreat at Pibel Bible Camp in Nebraska in September and has spoken at several areawomen s meetings. Larry wa s the fe ature d speaker at a missionary rally in CrescentCityChristian Church. Metairie, LA inOctober. There is no further scheduled speakingunt i l M a r c h .

Churches desiring to hear of our work in Kenya and our plans for the future maycon tact us a t the following address:

Dr. and Mrs. Larry Banta5 111 P i e r c e

O m a h a N e b r a s k a 68106

Tribal Health and EvangelismFirst Christ ian Church Mission to KenyaP . O . Box 84 1O Nei l l NE 68763Forwarding Agent Mr. Mrs. Rober t Bergman402-336-2354

Address Correction Requested

N o n p r o f i t

Organizat ionU.S. Pos tage

PA I DP e r m i t N o . 11

C N e i i l N E 68763

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Banta Larry Ellen 1985 Kenya