David and Elwanda Fields, missionaries to Kenya, are special to GBC for several reasons. Not only are they missionaries with a fervent love for the Lord, but Elwanda’s younger sister is our very own Lou Walker (pictured below together).
David and Elwanda began their ministry in the early 1950’s. They started in Northern Rhodesia, where they worked at a medical mission (they lived in a mud hut, used an outhouse and had to boil all their water and milk). As if those conditions were not challenging enough, they soon moved to Kaindu (a very remote area with little to no conveniences of any kind) where they started a church. Later, they followed the Lord to the Island of Mauritius where they lead many youth to the Lord despite the Islamic oppression in the area. Some of those young people even went to Bible college and return to minister to their own people. What a legacy! David and Elwanda also served in Togo where the heat was unbearable and witchcraft and devil worship were normal. In the 1980’s, they finally landed in Kenya and continue to serve the Lord there, along with some of their grown children and grandchildren.
Talk about adventure! The Fields have not lacked any adventures. They have walked beside Ostriches, had pet monkeys (who loved to steal and play tricks), faced spitting Cobras & elephants in the road, rescued pet kittens from the “outhouse” (a hole in the back yard), learned knitting with sticks and rubber bands, and taught Bible lessons in languages they were only just learning. They lived through run-away bike rides (with some broken bones, of course), helped deliver babies, and saw red ants devour whole animals. Traveling by plane and hunting wounded leopards were daily occurrences. The Fields have seen the Lord build up churches where only devil worship existed, lead Bible studies in government schools, and baptized new believers in the ocean. When questioned by fear, the Fields respond, that “the place of safety is in the center of God’s will”.
The Fields have cared for beaten widows (and lead them to Christ). Loved rowdy Sunday School boys (some who later believed on Christ and one brought his mother to salvation as well). They prayed for the boys who threw rocks at their house (some came back later to apologize and receive discipleship). They traveled by bike to take God’s Word to the people at the nearest well (the only source of water and a good location to encounter people). They continually loved the unlovable, the hurting and the wicked.
Presently, the Fields continue to serve in Kenya. They help in the medical work, teach at the Bible school and disciple leaders at the church and preschool. Please pray for strength for these mighty warriors. Their bodies are tired (Elwanda was just released from the hospital), but their hearts are focused. As they have done many times, the Fields are giving their lives to the Lord and allowing Him to take care of His property.
If you would like more details about the Fields ministry and the amazing lives they have dedicated to the Lord, please get their book (written by their daughter, but authored by Elwanda) Sonlight in Bufuku. You won’t be able to put it down. I thank the Lord for such servants and praise Him for His provision, protection, guidance and love. We serve and amazing God.
