news from kenya

BARICHO
We had hoped last year would bring the Lord’s return, but although the signs continue to build up, the Great Day has still not arrived. We pray this year may see our Lord’s second coming. We can be sure we will continue to see more signs to strengthen our faith as the time approaches; Israel is still at the centre of it all. As we look around the world with all its troubles, we realise that it is completely beyond man’s ability to put things right. Jesus said there would be distress of nations with perplexity and men’s hearts failing them for fear. It does seem that the terrorists are able to strike wherever they choose.
Bro. Eliud Ngayo

BULUMBO
I am thankful for Gospel News by which I am gaining knowledge from the views of Brethren and Sisters from all over the world. Please continue – don’t give up. I thank Brethren for the work of translation they are undertaking. I was happy when I read in Gospel News that Bible Basics has been translated into Swahili. Those Brethren who sacrificed for this work will be blessed..
Bro. Moses Sande Joumer

BUNGOMA
I have read the CAT booklet, ‘Women in the Church’, and note that the arguments are supported by Holy Scripture, whereas the other denominations dwell on events of history.
Bro. John Kwyala

CHUKA-MERU-SOUTH
I am fine and still in the race towards the Kingdom, for I have learned, like Paul, that nothing can, or will, separate me from the lover of God which is manifested in Christ our Lord (Rom. 8:39). Right now I have written a message in Swahili which I intended to put on tapes, but I have no money to do so. Hope the Kingdom will be here soon. The last word: Can I get about three Bible Basics in Kiswahili? I also need a good King James’ Bible, if possible.
Bro. David Aphaxard

GISAMBAH
I thank Bros Rob Splint and Kizayi who came to my house and shared the breaking of bread and the wine in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on a tree because of sin. I pray for my Brothers and Sisters and our friends so that we might make an ecclesia in our area. I also thank Bro. Ernest Lavuna, who showed me the way to the Kingdom. I won’t turn back like Lot’s wife when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, or like somebody who puts their hand to the plough and looks back; such are not fit for the Kingdom of God (Lk. 9:62). Please send me Bible Basics and Sunday School material.
Bro. Solomon Abukika

KABABU
In a village in Kenya a man died and was buried. Later, the man’s wife was convinced by a dream that her husband wanted his watch, so she took the watch and buried it next to his body. A young man secretly dug up the watch and used it for years until it wore out. No harm came to him. If the dead man had had the power to influence the living, he surely would have punished the thief who stole his watch from the grave. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 says, "For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun". So we must stick to the Bible, Brothers and Sisters, because man’s teaching is faulty.
Bro. Nicholas Odhiambo

Photo: Bro. Nicholas Odhiambo

KAMUKUYWA
I am sorry not to have let you know that the Bible Basics you sent arrived safely. I gave them to friends and think they are enjoying reading them. For this reason I request you to send at least three more, one in Kiswahili, to give to other interested friends.
Bro. Patrick Wafula

God will fulfil His ancient promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and He has invited Gentiles to participate in the same benefits (Gal. 3:8-9). The three steps to salvation are (a) belief (b) baptism and (c) obedience. What must we first believe? According to the Scriptures, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his Name" (John 20:31). It is also written in the epistle to the Romans (1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek". In step two we find that baptism is followed after belief, "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). Paul, as an apostle of Christ, says to the Galatians, "And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29). Thirdly, we should in our Christian life obey God’s and Jesus’ commandments. With the help of the Bible Companion we should read God’s word daily.
Bro. Moses Kutukhulu

Photo: Bro. Moses Kutukhulu

KITALE
It’s a long time since I wrote to you. I have been in Tanzania preaching the gospel. I’m happy because Gospel News helped us in reading more good testimonies from many Brothers and Sisters all over the world. We have arranged a mini Bible School for September and December.
Bro. Martin W. Chemiati

KITISE
Thank you for the book. My wife was bitten by a very poisonous snake but, thanks to God, she is now going on well. Here at Kitise it is very, very dry. As you know, people are all different – some ask whether there is any help for us, others ask whether you will come to visit us. But I tell them that if they hear my voice, they also hear yours, because we understand the same gospel.
Bro. Daniel Maingi

KOBUJOI
This picture was taken on the rocks of the Nandi Escarpment. There is a steep section and the background shows the sugar cane Belt Zone. The place is called Kapuenyele and is a tourist attraction area. Things have been moving towards establishing an ecclesia at Nandi Hills town and I managed to travel to the town to meet up with Brethren in charge of the Rift Valley region. The meeting was successful, being blessed by our Heavenly Father.
Bro. Geoffrey Chirchir

Photo: Bro Geoffrey Chirchir, back, second from right with friends.

MAKINDU
We had a good 2003 and hope God will continue to bless us. Thank you for the good job with Gospel News – keep it up! Enclosed is a photo of the members of the Makindu ecclesia and one of myself.
Bro. Nicholas M. Nzuki

Photo: Bro. Nzuki

Photo: Makindu ecclesia

MBITA
I have a baby boy, 9 months old, and I named him Duncan. He is suffering from a bent foot, forcing me to take him to the hospital for an operation; he is young enough that the foot can be treated.
Bro. Daniel Ogembo

MWANDEO
Almost every one of us is expecting Jesus to come soon. The Bible promises us that Jesus will truly come (Matt. 24:36-39; Luke 17:26-27). The day and the hour no one knows, but the Father only, and the days will be like the days of Noah (Gen. 6:5-8), and "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt. 24:12-14). People will be lovers of earthly things, forgetting their God (2 Tim. 3). Matthew ch. 24 is like a mirror for us to watch. Many of these things are happening, but the end is not yet, therefore we should endure all the sufferings so that Jesus finds us ready for salvation.
Bro. Nicholas K. Mutuku

Photo: Bro. Nicholas Mutuku with some of his family

In the beginning God placed man where everything was free (Gen. 1:28-30). There was a river in Eden for watering. Problems started when Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6). From that day to our own, problems have increased daily in the world and man has turned away from God. Genesis ch. 6 tells us how God decided to punish mankind for their evil by destroying them with a flood. And we all know it is the same in our own days due to the fact that man has turned away from God. Let us all keep close to God and everything will be OK.

Bro. M. Lugo Jefa

NANYUKI
I appreciate copies of Gospel News, they are not wasted. A friend and I (who studied the Bible with others) were caught and convicted of holding a gathering without a certificate of registration as a known church community. We were mistaken as being a certain sect that was not registered and was against the government, the so-called ‘Mungiki’. Therefore the two of us were said to be the ones leading the gathering and were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, but now we are out and are continuing with our studies, for it is for our benefit.
Francis Kinandu

NDHIWA
I appreciate the work you do of informing those who work for the Lord of what is happening in the world. I am always grateful when I read Gospel News and I make sure I go through it and understand it. I always pray for the oppressed and hope God will answer my prayers. Jesus said (Mark 10:29-30) if we leave things in this life for his sake and the gospel’s we shall receive a hundred fold with persecutions (repeat, persecutions), and in the world to come eternal life. We should therefore preach the gospel of our Master without fear of persecution, knowing it is part of our heritage.
Sis. Dorine A. Mboya

Photo: Sis. Dorine Mboya (right), with friends

NYONGONGA
I thank you very much for constantly sending me Gospel News. God’s mercy is wonderful, and I really appreciate the spiritual feeding you have been offering me for so long. You have been using your resources and energy to see to it that we get the word of God right at our home turfs and on our door steps. I really appreciate the effort you make to give this spiritual food to so many Brothers and Sisters in all corners of the earth. May the Almighty God keep you safe and prolong your life in order to keep on serving His children. I am a Sunday School teacher here.
Bro. Benson A. Ngadi

Photo: Bro Ngadi

SINDO
I started receiving Gospel News May/June 1999 to date and it has made me grow spiritually in reading Brethren and Sisters’ living witness to the true gospel. We pray for the truth to spread and encourage contributions to the Magazine. We wish you to continue the witness to the truth, and pray for Brethren and Sisters to stand firm in the faith. We pray for Brethren and Sisters where the truth is restricted, especially in Muslim countries. The topic of the pre-existence of Christ by Bro. John and Sis. Sally Palmer was of great spiritual help to us showing that the Scriptures are the best interpreter. God has provided the true evidence that the Bible is His inspired word, therefore it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that we may be perfect to do the works of good (2 Tim. 3:16). No prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, but holy men spoke from God as they were moved by the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20,21). The God of the Bible is the Creator of heaven and earth; He is King eternal, invisible, the only wise God, the Almighty. God has the power to create and destroy (1 Tim. 1:17; Gen. 1:1; Deut. 32:39). The God of the Bible spoke through the prophets, apostles and through His Son, Jesus Christ, to reveal His wonderful purpose with man and the earth. He spoke through Moses and promised to raise up a Prophet from the family of Israel to whom salvation would be preached in his name (Deut. 18:15; 17:20 [compare Acts 20:20-26]). We must appreciate God’s love in sending His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, anointed with the Holy Spirit, to be Lord and Christ, the promised Messiah. We are looking forward to his second coming, he who is our only Redeemer, to take over the kingdoms of men.
Bro. John Owalo Onani

TONGAREN
I am grateful to God to be able to announce that Tongaren ecclesia has been blessed with three baptisms, all are daughters of the undersigned: Esther Kasembeli (wife of Bro. Moses Kasembeli), Getquin Mandako and Lowvine Nafuna. May God bless them as they now journey through the wilderness of this world to the Kingdom of God.
Bro. Isaac Kapa

WEBUYE
I thank God for His mercy which He has on us this minute. I have problems here and there; I need your prayers so that I may escape them. Don’t stop sending books and other items, because they keep my faith strong in the coming Kingdom. They also help me in knowing more of the truth of the word of God and of His Son, Jesus. Be blessed with the Lord and continue doing His will until the Kingdom comes with our Brother, Jesus.
Sis. Dorcus Mabuka