news from kenya
BULIMBO
I haven’t recently received any news, parcel or letter from any of you. Sometimes I wonder if you are almost forgetting me so please may all of you bear me in mind, your beloved Brother Sadique. In our family my father and mother are Muslim members, including all my brothers and sisters. I am the only individual who decided to convert and join the Christadelphians in our village. I have no peace with my family. I am alone. My parents have refused to give me food because of being a member of the Christian faith. They have snatched from me all the items that they had bought for me. I am living a life without harmony, peace, love or unity with my biological parents and my brothers and sisters. I thank God for enabling me to have peace of mind with Him. I take this opportunity to assure all of you that since I have decided with all my heart and soul to follow Jesus, I will never backslide, even with the situation as difficult as it is in my life.
Bro Sadique Bukhebi Joumer
The Answer
Go to all the nations
And spread to them this news,
About a powerful Name,
That heals the lame,
And protects the righteous,
In happy and sad moments,
The Name has the answer.
It is only the Name of Christ
That has the rightful answer.
He is the anointed one,
The true Son of the Most High.
He is a rock of ages
That does not wither
For his Name is great.
Bro Emmanuel Joumea
BUNGOMA
I’m very happy for your assistance to my fellow brothers. We congratulate CAT on their support of the word of God by sending them some books like Bible Basics. Now the word of God is stable to my fellow brothers. They are spreading the gospel through the guidance of that book. Those brothers are really working hard to spread the gospel to the entire community, they are actually struggling to see that the people should enter into the Kingdom of God. Moreover, although I’m so far away, fortunately at the place where I stay there are many people who want to hear the good news. However, the bad news is that we have such limited resources that we are not able to spread the gospel as much as we would like. Therefore I beg you to assist with more literature.
Bro Aggrey Muyila.
Photo from right: Bro Anazetu Khaemba, Sis Christin N. Kasili (my wife), Sis Metrin Maina with her baby (wife of Bro George), Bro Aggrey ou sent toMuyila (the one with a guitar). Bro George Maina.
First of all I wish to take this opportunity, to show my appreciation for Gospel News and the book entitled ‘A Woman’s Place’ which you sent to me. Receive abundant blessings because you have made my life to become godly. This book – ‘A Woman’s Place’ – has clearly portrayed the position of women and has thereby strengthened our ecclesia, as every person knows what is expected of him/her. Here in Kenya, you may have heard of the claims of ‘New Constitution’, meaning that people are battling for earthly supremacy. It is therefore a challenge to us. While they focus on this contest, let us focus on the coming eternal Kingdom for which there is a word of encouragement: “That we shall be made kings and priests in thy kingdom” (Revelation 5:10). We have an obligation to help them to reform their negative ambitions. We are experiencing a very severe drought in parts and conditions have become totally unfavourable to unresistant crops, consequently low production. Brother, due to this change in climate, my request to you is to advise me on resistant crops, and how to use them during drought seasons. Finally, I would say that for the will of God to be done I need a Bible. I normally use an old, torn Bible with some pages torn off. Brother, I kindly request you for this.
Bro Wycliffe Wasike
CHWELE
Thank you very much for your e-mail message. It was very encouraging and we hope that this year will be a very busy one. Our country, Kenya, is undergoing a transformation. Last year it voted ‘No’ to the referendum which has delayed the process of getting a new constitution for our country. Also the ruler of our country has embarked seriously on fighting corruption among his cabinet ministers, which has led to some stepping down. The truth is that Kenya is still in its infancy. Hunger is at its peak, no clean water for people and animals. The government promised to solve the problems but truly has not managed to solve anything. We realize that Jesus Christ himself will establish his everlasting Kingdom without a chain of problems day by day. How CAT is concerned about safer motherhood is wonderful! This will eventually reduce the mortality and pre-natal morbidity amongst our sisters worldwide. In our ecclesia, most of the sisters are in the reproductive age of 25 to 35, and it will be a great pleasure for them to receive a copy of “Where Women Have No Doctor.” In the love and peace of Christ Jesus
Bre Manasseh Wamamiti and David Wanjala
Photo: From left: Bro David Wanjala, Bro Daniel Wakharu, stripped to the waste after digging a bore hole to get water for domestic use. (Water is the biggest problem in this area)
Thank you very much for the wonderful work you are doing in supplying Gospel News magazine to us. It is heartening and encouraging as we learn more about our brothers and sisters worldwide. Also thank you very much in caring for our sisters as you have initiated a wonderful scheme of supplying an important book, ‘Where Women Have No Doctor.’ We wish you could supply one for each of us in the sisters group in our ecclesia. This would help our sisters who don’t attend clinics until they give birth. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you as we his return.
Sis Jacklyne Wanjala
Photo: Sisters at Makhonge having a cup of tea after a Bible discussion held last December.
GISAMBAI
I sincerely pray and wish God’s blessing on all your efforts. I really appreciate your support spiritually. I’m very happy to read from brothers and sisters from all over the world. ‘Gospel News’ is a soul revival magazine, it is so encouraging to read about people of different cultures, languages and colours. To think that they are all my brothers and sisters in Christ is something that keeps me very pleased, strong and vibrant. I’m sharing bread and wine with you in the Christadelphian ecclesia of Givungi and we are looking forward to establishing a strong foundation for preaching the truth in many areas around here. I get a lot of literature about Jesus, salvation, health, general life and even words of encouragement on the internet, but I can’t print all this to share with brothers and sisters and friends because of the high cost of printing. I therefore ask you to give me brothers’ and sisters’ e-mail addresses to contact them or them me through odaliminijo@yahoo.com so that I can share this with them. I’m looking forward to attending Bible schools, meeting with many of my brothers and sisters from all corners of the world, talking with them and even working with them. I’m kindly asking you to do me a favour – I’m interested in knowing much about the Philippines as a country, their culture and its people; please connect me to a brother or a sister who will help me achieve this as soon as you can.
Bro Amos Odali Minjo
KABUJOI
My faith is always strengthened when I read from you. Many thanks for the earlier packet and the very nice Bible published by CAT from Bro David Green when he and Bro Peter White visited Kenya. Most brethren and sisters in Kenya speak Kiswahili as a second language. All of us have our native languages but it is Kiswahili that unites us language-wise. It is a good idea to have a small Kiswahili magazine to encourage those that cannot speak English. The English language is a third language to most of us. I wonder whether it is possible for you to send me campaign material. I was recently in an area quite a distance from my home which I saw was so backward and remote, I wondered whether the residents of the place had even received the good news. Material setting out our beliefs could be very welcome for a start. I will let you know of the response when I have distributed the first material, and what material would be needed for follow-up. It’s our prayer that the good news reaches all the ears willing to hear.
Bro Geoffrey Chirchir
Photo Left to right: back row: Bro Silas Bwalya, Sis Grace Chipata, Bro Silas Chishimba, Bro Geofrey Chabala, Sis Evelyn Lumuna, Bro Joseph Lumuna
Front row: Bro Musanda Mbewe, Sis Loveness Chileshe, Sis Jane Bwalya
MUFULIRA
You know it’s good to live in the truth. Jesus once said, “Know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). So if we are not learning the Bible truth, how can we expect to be free?. We may not be slaves or servants, but without the knowledge of God, His truth, we are prisoners. We are told that we live by the sinful nature which Paul describes as prison. But good news has comefrom our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. And it is only through him we find rest to our souls. And so he is the only one to set us free from prison, through knowing more about him and his Father. And this can be done by sharing ideas during the Bible study and other meetings we have like, the Fringilla Bush Camp, where we meet and are able to learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ and his Father. Brethren and sisters, remember that one of the practical principles for our life in Christ is Bible study. Therefore, let us support it so that the word becomes our daily food, as Job says in 23:12.
Bro Musanda Mbewe
MWEIGA
I lost contact I came to communicate early last year. I wish you and all the brethren in the UK a good year. I wanted to make a request for this writing to be published, for I trust in your help and the help of the UK brethren if possible. I praise God that you will understand where my heart is and what I am trying to say. As you know, I need much spiritual help from you as a teacher, to guide me in the way of providence. Please do not hesitate to respond and I look forward to hearing from you.
Bro Lawrence Gitonga
NAKURU
It can be said that preaching and pastoring a church have been turned into a business. Many evangelists acquire fame by claiming to perform miracles and some people become rich, whereas the Bible states clearly, “Seek first the kingdom of God” then the rest will follow (Matthew 6:33). Cults and other denominational organisations are misled by their dogmas. For instance, some worshippers believe that the righteous will go to heaven, while the truth is that a theocracy will be on earth, man’s dwelling place when Jesus Christ comes back (2 Peter 2:1-3). Let us worship God in truth and spirit. Having a share in God’s Kingdom is like saving your cash in a national bank where no-one can steal and the bank cannot be put under liquidation. This sort of confusion over dogma has led to the situation where we have one Bible but different churches are many. Yet the Lord in omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, Psalms 100:1-5. The preachers should abandon their false pride in claiming to possess the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Bro Samuel Wanga
Brother Samuel Wanga Watako has translated ‘What is the Gospel’ into his native LUHYA language. We have sent him 500 copies and any who would like a copy can obtain one direct from him. c/o, Uchumi Matt Ltd, P.O.Box 3622, Nakuru, Kenya. It is also viewable at www.carelinks.net
From left to right (standing) Bre Moses Bwire, Reuben Maina, Sammie Wanga; (squatting) Bre Thomas Oyaro, Chrispin Oduor, at the Woolmatt Supermarket.
NALONDO
We as an ecclesia have started the programme called “Bungoma Rural Resources Programme” with the aims of struggling against crippling hunger, diseases and poverty. The first attempt was to organize families through their mother-churches, schools and self-help groups, to enable them to exchange skills and ideas. Therefore we had thought of introducing to them the drought-resistant food crops. Bungoma area consists of three districts that vary in elevation from 1500-1800m above sea level. The soils vary: we have sandy, medium texture and clay, suitable for cassava, sorghum and soya-beans. In order to play its role better, it is essential that BRRP should be armed with the necessary information, which we believe you are the best placed organisation to provide. You have already played a very important role in serving members and groups within the brotherhood who seek to spread the good news of the gospel.
Bro Moses Wamami
NDHIWA
I’ve been put in contact with you by Sis Mary Clement in order to get one copy of “Where There Is No Doctor”. I live far away from Shiwa ecclesia so I am trying to get a copy in order to help myself, my family and the surrounding people. I like looking after and helping the people surrounding me. I live in a very remote place so if I get that copy, it will be of great help to me. If you can help with health facilities and books, they help me too . Now in Kenya it is terrible. No water, no food, etc, so there are many diseases in children, and pregnant mothers are facing danger.
Sis Emmy Aseyo
SINDO
I received your letter plus message and the book “The Christadelphian Shield”. I took time to read it and felt happy when men/women who believe the truth and are strong witnesses to the truth will see this earth filled with God’s glory. I now request to receive now the books on “Where Women Have No Doctor”, second “How to Grow a Balanced Diet”. Please, if the Lord permits, send them to me as I want to have them in my home library. I was in the Roman Catholic Church from childhood, 1954 to1975 but on August 21st 1976 I was baptized into the Christadelphian faith by Bro. David Rowley in the city of Nairobi. Since then I have been a strong advocate and witness for the truth. I have admired your strong service as a good example; the servant of God must be able to show in action what he stands for, Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Jesus gave this great commission to his disciples after his resurrection. Because of unbelief and hardness of heart, mankind has turned away from the truth and worships false gods that cannot save them. Unless we believe the Gospel message preached to our ancestors and disciples about Jesus Christ we have no hope of living after death. God of Israel, God of our fathers spoke a message of hope but human beings have neglected the message of life and end their lives in the grave. Reading the “Gospel News” has made me remind you that we must not let anything stop us proclaiming the Gospel message to all creation. I am pleased that since the year 1999 I have never missed the Gospel News. Good work for the CAT. We pray for the message to be spread and that all brethren will do the Lord’s business. “Gospel News” has made us God’s real household family, to hear world-wide how men/women die for the truth, and witness to its message in their everyday lives. When our Lord and Saviour Jesus takes over the kingdoms of this world, the glory of God will cover the earth. We shall be able to live in harmony with God and our fellow human beings. The earth which has become a bad environment will become a beautiful place for those who obeyed the Gospel message. People have become lovers of themselves and have forgotten the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ. People are hostile to the Gospel message. They have turned to wickedness and enjoy the present life which is very short indeed. We must continue to follow the patriarchs of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Our service to the God of Israel must come first, before everything. I am a very strong advocate, a witness to the truth of the Gospel message. We must pray and read the Bible every day, have personal study and continue to witness to the truth everywhere that service takes us.
Bro John Owalo Onanai
Photo: Memorial Service at Sindo
SUNA-MIGORI
I work as a laboratory assistant. I did not train in a recognized institution and I have no permanent job. I just keep moving from clinic to clinic; that is clinics where they don’t have lab. men. I went to school up to form four and I only got a credit in English. I don’t have good papers that can make me secure in a better place. Despite my pathetic situation, the knowledge I have acquired from the Christadelphians has given me hope. My rescuer is not far from me and I know that all this will change in the kingdom, where we shall for ever live happily with the Lord. I forgot to tell you my marital status. I am married to Lucy Apiyo who is also baptized. The Lord has blessed us with three children, namely, Kevin 9 yrs, Jackline 7 yrs and Marian 5 yrs. I have also adopted a 2 year- old girl whose mother died of AIDS.
Bro Joseph Onyango
