news from kenya
BONDO
Dear fellow worker in the hope of Israel we share, please receive my warm greetings.
All here is fine, just earnestly praying for the Lord’s return to establish the Kingdom.
Here in Kenya we are faced with a myriad of problems after the clashes and riots of last year following the disputed election results.
This year Kenyans are faced with starvation, which has affected the whole country’s basic food supply. Commodities are lacking in most of the Government Cereal Board stores, and people are running to and fro to get food which is rare, and whose prices have rocketed skywards.
Coalition partners who are in the Grand Coalition Government are also bickering in sharing power, leaving the common man in a dilemma and at crossroads. These and many more difficulties are sure signs that our Lord and Master may come at any hour, when we least expect him.
I have been thinking of starting Cassava farming for our Ecclesia as a food security measure, but we lack resources to start it off, since first it needs a piece of land and fencing all around before ploughing and planting takes place: but this all needs money in order to make it happen.
In April I was privileged to meet other Kenyan brethren and sisters and some brethren from the U.K. team at the Bible Conference in Mombasa and I was glad to share the emblems with them. This is very memorable and a foretaste of what we look forward to in the coming Kingdom of our Lord. Matt.26:26.
I was very thrilled by the booklet you sent me entitled ‘The Truth about Demons and Spirits,’ a subject which has caused much controversy in Africa. I have also received the six copies of Bible Basics in good condition which you sent me.
Please find enclosed a photo of Kenya Youth Conference which I attended at Bondo recently. I hope you will return it to me later.
Bro. Raphael Aimo
Youth Conference at Bondo
BUNGOMA
I do appreciate very much the work CAT are doing to spread the gospel news to the four corners of the world. It really needs a lot of sacrifice as very few people especially here in Africa, where poverty is rampant will be willing to spend their resources on people they do not know. It may be because of our selfishness that Africa lurks behind in development as the Bible says more blessed is the hand that gives than the one that takes. I will be graduating from the University this coming year and God willing if I get a job I may help meet the cost.
I will be much grateful for a copy of Brother Duncan’s book The Real Devil, this is a very lively topic here.
Bro Griffin Wafula
CHWELE
It is another wonderful time that our Heavenly Father has given to us. From what we are seeing in the world, and particularly in Israel, we are able to conclude that Jesus Christ is about to come back. Things that were prophesied, like hunger, are now worldwide and in Kenya it has been declared as a national disaster. Many people in our country are suffering very much from hunger.
These signs make us strengthen our faith so that we may enter the Kingdom when Jesus comes.
I would like to thank you for the books you sent to me, i.e. Eureka and Notes on Signs and Prophecy that shows the Bible to be true. They have been of great importance to me and the Ecclesia. I have also developed an interest in visual literature, but I lack a D.V.D., so if you have one available I would greatly appreciate and make proper use of it so that I will not have an excuse in judgement. I think that God will open our eyes so that we may see wonderful things of the truth in the Law, as we wait for the coming of Jesus.
Bro. Daniel Wakhabu
ELDORET
I have received the books you sent me and am very thankful for them because they will go a long way to help save many souls in isolation.
Brother, when we read Genesis 12, the subject is ‘Blessing of Abram,’ and the great famine which caused Abram to seek refuge for food in Egypt. We learn how Abram and Sarah decided to call themselves brother and sister in order to save their lives from danger and hunger. Surely that kind of state is what we are facing in Kenya currently. I need not hide, brother, that I’m really a victim of this kind of situation. Surely the brothers who have benefited from reading Bible Basics will not remain the same again spiritually. Also the Gospel News is really worth reading.
My country is currently undergoing a very crucial famine. Not all of us are in the same situation, but a few deaths have been recorded due to this cruel drought.
By putting ourselves totally in God’s hand, we lay hold of the victory Jesus has already obtained on the cross – we must recognize that we are powerless to do anything in our own strength.
Bro. Jacob Okoth
ISHIARA
We are well, waiting for the return of our Master to save us. My Mum is unwell but we believe that the Lord God has the power and will to heal her.
My student is continuing with studies, hoping to be baptized this year. We shall be happy to have company at Ishiara. I am happy also to inform you that we have changed our address, now using Box 191 Ishiara -60102: please pass this to others who would like it.
This year I enjoyed an occasion when I was among the Central Area Group which went to Mombasa for the National AGM. There we met with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world. There were Kenyans, some from the UK, Canada, South Africa and Australia. I was happy to meet with the family of Bro. Treval, who I had not met since my baptism in April 2005. Bro. Alan and his wife also were there and Bro. Alan took the largest part of our studies. After the Memorial Service on Sunday we departed. It was my first time to see the Indian Ocean.
To the Brothers and Sisters world-wide: our time in this order of things is nearly gone. Our Master is around the corner. What will prevent us from welcoming him? What sorrow will be ours if we miss that opportunity! What could be our aim in this world then? Our hope is in the Lord, who prompts us to show works of love to each other, giving thanks to God for every increase in our Christadelphian family. For what is our work as God’s family but to live, preach and spread the good news to others, as Jesus did? For God’s Word says in Deut.32:2 ‘My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.’ And Jesus said, ‘everything shall pass away but my word shall remain perfect.’ Let us hold on to the promised coming of Christ and the resurrection.
The Resurrection Tree
The naked, sleeping almond tree
With dark limbs spread
Against swift wind clouds riding free
High overhead,
Speaks of the wintry night and death
In earth’s full womb;
Where saints devoid of living breath
Sleep in the tomb.
But soon the songbirds’ melody
Acclaiming Spring,
Awakes the sleeping almond tree
And blossoming,
It deeply breathes crisp fragrant air,
And leaves appear.
Soon petals fall from blossom fair –
The fruit is near.
Sis. Caroline Aphaxard
KANDUYI
The magazines you sent are helping us both spiritually and physically. I recently had my email address made active, so I hope that our communications will be more frequent.
My prayer and entreaty is that the Almighty may continue to give us life and understanding of His revelation so that we may be faithful until the coming of our Master.
I would be delighted if you could link me with a brother who is able to transmit to me exhortations on my email address (wanjala.samuel@yahoo.com).
Bro. Samuel Wanjala
KATITO
Many thanks for the excerpts, Testimony magazine, news and information you sent. Here it is very hot and dry. Many thousands are starving as our maize is sold by greedy government officials. I’ve enclosed an extract from our local dailies talking of corruption. These are times when we need not be anxious but have courage. There is a list of men of courage in God’s Word.
Bro. Lawrence K’owiti
KILGORIS
I am very happy for the work you are doing in the Master's service. I am requesting for the book "Wrested Scriptures" by brother Ron Abel.
Bro. James Nyangute
KITALE
I appreciate very much receiving Gospel News and the book ‘Index Rerum’, a Ready Reference book distributed from the USA. We are studying the book together with brothers, sisters and friends. We hope you will continue sending us such good gifts in future, and please keep me on your mailing list. If you have booklets concerning farming, we would appreciate them very much.
Bro. Martin Barasa
Sis. Lydiah Fuchaka with children; they are in need of children’s hymns.
MACHAKOS
When I first joined Machakos Teachers’ College, I noticed that they were admitting all kinds of people, including the disabled. During the first orientation, we had sign language interpreters who were interpreting to the hearing impaired (deaf). After that I thought they might be given their own special classes for instruction. Fortunately or unfortunately, I happened to be the desk mate of Joseph Gichira (standing in the centre of the photo). Communication became very difficult between us – it was really a nightmare. We could only communicate through writing. But he happened to be more friendly to me and started teaching me sign language. I can now sign a few words in English.
After three weeks, another new friend was admitted to the College, his name is Mutuku Muthama from Kangundo. Although he had eyes, he had no sight and his story is very sad: when he was young, he started to feel pains in his eyes and persuaded his parents to take him to Kenyatta National Hospital for an eye check-up. The nurses there were University students, still unqualified, and they prescribed him the wrong eye drops. Immediately the medication was applied to his eyes they started to bleed, which caused one eye to lose its sight, and the other became short-sighted. He then had to use lenses, and when he joined the Secondary School they were using fluorescent tubes powered by a generator for studying. Due to the unstable power of the generator, the tubes kept going on and off, and this problem caused Mutuku’s remaining eye to lose its sight. He was then taken to Thika High School for the blind, and now we are together at the College.
I almost felt like crying when he told me that two days after he completely lost his sight, his mother died, so I took on the responsibility of caring for the hearing and visually impaired, and continue to the time of writing.
We still have very many deaf, blind and physically handicapped, and I have been friendly to all of them. But can you imagine how many people are ready to assist those with disabilities? How do you and others perceive disabilities in your country? Should we isolate these people because they are unable to cope themselves? You will discover that most disabled people were not born with their disability, like those we have in College – some got disabilities through road accidents and others through diseases. Did they apply for it, or was it God who made them to be the way they are? Most of the disabled people in the present world are very much discriminated against, in almost all facets of life. But we should remember that on their side, they do not have any problem about being disabled, whereas we who think we are well are candidates for disability: we don’t know what our future holds.
The hearing impaired students have been sponsored by an organization from America known as Global Deaf Connection. Those in difficulties are the blind: we pray for them so that one day they may have sponsorship as well. So please, let us change our perception of disabilities and consider those people as brothers and sisters.
I would like to request a copy of the book The Death of te Cross and The Place of Women, mine was borrowed by brother Alfred whom we baptised last year..It seems the books are very interesting to him that is why he is not ready to surrender them to me.
Bro. Laban Kisaka
Crouching from left: Bro. Laban Kisaka, Brown Kahindi (hearing impaired).
Standing from left Diana, Joseph Gichara (hearing impaired) and Mutuku Muthama (visually impaired).
MAKHONGE
Thank you very much for the support and care extended to us through providing us with books. This has helped us in our work of spreading the Gospel to people around us.
We wish to inform you that now we have purchased a plot for Makhonge Ecclesia and therefore we thank you for your prayers during the time we were experiencing pressure in our previous plot.
Bro. David and Sis. Jacklyne Wanjala
First meeting of Makhonge Ecclesia in the newly bought plot.
MATUU
I hope and pray that you are all doing well in the Lord. I have several Bible Basicsin English, French, and Swahili translations and also ‘Why are we here?’ and some other books and leaflets, which I supply to brethren and contacts in Kenya. I suggest that you direct anyone to me who requests such books. I also request that you send me more, and if possible include Swahili, Kikamba and Kikuyu translations. It will be cheaper than you sending direct to individuals. I am in the CBM office and I meet with other CBM committee members who represent the whole of Kenya. My area includes brethren and contacts in Nakuru, Nairobi, Nyeri, Muraga, Kikuyu, Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Machakos etc. and I make several personal preaching visits and carry these books with me. I shall also be trying to help those who are isolated to meet the nearest ecclesia, brethren or even contacts who share the “hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Titus 1:2.
Bro. Lazarus Kingoo
MBITA
I am very happy that you send me Gospel News and find it very helpful.
‘IF YOU HAVE …’
If you have food in your home, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on, you are richer than 75% of people in the world. So thank God.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than a million people who will not survive this week, so thank the Lord.
If you have some money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in your pocket, you are among the world’s wealthiest 8%, so thank the Lord.
If you have read the Bible today, and can worship the true God without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than millions of others in the world, – so really thank the Lord for that blessing.
If you have read this message, thank God again, for you are more blessed than millions of people in the world who cannot read at all.
Adapted by Bro. Daniel Ogembo
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to come to restore the kingdom.
I received the parcel you sent, and appreciate your help. I am having a problem with payment of school fees. I have a boy who joined form one, but I am not able to pay the school fee of £35 a year, so now he is at home.
Bro. Daniel Ogembo
MOMBASA
It is now three or four months ago that I received your letter and a good book about ‘The Gospel of Mark.’ Really it is a systematic commentary with contributions from other Gospels. All this time I have been enjoying reading it and making notes.
Digression 2: BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. This helped me very much because I am a teacher in Mombasa Ecclesia teaching the friends about baptism so that they may be our brothers and sisters to inherit the Kingdom we are waiting for.
Do you have a leaflet or small book about the death of the Lord Jesus Christ? I had one leaflet which was sent me by Bro. Charles French of Australia which taught that our Lord Jesus died on Thursday rather than, as many believe, that he died on Friday and was raised early Sunday morning. We read in Matt.12:40, Jesus’ body was in the grave three nights and three days, which corresponds with the reference of Jonah 1:17. When I read these passages I really learned something, that our Lord Jesus didn’t die on Friday. One of our brothers took that leaflet before I had made my notes in my Notes and Lessons Book. If you have one, please will you send this to me and I will teach our friends and also some of our members.
Bro. Edward Kunikina
From Right: Bro. Edward Kunikina and Bro. Moses Simiyu, (Mombasa), with friends.
NANGO
I am very grateful for the books and pamphlets you have given to me to help our ecclesia to grow in the Word of the Lord. The book on Devil, & Satan and The Holy Spirit,’ amongst others were thrilling, since these are the most disturbing subjects to many church-goers in Africa. I hope you will be able to continue to send us more as you have them available.
I am also pleased to tell you that I have received the tapes you sent our Ecclesia. The problem remaining now is that we don’t have a cassette player to play them on, but the dry cell batteries are available through our local arrangement. I hope you may consider other ways and means of helping our Ecclesia to develop much further if Jesus still remains away.
Bro. Raphael Aimo
NDHIWA
The Lord Jesus knows every detail about your life and who we are. He has a special purpose just for you and me he will continue to give you all you need to fulfil it, (1 Cor.2:9). And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith and it is in accord with God’s purpose. Double your determination; nothing in life that is worthy is ever too hard to achieve if you have the courage to try it and have the faith to believe. God never ploughs in the soul of man without intention and purpose.
This is the day to enrich the lives of those near you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God. God’s mighty hand can be felt everywhere for there is nothing on earth that is not in God’s care. We all have cares and problems we cannot solve alone, but if we go to God in prayer we are never on our own, (1Chron.5:20). Everyone has problems in this restless world of care, everyone grows weary with the cross they have to bear. Let us display genuine concern and furnish assistance in shouldering the crosses of others (Titus 3:1-2).
Thank God for little things that often come our way, the things we take for granted and don’t mention when we pray. This is the day to feel how fortunate you are that God loves you, He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Always remember that the hills ahead are never as steep as they seem and with faith in your heart start upward and climb till you reach your dream (Matt.21:21).
This is the day to increase your perseverance, somebody cares and always will, the world forgets but God loves you still and always will. Illuminate your devotion to your Creator and your zeal will also shine. Thank God for the good things He has already done and be grateful to Him for the battles you have won. Step by step climb day by day closer to God with each prayer.
May the Lord use this article to lift your spirit, encourage your heart, build your faith and brighten your days (Prov.19:21).
Sis. Emmy M. Aseyo
OKUMBO
I thank you for the good work you are doing to preach the Gospel. I confess if it were not for you I could not be who I am spiritually. The knowledge I have gained is good to assist me to resist ungodly influences.
I enclose a ‘photo taken of Okumbo Ecclesia, where Bro. Francis (far end) was preparing us for baptism.
Lastly I request from you the address of the Swedish Co-operative Center. It is a non-profit-making organization which supports self-help development. I wish to get some agricultural books which will assist me and the entire ecclesia to start a farming scheme. If you could supply any other material or books concerning farming they will be very helpful to us.
Bro. Benjamin Mwatu
The Swedish Co operative Centre has a number of useful handbooks and also Centres in Africa. In East Africa: P.O.Box 45767, Nairobi, Kenya, in Southern Africa, 70 Livingstone Avenue, No 1 Veronica Gardens, Harare, Zimbabwe; Co-ordination Centre, P.O.Box 32012, 93 Kudu Road, Lusaka, Zambia. Another source of books designed for small-scale sustainable agriculture in the tropics is Agromisa, P.O.Box 41, 6700 Wageningen, Netherlands.
Okumbo Ecclesia
RAPOGI
I am very happy because of my baptism into Christ which took place on 1st February 2009 by Bro. James Wyangute, which was witnessed in Okumbo Ecclesia. This occurred after my hard preparation for 11 years and it was with a lot of anxiety. The whole of my family did not allow me to even attend the ecclesia’s meetings.
I continued without fear because I have already been ‘washed clean’ to eat the fruit of eternal life (Rev.22:14). So I continued my prayerful Bible study with them, one by one happily without fear, and through the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, I hope one or two might well have learnt the true Gospel.
I am very happy to be among you as a brother, as we all wait for the second coming of Christ Jesus.
Bro. Michael Mokes
SUNA-MIGORI
We are all doing well, including our Ecclesia, despite a few shortfalls that have ever been with man since the beginning of creation.
Let me call them ‘Storms.’ We sometimes find ourselves off the mark – that is, in the eyes of the people around us. For instance, someone abuses you in public and the people around you expect you to retaliate. If you don’t retaliate, you have failed as far as the people around you are concerned. We all want to succeed in life. How can we handle such intriguing matters? The secret lies in knowing where to fail. Some exams are a hoax. It is in our pursuit of success that some of us have ended pushing others aside to reach our ambitions. Let us follow Jesus and success will follow us: on the contrary, if we follow success it might lead us to a step in the wrong direction.
To follow Jesus means that we have to take in everything our Bible teaches. It is the only source of information that will lead us to the Kingdom of God, which all the saints toil day and night to reach. We all know that education removes one from the dominion of darkness to light. ‘Through him all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it’ (John 1:3-5).
Academically, men have excelled in various fields. There are men and women we cannot run our various institutions without. They know all that it takes to keep our institutions running. We are proud of them due to their technical know-how. Let’s stop and listen to this voice, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ Even if we can remove someone’s brain tumour by using a scalpel, and skillfully help their healing, we still need to choose what Mary chose. It gives light beyond oblivion – the light that we have today in this world will one day turn to darkness. We need that light which endures for ever.
Bro. Joseph Onyango
I am very thankful I received the parcel you sent me containing a Question Book with answers. This book is very helpful to me and the contacts I am teaching the Truth to.
I am sorry for my delay to reply – I am facing some problems. The hospital where I used to work has been affected by the former political crisis, so the owner had financial constraints which forced him to make a general redundancy by which I was affected. But that cannot stop me from serving our God. I hope, God willing, to get another job.
Bro. Benjamin Mwatu
TONGARAN
Sis. Nancy Sikola with some of her grandchildren
WAIROBI
All the reading textbooks you are sending to us are good and help us in our Bible study.
Although the Truth has been in Kenya for some years, the progress has been slow. Several reasons can be given as to why this is happening. The first difficulty is the widespread influence of the Evangelical churches, the Seventh Day Adventists and other churches who have active missionary networks and resident pastors throughout the country. The second reason is that the Christadelphian Mission in Kenya does not broadcast radio programmes as the other churches do. Lastly, our brethren and sisters in the country have limited access to technology which will enable them to experience the wonders of God through the internet. We need to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22).
Bro. Samuel Maruta
