news from kenya
BUNGOMA
A good leader is one who brings people to the kingdom by living and preaching the gospel. Being Christians, everyone is a leader now, Jesus Christ being the Light of the World.
John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’
Sis Gentrix Mutabasi
Sis Gentrix Mutabasi and Sis. Beatrice Wechuli
Thank you for the good work of God you are doing to let people know the fundamentals of the true doctrine. I also appreciate much your helping hand in sending me the book, ‘The Real Devil’, which now continues to set my strong base in the true faith.
Without any prejudice it is a great treasure that we, the human race – people perverse and sinful in nature – are being elevated to an equivalent position with Christ, the only Son of God, and therefore becoming partakers of the Divine nature like Him (2 Peter 1:4). In Jesus no sin was found, though born of a human mother and had our very own nature.
However, this elevation and the high profiling of the human race is conditional. Not every being has been given such an honour and unspeakable love of God freely, but only to those who believe in Him (John 1:12-13). So the choice is with everybody, which will ultimately determine the fate of each one of us, to either resurrect to the crown of eternal life or eternal punishment – death.
However, people seem to be less concerned with the doing of God’s will and even those who call themselves ‘Christians’ seem to have hidden agendas besides the one they are known for. They often behave in surprising ways. They are ever busy with the perishable, thinking in material terms and ever worried about how to better their future lives, as if they had the power to dictate the length of their lives and to exactly tell whether they will be living in the next minute or not.
The grace of God is upon all of us, that we may believe Jesus whom God sent into the world so that we may be saved. John 3:16. John goes further to give us certain and encouraging promises in chapter 6 verses 39 and 44. Our bodies will not be lost eternally in the grave but one day, already pre-determined by God and in store, we will be resurrected and rewarded each as his/her measure deserves. May God bless you plentifully.
Bro. Grffin Wafula Wanyama
Thank you very much for your letter, including another one from a contact. I also thank you for the lessons that you are sending him. I can see he is a very good student. I will soon write to discover his whereabouts and tell you.
Bro. Clement Fwamba
I have been appointed as an elder for Luuya ecclesia and now am leading about 80 people of whom 65 are baptised and the rest are friends. We are delighted to announce the baptisms of 11 candidates, among whom are: Roger Mayemeso, Syiredia, Voilet, Pereina, Silas, Janet, Daisy and Fridatt. May they run the race to the Kingdom with every blessing along the way. Due to this, please could you send me some copies of the Bible Companion so that I can distribute these to them?
Bro. Boniface Juma
Bro. Boniface Juma, Kenya.
BULIMBO
I have enjoyed “Why are we Here?” book and it has made me thirsty for more literature. I converted to Christianity from the Moslem faith in 2003, so I have been a Christian for seven years.
I have been ill, but have managed to read the Bible every day following the Bible Companion system. Gospel News enables me to keep in touch with what is going on.
Bro. Emmanuel Joumer
I was very happy to hear from you because not so many people have reached this year 2010. There have been many disasters of floods, accidents, ferry failure and so on. This is a sign of God loving me and you to keep us communicating year after year until He will say ‘enough.’
Thank you again for Gospel News and its enclosure. Thank you, and may God bless the work of your hands. Sincerely speaking, my friends are very interested in reading more copies of Gospel News, and I usually share with them my copy which you send me. My faith is not the way it was before I started reading the copies – now I am bright in the Lord.
Sis. Imelda Nasilumbi Makokha
CHWELE
Thank you very much for another letter with news about daily events, about Israel, and for your promise of some old Christadelphian magazines sent by sea mail; we hope we will receive them soon.
Bro. David & Sis. Jacklyne Wanjala
Bre. Patrick Sava and. Moses Wekesa finishing the flooring of the latrine of Makhange CBM Plot.
ELDORET
Communication within Families
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Be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; genuine caring and concern. Colossians 3:12-13.
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Intellectual devotion and careful listening – James 1:19-21 (Note) Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.
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Verbal affirmation – As ‘high’ as you want your marriage to go, your words must go there first. ‘Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.’ Proverbs 31:28
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Love ‘speaking the truth in love.’ Eph.4:15; Proverbs 3:3-4. Kindness and truth are the balance. Do not keep resentment in your heart because it will become aggressive, negative behaviour. Real love must contain truth and real truth must contain love.
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Faith – have faith that God is the God of truth and that He is able to work in your mate’s and children’s lives. Proverbs 3:5-6; Heb.11:6
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Surrender your speech and ways to God – Romans 6:13; Eph.4:22-26. Commit your communication to the Lord – Psalm 141:3 ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.’
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Seek wisdom – Ecclesiastes 7:1-19; James 1:5-6,19, 27.
Bro. Jacob Okoth
KABABU
Sister Jane Akingo singing to the Ecclesia
Bro John Odhiambo singing a Hymn at the Ecclesia
KISUMU
The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that ‘There is a time for everything and whatever happens has its purpose’. We therefore should stand and remain firm in whatever critical conditions we are undergoing. All that we see and experience are tests from our God, and that doesn’t mean that our Father is not a God of love; He loves us, but tests our belief and the amount of love we too can give Him in the light of our circumstances Eccl.3:18.
Our Heavenly Father cannot forget His children – He is always alert to help His people. I therefore urge my fellow brethren to stand firm and learn all purposes of God and His principles which will bring us to His Kingdom. Isa.49:15-16.
Bro. Richard Oduma
KITALE
I was very happy when I came across a book entitled ‘Wrested Scriptures,’ and another, ‘Why Are You Here?’ in one of our quarterly Bible Studies, when I travel 15km with our friends. For that I was advised by Bro. Martin Chemiati to request a copy from you.
Also we looked in the Gospel News and found ourselves to be behind. Brother, we shall be very happy when we receive another copy and we would request some Bible Companions.
Bro. Herman Kisabuli
MBITA
Our ecclesia is moving very well. The Bible says that if you see problems and strange things around you, that means the day of the Lord is near. I’ve seen that our Lord is ‘at the door,’ so I’m requesting our brothers and sister to watch, because our Lord could come at any time. Jesus told us that if the owner of the house knew what time the thief was coming, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Nobody knows the time of Jesus’ coming, so we must keep on watching.
Bro. Daniel Ogembo
MOMBASA
I am really being blessed with our Gospel News articles contributed by our brothers and sisters from all over the world. By reading through, I hear some of our believers in Christ are suffering after believing the Truth. I have nothing to help them other than praying for them, that our God of mercy will keep them till we meet in His Kingdom.
I am enjoying Duncan’s books which you sent me, especially ‘The Death of the Cross.’ I should be grateful for a book or a leaflet explaining the day that Jesus died, according to Matt.12:40, Jonah 1:17, 2:1-2.
Bro. Edward Kunikina
NAIROBI
When we read the history of migration in Kenya, we are told that the Bantus group (i.e. where I belong) migrated from Congo Forest to the place where they are settled now. It seems our land (Kenya) was not settled. They came to this place and got it by chance. In this life, there are so many things we get by chance: for example, the job I am doing today, I got by chance.
When Jesus spoke of going to heaven, he told his disciples he was going to prepare for places for them and return. This place is the Kingdom of God (John 14:1-3). For you to be one of the people who will inherit the Kingdom of God on earth, you have to see that you abide in the law of God always, and keep yourself pure in heart (Philippians 4:8).
Bro. Samuel Maruta
NAHIWA
I rejoice that the Breaking of Bread gives me the opportunity to remember Jesus and to celebrate his resurrection; to acknowledge that neither the cruel, excruciating death on a cross, nor the burden of this world’s sin could keep him in the grave. I am assured again of his eternal presence and his promise to never leave me nor forsake me; and to accept by faith the hope that only he can give (Hebrews 13:5-6).
When one views the memorial service from this perspective, the things I once thought were important suddenly seem so empty, so meaningless and so insignificant. Our worship, praise and thanksgiving will give us strength and encouragement to pursue our path to the Kingdom.
Bro. Allan Ketoya
NANGO
I am glad to write to you and let you know that I have received your letter, the leaflets and other enclosures and wish to thank you.
This year, we have had some rain and right now every area of Kenya is very green, and farmers are now getting vegetables from the farms freely, and water, which used to be very scarce during this period of time, is in plentiful supply now. We thank the Almighty for His gifts to mankind. The rain has both blessings and problems, however.
When I read the Newsletter on current events and Middle East events, I am convinced that our Master may come any time now and when we least expect him.
I hope you will continue to send me some more spiritual gifts by sending me Scripture-based reading material, while we are awaiting and preparing for the Master’s return.
Bro. Raphael Aimo
I am grateful to you for putting me on your mailing list for Gospel News and hope to share it with my school mates. The Present Day Event articles you enclosed are also very useful, for they add quite a lot of value for their support from the Scriptures. So please continue to send me those items, as the signs keep appearing while we are waiting for our Master’s soon return.
Erick Obhiambo
NDALU
You know the work of a pillar in the house of God. The material you have been sending to us frequently has created Bible awareness to many, and it has also revealed to us hidden verses in the Bible and their meaning.
I am happy to see many signs of the near coming of our Lord Jesus being fulfilled during my lifetime. Yet the Bible gives us warnings of a time of trouble such as never was. This has enabled many believers to make several Bible studies to help keep us ready for the coming of our Lord.
Bro. Johnstone Kaliwanga
SINDO
I was happy to receive the latest Gospel News, and took time to read of the welfare, the love of brothers and sisters at Haiti, and the work of the Gospel there. We need to pray for them and give them more spiritual help and fellowship.
The Gospel News must be given first priority as our link to listen, and observe the work of real witness to the Truth.
If you desire in your heart to do the work of God, you will do it. Your heart of devotion and your strong desire to be a witness for the Truth will contribute to the success and the revelation of God’s truth to the people around you. ‘As a man thinketh, so is he.’ We are therefore warned all the time to observe carefully what is before us. Proverbs 17:3: ‘the Lord tests the heart.’ Verse 22: ‘A joyful heart is good medicine.’ The Bible is full of references to the heart, but above everything we must never forget to walk with God all the time.
I have schooled my heart, my thoughts, desire, vision and imagination since I was baptized in Christ on 21st August 1976 in Nairobi by Bro. David Rowley. My desire is that God will turn the hearts of my family to come to the Truth so that we can worship Him together in the Kingdom of God on earth when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rules the kingdoms of this world. (Rev.11:15)
Bro. John Onani
SUNA
Besides thanking you for the good articles you are offering in Gospel News, I have a request to make. So that I am not left behind when people are talking about the times and the things which happen worldwide which indicate the end times, I would request that you print the part indicating the Bible quote. In many magazines I can read the Bible quote, but when it reaches the place where the book is written you find it faded – so please can you make it clear?
Bro. Samuel Masara
SUNA MIGORI
Following signs of the times prophetically, we are living in the last days. There is an urgent call for each one of us in the mission areas to rise to the plight of our brethren in endangered zones. Thank you, in collaboration with Carelinks, for what you are doing for the brethren in Haiti and all Christadelphians worldwide.
The study of the word of God is profound. What we think we know, we may just partly know, or we may not know completely. As those responsible because we have studied, heard the teachings of prophets and apostles, let’s scrutinize the underlying circumstances. They shed some light in an area that has been marred due to ignorance. The die has been cast, we are either for, or against. Time keeps on ticking, the decision we make today has a far-reaching effect on our position in the Kingdom to come.
Bro. Joseph Onyango
I am very grateful for the books I received, which will be very helpful to me and others here in our Ecclesia. I received 11 Bible Basics, 5 ‘Women in the Church,’ and ‘The Real Christ.’ These I have distributed to brothers and sisters and also to our contacts, who are now ready for baptism.
I have requested our area elders to organize and come to my place for interviews and baptisms, God willing.
Bro. Samuel Masara
TONGAREN
May I praise God, the giver of our life. This way Tongaren Ecclesia is very strong in our faith, only waiting for our Brother Jesus to come and establish his everlasting Kingdom on this existing earth.
Yes, brother, due to the complications which affected our former address, some of the letters are being lost, possibly by the Post Master. Due to this problem Tongaren Ecclesia has opened Box 83 for faster communication for letters and other documents. All the mail sent via Box 259 has been lost.
Brother, nowadays I am having problems with reading the Bible – I need a Bible written in bigger print and in modern English – if you have such a Bible please help me. The one you sent me is printed in small letters and I have a problem reading the Bible daily according to our daily readings.
Bro. Isaac Kapa
