news from kenya

BULIMBO

Thank you for your nice letter which I received recently, and I always thank God for what He does in our lives. It is good that Bulimbo Ecclesia is now a lightstand for God's truths, and we pray that God may continue to guide us in His truth so that we may attain that coming Kingdom.

Secondly, we thank CAT for the help they have sent our Ecclesia which will help us to buy timber for making church benches and a few chairs. We are in the programme of fund-raising to buy a plot to construct the church. We are also delighted to inform you that our Bulimbo Ecclesia has increased in number and God has done greatly. This is why we have come up with this issue of purchasing a plot to build our own church. We do carry out our services under the shade of the mango trees: many people at the beginning used to discourage us because we had no meeting-place.

--Bro. Sadique Juma

BUNGOMA

I was born into a Pentecostal family and have grown as a Pentecostal since childhood until the age of twenty years, and developed an interest in Scripture while very young. Also, alas, I believed false teachings that when people die, after three days they go to heaven. Jesus now is a King in heaven and so many accept sprinkling as baptism, Hell, Satan, the Devil, Demons etc. Then I was confused and I asked myself many questions.

What made me develop is when I met Bro. Laban Kisaka and Brother Nimrody Masika and asked them many questions ­ and all were answered. That is how I started with Christadelphians. They continued to teach me many lessons which helped me to understand well. After taking the 60 lessons, my mind reflected back to when I was the Chairman of the Pentecostal Assembly and when I was teaching false doctrines. I prayed and confessed my sins and asked God to forgive me.

Then I decided to be baptised into Christ and asked Bro. Moses. Then he asked me some questions to test my readiness and invited me to attend their meetings; so after about three months I was baptized. It was Bro. George who conducted the interview: I succeeded and was baptised and given the right hand of fellowship.

--Bro. Alfred Wanyony

It is with great pleasure that we thank God for giving us the opportunity to worship and praise Him. I, of course, appreciate and consider your former help in giving us the Gospel literature we wanted, and were in need of. In fact, I send my loving greetings of joy to you all, and I hope you are happy and in good condition in the help of our Redeemer's purpose and plan.

I now would like to introduce to you my new brother in Christ, Bro. David Masika Kasili, who was baptised recently. He is interested in the Scriptures, reading very much the Gospel literature you gave.

I am pleased to assure you that the small booklets I have been receiving from the `Herald of the Coming Age' from Box 220, Findon, SA Australia, are of great value to me and my Brothers and Sisters in the Ecclesia, and so I really appreciate them and need their continuation. If available `Elpis Israel,' by Bro. John Thomas would be appreciated, to strengthen our faith.

We are taking our time, in our Ecclesia, to study the Bible diligently; `Bible Basics'; `The Real Christ' and `The Real Devil' are helping. We have put forward our present effort and practices to understand the Bible and be aware and learn from it. So far we are putting forward its exhortations and practices to our friends, so that we teach them the proper, enlightened truth of the Word of God.

--Bro. Martin Sibolo Situma

DAGO

We are quite fine here, and expecting the heavenly Kingdom to be established soon, so as to relieve mankind from the present state of problems we are encountering right now. I am glad to receive the new look, colourful Gospel News magazine.

Last year, for many it was a year when many were faced with such calamities as have never happened before. In recent years, there were problems ranging from droughts, wars, diseases, strikes, earthquakes, etc. In Kenya many families lost almost all their livestock possessions they entirely depended on for livelihood due to drought. The high cost of commodities is commonplace now and many shopkeepers are hoarding basic goods to fetch good prices. The Kenya shilling has lost value against the hard currencies. These and many other problems are clear pointers to the nearing of Christ's return to redeem the world.

--Bro. Raphael Joni Aimo

KOBUJOI

The N.E.V. New Testaments were enthusiastically received by my family members (some) and other two friends. They were all thankful for them, and I await supplies of the complete Bible.

The weather is cold and windy. We have harvested maize, but the produce was very low this season.

--Bro. Geoffrey Chirchir

MALINDI

I thank you very much for the good `seed' that you're sowing in God's vineyard and the good time you're committed for God's work: you shall be rewarded on that day, God knows your work and effort is not in vain. Keep up the good work in the Lord.

I kindly request that, if the Lord remains away for some time, God willing you come and also assist us in Kenya, particularly where I am now ­ Malindi ­ a Muslim dominated area, and Christian ­ but if he comes before your decision, then let us meet in God's Kingdom!

Also I request the following: `Bible Concordance,' `Christendom Astray,' the `Life and Work of Dr. John Thomas' and `The Parables of the Messiah.' I hope maybe you know of other good spiritual material from different authors with which you could kindly assist us.

And lastly, I am using a physiotherapy machine since my accident with a motor bike, three times per week. Please pray for me, first it was free but with every visit now it is 700/- per two hours.

--Bro. Walter Wasike

MYANGA

`The Real Devil' book and literature reached me well. I thank you very much for your help.

I thank our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for giving us a sure hope of eternal life after the resurrection and judging of the living and the dead. I do feel very happy that I am in the midst of true Brothers who hold a true faith of the Prophets and Apostles, and the good promises of God.

I want to inform you about my son Peter who died a death that can't be explained, on 25- 26.08.11. It wasn't a day our family will forget. He was 33 years old: I know he will be raised at Christ's coming. I enclose my family's picture.

--Bro. Edward Kunikina

NAITIRI

I hope you are fine. We of the Naitiri Ecclesia are very grateful and we thank all the participants who helped in the production of the New Testament Bibles. Members received them with happiness, together with friends. This has led to a shortage of these Bibles as some friends also wanted to have them.

Here in Kenya we are experiencing economic problems and we are facing this crisis which has become difficult to control. We hope that it is only God who would intervene, as our hope only lies with the Almighty God.

Brothers, according to the true teaching of the Bible about emerging false prophets, it has happened, when we heard over the media that "The day of the Lord has finally come and the world will end on 21st May 2011." This has caused a lot of panic to people, especially near to where I live. In Ezekiel 13:3, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing." Also in Matthew 24:36: "No-one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son of Man, but only the Father."

Family picture: Seated, from right to left, Bro. Edward, Cousin Joseph, my Bro. (young) Philip; Standing, from left to right,
James (my brother's son), my Cousin Barasa, my Bro. Maurice, my Nephew Emmanuel and my son Peter, who died.

So as Christians, we only believe what the Bible says, not what comes from the mouth of people who have no important mission in their lives, but to draw the attention of the world. Jesus is the only rock in a weary land. Let us not worry for the day is near, but unknown. May God bless you all.

We have finished reading the book, `The Real Christ,' and our friends are borrowing it and reading it. Please brothers, if the book, `The Real Devil' is available, help us by sending it to us so that we can be sure of Bible teaching about the real Devil. May God bless the work of your hands.

--Bro. Nasong'o Haron

The lessons that you are giving me are of great importance in my life, and these I use to teach others all about God's message and its importance. I really appreciate the effort that you are making in the ministry as a whole. If you saw some of the citizens in Kenya, you would see them trying to change, just because of the Word of God. Please send us some Bibles and Bible Companions.

--Bro. Khisah Joseph

NAKURU

The work of the Lord's vineyard in Nakuru is going on well, with two baptisms last year and one this year. We are glad that we are living in the last days and the Lord Jesus Christ can return at any time ­ that's why there is a need to be ready all the time. The Holy Bible says that neither Jesus, nor the angels know the hour, but only the Almighty God.

Did you post for me the letter I enclosed in my last letter to you? We are still experiencing high

Naitiri Ecclesia cost of living, with essential commodities prices increasing every day, but the Lord is always with us.

--Bro. Samuel Wanga

NALONDO

I appreciate your publications ­ the Gospel News amongst other literature, to enable the Word of God to be spread in many countries of the globe in many languages. I have no objection to your making any improvements in my articles which I have, or may send you for publication in the future, while our Lord is still away, and also while some of us are still alive and are in the right mind to do things for our ecclesias in the Faith of Christ.

On the New Testament which you published, it is good and convenient to carry and to read. I do support those who suggest that you produce the complete holy Bible.

--Bro. John Muyala

Nalondo Christadelphian Hall with some ecclesial members.

NDHIWA

Thank you for the dozen New Testament Bibles with study notes which we have received with a lot of enthusiasm. Our proposed idea of teaching the Gospel has started, and we have four women teenagers and three male teenagers altogether. My husband has also introduced our teaching to three of his work-mates and they are interested to join us. So I want, if God is willing, to make groups of `Mother and Baby', as well as teenage groups, and in God's mercy this group work can do even better if enough material is available. I think it is a blessing from God that when I start something it grows quickly, for I put God first. Your suggestions for this work have started bearing fruit.

What I'm wondering is, would you be able to link each of these members to personal tutors to get complete lessons? for these two guide books I have won't be enough for the members. I am still wondering how I will get enough material to get these projects going, for it seems a great challenge. Thank you for all your help. With love in the Name of our Master who is coming soon.

--Sis. Emmy Aseyo

Sister Emmy Aseyo (in red dress), with sisters

Millicent, Bonne, Margaret and Beatrice.

NDHIWA

Greetings in the loving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I give much thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus. I am praying always for you having been always exhorted by your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all faithful believers. I thank God because of the hope which is laid up for us in the heavens.

We have now a group of about 8-10 who come together weekly to study the Gospel, and it has started growing fruits. We would like to continue to learn more and more. We need your help. For this cause, do not cease to pray for us and make our request to God to fill us with the knowledge of His will in all scriptural understanding.

--Bro. Jacktone Ukiru Mlongwa

N. KINANGOP

Thank you for the book `The Real Christ' and other material. All these are deepening my faith and opening my mind to knowledge, just as the Apostle Peter states in his second letter, ch.1:5-6, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness..." Now what I request is that you send me some more Bible Basics, two for the initial church in Kinangop. I have friends who are very interested and one of them is requesting baptism, which I have to organize with other Kenyan brothers soon. We have never been granted an ecclesia in Kinangop, something which I have been looking forward to. I have been in touch with Maheru Ecclesia, which has been so costly in terms of transport.

Here in Kenya we have had a lot of changes from the civil wars. We are now in the period of new constitution implementation, which reflects a lot of changes: we are also approaching General Elections. Almost everybody is educated and understands English. It takes courage and a lot of enthusiasm to reason out the faith of Christ, regarding the Trinity. If it was not the Lord who has called me, and for sure He did, it would be difficult to survive in the Christadelphian faith, as there has never been any Christadelphian faith in my area. I call for your support now.

--Bro. Peter Njuguna

RAPOGI

I do show my appreciation for the Gospel News magazine which you have frequently sent to me, although unfortunately I did not receive the one for August. I was told that the parcel was lost on the way from the post office. I know the Lord is going to enable me to receive these again.

Generally I am constant in the Lord because your work has really showed blessings throughout the world. Nowadays I do like applying Romans chapter 13:12 which says, `The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light;' because the long awaited Master may come any time.

--Bro. Mike G.O. Juma

SINDO

We love each other because we were joined together through baptism. You accepted the message before me and on 21st August 1976, I was joined through baptism and we have remained steadfast and immovable to be strong witnesses to the truth together.

I would like to talk about love as the greatest gift our Father in heaven has revealed to us through His Son Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross and resurrection to life again. Let us look in the Bible to see how God can reveal His love versus hate, in the sense of Cain versus Abel in the book of Gen.4. God wants us to show our true love in the service we do every day ­ we are being tested to see if we love God and if God also loves us. Many people do not show their love in service, as they have their minds corrupted by an evil heart.

The God of the Bible put the two sons of Adam to a test; i.e. Cain and Abel and their sacrifices to God, to teach us that God's love must be manifested in our service. This love versus hate was shown when Cain murdered his brother Abel.

The Lord God made Adam and Eve to bring forth another seed of righteousness called Seth. Abel died in faith and will be remembered, together with men and women who were faithful to God and loved the Creator. Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts; and through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." In 1 John 3:11,12 we are told, "Love one another, for this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain who was of the evil one, and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous."

--Bro. John Owalo Onani

TONGAREN

During the quiet moment before worship one Sunday, the organist played a hymn that was new to me. I turned to the page noted the hymnal and read the words of the song, `The Lord my Shepherd guards me well,' ­ a beautiful paraphrase of Psalm 23.

No matter how often we read or hear the familiar 23rd Psalm, it seems to come to me with a fresh message of God's care for us. "Though I should walk in darkest ways through valleys like the grave, no evil shall I ever fear; your presence makes me brave; on my behalf your rod and staff assure me you will save." This message was familiar to the people who head Jesus say, `I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep' (John 10:11) Unlike a hired person who turns away from danger, the true shepherd stays with the sheep to protect them. `But a hireling, he who is not a shepherd... sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees...I am the good Shepherd; and I know my sheep.' (12-14)

No matter what you are facing today, Jesus knows your name, he knows the danger: the true shepherd stays with the sheep and he will not leave your side. You can say with confidence, `The Lord is my Shepherd, and He guards me well.' The lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to lead us.

--Bro. Isaac Kapa

Sis. Nancy Isaac, and Sis. Getquin Isaac, with Duncan, a new-born child.

TURBO

We thank you for the New Testaments and the Bible Basics. People in our area and far away have received the Truth, and it is the full Truth.

--Bro. Emmanuel Milimo