Gospel News — Sep-Dec 2012

20

The Importance of Remembrance

Bro Emmanuel Milimo (Turbo, Kenya)

How many times do you use the excuse, `I can't remember'? Yet, strangely, we can remember small, unimportant things, but the more serious matters we seem to forget. There is an important reason for this. It is so easy to remember those things that appeal to us most, such as a promised reward or holiday – but it requires great effort and determination to remember something we may not like to do, especially little tasks our parents or brothers and sister, have asked us to perform. This is why people generally remember so little about God and His word.

There is nothing that can compare to the enjoyment that God has promised to those who are faithful. But He has linked with the gospel, certain commandments which do not appeal to human nature, and so people prefer not to make an effort to keep in mind God's teachings. The Bible records are interesting illustrations of this. In the time of Moses when the Israelites were cruelly treated being under bondage in Egypt, they had enjoyed good food and seeming security in that land. Then when God delivered them from Egyptian bondage, He performed many mighty miracles, and promised that if His people would remember His works and commandments, they would inherit the land of Canaan – a land much more fruitful than Egypt. To get to this land they had to experience difficulty (Numbers 11:5; Psalm 106:13,21). Because they made no effort to remember God and His works, they were not allowed to enter the glorious land of promise.

We must learn the importance of remembering the good works that God has done for us, in calling us to join fellowship with His only begotten Son, that we may inherit eternal life in the everlasting kingdom to come on the earth. God is pleased to offer salvation and the joys of this coming kingdom to those who make an effort to remember His word

and to perform His commandments (1 Cor 15:1,2). The only way we can remember the gospel is by reading the Bible daily. We read and we make sure that we are proclaiming the coming kingdom of joy to our friends.

Cassava: A Reliable Crop Amid Climate Variability

Many people in Kenya grow their own food, selling their surplus to earn money. But in arid and semi-arid areas, seasonal rainfall patterns result in water scarcity during dry periods. This can leave communities dependent on emergency food relief.

After the severe drought in 2008/09, many farmers reverted to traditional crops such as cassava, millet and sweet potatoes. These crops take little time to mature and can sustain families during long droughts.

Cassava, which is high in carbohydrates, feeds many families. It is very versatile; the root can be eaten raw or cooked, milled into flour for Ugali and bread, or processed into chips. And the leaves can also be eaten, providing proteins, vitamins A and B and other minerals. Cassava can grow in low nutrient soils because of its massive leaf production; the leaves drop to the ground forming organic matter and recycling soil nutrients. It also uses less water than maize.

Farming cassava in Mutomo

Rainfall in Mutomo, Eastern Kenya, has been scarce over the last few years. Under these conditions, maize – the primary crop – failed and left many families without food or income.

The organization `Revitalisation of Indigenous Initiatives for Community Development' (RINCOD) carried out needs assessments in 2009. During these, community groups agreed to start the Mutomo Cassava Production and Processing Association (MUKAPA). The project involves more than 100 households and has established high-yielding, disease and drought resistant cassava varieties developed