news from kenya
AHERO
Formerly, for reasons of self-preservation, Israel had shown reluctance to implement the UN Resolution 242, that required the nation to withdraw from Arab-occupied territories. Now how safe are they to move from the West Bank? Surely, the Jews’ enormous sins are the main cause of their calamities. The happenings today are sure signs of Christ’s return. You have these in your press statements of killings in Iraq, terrorist attacks in London, the threats of war between President Bush and North Korea, the floods hitting India. Surely people are fearful and afraid of current developments, but to us who understand the significance of Bible prophecy, look upon the scene with hope.
Bro. Lawrence M. K’owiti
BUNGOMA
I am happy to write to you to say I have received your letter, Bible Basics and Gospel News. The messages you expressed were welcome and gave me much impetus. Actually, brother, I went through your letter and find that there are terrorist attacks in England but there were no Christadelphian casualties, surely that shows that God is with us. So please, wherever you are, pray to God always, don’t give up. I am also trying, up and down, to work for God. Please brother I would like to request that if you can find a Bible and other books, please can you help me.
Bro Anasetus Khaenba
We are married and have one son. We have a hope in Israel’s hope, we have hope in Christ as our future King. Our brother, we appreciate what you have done to our brothers and sisters in Kenya by communicating with them. We have borrowed some books from them like Bible Basics and Gospel News and gone through all those books and we are interested also to have a copy to make us achieve more through the books. Brother Anasetus has played a big role through lending us his books and teachings, so we decided to communicate with you. If you are in a position to communicate with us we shall really appreciate it, we are waiting for our Lord Jesus to come back.
Bro. Boniface and Sis. Irene Juma
No words are enough and appropriate to express how happy we are for having received more than twenty English and Kiswahili Bible Basics, copies of Bible reader’s calendar, a copy of the ‘Death of the Cross’, ‘Antichrist and the Battle of Armageddon’, ‘Christ’s death and your salvation’, ‘Why should a righteous man die?’, ,’Do Christians need prophecies today?’, copies of ,Present Day Events,. Actually this was like a dream to us and we could not believe our eyes. We are very grateful. Through this literature most of our questions have been swept away and of course doubting Thomases have now acquainted themselves with the content of the true doctrine. These have also served as a catalyst for the rapid spread of the gospel as they have been widely distributed and carefully utilised, not only for discussion’s sake but with knowledge of the final judgement if at all we fail to act accordingly – in trying to keep this it has resulted in the baptism of Bro. John Makhino on 10th July 2005, while others are still in the Bible Class. We are also expecting some more converts from Narok who we have supplied with some literature.
We cannot also forget to register our sincere thanks for a very interesting copy of “How to grow a balanced diet”. We have already begun to put into practice what it contains. Many in the society are willing to join us in identification and cultivation of various crops which, after feeding them best nutrients, can lead to good health. We are hoping for better results as time goes by.
In the western part of the country, particularly Bungoma where we stay, the weather conditions are favourable for survival of both animals and plants. This encourages farming which is normally carried out on a small scale. Lack of capital and improved farming techniques and machines are the major problems facing us. In these parts children normally suffer from multi-nutritional diseases resulting from the lack of a balanced diet in their bodies. From an analysis done some exchange their animal products for grains claiming that they are storable for quite a good period of time, hence feeding their children on only carbohydrates. Despite the fact that seminars have been held to discuss this issue, this has been an endless habit amongst our people. We believe the books you mentioned which deal with farming and places with no doctors can be the best to solve our problems and we shall be extremely happy to reveive.
We are equally happy with the work of supplying Gospel News magazine, together with other literature, especially the ones we received recently. We must admit that they are of great value and meaningful to us. Through them we get to know how events are occurring worldwide in the fulfilment of the Scriptures and at the same time get to know how the gospel is spreading worldwide resulting in the increased number of Christadelphians, which signifies that the required figure of the saints will soon be accomplished, hence leading to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. We also get to see how the biblical pregnant statements give birth whereby we get answers to our various questions.
Bro. Nimrod Masika
The apostle John says “I had many things to write but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. But I hope to see you shortly and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.” (3 John v 13-14). For me I can better express my fellowship and my respect for each other through writing and communicating to you with pen and ink. Shortly before his death, Jesus Christ prayed these words: “And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” John 17:3. This shows that there is only one true God. Therefore life with God is eternal. To share such life with God, Jesus said, one must know God. Now I am looking forward to continuing searching the scripture because of the lessons you have given me. In our ecclesia we have monthly Bible study which I hope will be facilitated through Bible Basics. Therefore brother, I am requesting any book that is available.
Bro. George Maina Wabwile
CHWELE
Thanks a great deal for your endless organization dedicated to promoting creative use of the Gospel News media in Bible teaching. You have done a great work to make me understand what God wants me to do and believe as we wait for the Lord’s return. “There is neither salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). I’m willing to assist my friends, sisters and brothers as other ecclesial brothers do over the world but we are all orphans. May the Lord bless Bro Joshua Kisuya who has stayed with me in his home for five years. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17). Am I correct? A true brother must be born in three waysLa)- In body; (b):- In water; (c)- In spirit at Christs coming.
Bro. Geoffrey Wanyama
KAKAMEGA
Warmest greetings of love and peace in Christ. I was pleased to receive copies of Bible Basics in Kiswahili language which you sent me by sea mail. They took long to arrive but arrived safely. I have distributed five copies to a prison camp and two copies to interested friends and kept a copy for myself and my wife. I am now requesting copies of ‘Where There Is No Doctor’. I intend to supply the books to a women’s group in my area who have a thirst for the word of God and give a copy to the prison camp.
Bro. Gibson A. Azera
KITALE
The ecclesia is the pillar and support of the Truth, whose mission is in divers ways to make known the manifold wisdom of the Deity to all to whom it can find, “being instant in season and out of season”, which implies that instruction to unbelievers by precept or example is at all times in place. “In understanding be men” “What concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath a believer with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of the Deity with idols? Manifestly none. “therefore come out from among them,” Belial infidels and idolators, “and be ye separate and touch not the unclean.” This we do when obeying the Truth, we purify our souls or “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.” We begin to do this when we become sons and daughters of the Father by adoption through Jesus. As the adoption in hope of the redemption of the body, we come out from the Gentiles and constitute a separate people for His name. We decline to touch the unclean, the fornicators and adulterers of the world, nor in any of our enterprises will we be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
Sis. Lydia Fuchaka
KITISE
Here at Kitise we are fine and thanks for the books that you send, mostly the one which is called “Where there is no doctor”. Those books give good intelligence and are understandable. If possible could you send a dictionary to help us understand when reading. Here we go on spreading the Gospel, waiting and looking forward to the coming of our Saviour.
Bro. Daniel Maingi
KOBUJOI
I so much appreciate the book “Teach me Thy Way” and the other smaller pamphlets on topical subjects. “How To Grow A Balanced Diet” has reached me safely. It is a very useful book. The Bible Reading Calendar has been very good. Each year I raise casava and a few sweet potatoes to be used during the dry season. Thankfully in the area where I stay drought has not been serious. Cases of hunger and people lacking food here has been mostly attributed to negligence in the agricultural sector as many folk usually turn to ‘empty’ talking during times of plenty only to be caught when the dry season comes in. Great spiritual lessons are to be taken in here: we should learn to use our time wisely in taking in the food of life whilst the opportunity is still here. When time of ‘drought’ comes, we should blame ourselves. God willing, I hope to get engaged to a lady before the year ends, it has been very difficult to get a suitable sister for a wife. The notes on the signs of the times are very interesting, thanks for the copy.
Bro. Geoffrey Chirchir
MATUU
I am writing to inform you that I have received all materials sent to me. Thank you very much for everything, especially for the new Bible. Thank you very much for counting me among others to whom you did the same. May the Lord God bless you and the service you are offering to not only brethren but also to friends, especially in Africa. The two health books seem to be very nice and will help many people. This shows exactly that you are bothering with the health of people so that the spiritual food you are providing to them may flourish in healthy bodies. I request some more Bible Basics of Kikuyu, Kikamba and Kiswahili if you have them.
Bro. Lazarus M. King’oo
MBITA
I am very happy to say that I got your letter and I was very thankful for that and let God be a guide to all our Christadelphian brothers and sisters around the world because they rely on faith and truth. I encourage you to carry on sending me Gospel News and other pamphlets to help me understand the Bible because our beliefs and our faith are quite different from other denominations. We as Christadelphians believe that when we die we must wait for the coming of Jesus and the resurrection. Other people think that after death they go to heaven, which is not even written in the Bible. How can we spread the Gospel through Gospel News? Let all of us go to Scripture reading daily and refer to what we have read and make use of those readings. In our areas as Christadelphians we are getting news from our neighbours in other countries because we are reading Gospel News. I ask others to take this opportunity to take time to spread the word of God to local people in their areas in order to work for the free gift of the coming Kingdom of God which will be set up on earth very soon.
Bro. Jared Oketch
When Jesus taught people 2000 years ago he spoke of the “harvest” of the world. Just as there is a time limit for crops, then they are harvested, so the world’s time will soon be up. The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus Christ will soon return to set up God’s Kingdom on earth, reigning from Jerusalem. This is the true and wonderful hope of the Bible and the only hope for a world in chaos. From Bible prophecy we know that Christ’s return is very near. Micah 4:4, “They shall sit every man under his vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid.” Isaiah 35:1 “The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” Amos 9:13, “The ploughman shall overtake the reaper.”
Bro. Daniel Ogembo Oliech
MIWANI
I have peace with my God.
I thank the Lord and Bro George Ndiege, Bror Alex Abuya and Sisr Pensillah Abuya for encouraging me and my wife Sis Jane Omuny, to start Miwani Ecclesia in Masago village. Even though we are small in number, we are to stand for the truth and will witness in the world. I am requesting you to send me Bible Basics to help me in my teaching and preaching.
Bro Pete. and Sis Jane Omuny
Photo: Bro. Peter and Sis Jane Omuny
MOMBASA
Many thanks for the encouraging letter and the two enclosed booklets. It is really good to read the testimonies of our beloved. It uplifts us when other people receive the good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.I really enjoyed the books. I thanked God our Father for Veronica’s faith to understand the true scriptures of the Bible. As Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim 3:16,17, she connected to and understood the word of God by herself by reading. By that time God had arranged for George to help her to understand more. As I was reading, going on to a point of baptism, I felt as if I was there at that time of her confession – and the act of baptism. Although she was suffering from pains in her chest, she afterwards slept in the faith of resurrection, when our Lord Jesus will come back. I learned and enjoyed the book “A Woman’s Place?” I think that debate musthave been very interesting to the listeners. I learned much about how we brothers can take our role and time to teach our wives and sisters without fear, so that they may be on the foundation of the scriptures. In our country some sectors of religions have made some of the women ‘Lay’ readers, Pastors and evangelists, contrary to the word of God. It is very open and clear in 2 Tim 2:12 that a woman should not have any authority over man (a brother) but be silent and learn with all subjection v 11.
In the book of Romans 12:21-32: “They knew God, but they didn’t glorify Him or thank Him as their Creator. Instead they were foolish in their hearts and did all bad habits as they liked. For this cause, God left them in their foolishness and dishonoured their own bodies (verse 24). From these verses we know that it is really the ending of times. So we believers should be near our God by prayer, reading the Bible (His word) and help each other. Help me by sending me some books and encouraging me in your letters.
I will be grateful and thankful if you send me the Debate on A Woman’s Place? As you first wrote me to write to Australia about receiving Present day Events, I regularly receive 20 copies for our ecclesia, also with GPL Middle East Update – I am really thankful for that. I have learned much about Mid/East. In our Mombasa Ecclesia, we have a Bible Study, teaching our friends the Basic lessons before the memorial service.
Edward Kunikina
MUHORONI
Thank you very much for your letter and a good pamphlet, Do Christians Need Prophets Today? It was very helpful. We are building an ecclesial hall at Songhor East following our request during the CBM Annual General Meeting. We got some help and the hall is now at lintel level. We were in a position to build a temporary structure but following the strength we got from brothers and sisters in UK Songhor East Ecclesia will be a permanent meeting hall. 1 Kings 6:11-13. In Songhor East Ecclesia we are five brothers, four sisters, fourteen Sunday School children and seven friends. We are doing Bible Study weekly and we are at an advanced stage to open another ecclesia in Miwani.
Bro. George Stanley Ndiege
NDALU
I would first like to take this opportunity to thank the Almighty for His love to us all. Through you I received my reading glass and I was very happy that day, now I am reading Gospel News well. I pray our Lord God that CAT may keep on helping other brothers and sisters who have that problem. Again, in the name of Jesus, can you send more books and Bible Basics in Kiswahili. I pray that God will bless you. Let us encourage each other in good deeds and be strengthened in the Word.
Bro. John Masiki
NDHIWA
Very warm greetings in the Name of the King of Kings. I am alwaysvery pleased to hear from you. I always say thank you for Gospel News when I receive it. Bro. Marcus, I do just remind you of the book Where there is no Doctor which I requested you to send me, I have hope that you will send me one, God willing. Could you run a few articles on health care?. There is a sister who would like to be put on your isolation list?
Bro. Lenard Mboya Lar
PALA-SARE
Outside the city of Jerusalem there was a little garden called Gethsemane. Here Jesus and his disciples often went and spent hours in prayer to God. When, after the last supper, Judas went to betray Jesus to the Jewish priests, Jesus led his disciples along to the garden of prayer. His disciples were weary and sad and fell asleep. Alone in the darkness, whilst his disciples slept, Jesus suffered great agony of heart as He prayed for strength to face His cross and His death. Upon his perfect life was to fall the unclean and dreadful sin of the whole wicked human race. As the Lamb of God, he was to be God’s sacrifice to take away sin and open the way of salvation. Your sin and mine was on Him too. It was as he prayed that Judas brought soldiers of the Jewish High Priest into the garden and by kissing his Master he made it clear to the soldiers which one of the band was Jesus, so that they could arrest him. Peter tried to defend the Lord by using his sword and slashed off a man’s ear, but Jesus told him to put his sword away and he healed the man’s wound. “Who are you looking for?” said Jesus to the High Priest’s servants. “Jesus of Nazareth”, they replied. Then Jesus said “I am he” and the men immediately fell backwards. When the soldiers had recovered themselves, he let them lead him away to the High Priest. What a terrible thing Judas did to betray Jesus. To be a hypocrite, to say we love Christ, whilst in our hearts we love only ourselves, our money and our sin, is to be a modern Judas. What causes this betrayal? Money! Money is what Judas received. Many commit this terrible crime. Professing to be of Christ’s disciples, they live like Judas, a religious life. They mix with Christian people and share in Christian work, but their hearts deceive themselves and others. But they cannot deceive God and one day they can be sure their sin will find them out.
Sis. Dorine A. Mboya
SUNA
Thanks for the Bible received, It’s a good one, I like it very much. I’m very thankful for the Gospel News received regularly, it is a spiritual junction where brethren all over the world meet spiritually, when they strengthen each other through preaching, testimonies and other introductions. May all powers, praise and glory be to our Almighty God, the God of Moses, for His everlasting love to mankind. God makes ways where there is no way. Exodus 14:15-16. He has stretched His mighty hand of deliverance in the Islamic country of Pakistan to make and set them free. I am still praying for others who are in Iran and other Islamic republics. Please may you try to find and send me a book entitled “Captive Conscience”, God willing. It will be a blessing to me.
Bro. Lucas Omboro
TONGAREN
God is at work. Tongaren Ecclesia is becoming the centre of translating Christadelphian literature into local languages, so it will have its office built in the ecclesial plot, of which I will be proud. I have translated as many books as I can, some are being printed in UK and some are still waiting to be sent to UK for printing. Recently I received some more booklets for translation from various brothers and sisters in UK, which means they have need of the translation project to be in existence. For these I praise God in heaven who has enabled such a marvellous project to be done in Tongaren; this will be of benefit to our generation and future generations to come, if Jesus’ coming is delayed.
Bro. Isaac Sikolia Kapa
After reading Bible Basics from my friend I was very willing to follow very closely and to learn more from it. May you therefore send me a copy of the book Bible Basics in English, if available. I look forward to receiving this and wish God to make me one of His little flock. God bless you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Mr Michael Soita
WEBUYE
The main aim of writing to you is to ask you to send me the book “Where there is no doctor.” It is a very good book to read, especially ‘First Aid’ when an accident has occurred and there is no doctor around. I also need more key cards, they are very interesting indeed for me. I have an eye problem;, I cannot get anything to to prevent them from irritation.
Margaret Shikuku
