Kalenjin Bible - Bukuit NE Tilil

I got an opportunity to own a new Bible and it looks great! It is the newest production of the Kalenjin version of the Bible. The first edition was written in 1969 and they are still revising the newest edition.

I just love looking at this great Bible that has been made ready to spread the Word of God. Everyone I met likes it. The title of the Bible is "Holy Bible" or "Bukuit NE Tilil".
I love it a lot and take wherever I go.

God Bless
Jonah

JESUS CALLS THE CHILDREN (& Pastor Jonah Calls the Children's Writers)

hello friends,

it is always a great joy to see young ones coming to the saving knowledge of Christ through Vacation Bible school (VBS). this week alone we were able to reach about 100 boys and gals in the village through VBS.

in VBS we have games, songs, colouring, making puzzles and memorizing scriptures. this year our theme was God's LOVE

we divide the students into three levels:
-beginners - those in kindergarten
-lower - involves those in lower grades
-upper - those in upper grades.

we do this every vacation (when the term end's and the kids are free, like this month of December ). what a joy to see so many of them committing to serving God even in these last days.

on another matter, i will need your prayers and volunteerism (am sorry i can't pay u). i am greatly involved in writing and editing children's books. if u are gifted in writing simple children's stories, let me know (kericho120@yahoo.com). u will not need to travel over to africa (though u are most welcome). the internet is a great help.

Pokot People - Eager for the Gospel

hello,

in many instances in the Bible we have been encouraged to learn from each other. throughout the Bible from Genesis through Revelation we find that Protege's (mentors) have been build over time..... and the results of this ....is the Bible that we hold so dear today,and evangelistic messages that reached far and wide.....

we in Africa are so much grateful to the people from the west who came through the hardships of the 19th century to preach and build schools and hospitals.....for us...Through this we were able to learn something..and be who we are today...back in seminary ...we learn through the great works of Luther, John Wesley, Calvin and many others who influence today's theology ..and Evangelism. The most notable, is the one we refer to as the father of modern missions,William Carey, who influenced today's modern India to accept Christianity. This was no mean task, as he had to learn their language and write evangelistic messages that has touched the church of India and the mission world. It is from him that we got the greatest words in modern missions "Attempt Great things for God, Expect Great things From God".

this of course is a challenge to the modern church, ..we tried this a week ago by sending about 20 young people to a remote part of Kenya, called LOSAM in west Pokot (near the border of Uganda. what a challenge it was..to them..since they had never been there. but i guess they learned a lot out of the the 5 day experience living in tents....and cooking their own food......and preaching, and building a church for them.

one of the most exemplary was Thomas...who has been to the same place twice now..and always wanting to go.....He is a new Paul to me.....He loves missions and is truly called of God. Maybe one day he can be a missionary to this unreached people group.

before i end let me ask u to pray for the Pokot's need for churches to be started, need for evangelists, need for doctors, eye specialist (common ailment in this area), engineers to dig boreholes, and schools...., there is also a great need for veterinary experts.....as this is a place of so many camels, goats and cows.....Please pray.....




thanks for reading and God Bless
Jonah

Ministry and Mission Update

Dear readers,

Some time ago Pastor Jonah posted a list of immediate needs and long-term needs of the Missions of Hope. By God's grace the activities and ministries of the Missions of Hope have gone forward despite limited available resources and God is to be praised for making the way. [King James Version: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8]

Post-election violence in Kenya, which has been featured in blog posts over the past two months has put a strain on already limited resources. However, Missions of Hope stands on the power of prayer and God Almighty to continue the work for the Kingdom. [King James Version: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 3:4]

All parts of the body of Christ are needed in this Kingdom effort. Men and women of God in Kenya will labour and do the physical and evangelistic work on the ground. Others around the world are welcome to support them by prayer and finances and other creative ways as the Lord leads, and God will give the increase. [King James Version: So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7]

If you feel God speaking to you about any of the needs described below, we ask you to contact Pastor Jonah. Contact information is located in the column on the right side of the blog under "Donate".

[New International Version: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 and I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 1:4-7].

May God bless and keep you.

PJ

King James Version: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 58

Ministry and Missions Needs - Missions of Hope

Total costs for all areas of need have been given and are based on projections made in Fall 2007. Any amount that God lays on your heart is welcome. Small funds from many people can be joined together to deal with the most urgent projects such as crop planting, medicines, basic food stuffs and school uniforms. Perhaps there are others who are able to fund specific projects in whole. We only ask that you ask God to lead you in these areas of giving.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

URGENT: Rent & plant 4 hectares of land for corn growth, harvest, storage, sale and use $360./yr for 1 hectare. Total Annual Need: $1440

Update: Corn was harvested in September 2007 and a smaller interim crop of potatoes was then planted. Corn was not sold as originally hoped since the price of corn was low. Instead we used it to assist the caretakers in feeding the orphans. Our storehouse is now empty and it is time once again for corn planting. The funds are for land rental, fertilizer and seeds.

URGENT: Plant interim crops (cabbages, potatoes) after corn harvest. Total Annual Need: $600

Update: A smaller sum than the total need was received and potatoes were planted, harvested and distributed to the orphans and widows. The orphans assisted in harvesting the potatoes. We hope to plant interim crop(s) again in future after the corn has been harvested and prepared for storage.

URGENT: Pastoral support - $100 min. - $200./mo. Total Annual Need: $1200-$2400.

Update: We need 1-2 faithful supporters for the pastor so that he can provide for his extended family and have the support needed to carry on the work of the Kingdom without concern over meeting daily food and other needs.

In North America, congregations generally support the pastors by providing salary and bonuses (sometimes called love offerings or gifts commemorating special events and milestones). In Africa, especially in rural areas, it must be remembered that congregants, though they do give to the churches do not have the resource capacity to meet their own needs, the needs of the pastors, churches and evangelism efforts. Unless you have travelled and lived in the community for awhile, it is also difficult to understand that though some costs in Africa are lower than they are in North America, in times of peace, these costs are still too high for the average African. In times of crisis, food and daily survival costs increase greatly, making it even more important to send international aid.

URGENT: Monthly support $50/ per child to cover cost of school fees and supplies, medicine and clothes. Annual cost $600/ per child. Total Annual Need: $24,000 (40 children @ $600).

Update: At present there are no monthly supporters to cover the costs associated with school fees/uniforms, supplies, medicine and clothing. Caretakers are thus supporting these children out of their own limited resources. This is indeed sacrificial giving in service to the orphans.

Recently, the Kenyan government made changes to enable school children in public schools to attend school without paying tuition fees, but the children still require uniforms, school supplies and daily food before they can attend school and be ready for learning. Depending on enrollment rates, location, etc., some students attend private schools if their caretakers are able to pay the funds. Often they fall into arrears and the children must drop out for a time.

The post-election crisis has meant that some children we are trying to serve have dropped out of school. Some try to work before they have acquired sufficient skills. In other sad cases, some children begin to sell their bodies to make money for food. This entire issue is in very great need of prayer. We do our best to provide counsel and support to the children and caretakers but they require specific kinds of counselling and other assistance, which is more than we can provide. We continue to do what we can as we must not allow the enemy to destroy the lives of these children and their caretakers. There are actually more orphans and families that we work with now than when we compiled this budget. If we can secure even some of this need, it would be a great blessing to the children and families.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Clean water - Hand Dug Well and Pump Well (cost varies).

Update: No funds have been received for digging another well. At present, the local villagers who need water use the one well where Pastor Jonah lives. If you can partner with the mission to dig one or more wells, or know of an organization that can provide the funding and know how to do so, please let us know.

Cows - Total Need: $900 for 1 cow. Total One-Time Need: $3600 for 4 Grade cows (for milk production).

Update: No funds have been received for this need. The plan is to purchase a few cows and distribute the milk between multiple families in the village.

Motorcycle - More reliable than a bicycle for travelling the muddy hills and roads of the area. Total One-Time Need: $3500

Update: Ministry transportation needs continue to be met by walking and taking a matatu or bus for longer journeys. When the weather permits the bicycle is used, but this is very difficult due to the hills and mud which often do not fully dry out between rains. We pray for someone to bless Pastor Jonah with a motor bike; the preferred mode of transportation for pastors in the Kericho area because you can travel to places you cannot walk or pedal. In the longer term, it is also much cheaper to run a motor bike than it is to hire cars and taxis or purchase a car.

Pit Latrines - $60 each for 35 houses of orphan caretakers. Total One-Time Need: $2100

Update: We have not yet been able to meet this need. Besides good drinking water and food, pit latrines are needed for basic sanitation and hygiene. The number of orphans and caretakers (total households) has increased considerably since September 2007. We would like to complete pit latrines with a portion of these households, and eventually all of them, as the Lord provides.

URGENT: Vacation Bible School - December 2007 Total Quarterly Need $500. Next VBS - March/April 2008

Update: Funds were not received for the Vacation Bible School (VBS) that was held in December. We have been holding VBS on a quarterly basis for the past several years and this December it almost did not happen. By God's grace, we were able to continue with VBS for the students of the local Rehabilitation School because of the student teachers at Kenyan Highlands Bible College who offered sacrifices of time and resources to teach.

The last fully funded VBS was held in August 2007. We pray for the funds to run a full VBS in March/April 2008 as this event is one of the key evangelistic outreaches to children and young people. These young ones would not otherwise hear the word of God and have an opportunity to see, hear and be loved, by Christian role models in the community.

VBS lasts for one week and funds cover the purchase, development and preparation of teaching materials for approximately 170 children, modest lodgings and meals for the teachers (as they generally do not live in Kericho but come from the surrounding region), a small honorarium for each teacher, replacement of soccer balls for the play time, and a small graduation and closing celebration at the end of the week.

LONG TERM NEEDS:

Grace House Construction (Kericho, Kenya) - $25,000-30,000

Update: None. Grace also needs additional donors to care for the orphans under her care.

Land purchase (Kericho, Kenya) - $20,000 for 1 hectare - $80,000 for 4 hectares.

This is a key missing component of the vision for the ministry to youth in our village. We are praying for the land need to be met soon. This land will be used to construct a Rescue Centre for wayward boys. We would appreciate your prayers and support. Once we have the land we will need funds for the structure to be built.

School Construction (Kericho, Kenya) - $25,000-30,000

Update: None. For the present time, children attend government and private schools.

As you can see, there are many plans underway. We believe in God for seed and the harvest. Thank you for your part in praying and sharing these needs.

A Future and a Hope

Hello,

We have been visiting internally displaced




people over the past few days. And the picture we got through these field visits was horrifying. Please think of these (internally displaced) people ........in your prayers.....everyday (displaced persons tent camp above).




We took blankets for the people as it is cold here (about 8 degrees celsius). People sleep outside, so in addition to the temperature being cold, the ground is hard to sleep and sit on.




We also took cooking items such as plates, cups and thermoses and other essentials like spoons, etc. Enjoy the pics and keep praying for these dear friends, brothers and sisters, who have been internally displaced here in Kenya.



Because He lives
Jonah


Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Are you a Babe or an Adult?

"I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:12-14

These verses illustrate how there are babes (babies) in Christ, as well as grown ups in Christ. At the beginning of our Christian walk we are all babies as we are "new creatures" in Christ, so we feed on milk or easily digestible teachings until we grow stronger. Gradually, and as we are willing to spend time with God and learn from his Word, we mature in our Christian walk to the point where we are fully grown. We can then take solid food and instruction and learn to discern both good and evil so that we can learn to be overcomers of evil, rather than to be overcome of evil. The learning process does not stop.

Growth generally requires trial and error and sometimes great pain, as we go through the refinement process to become perfected as the Bride of Christ. Years ago, I learned a wonderful hymn, the words to which helped me to comprehend that the refinement process is a natural part of our growth even when it hurts. The words are "Some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood. Some in great sorrow but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long."

I desire to be fully grown in Christ, not forever a babe. Sometimes that means being brutally honest with oneself and with others, but only in love and for the point of growth - not for judging. Judgement and revenge are up to God not to us. Sometimes too it is challenging when another does not see our words and/or actions as loving or they believe that we are outside of what they feel is God's purpose in our lives. It is important, very important as individual Christians to seek God's purpose in both our words and our actions and ensure they line up with his Word. If they do not, we need to revise ourselves, but ultimately we are accountable to God and not to man. Each of us will stand before the throne of God some day and give an account for everything we have said and done. Remember that God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). He loves us so much.

How about you today? Have you been challenged in your Christian walk when you realize you are not perfect? Are you able to accept God's unfailing love and realize that he does not condemn you but his greatest desire is that you might grow up in Christ and be an overcomer? None of us is perfect, least not I and I've been made aware of my imperfections so many times. That is why I need God so much. Iam totally nothing without Him and I long to have Him embrace me and show me his boundless love.

My prayer is that I can learn to completely lean on God for direction and guidance, love and instruction each day. I want to move forward to fulfil His calling in my life because I have learned that His way is always better than my way. Trust me, that lesson did not come easy. For me, that call includes, helping the orphans and widows in Africa though I also try to do my bit here, closer to home. I'd like to encourage you in your walk and let you know that God loves you. He loves you so much that he sent his son to die for you and he has a plan for your future which is greater than any plan you could make for yourself. I also encourage you to lean on Him for whatever it is that He has called you to do today.

"Abba Father, thank you for bearing our sorrows and our sins and dying on the cross to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you so much for your Word, your daily provision and for the love and mercy you show us each day.

I pray that your Word would lead us into truth, righteousness and the ability to discern both good and evil, so that we might stand strong in the last days.

Bless those who read this blog. Speak to and comfort each one Lord, in their specific areas of need and in the deepest part of their hearts. Whatever their need is Lord, whether it be for food and shelter, health, love, peace, security, joy, employment, finances, forgiveness, salvation, for a broken heart or spirit, or whatever else it might be. Oh God, speak to them and let them know of your boundless love for them. Draw them closer to you so they might find shelter, hope and a renewed spirit.

Bring peace to the Nations of the world wherever there is strife, including Kenya, Lord. Show your people that you are strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward you. Let your people know that you and your heavenly army are with them, and for them. Guide the rest of us to pray and to do as your spirit leads, so that your Kingdom may come and your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I ask, Amen."

Sis PJ

Bible Studies in Revelation

I trust and hope that all of you are doing great!! This week I spent 3 days studying God's word at the famous Tea Hotel in Kericho, Kenya. I was in the Bible class with senior pastors from the churches here in Kericho and it was exciting to get to interact with them and get to know one another better. I loved getting to know other people who are fighting the good fight. It seems that I was the youngest of the group.

Our teacher, Miles is from Calvary Church in Sonora, California (http://www.ccsonora.com/). He was teaching on the books of John and Revelation. I loved studying about the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation. What I found interesting is that of the 7 churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, only the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia were not condemned. We need to try as much as we can to reflect on the characteristics of these churches and aspire to be like them. We also learned about the interelationship of these churches and the 7 great parables of Christ in Matthew 13.

It was a great time of study in God's word and I count it a great joy that I could sit under this great teacher and learn from him. I really admired his grasp of the word of God though I was not able to spend much one on one time with him. I was also delighted and blessed to be able to to stay at the tourist hotel...for a while!!, I loved it so much since it is very hard to stay in such a place as it is expensive for us here in Kenya. That is my update for now. God bless and we covet your prayers. Brother Jonah