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

Motorbikes in Kenya

Africa is now getting the largest number of three wheelers, tuktuks, and motorbikes than any other continent with the exception of Asia. Kenya is not left behind.

In my recent travels to Nairobi and Kisumu, I have witnessed hundreds of motorbikes all over the cities. People really like them since they are fast and efficient. The danger though is that they carry loads of passengers beyond capacity thus endangering the lives of many.

[Caption: Motorbike taxi in use.]

The Indian makes of Bajaj, and TV's motorbikes are now the favorite motorbikes due to their low cost ($1000) and they take little gas. The models from China are Focin, Sach, Piaggio.

We feel this trend toward motorbikes is progress and taxi's of all kinds are welcome here.

[Caption: A long line of motor bike taxis.]

Have a great day and enjoy the pictures.

Witnessing to the Muslims

Hello,

This week, we have been praying for Muslims in our community and we tried to reach them wherever they are at in schools and homes, etc. We even tried to visit hospitals to minister to them.

We could not find them in most of the neighborhoods so we headed to the school they started in our community of Kericho, Kenya. Wow! the school has been closed for lack of students! Though the school is well built and cost million to set up, it seems the community has said no to sending their children there in spite of their poverty.

This has really encouraged my soul as I see that the work we have been doing has borne fruit. We will keep moving in the same speed to reach others who are hidden even here in the slums of Kericho.

Continue praying for us as it is a daunting task. Please view more photos in the album below.

Jonah

P.S. I was encouraged by this article in the news today about the US army ministries to the Afghan muslims. I really like their mission and attitude. The title is witness for Jesus in Afghanistan

A Quick Trip to Nairobi

Hello,

I took a short trip to the city of Nairobi to do some business related to my trip to South Africa in June 2009.

I was privileged to visit some of the places I haven't been to in a long while, like Midlands in Nakuru & Sandton Hotel in Nairobi. I was able to sample pizza again at the Pizza Inn and I didn't forget the Good Shepard Church I was able to attend.

[Caption: Spanish Omelette @ Midlands Hotel.]

[Caption: Sandton Hotel in Nairobi.]

[Caption: It's nice to have a pizza treat.]

[Caption: My church away from home.]

It was all fun. But it is a long road trip from Kericho to Nairobi. I was able to get all the right connections which made it easier.

Enjoy the pics.

God bless.
Jonah

Meeting in Tenwek

This week has been a bit busy. We attended a meeting in Tenwek, that was meant to encourage us and teach us about the new things that are coming up, things like the challenges for the church in the coming years. We realize that the church as whole is facing grave challenges in these last days.

We heard of the church in China & India and the weak church growth in Europe. We felt that our prayers are very much needed in the Arab world too. Overall, we felt this was a great conference of learning about the challenges of the world church & a time to encourage one another and be encouraged.

Continue to pray for Africa too as the church here has really been weakened by teachings that are not 'of the Lord' and we really need prayer support to overcome this. We thank you for your prayers.

Because He lives
Jonah

The Loss of a Bright Kalenjin Light

EMO society chairman, James Kiprop Bett died. See the news story here http://www.emosociety.org/

He died after his car hit buffalo's on the way to Nairobi. He was with his family and I know them personally.

A fundraiser was held this afternoon to cover medical and funeral expenses, and I attended, though we were disturbed a lot by the rain. The burial has been set for this Saturday.

James was born in 1966 and is one of the Kalenjin community's leaders. The Kalenjin is also my tribe and his life has really impacted me in a positive way.

I am thinking of attending his funeral in Eldoret on Saturday.

Please continue to pray for this family and the Kalenjin community as whole, as we come to terms with the loss of a young and great leader.

God bless.
Jonah

God Gives Good Seeds

From God Gives Good Seeds

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Here is a picture of a village farmer who has been a bit late in planting. He has not been able to plant on time, but he is still praying and hopeful that he will be able to plant.

From God Gives Good Seeds

From God Gives Good Seeds

He needs lots of help. He works during the night as a watchman, but all his kids are in high school. This means it takes a lot of money to pay for their high school fees, school uniforms and supplies and he has been defeated in getting enough extra money to plant the farm. He came to me thinking i would be able help. this was very hard for me as I could not help him.

From God Gives Good Seeds

God bless,
Jonah

Words from our Patron: April 20,2009

The contributions of just a few giving servants will make a huge difference to whether this family eats for an entire year. They will plant a few hectares to feed the family so the price of fertilizer and seeds adds up and is too much to be met by their meagre incomes. When the people harvest the corn, some of the corn will be kept for food needs and some will be sold to help buy other necessities. The villagers mostly have land but no assets and no way to borrow due to lack of adequate or consistent income.

Many Hands make light Work. Because it is but little to every one.

[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 244]

Just as the Scottish Proverb tells us that many hands make light work, many donors of small gifts can make the burden lighter on everyone. As an example,

if six (6) givers gave @ $20/each that would make $120. If five (5) givers gave @ $25/each it would make a total of $125. Combined with what I have already sent, this farmer and all of his family members would be able to eat next year.

Think about it saints, what will $20 buy you in terms of your own food needs for an entire year and see if this gift would be a good use of your money. Even children and teenagers can afford this kind of gift (apportioned over the year). Parents you could think of making a good teaching lesson for your children on serving others and giving in foreign lands.

If there are more givers, that would be welcome as there more families who could use the assistance. I just don't want people to be discouraged and think that their small gifts do not make a difference because they really do! It is not the amount that counts but the heart of the giver and the number of givers toward the same cause.

Pastor Jonah & Brother Thomas have been overwhelmed this year with the number of needs for planting, for school & related needs and for medical needs. We can help to bear their burdens when it comes to planting, evangelism, medicine, latrines, stoves, clean water, etc. There is also a bank account waiting to be grown to meet the school needs for next term. We need your help.

I know there are many thoughts on giving and many people have their own pet charities. I want to share what I found on one excellent website about giving. This website dealing comprehensively with different questions about giving in a biblical and principled way. It deals with questions about giving for those who are on social assistance, unemployed or in debt. I found the website a useful resource and wanted to share this excerpt with you.

"God teaches us that we do... owe the poor, although not in the way we might think. In God’s economy, serving those in need is serving him, and failing to serve those in need is failing to serve him (Matthew 25:31-46). Romans 13:8 says to owe no debt to others except love, and Jesus teaches that loving others means caring for them in the same way we would want to be loved. How would we want to be cared for if we were poor and needy while others were rich? Clearly, we would want help getting our basic needs met. If this weren’t clear enough, Jesus makes the same point in story form in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In short, providing care for the physically and emotionally wounded; being a parent to an orphan or unwanted child; providing job training and economic empowerment; and providing emergency relief after famine, war, disease and natural disasters are all possible aspects of the Christian’s debt of love. That is what we owe the poor." [source: Generous Giving - Common Excuses ]

CAN WE GIVE A GOOD SEED?

God bless you as you prayerfully consider this need. xoxoxo

Leaders in the churches and women's groups, please think about taking on team projects to raise funds for different aspects of the missions needs in Kenya.

See

10 Practical Ways you Can Help Kericho

[ located in the column to the right of the screen]

Last Days in Kampala

Hi friends,

Our last days in Kampala, Uganda were wonderful! We really wanted to stay behind as we grew to love the people so much. The Ugandan students were great and we thank God for getting to meet them.

What an awesome challenge it was for us on the day that we went house to house, or shall we say dorm to dorm and to the surrounding schools and the chapel. We loved doing all that and we really want to Praise God for taking such good care of us.

On our last day in Kampala we were involved in shopping and taking a group photo and then we headed back home to Kericho, Kenya. The last picture I took was while we were in Jinga, crossing the longest river in the world, the great Nile River.

Shopping - Uganda Mission Part 3

Kenyan Youth Group Photo - Uganda Mission Part 3

The Great Nile River - Uganda Mission Part 3

As I write now, I am rested and thanking God for our time in Uganda.

Have a great day and may God bless you

Jonah

Mission to Uganda Continues

Hello,

I just wanted to update you on our second last day here in Kampala, Uganda. We had church services in the morning and later we travelled with our host Pastor to the botanical gardens for some relaxation and swimming.

We had lots of fun as the over 300 students got to mix and mingle and learn from one another.

Our journey and mission here ends today as we head home by bus and expect to arrive around 3:00 a.m. after a long journey on a bumpy road.

We covet your prayers for a safe journey home and appreciate your prayers for the missions trip thus far.

I pray you all had a blessed Resurrection Sunday.




God bless you!
Pastor Jonah

Cross - Cultural Mission to Uganda

Hello,

The youth group from Kericho began its cross-cultural outreach to Kampala Univeristy on April 9, 2009. Our travel to the Kenyan - Ugandan border took 10 hours and we took many photos along the way.

We have been very busy with various outreaches to the students in large group session. Today was our third day in Uganda and it has been very fruitful. We visited dorms and houses of the Kampala University students. Then we went to a high school not far from where we are staying.

We want to praise God for his goodness by allowing us to visit and evangelize there. The students of Newcastle High School were receptive to our sharing the gospel and we praise God for that!

Enjoy the slide show of our travels, our prayer preparation, break times and evangelism. God bless!



Jonah