Letter to the Brethren: January 21, 2016

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Warm greetings from the Five Cities region of California.

As usual, we have been involved in many projects and issues.

Prayer Request Update

Last week, we mentioned that Bradox Ochieng needed prayers for a very bad case of malaria   His father, Pastor Evans Ochieng, shortly later sent me the following:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Let me thank you and all brethren who prayed for my son Bradox. Your prayer was answered by our ALMIGHTY GOD. The situation of my son was very bad that he could not talk. Now he is doing well.

Evans

God hears our prayers. Thank you all for your prayers. Pastor John Owak also emailed me and mentioned that three of his children recently had malaria.  He and others in Kenya are looking at ways that may reduce the incidence of malaria there as it is quite prevalent in many parts of Africa.

Youth Camp in Ghana

Pastor Samuel Ofosu sent in a report about a youth camp in Ghana:

CHURCH OF GOD 7^TH DAY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CONTINUING Church of God organized a youth revival with the theme ‘O LORD, I HAVE HEARD OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND I AM FILLED WITH AWE.’ (HABAKKUK 3.2)   From Tuesday, 29 December, 2015 to Friday 11 January 2016 of the civil calendar…

Because the activity was simultaneously organized, I as the Youth Co-coordinator couldn’t visit the other branches for some reasons including means of transport.

I centered at the headquarters and thus, would report vividly on events as such.

With the sermon been led by the head pastor at the watch night, there was a teaching on the disobedience and rebellious behavior which eventually are snare to our righteous-living.

He also re-affirmed the kindness and compassion of the Lord to Israel, who later rebelled and grieved hid Holy Spirit which fought them back in the process according to Isaiah 63:7-12.

History has an indelible memory and the youth must be very careful in nowadays and today’s world of modernism and the religious proliferation of secular humanism which advocates humanistic standard than religious values, it was a memorable lesson and prayer night.

The second day’s sermon thought us extremely to live good exemplary lifestyle worthy of praise, testimony and commendation as youth in reference to   Act6s 16:1,2; II Timothy 4:9-10;TITUS 2:6-8; Ecclesiastes 12:1,13-14.

Day three sermon highlighted more on our social-life through godly living and practicability reading from I John 2:15-17; I Thessalonians 4:3-7; Romans 8:5-11.

The last sermon encouraged us to be strengthened, courageous and determined in our call to the work of God; referring to Joshua 1:7-9 ;Isaiah 35:3-4 ;II Chronicles 15:7.

We hoped to provide the video footage but unfortunately, it was not possible due to some reasons. . .

WE sincerely need your supportive prayers to see us through.

Hope to get back to you soon, but in the meantime, may the grace of our Heavenly Father bestowed upon you among all brethren in the faith. Amen

The Ghanians are NOT part of the Denver group called Church of God Seventh Day. They contacted us last year (under that name, which is how they are still legally registered in Ghana) and are affiliated with the Continuing Church of God and we have began sending them literature (all funding for the youth camp came from those in Ghana).

Mozambique and Malawi

We would like thank those of you who went above and beyond to commit to provide funds so that we can contribute to relieving some of the food shortages for our members in Africa, such as in Malawi and Mozambique that have experienced crop losses due to droughts and, yes, also floods.

This came as good news to Sosten Libungwa of Malawi who sent the following to me today:

Dear pastor Dr Bob,
Greetings from CCOG Malawi, am reporting of this week situation where by
many people are suffering with many diseases like cholera, kwashok and
some are swelling and dying because of sleeping empty stomach for some
several days, our Church members are much affected and the Mozambique
leaders are coming on Sunday after Sabbath to give me report of their
situations and to check after I told them that you pass on our request
through brethren letter to all the saints of God,it is good that God
must do very wonderful thing this week so that the Mozambique leaders
Mr R Matiya and Mr Malire should go back with joy. Sosten

We are looking to send some funds next week as I told Sosten Libugwa.

Sosten Libugwa translated our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, into Chichewa, also known as the Chewa language.  In the USA, we are working on formatting that so we can have the songbook available to those in Mozambique and Malawi who speak (and sing) in that language.

Report from Kisii, Kenya

Received the following report from Japhter Onwonga in southwestern Kenya:

Dear Editor Bob,

Greetings send to you through Christ Jesus.

Firstly thank you and the Creator’s sustenance in allowing support to reach brethren on their various allocations within Kisii on the previous Sabbath along with Pst Evans latter Pst Ezekiel. Praise unto God for that wonderful opportunity allowed.

We pray for you God to continue giving you strength.

Welcome report from Kisii in Kenya as per last Sabbath meeting our Church groups. Pastor Evans and i met and went to their gathering of brethren.

Met Peter Omuya, shared with them and considered to support them Bibles, Hymonal song books.

AFTER MOVING FROM THERE we reached Nyamaruma and shared with them shortly. Then went to Rosiaga gathering where we shared with brethren. The issue of chicken project need for widows, money was given to them before our leaving them along with that to buy Bibles handed to Ezekiel.

After concluding our sharing with brethren, Evans commissioned Ezekiel and i to meet Nyamecheo group at Nyabiore in Magenche while Evans returned Indiwa agent to meet the other in service.

We met those of Nyamecheo on evening.15 that patient to meet us. On their morning FELLOWSHIP THEY WERE 35. We shared that of of Bible and discussed with them major issue hindering gathering is payment renting house whereby we put this to your considering. Also viewed seats not available. Widow request be considered orphan school fees.

Thank you for your providing contribution to make that possible.

We again thank God providence through you for expanding work in Kenya and sustenance such gifted blessings.

In love to be in touch, JAPHTER

The needs in many parts of Africa are great, and we try to assist where we can.

Radio

As pre-announced last week, I was on radio on the Genesis Communications Network this past Monday, January 18th, at 2:05 pm PST.  We discussed items related to the recommended sermonette for the week: 2016: The State of the Apocalypse.

Google Campaign

Just got a report from Google that our campaign to tell people about which is the faithful church reached 2,753,196 computers in December 2015.

We have a very cost-effective campaign and should issues in Africa reduce the strain on our finances, we hope to increase the campaign, but currently that does not look likely before 2017 because of crop and poverty issues in several of the African countries we have congregations in.

Reaching the Spanish Speaking World

We continue to get more CCOG materials translated into Spanish than any other language (other than English, which is not a translation).

Here are links to some news items translated into Spanish:

London’s mayor claims that UK will prosper greatly outside of EU
Alcalde de Londres dice que el Reino Unido prosperaría enormemente por fuera de la UE
http://www.cdlidd.es/alcalde-de-londres-dice-que-el-reino-unido-prosperaria-enormemente-por-fuera-de-la-ue/

Having news items translated into the Spanish language should help us attract people who are interested in more information about what the Bible has to say about world conditions and news items.

Canadian PayPal Button

The Continuing Church of God Canada can take donations via PayPal.  This is now possible online through the PayPal button which is at http://ccogcanada.ca/donations/

Donations made by PayPal at that site are now fully tax deductible by Canadians.

Canadians can also mail tax deductible donations to:

Because of exchange rate and other issues, it is normally best for those in Canada to send their tithes and offerings to the Continuing Church of God Canada.