OCTOBER 2014
AFRICAN
HARVEST FEATURING: Letter from CEO, Stephen Mbogo Facilitating peace in South Sudan Malaria prevention training in Kenya
THE WEAPONS OF OUR
WARFARE
ABIDJAN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE - IVORY COAST
from the CEO
CONTENTS The Weapons of our Warfare: Reaching Leaders with the Gospel in Ivory Coast
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Hoima, Uganda Mission details
Fired Up! University of Pretoria Mission Recap
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Aid & Development
Women’s Rehabilitation Project in Malawi Malaria awareness and training in Kenya
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Mission highlights from the year so far.
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A Mother’s Heart in Africa: Personal testimonies from Aussie women who visited AE projects
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Final Word from Stephen Mbogo
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Dear Friends, It seems as though the best way to read the paper or watch the news these days is with one eye shut. The stories flood in from one corner of the globe to the other to deliver messages of hate and violence. It leaves a helpless feeling. What can we do in a world that is so full of evil? In Matthew 10: 7 - 8 Jesus is giving his disciples instructions before they go out to preach the Gospel to the Jews. Jesus tells them, ...”And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” I wonder at times if the disciples felt as helpless as we do, but Jesus gives them such assurance. It’s as if Jesus is telling us also, “Go on! Don’t be intimidated by what’s out there. I’ve given you free gifts, now give them freely to others.” I hope that as you read this newsletter you will be encouraged to know that despite the headlines, the Kingdom of God is advancing. Because you have freely given, thousands of lives have been changed by the love of Christ so far this year. Together, we are giving what has been given to us: the Gospel of Peace. I pray that you are blessed by the stories of what God is doing in Africa. Thank you for being a part of our journey as we transform the continent of Africa together.
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Yours in Christ,
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Stephen Mbogo, African Enterprise CEO & International Team Leader
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
COVER PHOTO: Krista Burns Editor: Krista Burns / Ruth Garvey-Williams Design & Layout: Krista Burns African Enterprise AFRICAN HARVEST is published four times a year for distribution to friends and supporters of the African Enterprise ministry.
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Testimonies from Abidjan
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“I was invited by a friend I didn’t know what it was going to be about. but right now I know how to make my choice, the choice of my life. I’m not Christian, but after this conference I wonder if I made a good choice, because I am a Muslim. If I have to follow my parents’ faith, of course I’ll become a Muslim. But If I have a choice to make, I know that I want to become a Christian.”
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“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to African Enterprise, worldwide and those who are praying for this initiative. It was a successful and powerful event. The message was a right message from Heaven to the Ivorian pastors. Pray again for us so that we will implement this message and be reconciled back to God and back to one another and win this city for Christ. Thank you! God Bless you!” - Pastor George
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The AE Team with Mr Epiphanie Zoro Deputy General Secretary of the Ruling Party (RDR) in charge of land affairs.
The AE Team with the main Opposition Leaders
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AE Team meeting with the Ruling and Opposition governments in Ivory Coast to discuss future reconciliation talks.
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“I would simply like to say ‘Thank You’ for supporting this initiative. Be encouraged that your prayers and financial support has made a difference here. Please continue to pray for us in Ivory Coast. Pray for the government and the leaders of this nation so that peace may endure.”
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“Two weeks ago I was confirmed into the catholic church but I really didn’t understand what it meant. I found myself invited to this meeting for university professors and surprisingly was greeted with the good news of Jesus. Now I understand God’s love and my responsibility to share it with my students.” Soro - Professor of Virology
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The Weapons of our Warfare
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Ivorian pastors responding to the call to work together to help prevent another war in 2015
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
Abidjan Leadership Mission - Ivory Coast uring the second Ivorian Civil War in 2011 the behind us in prayer, doors began to fly open. The AE Team met D military imposed strict curfews on us. We were with the Secretary General of the current administration as well confined to our homes from noon until 6am the as the Opposition leaders to discuss the possibility of sitting next day,” Pastor George told us candidly. “Many of down together to see how to proceed peacefully into the next my congregation came to stay at our house looking for elections. We were encouraged to find that both parties were reassurance that I didn’t even have for myself. You took eager for AE’s help and interested in starting a discussion your life in your hands if you stepped outside your door. about peace and reconciliation with the opposite party prior to On Sundays, my family and I walked 45 minutes to get to the next elections. In all that week, we held ten meetings with the theme of church with our hands held in the air like hostages. You dared not lower your hands for fear of being thought a “Nation Building: Essentials of leadership in times of change” invited top leaders from every rebel and being shot. We couldn’t drive our car because Having personally industry including pastors, it would have been taken from us. It They may have lowered civil servants, military leaders, was the only way. War or no war, I’m doctors, lawyers, teachers, still a pastor. People were depending their guns but the weapons students and more, we were on me.” of their hearts are still impressed with the attendance at each Seeing Abidjan now you’d event. Michael Cassidy spoke at many of hardly believe that the city loaded and ready the meetings asking in conclusion “Who was ravaged by war for the leads you? How can you help bring peace better part of 10 years. But as one Ivorian so eloquently put it, “They may have lowered to a nation if you’re not at peace within yourself? I tell you dear their guns but the weapons of their hearts are still loaded friends, the only way to true peace, for your family and your country, is through Jesus Christ.. My hope is that you open and ready.” The divisions in government and leadership have your heart to him today.” The week ended on a high note as military leaders from further split an already-fractured society. It seems as though there is no neutrality - only “us and them”. Fear every branch accompanied by a military band gathered to hear has led to suspicion, which has affected every portion of the gospel. The night concluded with the top generals and society, even the church. In many minds, every day that colonels dancing to a military band version of ‘When The Saints passes is one step closer towards the cliff of a civil war Go Marching In’ and bowing their heads in prayer to a God who cares more about the Ivory Coast than they could have ever that no one wants. As we began our week-long mission on the first imagined. In all 194 of the top leaders of the country accepted Christ day of September 2014 with more than a year and a half of preparations, all that was left to do was pray. as their personal saviour during the week and as many wanted We are certain that without the prayers of our partners to know more about how to become a Christian. We Christians don’t wage the same kind of war as the worldwide the mission would not have been the success that it was. The power of God was tangible as we began world, the weapons of our warfare are capable of tearing down the week with many people coming to the knowledge strongholds in places like Ivory Coast. We are thankful to you of Christ during our meetings. Opportunities to meet for being a part of this battle with us. Read a day-by-day breakdown of the mission events and with government and opposition leaders had remained a distant hope, but as the mission began and the world was testimonies on the AE website, www.africanenterprise.com and click on ‘News’.
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Hoima for Jesus Mission - Uganda oima Uganda is a growing city in western Uganda. In July ,the AE Uganda Team, along with a huge group of volunteers saturated the city with the gospel of Jesus for ten days. We preached in every portion of society including schools, prisons, on sports fields, in churches and in the markets. Over 6000 people accepted Christ as their saviour and a church was planted in an area that is known for sex-trafficking. We thank God for all that He has done in Hoima and we thank you for making this mission possible. Because of your support, Christ’s light shines more brightly in Hoima and lasting change has been made in the lives of people there. During our time there we met Henry. He was on the verge of losing his marriage and his children. After being separated for some time and with no communication between them, some suggested that Henry get advice from a witch-doctor but he resisted. Henry says, “I heard announcements about the Hoima for Jesus mission and decided to attend, even though I was full of bitterness and confused about my situation. I have resisted accepting Christ until now, but when I heard what was said about God’s love, I knew I couldn’t resist anymore and I felt peace then and there. I went home praying for my wife and our marriage. Shortly after I arrived home, I received a call from her asking to come back. I am so thankful to God for saving my family and I promise to serve Him all the days of my life.”
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had deep concerns regarding his family and had recently tried hen Crispin arrived on campus on the 25th of August, his to commit suicide. Along with two fellow team members, studies were the last thing on his mind. He felt as if his life Abraham approached Crispin and they began to talk. Crispin, were spiralling out of control and didn’t know where to turn who had indeed contemplated taking his life, surrendered to for help. What Crispin didn’t know was that God knew about his Christ in tears and handed his situation over to God. Another highlight of the week was well-known cricketer situation and help was already on its way. and coach, Gary Kirsten, sharing his testimony. One of the The Fired UP! Mission in University of Pretoria ran from August students in the audience, a sportsman, came in on crutches, 24th to the 29th. Over the course of the week, over 50 meetings having been told that day by the doctor that he would not took place in the form of concerts, symposia and meetings in be able to play sport for the whole season. He had broken residences. The team aimed to reach students by bringing in his leg, had tissue damage and was speakers who specialized in their particular experiencing a lot of pain. Some of areas of study and, of course, had a passion the counsellors gathered around him for evangelism. In each meeting, many and prayed for healing and the pain made first time commitments to Christ or recompletely disappeared. The team dedicated their lives! saw the young man the next day and Sunday’s opening rally started the mission he was walking without his crutches, off on the right foot as over 2000 students completely healed! Praise the Lord! and locals showed up to see Christian R & On Friday evening, another B singer Loyiso Bala and the world renown 2000 students gathered to hear the astronomer, Professor David Block. The We Will Worship band and Angus audience was captivated and awestruck Some Fired UP! Mission team members Buchan’s amazing testimony. There by David Block’s inspiring Sound and Light was a glorious response to Angus’ presentation called “The Universe: Accident challenging message and several hundred students came or Design?” Block set out to prove how the intricate design of forward at the end of the meeting to pray a prayer of the universe proves the existence of a Creator God. The Holy commitment to Christ or re-dedicate themselves to Him. Spirit moved in a mighty way in the hearts of many and 30 people Phillip Boshoff, Co-Chairman of the mission team said, responded to the call to re-dedicate their lives to the Lord. Four “The recent AE-led mission has certainly left a tremendous people committed their lives to the Lord for the first time. On Monday, a team of over 80 student mark on the student community here. It was incredible to evangelists infiltrated the University of see the various churches joining hands around the singular Pretoria campus. The team engaged the purpose of seeing students encounter Christ. The quality of students in personal witness and faithfully speakers assembled for the week was simply fantastic. A proclaimed the Gospel. Abraham Nzonde, huge thank you for your superb hearts to serve and bring one of the Fire Up! Mission team saw about lasting change in our city. We look forward to seeing Crispin walking through campus and felt multitudes of fruit spring forth from the precious seeds you the Lord saying to him that this young man have sown.”
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Our AE Uganda team also ran medical and dental clinics, which served more than 1000 people during the ten day mission. There are no public medical facilities in Hoima so people are forced to travel to get help. This places medical assistance out of reach for many. Joseph was treated for dental pain that he had suffered with for two years. He said, “This kindness is a sign that God cares for His people. I have never received treatment for free and the teaching I’ve received on dental hygiene has been a lesson I will have for the rest of my life. Thank you for this service! It has drawn people back to God and has shown people here the strength of Christ’s church.” If you’d like to read more about our mission in Hoima, please visit the AE blog at: www.aeinternational. wordpress.com. Please also continue to pray for Hoima and the church that was planted there.
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Fired Up! Mission - University of Pretoria
Students praying in Hoima Uganda
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Mended Hearts in Malawi ecause of you, women all over Africa are gaining skills, which are helping them toward a future with hope. Many women struggle to support their families and have few skills that will help them earn an income. Together with you and AE Malawi, we are giving these vulnerable women the training and life skills that they need to lead a life of dignity. Joyce’s husband was abusive and unfaithful. Because of her husband’s unfaithfulness, she became infected with HIV. In 2000, Joyce became a Christian, which angered her husbands family to such an extent that they poisoned her food in an attempt to kill her. Joyce says,“ I indeed saw the grace of God in sparing my life.” Once divorced in 2001, Joyce found it very difficult to provide for herself. She struggled through daily life dealing with HIV and trying to provide for her needs. Then in February 2014, a friend who saw her struggle told her about the Tailoring School at African Enterprise Malawi. Joyce said of the training,”Having joined this school, I discovered that I am in a good place where there is comfort and hope. The staff members are believers and they rely on God to make a way in their lives, not only a career in tailoring. Therefore I must thank you for enabling me and other women like me to learn these skills. In addition to tailoring, I have learned how to live with people from different cultures and about how to love in spite of differences. My life has been changed not only because I have new skills, but because I am closer with God and I understand more about loving people. Thank you!”
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Thank you for making it possible for Joyce’s life to be mended. Pray for her as she continues to use her new found skills. Visit our website to read more stories of lives transformed and partner with us as we continue to transform Africa through the power of Christ.
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The Fight Against Malaria - Early Detection Training alaria is listed as one of the top killers in Kenya. Out community health centres county-wide, which will affect more of the 35 million people in Kenya, 25 million are at than 5,000 households! risk of contracting malaria. It accounts for 20% of all Peter, a trainee, said, “Health facilities are few and far deaths in children under the age of five and 20% of all between in Isiolo. Because of this training, I know how to test admissions to health facilities. for and treat malaria, which will greatly help people in my village. Your support has enabled an entire region of Kenya to be I’m going to teach what I learned here at home during public equipped and trained to stop malaria meetings.” in its tracks. In addition to our weekLucy, a Community Health Last year my daughter long evangelistic mission in Isiolo, a Worker who attended the two-day course was held in Isiolo for training, said, “Because of this died because malaria was 29 local community health workers. training, I feel confident that I can detected too late. If there serve my village in effectively testing The workers were drawn from 14 different health units around Isiolo people for malaria. I feel very proud! had been someone in my county and were trained in prevention, Thank you!” community that could have identification, and treatment. One local woman in Isiolo was The number of malaria encouraged to hear about our training. tested her, she’d still be She said, “You have honestly been cases reported are particularly high in Isiolo. Local health alive. Praise God for this sent here by God to save lives. Malaria centers are understaffed, is running rampant here. Last year training. it will save lives. my 8 year-old daughter died because under-equipped and, in some cases, untrained. Because of your malaria was detected too late. If only support and our partners Bye-Bye malaria, 12 microscopes and there had been someone in my community that could have glucometers were donated to Isiolo county during the Isiolo tested her, she may still be alive today. Praise God for the training Mission and more are on the way. They will be distributed to the you have given. I know it will save lives.”
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Recent Mission Events ABIDJAN LEADERSHIP MISSION IVORY COAST EST. 194 PEOPLE SAVED
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ISIOLO, KENYA EST. 3,000 PEOPLE SAVED
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SERENGETI BACK TO GOD MISSION TANZANIA
Muhanga, RWANDA EST. 5,300 PEOPLE SAVED
MWANZA MISSION, MALAWI
RUSAPE CITY WIDE MISSION, ZIMBABWE
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HOIMA, UGANDA EST. 6,000 + PEOPLE SAVED
LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA EST. 275 + PEOPLE SAVED UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA MISSION EST. 12,500 + PEOPLE REACHED DECISION CARDS STILL BEING COUNTED
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A Mother’s Heart in Africa his year, African Enterprise’s project “Calling the Feminine Heart to Mission” sent 17 women to Africa. The vision was to have Christian mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunties from different churches across Australia and New Zealand visit the AE projects that support women and children in Kenya - the sanitation project in the Korogocho slums, the sewing project and the clinic planted in the Soweto Kayole slum area of Nairobi. The ladies spent several days there and were astounded to see the impact that AE is making in the most desperate places. June said, “The gentle and courteous approach of the workers here on the ground is just beautiful. It is an attitude
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Aussie ladies posing with two tailoring project graduates
Ongoing work in South Sudan ince the crisis began between the Dinka and the Nuer tribes in South Sudan, AE has been on the ground facilitating peace and ministering to those who have been hurt or displaced by the violence. It’s because of your faithful support that thousands have been touched by the healing power of the gospel. Likewise, because of your continued support, AE has been able to continue ministering to the South Sudanese in several ways. Our two day event in April sought to teach people who had been affected by the violence how to live peacefully, forgive and seek reconciliation with their fellow countrymen and women. Counselling sessions were also made available to those most impacted by the violence. Many senior military officials, government officials, police officers and their chaplains were present. A special workshop was held for university students and young people. They were challenged to live victorious lives in spite of their complex and unpredictable society. Local church leaders were also challenged on the need to abide to biblical values even in difficult times. They spoke about tolerance and leadership from a Christian point of view as well as the strategic role of church leaders in promoting peace & reconciliation. As a follow up to the training, AE Kenya reached out to the South Sudanese living in the Kakuma refugee camp. The camp hosts approximately 138,000 people and exists well above capacity. There is also a lack of basic resources. We supplied much needed resources to the thousands who have been displaced by the terrible violence in South Sudan. “When I arrived at the camp there were no mosquito nets or blankets”, Mary, a refugee, said. “The camps are infected with mosquitoes and other dangerous insects. Thank you for providing me with these necessities.” Over three days during May 2014 African Enterprise man-
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that honours, respects and affirms those in difficult, vulnerable situations - and breathes the breath of God into those lives. The wonderful responses of thankfulness from these vulnerable ones is lifting them up and strengthening their trust in God.” Some women also had the opportunity to visit AE Rwanda and see first-hand how the many self- help groups are transforming the community. They visited the Centre for Champions, which started out as an orphanage but has now become a live-in training facility for street kids. Other women connected with AE Malawi where they visited the women in the tailoring school. While Malawi does not have the large urban slums that Nairobi is known for, it is still a desperately poor country. AE’s projects here are aimed at improving economic security through education and training. All of these AE endeavours minister Christ first and foremost to those in need. You can read more about this trip and get first-hand accounts from those involved at: www.africanenterpriseau.tumblr.com
For other short-term mission information go to our website at: www.africanenterprise.com
aged to reach more than 7000 people in the Kakuma Refugee Camp with the Gospel of Peace and with much needed supplies. The people danced with joy over the new blankets and children could hardly contain their joy for their new shoes and books. At the same time, in Ghana, we invited various South Sudanese leaders to come to neutral ground for a peace and reconciliation retreat. In attendance was: Hon Sam Kobia - World Council Alliance Special Envoy of South Sudan; Edward Kajivora- UBS South Sudan National Director and South Sudan Legislators from different tribes. We invited the attendees to express their dreams and aspirations for their young nation and we discussed the complex issues that have caused war and the ways to counteract them. Together they created strategies to bring about peace, these strategies included: Engaging local Chiefs and grassroots leaders to spearhead reconciliation in their areas, disarmament strategies, facilitating more talks between Dinka and Nuer tribes to help ease historical tensions and encouraging local church leaders to pressure the government to stop the war. We are thankful to God for these blessed talks between the leaders of South Sudan. We are confident that because of this event South Sudan is on its way to peace. In addition to all these works, we will shortly begin our third phase of reconciliation training. In October we will be facilitating a three day reconciliation training course for community and ministry leaders. As well as a separate two day training for facilitators aka Trainers of Trainers for a group that will be tasked with the challenge of promoting peaceful coexistence as well as facilitating community reconciliation meetings in their own locality. We are so thankful to you for taking part in facilitating peace in South Sudan. Please continue to support us as we progress into the third phase of this ministry.
THE FINAL WORD Dear Friend and Partner, The Psalmist’s words come to mind as I reflect on the last couple of months where we have witnessed a bumper harvest of men, women and children making commitments to follow Jesus: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. They that go weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, bringing in the harvest” (Ps. 126. 5-6).
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Ivorian Pastors celebrate after agreeing to work together to restore the nation.
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While we have missions running throughout the year in our task is raising the one born - the real task begins now for various national offices, our recent missions in Kenya, UganAbidjan and for the other missions. Pray with us that the da, South Africa and Ivory Coast have made these last couple various follow up systems set in place including the church, months a high point of the year. our indispensable partner in all these mission, will kick in The missions were diverse; the first two being city wide with great passion for what we refer to as the ‘preservation missions, Pretoria focusing on university students and Abidjan stage’, the most vital and challenging stage in any mission. reaching out to the leaders of a country that has been ravaged Finally, I wish to thank all of you for prayers and your by war. This points to the strategic nature of these missions continued financial support for African Enterprise. Without with each seeking to relevantly, appropriately and creatively you we would be seriously limited in our efforts to reach present the gospel. Having just returned from Abidjan yesterthe widely flung cities of Africa with the Good News - from day, I am still on cloud nine, remPretoria in South Africa Kuzaa sio kazi, kulea ndio kazi to Cote d’Ivoire in iniscing over the experiences of West Africa and the how the Lord opened the hearts meaning: bringing forth is not the other missions not of political, military, business mentioned. Pray with our teams and judiciary leaders of Cote real task, the real task in Congo, Rwanda and Ghana d’Ivoire to the Good News. is raising the one born as they begin various missions Our local mission team had to close out the year. Pray that laboured there for over a year they may finish well being supplied by the Lord with all the and half and experienced many contextual hurdles but even necessary financial and human resources so that these this makes me give special praise to the Lord. These challengmissions and all our 2014 goals may be achieved across es included not least the fact the country is French speaking the continent. (most of our work is in non-French speaking nations), political Jude 1.24 “May He that is able to keep you from falling divisions that have polarised the nation, a previous president being charged for war crimes in the Hague, a high Islamic pop- and to present you blameless before His throne be with you now and forever more” -Amen ulation and finally the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that we feared could derail all our labours. In spite of all these things, Yours for the extension of God’s Kingdom, it was a real success and we return rejoicing and praising the Lord of the African harvest as we bring in the sheaves!!! Following-up the new believers in all these missions will be the main task. Whether it is the students in Pretoria, those from other religions in Isiolo or the politicians and military Stephen Mbogo leaders in Abidjan, there is need of critical deliberate follow-up. International Team Leader In line with one of our African Swahili sayings: Kuzaa sio kazi, kulea ndio kazi i.e. bringing forth is not the real task, the real
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