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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

First Fellowship 19-12-09

We began our first fellowship in Choka at Jackan Junior Primary School. Those who attended were brother Simon Ndoo , my family and Mr Karioki's wife and her two Children Sammy and Wamboi.

Mr Karioki is the first person we met and invited us in his home currently he is not leaving in Choka but the wife and children has been faithfully attending our Bible Study. Please remember Karoki in your prayers he is having a problem of drinking alcohol.

We noted with deep concern that majority of Choka residents do not value the Lord's day,the sabbath. As such, they seems to value attending to their business commitments, others choose to merely stay at home, rather than attend to Sunday worship.

Please continue prying for us because God willing next year we want to be more aggressive in personal evangelism and distribution of gospel tracts in Choka and other places in East land.East land is a vast area and some places people have not received our gospel tracts and teachings.

We are also planing to do some open air preachings and having Bible study in several places God willing.

There is also opportunity to be preaching in a near by private secondary school on Sundays.The primary school where we are meeting has also told me that they will give us time to teach children.

Please pray that God my pour His Spirit to open the heart of those we are preaching to and giving tract.

Yours in Christ,


Michael Otieno Maura

Monday, December 14, 2009

PRAYER LETTER

My Testimony
The Lord Jesus Christ opened my heart when I was in standard three. I can't remember exact date and year but I can remember very well the events of the day and even the place where we were.

I was looking after my grandfather's cattle with a friend called Masela Oboch, he was also looking after his fathers cattle.

We then started talking about the end time and how the Lord will come suddenly. As we were talking we then realized that we were not ready to meet with Lord. I saw myself as a sinner needing to repent like the people on the day of Pentecost (acts 2:37)

We cried to the Lord in the field to have mercy upon us ad the Lord was so gracious to me. He saved me from my sins.

My friend then gave me a small booklet called "Help From Above" which I read and I was greatly strengthen when I read Galatians 5:19-22.

To God be the glory I am His by grace.

In conclusion I a agree with John Newton" I am not all that I should be or what I want to be but thank God I am not what I used to be".

How I came to embrace reformed faith.
In 1992, I went to Nairobi Pentecostal College Garden Estate for a three year course in Bible and Theology.

When we were in second year we were doing the doctrine of salvation and a atonement. then our teacher warned as a against two extreme when dealing with doctrine of salvation. He told us that Calvin and Herminia went to the extreme. Calvin exalting God's sovereignty and Araminia also exalting man's free will.. He then told us to balance the two and take a middle ground.

Then I said to myself I have been at Arminia preacher and I know Arminia theology but I have never read anything about Calvin and his teachings.

I went to our college library and by God's providence there was Institute of Calvin in the college library. I read it keenly and even taking notes.

The first part of the book changed my life and doctrinal position. When I read about the knowledge of God and man my eyes were opened to see that what Calvin was teaching was true and Biblical.

Charles H. Spurgeon once said "

The truth that Calvin preached that Augustine perched, that Paul preached is the truth that I must preach today or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth, I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John knoxs gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again"

And I also say that this truth must thunder through Kenya again.

II
. About Bethesda Baptist Church
Bethesda Baptist church is a reformed baptist church( believing and practicing doctrines of grace and preaching the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Holy scriptures Acts. 20:27 ) The church is based in Kiatuni - Machakos Eastern Province and has commissioned us for a church plant in Choka- Njiru district- Nairobi.

II.Appreciation and Acknowledgment

We sincerely thank pastor Mutua and pastor Munuve and the entire Bethesda Baptist Church Kiatune for commissioning us for church plant in Choka- Njiru district as well as for their prayers and moral support.

We also thank Injili Bible Church Kawangware for their prayer and encouragement and also pastor Sukesh for volunteering evangelistic literature( tracts, books) to aid in church plant endeavors.

IV. Prayer Request.
We are requesting our brothers and sisters in church to support this work in prayer particularly ,(i) Evangelism, that the Lord may touch hearts of His people to believe and receive the gospel with the honour it deserves and turn to Christ.

(ii) Prayer for brother Simon and Myself that the Lord may grant us grace and boldness to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bible studies: that the Lord may help us to establish Bible studies in public places as well as in private household.

Grace and Peace to you all

Pastor Michael Otieno Maura