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A number have enquired how our brothers and sisters in Kenya are doing. You've likely read of the unrest there, with 600 killed, many homes destroyed and 250,000 people displaced by the violence, with warnings of major disease epidemics spreading. There are reports and pictures at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7184492.stm . The situation isn't good at all for our brothers and sisters in Western Kenya especially. Internet has been down but we've communicated with them by telephone and text messages.
Here are some of the text messages:
Carelinks sent emergency funding over to assist, as the price of basic food has multiplied many times, some brothers and sisters have had their homes burnt down, and very few are able to work normally- and of course many have fled the violence and are now sleeping wherever they can. We're grateful to those who sent funds over for "general use" so that we could send these funds out to Kenya immediately.
Here are some responses of gratitude for the funds sent- but as you can see, there are major needs to address. We've not corrected the typos, this is how they came through:
Lovely greetings in Jesus Christ.Much thanks for the assistance you sent me and my familyof ten members.I received it under tight security that is going in at our banks and other public places.God bless you. Clashes are still on and many people have fleed to Tanzania.Some are being guarded at police camps and no shops are opened only few under tight security and prices have rised up very much. Neraly 100 people here have been killed through violence combats with the police.Every moment you can hear shootings and people are in very much fear.Shops have been looted and even a government cereals produce board store have been looted.Maize which is our normal meal is very expensive-2kgs tin,is sold at Ksh 250 in secret places.No public selling could be seen around. Area security officers have surrendered their duties and nowhere you can report any incidence. District government offices have been closed. Banks working under tight security.
As a whole nothing is going on well.Thanks alot bro for organising to help my family. I had lost my farms yield and I had no way with my family.Some of our Ecclesial members also have lost their houses being burnt.As a whole we'll have a very great food shortage this year.Although I thank God we're all still alive.God bless you. I'll trace the details of other members and pass to you God willing.
Your Brother,
Samwel
Dear brother,
am happy to have you all in brotherhood with all the compasion and empaty towards the political criss.God has brougt for us to learn to solery rely on him.Thanks once on behalf of the affected.
Ybic,James.
So we do ask for your prayers; we're happy to forward more funds out there direct to the brethren through the system our treasurer has been using.
PROGRESS IN AMERICA (1)
Over the past week, Carelinks co-workers have been visiting various internet contacts throughout the USA who've been in touch for some time. All up, we rejoice that we now have another eight brothers and sisters: JAMES, VALERIA, MONIQUE, WILLIAM, DALE, TIFFANY, MARK & DEBI. Next mail we'll give a few more profiles, but here's the account from Br & Sis Scott Ketelsen of recent baptisms in Tacoma WA. Mark and Debi were long time contacts from the Bible Basics website. This past week has shown that people in the Western world are interested in the Gospel; it's also shown that following up contacts on the internet takes a lot of work, and that personal contact is so important in bringing people towards baptism:
Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ!
What a sweet and wonderful time of fellowship and blessing! This night Jan 13, 08 Lisa and I and Brother Charlie [Klennert] had the honor and privilege to partake in Debi and Marks commitment to new life in the hope of Israel through baptism.
They arrived at our home at 5:30 and we went over the Scriptures regarding baptism found in the “Introducing Bible Basics” book. Brother Mark and Sister Debi willingly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and understood the types and pictures of our hope in the resurrection. We proceeded to the hotel for baptism and what a wonderful and joyful heart they displayed. Debi was almost giddy in her excitement and brother Mark was overwhelmed by the whole thing. Attached are the pictures
Afterward we went back to our home for fellowship and munchies. See pics.
We proceed to break bread and reveal the types on baptism in the emblems. The bread and the wine reminded us of our baptism. Our death burial and resurrection which typifies Christ. The giving of our lives for each other and the blood poured out for others in our sacrifice of love for the sake of someone else. We sang a song and prayed.
The joy in Debi’s face and the tears in Mark’s eyes was testimony of the Lord presence in their lives and we were truly honored to be part of this wonderful occasion.
Thank you for your continued prayer for Debi and Mark.
In Christ Jesus,
Scott, Lisa and Charlie
Photos: Scott praying with Debi and Mark after their baptism; Scott, Mark, Debi, Charlie; Scott leading the breaking of bread and welcoming our new brother and sister into fellowship
You can see Br. Scott's very comprehensive first principles Bible marking notes at http://www.carelinks.net/books/refsindex.htm
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks