25th May, 2013 Volume 2, Issue 6 Bible Believers Kenya, Ethiopia Mission Trip 23rd April to 22nd May What Is Inside? Baptism of John D Baptism of Kumasa K Baptism of Judith First Ethiopian Baptized in Nairobi ACTS 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Baptizing the first Ethiopian in Nairobi, Kenya; his name is John On Friday, 26th April we met with Bro John in the afternoon which was on the same day we arrived in Nairobi. I spoke with him and we had a wonderful time together with him on the experiences he has had with Christ before. He is a Lawyer by profession and was a part time Lecturer at one of the Universities in Ethiopia as well as an active member and evangelist of a Christian church there. Due to his exposure to the public, the government suspected him to be against the Federal Republic which led to his imprisonment. After several years of imprisonment, he was taken out shot and left somewhere to die. Due to his Faith in God, he testifies that he spent 5 days without any food nor any help save for the divine intervention of God. God fed him daily and healed him miraculously. It was after this experience that he fled to Kenya for his life as a refugee. However, God had other plans for him. It was in Kenya where he met an evangelist that shared the same bible he believed with him BUT now in the Light of the Message of the Hour. On Sunday 28th, I felt led of the Holy spirit to phone Bro John and find out if he was now ready to make his calling & Election sure (II PETER 1:10) by accepting Jesus Christ in true Christian Baptism. He replied in these words.. Brother, I am willing anytime, it you that is delaying me. Surely I felt the power of God moving me to remind me Acts 8:36 what doth hinder me to be baptized? For, I had not realized I was the one like Phillip delaying this man. (Acts 8;27)...We arranged and straight away I took him to the waters of Baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. My wife, Pastor Wycliff, Bro Mburu Paul my friend and co-worker as well as several other brethren were around to witness this event. A brother, Jason Voroga burst into a Word of prophecy in these words;- Bro Bus, I saw in a vision last night. Bro John came & told me that he has been baptized today! And thus I say, It was then that I saw a DOOR to Ethiopia already OPENED for you. It was after the baptism of John that we flew to Addis Ababa on Wednesday 1st May. In all missions I have taken before, this being by air was the fastest journey which being impossible God made it possible thus the Spirit of the Lord caught me away to Ethiopia where yet more miracles happened... Visit to Oromia Evangelist Biratu Connection Meeting with the Ugandan. Etc Inside this issue: Situation of Ethiopia 2 Arrival in Ethiopia We booked for the cheapest ticket on Ethiopia Airlines which was a night one. Left from Jomo Kenyatta airport on Wednesday at 5:40 am and arrived at Bole international airport in Addis Ababa, at 7:45 am of the same day. Indeed, a door had been opened for us to this country. When we arrived in Addis, the next question was What next? No sooner had we asked ourselves this Question than someone arrived from the blue to pick us up. It was Bro. Gideon who I had spoken to earlier. He is a believer of the Message of the Hour from Zimbabwe whose Pastor is Bro Godwin Chitsinde of Spoken Word Ministries in Belvedere, Harare. Of many people I have met in the message, Bro. Gideon truly displayed a wonderful Christian character any one should expect from a believer in not only receiving us but also extending to us any support and attention we needed in the time we spent in the nation of Ethiopia. We for a few hours rested at his home and then we were headed for the guest house which he helped find for us since he has spent several years in the country of Ethiopia. Bro Gideon is a diplomat working with AU which initially was referred to as O.A.U. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Baptism of Kumasa 2 Connection with Judith 3 Sharing With Sis Judith 3 Evangelist Biratu 4 Meeting with a Ugandan 5
Page 2 Kenya, Ethiopia Mission Trip Photo 3 & 4: Me baptizing Mr Kumasa and after baptism Connection with Mr Kumasa Kajela Soon after we arrived in Addis Ababa, we started making contacts with several people letting them know what the Lord has done in our day. It should be noted that the biggest percentage of the inhabitants in the country do not speak nor understand the English Language. One will have to use sign language and/or have an interpreter while speaking to the Ethiopians. Just a few people can be found to understand or speak English. By the grace of God however, John the refugee had given me his brother s phone number. On phoning Mr Kumasa Kajela, I realized he is a teacher and lives over 100 kms away from Addis Ababa the capital at the place called Tulu Bolo. I informed him on the news, the good news I had for him and that I am a visitor in his country. Without hesitation, Mr Kumasa told me he will be travelling to Addis Ababa to come and meet us the following morning. On the morning of 4th May Saturday, Kumasa arrived at our guest house in Addis. My wife Sis Rebecca and I warmly welcomed him and I straight away started unfolding the good news I had brought for him. During this time, I did not know what my wife was doing but she excused herself to the bathroom only to find out later she was praying for God to guide my lips. Later after about an hour, she decided to rest on the bed as I continued to share with Mr Kumasa. I made it clear to Mr Kumasa that we are not a denomination, nor do we intend to make one. I explained to him that the Lord commissioned us to go in the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16) I further told him that this believing doesn t mean to join a church but it means to accept God s revealed Word of the Hour, which is His body made flesh in our day. After enlightening him on the differences we have with the denominations and introducing him to the Light of our day, I asked him if he was now ready to accept Christ as his personal savior even to the waters of Baptism. He answered that he was not ONLY ready himself but he wanted to call a friend of her s who lives in Addis to also come and hear this Message of the Hour. I asked him to do that after his own baptism. God vindicated himself in this baptism in a way that while we were ready to go out for baptism, my wife knowing nothing, I awoke her and the first thing she said was Are we ready for baptism now?, I dreamt that we were going to baptize a brother who had believed. Baptism of Mr Kumasa Kajela We started looking for a place where I can conduct the baptism to no avail. It was after several failed attempts that we finally found a hotel which gave us access to their Jacuzzi. The manager of this Hotel was a Christian and thus her offer. We paid over 250 ETB for the Jacuzzi in order to perform the baptism. After the baptism( photos above) Mr Kumasa was one of the happiest man to having fulfilled what the bible requires of him to be part of the body of Jesus Christ.. The Jacuzzi God vindicated himself in this baptism in a way that while we were ready to go out for baptism, I awoke my wife and the first thing she told me that Are we ready for baptism now?, I dreamt that we were going to baptize a brother who had believed. I answered her, oh yes, Mr Kumasa wants to be baptized right now. After the baptism, Mr Kumasa right away got on the phone to call this lady friend of hers to hear this Message he had received. Connection with Sister Judith Myself with Bro Kumasa. On this photo, he was making a phone call to Judith his friend. After the baptism of Mr Kumasa, we headed back to the guest house in order to share more about the Word as we were waiting for Judith. Ms Judith like her friend John is a nominal Christian professing Jesus. She spoke & understood English well as she has been in a relationship with a German man for a long time. She was sleeping since she slept in a watch night prayer meeting and had called off all programs on this Saturday 4th. But here came John s phone call which she confessed that she felt compelled to come meet me however much she felt tired and sleepy. Quickly, she arranged to come and meet us to hear of the good news, the message of the hour. This to me was like Bible days back to reality. Wasn t it the same thing that Martha did when she received the good news of resurrection from the master? For sure, Mary never waited. The bible says that As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him Cont d on page 3
Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 6 Situation of Ethiopia efore we left Uganda, I had a B zeal within me to go and stand like a in a corner somewhere on the streets of Addis Ababa and preach the Message of the Hour. However, unlike many African countries I have been to. Ethiopia is one of its kind where about 1% of its population can speak or understand English. Their official language is Amharic which is used by over 30% of the total population. The Language spoken by a bigger population is Oromo. Apart from these, there are about 90 more languages in the country, just like other African States. The scarcity of the English Language in this country is due to the efforts of the Ethiopians made to preserve their culture, customs & traditions which started by resisting the first Italian invasion in 1896. Thus Ethiopia remains the only Non-colonized country in Africa. She resisted European power and thus resisted civilization which goes with the English Language for many years. It is only of recent when some schools have started teaching English in schools. Furthermore, the Orthodox and Muslim religions have so much covered the country that the people s mind are consumed with this darkness of religion. Some of us who are used to fresh tasty foods, it is the opposite in Ethiopia. Their foods are full of red pepper and ingredients un-agreeable to the East African way of cooking which as a result, we were forced to cook for ourselves. The people are not white nor black, they are so much close to the Arabs thus any White man or black man visiting the country will be recognized in a bit. They often think these people have money and the spirit of begging is on a high level in the country. Given all the difficulties, people like me believe there s a bride in this country. Some one will hear, and some one will believe. As you have already read and will be reading on other pages, just like our Lord Jesus Christ...it s a calling of one by one. Traditional Food of Ethiopia called Njera. Sharing with Sister Judith C ont d f r o m P g 2 On her arrival at our guest house, I was so surprised with her outfit as she was adorned in very tight pants, painted up herself etc. At first I restrained from telling her the good news as I thought she wouldn t believe it anyway. But this scripture came on my mind Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1) By this time, in the room was myself, my wife, Judith, and John. I gave quite some time to her (Judith) to speak with an intention of getting to discern her. Spirit. She said she was a born again Christian etc...within about 20 minutes, I felt it was now time for me to deliver whatever I had on my heart for her. I first of all thanked her for coming to meet us and straight away went to the Word. I felt Mark 16:16 and John 3 would be so appropriate to begin with. This woman had such an understanding of the Word that she understood and BELIEVED whatever I told her as the spirit gave me utterance. When I gave her a chance to speak again; she confessed that she needed to be baptized and right away. By this time, it was past 8pm. I felt like I should say something on modesty, but I was held back. I instead mentioned to her that there s something I needed to tell her after baptism. In her response to me, she said she is ready for everything I have to say as according to her, I had said things several of which she was prayed for a night before. She believed I came to her as an answer from the mind of God I then felt the liberty to open Deuteronomy 22:5 and I let her read it from her own Amharic Bible. As soon as she read it, she started laughing in amazement confessing that the Lord had rebuked her about this before but she When I gave her a chance to speak again; she confessed that she needed to be baptized and right away. By this time, it was past 8pm...She believed I came to her as an answer from the mind of God Baptism of Sister Judith::.PHOTOS didn't know that this is written anywhere in the scripture. It was indeed a eye opener for her. Now, I was convinced that this is a seed of God and that God was calling her to take her position. Since she desperately wanted to be baptized at that told, my wife and I were very ready to go and do the baptism service. But the water problem... In a bit, she said to us you guys stay here, Kumasa and I will go look for the water and once we have got a place, we will come back for you. At around 9pm, they came back and you would see her by her looks that she was disappointed. There was no hotel ready to give us their pool at that time of the night. So, she said I think I have to go, I will be back first thing tomorrow in the morning so we can do the baptism. L-R:- Sis Judith & my wife. Sunday morning Read to take Judith for baptism At around 7 am Sunday morning on 5th May, Judith came back ready for baptism. She had long skirts on and looked so beautiful just like any other real Christian lady. L-R: Judith, my wife & Bro. Kumasa I took this photo.
Page 4 Kenya, Ethiopia Mission Trip L-R: Pastor, myself and Sis Judith Part of Congregation Message of the Hour Preached in Oromia over 100kms away. On Sunday 5th May, in the morning. We were ready to travel to Tulu Bolo in Oromia. After his baptism, Bro. Kumasa started making contacts all over in order for others to hear about this Message of the Hour. He phoned his Pastor 100 kms away and he made an appointment with him to take us there for the Sunday service. There were no interpreters and thus Sis Judith was asked to help interpret for me to Amharic. The Pastor would now interpret from Amharic to Oromo. The congregation was of about 300 souls. I preached on There s a man who can turn on the Light. I let these Ethiopians know that if they have not received the Message of this day, they are in darkness. That the message of this day is calling us back to the True unadulterated Bible doctrines with a full understanding. Without even knowing that this was a Lutheran Church, I spoke bitterly against infant baptism. I asked the assembly if there was anyone who has never been baptized in the correct baptism and would like to be baptized. About 5 people raised their hands, at which moment the Pastor said he can no longer interpret my preaching. He said they do not conduct such baptisms at their church. I left the pulpit but satisfied that Someone heard the TRUTH. After all, the bible in Mark 16:16 specifies the two types of people. But, the Work was done! After the service, I saw Sister Judith seriously explaining this issue to one of the elders in this church. She later told me that She told the elder how that they did not REJECT ME, but God himself who was speaking to them. Judith speaking with elder The Evangelist Negesa Biratu Connection Myself & Evang. Biratu at the guest house John the brother I baptized in Nairobi gave me this evangelist s mobile number. When I arrived in Addis, I gave him a call and we scheduled a meeting on 9th May. However, he called me back and re-scheduled it for 7th May. On his arrival at the guest house, we had much to talk about. Evangelist Biratu has gone through the Lutheran Seminary with a degree and has been on the field for a very long time. He is so much attached to this denomination all his life. However, I shared with him what God has done in our day. Read Malachi 4:5-6, Revelation 10:7 and other scriptures. Gave him some message books, shared on Christian baptism and other major topics of concern and he listened carefully swallowing whatever I said. When I was done, he was speechless but said this All my years of ministry, I have been serving in this denomination. I told him it s not denomination that matters but the Word of God which is the Absolute. He said Do you have a Church that preaches this here in Addis?. I said, we don t, that s why we met. He told me that I believe whatever you ve told me to be the truth, but give me some time to think and pray about it. I will get back to you. Evangelist Biratu says Bye while crying. Evangelist Biratu Believes the report It That was indeed noble should be noted of him and that was a hat he travelled noble character he possessed. over 200 kms to come and meet us at the guest house. In fact, I tried to give him his fare back home but he refused saying I am the one visiting his country! A night before our flight to Nairobi, Evangelist Biratu called me to confess that he spoke to his wife and they both want to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, because they lived very far and our flight was just in hour away, we were not able to travel there. He was so much moved by the power of the Revealed Word of the Hour and is ready to receive me again to his area.
Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 6 Meeting with a Ugandan in the Land of Sheba Over 12 months ago, I asked a friend of mine, a Ugandan soldier in Somalia if he had any contacts in Ethiopia. He did not respond until this last April when I was organizing to take off for the trip. He gave me the contact of his friend, a soldier by names Justus a Pentecostal. In Addis, I made several attempts to meet Bro Justus but in vain due to their tight schedules at the air force school. It was only on Sunday 12th, that we got a chance to have this meeting at the guest house where Justus was so kind to Come and meet with us. I was of course so happy to meet a fellow Ugandan and I felt as much freedom to hammer down the gospel without taking any caution. By the time we were through, Bro. Justice told me that there s a lot of work for me to do in Ethiopia. I answered back that he is right and that I would need people like him to help me. He gladly was able to take some spoken word books and tracts for himself and for distribution to other students in the air force school. In addition, he also accepted baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Due to the little time we had in the country and his limited schedule, we weren t able to do the baptism but we are arranging it for next time. In fact, Bro Justus is ready to arrange for us some sessions wit the students at the air force school. Myself & Bro Justus Alizich Witnessing on the streets of Addis Spread the Word! By Leadership, I walked on the streets of Addis meeting many different people that I shared with some of which wanted to hear more thus I gave them some books/tracts and we exchanged contacts. Biruk and myself I met young people as well and these two are just examples of such. I believing in sowing the seed, the Seed of the WORD! Hanna My wife doing her thing... My wife Sis Rebecca has been diligent to support me on this mission trip. In fact, as much as it may be referred to a Honey moon by some, it has been different for us. On this trip, she has got to learn what challenges we face while on mission fields, helped her to see the Power in prayer and encouraged her that there s much work she can do to support the ministry. It was quite an experience for her after praying, God showed her the results of my conversation with Bro Kumasa Kajela. This truly teaches all other sisters to always support their husbands while off for mission as this means so much to the work of the ministry.
www.theyouthmessagesite.org Glory to the Name of the Lord Special Thanks to Bible Believers of Washington for making this trip possible through their financial support. The Lord richly bless you! Bible Believers www.biblebelievers.org P.O Box 459 Mityana, Uganda East Africa Watch out for the First Message Book in Amharic