Recently I visited a local church where the pastor preached that God uses sickness and other terrible circumstances to teach us. This was my response – and it is the gospel truth!:
God is good all the time and all the time God is good – even when we’re not.
God NEVER puts sickness or trouble on us – to teach us? That’s so sick. It’s a lie. It’s blasphemy! If I gave my daughter, Muthoni, cancer because she has turned back to street life – I would be a horrible mama. God is good all the time and all the time God is good – even when we’re not.
God teaches us through His Word – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy. For this reason, the son of man was manifest to destroy the works of the evil one. But Jesus came that we might have abundant life! (John 10:10)
God is the best father. His blessings are to prosper us and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from the father of lights without any shadow of turning – no hidden agendas.”
James 1:2 – “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (whole) wanting nothing.”
We can count it all joy! That’s right, we can throw a party – because we always ride in triumph in Christ Jesus. When satan throws us trouble, we can throw a party because Jesus is coming to remind satan that he has already kicked his butt. – John 19:28-30
This, my friends, is The Good News!
Osa is our family’s very own philosopher. Life started out horrible for him. Abandoned by his bio-family, he grew up in our family. Always challenging because he hated school for 12 years. Now he is our thinker, he loves Jesus and is studying business @ Kenyan Methodist University.
THE WORD for 2024 is Isaiah 2:3
Proverb by OSA the Living:
“Don’t spoil what u have now by desiring what u don’t have but remember what u have now was among the things u hoped for”…
Pause and think about it.
Accepting Jesus in Lamu Kenya is Dangerous
When a person says ‘yes to Jesus’ in Lamu, they’re printing a target on their back! Remember in September when we sent out an ‘Urgent Prayer Request’? We told you that Lamu is 90% Muslim – including the radical terrorist group – Al Shabaab from Somalia. The danger has been on-going for years. Eight people were killed and 11 houses torched in just 3 months last year. Even one of our student’s churches was burnt down in September.
Since we sent that request, many of you have prayed and NEEMA Bible College classes have continued in Lamu, County. Despite the on-going attacks from Al Shabaab, our teachers travel to this dangerous region twice a month to bring hope to the persecuted – lifting up the hands that were hanging down – Hebrews 12:12.
They are no longer alone in the battle. Through NEEMA, you are training Lamu’s Christian leaders that they have authority over the enemy through Jesus Christ. As they discover God’s unconditional love – they are freed from the deception that they have to maintain righteousness through good works, because righteousness is only accessed through faith in what Jesus did at Calvary. This freedom brings courage and confidence.
In November 2023, 45 students attended NEEMA class* in Mpekatoni, Lamu and 16 more were in class at Kibaoni, also in Lamu County. Together we are building an army of strong leaders that are facing the giants. Now they are also encouraging God’s people that God’s love is unconditional and it’s forever.
Bi-Monthly Lamu/NEEMA
- Classes meet for 2 full days [9AM-4PM plus an evening class comprised of business people] twice /month.
- Lamu is 173 miles or a 5-hour bus trip from NBC Coastal Headquarters/Kilifi.
- Teacher salaries are not included in the expenses shown below.
Collected School Fees – 24,200 ksh
- Expenses:
- 3000 Printing Curriculum
- 8800 Travel
- 6000 Food
- 6750 Lodging
- 4000 Teacher’s Family
Class Expense 28,550 ksh – $190.00
NEEMA Bible College is currently holding classes throughout Kenya.
381 Students
