Faith comes by hearing and by hearing the word of God.That was Overseer Karanja's theme in his message to the church in Eastleigh last sabbath,25th April,2017.He had just arrived from a mission in South Africa and Malawi the previous day,24th April 2017 where he had gone to spread the gospel.
Pastor had left Kenya for South Africa on 6/4/2017 at 2:00pm accompanied by his dear wife Mrs.Karanja who on their return described their tour as a blessing. She thanked her children Waruguru and Succoth both members of the youth for being so supportive whenever their parents leave to go for the missions. She also thanked the church for always praying for them, it gives them strength to forge on ahead.
Mrs Karanja mentioned that sometimes long flights are scary, they flew to South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.They arrived in South Africa after five hours where they were received by Pastor Takazane, a man they are truly grateful for, for his generosity towards them during the entire ten days they were in South Africa. May Pastor Takazane be blessed.
The mission was quite eventful. Mr and Mrs.Karanja visited Mrs Bentele to comfort her as she had lost her husband. Mrs Bentele's daughter said she will always love and remember Overseer,he has always been supportive of them even after their father passed away.
On 10th the pastor and his wife visited a primary school praying and preaching to the 1500 students and their teachers. They were invited to many peoples homes where they prayed, preached to people and comforted the distressed. They prayed for an old woman over 100 years old. Pastor Bilima from Malawi who was in South Africa at the time helped them in the mi istering. On 12th Overseer Karanja and Mrs.Karanja fellowshipped with brethren at grassland Township Bloemfontein free state. Pastor also visited the newly weds Mr and Mrs Malibongwe,whose wedding pastor was forced to miss due to a few days delay on his flight to South Africa otherwise he would have officiated their wedding.
On 17th Pastor left South Africa for Malawi via Zimbabwe.They had to pass through Zimbabwe so as to acquire visas to Malawi an experience they described as miraculous since they were promptly assisted and they managed to be in Malawi on time.
In Malawi, Mwanza they were received by Elder Gitare and Mrs Gitehi, brethren from Kenya who were there on an evangelistic mission. They were glad to see that the church in Malawi was still growing and strong.The experience in Malawi was challenging. The people are still experiencing famine,there was no efficient transport and they had to travel long distances on foot.Mrs Karanja however stated that when they rested in the evening God would renew their strength and the next morning they would feel re-energized. Pastor also helped with the construction of the church in Mwanza which was part of his main mission to Malawi.
Pastor also remembered a police officer he had preached to. A man who was curious about what Pastor was doing in Malawi. Overseer gladly told him that his mission there was to spread the gospel. The officer was quite receptive of the word.
Our dear overseer and his wife Mrs Karanja flew back into the country Kenya on 24th April 2017. They were received by several people amongst them their son Succoth who had really missed his parents and Pastor Mwaura.
May God's name be praised. It was a successful mission. Like Pastor preached last sabbath faith comes by hearing and by hearing the word of God. We are all called to spread the gospel and the gospel we will preach to all corners of the world.
Long live COGMERS!
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