Christ-Centred Churches AFRICAJun-Sep 21 Among all African Peoples www.aimint.org/ap news

Christ-Centred Churches Among all African Peoples

Christ-Centred Churches Among all African Peoples

In this issue: Christ-Centred Churches Ambassadors of Among all African Peoples the King Page 3

Transforming Faith in Christ – Botu’s Story Pages 4-5

Help Give Relief for Crises in Pages 6-7

God is sending out the Rendille Page 8

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” Are you ready to go? Is God calling you? Mayfield for Sale Following 70 years of valuable service, Africa Inland Mission’s Nairobi guest house Mayfield, closed in June 2020 and is for sale. Mayfield served AIM and many other like-minded organisations, offering a friendly place to call home while visiting Africa or moving to a ministry location. Mayfield’s closure came as international travel stopped in the pandemic. AIM thanks God for all our African friends who served at Mayfield.

Just Brieflynews from Africa and the Asia-Pacific Date Claimer – 30 October and receive the end of financial year ministry interest form on www.aimint. 2021 Event tax savings. Please see more details on org/ap, you can start the conversation. this project and how it is helping Africa Inland Mission invites you to Workers Home in Australia an AIM dinner event in Gosford on people on page 6-7. Members of the concluded Didinga Focus 30 October. The dinner will follow New Director for AIM Korea Team in South , Chris and Fiona the Annual General Meeting of Africa Tyrrell and Margaret Papov, will visit The AIM Korean office and missionary Inland Mission Ltd. Speakers will supporters and churches in Australia in personnel have named and ratified John include workers on home assignment the next few months. To ask about them Kang as the next Korea director. He will from Africa. Register on www.aimint. sharing with your church, please phone take over from current Director Woonil org/ap or phone 02 4322 4777. We the Australia office on 02 4322 4777. look forward to seeing you. in January 2022. John and Hey Ran previously served in the role in Korea. New Members Invited EOFY Appeal – African Crises They most recently served at a Bible The company Africa Inland Mission Ltd. Relief J1076N College at Marsabet, northern is calling for new members. The 2021- East Africa continues Welcome back, John and Hey Ran! 2022 memberships are open now to both to face famine from individuals and entities such as churches. drought. You can Plan Now to Serve in Africa You can join to have a more significant say help by making a tax- If God is calling you to share the Gospel in our mission to make disciples among deductible donation at and make disciples in Africa, now is the African peoples. For more information, www.gdg.org.au/DonateJ1076N time to prepare. By you completing the see www.aimint.org/ap.

Africa Inland Mission Ltd. Africa Inland Mission PO Box 328 International, Hong Kong Gosford NSW 2250 Australia PO Box 70238 AFRICAJun-Sept 21 Kowloon Central Hong Kong www.aimint.org T 02 4322 4777 news (852) 2770 5380 T Africa Inland Mission English-language magazine of E director.h [email protected] International, New Zealand Africa Inland Mission Asia-Pacific Mobilising Region. PO Box 13457 Onehunga Auckland 1643 New Zealand Editor Len Lesleighter Christ-Centred Churches E [email protected] T 09 281 4595 E [email protected] Among all African Peoples

Cover: COVID brings chaos, but the Great Commission still stands! Who will go? www.aimint.org/ap/go. Artwork provided by Brett @ His Kingdom Graphics. Christ-Centred Churches 2 • Africa Inland Mission — www.aimint.org/ap Among all African Peoples

Christ-Centred Churches Among all African Peoples

Christ-Centred Churches Among all African Peoples Ambassadors of the King Showing God’s love through soccer* was reminded this morning in my time with God that we are His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5). ITherefore, we are to represent God’s kingdom in all that we do and say and in every aspect of our lives. As kingdom ambassadors, it is our job to share the good news of being a part of God’s kingdom, both in the here and now and in the kingdom to come.

The words of a new friend gave me a glimpse of the kingdom to come. I entirely local Christian families. I wasn’t Though a great story and kudos to met a Somali refugee man through a sure what part of the program impressed the church, I don’t want you to miss mutual friend. him so much. Was it the devotions? this. This man saw a glimpse of the In our time together, I found out Was it the lush green field? Was it kingdom of God through Christians that he used to play soccer for his the fantastic coaching? (Okay, I never living out their mundane, ordinary lives national team. At this point, I laughed thought that.) doing such a thing as taking their kids to at myself and told him I was starting to At least five times, he told me how soccer practice. coach my son’s team, and I didn’t know impressed he was. Finally, he said that he To all those soccer mums and dads what I was doing. He offered to come wants to bring other Somali families to out there enduring all the practices, and help, and so I accepted. see what is going on at this church. So, I you are shining aspects of the beauty of I am very grateful for his continual pressed in on this and asked what about God’s kingdom. May we all keep being help and the friendship that is it was so special? ambassadors of the King in all aspects of our lives. developing. During our first practice, he He replied, “The families are all kept sharing how excellent the program together here. Fathers are helping coach, * This story is written by a person serving was and that he was blown away by what mothers are watching their children, the among the African Diaspora in the United was going on. kids are working together, and entire States. We have withheld their name for safety reasons. The soccer program is through one families are present here. This is what I of the local churches, including almost want for my Somali community!” AIMStories.com

AFRICA news — June-September 2021 • 3 Transforming Faith in Christ – Botu’s Story By Eddie Anderson

When a lack of rain caused famine in the Gabbra community in Kenya where Eddie and Rachel serve, the couple knew they had to do something. They raised relief funds to help their neighbours as they continued to share the gospel among them. Eddie shares the story of one Gabbra woman, Botu, and her transformation.

t was about a year ago, during the famine relief work. We had Bible studies in the mornings in the church, Iand one day we were going through the passage about the demon-possessed man in Mark 5. After the session, one of our Gabbra evangelists, Dub, asked, “Do you think God still does that?” I said, “Well, we serve the same, Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today Christ did and who He was, and we and forever.” showed her passages of Scripture. Then He replied, “We know a woman like we asked, “Do you want to be free?” that in our village here. Do you think She said yes, so we prayed in Jesus’ God can heal her?” I answered, “He name. It was amazing; we saw her face definitely can. Whether He will or not, change from an expression of agony and that’s up to Him, but He can.” terror to a sudden peace. Later that morning, I heard a We explained that now she had been commotion. I went outside and saw my released, she needed to put something wife Rachel staring wide-eyed at a lady in that place so that the demons who was screaming at her. I called Dub couldn’t return. over to interpret for me, and he said, “That’s the woman that I was telling you about!” We asked her We sat her down and asked her to share her story. She told us how demons if she wanted hounded her and how she had been running from town to town to try and to accept Jesus flee from them for the last six months. Christ. “That’s Botu hadn’t slept in a house as she After we prayed over the house, I had been told by the shaman and by the why I’m here,” asked her why she’d been happy to walk ayana (spirits) that she would instantly straight in before we’d prayed. die if she entered. She’d sought healing she answered. She replied, “I wasn’t worried. I was through the ayana, the Muslims, the covered by Jesus.” She comes to church Catholics, but nobody could heal her. We explained the gospel clearly, and So, she’d come to us. she prayed to accept Christ. every Sunday. When I asked her why, she said, Then, we went with her to her house, This transformation has been a “Because you can heal me, there is which she hadn’t been in for six months. real encouragement for our Gabbra nowhere else I can go.” We told her what She walked straight in the front door. evangelists. We’d been reading and

4 • Africa Inland Mission — www.aimint.org/ap studying the Scriptures, and we knew it Then they said, “The other thing we was true, but to see it happen in front of want you to do is to teach us whatever us was transformative. it is that you are teaching these people When you see the Holy Spirit at here. We’ve heard there is a sweet work, it builds your faith, which means message and we want it for our village. that when you proclaim the Word, you Can you bring it and teach us?” can proclaim it with authority. They invited us to come and start There has been a real difference in a Bible study, so even before we had the way people have led Bible studies provided them with any water access, since then, and we’ve seen real church we were doing Bible studies with them. growth too. And we still go almost every week. They Not long after that, some elders from are interested; there is a real hunger for Kubi Adi, a nearby town, walked 35km the Lord. to come and see me. They asked for two things. “Firstly, But now more villages are begging us we don’t have any water, and we hear to come too! Villages we pass on the way you have water. Can you help us with ask us why we aren’t stopping to teach water?” So I said I’d pray about it and them, so we’ve made more stops. We see see what we could do. We didn’t have so much hunger because people see the any funds at that moment, but we knew lives transformed by the gospel here and that God could provide. the testimony of people like Botu. Looking Back at the Start of AIM By Margaret Papov

ecently, I went to the gravesite of ’s life, I consider Kenyan brother of Africa Inland Mission’s founder, when anything is dedicated to and done mine who could Peter Cameron Scott, in Nairobi. for the Lord, He wastes none of it. help him clarify RAs a young man, Scott stood at While I was at the grave, a young his calling and the grave of in man approached me. link him with Westminster Abbey and rededicated his He told me his name is also Peter those who could life to take the gospel to the people in and that his job is to tend that section of partner with him East Africa. the cemetery. in that journey. He left for Kenya in 1895 at the age He was interested to learn who Peter I find it rather of 28. The Lord gave him 14 months Cameron Scott was and that I am one of fitting that the there before he died of malaria. many who are carrying on the work he gravesite of a Some may say such a short time in began 125 years earlier. mission founder ministry was a waste of a life. Then he mentioned his interest should be the The day before he died, his last diary in doing the same. So, I contacted a meeting place entry requested that the Lord use him in for another young man with the same life or death. first name to begin his journey as a One man with only 14 months on the missionary too! field seems like nothing, a drop in the Will you please pray for young ocean regarding accomplishing his hope Peter. Also, pray and ask the Lord to of setting up a line of mission stations accomplish His purposes among the from the coast of Kenya to Lake Chad. Didinga. Thank you for this precious However, God honoured Peter’s last partnership. request, and the result has been that Very truly, I tell you, unless thousands have become disciples of Jesus a kernel of wheat falls to the since then. ground and dies, it remains only Leaving Nagishot, I think about the a single seed. But if it dies, it short time I have had to bring the gospel Peter Cameron Scott’s Memorial produces many seeds. of hope to the Didinga. Reflecting on John 12:24 24 NIV

AFRICA news — June-September 2021 • 5 Help Give Relief for Crises in Africa crisis continues in East Africa, with severe drought after COVID-19 impacts, locusts Aplagues and floods in 2020. In 2021, people in northern Kenya are affected by famine from severe and prolonged drought. Dry, barren In the Work-for-food program, Gabbra men build a road for relief trucks to reach landscapes reflect their town, while keeping a wary eye on passing camels. failed gardens and nearly exhausted, although the team Ltd. in Australia partners in this project food crops. has accessed some additional AIM with GDG in Australia and Africa International Office relief project funds. Inland Mission in Africa. Africa Inland Mission (AIM) and As the Australian tax year ends, GDG offer governance, receipting Global Development Group (GDG) you can help by donating to the tax- and project monitoring to meet are helping locals via the tax-deductible deductible project African Crises Relief the Australian government’s tax- J1076N African Crises Relief project. J1076N on africancrisesrelief-gdg- deductibility requirements. In Australia, Our local AIM workers and trusted j1076n.raisely.com or www.gdg.org.au/ Africa Inland Mission Ltd. is responsible partners in Korr and the Dukana GiveToJ1076N. In New Zealand, give to for project publicity. AIM in Africa district near the Ethiopian border are www.gdg.org.nz/GiveToJ1076N. Thank distributes the funds and reports on helping those in most need, irrespective you for your gifts. meeting project objectives. of religious affiliations. GDG sent more than A$7,000 Carolyn Cummings reported three In Kenya, project manager Carolyn to Africa for this project from July to significant relief needs in Kenya and Cummings said project funds are December 2020. Africa Inland Mission in 2020, caused by:

Flooding wreaked havoc in Kenya in 2020, when Lake Baringo in the central Rift Valley burst its banks and swallowed a town, Kampi Ya Samaki. The floods resulted from heavy rain and seismic activity that opened up underground springs consuming the town, including a children’s home for disabled children and their school. Residents will rebuild the town and school further away from the lake. In the meantime, the children returned to their homes and required adequate food and support. Above, a man salvages roof sheets as floods swallow the town.

6 • Africa Inland Mission — www.aimint.org/ap • Flooding in Kenya and Tanzania More than 80% of donated funds • Drought and locust destruction in reach those suffering in a crisis, with Kenya, causing famine project partners deducting funds for transfers and administration, monitoring • People without work because of and promotional tasks. You can continue the COVID pandemic. Forced supporting African Crises Relief Project unemployment affected many, J1076N during 2021. including Bible College employees Donate on www.gdg.org.au/ who were without salaries when DonateJ1076N or africancrisesrelief-gdg- colleges closed in the pandemic. j1076n.raisely.com or and invite your In 2020, Carolyn’s team distributed friends to join. US$5900 in southeastern Tanzania for flood relief, with another US$2900 Other Giving Options sent to central and eastern Kenya AIM also offers other complementary for flood relief. The team sent US$ crises relief projects which are not tax- 3460 to northern Kenya following deductible in Australia. These projects drought and locust damage. During include IO-130 International Famine the pandemic, the team chose to and Crisis Relief Fund. help three partner Bible colleges with You can donate directly to AIM via US$2,800 in food aid for staff when www.aimint.org/ap/give or the AIM the tuition fees stopped. office on 02 4322 4777. Drought and floods impact Kenya, Thank you for making relief possible initiating help from the J1076N African Crises Relief Fund in 2020-2021. in a time of disaster. Thank you for caring.

Drought Ravages Northern Kenya 2020-2021 Droughts beset northern Kenya. From 2020 to early 2021, the inhabitants saw swarms of desert locusts descending on what little greenery remained. Because drought is so common, offering food in exchange for work decreases the risks of dependency. These Gabbra people are engaging in food-for-work projects; the women are gathering pebbles for road construction. Men build a road to allow trucks to Women in Kenya collect stones for road construction. bring in food for their town.

Teaching and non-teaching Bible college staff receiving food parcels in the pandemic. They say thank you for your help!

AFRICA news — June-September 2021 • 7 Marsabit God is sending out County the Rendille Korr he Africa Inland Church (AIC) waiting on church leadership to in Korr has boosted its outreach gather and walk alongside him for by sending out a Rendille support and direction. KENYA Tgraduate worker Amos and his new wife This season of waiting was hard, Raphaela to the village of Farakoren in but it also taught Amos that God is northern Kenya. faithful and has good things planned for NAIROBI Amos is one of the African Leaders him and for growing the Kingdom. trained in a tax-deductible project About a year after his graduation, commenced in August 2019, Equipping the direction was clear: Amos would provide. Their Leaders: Kenya, J1061N. This project, start a church plant in Farakoren. monthly support offering partial scholarships, is a AIC Korr church leaders and AIM is low, and they need partnership between Africa Inland missionaries Jon Geerlings and Craig wisdom in knowing how to Mission in Australia and Kenya and the Schultz went to Farakoren for three days live in a new culture together. Global Development Group in Australia. to spread the news that an AIC church “We are praying that the AIC Korr The three-year project aims to has started in the area! pastors will mentor them through this enhance transformational development Craig said the response was journey and that the AIC Korr church and change to ensure leadership encouraging, and the people in Farakoren will rise to support the new church plant with integrity. This project will help welcomed Amos to come and serve there. in Farakoren. provide spiritual, moral and economic “Now, there were some factors development in Kenya and East Africa. stacked against Amos. First, Amos is “Please be praying for According to Africa Inland Mission Rendille, he didn’t know any Samburu, Amos and Raphaela, their worker Craig Schultz, the AIC in Korr, yet where God called him, the language new marriage, and that northern Kenya, has been reaching is mostly Samburu. the Lord would give them out to people of several ethnic groups “Second, Amos did not have a job in the village of Farakoren for several before his schooling, meaning he didn’t peace and confidence in years now. Farakoren is in Marsabit have money to prepare for beginning a following His will.” County and home to Arial, Rendille and new life in a new place. Samburu people. “Third, Amos was also alone, and he “Located about an hour from didn’t have anyone to go with him. But Korr, the town has a population of God is faithful! 8,000 to 10,000 people. The area has “Slowly, God has been allowing him one government primary school, one to learn Samburu, and God has been building for a dispensary and a couple of providing monthly supporters and one tiny shops. time supporters. We also celebrate that “For medical attention, people have God has provided a wife, Raphaela, for to walk seven miles for a small clinic or Amos, and they were just married April 25 miles to Korr. 17th, 2021.” There also has not been a church “God has provided for Amos, and presence in the area. we are thankful that God enabled “However! God raised a young man Amos to stay confident and secure named Amos, who has completed his in his calling and in his passion for Biblical studies at the new Northern spreading the Gospel. Amos and Bible Training Center and desired to go Raphaela have a lovely home in wherever God prepared for him to go.” Farakoren next to the tree where the Amos was eager to get right to work people gather on Sunday morning. after graduation, but instead, he faced a Praise God for providing people to help time of waiting. them with their new home.” He was waiting on God to reveal Craig said Amos and Raphela have Amos and Raphaela where he should go, and he was more needs, and they are trusting God to

8 • Africa Inland Mission — www.aimint.org/ap Marsabit County Response Form Ways to give

Korr Yes, I would like to support to new tax- AIM’s ministry deductible I want to give monthly $50 $25 $100 $ project Give a one off gift of $ KENYA Please complete the payment authority below. Please make cheques payable to Africa You can help Africans in a time of Inland Mission Inc. or complete details below; crisis by donating to African Crises NAIROBI or donate online: www.aimint.org/ap/give Relief J1076N. (PayPal fees apply to online gifts) Donors in Australia Please use my donation Credit Card: www.gdg.org.au/GiveToJ1076N Where Most Needed Direct Deposit: BSB 064118 A/C 10200094 $ Kenya Famine Relief (GDG) Email details* to AIM International Famine [email protected] and Crisis Relief IO-130 $ Cheque: Payable to Global Development

My Own Option $ Group, Include a note with donation details* My Total Donation $ and post to: PO Box 651, Rochedale South Gifts for these overseas projects are not QLD 4123. tax-deductible in Australia or New Zealand. PayPal: www.gdg.org.au/PayPalJ1076N General fund gifts in NZ are tax-deductible On-line Donation: africancrisesrelief- and are used in New Zealand. If a project is gdg-j1076n.raisely.com/ oversubscribed, your gift may be allocated to a similar project, or project in the same region. Donors in New Zealand Thank you for your support. Credit Card/PayPal: www.gdg.org.nz/GiveToJ1076N , My Address and complete details. Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr/Rev Direct Deposit: www.gdg.org.nz/DD, Family Name and follow instructions on the page. First Name Cheque: Payable to: Global Development Address Group Ltd. Include a note with the donation details* and Post to: Global Development Postcode Group NZ, PO Box 10076, Bayfair, Email Tauranga 3152.

Phone *Donation Details: date, amount, project number (J1076N), name & email/ address. Payment Authority (Card payments processed in Australia only) Thank you for caring! Card Type Visacard / Mastercard Africa Inland Mission Ltd in Card Number Australia and Africa Inland Mission International New Zealand are partners for project J1076N African Expiry Date Crises Relief with Global Development Group Name on Card (ABN 57 102 400 993) an Australian NGO approved by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Signed in Australia, and with Global Development Date / / Group Ltd (GDGNZ) IRD: 116-721-430; Registered Charity #: CC54017. Gifts over A$2 Periodical Payments/Internet in Australia and NZ$5 in New Zealand are Deposits tax deductible. Excess Funds may be applied to other approved project activities. Please note, You can make direct payments into AIM no non-development (evangelistic, political or Australia or New Zealand bank accounts. For Details, Contact: welfare) activities are a part of, or funded by, GDG projects. New Zealand: T 09 281 4595, or Australia: Robbyn T 02 4322 4777 For more information please visit Amos and Raphaela Response slips can be mailed to AIM in: www.gdg.org.au or www.gdg.org.nz New Zealand: PO Box 13457 Onehunga 1643 For other non-tax-deductible project options Australia: PO Box 328 Gosford NSW 2250 please see www.aimint.org/ap/give and overleaf.