| Kenya Newsletter |
Africa has been in the limelight since the time of David Livingstone (1813-
1873), an English missionary-cum-explorer who lived and died in Africa.
Africa thereafter became the focus of various mission activities over the
years. Every year, nearly a million of its people die of AIDS and another
million of Malaria and consequently, it is estimated that there are 40 million
orphans in this continent. Tuberculosis (TB) also takes its share - world’s
30% of TB cases and 70% of world's AIDS cases are reported in Africa and
3 out of every 10 people are HIV carriers in Africa!
Africa has 53 countries. Although the southern, central and eastern countries
are predominantly Christian, some of the least-evangelized countries of the
world are located in the North - countries like Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt,
Morocco, and Libya. Much of Africa is coming in the 10/40 window. Sudan
is the largest country. Peace appears to slowly prevail there now after 40
years of civil war, the longest in the world. In Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia,
Rwanda, Eritrea, Uganda and Somalia, millions of people have lost their
lives due to civil wars. Africa is known for tribal clashes. The fighting in
Congo and Sudan were motivated by rush for Gold and Oil. Sudan is larger
than five east African countries. There is a great opportunity for the Gospel in
this country due to the peace agreement now signed and appears holding
between Northern Sudan, which is largely of Arab origin and Southern
Sudan, which is Christian.
Thank God for the change in the political situation in most countries after the
peace agreements and most regimes turning to democracy though
corruption is a by-word in all the countries. To a larger extent, all the foreign
occupiers have demoralized Africans and exploited them. Still a large groups
of foreigners can be found in many countries to exploit the resources and
other potentials this vast continent offers. The combined population of Africa
is about 700 million which is lesser than the population of India. It is
interesting to note that population growth is stagnant due to large scale loss
of lives. Africa occupies 22% of the world’s surface area. It has the largest
desert, the Sahara and the second largest water falls after Niagara, Victoria
Falls, discovered by David Livingstone. It has the longest river, Nile and also
the second-largest fresh water lake, Lake Victoria. Much of West Africa is
French-speaking but South and East are largely English-speaking. One of
the reasons to thank God for this continent is the freedom that most of the
countries offers to preach the Gospel. Obtaining a missionary visa is
comparatively easy in most of the countries. It is estimated that currently
about 20,000 missionaries are working in this so-called "Dark Continent".
C.T. Studd. the famous Cambridge Cricketer, was another missionary who
gave his life for Africa. R.E. Harlow, the founder of the Emmaus Bible School,
spent nearly 20 years in Africa directing various missionary activities. 50% of
the population in Africa are Christians compared to Muslims who are 40%.
But Christianity in Africa is very shallow and largely polluted with tribal
cultures and practices. In fact, Christians who are committed and true to the
Bible are only a few. Africa has tremendous potential for Bible Teachers who
can teach the African Christians the Word of God. We recognize that God has
called us to Africa primarily for this purpose. Islam is trying to gain foot in the
southern, central and eastern countries while closing doors for the Gospel in
their bastions of North. We praise God for those missionaries who could
make an impact in these countries for Jesus Christ despite the prevailing
adverse political and social climates. These missionaries were
instrumental in educating, healing, uplifting and modernizing much of what
we now know as Africa. It is estimated that there are 2,110 languages in this
continent.
The need of Africa today
- Africa urgently needs committed Bible-teachers who have a burden
for the people of Africa and sensitive to their social and ethnic cultural
nuances and make effective disciples for the Lord. - Establish local Assemblies
- Bible Literature is a luxury here in Africa. Many of the Christians are
without even a Bible although the Bible League is making sincere
efforts now to bring in and make available more Bibles. About 300
languages have no Bible. - 71% of the world’s AIDS problem is in Africa. If proper and urgent
health care is not given, it can further upset the social balance of this
continent. - Much prayer and concerted action God's people all over the world are
needed for this continent.
Quotes:
- There is only one life which will perish soon. Whatever you
accomplish for the Lord, that alone will remain. (C.T. Studd) - If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too
great for me to make for Him. (C.T. Studd) - God had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A
poor, poor imitation of Him I am, or wish to be. In this service I hope to
live; in it I wish to die. (David Livingstone: excerpts from what he wrote
to his beloved father)
Do you hear the CALL OF AFRICA as Paul did of the Macedonian man????
In Master's Service
Vinoji Samuel
11 November 2006
''Harvest is plenty, but laborers are few." .
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[Vinoji Samuel - vinojisamuel@onlinekenya.com]
| AFRICA CALLS! Vinoji Samuel, Nairobi, Kenya |
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