Kenya Update – February 2015

February 11, 2015/in Kenya Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Kenya Update – Feb 2015 – Moses Rianto – Operations Director

MAILITISA

This New Year has seen a birth of a new church within the Maasai community. We thank God, that a place that was known for traditional ceremonies has now converted into a place of redeeming souls and setting free those taken captive the worlds snares. Rev Moses Rianto who helped in starting this new church have now moved with his wife Lydia to help take care of this flock. It’s a challenging task but we believe God is leading.

Fig.1 Zion Baptist Church. After starting under a tree, this is far the lord has brought us.

Ghana Update – February 2015

February 11, 2015/in Ghana Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ghana Update – Feb 2015 – Samson Abukari U4A Country Director, Ghana

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14 ESV)”

Introduction

It is a great privilege for Christ to stand in for us that we are made TOTALLY free and not only free but that in Christ we have received the qualification to be partakers in the blessing of Abraham – what a privilege?. It is our hope and prayer that everyone will catch a glimpse of this great privilege and make every effort to enjoy it.

Short Term Mission Trip with U4A

January 16, 2015/in Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Short Term Mission Trip with U4A

Glen Elliott – Lead Pastor, Pantano Christan Chruch

I was privileged to participate in a short-term trip primarily to Ethiopia. Let me say that the U4A team did a great job in preparing the trip and taking care of all the logistics including travel issues, local transportation, lodging, food, etc. The trip itself was smooth and allowed us to focus on the ministry aspects. I never felt “unsafe.”

The U4A Ethiopia and Kenya in-country teams are outstanding. They are great leaders with the highest integrity. It was a pleasure to get to see their hearts for ministry and the effectiveness of the work. I cannot speak highly enough of the on-site leadership and the partnerships and ministries they have and are building.

Note From The Board – Jan 2015

January 16, 2015/in Newsletter Articles, Note from the Board/by Unite4Africa

Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Jan 2015 – Ken Martin

It’s a new year and all of us at U4A are thankful to be serving in this ministry. And we would like to send a special thank you to those who support Unite 4 Africa with their time, effort, prayer and finances. We strive to maximize this support to serve our brothers and sisters physical, emotional, economical and spiritual needs in Africa. We are resolute in our philosophy to transform communities by empowering the individual to take responsibility for each of the above listed four areas within their domain. As we come along side them with self sustainable means and technologies, to make possible their personal and village transformations goals. This work is all done in the hope that as we unite the body of Christ, and communities are transformed in His name, we will see larger impacts come as surrounding communities take notice and then desire to also be transformed by Christ.

Ethiopia Update – Jan 2015

January 16, 2015/in Ethiopia Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ethiopa Update – Jan 2015 – Samson Weldemariam – Country Director

I. Pastors’ Training in Debrezeit

One of the plans we have for last year and even for this year too is to equip our new emerging leaders in Biblical leadership skills and with sound and whole counsel of the word of God so that they will be able to lead the local churches properly, plant more churches and make many disciples.

To do so we have a program called the new generation leaders training program. We have selected 20 young leaders from all parts of the country and have brought them to the town called Debrezeit to train them for a week. The training was focused on the leaders and their wholesome development, more than on the system or the organization.

This program will continue throughout 2015 as the leaders will come together four times for training and experience sharing.

ethiopia-jan2015-1

ethiopia-jan2015-2

ethiopia-jan2015-3

New young leaders Training in Debrezeit, Ethiopia

Kenya Update – Jan 2015

January 16, 2015/in Kenya Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Kenya Update – Jan 2015 – Moses Rianto – Operations Director

MAILITISA

In the month of December we opened a new church, “ZION BAPTIST CHURCH.”This church was started in an area which is known to traditional Maasai activities and ceremonies. This is where our young men are brought together to begin ceremonial training. At some time in 2013, a false prophet who used the Bible, but practicing Maasai traditions started what he called a church under a tree at this place. Many people flocked as he could tell about their lives. We came together as pastors in this community and prayed. God exposed him and people came to know that he was lying and chased him away. This opened a way for us to start a church and put in a new and true foundation of JESUS CHRIST. After laying a foundation in God’s word, now they are asking me to be their pastor.

Fig1. Old Maasai manyatta. Over 3000 young men use to meet here for ceremonies and blessing

Fig2 under this tree, a false prophet started, using bible but preaching traditions not the Gospel. A true church of Jesus has now started here.

Kenya Update – Dec 2014

December 14, 2014/in Kenya Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Kenya Update – Dec 2014 – Moses Rianto – Operations Director

MAILITISA

The Mailitisa water well project has impacted a lot in the community. With water close by where they get for free, lives are being changed. The Rianto family starting a farm with vegetables and tomatoes. We are slowly learning how to do modern faming and soon this will help train other community members to start farming as well.

Vegetables from the farm using the water from the new well

Ethiopia Update – Dec 2014

December 11, 2014/in Ethiopia Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ethiopa Update – Dec 2014 – Samson Weldemariam – Country Director

I. Bridges I TOT Workshops Conducted

One of our master trainers Pastor Getahun Abebe went to Assosa and trained 15 leaders and missionaries last month. He also visited our village churches around Assosa town. God is doing tremendous things in this region and we are able to plant 13 churches in that region.

Assosa is located nearly 700KM far from Addis Ababa in the West direction and it serves as the capital town of the region called Beneshangul Gumuz. This region shares boarders with both Sudans’.

In the middle Pastor Getahun Abebe with the training participants

Note From The Board – Dec 2014

December 11, 2014/in Newsletter Articles, Note from the Board/by Unite4Africa

Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Dec 2014 – John Tabor

The water of the Awash River in Ethiopia was cold but the enthusiasm was more than warm
– it was very hot with anticipation and expectation. There was a discernable buz among the more than 150 new Christians who had walked many miles to be baptised. Over many weeks these new Christ followers from all backgrounds and experiences were taught the significance of being baptised. So, they were ready! What a privilege to participate with other pastors in blessing these new creations through their baptism.

In the past I know that I have touted Unite 4 Africa as being special – a ministry that accomplishes so much of what it sets out to achieve. But I have to add that U4A is really more than special – almost supernatural. I see their influence in the eyes of everyone the ministry touches. I see hope and heart and energy and love for brothers and sisters in the faith and outside the faith. Because of their work entire communities are transformed as are the short term ministry teams that visit. There is so much that is accomplished for the Lord and through the Lord and His sovereign touch on the leaders and workers of U4A.

There’s something else…joy. I’m convinced that Jesus touches those we minister to through us. He enables us to minister out of joy and its like a virus that spreads inexorably to every girl and boy and man and woman we meet with a joyousness that grows and spreads. The joy they receive marks them as His and cannot be shaken. Their heart’s desire is to know Him more…to know Him better…to know Him as it says in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Unite 4 Africa is helping that become a reality.

God bless.

John Tabor
Board Member U4A

Ghana Update – Dec 2014

December 11, 2014/in Ghana Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ghana Update – Dec 2014 – Samson Abukari U4A Country Director, Ghana

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)”

Introduction

As we draw closer to the very end of the year 2014 a careful reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord is needed with a thankful heart. Let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness over our lives since the beginning of the year till this very last month of the year. As we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ may you receive an insight this great and wonderful work the Lord has done for the universe.

Ghana Update – Jan 2015

December 11, 2014/in Ghana Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ghana Update – Jan 2015 – Samson Abukari U4A Country Director, Ghana

“I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right. (Isaiah 43:25-26 ESV)”

Introduction

We are counted among the blessed ones as we have been offered an opportunity to be part of the living in this early part of 2015. The past year 2014 had some challenges but in the midst of it we were showered with many blessings which when examined critically, one will no longer remember the effects of those challenges.

Ghana Update – Nov 2014

November 25, 2014/in Ghana Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Ghana Update – Nov 2014 – Samson Abukari U4A Country Director, Ghana

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people.” (Isaiah 43:19-20 ESV)

Introduction

The Lord is doing something new in our lives but sometimes we cloud our lives with so many past trials and temptations and some cases past disappointments such that we are deprived the opportunity to see what the Lord is doing. It is good to reflect on what the song writer said “count your blessings and name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done”. Open your eyes and begin to see the new things the Lord is doing just around you.

Note From The Board – Nov 2014

November 25, 2014/in Newsletter Articles, Note from the Board/by Unite4Africa

Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Nov 2014 – Jim Weisert

There are some amazing stories of changed lives that are occurring all around the world. And Africa is one of those continents that God is moving his people to boldly share His truth with others. As you all know Unite4 Africa (U4A) has staff in three countries; Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Through our staff and the leadership of our Founder and Executive Director Okongo Samson, we have trained up thousands of men and women for leadership roles in and around their own communities in most of the countries of Africa.

We use foundational tools from some of the leading world organizations like: CHE (Community Health Evangelism) – applying “Wholeistic Community Transformation” applications covering the physical, social, economic, and spiritual needs of communities; and a Biblical Oral Training tool from SIU (Scriptures in Use), to help share and teach the Gospel to Orality based communities; we also teach on the “Sanctity of Human Life” – a teaching tool from Life International, why every child and person matters to God; in addition we teach Leadership skills, Aids prevention, healthy living and cooking, and community care for orphans. Our staff is very busy doing the work God has called us to do.

Kenya Update – Nov 2014

November 25, 2014/in Kenya Updates, Newsletter Articles/by Unite4Africa

Kenya Update – Oct 2014 – Moses Rianto – Operations Director

KAJIADO

During the month of October we held a youth training for youth leaders in eleven of our Baptist churches. The training focused on character issues in leadership, integrity, accountability and maturity in leadership. This is a mentoring process to prepare our young men and women to create discipline and a Christ centered leadership.

Note From The Board – Oct 2014

October 15, 2014/in Newsletter Articles, Note from the Board/by Unite4Africa

Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Oct 2014 – OKongo Samson

A few years ago, during our trip to Ghana with a team from the USA, while training local leaders about empowerment and how they could holistically transform their lives and community from inside out by integrating their spiritual and physical needs, we met a young man who become a blessing to us and his community as well.

As we emphasizing the importance of participating and taking ownership of the change in their heart and the life they live in their community a young man, Zakari Abdi, came to me and Scott, who was part of the team, and shared his heart and passion with us and the initiative he has been considering. He found U4A’s approach and strategies appealing and enabling. He liked how these approached would help him to be responsible and accountable. He felt invested in his community and he shared his need of a small financial gift to start a micro – business. The business was a Saloon shop that would help support his family, of which none were employed, and allow him to give back to the community as his effort multiplied.

Help us in our mission

donate-kids