And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Greetings Brethren,
I hope all of you are well, both physically, and more importantly Spiritually, as we see the day approaching. These sure are troublesome times in which we are living, with a world (age to be more precise) that is spiraling down its evil path, headed for destruction. (Revelation 18:5) (Matthew 7:13-14)
But, in the middle of the worldly troubles that are escalating all around us, the plan of God moves forward. I have much news to report on, even here in the middle of Haron’s tragedy, much has been transpiring. As many of you know, Haron (Sengera House Administrator) died from injuries he sustained in a car crash. It was 5am in Kenya (still dark.) He was with a good friend of his (a man who also oversees a small orphanage in the area.) We don’t know where they were headed, or exactly how this tragedy happened early that morning, other than they hit a pole. But I want to inform you about an important decision that Haron, I (and another person) had discussed (and agreed on) the day before the accident. It was a leap forward for the work we are involved in. (Actually a milestone.)
Scripture tells us to obey man’s laws (and most of their laws are good laws) But God’s laws hold Priority. Now we’ve been trying to reason with the authorities about their increasing demands for funds, but they don’t seem to comprehend. So we continued to pray (and as always) our prayers were answered. It was time to speak louder than words to them, by taking action.
Haron, I and the other one (that was with us) knew what we had to do was to stand up totally to their increasing demands. (And with all the children now home during school break, the timing was perfect.) But the three of us knew it would put Haron back in jail, and Haron (the one who has been jailed the most, by far) agreed that this was the only way forward, and he was willing to go back to jail for the benefit of our suffering brethren. (And this time he would probably be jailed for a long time.)
But, we had no fear, because of the assurance we are given in so many places, like: (Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, (We love Him by keeping His commandments) to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Most of our impoverished brethren (if not all) have tasted Kenya jails. Even Nehemiah has been jailed at least once that I know of. In Kenya, jails are where you get beat up, and need medical attention after being released. Kenya can be a dangerous place. Nehemiah also had to flee twice while visiting remote groups; escaping through tear gas when he was caught in the middle of Kenya riots a few Month ago.
Haron’s death was a terrible thing, he was an upright and humble servant who was often persecuted, and he endured much tribulation. There were two times that Haron was mugged along the way. Both times he was cut on the neck. But he was protected, and the thieves got away with nothing. The one time he didn’t have even a penny on him to steal. The other time he was carrying a fairly large sum of money. (He had just come from the ATM, with the upcoming Feast money.)
But funny thing, he was wearing a back pack (which the thieves ran off with) But Haron had put the money in a separate paper bag back at the bank, which ended up on the ground after the scuffle. So no funds were stolen. And his neck wounds (from both muggings) were thankfully only superficial. I could tell you of numerous other stories about what Haron went through walking with the Gospel, especially a particular one that Tops all the others, but it wouldn’t be appropriate here.
Haron’s suffering is now over, and he sleeps. Maybe he sleeps according to (Isaiah 57:1) where it says: “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” (And that evil that is coming is now at our door.)
His wife Dorcah is now a widow, and their two children are now half orphans. We will assist them as we have been assisting our other orphans and widows in their afflictions. And in that part of the world, their afflictions are often (too often) dire. Nassa.gov reports that Millions of Kenyans are now facing starvation due to drought and stunted crops. And some of our brethren are amongst them. But your assistance continues to help them, including the help you are giving to many children. We are still caring for 49 church orphans, and twelve widows. So please don’t get weary in well doing. Your donations continue to impact our poor brethren significantly.
(Galatians 6:9-10) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Haron, Dorcah, and their son, called G.
(They also have a three Month old baby.)
Times are different now. Soon our Lord will be confirming His Word with those Wonderful, and Powerful “Signs that Follow.” I have no clue who will be receiving those gifts, but they are coming. As the church continues to become more united, more of one accord, and walking more in Truth. Truth is so important. Many continue to search for the one and only True church. Yet it is so easily identified. If you want to find the one True church (our Lord’s little flock) you need only to find where the Truth is being preached. Truth and church go hand in hand.
(1 Timothy 3:15) “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
The work we have been involved in, in Kenya is a good work that continues to bare good fruit. All these orphans we have been caring for came to us from various churches of God who could no longer care for them. We didn’t care which particular cog group they (or I should say their parents) were affiliated with. Our only concern was to help them, they were orphans, and they were destitute and dying from starvation.
Your donations were their answered prayers, and have helped them so much. Look how Wako (Brian) learned carpentry, and opened up his own small business making furniture. And Ian continues to drive for a taxi service after we taught him how to drive and helped him acquire his driver’s license. And Ibu (another Brian) is now a welder. And the others are capable of moving into various other trades, thanks to the many skills they were taught at Sengera House. And most importantly thanks to you who have been assisting them, answering their cry for help. And all your good works continue to glorify our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Wako (Brian) making furniture.
Ibu learning to weld.
Ian driving a taxi for a few years now.
We continue to teach the orphans many trades and skills so they can become self supportive after High School.
We have also continually moved forward in the preaching of the Gospel. Doors continue to open in that area. You may recall how Nehemiah, after giving the Friday night Bible study at Sengera House, he would then present it to his friends at school on Monday mornings (and they love the studies.) And then some teachers listened in and also loved them. Remember the one teacher asked Nehemiah: “which church do you attend Nehemiah?” His instant reply was “church of God” the teacher replied: “Church of God knows the Bible better than anyone.” Next the principal listened to one of the studies, and was so moved by the message; he immediately called an assembly, and had Nehemiah give the message to the entire school, yes to all students and faculty. (And Nehemiah addressed that assembly numerous times that year with more Bible studies.) This is all well documented (and with pictures) in the “Kenya Updates” that go back many years.
Last week Nehemiah was contacted by one of his High School teachers again, requesting him to come to his Sunday keeping church and give a study. He did, and it went quite well. It was Easter time for them, and the study got them to questioning the “Good Friday crucifixion, and the Easter Sunday Resurrection. They learned about the only sign that was given by our Lord that would confirm who He was, was the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40) and they were convinced (from the Scriptures) that what Nehemiah was teaching them was True.
Our Creator had opened the door for all this to transpire. You know many will repent during the coming “Great Tribulation”. And many Sunday keepers will be learning Truth from the two witnesses. In (John 10:16) our Lord tells us:
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
When our Lord opens doors, we need to be walking through them.
Pictured below is Naomi. Her Grandmother has asked for her to return and live at home. And Naomi is already there; she loves her Grandma so much, and is now old enough to take care of her. We took Naomi in when her Grandparents couldn’t care for her due to famine. Now her Grandfather has passed, and Grandma needs Naomi’s help. This will make our assisting much more efficient too. We have already been assisting her Grandmother; (she is one of the twelve widows we have been caring for over the years.) They have already notified the local school. (Which will require smaller tuition than in Sengera.) And we will have to purchase her a new school uniform.
Naomi (while living at Sengera House) carrying 20 liters (5.28 Gallons) of water back from the river. She is such a sweet and precious little girl. But times have changed, she is now a sweet and precious big girl as you can see in the next picture
Naomi and her Grandma Joyce.
Timothy is also moving back with his aging Grandfather who also needs his help. We still need to assist these orphans and widows, and assisting them living at home will be more efficient, also.
Timothy has also grown over the years.
Here he was heating the steel pipe so we could forge it into shape when we were making the children a swing set at Sengera House.
Timothy and James painting.
(That’s current picture of Timothy on the left.) As you know, we have taught the children many trades over the years, but Timothy was exceptionally good at painting, He learned the importance of being meticulous. I told him he could easily get a job paining when he finished High School. Our hope is to enroll him in the local High school back at his Grandpa’s. Oh, he also will need a new uniform.
Below is the latest picture of most of the Sengera House Orphans. They are home for one Month break. And they are so saddened by Haron’s death.
Orphans living at Sengera House.
Haron’s burial is scheduled for next week, right after Passover. I need to end for now and try to get this posted. We wish all of you a Spiritual and Uplifting Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Thank You.
Bill Goff
I have included some links below: One is titled: “Why support this Ministry.” Another link is to: “Featured Sermons”.
Why Support: https://khofh.com/why-support-us/
Featured Sermons: https://khofh.com/featured-sermons-2/
Website: www.khofh.org
E-mail: goffb50@aol.com
Phone” +1-843-447-0140