Apostle Bahago: August 2015

AUGUST 2015 UPDATE.

“Are you happy? Yes, because I belong to God.” In Psalm 84:5 it says,” Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on your ways.”

This question and answer is quoted from the Catechism booklet, “I BELONG TO GOD.” This question gives us the assurance that when a person belongs to God, he/she will experience happiness because of the assurance of salvation that is found in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

CALLED BASTARD BECAUSE OF CHRIST? Last year I sent out a report concerning one of our members who was converted from Islam, a son of an influential Muslim cleric in Kenema District .[ Ahmadu Koroma} Ahmadu was operated for appendicitis recently. After the surgery, he was invited by his father in Kenema. After arriving in Kenema, he met his father and some family members. His father asked him if he has reconsidered his decision to return to Islam. Ahmadu said ‘No I have found happiness in Jesus Christ therefore I will not recant my faith.” His father was so furious he decided to cancel Ahmadu’s name on his will and publicly disowned him and told the people around that Ahmadu is no longer his son and he should be regarded as a ‘Bastard.’ Ahmadu shared his experience that day and was weeping. I encouraged him to keep faith with the Lord and that God is our only father. The word of the first question on the catechism booklet was a great encouragement for Ahmadu. Ahmadu is now the youth leader of the CRC SL.

Mohammed Ahmadu Koroma.

NEW BABIES: August 2015 was another month of blessings in our church. We were blessed to welcome two babies in the homes of two of our Pastors. On August 3rd Joyce Alpha M Kargbo gave birth to a baby boy. Pastor Kargbo is the Youth Ministry Coordinator of the CRC-Sl. Then on August 24, Mrs. Rebecca Edison Kamara gave birth to a baby girl. Rev. Kamara is the Evangelism Coordinator of the church. Both babies and mothers are all doing well. Joyce Kargbo initially had some complications after the birth, as she lost blood, which had to be transfused. Her left leg was also affected and she was in the hospital for ten days. Now she is, home with some limping in her walk. She needs our prayers for full recovery.

Baby Kamara , 13 hrs after she was born on August 24th 2015.

Chris Junior Alpha,( see picture of august 5)

YOUTH CAMP MEETING 2015: It is a normal practice here in Kabala that during the summer school break, Christian youth across different churches come together for a spiritual conference. It is called youth boot; some places call it camp or Vacation Bible meeting or school. August 19-22, the Christian youth gathered at the Kabala Christian School (CRC). I was invited as the main preacher on the topic “Remember your creator in the days of your youth.” It was a soul refreshing camp for the youth and the CRC SL youth were also in attendance.

MAXWELL RETURNS: We give thanks to God for the successful completion of Maxwell’s studies in Nigeria. Four years ago, Maxwell and his wife Anna were sent for Theological studies at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN). Maxwell and his family have now returned to work with the church. The Leadership of the church has asked him to begin a church planting in Makeni. Makeni is the Provincial Capital of the Northern Province in which Kabala is under. Besides that, he will also serve as the acting training coordinator of the Church. He will start work on Sept. 1.

EBOLA OUTBREAK: It’s about seventeen Months when the outbreak was found in Sierra Leone. Life became so difficult, movements were restricted, handshake and hugs avoided. Family could not bury those that died; all sick people were considered Ebola potential victims. Early this month, the Government lifted most of the restrictions. Markets were opened; Motorcycles and commercials workers could go on until 12 Midnight. The only ban that remains is that of ‘NO SELL, AND MARKETS ON SUNDAYS” all over the country, and also no family are allowed to bury those that died, all deaths must be reported to the burial team who will do it. Family members are allowed to watch at a distance.

The good news we had on Monday August 24th, was that the last Ebola patient has been discharged from the treatment centre. Therefore, Tuesday August 25th 2015, marks the beginning of the countdown to 42 days in which the country will be declared FREE, if there are no new cases. This calls for celebration, prayers, and fervent monitoring and adhering to the rules. Sierra Leone has now joined Liberia in the count down. Liberia is almost there to achieving the 42 days. When we are there, we will not longer see the following scene again. Lord help us to achieve this. Below is a quotation from the council of churches of Sierra Leone, on the Ebola news.

“Another great day - the only number that changed was the survivors; the last Ebola patient was discharged today; survivors now total 4,047. Tomorrow (Tuesday August 25, 2015) we begin the 42 day countdown to being Ebola Free.

Yesterday I shook hands with 3 people, gave and received one hug - it seemed strange - almost felt like I did something wrong - almost.

Thank God with us for reaching this stage in the struggle to free ourselves from Ebola. It’s taken about 17 months and if all goes well, in another 6 weeks we will be totally free.”

Left; an Ebola suspected home, is quarantined for 21 days. If nobody in the home shows any symptoms of fever after the 21 days, the home will be free and the red or orange ribbon will be removed. If there is any person that shows a sign of fever, the person will be taken to an observation unit as seen on the right. The unit on the right is at the Kabala Government hospital. The good thing here is that Kabala town was and is still remains free of the virus. Below is the burial team carrying a dead person for burial. We need to note too that not all the people buried this way are Ebola related, but because it became a law that no one is allowed to bury except the Ebola burial team, all burial are done the same as Ebola. [ See pictures on early post .August 5

MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING: The challenge for a rental facility is quiet enormous. The Christian Reformed church in Sierra Leone, though still young, is making a stride to erect a multipurpose church, training and denominational office. The People were mobilized locally to raise an amount of about $4000 to begin the work. About six years ago it acquired a piece of land, along the high way. Presently we are faced with the challenge of the land being taken away by the authority. To avoid this, we have laid a foundation of six rooms. The reason for the multipurpose: the church is fast growing in Kabala town therefore, there is a need for a second church that will be easily accessible to people. We do understand the huge population is coming from that end of the town were the land is situated, therefore if we are able to raise a structure, we could have the second church, and it will be used for training as well. We could also have the denominational office. That will save money on rent and also unnecessary harassment from the property owners. The struggle for the retaining of the land is still on. Presently there is no more funds to continue with the building. The approved budget for the ministry work here for 2015/2016, has the project as a COI (Contingent on Income).This means that the work can only be done if fund comes in. The questions is how will fund be made available if there are no givers {it could be you, consider it}.

CHALLENGED: One of our big challenges this year is to continue the ownership of the land in which we are about to build on. Yes we have laid a foundation but still, the land is not totally secured. The land is six Plots [Town Lots]. Therefore the foundation we laid is not even up to a quarter of the Land. We may not be able to build in the entire land but if we are able to raise this up and roof it, it will surely give the authority impression that we are serious about the Land and they will not take away the remaining portion. Therefore, we are appealing to all to kindly come to our aid so that we can own the land and have our own building there to worship and glorify God. I have sent our requests to some of you, waiting to hear from you. Should that land be taken away from us, it will be very difficult to get a good land in a strategic place like this.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Pray that Sierra Leone will be able to overcome Ebola in the next 42 days.

2. Pray for all that recover from Ebola that they will be accepted into the community.

3. Pray for Ahmadu Koroma, that he will remain in the faith despite the challenge from his family.

4. Pray for funding for our proposed building, pray that the land will continue to be ours.

5. Pray for the CRC Kabala youth, as they are planning for their annual thanksgiving.

6. We are expecting Fwaje Bawa to come to Sierra Leone for further training of the Boys Brigade.

7. Continue prayer for the National Leaders of the church for focus and wisdom.

8. Pray for peaceful coexistence that is in Sierra Leone to continue. Recently there was one religious Islamic Fanatic that came from Ghana, and was preaching and insulting Christian and Christianity. The Christian Leaders reported the matter to the security, they are handling the issue. The Good aspect of it was that a majority of the Muslims in town {Kabala] were against the preacher. That helped to calm the situation. We need to pray because the dislodging of Boko Haram in Nigeria, we do not know where they will end up.

9. Pray for Mrs. Kargbo for full recovery after her child birth.

SUBMITTED BY:

REV. ISTIFANUS B. BAHAGO

CR C-SL/CRWM LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT.

Email:ibbahago@gmail.com

istifnanusbahago@yahoo.com

Phone: +232-78-264-240, +232-77-668-139

Blog: www.apostlebahago.blog spot.com