Letter to the Brethren: August 19, 2021

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings from Grover Beach, California.

As most of you have heard, there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti (see Haiti hit with massive earthquake: at least hundreds of lives lost, many homes destroyed).

CBS reported today that over 2000 people lost their lives because of the quake. Thus far, we have not learned of any loss of life among the brethren (but we heard reports that two of our brethren there had bones broken from falling building materials). We have provided financial assistance to Haiti and await more information from the brethren there in order to determine what we will do next. Please remember Haiti in your prayers.

Three Reports

In last week’s letter (see Letter to the Brethren: August 12, 2021), we went over COVID matters with the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. This morning I saw three reports from three different nations.

Here is one from our deacon in Ethiopia:

Hello Dr.Bob, we received now a 3rd quarter of BNP this morning.

We always give thanks to our GOD Almighty for his protection to his people around the globe.

We are waiting for the blessing coming feasts to be celebrate without hindered of this pandemic disease covid_19, which now disturbing people on earth.

Again, People of gambella got feared for the rebels coming up around gambella.

And we believe that, our God’s protection still on us.

Thanks,

Koang.

Here is one from of our pastors in Kenya, Tiongik Sawek:

Receive greetings in Jesus christ. We are doing well here in Rift valley Kenya. Last month I was in various locals churches preaching the gospel, i had invited Elder Cheruiyot from the North rift region where we interacted and discussed the upcoming feast of tabernacles. We therefore go ahead and plan the visits in Narok County, Maasai Land  where we have received lots of invitations though we had not accomplished due to Covid-19. So we decided to visit these areas once the feast of tabernacles is over. We are also requesting that you plan for us these visits. We picked four sites including Kilgoris, Langatasoen, Angata Barikoi and Ewaso nyiro. As quoted in the bible Mark 16:16, John 6:44 and Romans 10:13-17 where the bible talks about spreading the gospel to different regions.

We therefore seek your prayers as we make all these plans.

We also play for the Malawi region that they recover easily with Covid-19 so as to allow the Evangelist to visit them.

Furthermore, I recently visit Bomet where I met with the local leaders and thereafter met with Takitech groups. After the meeting later went and pray together in one of the brethrens who had lost his husband, the mother is upset has she has left with burden of educating her children. Lets also pray for her, she is called Selina.

Here is one from New Zealand that was forwarded to me, so I did not include the person’s name:

Yes we are in lockdown after one community case found.

It will be likely that Auckland will stay in lockdown for a couple of weeks at least, which, if it does, will affect our Feast.  …

At the moment we are in the waiting game  – see what transpires on Friday. It might confirm we have to pull the pin or just leave us uncertain as to if we will be out of lockdown in time.   Shirley and Fai are in Auckland. Ritchie is travelling up from the South and I have to travel through Auckland to get to our FOT destination.

There is pressure to be vaccinated, it is a constant rhetoric.

4 hour queues to get tested for those who were in the ‘places of interest’

Not allowed in two of the three supermarket chains without a mask.

Unmasked ‘in public’ can be fined $300

I wore a mask at the supermarket. My glasses steamed up.

I did not wear a mask walking my dogs in the woods and at the beach – both locations close to me. Hopefully I will not be challenged for driving to these locations as my  two old dogs cannot walk very far but love to mooch through the woods and along the beach. It really makes their day!

People who test positive for covid are taken to a ‘government quarantine facility where they are ‘cared for’.  They may need to consider facilities outside of Auckland who are constantly taking the brunt of these lockdowns.

Like Steve, I would definitely like to NOT have the vaccine, but if it comes to having to, in obedience to our authorities to enable us to do what we need to do to support the work and get to where we need to be to gather together, then I will do so, and trust in the power of the Living God to protect me from the poison as others in our little flock have had to do.

Yes, we are affected by various circumstances. Those of us in the ‘West’ are not used to our governments being as restrictive as we have seen in the past 1 1/2 years related to COVID-claimed policies.

As far as vaccines go, here is a link to a related article: CCOG on vaccines.

Radio In Migori

Radio tower (Wikipedia)

Deacon Ondigo Ochieng (no relationships to Evans Ochieng) sent the following report:

Dear Evangelists:

Greetings from Kehancha.

I got another opportunity to go on the radio.

On 8/8/2021, I discussed about the Faith for those called and chosen.The booklet really helped me dwell in the faith for those called and chosen.27 people called and some enquired to know more about our faith.Some asked for prayers,while others asked for materials in both Swahili and English to help in knowing deeply on what we teach.I was given an airtime of 1 hour.

On 15/8/2021,I discussed about the Resurrections. It was a big shock to so many especially some 5 pastors who called to ask me more about Daniel 12:2 and John 5:28-29. The total number of those who called were 15. I also got some invitation to a place called Naora to meet some few people there and discuss with them. Hope I will go when I feel well. Still feeling unwell, today I was diagnosed with malaria. I hopefully, will print lots of CCOG fundamental beliefs and carry some articles during the visit.

God bless you for your prayers and encouragement. Love to you and your families.

Best regards,

Bro. Ondigo

We are hoping to be able to continue this. Some in France have indicated that they would like to help sponsor this and hope to do so once we can get international transfer issues resolved.

Ghana and the Feast of Tabernacles

Pastor Samuel Ofosu sent the following from Ghana:

Dear Bob,

Thanks for your benevolent support for the coming Feast of Tabernacles as you have been given to me and brethren. Really your kindness have SECURED us a place for the FEAST.

We pray that you will be blessed and keept for your concerns regarding the workplace of the Supreme God and your vision for the future Salvation of Africa and the world. God richly bless you and your family.

Best Regards.

Samuel Ghana.

P.S. The location is RAMSEYER RETREATS CENTER IN KUMASI.

Glad that they were finally able to finalize a location.

Around the world, services for the Feast of Tabernacles are to begin the evening of September 20th and continue until the Last Great Day which is September 28th in 2021.

For information on CCOG sites, check out the article: Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2021.