News From Around the World

• Brethren in Kenya Spared in Face of Danger
• 63 Attend London Good News Seminars
• Potential Church Growth in Zimbabwe

Brethren in Kenya Spared in Face of Danger

by John Elliott

Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper reported Jan. 24, "President Kibaki and…Raila Odinga have met for the first time since the disputed General Election." This came late in the day after a mediation contingent, led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, met privately with both sides. Nothing has changed yet, with both men insisting that they won the election.

The real basis of Kenya's violence lies not in politics, nor in ethic hatred, but in the fragility of daily life and the despair of any hope. But Kenya is expected to calm and return to normalcy, thanks to the basic decency of ordinary Kenyans.

Interruption of supplies, fuel, food, transportation and a potential collapse of the tourism and agricultural industries are a foreboding reality.

Jan. 19, our deacon Antonio (full names withheld for security reasons) visited the Elburgon congregation where Kalenjin tribal violence is being reported in the news. The Kalenjin tribe has used the current tribal strains to demand a clearing of all tribes from its ancestral lands. Portions of their Rift Valley lands were taken by the British during colonial rule. Afterwards, the British sold the lands to others instead of returning them to the Kalenjins. Now they claim for themselves the Rift Valley region, insisting that all others leave.

A few UCG members have come close to the violence in the Rift Valley and in Migori. Jan. 23, Geoffrey, our local congregational leader in Elburgon, slept outside with his neighbors to try to keep people from burning their houses and crops like they had done other houses nearby.

In Migori, our deacon Moses does not feel safe anymore. He is a Kisii living in Luo lands. This week some neighbors began stoning his family's house until others intervened on their behalf.

In one area citizens looted and burned the district hospital. In the city of Kisumu, citizens reportedly looted and burned nearly every business.

However, all of our brethren of all the tribes and affected areas have been spared any loss.

Many members continue to be affected by the disruption of services and supplies, particularly our Lou members in Western Kenya where our deacon Otieno says, "We are now in another world. Commodities prices have hiked up; transportation is too high; life has changed dramatically. But this is where we are now. We are just praying, since only God is able to solve the problem and bring our country to normal life we were used to."

The interruption of transportation has pushed prices of available food out of reach for many. A Good Works project was quickly funded in January and supplied the immediate funds needed for needy brethren to purchase the increasingly expensive food they require.

A question frequently arises from compassionate Church members, "What can we do to help?" We have already received sufficient funds for the current needs through the Good Works project. Those funds are already being distributed according to needs, particularly in Western Kenya. Most other areas have food and necessities available at this time. The current funds will hopefully cover any extreme needs the brethren have there through March. We will continue to monitor the situation and will announce future needs should additional funds be required.

At this time you can help most by remembering all of our brethren worldwide in your prayers. While this area is receiving a lot of attention, such situations are mirrored in countless other regions where daily life begs for the return of Jesus Christ's government. As Antonio told me, "Thankfully, we are all safe and doing well. We are praying for peace in the country for the sake of being able to continue doing God's work."

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63 Attend London Good News Seminars

by Peter Hawkins

A presentation to Good News readers in London, United Kingdom, was first discussed with Melvin Rhodes at the General Conference of Elders in May 2007. On Jan. 19 the goal was fulfilled in central London with a total attendance at the meeting of 63—43 of whom do not attend UCG. Many were readers of The Good News, but some came along by recommendation of a reader.

During the two 45-minute segments, "From Dawn to Decadence" and "The Future Power of Europe," Mr. Rhodes mixed dialogue with PowerPoint slides.

In the first presentation he commented on developments in the English-speaking nations from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II. The second discussed the coming together of the modern European power and the prophesied effect on world affairs. A Q&A session followed for 20 minutes, showing a good level of enthusiasm. It was only cut short by the limit of the hall booking.

Several people asked about attending our London Central congregation, being fully aware that our services are on the seventh-day Sabbath. We were very pleased with the overall level of response and are encouraged that there is good potential for growth in the British Isles.

A thousand invitations were posted to readers in the London area in the first week of January. Some e-mailed back disappointed that they were not able to attend on that particular day but asking for DVDs of the two presentations. Two digital video cameras recorded Mr. Rhodes and, after some editing, will be available for those interested in the British Isles.

We were grateful that Mr. Rhodes was willing to fit this meeting into his busy schedule. As senior pastor for Ghana he occasionally passes through London. He is also a senior writer for The Good News and World News and Prophecy.

Prior to the 3 p.m. Good News meeting, the London Central congregation enjoyed a 1 p.m. service at which a number of visitors were present.

—Peter Hawkins is pastor of the London Central congregation.

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Potential Church Growth in Zimbabwe

by Harris Hlazo

As a result of increased interest in United Church of God publications in the Masvingo area of Zimbabwe, André van Belkum, the South Africa-based pastor for Zimbabwe, asked me to visit the area. So I planned a visit for Dec. 8 and sent 20 letters to people in the area notifying them of the meeting.

Dec. 7 rain fell almost all night, and in the morning there was drizzle on and off. Despite the thought that people might be put off by the rain, I reminded myself God is in charge. The morning of Dec. 8 I sat at the appointed place, feeling a bit apprehensive. Eventually 10 people showed up, including a mother with a baby on her back.

It was a very cordial meeting. We discussed how each one had come into contact with UCG. One or two had connections with WCG, but most had come in contact with The Good News magazine and UCG booklets.

We also discussed briefly such topics as the coming Kingdom of God and that God the Father is the one who does the calling (John 6:44).

Some of them mentioned they were expecting other people who did not turn up, which meant the group could have been bigger.

I asked if they would like more regular meetings. They all agreed and even gave me names and addresses of other people they felt would be interested in attending. So a regular Bible study is being planned for the area.

—Harris Hlazo is a member in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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