Letter from the Church Council
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am writing this to you as we are about to embark on the journey in Lent season. This is a season of reflection, spiritual growth, sacrifice, and generosity. Some of us will fast in different ways: food fasting, giving up certain habits that we love the most, sacrificing some activities that we love, we all have our ways depending on what we really desire to sacrifice to make peace with ourselves, most importantly make peace with God while spreading love.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18
In my childhood throughout my teenage I would fast for food just because I was told that during lent I must fast. Not knowing the true meaning during my college days and a few years after I even stopped fasting completely thinking that it was just a waste of time and at times using my hypoglycemic condition as an excuse to fast. However in my first ever bible class in 2013 I learned a very invaluable lesson of what it truly means to fast that it’s not only skipping food it’s beyond that. It’s a spiritual journey of reflection, a moment of sacrifice, a moment of serving those who are in need, a moment of making peace, and a moment of praise.
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” Isaiah 58:6-7
Ever since I learned about the true meaning of Lent my life has transformed. Today as you prepare for lent, take a moment of self reflection and ask yourself. Where do you need to make peace with God? How are you going to fast and what sacrifices are you going to make to get closer to God? Are you carrying a load of judgement for others on your shoulders? Are you persecuting those who don’t deserve persecution? How about those people around you who dont have clothes or food, are you sharing your food and clothes with them? Are you giving up on yourself because you lost hope? Are you associated with communities that may not be serving the Lord? How often do you complain about the things you are missing instead of being grateful for the things God blesses you with? These and many more are the chains we need to untie ourselves from by making a decision to bring them to the cross, for that Christ died on the cross so that we are set free from these chains.
May God of Hope, Love,Peace and Mercy be your guide and shield during lent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
With horror and great sadness, we received the news of a tragic accident in Ngaramtoni on the evening of 24th February in which several people from YWAM and the larger community were suddenly killed and others hospitalized due to the brake failure of a ‘wide-load’ lorry ferrying road equipment from Kenya which plowed into three buses. Our hearts are heavy, and we seek to comfort you, our brethren, who were so suddenly bereaved because of this event. We lack for words of comfort. May the Lord accompany you in grief, and give you hope once again because of His promises for all those who die in faith. John 5:24,25
~ Erwin Kinsey Council Vice Chair