September 11, 2012
Riverside Church
Kawala, Kenya
ccm Cross #0036
GPS/DMS 4.1816° S, 39.4606° E
Additional Photos below testimony:
3107 cdd Bed Bugs 9/27/12
Cyber Daily Devotion by Pastor Bill
Volume 13 Number 196
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: Psalm 15:1
“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” NKJV
My name is Pastor Elias Mgandi Chiringa from Riverside Church Kawala, Mombasa, Kenya. Our church members call me Pastor Elias. This is my testimony of how the Lord Jesus Christ became real in my life.
I grew up near Mombasa, Kenya in the town of Madrsoa as the second born of six children. My mom and dad were Muslims although they were not very religious. When I was 14 years old our school offered a Christian Union meeting. I decided to attend to see what Christianity was all about. There I met a new friend my own age named Edward. He was a Christian. Edward became my best friend and he led me to the Lord during one of our meetings.
My life as a Christian grew from that time and Edward and I continued in friendship. We attended the same church and over time our Pastor taught us the things of the Lord and we grew to become elders. Our ministry in the church grew together and we both got married.
In 1984 our Pastor suggested we start a new church and teach the Gospel to those who had not heard about Jesus. Neither of us could afford a formal Bible education but we studied the word diligently and the Holy Spirit gave us insight. The more we studied the more power the Holy Spirit brought into our lives.
With a new family, new church and in a new location we set out for the Lord. Each Sunday service when one of us was speaking we would take 2 or 3 days alone — fasting and praying — and the Holy Spirit would bring us the message for the people.
My Muslim mother developed a kidney problem that the doctors could not treat. She came to me and asked for prayer. Right then as I prayed Jesus healed her — today she is a Christian and attends our church.
Rose is my wife and when we were first married it was such a wonderful time. And then a serious problem started — Rose would wake up each night screaming that tiny bugs were biting her — there we no marks on her body — it was a spiritual attack on our marriage. We fasted and prayed and the spiritual attack was defeated.
Several months later a new lady came to our church and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Later she said she was a Mchawi (witch) who was assigned to break up our marriage by sending tiny biting demons to torment Rose. She watched from a far and when her power was compromised and defeated by Jesus she knew Jesus was God and more powerful than her witch craft.
We now have four children — 2 boys and 2 girls who are serving the Lord.
My favorite verse in the Bible is Psalm 15:
Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” NKJV
For me this Cross planted demonstrates the Power of God. Throughout our entire village people will come for a touch from Jesus. And when they come HE will be here. Jesus will heal their hurts, take away their fears, touch their hearts, heal their bodies and bring them peace.
Today Pastor Elias and Pastor Edward are still best of friends and co-Pastor the church. And when it is time for one to speak he will slip away for 2 or 3 days, fast and pray and bring the word of the Lord to the people as imparted to him by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Edward Mhaso Mutta who began as a Elias’s friend and mentor says this about Pastor Elias: “Pastor Elias is very cooperative, not jealous and the insight of the Holy Spirit leads him as he ministers to the people. He has a genuine zeal and enthusiasm for the Lord and it is a privilege to serve the King of Kings with him.”
Prayer:Father thank you for the lesson of Pastors Elias and Edward who look to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit through the Bible and not the books of man to lead their sheep. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Meet the Pastors
Pastor Elias on the left
Pastor Edward on the right
Pastor Carol in the middle
Pastor Elias, wife and children on the left
Pastor Edward, wife and children on the right
Drilling holes for bolts
Preparing for attachment of two beams
Riverside Church Kawala, Mombasa, Kenya
Helping hands of all sizes pitched in
Insuring proper length
The children look on
Lining up the cross
The ladies get to know Carol
and build relationships
through a Swahili interpreter
“Fire in the Hole”
Plaque Giving God Glory