Bonny and Geoff

One of my favourite talks is my ‘What If…’ talk.  It focuses on the life and death of Jesus Christ, from His conception through His miracles and words, to His death, resurrection, and return – each time asking the question, ‘what if?’   Today I only used the last three and a final application, ‘What if you die tonight?’  I then directly asked this question to Bonny and Geoffrey, who I have spoken to many times.

Bonny, back in February

...and Geoffrey, with his New Testament in hand!

Both have made promises that they would meet me at church, and both have not showed, so today was a good opportunity to share some quality time with them.  Both confess a strong desire to be saved.  Both see that there is a difference between their belief and my assurance.  Both desire to have the assurance of sins forgiven.  But both also need to work, and that means some Sundays.  Both believed me when I said, going to church will not save you; being good will not save you (because you never will be good enough); believing in God will not save you…you must have a personal relationship with Jesus, where you know Him, and He knows you.  Both agreed.  Geoffrey even commented that, even with all the money one can desire, you still will not be happy, or at peace, and Bonny agreed.  So you can see, these two young men seem so close to the kingdom.

…and today…Bonny is in the pale green shirt, and Geoffrey (with his back to the camera,) in the black pin-striped shirt.  Both are never too far away from the preaching.

I told them I had no magic words or simple steps for them to take, but could only commend them to God in prayer, which I did.  I told them they must pray and ask God to forgive them their sins and give them a new life and a new heart that desires to love and worship him.  I told them to do it tonight.

So please, pray for Bonny and Geoffrey.  My heart feels heavily burdened for them, and I have a deep compassion for them after talking to them today and seeing the need in their eyes.  Pray God will open their eyes and help them to see Him.  Pray they will know assurance of salvation, and a new desire to worship God with His people, on His day, with hearts on fire for Him and His wonderful Son.

If we ask, we will receive!  When I worked on the streets of Tenerife, 20 plus years ago, a Christian couple from Scotland (William and Mary Bingham) would regularly bring the gospel to my attention, as I accosted couples on their holidays.  Through their witness, I became curious, went to a young people’s meeting and was eventually saved.  I never got the chance to tell William and Mary until four months later, as they had returned to Scotland, but when I did, they said they knew it would happen.  I was stunned, because I didn’t even know it would happen, so how could they?  “We were praying for you,” was there simple reply.  Such faith!  Such belief!  Oh, if we only had the same.  Please, join us in prayer for Bonny and Geoffrey…if we don’t, who else will?

Many thanks, in Jesus’ wonderful name,

Sean and Natasha Kinsella

Daphine holding the board, and Frank translating…you’ll notice, he even translates the hand and arm gestures!

This man believed he would go to heaven because
 he was good! When challenged with the words
 of the Bible, ‘There is none good, no not one!’,
 he quickly departed!

It was another busy day, and many passed us by. 
But notice the unknown boy listening attentively,
for quite a while, as the word was preached! 
Praise God.

I'm not quite sure what they are singing about, but I liked it, 

and it will give you an idea of our audience...and how close some are desperate to get!

New talk…same old message!

I make no apologies for the title, for our message is indeed the same one the apostles brought to their listeners, as far back as the first century!  And it is a message we are not ashamed to share over and over again.

The new message is meant to comment on where many Africans think they will find their needs met.  The question asks, ‘Who will help you?’, then numerous suggestions are made, followed by a verse from the Bible showing that these answers are not sufficient.  For many in the world, and in particular the young, money is seen as the route to all joy, whereas the Bible rightly tells us, that the love of money, and the sole desire for it, is the root of all evil…and this is clearly spelt out in the verses I’ve used.

I don’t know about you, but if you are like the young men in the photo below, and you think that having ‘enough’ money will make you happy, and bring you peace, you are sadly mistaken.  ‘Riches are worth nothing, on the day of judgement’, and ‘it profits a man nothing, if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul.’  Take it from someone who truly believes he had the whole world, all his heart’s desires, yet found it worthless, and of no value, when measured up to his empty heart.  Only a change of heart can bring us peace and joy, and only God can change our hearts.

I don’t know any of their names (except Bonny, in the brown shirt), but there was a lot of them asking questions, and said they would have more for me, next time!  Bonny hopes to come to church with us, this coming Sunday.

The talk concludes with the words of the apostle Paul, in a letter he wrote to the Philippian church: ‘My God will supply your EVERY NEED according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus.’  If you need help, or if you want peace, ask God…it’s as simple as that.  The Bible says, ‘Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.’

God bless you, and thank you for your continued prayer and support.

Sean

Opening worship, from a different perspective

 That's me, showing James how to do it!

 See, they really do carry things on their heads...

 ...what a skill!

 And they also carry a lot on their boda-bodas (motorbike taxis)!

 In front of this man is a boda carrying two armchairs!

“Where have you been? We’ve missed you!”

Well, what a lovely greeting!  These were Steven’s first words to me, today!  His next words were, “Yes of course, give them here.”  That’s because I gave him some shoes to fix!

Steven, in his Dairy/shoe box!

Loosening up, readying myself  for sharing my testimony! 

A personal note

       

No, I am not singing, I am sharing my testimony...MY WAY!!! (with Frank Ssendikaddiwa translating)

That was after I was called upon to share my testimony of how the Lord had saved me.  I looked around and could see many people in the same predicament that I was in 22 years ago, now.  Many want the leisures and pleasures of life; the money, the house, the car, the holiday weather, and the sex.  Many think that these are the keys to happiness, as did I.  Not many in Kajjansi will have the opportunity to have them all at once, so many might feel they will never be happy…will never have what they really need.

So I told them, that when I was 22, I did have them all, and at the same time!  I was working in Tenerife and I had everything they feel would make them happy…but I wasn’t!  I found myself more frequently scanning all that I had, and asking myself, “Is this it?”  I wasn’t content.  I wasn’t happy.

Then I noticed a friend of mine who one day came to me in the happiest mood I could imagine.  He was so happy, you could feel it!  I did, and rather than envy him, I asked him, “Why are you so happy?”  He told me he was born-again!”  I told him I was a Christian – even though I based that fact on ‘believing’ in God and going to church now and then.  He told me I wasn’t born-again, and must be to be a Christian.  I questioned this, but knew one thing for sure, I didn’t have the joy he had!

Thus began a search for truth, a prayer for revelation (in a toilet!), and a prayer of confession (of my sin) and need (for a new heart), that led to my salvation.  The conclusion being (and the application of my testimony), ‘My God will supply every need of yours, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19)

And that is what God has done for me, and still does…every day…every need.  Praise Him for His abounding love and free grace!

Godwill, again

The Future of Africa: Edrine (left) translates for Opio Godwill (right).  The bloke in the middle seems to have himself the perfect job!

Good talk that!

I didn’t preach today, and was happy to hand over the reins to Opio Godwill.  Opio is a lovely, gentle young man, with a heart for the gospel, and a very teachable spirit.  He took my ‘4 Greatest Days in History’ talk home with him last night and swatted up for today.  And he did a very commendable job.  I will put some footage of him preaching on my blog, and sincerely recommend you to watch and pray for him.  It’s students like him and Edrine (who was translating), who are the real future of Africa.  Both tirelessly give them time to preach, evangelise, sing and write, for their brothers and sisters, and both are delightful company and a great encouragement to Natasha and me.

As usual, we spoke to our regular friends, and distributed what literature we have.  I’ll let the pictures tell the stories.  Oh, and the shoes…Steven hand-stitched them and applied some glue; it took him the best part of an hour, and he asked for 2000 Ugandan shillings (about 50p)!  I would have been ashamed to pay so little, so paid him some more – and also left him with another job for me.  His wife was so pleased, and I was so humbled.  Pray for them, please, too.

    

Maggie with Rachel, and Pereth

Thank you for your kind support, friendship, encouragements and prayers.  Without them we’d be like Moses without Joshua and Hur (Exodus 17:12).

Every blessing,

Sean

   

 Pereth and Robert reading our tract....as Godwill witnesses outside the Gambling Den (of Iniquity!)...I told these guys that on more than one occasion, I’d gone home broke, on payday, after losing all my money at cards…and the feeling of knowing Jesus was ten times better than the feeling you get when you win!  I think they could see some truth in that.

A little bit of my testimony...please note the weight loss!!!

...and Godwill, ploughing on despite some obvious distractions!