Blogs, Stories

Dealing with Uncertainty

DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY​

It is a new month, the second one of the year. Time seems to be really flying. I want to be positive this month and face it with courage. Now, the future is one of the biggest complex mysteries of life. If you are approaching or are in your mid-30s or older, chances are, you are not anywhere near where you wanted to be ten years ago. You could be better off or deterred a long time into something completely different.

Anyway, I would not be extremely sure I am just 20 something and for me, life is yet to begin. The dreams and goals I had ten years ago for myself are no longer true or relevant, as I have had to make a lot of adjustments to suit new realities. When I look back 10 years ago, I was in upper primary school and nothing made me happier than the thought that I would one day be a forensic psychologist; just the name itself made my heart beat a little bit faster. It sounded grand just like myself. I would have never known that I would have ventured into communication and journalism, which I love so much by the way.

Just as most of us when in high school, seem to have, our entire future planned out ahead of us. Done with university at 23, engaged at 25, married at 27, and the first baby at 28. At least most people had it planned out like this but you soon realize that you are 29 and single. However, life happens.

There was a period in the last few years I thought I had stagnated in life. I was still stuck in that misplaced youthful zeal, that I would never grow old. However, here I am on the verge of almost graduating university and this is making me realize that I am growing older, that lifestyle diseases may catch up with me, that maybe I need to start working out, that life is catching up with me.

It is all about growth, but that is physical growth. There is mental and spiritual growth. People never deliberately mature up. Tough choices in life make people grow up. The loss of a loved one, lack of employment, losing your job, marital issues among many others. Moreover, reality is a wild ogre. Sometimes he claws you from your fantasies leaving you battered.

We all do not know where we will be in ten years from now. Could be better off or worse off. However, as a Christian a verse that resonates deeply is Romans 8:28: “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose(NIV). The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, which many consider the richest theological treatise in Scripture.

 

He begins chapter 8 by discussing the differences between living by the Spirit and living by the flesh. He points out that living by the Spirit makes us sons and daughters of God. The promise of Romans 8:28 that God works for our good “in all things” is reassuring. It means that no matter the circumstance, there are only two qualifiers for God to be working all things together for our good.

 

 

First, He works for “the good of those who love Him.” If you love God, you can trust that He is working for your good. He loves you back, and when we love people, we seek for their welfare. Second, He works for “those who are called according to His purpose.” God has called us for a purpose. In fact, the wording of this verse suggests that these two qualifiers, loving God and experiencing His call are actually one. Those who love God are called to His purpose and vice versa

Today I continue to see God working things together for my good. I am studying something I enjoy and love but I am more grateful to be able to use my education to serve Him and talk about His goodness. In the next few years, I might be able to venture into forensic psychology. All good things in God’s timing.

 

Today, take a moment and thank God, that He is working all things together for your good, even in circumstances, where you cannot yet see the result.

 

Have a reflective day, won’t you?

STAY CONNECTED TO GNPI AFRICA

RAKELI

Highlighting the persecutions that early christians went through during the colonial period, the film (Rakeli) seeks to encourage and reach out to non christians using stories of real people who were affected by the events and activities of the MAU MAU –   a colonoal rebellion movement. Click the button to watch the intro.

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Awarness, Blogs, Children, Church, Community

Project NOMAD

Project Nomad-Eldoret, Kenya, was GNPI’s first Project Nomad team. It was started in the year 1996 by Oneal Tankersley, a former missionary in Eldoret, Rift valley. The main purpose of the project Nomad was to create videos addressing a wide range of culturally relevant topics with the Gospel message.

In this region, inter-community conflicts and wars abound but with the help of the GNPI Solar Kit, the team started showing films and producing videos that focused on Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace.

As a result, inter-community conflicts have drastically decreased, and these communities meet together in newly planted churches to solve their problems amicably with love.

The program sustains grassroots media production teams who are trained by GNPI to make effective Christian Videos in their country for their people. The goal is to continue producing Culturally relevant and effective Christian videos to our local people in their own languages.

Our Christian videos are mainly for evangelism and teaching and we reach out to all audiences including the old, the youth, and the teens.

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Awarness, Blogs, Children, Community, Education, NGOs, Projects, Video

Trustworthiness

How do we pass the baton of integrity and honesty to young people? Their relationships are vulnerable to real and perceived betrayals of trust. We like to shop where we know that the owner will deal with us honestly. Managers want to employ reliable workers who will show up on time each day and like personnel that they can trust to take responsibility.

How can we demonstrate by words and acts that people can trust them as well as have faith and confidence in the intentions and actions of others? Watch this episode on trustworthiness targeted at answering these questions.

The Youth Series is an attempt to present basic Christian principles of life to teens and young adults in a way that would get and hold their attention. It is arranged around the five things Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, that he should focus on setting an example to the believers.

The whole series is envisioned to be around 50 episodes with an average length of 4 minutes. So far, we have shot a total of 14 episodes. Watch them on our YouTube channel at GNPI AFRICA MEDIA.

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A ‘Storm’ 2 months after the Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Mudachi had just gotten married and we’re looking forward to spending their lives together until only 2 months later, they almost lost everything.

Find out how their marriage and faith were tested and how they overcame their situation as a couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Mudachi discuss there experiences in marriage

The 2 AS 1 couples show is a production by GNPI-Kenya and has a total of 52 episodes each running for 20-25 minutes that address various aspects of marriage.

You can watch episodes of the show on our Youtube channel at GNPI AFRICA MEDIA.

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Choices

Jane is a campus student struggling with a hard decision. Keep her baby or not? It would be an easier choice to make if Eric, her boyfriend, and father of her unborn child took responsibility. But it’s an all too familiar situation, isn’t it?

Now Jane, grappling with what her parents will say and what society will think of her is faced with those two choices. Either way, whatever choice she makes will change her life forever. What will she choose?

‘Choices’ is a film by GNPI-Africa that explores the issues of pre-marital sex, and the tough decisions that have to be made with an unwanted pregnancy.

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Sonship

As Christians, we are constantly reminded that we need to exercise our faith and work on our individual relationships with God. But what does that mean? How can we become the sons of God that He intended us to be? Especially in a world that is ever-changing. 

The answer may be as simple as a tree. Yes, a tree. You see the Cedar is a very special tree, the Cedar in specific are mentioned more than 100 times in the Bible. Cedars can reach from 98 to 131 feet in height and around 8 feet in diameter, they grow on mountains and some of the most challenging terrains and even reach up to 8,000 feet above sea level.  

To break this down, we can look at Cedars as a perfect example of the characteristics of a son of God. Being above sea level means having the ability to see beyond the norm, beyond what this world offers and what culture dictates. You see, sons are not affected by what affects humanity, they are not swayed or moved by the winds or doctrines of men, they operate in a different way,  talk in a different way and think in a different way. 

Being above sea level moreso 8,000 feet means that you are above human intellect or human strength, you are in the Earth but not of it. Thus everything that you do on this Earth is not of you or for you but of a higher calling and purpose from God. 

John 1:12-13 says that “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Sonship thus is today’s world means that you are DIFFERENT, and operate on a higher level than others do. But remember that this type of growth doesn’t come immediately, it takes time. Cedars can take up to 40 years to reach full maturity, so sons must have the patience to go through the necessary process as led by God. We must then allow the glory of the Son to have full rights to our hearts, souls, and minds. Because it will flow through us to touch and change the lives of others around us and ultimately reshape the culture around us too. 

In conclusion, being a son of God is a lot like being the Cedars of Lebanon, you are unshaken and unmoved by the things around you (in the world), and operate on an entirely different level, an elevated level that is growing and being shaped by Christ for a higher calling. So continue to work on your salvation and be more like Him because the purpose of our roles as ambassadors is to shine as lights to lost humanity. 

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The Solar Kit

Everyone deserves a chance to learn about Jesus. Some places are simply hard to reach. Some villages have little or no electricity, and some people cannot read.

GNPI-Africa has combined the latest technology with solar power to bring God’s truth to the most remote places in Africa. One Christian worker even called the solar kit “a miracle,” giving him the ability to draw crowds and then share the good news! Another team member said, “It’s amazing what the Lord is doing through this little yellow kit! We trained our partners, gave them the kits, and the Holy Spirit is doing the rest.”

A Solar Kit includes a projector which runs on a lithium battery (charged by a solar panel), cables, a set of speakers, and a waterproof case with a screen built into the lid. Each kit weighs 13 pounds and is about the size of a shoebox. GNPI-Africa provides not only Solar Kits but also media in a variety of languages for different cultures, so kingdom workers can present the gospel in the most helpful way to the people they are serving. Because they’re easy to transport and don’t require electricity, Solar Kits can be taken into rural villages, remote jungles, refugee camps, and any other region of the world where electricity is scarce.

Around 780 million people worldwide are illiterate today. Even if the Bible has been translated into their native language, they’re not able to read it. That’s why a visual presentation of the gospel, like the one we show on our Solar Kits, is a powerful tool for reaching these people. It’s one of the most meaningful and relevant ways they can learn about Jesus.

GNPI-Africa is a part of a network of production centers around the world, which are operated by Good News Productions, International (GNPI) located in Joplin, Missouri, USA. Since 1981, GNPI has mobilized more than 750 solar powered media kits in 50 different nations. They’ve been instrumental in evangelism, church planting, and leadership training around the world.

We work together to spread the good news around the world and are always looking to add new partners, and that includes you! Here are a few ways you could be part of the impact Solar Kits are having worldwide:

Find out if the missionaries and kingdom workers you support would benefit from a Solar Kit. Then, consider asking your church, Sunday school class, small group, or VBS to sponsor a kit for the workers you support.

Sponsor a Solar Kit for one of GNPI-Africa ministry partners and provide them with a powerful tool for sharing the gospel in their communities.

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Youth with Difference

COVID-19 has affected millions of people around the world. Teenagers and young people alike have experienced these effects. During lockdown in Kenya, there was a 40% increase in teenage pregnancies- 152,000 Kenyan teenage girls became pregnant. There has also been a surge in drug abuse and teenage pregnancy.

NIFAM Ministry thus pursued the need for a transformation and empowerment program within the Mathare – Kiamaiko slum to transform, empower, and equip young people to be self-reliant and responsible adults.

This aim is fulfilled through various activities such as; talent nurturing through dance, spoken word, music, and drama, behavior change programs (Life skills training, guidance, and counseling), mentorship programs, career guidance, and spiritual guidance.

GNPI-Africa was able to provide a professional counselor who spoke to the teenagers and youth about their relationship with God and assist in giving a platform for the youth and teenagers to showcase their talent on a large scale. We hope to see more youth being transformed and empowered to be examples for Christ in their communities and among their peers.

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TGG

750 million people around the world cannot read or write. 1.5 billion people do not have access to the full Bible. How do we begin to share the hope of Christ? The Global Gospel series is made up of 107 short illustrated videos depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The series has been able to reach over 2 million views globally and translated into more than 40 languages.

Our Team is passionate about reaching out to African communities, and so far we have been able to translate the series into Swahili and currently we are translating The Global Gospel series into the Somali and Amharic languages.

The short length of each gospel story allows them to be shared easily on multiple devices and platforms. Any device that can play MP4 files and has the ability to accept and share files via Bluetooth, WiFi, or an SD card can be used to view. We began distributing Swahili videos through YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Solar Kits – another tool we use for strategic evangelism have also been an effective medium for sharing The Global Gospel series. These solar-powered projectors are used by missionaries in places where electricity is scarce. Most of the people living in these areas are non-literate or prefer to learn orally. The Global Gospel is a way for us to share the good news with them through a medium that is meaningful and relevant.

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Business Unusual


In a world where every known financial and business model is crumbling, where there are no longer any “safe” or “secure” careers, how do we plan for the future, what does this mean for education, jobs, and business?

Business Unusual helps us navigate this mess by identifying the characteristics of the kind of individuals and organizations that will thrive in this new normal.
Business Unusual delves into what will become relevant and what will become crucial in terms of tools and services required in the emerging business landscape.

All these questions and so much more are answered on our YouTube channel click here to watch.

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