NAIROBI MARATHON

For several years now the Nairobi Marathon has taken place on a Sunday morning. While the churches support the event, it's route and placement is a great inconvenience to those who would like to attend service on Sunday, and to those who would like to take part in the event but cannot because of Sunday services. The churches have therefore repeatedly asked the event sponsors to consider holding it on a Saturday, or better still, on a midweek national holiday (Kenyatta or Moi day). Each year, including last year, the sponsors and Govt., have promised that will be the last time it is held on a Sunday.

It therefore came as a surprise 3 weeks ago when the church leaders learnt that the new minister of sports and culture was going to gazette the Nairobi Marathon as a fixed Sunday annual (international) event. A representation of church leaders sought audience with him on the matter. He explained that he was not aware there has been a historical conflict (having just recently been appointed to the post), or that there were past promises made by others. He therefore delayed the action but asked the churches to appoint a team to look into the matter with him to try and determine alternative start and end points, plus a less disruptive route for the churches.

We're not sure what will happen this year but please pray for the team that is working on this matter. Holding an international marathon in Nairobi is a plus, especially for a country of runners. Surely we can work out a win-win solution.

Pastor Oscar Muriu.

All Saints Cathedral: All Saints have an important fund raising day service to try and complete their expansion program. I am away preaching the sermon at this service.

Mwambao ni Leo!!!
An exciting COAST CAMP is being organized for 17-24year olds over the EASTER WEEKEND (14-17ThApril) Cost is down to 4K per head. Registration fee is 500/-. The deadline for registration is 2nd April (Today!). Sign up @ the Info Desk or Contact the Youth Director 0722 660 277 or Mark Mumo 0722 290 672 for more details.
BAMBIKA NA COAST!!!!!!

Teacher Training Conference: Here is an exciting opportunity for all children workers in Ministry to interact with others in our teacher training conference in August. The two day overnight conference will be held from the 4th to the 5th of August and will be facilitated in partnership with a team from the Grace Community Church from the USA. Our theme this year is “Teaching for Transformation”. Venues and cost will be announced soon but we request that you begin to prepare and pray for this very wonderful opportunity.

Next Month's Preaching: Next month we will have sermons delivered by guest preachers, especially the pastors from our daughter churches. I myself will be away during the month as I will be preaching at their churches. Please uphold them in prayer as they seek the Lord on their ministry of the word to us and vice-versa.
Kids Kamp 2006: The children's ministry will host a full day kid's camp from the 8th to the 12th of August at the church and children from ages 6-11 are invited. The aim of the camp is to help your child develop a deeper love for the word, how to live a Christian life and how to share their faith with others. The program will be taught in innovative, creative and fun ways and there will be games, sports, crafts and other exciting things to do… details of the camp will be made available soon, please pray and plan towards this event.

Sermon DVD/CD's available: DVD copy of the March sermons on II Tim Intro, Chapter 1 and 2 are now available at the Information Desk. Purchase your copy today.

Giving in March: Oooh, our giving in March fell to 1,900,000/=, about 600,000/= below our target of 2,500,000/=. For those of you who tithed faithfully in March, thank you for your willingness to obey the Lord and take that step of faith. If you are not yet tithing, please do; it is a matter of obedience to the Lord, and a real blessing to the Church as it enables us to meet expenses.

Persecution in Afghanistan: I am sure we have all followed the story of Abdul Rahman, an Afgan man who converted to Christianity 16 years ago, and for whom death threats have been called. Suffering because of receiving Christ as Savior is an ongoing reality in many parts of the world, the main hotspots being India, China, Southern Sudan, and much of the Muslim World.

Sunshine Kids CD Concert: Sunshine Kids CD are available for you to purchase at the information table after the service. This is a CD of children's music written and performed by the Sunshine Kids, many of whom are members of our Sunday School.