In spite of the difficult circumstances around us this year, we still can join the Psalmist in this song:

‘’I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.

With my mouth will I make Known thy faithfulness in all generations’’ Ps. 89:1.

We marvel at what the Lord has done in this dark season of Covid-19. He has opened new doors for Ministry, taught us new lessons, and given us opportunities to serve and to minister in many amazing ways.

As members of CTA working in the field, we really appreciate you all and a Big Thank You for your partnership. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement.  Because of these, lives have been impacted, communities transformed and the Gospel preached. We give all glory and honor to God.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, our 2020 calendar of activities was affected.  Despite the situation, God opened other avenues of ministry we least expected.

In the Month of July, a new Church was planted in Magumba, an area East of Bargoni Village and about 18 Km from our base of operation in Hindi. Magumba is inside Boni Forest where there are informal settlements. Pastor Eliud Sangu Agango who is also a pastor in the only Church in Bargoni Village, has felt God directing him to begin a new Church there.

CTA in partnership with VOM sponsored Eliud for Bible School training where he graduated with a diploma in Bible and Theology last year. Michael has been mentoring him and it’s a great joy to see him progress and courageous enough to venture in areas that other are afraid to dare.

From the Month September all the way to 11^th of December Alice was involved in Women’s Conferences and Seminars in different Churches in Lamu County. We thank God for those who gave their lives to Jesus and for those who were restored back to the body of Christ. One amazing thing that happened on Lamu Island is a man, a husband of one of the ladies in attendance, came in suddenly, interrupted the meeting with a request that he be prayed for to receive Jesus. At first we thought he was drunk, but realized that the Holy Spirit had convicted him. We prayed for him and he gloriously gave his life to Jesus!

Michael was involved with Youth Seminars in various Churches, now that majority are still at home due to Covid-19. Many have given their lives to Jesus. We thank God for the more than 20 youths who gave their lives to Jesus in different meetings.

 He was also engaged in preparations for next year’s Pastors and Youth Leaders Trainings. He is currently engaged in the compiling of the names of more than 2,000 Sunday School children to be given gift packages next year from Witu, Maisha Masha, Chakamba and Kipini Churches.

Michael and Alice are also involved in pre-marital counseling sessions to those preparing to get married in 2021. We take them through ten well planned lessons, each taking about two hours.

In the Month of November, Charitos got its Website! This has made it easy for CTA partners and new partners coming on board to access with ease all the activities that have been going on so far. The address is www.charitos.org.

On the 14^th of Nov. we hosted 5 members of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) organization who had come to visit various projects they have been funding in Hindi and in Mpeketoni in partnership with CTA. It is 7 years since the terrorist’s attack of 2014 that left many women as widows. We heard encouraging testimonies from the widows who attended the meetings.

Almost all of them confessed that their hearts are now healed and are able to move forward. They were so grateful for the support they have been receiving for the last seven years from VOM and Charitos. The VOM has been supporting them in farming, helped others open small businesses, paying fees for those in Secondary Schools, Colleges and University. Many were quite emotional as they expressed their gratitude.

In the Month August and November we distributed food to vulnerable families, especially the elderly and the widows in Hindi ward. More than 40 families benefited. Ten of them were from the Aweer community. We thank God for Dr. Silas Waweru who is a CTA Board member and all those who contributed towards this.

One elderly couple had nothing to eat the evening food was taken to them. Just when they were wondering what to do, Francis our colleague drove into their compound with the food. The elderly couple repeatedly told Francis and Jane his wife: “You Angels sent by God!”

We thank God for the Sunday school children Christmas gift packages for Lamu Island Churches by VOM. The parents and the Sunday school children were overwhelmed by the gifts. The package comprised a hardy school bag, the Action Bible, Maamuzi Mema (Right Choices Bible stories in Kiswahili), a solar lamp, lunch dish, and assorted stationery. The parents confessed that the School bags and the stationaries given was a big financial relieve to them. They can now concentrate on the uniforms as they prepare their children for school next year. The Bibles have proved a great blessing for the children as they have little else to read now that they are at home.

Thank you all for your contributions in whatever form, prayer, giving, visit, word of encouragement, and many more. May God bless you abundantly.