By Geoffrey Otieno
The coastal region and the Northern parts of Kenya could be bearing the greatest brunt of the ongoing heavy rains, however on 17th November as the country woke up to the news that the flooding had risen to its peak in the coastal region, in Tsangatsini Kilifi County final preparations were in top gear for the SIFA 107.7 FM Voi prayer vigil.
Despite heavy rains that had pounded the county throughout the night and continued during the day leaving families with marooned homes. As the rescue efforts continued, others who had found their way to Matendo Spiritual Center in Kirumbi were setting up the venue and doing final rehearsals ahead of the overnight prayers that had been organized by SIFA FM Kilifi Listeners Fans Club headed by Pastor Safari Beja also known as Kilifi Fans Club ‘President’
As the evening drew closer the spiritual anticipation grew higher and higher and finally came the hour. The spirit filled Praise and Worship team set the space with high tempo praise songs in Swahili, English, and local Giriama and Taita dialects followed by worship songs. The spirit of the Lord filled the room and it was amazing to see the congregation that was mostly made of teenagers and youths surrender to the Lord. Even the power outage could not dampen the spirits as the church had ensured that the generator was on standby and so the keyboardist continued to press on the melodious keys, the bass guitarist plucking the strings, the drummer balancing his hands and feet on the drum set and the worship team continued to give the melodious sonnets all through the night to dawn.
The organizers had set up a Seven Key prayer sessions that included Prayer for the Nation and leaders, Prayer for Trans World Radio Kenya and the FM Stations (Sifa FM Voi, Lamu, & Marsabit, Sifa Atoo Kakuma, Maata Radio Lodwar, and Hekima FM), Prayer for the Church in Kenya, Prayer for the Schools, Prayer for the Community Developments, Prayer for Peace and Unity, and lastly Prayer for physical and spiritual needs and the climate effect.
Pastor Beja, the main speaker for the night based his sermon from the book of Acts of the Apostles 2 :42 – 47 emphasizing the importance of fellow-shipping together as it is way of winning more souls for Christ. Pastor shared on how the spirit of fellowship led him to move from just being a SIFA FM listener to using the same Radio to create a listener’s fellowship (Kilifi fans club) that celebrated her tenth Anniversary this year. The fellowship later inspired the formation of other listeners clubs for other regions like Taita Taveta and Loitoktok. These listeners fellowships have strengthened the rapport between the station and the listeners and at the same time continues to play a very important role of reaching out to the unreached with gospel of Christ beyond the radio programs due to the wide memberships.
Apart from the Prayers, Praise and Worship that rented the air, the night also presented an opportunity for others to showcase how they are using their talents to serve God, some presented poems, songs and demonstrated their dancing prowess leaving no room for boredom or sleeping.
The vigil also presented an opportunity to meet some of our loyal Neno Litaendelea (TTB Swahili) listeners like President’ Stephen Kianga alias Papa Fololo (radio name) who was elected in August this year to serve as the President’ of SIFA FM Taita Taveta Fans Club. Stephen confessed that he attributes his spiritual growth to the over ten years of listening to the walk Thru The Bible Series. He says that despite him not attending any Bible college, he clearly understands the chronological flow of the books of the bible. He started listening when the program was on the National Broadcaster some years back before it came to SIFA FM. Sentiments also shared by Samuel Baya another staunch listener of the program who was followed the journey through the SIFA FM Station and he cannot compare the spiritual blessings he has received thru the program with any other Radio program.
Bishop Michael Mathu the host Pastor, could not hide his joy when he was finally able to meet the team that is linked to his favorite Bible Teaching programs and some of the voices that bless him every day through SIFA 107.7 FM. He was grateful that his church had been considered to host the prayer night.
As we conclude on behalf Trans World Radio Kenya and team SIFA FM Voi led by Lina Mwamachi, the Station Manager we would like to thank all the organizers of the SIFA night led by Pastor Beja who despite suffering from some sickness attack to the very last day still allowed God to use him and he granted him the strength to deliver His message, Kilifi listeners fans club even those who could not make it because of the floods, Pastor Samuel Baya of PEFA Church Sokoke, Pastor Winfred Kioko Agape Fellowship, Taita Taveta Listeners Fans Club members led by their President Papa Fololo and his wife Claris Kianga, the host Pastor Mathu, his Clergy and congregation. Without forgetting Edgar Kalimbo SIFA FM network Deputy General Manager, Gibson Kisaka of Jamvi La Gumzo program, Linda KK of Dhoruba program and Geoffrey Otieno of Audience Relations.
As we continue to pray for the flooding disaster, we, cannot forget the fact that last year at a time like this God saw us through one of the worst drought situations and He is still able to see as through this one. Condolences to the bereaved and affected families.
Hata hivyo Neno Litaendelea !!
for more photos Click on https://www.facebook.com/sifafmvoi/posts/pfbid0bpfbHJ1WhzjxC69SZ8jPGpG2PwPgc8WAnbC3atBym76AUky1zK6qKfGBsas43psDl
