Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Live Blogs: K.A.G. Annual National Youth Conference 2015, Day 4 (The Last Day)

Friday, 24th April, 2015 (Day 4 - The Final Day)
Campus gate
8.00am
Good morning good people.
Let's get it on with this...

8.05am
Today is the last day of the conference and I bet this one my last post in this series of posts live from the Conference.
(It has been interesting following up on events and posting live from this side of the world.) 
Over this time, my relationship with Android battery savers is becoming bitter by the day. My battery's battery charge is draining at steroid-induced speeds. 
Okay, putting aside my Android woes, lemme remind you that we were warned yesterday that today is gonna be slightly overcrowded with activities. We are likely to do a lot today in such a small amount of time... 

8.53am
I'm here sipping this tea (not as fake as the one I drank the other day) and I'm seeing these photo stands/booths. Okay, just to be fair here, who still takes photos within photo stands/booths? Huh? With all those colors and initials all over you in a photo?
Musicians and various instruments
9.03am
I'm one hour late to enter the hall. Dang. (It seems I have that "be late but be cool" bug remotely installed in my flesh...)
From a distance, I can see former Muslim young people (a couple that is now married) speaking about something they are calling HOPE FOR AFRICA. (I'll let them remain anonymous for security purposes.)
The story is being told by the husband, and this is what he is saying;
1. Africans believed in false deities in the past.
2. Europeans came to bring the message of the Gospel to Africans - a picture of Abraham in the book of Genesis when he flew to Africa to escape drought.
3. The Ethiopian eunuch is probably the first Christian missionary of the current dispensation.
4. God has been using Africa to reveal His glory. Although there is persecution, the Gospel still has to spread. Even terrorists can get saved.
(He now gives a testimony of a terrorist that got saved. And then he shows us a video clip on salvation to the Islamic population and our role in bringing them the good news. I can't see the video clearly because I'm not strategically placed.) 

9.25am
We are now giving towards the couple's missionary work to the Muslims. They need at least KSh 100,000 per month. 

9.33am
Under the guidance of Rev Jeff Kennedy, we're now stretching our hands and praying for the couple.
He then heads straight away to preaching...

Speaker - Rev Jeff Kennedy 
Text - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)  
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Topic - Back to the Basics (Pathways to Freedom) 

Sermon Notes:-
1. Other gods don't bring surety of a future to their followers and believers. Only Christ offers that assurance. Christianity, in its nature of an individual relating with the creator, brings about change in the believer.
2. A believer, through the Holy Spirit that dwells in him/her, is able to discern the things of God.
3. Christians should seek transformation by the LORD. (Romans 12:1)
4. Overcoming the flesh is also a challenge we face while trying to live godly lives. (Colossians 3:7). We shouldn't have time to do the very things we used to do while we were still sinners.
5. Transformation is not a one day thing, but it happens day by day while striving to walk righteously on the path of salvation. The work of renewal is not mine, but of Christ who dwells in me by His Spirit. By this, my conscience is cleansed so that I can serve Christ freely.
6. The four purposes of God's Word that are the pathways to my freedom are;
(a) Come to God's Word as His student - come while ready to be taught. The Word instructs me on what I can do. It's God's Word which when applied, the supernatural is revealed.
(b) Come to God's Word while ready to be rebuked. (He uses an analogy of electricity to describe how careful we are about rebuke when electricity is involved.) The Word warns us to do something or not.
(c) Come to God's Word while ready for correction. The Word brings us back to the right path whenever we are losing the way.
(d) Come to God's Word while ready to be trained in righteousness. We must be disciplined in training by His Word. When we continue listen to God's Word but are not ready to put it in practice, we are like the person Christ talked about in Matthew 7:26-27 >> "But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 

(After sermon prayer.) 

10.30am
30 minutes break. 
(And my mind wanders again >> Oh, didn't I hear that this chiq was gonna get married last year? *Nods head towards the direction where she is* Yes, this one? Okay, this also is none of my business. I know.)
(Ladies, here also is an interesting article for your personal reading >> Why Christian Women Need to Stop Waiting on Men | RELEVANT Magazine)

11.10am
Two dance groups do their cool stuff. I can't share the videos today, but I'll upload them to my YouTube channel and add to this post in due time. 
 
Guys rehearsing during break time
11.25am
Praise and worship. Man, why is it that stuff only gets better on the grand finale? Why? Why does awesomeness hide until the last day?
(Whoopers are now whooping like whoa!!) 

11.43am
District Youth Directors introductions. 

11.55am
Guys from ETS Buruburu KAG are here. ETS (Equipping the Saints Program) has been in existence since 2009.
1. What is ETS? It is a program that helps us read, understand and apply the Bible in our day to day lives wherever we are.
2. It is a discipleship program.
(One of the ladies from the team shares her life story and how ETS has been helpful - its members have been supportive)
3. It is designed to help reach people, organize ourselves and plan in a manner that the LORD will bless our plans.
4. It makes every saint a reproducing vessel.
5. Enables us discover God's Will for our lives, develop character, helps in developing interpersonal relationships and become better leaders.
6. Redefines discipleship and service by the help of the Holy Spirit. Helps us apply God's Word.
7. Matthew 24:3-50 > servants in a household > Christ asks if these servants will be found faithful in service when the Master (Himself) comes back.
8. There is a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.
9. It also has a feeding program for needy people in the slums and are involved in evangelism.
10. 1 Samuel 27:1 (But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.") The above scripture is a good example of what is seen even today in many reprobates - giving up and deciding to fight against God and His people or plans.
The program has three phases. 
(Another lady shares why it is important for youth to be empowered through this program.) :-
1. Christianity is shallow mostly because most Christians are not rooted in the Word.
2. ETS, just like Christ did with His disciples, spends time with individuals in order to mentor us.
3. This program equips all of us equally.
4. "The Lord is our strength" is the tagline behind ETS. This program has various products or media items we may buy. It'll begin live on Vision TV from May 2, 2015.

12.33pm
I've just posted yesterday's events as a blog. Rev Jeff Kennedy's wife says hi.
The best three Bible Trivia/Challenge winners are being awarded. She's the one handing over the gifts to them. Each of the guys is being awarded money equivalent to the price of a Bible. That should be approximately KSh 500, right? Rev Jeff Kennedy and the wife are offered a gift too. 
(Yeah, and I'm realizing that I'm just doing alright without those clumsy battery savers) 
 
Campus as viewed from outside
12.51pm
I'm now hungry. There's a lady from CIC Insurance Group. She is here in the name of partnering with KAG youth. That's okay. She's encouraging us (youth) to acquire a saving culture. We may join by acquiring the various products offered by CIC e.g. Jijenge Savings Plan.
Ruth Njihia (of CIC Insurance Group too), a member of KAG, says the following:-
1. She'll talk about money and insurance.
2. Issues to do with money and its use change as one advances in life.
3. When we acquire a savings plan, it makes our tomorrow more manageable through building a "personal safety net" e.g. through a Contingency Plan which secures one's future (or the future of the partner or children if married.)
4. There are two types of saving plans: one where you get a lumpsum (after every three years) or the other which pays you monthly.
5. Since 1978, CIC Insurance Group has been helping people have personal savings. They have 22 branches spread across the country and another in South Sudan. 

1.15pm
Various announcements from Pst Sammy:-
1. There will be a leadership seminar and training at KAG Youth Centre, Nakuru from 20th to 24th July for all the district officials. Charges are KSh 500 per person.
2. 21st to 27th September, 2015 > youth mission to Marakwet District. Charges to be verified later.
3. October and November > National Youth Office visits to all districts across Kenya.
4. Next year's National Youth Conference will be in Kitale. (Co-hosted by 5 districts: Kitale, Mt Elgon, Moi's Bridge, Kapenguria and Turkana.)
Dates: as from 19th April, 2016.

1.25pm
Editor of "The Eagle Magazine" has offers in this month's edition. The magazine is KSh 100 per copy. 

1.30pm
The longest lunch break so far.
(This dude is buzzing a tune right into my left ear as we line up for food. Dude, I don't need your music.) 
Food being served to guests and leaders
2.26pm
#NowPlaying some cool techno Gospel music >> Hang On (Dave Aude Radio Edit Remix) by Plumb.
As I'm seated here creating a techno Gospel music playlist, some guy has a case. I mean, there are two chiqs in his phonebook called, let's say, "Ann" (not real name), and he happened to text one last evening thinking that it is the other. Nukes are now being targeted at him lady style. Phew!! He's gotta get some anti-nukeoids for this. His bad.

4.00pm
There is this chiq from Eldoret who lost her iPhone 4S. Yes, you heard me right and I actually verified it. It was an iPhone 4S! So I ask her, "Hey, when, how, etc etc did you lose it?" and she tells me how. And she wants me to help her track it. So we delve into those useless iOS devices lectures that include petty details on iCloud. com, Apple devices and accounts, security, vulnerability, Google Maps, Android security (because Android's security ecosystem is simpler to explain and understand) and we end up somewhere hopeful.
Her device runs iOS 8 which makes it easier to locate via www.iCloud.com ...
I will spare you the useless details tho... 

5.00pm
#NowPlaying Alive by Hillsong Young & Free. Yes, my techno playlist is still on. And, by the way, when is Plumb's latest album "Exhale" coming out? Oooh well... 

6.21pm
In my strolls within the campus farm, I spot guys on some kind of date... And a guy praying loudly 100m away.

7.33pm
Ninjas from Busia District who have won the football trophy and were to be awarded money equivalent to the price of the trophy they have won twice, are heckling seriously over payment. It seems they're smelling something fishy.

8.09pm
Lemme now get you something to calm your reading nerves for now >> 10 Things Young Singles in Romantic Relationships Ought to Know 

Me... I look weird, right?

8.45pm
Back inside for the finale!!
Let's dooo thiiis!!

Preacher - Pastor Sammy Kihu Mwangi 
Text - Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV) "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Notes:-
1. We need to pay more attention because we have received a far greater message by a far greater messenger.
2. When we don't follow instructions, it is somehow unforgivable if you mess in life.
3. Our excuses can not save us from the penalty of our disobedience towards what we have heard.
4. Personal questions posed by the preacher: What is that one thing I'll remember about this conference? And what am I going to do about it? 

9.58pm
Various awards and prizes are being given to winners in the following categories:
1. Monthly STL offering - prize given to Nyandarua District.
2. Youth Day offering - prize given to Kitale District.
3. 10% Monthly offering - prize given to Nairobi District.
4. Top three most improved districts: Moi's Bridge, Vihiga and Loitoktok.
5. Overall giving - prize given to Nairobi District.
6. Soccer winners - prize given to Busia District (they carry away KSh 35,000.)

10.06pm
Final prayers and a priestly benediction from the National Youth Director. 


This is my last writing tonight. We're leaving tomorrow morning at 4.00am.
Let's meet again when I come back to blog on our kawaida stuff. (I'm now feeling like a reporter/journalist, lol.)


Bonface Morris.

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