TESTIMONY OF CHRISTINA ETTO: THE GIVING HEART OF CHRIST AND THE BIRTH OF ANOTHER SIMPLE CHURCH

 

 

Isaiah 60:2—For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This scripture was quoted by an illiterate old widow known as Christina Etoo (I have attached her picture on this email). Christina is about 78 years old. In one photo is her three bedroomed house, good enough for a widow at her age. One counts themselves lucky in Africa to have this kind of a house. But Christina chose to donate this house to small children (mostly HIV/AIDS orphans) to be used as a learning centre and build herself a little house (in the picture), where she now lives, filled with so much grace, prayer and love for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Meeting this woman only reminds you of great Shunamite woman and those early great women of faith from Galilee, who left everything and followed and ministered to Christ and did not give up ministering unto Him even after His death; had gone on a Sunday morning just to do it again, now to a dead, smelly body, when they met an angel, who preached the first Sunday morning sermon to them. These indeed were blessed women. One of their type is alive in Kenya today. Christina Etoo is her name.

 

Christina lost her husband 5 years ago. She had been in the Salvation Army church her whole life, where she had had no means to reach Christ due to all those commands and hierarchies. They were keener on the money she was expected that give than her soul, according to her testimony. She later moved to “Deliverance Church” where she was well received, but all they preached was “plant the seed”. She gave her two cows to a pastor, who sold them immediately and put the money on other use. It appears to have offended her because she wanted the milk from the cows to be used to feed children in an orphanage run by the ministry. One night the LORD clearly spoke to her in a vision that she should go back to her house because He was there waiting for at the door. The following Sunday at church, there erupted another scandal involving money. That night the LORD was more explicit, telling her that He was not in any of those churches around, but was at home, in her house, waiting for her. Christina finally obeyed and remained at home, fellowshipping alone with a few kids that would not go to church with their parents.

 

When she heard about the house church, a cool breeze swept through her soul. She felt a fulfilment for her vision. She embraced it whole heartedly and two families joined her. When I was there last weekend, they were now 17 members. They are filled with the fire for Christ and love for others. The pastors have been persecuting them, calling them names. But they are united in faith, beneath the cross of Calvary. The Holy Spirit is teaching them and leading them. I shall be going back there for leadership training.

 

These are the remnants. The LORD must have His way even in the wildest apparition. Heaven has not gone bankrupt. Our God still has people worshipping Him in Spirit and truth. 
 

Your Brother Jim.