Let his grace come upon Africa.

One world, Two kingdoms

2008-11-06T05:39:00.000-08:00

These days, I have got to this place where all I want is for people to understand that we are not fighting against good and bad but against principalities and powers that manifest in different forms. I hope this video encourage you guys. I didn't make this video by the way I made the previous one!

South Africa

2008-11-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

2008-08-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to read from Martin Luther King Jr.'s book "strength to love". It was an amazing time reading from a man who understood laying his life down for the sake of a cause he believed in. This is not to exalt him above the work of justice but to see his likeness with Jesus and the cross. The quote below reminds me so much of Jesus saying to his disciples, "the son of man must die". Why did Jesus care less about his death? My guess would be, he understood that death was no defeat but marks the beginning of victory. Rev. King understood that. He saw the exciting moments of freedom and victory...without him but yet he was excited to go for what he believed was worth dying for. Please read the quote below and if possible read his book or get the sermon, "I've been to the mountaintop".

And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Journey...

2008-06-09T07:21:00.001-07:00

One of the few ministries around that I had had an opportunity to work with over here in Nigeria.
Kingdom ambassador outreach ministry in focus (KAMGLO)
Head: Rev. Stephen Tauna.

An inside/CV of Rev. Tauna.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Thomas Tauna had his first employment after his seminary as a church pastor at Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) at the recommendation of Prof. George Janvier and Paul Fritz both from the USA working with SIM Nigeria. Rev. Tauna as a child felt God's call to be an evangelist to the dying world around him. He started as a town preacher at the age of 10. A great man of God who I have had the opportunity to work and learn from. His ministry I can attest is one that would bring a depth in the spiritual lives of people in the muslim North and the North Central part of Nigeria. He founded and heads KAMGLO at the moment. He has worked before now in this capacities:

Itinerant Evangelist 1996 - 2001
Church pastor 2002 - 2003
Mission/Evangelism co-ordinator 2003 - 2006
Board member, National association of Certified theologians of Nigeria 2006 - date
President KAMGLO ministries.

ACTIVITIES at KAMGLO
City evangelism crusades
Evangelism outreaches
Church planting
Prayer crusades
Seminars on Child Abuse
Mission awareness campaign.

KAMGLO is principally involved in crusades evangelism, interdenominational prayers, church planting and awareness on HIV/AIDS, child and women trafficking.

Break down ministry.
I have had the privilege of working with KAMGLO in one of the outreaches at the Nigeria/Benin Border among the Kambari, Dukawa and Busawa tribes that are aparse across the two borders with a population of 800,000 people in total. We have seen about 11 churches planted with missionaries and five churches without missionaries and are operating under trees.
800,000 population is without Clothes, clean water, health care and literacy (schools), living a step away from the stone age.

For these people lives to be transformed some things that needs to be in place.

Church building:
A place for these people to worship. This people live under a very harsh weather condition. I don't know about you but I will be very uncomfortable to worship under 42-45â„ƒ. Not a fancy building for sure but a place that can hold these people while the fellowship in this new faith.
Classrooms and teaching materials:
For this people to enjoy a relationship with God they must be able to read from his word. There would be a need for the bible to be translated into these tribes but before that, as they grow they would get to a point where they would want to read for themselves. I believe one of the big difference between Islam and Christianity is that we can read and understand for ourselves because the word is accessible for all. Praise God! Not only the word these people will like to know about other things; things that reveal God: science, technology, life in general. I say technology, not necessarily computers and stuff but the ability to make proper use of resource available to them. Classrooms are empty without Teachers and students. The need for teachers can not be separated from the needs for classrooms.

Clinics:
While we were there, there was missiles outbreak. We were told that many died. This and many other diseases that could be easily cared kills these people. The need is great but I must say the need for them to stay alive is the greatest. I could see for this people a future with God. They are vicious in nature, imagine them having the knowledge of God? they would be radicals and warriors. How can we tell them about a God that cares if we don't show them love by cleaning their wounds and finding a way to prevent and cure disease...together with them?

10 wells in 10 villages:
A need for clean drinking water is big. Have you ever drank water that looks like lemonade but is water? these people suffer from lots and lots of water borne diseases that could be easily cured by digging a well for them. 10 villages we visited are in great need. We only pray? but the question I want to pour is are this people important to God? I view them as important as I am to God and I would love them to enjoy from God's gift of life and many other things including water that he has given to sustain life...Clean water.

Other needs:
Shoes and clothes:
There is a huge need for clothes and shoes. Most of these people run around half naked and without shoes like most people in other parts of Nigeria and west Africa.

I see a great need of not only getting involved in the places that are not heard of or known by many. KAMGLO also works in the city of Kaduna (one of the most important city/state for both Christian and muslims because it is second to Jos/Plateau in the North when it comes to Christianity and Islam is coming in more and more even more than before) with Youth and women. The need of fellowship and teaching of the word is huge around this part of the world like another place. The more the Christians in the North of Nigeria have access to the word and experience transformation in their lives (which in most cases is a process) the more it has the ability to combat Islam and also transform the nation of Nigeria.

Like any other place in the world at any point and time in History, God has not called us to save the world but has called us to tell the world about the savior. Salvation is not only for the spirit man but also the physical man. This part of Africa needs to see and experience this.
I don't intend to pursue this me alone but with anyone and everyone that has a burning passion to see transformation as the early church saw in the early days of Christianity.

Finally thanks to all those praying for the working laborers. Your prayers are not empty, the yield so much.

For those who want to partner in the work contact me at the email address below.

For further information on KAMGLO go to: www.kingdomambassadors777.org
For more information on YWAM, go to: www.ywam.org and www.jemburtigny.ch

some of my thoughts could be read on:
http://graceabound.blogspot.com and also contact me at:
Gabstevens2003

Unfairness

2008-03-01T15:52:00.000-08:00

My heart breaks at the thoughts of issues relating to the "african man". For him freedom is just a word that is never a reality. To an extend this is true no man is free, you are either a slave to what you like or don't like. But man can obtain freedom to a certain degree. Why do I have to perform or fit to a certain standard that keeps me a slave and does not allow me to exercise my abilities and giftings all because another man is scared that if I am given that "luxury" I would go beyond his control. The African man has never known creativity because he is lured and unknowingly he gives away his power which makes him dependent on who ever he gives his power to. On an individual level, the African man struggles to keep himself to himself because long ago he had lost himself by giving up dreams because of circumstances. Many African men and women die at the age of 9 or 10 because this is when they give up dreaming for a change and great things and settle for the familiar, and bondage. Hopelessness, is the cause of so many mental, spiritual and physical deaths. HIV/AIDS only comes after this. The few African men that have achieved their dreams or got close to it had to go on a journey that took them through 14 seas and mountains twice the numbers of the seas for their dreams to be visible. This might sound familiar to every man and woman on earth but believe me or not the African man feels a level lower than most people in reaching his dream. On a community level, the African man has to perform because his individual power does not count. He confirms to the people because that is the only way he/she can count. In an international level, he is seen as an opportunist. When he travels around, his first sight is not the beauty of the lands his fathers never saw but the sights of people running away from him like he had a sign that says, "I'm Mr. despair/opportunist, run away.". People have a box where the African man must fit. The dos and don'ts that governs the African man compared to the rest of the world always are different. All because he is African. He always has a place to give the world another chance in his heart. So, where ever he sees something new a little hope sparks and curiosity leads him to this place. No wonder churches are filled and so are places of worship of other religions, this is all in the process of finding worth and freedom. Oh African man, what could be the answer to this problem? What kind of gospel can we preach to this man? where can we find this freedom? We would buy it even if it would cost us the whole wealth that we've got. It is better to be free and poor but still have dignity than to be a rich slave without freedom.

2007-12-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

I take in so many things through my eyes, how could it be? how could it be that I could be hurt inside of me by just seeing things!!! I as a man is often moved emotionally by what I see be it nature, creation, women, pain and reality. I sometimes wish I did not see a lot of the injustice and lack of love; lack of genuine love in my world. I sometimes wish I couldn't see all the oppression. Does that mean I need to plug off my eye? NO!!! I pray today to my father to make me see even more for my heart to break until I have no heart to take the pain and injustice but a heart to make....a change! Lord LET ME SEE my world of pain today.

2007-12-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

I am writing this just at the end of my time with God, a bit emotional and keeps me in deep thinking. What would be my ultimate Christmas gift without being spiritual about anything? The cross. This is the very essence of my existence. I have searched for true meaning in giving out a gift to either my family or friends close to my heart or a girl I am in love with and I have really thought through this, if I do give them something that would not remind them of the gift that has given me my life back then I shouldn't give it at all.
So...my cross is not only a wooden thing with 4 ends but something that hurts me deep and it is so painful that it makes me want to NOT give it away. Why would a king...not only the king of heaven but everything my eyes has ever seen and would never see come as a baby to give himself away not in the sense of adoption but in a death and suffering...why? why can't I see this everyday and choose to follow this humble baby who as a baby never had a chance of a nice birth place all because of me? I want to unwrap this present and meet his presence...the Cross that leads me to his heart.

2007-12-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Sit back and begin to look at the horrors of this world, never has it like this come close to the church since the wars of the days pass and the persecution of the Church. I wonder why this is coming close to us. Lets say the church has failed God? is it possible to say that there is no part of the body that has remained faithful to God? I don't know you answer for yourself as I have for myself. Is it a way of God sending out his wrath upon us? Some might say "yes" to this, but I still remain unsure about this. If you asked me, my response, I'll say it is God's way of telling us we have to begin to do something. God is the God of everything and if we are his Children and He our Father it means our inheritance is everything...heaven and so on earth. Sounds a little bit dark to say "my inheritance is here on earth". What about the nations God has called us to shine the light in to, ain't they inheritance? The love of God is far more than written theology, it is a grabbing experience that holds you and brings you close to reality as our Father sees it. So, all these killing that has crippled into the Church could be a sign of God saying move closer and see from a close place what people in the "outside" world experience and be a hope to them. I love God and hate the troubles of life but wouldn't the Love of God that reflects as hope from me to a hopeless world be needed more than in a setting where people enjoy this love and have it in abundance? my love for him shouldn't be selfish, my love for him isn't only a spiritual thing or a spiritual answer, it is not seen only in how many verses I can quote but the numbers of "hopeless" situation I have gone through and seen the hope that God has given to me as his son through Christ Jesus. My love for him could be seen practically, it is Real! Bless you who live like Christ putting words into action in this world with so much despair and bringing hope to the hopeless.

Update

2007-10-27T03:01:00.001-07:00

It has been great experiencing God in and around the people I interact with daily. I just sent my update via email but if you view this blog and didn't get this update please let me know, contact me on Gabstevens2004@hotmail.com. Thanks for viewing this blog and also praying for me.
Gabriel

2007-10-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

2007-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Reflection...

2007-07-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

For Christ, his purpose was one...the Cross. All other things (miracles and His divine teaching)were just part of the process and were going to lead him to the place at that right time... THE CROSS...and that is where I find redemption and restoration and I guess we all do. My one purpose is to serve God, all other things... (ministry) is just part of the process that leads me to that place... to serve God.

2007-07-05T11:32:00.001-07:00

It is good to be back on the base and just relax and get ready for the next step in the plan. God has been talking to me about the value of man. It is hard to explain on this page the whole thing but the heart behind I can try to share. God has reminded me over and over again that if he hadn't value every individual in the world, He wouldn't have died. The value that I have on things make me love them. The same with God, if he loves us he will value us and the other way round. The depth of my spirituality in him can be seen in the way I value and love people around me. Love is the answer, he said it in little words but it meant big, Love God... and other as yourself. Matt 22:37-38. I urge you my friends to do this, this alone can bring healing to all nations. Gabriel Stevens

To Jillian!!!

2007-06-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

I am sorry you're leaving and going away,It's with sadness I am saying 'farewell' this glum day.To our funny Jill, the girl with the nicest smile,But at least when you're gone it will be lots of memories to keep in our thoughts.Your work was your life here, you loved every day,I'm sure you would miss every day!No-one on earth could have ever worked harder.This place will be quiet and dull when you're gone,I'll miss all your jokes and your stories so long,your dodgy sacastic views I will lack, and pretty soon I will be wanting you back.But then I'll remember what you're really like, I'm sad you came for a very short time, and left me in pieces to get on with our work. So farewell Beautiful Jill, I wish you the best, I am sorry you're leaving and flyiny,your job here is done. But at least, I would have a friend somewhere else to visit.

2007-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Some pictures of our little town (Nyon). It is beautiful, nature is what express the supreme designer. This is a place to go get inspired if you ever have a project or something to write about.

2007-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Life in Switzerland! This almost the end of my 1st school in Switzerland. I felt at this moment to shout loud so as to let people know that I am free, very free! Standing by the lake side at Nyon in Switzerland but the other side france was such a blessing. God really used this moment to remind me to rest at his feet. It was a wonderful day.

2007-06-07T05:13:00.000-07:00

My friends in missions, you have all been very encouraging with words and actions. I exalt you for your true friendship.

2007-06-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

A Picture of my DTS in '06.

These are Pictures of DTS groups. The DTS (Discipleship Training School) is a 6 month school for young peole who want to seek God's plan for their lives either in missions or missionaries in the spheres of life. Knowing God and making Him known is the motto of YWAM. I was a student in a DTS in '06, and I have staffed 2 DTSs. In our DTSs in Worcester South Africa, we usually have people from 3 to 5 continents. I will share with you a little testimony of how my life was changed in the DTS. Coming to South Africa for the DTS was an opening to new perspectives on who GOD is. I say to people that I was a Christian before I went to South Africa, but, I met HIM in South Africa during my DTS.

2007-05-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Emotions

2007-05-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Emotions are not limited to a handful of common feelings, but include hundreds of distinctions. Though we may classify our emotions into broad categories, such as “positive,” negative,” “pleasant,” and “unpleasant,” those classifications are not themselves emotions. Emotions are distinct from the global classifications they may fall into, such as “good” or “bad”.

the Long journey to freedom

2007-05-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

THE LONG JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

The drums sound as the women in the village sing the song that uplifts even as it tells a sad tale. You may be poor, you may have only a ramshackle house, you may have lost your job, but that song gives you hope. The music that inspires the children growing up to take the road that many have taken but few have survived. That long road, leads to freedom.

As I went on the road that many have taken but few have survived, I heard the song of freedom coming from the pyramids of Egypt, from the cape of South Africa, from the tropical forest of West Africa and from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro of East Africa. The song had a beautiful rhythm but it pierced my heart like an arrow, piercing through my bones and causing my flesh to bleed; but I was focused and I was ready to die for its cause.

“What was my main inspiration?” I asked myself. The dream! The dream that one day the nations of Africa would rise and live out the true meaning of its creed; the home for all. I have a dream that one day our sons and daughters will have access to good health care, a good education system, social ameniities and much more than I could ever think of now. I have a dream that our young boys and girls will one day live in a nation that is free of war, disease and corruption. I have a dream that one day the children of Africa will have equal opportunities to kids from other parts of the world to be who they were born to be. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight as the glory of Africa is revealed to all mankind.

All of a sudden the music that had inspiresdme stopped. “What is going on?” I asked myself. It was the price of freedom. It has chased everyone away like a hungry lion going after its prey. Who is bold enough to stand it? Who is bold enough to tear this lion into pieces? A thick cloud of despair covers me. A thin wall of fear stands between me and freedom. Fear of what? The things I see around: hunger, HIV/AIDS, malaria, wars, natural disasters, corruption. Is this road really going to lead to freedom? Is there hope for this devastated place I call home? It seems to me like a dry bone that will never have flesh on it. A dead body that has lost the hope of breath in its nostrils. People have lost hope. People have died for the cause. History says it is impossible. But I was reminded by the words of a wise man, “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” For this reason I have committed myself to this cause.

“There is nothing we can do about it,” they say. However, I refuse to believe
that the bank of freedom is bankrupt. I refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this Continent. And so I've come to cash this check that will give me upon demand the riches of freedom. It is time to rise from the dark and desolate valley as many call Africa, to a place that is habitable for us. A sun is rising over our continent; a sun that shines down the light of freedom and hope. A light that brings smiles to the faces of children across the continent, a light that brings strength to the bones of old men and women across the continent. A light that stirs up “guts” in the young and hearty.

You can see that there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires. Dangers and difficulties have not deterred us in the past, they will not frighten us now. But we must be prepared for them, like men who mean business and who do not waste energy in vain talk and idle action. The way of preparation for action lies in our rooting out all impurity and indiscipline from our organisation and making it the bright and shining instrument that will cleave its way to Africa's freedom.I call on all the citizens of this world be you black, white, brown, red or yellow as long as you live, you are obliged to be part of this struggle for freedom.
Freedom is not tomorrow it is today.
Gabriel Stevens (Inspired by Martins Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela)

2007-05-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

2007-05-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Media, a part of communication which is God's creative Idea through man to visualise the world through motion pictures is one of the strongest weapon we could use to Make God know in the nations and also to build opportunities for employment in the world's economy. Badnews, if we don't use it someone will... Satan, he is always ready to twist God's idea for his own kingdom. Lets take back today what the enemy has stolen from us. This is one of the areas that I love a lot as well and I am hoping to do some media ministries (Documentary, short films) in Nigeria, West Africa. Let us come together to use this great tool to expand the Kingdom of our Father!

2007-05-27T04:13:00.001-07:00

Swiss Day! Very interesting day. It was good to see how the Swiss nation celebrate God in their unique way. I believe that God has given this nation something that all the nations around the world could learn. Something very Interesting about Switzerland is, this nations was transformed by the WORD of GOD itself. A rich history of how God's word comes to live for all those who believe in it. GOD BLESS SWITERLAND... AND GOD BLESS ALL THE NATIONS OF THIS EARTH.

2007-05-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

Music is a talent that I asked God for over 6 years ago and he gave it to me. Whenever I sing it reminds me of the night on my bed in Jos, Nigeria when I asked God for this thing I have today, he gave it to me. What do I do with this talent? I give it back to HIM by ministering to HIS people, bringing healing and encouraging them to take their songs of joy, pain and victory Before the THRONE!

2007-05-27T03:01:00.000-07:00