Invest in yourselves before remitting money home, Kenyans told

Standing in the foreground, left to right, pastor Fred Shekaneta from Namibia, Pastor Joanne Wachira, Rev. John Wachira and Rev. Dorcas Karanja, all of Christ is the Answer Church in North Chelmsford, Mass., applaud during a sunday service conducted by Bishop Jonah Obonyo from Nairobi, Kenya.

By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News

NORTH CHELMSFORD, Mass. , FEBRUARY 19_ Kenyans living abroad have been advised to wake up and invest in themselves first before sending money to relatives and friends home. They were reminded that the people they send money to, are living a far better life while those sending it work 24 hours a day to finance the “money remittance scheme”.

The timely and crucial advice was given by the outspoken Bishop Jonah Obonyo of the Cathedral of Praise Ministries in Nairobi Kenya at the conclusion of a two week revival seminar at the Christ is the Answer church in North Chelmsford, Mass.

The seminar, which started on January 27, covered a series of bible teachings designed to equip Christians with the tools to break yokes that entangle them in the Diaspora, making them live unhappy lives in what is known to be the land of opportunity.

The great meetings, hosted by Rev. John Wachira and his wife, Pastor Joanne Wachira ended on Wednesday, February 10th and attracted several hundred worshippers from many different countries and communities.

During one of the meetings, Bishop Obonyo said that Kenyans and other Africans in America need to invest in themselves first before they think of sending money to back home.

“You need to invest in yourselves first, your spouse and your children before you send money to your extended families in Kenya,” said Bishop Obonyo.

Bishop Jonah Obonyo advising kenyans to love themselves first.

“Investing in you mean giving more time to your wife and children, unless they are all back home,” the man of God clarified.

“Family investment goes into the future. Pray with them, spend time with them and work hard for them and you will have less stress in your families,” the Bishop said.

He told worshippers that they also need to invest in themselves by eating healthy foods, exercising, getting enough sleep, and reading good books to help them think.

“If you keep punishing your body to the extent of not getting enough sleep, you will be stressed even with your money. I have a gym in my house in Nairobi and I wake up every day at 5 am to exercise because I want to take care of this temple of God. I don’t want to die early since I have not finished preaching the word,” Obonyo said.

According to the Bishop, God helped him get out of a miserable life where he was raised in the Ghettos of Mathare in Nairobi. He said he used to make money by peddling changaa (illicit liquor in Kenyan ghettos).

He told worshippers that when he got saved and started applying God’s principles in his life, his life totally changed for the better.

“I stopped selling changaa and started selling mitumba (used clothes) in Gikomba market, got married and kept building my faith and work in the ministry.
 
It is therefore pathetic that many people, especially men, work too hard and do not invest in their looks, even those without families.

“The bible says love your neighbor as you love yourself. That means you have to love yourself first before you are able to love your neighbor,” said Obonyo.

The evangelist said that people need to dress nicely, apply some perfume and some nice make up and save some money for themselves first.  

“Some men never even put on some perfume to smell nice. The only time they use perfume is when they die, when the casket is sprayed with a whole can of perfume,” said the cleric, causing an outburst of laughter.

Bishop Obonyo said that when Kenyans call home, some of their relatives fake illnesses and other “serious” situations so they you can up the amount of money you send to them by Western union.

“The next thing you know is that they are in the bar or on the beach in Mombasa having fun with your money, while you, yourself never have time to go to the beach,” Bishop Obonyo cautioned.
 
He said that to avoid this, Africans need to set some conditions to the people they send money to, and if those conditions are not met, “cut off the funding. They will not die,” said Obonyo.

“Having visited America and witnessed the kind of life Africans live here, many back home have no idea of the kind of hardships you go through,” Bishop Obonyo said.

The praise and worship choir performs at one of the the Revival meetings at CITAC

On corrections, the Bishop shocked worshippers present when he revealed that the bible clearly says that those who do not accept corrections like a good son are basically bastards and cannot inherit blessings of God here in the world and in the next world. Hebrews 8:12.

He also said that Africans in America need to invest in charities to help the poor since God will always help them when they themselves need help. Proverbs 41:1-2

“If you want to be blessed, begin doing some things to consider the poor,” said Bishop Obonyo. He said that America is such a strong and stable country because America has always considered the poor.

However, for Africans to be able to have enough money to invest in themselves and create time for their relationships, they need to apply the wisdom of the bible in their every day lives and accept teachings from the men and women of God.
 
He said that they need to start operating businesses which is the only way to own a piece of American dream, start saving money for their future, protect their families against unforeseen eventualities like sickness and death and most importantly, pay their vows (debts) James 5:4.

The seminar ended with a word of thanks by Rev. John Wachira of Christ is the Answer church.

Rev. Wachira thanked bishop Obonyo for his grace at sharing the wisdom of God to Kenyans and Africans in the US.  He also thanked all those who took time off to attend the meeting, promising many more future meetings that will allow people to hear more in order to build their faith.

Before leaving Massachusetts for other states, Bishop Obonyo recorded a radio interview with the upcoming Ajabu Radio, an internet based radio by Ajabu Media Communications.

During the interview, Bishop Obonyo tacked many social issues bedeviling African immigrants in the US including the widespread “come we stay” marriage arrangements, divisions and infighting within and among churches, money wrangles in churches and families, how to build better relationships, community development and many more.

The interview will air soon on AjabuAfrica.com

Due to lack of enough time to handle all the many issues at hand, Bishop Obonyo promised that he will return to the US soon to talk more specifically about taking advantage of the business opportunities in the land of opportunity, so that immigrants can also share the blessings of America.

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