News from Africa


news from burundi 

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Saviour.  We ask you to pray for us because of our Sisters and Brothers who fled their quarters at Kinama, north of Bujumbura where the rebels are in confrontation with the government army.  They are in the miserable situation of being lodged by members of their families in the quarters at Cibitoke.  Please pray for us and for peace in our country.

Bro. Kashindi-Bin-Nyassinde

Photos. Above: The baptism of Bro. Kitambala Jean Pierre in August, 2003.  Below: The ecclesia at Cibitoke.

 


news from cameroon 

BUEA
We are fine.  We plead with God for His blessings to foster His work in the ecclesia at Buea.  While we try our best in doing our service to God, our handicap is getting Bible Basics and Gospel News to aid our evangelisation work.
Bro Agbor Martin Ebai

DOUALA
I am delighted to report the visit of Brothers Ian, Ged and Sisters Sue and Veronica in Douala. After our Bible talks on, "I know Thy Works" by Bro Ian, we moved to the baptismal action in Bonaberi where two new babes were received into the faith. We also had two marriage blessings, that of Bro Tanyinjia Atabong Martin and Sis Lucy Atabong and also that of Bro Joseph Igah and Sis Therese Igah. The blessing ceremony was conducted by our U.K brothers with the quotations from the books of Gen. 2:28 and Eph. 5:22:25. May the blessing of the Lord be upon us till the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bro Amumbi Robert. 

 LIMBE
Thank you very much for the BIBLE BASICS.  I will use Psalm 52:9 to thank you.  I started the Sunday School in 2000.  We are learning in SS the years of those of old, Methuselah 969 years and Noah 950 years, that the Bible is the only book that contains God’s works and plans for man.
Bro. Princewill F. Mobit

Since I last wrote to you I have been sick, and in hospital for two months, but I am beginning to recover and will soon be discharged.  Thank God for the Brothers who have been praying for me all this time, and to God for restoring me to health.  Brother, I want everyone to pray for me and for the contacts who were preparing to be baptised;  as they have seen no one, I wonder how they stand in the Lord, but thank God I bought some Bibles and sent to them for guidance.  I intend to visit them when I get out of hospital. 

Bro. George Njuh Ewi

 Photo. Bro Leke Thomas in front of the Edea Ecclesial Hall, when in construction. 

 KUMBA
The Lord Jesus will soon come back to the earth; we should all be ready to receive him as our King.
Sis. Rachel Leke

Photo:  Sis. Rachel Leke

 

 


news from ghana 

KUMASI
I have been delighted with the content of the Key Cards you kindly sent to me.  I am now inspired to make a request: Having made a check I find there are many numbers I have not got.  I should be grateful if you could send me these and hope you will not mind the inconvenience.

Bro.  K.A. Gepi-Attee

 SHAMA JUNCTION
There is much work to be done here, and if our Lord and Master remains away, God willing more will be added to the vineyard of the Lord.  Events in the world tell us that the coming of the Lord is very near, therefore we should hold fast and support one another on the road to the Kingdom.
Bro. Joseph Oppong



news from kenya 

BULIMBO
I take this opportunity to write and thank you for the work you seriously undertake.  I am a new Christian convert from the Muslim doctrine.  The books you have produced have changed my life fully.  Really the truth is in the Bible, not in church doctrines.  My family members are still under Moslem law, but I decided to follow the truth that will lead me to the eternal life soon.

Bro. Saligue Bukhebi

 First of all I would like to thank you for the six free books you sent to me for the use of the church;  we are very grateful and they may be used by some members of other churches who request for them.  May our Almighty God bless you and may you continue in assisting us to proclaim the gospel news.
Bro. Emmanuel Joumer

 I thank you very much for the materials you sent to me which I received without problems.
Bro. Moses Sande Joumer

KAKAMEGA

It was so nice to hear from you and I was pleased to receive a Bible from Bro. Malcolm Cross.  I would also be pleased to receive Bible Basics in Kiswahili language.

Bro. Gibson A. Azere

 
KERICHO

I’m glad to take this opportunity to thank God for His love towards all men. My prayer is to ask God to open ways to enable brothers and sisters to continue giving support to our CBM and CAT to get more books for our library. May I also thank you for the work you are doing to assist us. Please continue serving Him because your reward is awaiting yonder
there. Time will show when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth to set up God’s Kingdom.
I would like to inform you that the Lord Jesus Christ gave me chance to travel to Migori- KABABU ECCLESIA on Friday December 12, 2003. I joined our brothers and sisters there and we shared the word of God and were together in memorial services on Sunday. The Lord is good He guided me and came back safely. It is lovely for brothers and sisters to be together but because of the distance it is impossible now. We are looking forward for that time when we shall share together in the Kingdom. Please I am requesting you humbly to send to me ten copies of Bible Basics (eight in English and two in Kiswahili).   I am requesting to get preaching materials because the work is wide and I look for good reports in the future.
Walter Odongo

KIKONENI
Time is passing by and we are still waiting for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who we expect soon to establish the Kingdom here on earth.  Our hope is that we shall be among those who shall inherit that precious Kingdom.  All over the world everyone is praying for peace and harmony.  Kenya is trying to maintain peace, but still cases of political instability are reported.  My fellow Brothers and Sisters here in Kenya are all right, despite the day-to-day problems in people’s lives.  May we meet soon in the Kingdom of God.
Bro. Gideon Mukeku

KIMILILI         
I would like to offer myself to the service of spreading the gospel of God.  I am a student aged 18 and  have felt so much inspired by your letter, which is indeed a call from God, that is why I have written to inform you that I am ready for the work. Please note my address.

Bro. Isaac Wabuge

KITALE
I am thankful for you remembering me and sending me some more cards accompanied with booklets and leaflets to help me and the ecclesia.  We pray that God will make you wise in preparing such material to support our faith.  I am also thankful for Gospel News from which I am gaining knowledge through the views of Brethren and Sisters from all over the world.  I saw my article about the commandments;  I am pleased you have fulfilled all that you said in your letter. There are three interested friends who are in need of Bible Basics.  If you can please send them to me, it would be better if we had the Kiswahili translation, because it is the language understood in our area.  My acknowledgement goes to my tutor, Bro. J.T. Waycott, who is now aged; he is helping me with Lukosi ecclesia.
Bro. Joseph Katasi

 I hope you are fine in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ just as I am with my family and all other members of Kitale ecclesia. Thank you very much for the books sent, they are really helping us to understand many things, which we had only a vague idea about.  At the same time they are helping us to walk towards God’s Kingdom. We are praying to the Lord to give you strength so that you can continue spreading the gospel.
Bro Peter Weksa

KOBUJOI
In the past I have had some problems with my P.O. Box, but Bro. Trevor has been helping me.
Bro. Geoffrey Chirchir

LUKOSI
I am very happy writing to you to thank you for the work you are doing in helping us in the ecclesia. You sent Bible Basics and added other interesting booklets, leaflets and some cards to make us wise in the word of God – particularly myself, I found my faith being built up through understanding.
Bro. Samson Simiyu Wanyonyi

       Photo:   Bro. Samson Wanyonyi

MARALAL
I’m very thankful for your letter enclosing a booklet for more encouragement concerning the soon coming of our Master, Jesus, and the events seen, fulfilling foretold prophecy.  The Scripture says, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds and in their hearts also will I write them, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.  And they shall not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest of them. My wife, Sis. Judine, passes you warm and loving greetings in the truth, with the great hope of enjoying soon the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Bro. Joseph Opiyo Nuani

MBITA
I am so grateful to receive from you, and thanks a lot for the work you are doing; may our God Almighty, together with His Son, multiply blessings to you.  On my side, we are just OK, both spiritually and practically, except that we are experiencing some hardship because of famine.  Just to request any book concerning Islam and some copies of Bible Basics in Kiswahili, if available.  I send my hearty gratitude to all of you  who spend hours in publishing this Gospel News which enables us to know the problems and blessings of Brothers and Sisters world-wide.  I am so happy to fellowship with Brethren of Kababu since July 2003 to date.  I truly admire the courage of my Brothers in Nyandenga ecclesia (in the picture) and other isolated Brothers and Sisters, at such great cost to themselves.
Bro. Richard Oduma

Photo:  Nyandenga Brethren: Jared, John and Daniel (standing) and Richard and Eraline

 MSAMBWENI
Since 2001 up to March 2003 we have been learning the Bible, through studying it.  In April 2003, we became Brother and Sister, i.e. my wife, Sara, and I were baptised.  Through Bible study the relationship between us has really improved.  Surely the Bible has added happiness to our family, this is through reading chapters like Gen. 2:24-25, Ps. 45:10 and Matt. 19:5.  1 Peter 3:1-9 has shown us that the word of God brings peace. I personally would like to thank you for sending GOSPEL NEWS.  I have been sharing it with Sis. Sara and it’s real good; it makes us know much about other Brothers and Sisters world wide, e.g. March/April 2003 issue page 1, where there is a unique picture.  Such pictures make people (myself included) understand that the gospel and GOSPEL NEWS is for all races in the world.  May God bless you.
Bro & Sis. Munga Lugo

NDALU
Thank you for sending me Bible Basics in Kiswahili and other literature.  Let us look at what God is doing among people and nations for the preparation of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return and rule.
Bro. Johnstone Kaliwanga

SINDO
Please try to serve me: We have a Brother, Richard Olang, who was baptised in 1973, who has a son learning in USA, and he would like him to be sent Bible Basics in English and, if possible, to be put into contact with any Brethren in the US to learn more about our faith.  I am getting on well in the faith and we still maintain our Memorial service.
Bro. John Owalo Onani

TONGAREN
May God our Lord do miracles so that the gospel can spread all over the world through native languages.  As Jesus said, that gospel should be preached to the whole world and then the end will come. Preaching the gospel through native languages is surely a sign that the end will soon come

Bro. Sikolia Kapa.

Photo: Tongaren Sunday School and teachers

 I want to thank God for giving you the will to spread the word world over.  The kind of change you have inspired in people through this will be rewarded.  I congratulate you, too, for the literature you sent to me late last year, all received; I am strongly assured that it is going to have a great impact in the lives of many people who will want to share it with me.
Bro. Moses Wafula

 

 


news from lesotho 

 

Really, I am so grateful for the wonderful book, ‘Why Are we Here?’ sent to me as a gift so that I might read it and increase my knowledge in the word of God.  I just say, Thank you for the book. Here in my beloved country it just seems as though the times prophesied has come by the events taking place;  I would like to mention some:  (1)  There is famine in so many parts of the country and a huge number of people are dying. (2)  Due to starvation, many people have turned to being killers or blood-suckers.  Some have turned to thieving and so break our houses and steal things and sell them very cheaply for survival.   There is also a hatred currently prevailing among people.  There is no love.  In families children rebel against their parents and some even beat up their parents.  Things have changed and become worse indeed.  So do these things show that the coming of Jesus Christ is very near and we should be prepared for his coming?  Really, I am very perturbed and fearful, for I do not know what is going to happen in the future.  Only God knows what will happen and I trust Him and regard Him as both my Shield and Fortress.  The reason for many of these happenings seems to be unemployment.  Please pray for me that God, will hear my prayers when I pray to Him, asking for employment.  I thank you for Gospel News which I receive.  I am grateful for it and realise that it contains good news about my Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Bro. Bernard Lintsa

Photo:  Brothers and Sisters of the Cyangugu ecclesia and their children

 


news from malawi 

BUA
I do appreciate your work in publishing Gospel News, indeed, you’re following the works of our Lord Jesus Christ that words of God must be spread all over the world, that whosoever believes and is baptised may attain the Kingdom.  My father fell asleep recently.  The problem is that after my husband died, leaving me with two daughters, I came back to my parents and enjoyed being with them, my children also got used to calling my father their father and not ‘grandpa’. They are now asking me who are they to call ‘father’.  I answer that God in heaven is our Father, but I often feel depressed with the question, as the kids are so young that it will take time for them to understand what I mean.  The second thing is that my living now is so much poorer.  I earn my living by farming, but one has to have farm inputs, e.g. seeds, fertiliser, etc.  The thing is it is impossible for me to go into town to look for employment because my mother is old and town life with children is really difficult.  So your prayers for me are most helpful for both spiritual and physical things. I enclose a picture of my daughters and me.
Sis. Bertha Khonje

Photo: Sis. Khonje with Charity, left, and Florence

BLANTYRE
I receive Gospel News and am greatly touched with the various activities of praising God all over the world; please continue sending it to me.  I am very much interested in translating Bible Basics into the Tumbuka and Nkhonde languages;  Tumbuka is my mother tongue and it is spoken by over five million people in the whole Northern region of Malawi.
Bro. Evans K. Mfuni

KANENGO
I have not been receiving Gospel News magazine.  Please, I beg you that you send it to me.  Gospel News is a very helpful magazine and boosts people’s spiritual capacity.  When I did receive it I was kept abreast of what is going on in the world.  If you could send me ‘Elpis Israel’, ‘The Visible Hand of God’ it would be much appreciated.  Since you sent me, ‘Why Are We Here?’ I haven’t received any booklets from you;  I rely on you, as you are the one who writes to me.
Bro. Robson Tiyamike

KASUNGU

It gives me great joy to write again in Gospel News.  It was early morning last September that we set off for town for a Brother’s project, when a pick-up Toyota full of firewood entered our main road –M1 – only a few metres away from the crossroads.  We heard a smash from our back.  A friend of mine sat on my left-hand side with the driver on my right. Alas! The three of us didn’t know what was happening. I then realised that the driver was crying, the car’s head was pointing in the direction from which we had come and wood was scattered all round the area – and the friend to my left-hand was nowhere to be seen.  After struggling hard to get out of the damaged car and standing up I realised that we were in the accident, and I can’t believe how I was saved from it, but I remembered Deut. 32:39, “See now that I myself am He.  There is no god beside me.  I put to death and I bring to life; I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.”  The friend from the car died and I sustained injuries to the scalp, stomach, legs and hands.  The driver and I were taken to hospital.  God worked some miracles for us – mainly for me because I failed to walk, but can now do so. Brothers and Sisters, pray with me to God and thank Him for sparing my life.  We all need each other’s strength and encouragement.  Since my baptism in 1995 I have never been written to by any UK Brother except Bro. Duncan; my address is: Chamkusu School, Boyole Own Village, Box 298 Kasungu.

Bro. Alexander J.C. Banda  

Photo: Bro. Alex Banda (sitting on right) with friends

MZIMBA
Your fellow Christadelphians here greet you cordially in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please be informed that Malawi, though a small country, has over 12 million people who are thirsty for the word of God, but their thirst for the word is overshadowed by constant hunger for food and other necessities.  People are by nature really hard workers, but despite their hard work in their gardens, they harvest little yields due to lack of fertilizer and good seed.  Therefore we Christadelphians this end humbly request their fellow Christadelphians that end to please assist us in procuring fertilizer so as to be self-sufficient in food.
Bro. James C. Nyoni

NKHATA BAY
Sorry, for I have spent a long time without notifying you about how I am keeping.  I am very sorry to tell you about the death of my father in 2002; he was laid to rest in my village.  I am facing problems with my brothers who I stay with; before my father died they loved me, but since my father passed away they are not taking care of me.  I am your Brother patiently waiting for the second coming of our King to establish God’s Kingdom.
Bro. Joel Singini  



news from nigeria 

ABA
Thank you for helping me to get more books.  Kindly send me three copies of English Bible Basics for some friends.  Life is still difficult, as earthly leaders never think good of their subjects.  The recent increase in the price of fuel has brought more hardship to Nigerians generally.  We pray for the quick intervention of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to establish the Kingdom which will consume all these earthly kingdoms  (Dan. 2:44).
Bro. James E. Ogbah

AKURE

I received the parcel and letter and am very, very grateful for the kind gesture and the contents, especially the two Bible Basics that I immediately gave to the two people who had been pressurising me no end.  I made it known that it would be a great disservice if they did not study the book well and abide with what was written inside it, taking into consideration the pains taken to print the book, the cost of postage etc. to save a soul.  They thanked me for my effort, as they didn’t want to believe me when I told them I had written to you.  As you are aware, many of our people here are semi-literate and by translating into their own language they can understand quicker and more souls may be won.

Bro. Sunday Awodumla

 IKWUANO
We pray always for all of you who devote your time and life to spreading the good news of the future coming Kingdom of God on the earth to those countries of the world that have not herd the wonderful news.  We implore you not to relent, no matter what difficulties you may find on the way.  God will guide and protect you in your endeavours.
Bro. Friday E. Umesi

MAPUIFE
Some time back our Sister Rose Nwogu received a serious wound to her right eye when she was in her garden.  Soon as we saw the wound we rushed her to hospital and she was admitted for treatment.  The doctor said the eye should be operated on, which has been done.  The box of Bible Basics has arrived – no trouble on the way.  Thank God it has been received.  We would still like some more which will be very useful to us.
Bro. Nwogu

 

Photo: Sis. Rose Nwogu

 


news from rwanda 

We are a group of six Brothers and three Sisters who are regular in our ecclesia.  We send you our picture so that other Brothers and Sisters world-wide can see us and pray for us.  We are receiving Gospel News each time.
Bro. Theophile Mwagalwa

 


news from south africa 
 

 

IDUTYWA
Sis. Zelpha gave me a Bible in 1999 and told me the difference it would make to my life. In 2000 she tutored me and I was baptised into the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ in 2003.
Sis. Andiswe Mbuqe



news from tanzania 

With great sadness we report the falling asleep of our dear Brother Silvesta Kateniba  last November 16 at the age of 60.  He had a stroke while returning from his field. Our Brother leaves us an example to emulate for his faith, love and devotion to the Lord’s work. He had in the past few years become bodily weak with the engulfing poverty conditions, but is now awaiting resurrection to come face to face with the Lord Jesus whom he trusted.  We buried our Brother at his home in Lipangalala.  About 500 people attended the funeral, in which we seized the opportunity to introduce the Christadelphians, read and spoke from Psalm 146, exhorting everyone to seek their own salvation by searching the Scriptures. Bro. Kimimino Mnzava

KASULU
Since I left Kigwa and came to the Lugufu camp my living conditions are worse.  I sold everything at a low price and spent all the money on train fares and then to be rejected;  the Immigration has forced me to leave Kigwa.  So I have many difficulties and do hope you will help me.  I found brothers and sisters who preach the gospel and we break bread together.
Bro. Lawi Pililo

Many thanks for your help in spreading the gospel by sending us Bible Basics in Swahili and others in English for our brothers and contacts;  these will be helpful to us in spreading the gospel. We also appreciate your work in spreading the gospel by sending Gospel News which we receive regularly.  May God bless you.  We would like to have some copies of the book, In Search of Satan (“KUMSAKA SHETANI” in Swahili)..  Last September at Mtabila we had very happy fellowship with Brethren from the UK, Bre. Arthur East, Paul Dredge, also Bre. Benoit Mukendi (Arusha, Tanzania), Sammy Mutunga (Mawandeo, Kenya) and Brethren and Sisters from Muyovozi ecclesia..  We also had interviews for baptism and baptised three of six contacts, they are Bro. Baranyizigiye Liberiyo, Bro. W. Choyanga Jotham and Sis. Firela Isaac, afterwards we had a breaking of bread.  May God bless them on their journey to the Kingdom of God.  I enclose a picture of this visit.
Bro. Charles Hakizimana

Photo, from left:  Bre. Ntahokagiye Gabriel Fidel, Hakizimana Charles, Sammy Mutunga and Arthur East.

KIGOMA
I am writing to inform you of the baptism last year of Sis. Banderembako Fidela of the Muyovozi ecclesia during the visit of Brothers Arthur East and Paul Dredge, accompanied by Brothers Sammy and Benoit, at the Mtabila ecclesia.  Last year Bro. Gahitira Leverien and Sister Hakizimana Josephine and I were baptised during the visit of Bro. David.  Now Muyovozi ecclesia has four baptised members; we are very glad and thank our Lord.  We bread bread together, remembering the death of our Lord and look for his return to earth.  We recently had copies of English Bible Basics, but would like it in Swahili and French.
Bro. Habonimana Isaac

LIGUFU
I would like to report to you that we were very happy to welcome to our ecclesia four Brothers from different places, among them, Bro. Arthur East and Bro. Paul Palmer from the UK, Bro. Sammy Mutunga from Nairobi, Kenya and Bro. Benoit Mukendji from Arusha, Tanzania
Bro Wabene Bernard

MANG’ULA
Last year our small ecclesia had a visit from Bre. Phil Ashcroft from UK and James Katondji from the D’salaam Mbagala ecclesia.  Despite all the problems, the visit was a success and we are very thankful for the material grants sent by our UK brethren.  I also thank Bro. Arthur East for his help.  All was thankfully received through Bro. Phil Ashcroft.  We take the opportunity to announce, for general information, our postal address, which is now:  P.O. Box 78, Mang’ula, Tanzania, E. Africa.  May the Lord continue to care for His people with love as we all walk in the wilderness towards His Kingdom, with the hope of attaining the promised everlasting life with our Lord Jesus when he reigns as King.
Bro. Joseph A. Makwinja

MBEYA
I have been encouraged since receiving information about the work you are doing, especially in Pakistan.  May God bless you.  Through faith we can do what seems impossible.  I heard about you all from Bro. Graham Cooke (Phil. 1:6).  Pray for me so that I may be strong in His work.
Bro. Jonathan Nkombe

TABORA
I was very happy to receive your letter and my hope is that you are well.  Thank you for sending me  Bible Basics in Kiswahili; when I received it there were many Christians and every one wanted to read it, so now I haven’t any type of Bible Basics.  I need, if possible, 15 copies in Kiswahili.  Also if possible send clothes because there is a contact who is lame.
Bro. Ezra R. Baocuti 

UBENA
I appreciate the material received from you, including Bible Basics, all are very helpful.  I would like to introduce to you my neighbour who is very interested in the booklets sent to me;  we have been sharing them and I would be very pleased if you would send him a supply.
Bro. Nkonge Mwakatage

 


news from uganda 

BUGIRI
How is the preaching in the UK?  We this way in Uganda have to say that Kigansilo are now working together and showing love and preaching unity to other people who now want to know the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bro. Patrick Opondo

KIPOMA
We express our thanks for the letters we receive. You know, this language you use in sending letters to us troubles us so much in reading.  Why don’t you tell people to translate into French or Swahili?.  Here in Kipoma the situation is very bad;  the problem is rations.  I am an old man, aged 69, and want to eat and worship God only.  Is there anyone who is 69 years old who can write to me so that we can make a friendship?  For our Christadelphian church, we are now 39 baptised;  many others have not yet been baptised, including many women whose husbands are already baptised.
Bro. Ikola Baudouin

MBALE
Loving greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus who we are waiting for very soon.  I would first of all take this opportunity to thank the Almighty for His love to us all.  I thank you who have managed to send us good news ever to renew the hearts of every believer world-wide.  I pray that God will bless  you.  Let us encourage each other in good deeds and be strengthened in the word.  The apostle Paul tells us to live holy lives (1 Thess. 4:7), to be awake. and put on God’s armour, to pray as we wait for God’s Son to come and set up the Kingdom on earth.  Everything will be solved when he comes.
Sis. Harriet Wekoye

Baptism of Bro. Johnny Muhangi in a plastic-lined builders’ bag in a hotel shower at Mbarara.

MBARARA
It is a long time since we last communicated;  however, we are always close together as members of the same family of God and through prayer.  We were very happy to host Brethren Kevin and Paul last month and were blessed with three more baptisms, these being in addition to the five we had prior to their visit;  these include my wife, Jane, who in the past had not seen the truth of our faith, but God has now shown her the right way to take which will, in the end, lead her to salvation.  I am happy that God is blessing my humble work of preaching and our ecclesia is growing.  May His Name be praised.  All the fruits we are reaping are the result of a combined effort of yourself and several others who have been supporting us here; may God continue to bless you for your support.  I received two mail bags around the same time.  Here is Uganda any item now received from abroad is taxed, it is called VAT (Value Added Tax), on top of the handling fee already charged by the Post Office.
Bro. Godwin Mugasi

 


news from zambia 

CHINSALI
Since 1998, when I was baptised, I have stood firm in Christ, preaching the word of God to other people.  Where I stayed is far away from Chifunsa ecclesia – about 8kms – but I force myself to go there every Sunday.  I am poor and do not even have a bicycle – I go on foot.  I also have a Bible study at home every day.  Another thing is that I have about 15 students and teach them from Bible Basics.  The Bible I use is in Bemba language, but it is difficult, as some people do not understand Bemba.  I therefore am asking for an English Bible to help in my teaching.  There are also some people who want to join us.  I am one brother who is strong in preaching the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bro. Edward Mutale

KABOMPO

Thank you so much for having sent me some booklets.  I’ve really enjoyed the book Introducing the Christadelphians; I now understand better how they began, I got it first from ‘Elpis Israel’, but the small book has given me more details.  I am still meditating, referring to ‘Elpis Israel’ and connecting it with my Bible.  It is a wonderful Hope.  I have found the true faith.  So nice to hear that Duncan is now married.  May God bless them.
Bro. Amos Chikanda 

KABWE
Time is flying by so fast; very soon we will be holding another Camp!  I have recently managed to purchase a pair of shoes and can’t wait to put them on!  I have been down with malaria for a couple of days and have lost weight.  As I can’t find work, it is difficult to have normal meals.  I would love to go to the farm and cultivate, but I don’t see myself meeting the farming requirements.  I am a little low in spirits.
Bro. Lapulani Malata

MUFULIRA
Most people put trust in someone they can touch and see.  The apostle John says “God is a spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Sin in the flesh demands things it can see and touch, and ‘sheol’ – the Hebrew word for the ‘grave’ – demands all flesh.  Psalm 146:3-5 says, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.”   Solomon says (Prov. 1:7), “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction”.  People enjoy something they can see and touch instead of trusting in the living God.
Bro. Fred Mumba

Any sincere servant of God would be delighted to devote a good amount of time in personal Bible study (Psalm 1:1-3), yet there are demands on them for other things.   In order to carry on as active servants of God, we eed to have our joy and strength renewed from day to day by finding new and deeper aspects of the truth of God’s word.  It is good, even vital, that we make a conscious and constant effort to gain fresh insights into His word so as to keep ourselves spiritually stimulated.
Bro. Sakala William

MUZOKA
I really thank you once more for the news about Bro. David Jacob of Oman who is doing a commendable job in the Lord.  I have now got 19 pupils for the pre-school/nursery level, plus the other two for tuition and will soon send you a photo.  In the meantime a friend has asked me to have the snap scanned for a Newsletter to be sent to the Netherlands and the UK.  Thank you for the CIL, Gospel News, and Glad Tidings, all of which I am enjoying.  Again I say: We need to go!  Let us go!  We really have to take a step forward.
Bro. Wilfred Chibomba 

SOLWEZI
In Zambia (Solwezi) we have some people who are interested in joining the Christadelphians, but they cannot understand the English language, therefore they are hindered; one of our students was disappointed when some Brothers came last year because she could not read English.
Bro. Joseph Kapimpa

 

 


news from zimbabwe 
 

 

CHEGUTU
I am in receipt of the consignment of 18 Shona Bible Basics and have already started distributing them.  We mourn the death of my father-in-law, who passed away after a long illness; this was in September, 2003.  We continue to toil in the Lord’s vineyard until he comes, which we hope will be very soon, as things get worse in this part of the world.  Regarding the marriage bond, complete mutual love and sympathy existed in the beginning between Adam and Eve, whose nature we inherited.  Adam and Eve were not only “one flesh” by marriage, but by creation, for Eve was formed out of Adam by the action of a common parent – God.  They would both inherit common hopes, aspirations and ideals. No other marriage has been like that one.  The perfect reciprocal marriage will be found in the “marriage of the Lamb” with his bride, for the one was formed out of the other.
Bro. Itai Tembo

Photo:  After the baptism of Sis. Agnes Phiri, stripped dress (Chegutu)

MAGUNJE
It was comforting and encouraging hearing from you, but I was sorry to know you had been unwell.  We know these are some of the trials of this life, hence our desperate attempt to have nothing to do with it.  We now know, without doubt, that the time is near when we are hoping to leave this painful life behind as we enter the Kingdom of God where there shall be no sorrow, hunger or pain – to name but a few things.  Thank you so very much for the public debate you sent me; it was very educative and interesting and helped me explain some of the difficult aspects that go with that topic.  I won’t hide the fact that most brethren find it hard to explain why we don’t believe in the existence of the Holy Spirit gifts in this age.  Bro. Duncan’s arguments left me no alternative but to picture him as a man working tirelessly for the Truth to be known, and this only being a result of wide reading and research.  I thought you might like to know a little about me.  I am 38, married to Mercy and the two of us have been blessed with three lovely boys, the elders of whom is now 16.  My wife and I do not go to work, we farm and only get enough to see us through to the next planting season.  With adequate rains we will be quite comfortable.  We even manage to send two of our boys to school, but the past two years have not been good, what with the rising cost of living and successive droughts.  I was born into a ‘Salvationist’ family, but learnt the truth four years ago and was baptised into the Name of Jesus.  There is no looking back; my family and I have promised to work for Jesus to the end and are eagerly awaiting his coming.
Bro. Thompson Changata     

MARONDERA
I would like to thank you for Gospel News.  I also appreciated your letter
Sis. Shiela Chawaguta

RIMBI
We delight in the baptism of Sithembile Munyama and pray that she will hold fast to the truth she has received until the Good Shepherd returns, and we see the signs of his coming daily.  I will be going to Chiredzi where I am looking forward to meeting Bro. Jonathan Zyayamwenye.  Thank you very much for the 20 English Bible Basics; I have already given 16 away.  I hope to see you very soon in the Kingdom, as there are clear signs telling us that it will not be long before the coming of the Lord.
Bro. Moses Dhlakama

I have visited Triangle to follow up students; they began by asking questions about God’s promises to David and what happens when a person or animal dies.  Another student-raised questions about demons, how they work within us, and why do some people believe in them?  He also wanted to know how Satan overpowers us, instead of God.  We had a nice day with them all and covered many subjects;  they also enjoyed our visit
Bro. Isaac Guzete

TRIANGLE
I thank God for His kindness and His wisdom.  The year I was immersed everything changed – even my thoughts have changed.   I was following an idol, a god I did not understand.  The day I started receiving the books everything changed.  Here is a picture of me.
Bro. Jonathan Zyayamwenye.



table of contents next page next chapter