Bible Study Articles, October - December 2006 - Growing

Blessed be the name of the Lord God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace, love and grace from our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with everyone that reads this short testimony from the Kabompo Ecclesia in Zambia in Central Africa.

Since its start in 2001, the Kabompo Ecclesia has been a group of men both married and those unmarried but no woman. The language used in the ecclesia had been only the English language. This, to the world, was interpreted to mean that the Christadelphians were only men who had fellowship and not their wives. This was so because most of them are men married to women who are not educated, women who cannot read or write the English language. Preaching was going on by every brother and each day we met people who were bold enough to ask us about our doctrine. They would tell us to our faces that ‘your doctrine is strange and does not teach what churches in the world do’.

However, three sisters: were baptised, namely Jessie Mukabe, Meldah Kaamben and Sarah Kaamben by Brother Nelson Bwalya in the Kabompo River on 4 November, 2004. Two brothers, Kalinda Kapeshi and Francis Mukabe were also baptised, bringing the number to five baptisms since the visit of Bro Peter and Sis Hilary Osborn from Australia.

We are planning, as an ecclesia, to preach using a door-to-door campaign in nearby villages and even in the town if the Lord Jesus Christ allows us to do so. We are happy that Brother Godfrey Mbowela who went to the People’s Republic of Angola is said to be returning to Kabompo this December.

Our Ecclesia now numbers 13 and we need world-wide prayers to give us encouragement to preach the truth fearlessly despite persecution arising form our doctrine. This is in stark contrast to that of the denominational or Protestant churches around us. We want to show to the people of the world the true light, way and salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Our conduct should be that described in the Psalms 1:1-3. Please pray for the Kabompo ecclesia.

Not only do we preach in the English language but also in Luvale, Lunda, Beusa, Luchazi and Chokwe languages. This has silenced the conception that we are English preachers and that local villagers around Kabompo are begging to understand our doctrine. Many in the township receive ‘Glad Tidings’ magazine and postal Bible courses. Many have been coming to our homes to ask what we believe in and preach. We would love to have the Christadelphian Hymn Book translated into the Luvale, Lunda, Luchazi and Chokwe languages.

Bro Reuben Kaambea (Kabompo, Zambia)