News from Africa
BAKUMBA
We are very happy to announce that 10 brethren with 32 Sunday School children and contacts are now meeting in their new temporary ecclesial hall. The hall measures 8m x 4m with 10 benches and a table. We thank the CBM welfare and the Ludlow ecclesia for their support.
Bro. Mbella Elias
BANGEM
I thank God for allowing me to write to you. God opened my eyes and I was baptized at Epen-Bangem. Today my eyes are not only opened, but God is sending me to preach the gospel. At present I am teaching nine people; God is guiding them and me. Above all, I would like you to send me Bible Basics to help me in my teaching.
Bro. Ntungwe Felix
MENJI
We plead with you by this letter to keep sending us any preaching material you have produced. We cannot pay, but we know that you understand and will send us your precious works so that we can also share them.
Bro. Oliver Mbiaoh
MUTENGENE
I hope you and rest of the Gospel News team are doing fine. I am so sorry for the long silence due to internet failure. Many thanks for sending us every edition of Gospel News. I do pray for all our brethren, especially those who are facing persecution in the Moslem world. We, the brethren of the Mutengene ecclesia, are looking forward to welcoming our brethren from the UK in the days ahead, we do hope (God willing) we shall share the good news together.
Bro Constantine Fonkem
MWYUKA
The crime of Calvary was the work of many hands. Was it Caiaphas and the priests, eager to satisfy their life of ease, profit and comfort? Was it Pilate, held in the web of past administrative errors, now determined at all costs to avoid another appeal to Caesar and to protect his career? Or was it Herod? Was it the mob who shouted applause for Jesus’ crucifixion? Or the soldiers who obeyed orders and drove nails through His flesh. But what was our Lord’s reaction amidst all of this? Luke 23:28 tells us, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves”. We can identify ourselves with the aforementioned people if we fail to acknowledge that Christ died for our salvation and live by his commandments, as we await his second coming.
Bro. George Nwuanjeah
WUM
The Wum ecclesia report with sadness the falling asleep of our Bro. Beng Lawrence on October 23, 2004. He sleeps in the Lord until the Master returns. Live by faith not by sight: “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said, Thus says the Lord, set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover. Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, Remember now. O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” The Lord said to Isaiah, “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add fifteen years to your life” (2 Kings 20:1-6). Here we see God’s power over life and death, health and sickness. Let us follow after the things of the Name and of the Kingdom, then we shall not fear sickness or death. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22).
Bro. Chrisanthus Achuo
Photo: Bro. Achuo
I thank the Lord for leading me where heavenly pastures are to be found. I also thank Jesus for his priesthood. I thank you people very much for the spiritual material you sent. I have been baptized and fellowship with those in Christ of the Wum ecclesia. I beg you: I don’t have a complete Bible and planner or a Bible Basics. Please, if you will, send everything to my post box. I will be grateful for this.
Bro. Zun Evaristus
Photo: Bro. Zun Evaristus (right) in the school library.
ABIDJAN
I am an Ivorian and manage English a little. I am very pleased to receive Gospel News where I meet Brothers and Sisters giving their views and news. I use this occasion to express my gratitude for the long period of time you have sent me the Magazine. I was baptized in 1995 and that day everything changed. I remember my Brothers and Sisters in my prayers. I pray that God’s Kingdom will appear soon to give us the comfort we have toiled for. I want to assure my Brothers and Sisters that we in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, are well and we are with you all. It is just sad to learn of our beloved Brother Faris of Kandahar being murdered.
Bro. Benjamin Emolo
AHERO
It is just because we cannot meet the cost of running a mail box that we use the school boxes. They are not always dependable, mail can get into wrong hands, sometimes lost or even opened to check what is inside. While we are weary of starvation, we hear that our maize is sold in your markets by unknown elements in our government; the situation is still prevailing lightly. We yearn for the time when things like this will be history. The war on terrorism could be identified with Armageddon. If the Bush administration shows unwillingness to uproot Al Qaeda and arrest Osama Bin Laden, then Russia could come in. Most of our human governments forget that they are installed by God, for His purpose. Your fellow in the walk Zionwards,
Bro. Lawrence K’owiti
BARICHO
What is an ecclesia? Does every believer know what it is? It is a group of called- out ones. God told David that he was not to build Him a house, but his son would build it (Solomon’s temple. 2 Sam. 7; 1 Chron. 17). But the main lesson is that we, God’s people, together become God’s ‘house’ and Jesus is the chief cornerstone (read 1 Peter 2); he was the “stone that was rejected”
Bro. David Karaba
BONDO
Through Gospel News I have learned especially of Christadelphians globally. Without it I would never have known of the ecclesial groupings within Africa and all over the world. Here at Bondo ecclesia we were blessed last year in that two friends were baptized, one was doing the Correspondence Course and the other was a local contact with the help of Bro. John Yonjo. So we now just comfort one another, pray and have the Sunday service together, looking forward to the Lord’s second appearing to be the King and reward the righteous with the eternal life here on earth; we eagerly pray to be among them.
Bro. Vincent Odhiambo
Here in Kenya we are tirelessly making many preaching efforts everywhere before the return of the Lord, and hope you are also doing the same. In Kenya last year there was a shortage of rain during the planting season, as a result crops have failed terribly and the end result is hunger. There are other signs: the political climate in Kenya is not good at all, as there is a lot of bickering among members of the ruling party. There are fears as well, due to high crime rates and despite police efforts they have come to nought. We hear of murder, rape, drugs abuse, theft every day. There are also charismatic sects who claim they possess the Holy Spirit gifts and powers. The biggest ‘sign’ is the parable of the fig tree; when it shoots forth we know for sure that the seasons are near. When we see the Jews regathered in their homeland, and Arab opposition to it, those studying the Scriptures know very well that the Lord can come at any moment. Let us all lift up our eyes and our heads, for our redemption is at hand.
Bro. Raphael Joni Aimo
Photo: This was taken last year when Brothers and Sisters from Bondo ecclesia paid a visit to Dago for the one-day Bible School held at Bro. Raphael Aimo’s home. On the left is Bro. Benedict Miruka who has now fallen asleep awaiting the resurrection.
BUNGOMA
We would like to take the opportunity of thanking you for Bible Basics and Gospel News. These materials have helped us much in terms of spiritual development. Brothers and Sisters also thank you for your spiritual devotion in sending us these things. We would like you to keep up this exercise so that the truth reaches every angle of this world. We understand very well that these are the last times, seeing present events fulfilling Bible prophecy. We would be grateful if you could send things like ‘Eureka’ (Vols. 1-5), ‘Elpis Israel’ and an Exposition of Song of Solomon and any other books you know to be of importance and help to us.
Brothers Chrisantus Wanjala & John Simiya
“Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him”. Ezekiel 34:3-5: “You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts”.
Bro. Francis Mayende
I am newly converted, being a baptized believer of the gospel, sharing the one true faith. I was recently introduced to Gospel News to all Nations; the contents of it greatly interested me because I have come to learn that most parts of the world have received the good news about the Kingdom of God. I introduce myself to you so as to learn more about the Scriptures; I also want to give gratitude to you for the books you sent to Bro. Eric Wamalwa, in fact, brother, these books have greatly helped me in godliness. I therefore request you to consider me for receiving more books.
Bro. George Maina Wabwile
Photo: A discussion with friends and Brethren and Sisters (second left is Bro. George Maina).
KANDIEGE
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Any thing of value will not come if we are only spectators; we must participate to receive the prize. The example of believers in the first century should be ours. ‘They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in prayer, and in breaking of bread” (Acts 2). If we continue in the same calling the reward will be ours.
Bro. John Okello
KOBUJOI
We are looking forward to a visit from the UK., which seems exciting to me and I hope it is the same to the contacts in the Kobujoi area. Getting to Kobujoi is rather difficult owing to the state of the roads. They are mud roads and so during the rainy season things can get so tough. But our Brethren are not cowards, they will brave the roads and get to Kobujoi. May our Hevenly Father grant them a safe and very much blessed journey.
Bro. Geofrey Chirchir
LOITOKITOK
When writing this letter I am 600km south of Nakuru ecclesia. The nearest ecclesia to me is Mombasa, almost 300km. Nairobi is around 350km. The roads connecting me to this area are bumpy and very dusty, becoming impossible during the rainy season. Many of the people in Loitokitok are nomadic Masai tribe who cannot speak fluent Kiswahili or English. Apostolic churches are everywhere in Loitokitok; I am the only Christadelphian here. I am appealing to members who might live along the Kenya and Tanzania borders to try their best to meet with me so that we can spread the true gospel. I would remind Brothers and Sisters world wide of Luke 21:19, Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:13, all of which speak of the need to stand firm that we may be saved and be in the everlasting Kingdom of God on earth, when it will be full of the knowledge and glory of the Lord (Habakkuk 2:14).
Bro. Peter Thuro Kanuki (in isolation)
MARALAL
I am thankful to God for His kindness and goodness to us in keeping us well and uniting us in our remembrance of our absent Master. I am very happy to have had your letter and Gospel News giving more encouragement regarding the soon coming of Christ to establish the Kingdom of God, which we are eagerly waiting for. I am here at the far end of Kenya (isolation) with my wife and four children and also have some four students who I am instructing through Bible Basics. We must give ourselves to the service of God; we cannot serve God and mammon. “In everything give thanks to Him, for this is His will and pleasure concerning you”. Also, let Christ dwell in our hearts by faith and in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. I send a photo taken after teaching children the Bible stories.
Bro. Joseph Nuani
Photo: Bro Nuani and his children
MATUU
We are so glad to hear of so many converts through the waters of baptism, including some from the Muslim community. Gospel News is always giving encouragement from various Brothers and Sisters throughout the world. How challenging it is when one reads the progress of an ecclesia or individual or how a Brother/Sister first received the message of truth. We also read of the distress/tribulation of our Brethren and Sisters. We in the Central area of Kenya are making good use of Bible Basics. We have an annual programme whereby each ecclesia studies from the book every Sunday and also an evening study; this has been taking place since January last year. From Jan-June we studied Part 1, ‘The things concerning the Kingdom of God’. From July we studied Part 2 on ‘The things concerning the Name of Jesus Christ’. We have now studied the Life in Christ and finished by the study on fellowship. This has been encouraging for Brothers and Sisters, and even for our friends.
Bro. Lazarus Kingoo
MBITA
One very important point must now be emphasised: there will be two sorts of people in the Kingdom of God – mortals and immortals. There will, in fact, be a – three-tier structure: First, the Lord Jesus Christ, the immortal King: second, His immortal helpers and third, multitudes of ordinary flesh and blood mortal men and women, who will be the mortal population of the Kingdom. Read: Isa. 65:19:20; 1 Cor. 6:2; Luke 22:29-30; Rev. 20:6.
Bro. Daniel Ogembo
NANYUKI
May I inform you that the work of God here is growing, for we now have two other friends who have joined our studies. As I read Gospel News I understand that Bible Basics is now translated into Kiswahili; may God bless those who have arranged this. I request two Bible Basics in Kiswahili for the two friends who cannot understand English.
Bro. Francis Kinandu
TIRIKI
In our district there are many who believe in the Trinity and it is very hard to turn them from their belief. I ask you to send me some booklets to show these people the Truth.
Bro. Mondest Gwademba
Photo: Bro. Gwademba’s two sons, Alex (left) and Douglas
Photo taken at Ndisi, October, 2004, sent by Bro. John Kine
SUNA MIGORI
The reason for my long silence is because of ill health. Thanks to the Lord I am now well and I am able to be in touch once again with the loved ones, especially Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. More good news is that we have been blessed with an ecclesia close to where I reside. We used to walk quite a long distance to attend Sunday meetings, but sometimes, when I was ill, I was isolated. I am very thankful to those at Karabu for starting a meeting in a Brother’s house in Migori, even though we are small in number – four Brothers, three Sisters, 10 Sunday School children and one contact. Our hope for the coming Kingdom surpasses everything. If Jesus remains away we hope he will keep adding more to his flock when we will be forced to look for a bigger space for our meetings.
Bro. Joseph Onyango
TONGAREN
I enclose an article on Gen. 2:24. Many brethren have completely misinterpreted this, having gone as far as rejecting their parents in regard to assisting them.
Bro. Martin Wamalwa
Photo: Bro Martin [left] and Bro Solomon
ENUGU
The 17 Bible Basics, Igbo version, sent through my Sister wife’s name got to her and has been claimed. Even before my arrival some Brethren and Sisters had taken some! We had no idea that such a version could be found in your stock. I thank Almighty God for this. You know that it is our duty to sow the seed, and it is God who gives the increase.
Bro. Golden Onuoha
IKWUANO
I have received the parcel of printed matter, which I appreciate. This came at a time badly needed because it coincided with the date we planned an outing to spread the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and to tell the masses who we are and what we believe. As a newly opened ecclesia in this part of the town, our duty is to let people know us and to talk to them about the coming Kingdom of God on earth – not in heaven, as many believe. The leaflets in the parcel helped us much and the response is tremendous. I am appealing to you to help us more to achieve our goal of saving souls. I request that you send me Eureka and Key to Understanding the Scriptures. I like to read some of the books written by the older Brothers, but cannot get them because of financial constraints and they are not available here.
Bro. Friday E. Umesi
KANO
“Silver and gold have I none, but that which I have I shall give”; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ let the blessings and favour of God locate you always. May He continue to hedge and protect you till Christ returns for your kindness. Please keep praying for us, for God’s guidance and protection, especially here in Kano and other troubled areas.
Bro. Chris Anyanwu
OGOJA
I am writing from my country home. I retired from the Government service and had to relocate from Calabar to Ogoja where I have been living in isolation for over a year now. Only one Brother (Bro. Michael Nyiam) comes to me from Calabar once in a long while. I am trying to get some converts, but it is fairly difficult because out here everyone already belongs to a conventional church. I am not relenting however. I compiled a list of libraries in 2001; were you able to accomplish the task of sending copies of Bible Basics to them? I need a lot of literature to read now that I am in isolation and idle. I need a lot of leaflets and pamphlets to give to the people I am preaching to. Please send them to me. I retired on 30th June, 2003, and up till the time of writing this letter the Government has not paid me a single penny in the name of my retirement benefits, so I have been living in abject poverty, not sure of what to eat. My children have been thrown out of schools because I cannot now afford to pay their school fees..
Bro. Mike O. Takon
URHONIGBE
‘To be Right with God’ was a topic given at our Sunday class. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, Sin is the result of man’s disobedience in Eden. We have been put right with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us, by faith, to God’s grace in which we now live. This is why we boast of the hope we have of sharing in God’s glory. God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of His Word and the work of Jesus Christ who died for the sins of the world. There is no other means whereby man can be saved. Sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and his sin brought death. The hope of salvation came into the world through one man, Jesus Christ, all by God’s grace.
Bro. Edogum Ambrose
Photos (above): Bro. Edogum teaching the women and children
(below) Bro. Aigbosare Frank teaching the men.
UMUNGASI
We thank our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for our good health. The Amapulfe ecclesia are building a meeting place. We have cleared the area and are waiting for the job to start. We still need help in getting bags of cement and sand.
Bro. Samuel Amadi
LESOTHO
Before I came to the Truth I did many things I should not have done. But I hearkened when God said to me, “Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”. So, my dear and beloved Brothers and Sisters, as persons we are sinful by nature. However, God has just been so merciful to us and given His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins in order to make us clean, that is why it is stated in the Bible that Jesus was pierced for our sins and also bruised for our iniquities. As Christadelphians and as followers of Jesus Christ, let us try very hard indeed to imitate our Lord and be holy, for he is holy.
Bro. Bernard Lintsa
BOTSWANA
Since I got in touch with you my life has changed a great deal. The copies of Introducing Bible Basics and Bible Basics study manual you gave me have helped me overcome intellectual obstacles and also to remove doubts that hindered my spiritual growth. I mean, this is marvelous and I am touching the lives of many others, using Bible Basics as a reference book. Brothers, you have planted your seed in fertile soil! So, if you have any more material it will be great and a joy to receive. Also any material, particularly about ‘apologetics’, but I will appreciate anything you provide. Also, thank you for putting me on the mailing list for Gospel News, it is so exciting and revealing a lot. May the Lord strengthen and bless you and continue with the great commission – preaching the gospel to the people. Thank you, too for giving me a copy of the public debate on miracles. Also say Hi to Annette Henriksen, my personal tutor. I greatly thank her for her faithfulness and endurance; she always marks my scripts and posts them back so quickly. You are all so organized!
Gaotingwe Bamotshabile
KASULU
We sing here – among other things. Our choir is comprised of men, women and our youth. The choir uses traditional instruments and the music is nice and attractive. The picture I am sending shows the drum, which is the common instrument. We should be very grateful to have any ideas and any help to modernize our instruments, which will help to enhance our praises to our God.
Bro. Wildens Haruna
Photo: Kasulu Area Ecclesial Choir
LUGUFU
I was glad to hear from you, for Gospel News, ‘signs of the times’ and the booklet. We need 10 Kiswahili Bible Basics to use at our Bible study. We remember you all in our prayers. We would like to see photographs in colour. We desire to spread the truth, but lack the Kiswahili Bibles. Our Bible Seminar was postponed and held on Sept. 16-17, 2004 (instead of Sept. 1-2). We enjoyed sweet fellowship with our local brethren and sisters from both Lugufu 1/2 ecclesias and also the company of interested friends. The subjects were: The Bible – Inspired and Infallible (Bro. Isidore Mwibeleca); The Fundamental Message of the Bible (Bro. Isidore); Baptism (Bro. Rehani Pascal); Christian Marriage (Bro. Amnobe Iyungu); The Life in Christ (Bro. Lwendo Bulvma). We thank members of Lugufu 1 for their contribution and Bro. S.M. Harris (Evesham UK) for the exercise books and pens, which were gladly used during the Seminar. We thank God, our Heavenly Father, for His care, ensuring all went well.
Bro. Isidore Mwibeleca
Comment: We have considered printing the pictures in colour, but feel the extra money required would be more profitably spent on our preaching activities at the present time.
Photo taken during the Lugufu Seminar
MIKUMI
I write to inform you that our Brother Anord Kihunrwa fell asleep in Christ on November 15, 2004, here in Mikumi, after a short illness of malaria. We shall miss our Brother very much. We were three brethren, so now we remain just two in our ecclesia. We look forward to the resurrection when we will see our Brother again.
Bro. Robert Mwaseba
MUSOMA
My children are well and are doing fine at school as well as the CIL Sunday School lessons. My missionary work here in Musoma is also going well and I have a contact ready for interview and also some students taking the early lessons in the Bible Course. About a month ago I received the ‘Exploring the Bible’ Course, which I am now taking. I am planning to go home to Kenya for 3-4 weeks, God willing. My son Kevin is going to Standard 7, if our Lord remains away; Cherlingstone and Bev are fine and enjoying staying with their grandma. I worry about Bev. As she is still very young to stay away without me; it makes me unsettled. I’m really happy reading and seeing pictures of brethren and sisters world-wide. I’m also very happy seeing and reading news about the Bible camps, in fact I feel I am also among them! I am not lonely as I have contacts around me and brethren and sisters. I got a message from the Mwanza brethren informing me that they had purchased a bicycle for me and will soon bring it to me. It will really help me in seeing my contacts as they are far away. Life in Musoma is very difficult as there has been no rainfall for almost six months.
Sis. Monica Achieng
Photo: Sis. Monica Achieng with Justine, a student.
UVINZA
Our activities are still going well and God Himself is doing well upon his servants here in the Camp, that’s why we are now in good condition. Some among our Lugufu ecclesial members have been resettled in the USA by UNHCR since April, 2004. Please continue to send us books, pamphlets etc. Our source of spirituality depends upon us all fortifying one another.
Bro. W’Ikola Wabene
BUSHENYI
We are very fine with Bro. Godwin Mugasi who is serving us nicely.
I am requesting books and also your prayers, as my work is not going
smoothly. I am a driver, but my boss is not giving me enough money.
Pray that I may get another job.
Bro. Ahabwe Amon
Photo: Bro. Ahabwe Amon (left) with a Bible student
KABERAMAIDO
Thank you for your great help of prayer and also for Gospel News. Prayer can do great things (James 5:13-18). Many rebels (LRA) are reporting back home to Government soldiers every two weeks. Praise God for the power of prayer. Northern Uganda is now becoming well and fine because of the rebel groups reporting and the Government is planning to send us back home to our village around March or April, our first rainy season, God willing. As a result of this rebel group’s activities we have great fear of famine from the beginning of the year to July. The Government has planned to give us houses, and seeds like maize, beans, cassava, but it will all be very late. So, Brothers, pray for us. Life is still hard; to be in a place which is not your home land is very difficult. We have been farmers from our youth, but not having farmed our land we have nothing in store for when we are back in our village. Thank you again for your prayers.
Bro. Opio Bosco
KASESE
I hope you are safe in the hands of our God who has set us aside from the world to do His will. I request you to send me books to support our Bible study lessons and for preaching the word. Try to send me what is available please.
Bro. Isaac Cox
CHIPATA
I have some Brothers here who would like very much to start receiving Gospel News. We ourselves are all brothers and sisters of Christ and always trying to follow in his steps, but when we look back something is always missing. The Bible tells us that we are all sinners and can be made well when we meet Jesus. But, do some brothers and sisters stop others from meeting Jesus as a Healer? How can we say to a sick person who wants to meet a doctor, You can’t? Are we trying to follow Christ’s steps by doing what we think right in our own mind? No one is righteous no, not even one (Rom. 3:10). Christ was always talking about forgiveness, not judging others.
Bro. Alfred Bwalya
KABWE
There is just something about Gospel News that draws me closer to every brother and sister who contributes to its pages. But the most important thing is that I simply love the way you bring out the conflicting religious values between Christians and non-Christians in Islamic nations. It is touching to realize how many brothers and sisters are being persecuted for their faith. Before I sat for my promotional exams on 15th-19th Nov, I approached the College administration and was fortunate enough to be given a portion on the Agriculture Production Unit to work on; I was cultivating. It was quite a tiring job; worse still I was under pressure – working and at the same time studying for the exams. I am currently considering ‘The Last Days’ and feel that a world-wide famine on the horizon is really part of it. There is so much that is currently happening in the world that constitutes part of the ‘signs’ of the last days. Our book library still needs some books. If it is possible for you to supply more, we would be very grateful.
Bro. Lapulani Malata
KAFUEKing Solomon warned, “To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh” (Ecc. 12:12). Solomon was not trying to discourage reading, he was just advising us to be selective. The seventeenth-century French philosopher Rene Descartes said, ‘When one reads good books it is like having a conversation with men of breeding who lived in the past. We might even find it a selective conversation, in which the author expresses only his most noble thoughts.” Not all writers, though, are worth ‘conversing’ with, nor are all their thoughts really ‘noble’. So the oft-quoted Bible principle again comes into play: “Bad associations spoil useful habits” (1 Cor. 15:33). Yes, the people with whom we associate can mould our personality. Have you ever spent so much time with a friend that you have found yourself beginning to act, talk and even think like your friend? Well, reading a book is like spending hours conversing with the one who wrote it The principle Jesus stated at Matt. 24:15 is thus pertinent (“Let the reader use discernment”). Learn to analyze and weigh what you read. All humans are afflicted with a certain amount of bias and are not always totally honest in their portrayal of facts. Do not, therefore, accept unquestioningly everything you read or hear: “Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps” (Prov. 14:15). We should be particularly cautious about reading anything that expounds a philosophy of life - teen magazines, for example. And what about books that plunge into weighty philosophical questionings? The Bible warns: “Look out. Perhaps there maybe someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). The Bible and Bible-based publications such as this offer far better advice (2 Tim. 3:16).
Bro. Lotson Kayuni
KALOMO
Here is a word of encouragement from me, and the message comes from the book of Deut. 31:6-8: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged”. This is the word of encouragement my beloved brethren and sisters.
Bro. Lameck Mtonga
KASAMA
Gospel News produces good results in helping brethren, sisters and our youth to get to know each other on our side of the world, as well as those far off, and we want this to continue. I am sending a picture of our Sunday School in my house; the number of children is over 60 and they like learning about Jesus. There are also a number of interested contacts in the surrounding areas, but transport makes contact impossible. I really need a bicycle to reach them as the distance is too far to walk. I have a problem: What can I do when students have completed the Correspondence Course satisfactorily and want to be baptised? Should I baptise them?
Bro. Joshua Mushili
Comment: You need to refer the question of baptisms of suitable candidates to the area representative and Linkman. As baptism is essential to salvation, once a person has the required knowledge they should be baptised as soon as possible.
MH
LUSAKA
I had a brilliant time at the Bush Camp, full of much singing, listening, talking and laughing. The numbers of young and older ones was greater than that for the year 2003. I’ve made more great friends and that makes me feel really rich; we’re keeping in touch through letters like crazy. Having Christadelphian friends is such a blessing to me that I can’t let go – a very good topic by Bro. Don Styles about being friendly. Your Nov/Dec editorial, ‘More on the Road Ahead’ helped me know more important facts, and I just pray that God will help all of us do our best in making ourselves and others worthy of the eternal life He has in store for us. The ‘Praise the Lord’ six tapes has got some of the sweetest songs I’ve listened to in my life, and the ‘Underneath His Canopy of Blessing’ kind of drives me a bit crazy. Some here at home say that there’s too much noise in the songs, but I love everything about them – including the noise!
Sis Bevelyn Tembo
Photo: Sis. Bevelyn (‘Lyn’) Tembo
Thank you for the Key Cards and your letter which are educative, spiritual and uplifting. May we all continue to encourage one another on our way to the Kingdom. I have friends who are interested in our preaching; they asked me about the English Bible Basics, so I am asking you to send some copies to me for distribution to them, God willing.
Bro. Paul Chembe
MISAKA
I know that a business is a job, any job, earning you money. If I want to have a business I must have the capital to start it. I must have a business plan. What business am I going to start? This is similar to working in the Truth; one has to decide what they wish to accomplish, what they need to do it; who will be interested and how to present the case.
Bro. Costa Mwape
Photo: Bro. Costa Mwape & Sis. Grace Chipata
MAKONDE
My family and I are very thankful that you have continued sending us Gospel News. We have just received the current issue. As usual, it contains much interesting news from all over the world – updating our knowledge about the way the Gospel is spreading world wide and how the brotherhood is faring in these last times of the kingdoms of men. We are delighted to hear that Gospel News is continuing as opposed to the rumour about its cessation. We pray that all of you who are contributing towards its continuity will be blessed with the resources to continue this noble work of preaching to the world and keeping our community well informed about its spiritual wellbeing. As members in isolation and in a rural area where there is no big hospital, we welcome with gladness the offer of the book, ‘Where There is No Doctor”. We would love to receive a copy – please send us one. Eunice, the whole family and our small ecclesia join me in sending our love and well wishes in the Lord to you all. May the God of all comfort bless your labours for His Name and keep you safe for His Kingdom, which we all await with fervour.
Bro. Zacchaeus Muntete
NDOLA
I thank you on behalf of Ndola ecclesia; we do appreciate the effort of promoting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some people from other churches ask me why we do not put on ‘uniforms’ like some churches do during memorial services. We read in “Joel 2:12-13, “Turn to me with all your heart…rend your heart, and not your garments”. ”neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive” (Zech 13:4).Putting on ‘uniforms’ will not save us, because God looks at the heart of a person not on the outward appearance; He knows everything about us (read Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139; Eph. 1:44). The Bible also says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. We can do nothing of ourselves. Phil. 4:6-7 tells us not to worry but to pray, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. How we start the day can affect the rest of the day. We should start the day praying to our Lord God through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We should use our leisure time reading the Bible, by so doing we will be using it profitably. The harvest is great, but the labourers few. Language differences cannot separate us from the love of God.
Bro. James Mwanza
Photos sent by Bro. Mwanza (a) taken at last year’s Bush Camp at Fringilla in August and (b) taken at the Copperbelt fraternal in October last year.
PEMBA
I really thank you for all materials received. I appreciate the local Christadelphian community’s efforts to try and reach out. May God allow this to continue, by His will. We have experienced drought in the country, except in the Northern parts. Maybe there will be changes, but weather changes seem to be world wide.
Bro. Wilfred Chibomba
Photo: Bro. Wilfred’s pre-school children
SOLWEZI
Regarding the baptisms of two Brothers and one Sister who were baptized in a local cow pond, we should not think of the pond itself; we can all recall where our Lord Jesus Christ was born.
Bro. Joseph Kapimpa
