News from Africa
| NEWS FROM KENYA |  |
BONDO | Bro Alfred Ochieng
Recent baptisms at Bondo: Sisan, Ferdinand, Ruth, Margaret and Oyango
Bre Aimo, Gordon, Clive Martin, Sister Miriam and Sister Shoe Peddle
I wish to confirm to you that I am still an ardent reader of Gospel News magazine and would be very disappointed if you were to stop mailing me such an edifying magazine.
We are all waiting for the glorious return of Christ. Meanwhile we continue to preach the Gospel.
CHWELE | Bro David and Sis Jackyline Wanjala
Thank you very much for The Testimony magazine and a Public Debate on Jesus Christ’s return to the earth. The Gospel News magazine has really transformed the lives of African brothers and sisters in growing strong spiritually.
KAPCHENO | Bro Richard Lagat
Thank you for the spiritual food you have sent us, which we have shared with the Nandi Brethren and Sisters. They were delighted with the NEV Bibles and especially with the commentary which helps us to understand the Bible’s meaning and teaching, enabling us to be encouraged more by God’s word. We would particularly like, if possible The Real Devil book.
Right: Bro Richard Lagat and Bro Chepkwony with Richard’s three year old son studying the Bible together
KIBERA | Bro Samuel Mariita
This is one of the oldest ecclesias in Kenya. It is situated within Kibera slums in Nairobi city. I welcome all the people to visit us when you are on your visit to the city.
Follow Paul’s example who travelled to so many places to preach the gospel. Remember Christ’s great commission to his disciples. He told them to preach the Word of God to all people. Thank you CAT for the good works you are doing. God bless you.
LURAMBI |
Sisters Lurambi Bible Class
Baptism at Lurambi
MADIANY | Bro Gordon Ochieng
Baptism of Bro Ferdinand
The ecclesia has recently been a beehive of activity with six baptisms as the result of my instructing them with the aid of Bible Basics. Five were in Bondo and one in Miwani. The dramatic events in Far and Middle East seem to be heralding Jesus’ imminent return.
We have had problems here and there as our farms were flooded and so we have no harvest this season, we only plant once a year. It is our prayer that the God of Israel will somehow provide for our daily bread and we will not starve.
MAKHONGE | Bro Daniel Wakhabin
Sicklecell children with Brethren and Sisters outside the Hall
We pray that the Lord will enable us to do our part in spreading the Gospel. One of the aspects of the work, is a school of four classes we hold in the church’s compound. Most of the children have sicklecell anaemia. The lack of water in their bodies means they get dehydrated and sometimes need blood transfusions and they are more prone to Malaria. Since starting the school with a friend the caring atmospheres has reduced the cases of those having to go to hospital, the school is growing but resources are also growing thinner. Our main expenditure is Paldrine, Folic Acid and providing balance meals and if anyone could help with these daily needs it would be a tremendous help.
Children at meal time
MIGWENA |
The photo shows Brethren and Sisters at the baptism of Sister Consolate, second from right. In the background are their farm fields which were deeply flooded and the waters swept away this season’s plantings and so they are now facing a severe famine and lack of income from their crops. However, their preaching of the Gospel has been very fruitful in Sister Consolate’s baptism. Pictured below, Sister Consolate receiving the right hand of fellowship by Bro James Mijwanda.
MIWANI | Baptism of Sharon of Miwani Ecclesia
NAIROBI | Bro Samuel Marita 
NAKURU | Bro Samuel Wanga
I am worried because you don’t write to me more frequently as you used to, getting letters from you gives us much joy. And senior students without Bibles, in our Ecclesia we have recent baptisms without Bibles. I travel around quite a bit to Tanzania and Kenya and find there are other areas where Bibles are needed. (See photo page 37)
Front row: Brian, Bonnie, Ian,Maxwell, Shirleen Back row: Chris, Douglas, Eric,Cynthia, Dennis, Bro Samuel Wanga
Comment | As the work continues to expand and with increased postal charges it has not been possible to write more often or send out as much literature. We are spending more than the donations received and so some cutbacks have been necessary.
NYANGE | Bro Nasongo Harron
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those in Nyange Ecclesia are doing well. I am happy to write to you to inform you of our proceedings. The brethren are very appreciative of your steadfast and tireless support in the spreading of the gospel. If you have a Bible Dictionary, even an old one, please send one to me. We shall be very grateful to use it at Nyange.
NYANGE | Bro Simiyu Revin
Warmest greetings from all brothers and sisters here in Kenya, particularly Nyange Ecclesia. I am now in form III and I thank God for that. I am in the Truth and am privileged to introduce to you Brother Daniel Nasongo and Sister Irine Juma who were baptized recently after a long time of patience.
I appreciate the work CAT are doing of ensuring that we enter the Kingdom of God as a family. May the Almighty God strengthen you and give you good health so that you do even more work of saving others.
To all brothers in Christ worldwide I would like to encourage you about your life.
The race of your life
The life of an athlete is a combination of commitment, routine and diet – sacrifices must be made – a great athlete needs to focus upon a goal – the finish line, the victory, the prize! In the mind of any athlete the prize justifies the sacrifices.
So, too, the follower of Christ. In the Bible the apostle Paul, a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, draws parallels between the life of an athlete and the life of a Christian. He says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one wins or receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” 1Corinthians 9:24-25.
SHIMO LA TEWA | Bro Anthony Wafula
We are all strong in the hope that our Master is coming soon to establish His Kingdom to ultimately bring to an end terrorism and all the wickedness and problems that are going on today throughout the world. It will be wonderful when we are changed into immortal creatures and all crying and pain will be done away with.
We have recently had three baptisms and the NEV Bibles and Bible Basics have been a great help in our instruction of them.
Last month we were gathered together around the Scriptures to celebrate and to give thanks to the Lord for the birth of Vivian Wafula, being Bro Anthony Wafula’s third child.
Pictured above: A prayer and praise meeting for the birth of baby Vivian Wafula, the third child of Bro Anthony Wafula
Pictured right: Sis Rhoda Wafula, Shimo Le Tewa Sunday School Teacher
SINDO | Bro John Owalo Onani
I received the book entitled Introducing Bible Basics and the Gospel News magazine full of coloured pictures, exhortation, new baptisms and of the wonderful desire of the Gospel message. I am a keen lover, contributor and reader of the Gospel News and pray and appreciate the support from all brothers /sisters who witness for the Truth and looking for the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth.
I would like to talk about the wonderful example of a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, John 3:1-21, John 7:50,51, John 19:39. He went to see Jesus by night and received Divine teachings.
Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews, was moved by the spiritual things versus the carnal mind. “How can a man be born when he is old? Except one be born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God”. Jesus referred him to three steps that must be followed to get eternal life: belief, baptism and obedience. We must accept we have all sinned and all fall short of the glory of God.
Nicodemus believed and supported Jesus Christ while our Saviour preached the gospel when people rebuked and never listened. John 7:50-51. Nicodemus believed and witnessed the death of our Saviour on the cross, gave support to Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus. John 19:39. The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written previously were written for our education that through patience and through comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Which hope? Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie promised before times eternal.” Let us today preach the gospel and witness for the truth.
WATUMU | Bro Walter Wanyama Wasike
Many greetings in the hope of Israel of which we all share; it has been a long time since we communicated to each other but I hope you are doing well in the Lord’s vineyard.
I kindly introduce to you a friend, John Amolo, who wishes to learn more about the Bible and would like you to allocate him to a tutor to guide him through the Bible and also I request that if possible you send him a Bible.
I hope and believe that if Jesus remains away for a short period that I will hear from you soon and if He comes, happily we will meet in the Kingdom and I believe that you will do more than I request and also send us magazines.
Comment | I have sent you a Bible and also Bible Basics for your contact. For the CBM course you need to contact the Linkman for your area.
| NEWS FROM MALAWI | |
BALAKA | Bro Edson Makcecha
Greetings in the Name of our Master, Jesus Christ. Please continue sending me Gospel News and do not delete my name from your mailing list.
I would like to report that for about a year I was ill, but by the grace of God the Almighty I am feeling better. I am seeing the hand of God touching me.
Please may you pray for us. We have started a group in our ecclesia of a few members (10 people) to preach the Gospel and we use the books you sent – Bible Basics and Where there is no doctor.
It helps us very much to reach the community through preaching. We teach the gospel, the Word and also help with the physical needs of the people in addition to that. Could you please help us to get more teaching material?
SALIMA| Bro Austin Nyirenda
Thanks for the compliment and encouragement you give me all the time. End of last year we had a very long ride with the two Brothers from New Zealand, Brother Greg and Maurice.
We travelled and taught in following places; Lilongwe District, Dzaleka Refugee camp, two places in Kasungu District up North, Nkhotakota District, Salima District and finally Mtakataka in Dedza in the Central region of Malawi. More branches have been established where I will be visiting regularly to deepen the knowledge of new members.
May I also report the sad news that we are experiencing a prolonged drought due to the influence of elnino winds which is bringing a very cold dry wind from the south east coast resulting in the wilting of crops. Hence, this will subsequently bring about hunger to some families within our community. It is very unfortunate to learn that food relief is usually selectively only to those people who support the party in government.
All signs of the second coming of our Lord Jesus are at hand confirming to us that the Gog will soon invade the Holy Land of Israel to fulfil the prophecy.
Distribution of NEV Bibles at Jonas ecclesia Kasungu
| NEWS FROM MAURITIUS | |
| Bro Guy Jhureea
I am holding fast to the Truth in our small Ecclesia of seven at Poste-de-Flacq. We are much encouraged by the frequent visits of Bro Harold and Sis La France who come to Break Bread with us at least once a month, they are great fighters for the Truth. Bro Lilkan Ancharaz has poor eyes and health problems and so is not now always able to get to the meeting. I am, as you know, partially sighted and need frequent medication for my eyes to help me in my reading the Scriptures.
| NEWS FROM NIGERIA | |
ENUGU | Bro Goddy Nwusu
With much sadness we report the falling asleep in Christ of our beloved Bro Golden Onmoha. We thank the Eastern Ecclesias who contributed a lot for his burial and we look forward to meeting him with full health and vigour in the Kingdom.
The world seems devoted to materialism and pleasure, which can be enticing to us all, in various forms which detract from our whole hearted service to the Truth. As we see the day of Jesus coming soon we need the more to struggle to conquer self and whole heartedly devote ourselves to the things of the Kingdom.
CYC Gathering at Enugu some years ago
MBAISE | Bro Adolphe Effiong
Thank CAT for the wonderful love and spending of time and money in sharing the Word of God to many people / Nations. May the Lord strengthen and guide your work. We are increasing in the number of newcomers. They embrace the teaching and I am preparing them for baptism soon. We therefore need seven copies of the Holy Bible and some important literature and Bible Basics for more understanding of the teachings.
OHAFIA | Bro Gaius U Egwu
My gratitude I cannot explain. In fact I am happy with a mind full of joy. Thank you, you have given me all I needed to build up people for His Kingdom in this part of the earth. We have received the Holy Bibles and two copies of the Igbo Bible Basics but the other literature has not yet come.
The Book of James and other studies you sent were very good and uplifting and highly needed in our Christadelphian homes / libraries. Reading these books will help to put many back to focus point.
I thank God so much who, by His mercy, made me to be part of His great family Christadelphians, may we continue to encourage and motivate each other for the great prize, for Christ has paved the way for us to follow.
| NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA | |
GRASKOP (Isolation) |
It was a joyful occasion when we witnessed the baptism here in Graskop on Sunday 1st November of Bro Francois Le Grange, a tall 21 year old, who was introduced to the Truth by Bro Simon Shrosbree. After the baptism in the pool of The Log Cabin,(a local holiday resort in Graskop), the Memorial Service was held on the veranda of Bro Greg and Sis Nan’s Lodge, when Bro Dave Hopkins gave the exhortation and our new brother received the Right Hand of Fellowship. Present to witness this happy event were Bro Simon, Sis Angelique Olwage, Bro John and Sis Carol Shrosbree and Sis Elizabeth Pletschke.
SOWETO |
“To God be the Glory.” We are happy to welcome another brother into our family of Soweto Ecclesia and worldwide. Bro Joseph Mooi was baptised on the 10/11/2015.
He saw an advertisement in the Meadowlands News and he came to the seminars. He has been attending for the past year he even came to our Sunday meetings, it felt as if he is one of us. We are rejoicing that he took this life changing decision. We pray that God be with him as he walks in the newness of life.
We had an exciting 4 week seminar which came to an end last week and we would like to thank all the brethren who were presenting especially Bro Bongani Carter who came all the way from Kroonstad. The seminars were thought provoking, insightful and a bit scary. The focus was on Judgment, Resurrection, the Middle East, the role of the Arabs and ISIS. Although the seminars are principally an outreach preaching effort for the community, there is always excellent support from the brothers and sisters who also benefit from the studies and who are able to help in preaching by building up a good relationship with the visitors.
| NEWS FROM TANZANIA | |
MUSOMA | Sis Monica Achieng
Tanzania is a wide country divided into five regions, (over three times bigger than England) and we thank God for caring for us on the long 18-hours bus journey to the joint Fraternal. There were five of us from Musoma and my two boys Cherlingstne and Kelvin.
I had to go on ahead of them two days earlier as I was one of the organizers. I spent the night sleeping in the coach as we arrived in the morning at 3am. The number of attendees was fantastic and all were accommodated in the 200 plus single beds and were provided with three big meals each day. There were our own youths plus others from Kenya and the UK, in all 75 youths and 56 elders. The youths had lots of things to participate in, whilst we elders had our general meetings in another hall.
One of the youths was satisfactorily examined and later baptized at Musoma. T-Shirts were provided with an attractive burning lamp design, printed by a UK Sister for the event.
We had a wonderful exhortation by Bro Macdonald (UK). The camp general theme was The Kingdom Of God On Earth. All were thrilled and upbuilt by this most encouraging spiritual gathering.
| NEWS FROM UGANDA | |
JINJA | Sis Anne Lunyolo
Sorry for taking a long tme to reply but it is due to the fact that it takes long for me to get access to a computer.
I am already in the truth having been baptised in 1998, but lost my Bible when someone took it, so I keep on borrowing one from time to time, it would be much appreciated if you could send me one.
| NEWS FROM ZAMBIA | |
KAPIRI MPOSHI | Bro Austen Mwaka
I still request, if it is possible, for you to send me two more New Testament Swahili Bibles. Many people are getting interested in Christianity. Kapiri Mposhi is the transit route to East Africa, where Islam is their religious belief and many have come to stay close to us. My wife, Mwangala, is a Sister. We grow maize as a staple food. The cattle I had were swept away by Corridor disease. We pray for you always, though in isolation.
Comment to Bro Austen Mwaka | I did not realise that you are 56 miles away from your post box and it takes you 3 and a half hours each way to receive a letter. You are constantly in isolation and a faithful lightstand in this remote part of Zambia. MH
PEMBA | Bro Joseph Mwlawo
I greet you in the wonderful Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was very happy indeed to receive your boxes containing some assorted reading material including Gospel News magazines, which contained my photo, of which I have given some to my brothers and sisters to read.
| NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE | |
BANKET | Bro David and Eneres Yelulani
Members of Banket Ecclesia are sending their sincere gratitude to you and your family for your kindness in sending us the books for our library. Therefore we are very grateful to you. We are very blessed to be in a little ecclesia strong in faith. We are able to meet more frequently, although life is very difficult - for us with political problems, but we pray God will keep us safe, and above all soon end man’s corrupt rule of His beautiful world.
We immensely enjoyed the visit of our three overseas visitors by which we were spiritually uplifted, encouraged and strengthened. Sharing fellowship is such a wonderful way to grow in the Lord. It is essential to meet regularly to break bread and drink wine; reading the Bible with others is such a good way to encourage each other.
My wife Eneres and I read together each morning before we get up, to help us focus our day on important matters. I know that it is not the best time for everyone. We are retired so do not have to leave early for work so we can choose to start this way, but whenever we read it is important to remind ourselves that Jesus is with us every day and every part of our lives, “Lo, I will be with you always”, he promises. And how much we long for that day to come, the day when we are all, in God’s grace, united in love in that wonderful kingdom of peace and plenty, when all suffering and death will be over. May it be soon.
CHIPINGE | Bro Farai Makande
Here in Chipinge preaching is underway. We had students doing Shona lessons and some are under English correspondence.
Thanks to God we have another daughter “Vesper”, who was born on 11th November. We are experiencing the heat of the weather. So far we have left planting since there is no rain. Chipinge is known for its plentiful rain but this year is another year. The Almighty is showing us powers that all shall believe that He is the ruler of everything.
CHIPINGE | Bro Moses Dhlakama
Sorry for not writing. My wife Evelyn is not well. She has high blood pressure and her weight is going down and I am very worried about it.
GURUVE | Bro Fanuel Mawdzeka
I would like to thank Carelinks and Cat for their distributing Gospel Literature worldwide, with the purpose of preaching to all nations. (Mark16:15). This work is undertaken by ecclesias and individuals all over the world.
In this race to preach the Gospel Mushumbi Pools Ecclesia has carried out two book fares, displaying the Truth’s literature at our stand at the agricultural exhibitions, where many showed much interest and we had a good time answering questions and discussing Scriptural topics, as a result we had ten visitors to the meeting and others requested further literature and the correspondence course.
Encouragement
We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is.” Proverbs 15:23
