news from zambia
CHAMBISHI
Here, the rest of my family is quite fine, except for myself. I have been down in bed with malaria; I took Fansida, but it reacted badly, crushing all parts of my body. I thought it was the end. It is cold this time of year. I am planning to write about my life from childhood and how I came to know God.
Bro. Willies Simbowe
KABWE
May you allow me to introduce myself to you: my name is Agrippa Phiri, aged 33 years, married with three children. I was arrested and sentenced to 15 years and have now been in prison for two years and eight months. I am a ‘born again’ person and was baptised while in prison and am still very young in faith. I am in need of spiritual help so that I may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). I request you to keep on praying for me so that I may stand strong and I am praying for you, too.
The Bible says that a prayer of a righteous person has a powerful effect (James 5:16). My main purpose in writing is that the Brothers and Sisters within the church who have a willing heart to accept me as a Brother in Christ will encourage me and help me physically and spiritually (Heb. 13:1-3).
Bro. Agrippa Phiri
KASAMA
Thank you very much for the books you arranged to send to me, especially the beautiful book, ‘Elpis Israel’, which is helping me and others to a greater spiritual understanding in our walk towards the Kingdom of God. I would very much like to attend the Africraft training centre at Chipata so that I can learn to make crafts and earn a living. Some ecclesias have received the book, ‘How to Grow a Balanced Diet’, but why have not we received a copy to help us with our food production? We have many students and the big problem is communicating with them. We could do with a computer and printer to assist with this.
Bro. Joshua Mushili
Photos Top: Bible students, taken when a visit was made by Bro. David Nicholls (in 2004) with Bro. Muntete. Bottom: a group at Kasama
Above: Kasama Sunday School.
KAWAMBWA
I would like you to send me another 10 Bible Basics in Bemba and two in English. Please kindly assist me. We were married for two years without a child and people were tempting me to divorce or to go to an African ‘doctor’ to find out the cause. But I and my Madam, Purity, put faith in God. I quote the lesson from Hannah who lived for many years without children. She prayed to God that He would give her a child who would be God’s servant and her prayer was answered (1 Sam. 1 and 2:1-10). I had faith that we would have a child and I quote the teaching of our Master when he said, “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened…” (Matt. 7:7-8). We had faith (Heb. 11:1) and God answered our prayers and my loving wife gave birth to a boy child and I named him Titus Mwansa Thociacky. I prayed and did not doubt (James 1:2-10).
Bro. Titus Mwansa
KITWE
I have been away for five weeks and spent a week in Congo visiting relatives. Before leaving I took this photo of Mufulira ecclesia. The country’s economy has deteriorated and people live in fear. Although they call themselves ‘Christian’ a large number of ‘witch doctors’ are there causing rampant idolatry; as a result many people believe in their practices. Many people are dying of various diseases and malnutrition, especially among children. They have cassava as their staple food and do not have a balanced diet. They have little access to medical treatment, which is very expensive, so the ‘witch doctors’ take the opportunity to confuse and exploit them. Congo is in a state of emergency and so I was unable to take any pictures to avoid being arrested. I also visited Sakania near the Zambian border and spoke to some people about God and they showed interest in our beliefs. I need a copy of the permit, like the Brethren use in Lubumbashi, so that I can present it to the Congolese Authorities in order to preach the gospel without hindrance. When I realize the confusion in which other people live, I count myself to be really blessed by our Heavenly Father.
Bro Robert Miwele
Above: Mufulira ecclesia.
Below idols worshipped in the jungle dedicated to protective spirits.
Left Sis Bwalya Mwenge & Deborah.
I have noted your message that you have sent parcels for Bro. Alex Mutate and me. For your information, because of distance we decided to break into three groups, but one committee, so we are really all Kitwe ecclesia. I have made some mission trips to various places and at one of the meetings brethren and sisters have asked me to study the book of Revelation, which I try to provoke interest in, but many brethren and sisters find it very hard to understand. If any one can send me books on the subject I shall be grateful. I am just recovering from TB and am under medication, to which I am responding very well.
Bro. Nelson Bwalya
Photo: Bro Nelson explaining the book of Revelation.
We are saddened with the news that our Sis Joice Dhlakama fell asleep in Christ 20th October. Joice, was baptised December 2004. We pray that we shall see her again at the return of Jesus to raise the dead and put right all the problems of the world. She is the daughter of our Bro Moses Dhlakama.
LUSAKA
Thank you so much for your letter and the material about Bible prophecy in ‘Present Day Events’, also letting me know where I can write for Sunday School materials. My desire, God willing, is to teach the Truth both to young and old alike. I was attacked by thieves, so I have a deep cut on my head and on my right hand. I ask for your prayers and you all are in mine, too. Could you also send me a second-hand Bible.
Bro. Paul Chembe
The sin that dwells in our flesh produces an abundance of evil desires that lead us to disobey God. In so doing, the evil desire gives a picture of sin as sweet to the taste and good to the eyes, but eventually it leads to death, which is bitter. In the Garden of Eden, Eve saw the forbidden fruit pleasing in her eyes and good for food. It was good and sweet for Adam and Eve to eat that fruit, but they had disobeyed the command of God. We all no doubt know that sin deceives and we will be condemned at the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ if unrepented of (James 1:14-16)
Today, we are living in a world where people have despised God’s love and love money more than Him and are busy chasing after their own pleasures, which will be brought to a halt when Christ intervenes. They have totally ignored God’s existence, though many people believe that He is there, but do not pay much heed to the truth of His word (2 Tim. 3:1-5). Beloved Brothers and Sisters, if we have the desire to follow Jesus Christ, our minds and hearts should be full of the gospel and understand it, and full of love for him and his Father; then our discipleship will be worthy of his Kingdom. The seed of the word of God will have influence on us as we strive to resist sin and help to build our Christian life with the right motive. Even though it is hard to defeat sin, we should plant this seed of the truth in ourselves and water it by reading the Bible every day for it to yield an eternal sweet life. May Jesus Christ come soon. (Rev. 7:16-17).
Bro. Jaxon Kalumba
Photo: Bro. Jaxon Kalumba in T-shirt and Bro. Teddy.
I am very grateful and most thankful for the book, ‘Where There is No Doctor’; it is a great help to me and my family and all our neighbourhood around this farming locality.
Bro. Fred Kayata
