news from malawi
BUA
I really thank you for what you do for me, both naturally and spiritually. I truly believe that, in you, God has sent me someone to care for my life.
Sis. Bertha Khonje
DOMASI
Many thanks for sending me 10 Bible Basics, which help me in my preaching. I am in isolation and if you can find an old Bible (KJ) I shall be grateful. Many thanks, too, for your words of encouragement and for your prayers for us in our difficulties.
Bro. R. Kawonga
GONA
Thank you for the Bible Basics you sent me. I decided to do a course here on home job opportunities, but it is very difficult here compared to your country. When you have a certain career or skill then you have opportunities. On the shortage of Bibles, it is a big problem and I am asking you once again to assist, but if it is difficult, try to send one English Bible and two or three (if possible) in Chichewa. Brother, can you supply some magazines in order that I can grow spiritually in these last days. I would like your views on the question of growing and smoking tobacco and making and drinking beer.
Bro. Maxwell M. Table
Comment: I neither smoke nor drink beer and would recommend that to others as a way of life, but it is a matter of personal choice. Smoking is generally reckoned to be bad for one’s health and bad for those inhaling the smoke from smokers; it is also very expensive. There are many methods one can use to stop smoking. The vast majority of Christadelphians do not smoke, but a few, for various reasons, may do so, and it is not for us to either approve or condemn. One can argue that growing tobacco is no worse than selling it to other people if one works in a shop which sells it. What use one’s crop is put to is not one’s responsibility as nicotine does have some medicinal qualities, e.g. being used in the treatment of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s diseases and epilepsy, it is also valuable as an insecticide. If the argument is, ‘Don’t grow tobacco because it contains nicotine’, nicotine is also found in tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers and the leaves of cocoa.
As for drinking, it would seem the scriptural injunction is wise, as we would expect, “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1st Timothy 5:23). Jesus did not condemn the drinking of wine at the wedding at Cana, indeed he turned the water into wine. It is over-indulgence that is condemned. Alas, alcoholism is a major problem these days and Duncan’s booklet, ‘Living With Alcoholism’ has proved very helpful with some useful information. MH
Photo: At Mukurimba Ecclesia
KASIYA
Let me take this opportunity of thanking you for Gospel News; I beg you to continue sending it to me. I have been a Christadelphian since 1980.
Bro. Stenford Chipfumbi
LIWONDE
Thank you for always sending me Gospel News and thank all those who help you with it. Could you kindly send me a Revised English Bible, as I find it helpful.
Bro. G.M. Chisanga
MTENTHELA
Thank you very much for the book, ‘Where There is no Doctor’. I have already started organising meetings of my neighbours to study the book and discuss local health problems - prevention and paying attention to the guidelines and precautions. Coming world physical changes (earthquakes) etc. are signs of the near coming of the Lord Jesus. Thank you very much for your information. It is only when the judgments of God are in the earth (world-wide) that the inhabitants will learn righteousness and the effect of this will be peace (Isa. 32).
Bro. Henderson Sosola
MUONA
I would inform you that Gospel News reaches me safely and I would like to ask you to send me books so that I may be strengthened in my Christian life. I have started the ecclesia here (at Matimati), so evangelizing materials are much needed. It would also be helpful if I had a bicycle for visiting students and brothers and sisters and for hospital visits. There is a famine here in Malawi, most especially in our region. Anyone who can assist us, please do so, adding your prayers for us. Be informed that in the Matimati ecclesia I am also serving people with disabilities, e.g. blind and disabled
Bro. N. Njerwa
MWALASI-MACHINGA
Could you send me Bibles and other books for teaching. I thank God for His powerful call. I have been reading Gospel News for many years. Since I started to worship God I have understood the joy and peace of true Christianity and am glad that I was baptised. Brethren and Sisters here are keen to spread the gospel as Jesus instructed. I am thankful for Gospel News as it has revealed to me something new, as I was very confused before, but I have now found the Bible much more profitable. This gives me the hope of inheriting the Kingdom of God on earth. I could not turn down the Hope I have of Jesus’ second coming and am waiting for him. It is difficult for me to go to Zomba because it is far away from Machinga.
Bro. John Muthumpwa
MZIMBA
I am happy and profiting in my spiritual life. Please send me the book, ‘Where There is No Doctor’. Gospel News helps me because there are many reports and news items which are encouraging in our spiritual life, and it acts as a mirror where we can see what our brothers and sisters are doing. This news can make a brother or sister know where they are in their spiritual life. Thank brothers and sisters who take part in sponsoring we brothers and sisters. Back in March we had a Bible school in Mzimba North conducted by Bro. Arne Roberts and other brothers and we thank them for their willingness in coming here. We met brothers and sisters from many places. In our ecclesia we are not many brothers and sisters; although few, we all enjoyed the Bible school.
Bro. Humphrey Banda
Please be informed that we really enjoy reading Gospel News, it provides us with the sort of material that is not only excellent, but also what is required for our lives. That Gospel News is not ceasing publication is exactly what we want to hear. Praise be to the Lord! I would like to register my heartfelt appreciation for the assistance you gladly send to me and to the Christian community at large.
Bro. James Nyoni
NGABU
I am a Malawian aged 35 years, with a wife and two children. My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be among the readers of Gospel News; it really has changed our life. I came from the Central Region of Malawi, a remote village, where the gospel news is not common due to these problems (a) missionaries have established churches in towns (b) no testimonies about gospel news (c) people are not educated enough because of shortages of schools (d) lack of transportation (e) lack of communications etc. We therefore plead with you to come and visit us here mainly at my homeland area with the purpose of preaching the word of God to my race, or you can send your fellow friends who are willing to spread the gospel news to Africa and to assess the situation here. Many people want to know the word of God, but because there are no preachers it is difficult for them to understand it on their own. Our family is ready to welcome any Sister or Brother wishing to preach the word of God here and we also promise to answer all letters from anyone.
Bro. and Sis.Mac Micky Mbawe
Photo: Bro. and Sis.Mac Micky Mbawe
NKHATA-BAY
Brother, the wine you sent me on 6th April 1999 has run out, so I am requesting you to assist me with more. Many people now believe that Christadelphians do teach the Truth. One of my students is now doing lessons 1-40 and in his comments he has said he did not know (1) why Peter was called a Satan nor (2) the teaching on the prophecy of the dry bones and other teachings. Also, Revs. of CCAP church and of African International Church (AIC) are asking me to give them copes of Bible Basics; if you can, please send them to me.
Bro. Joel Singini
NANGULUNGWI
I want to let you know that on 27th May ’05 we opened a new ecclesia at Nangulungwi and we had a Bible School from May 27th –29th. This meeting was attended by 98 people from various ecclesias, may God be with them. After our meeting, five people were baptised, one Brother and four Sisters. Of course we are very happy to receive them; may God bless us all.
Bro. G. Michael
NSANJE
I am very happy to have the booklets you sent to me; I believe these will help me in my ministry. I appreciate the envelopes, which will help me to write to you freely.
Nsanje has four members. We have two other ecclesias around this area, but to travel is expensive. Concerning the drought in Africa, many people are suffering from it. The crops you have listed are the best, being drought- resistant, also groundnuts. While writing, I must say just how pleased I am with the Bible Reading Calendar and my desire is to have it yearly. Indeed, our redemption is near. The Bible says when we see the troubles we must make ourselves ready to meet Jesus.
Bro. M.P. Mngunden
PHALOMBE
Long years ago the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt and the Pharaoh treated them harshly. They just wanted deliverance. God was much concerned with His people and heard their groanings. He called Moses to lead the people to Israel. Although at first Moses opposed the Lord’s word, he was strengthened and given Divine powers to carry out his task. During their wilderness journey they faced many hardships; many died and the group wished at one time to go back to Egypt. Why was the Lord taking them into this land? We learn from this that Moses bowed down and prayed to the Lord. Brothers and Sisters, what does this tell us? We are on our way to the Promised land (the coming Kingdom of God). In our wilderness journey we, like the Israelites, face serious problems; we suffer hunger, poverty, drought etc. This is also a time of temptation; God is testing us in order to know whether we will be obedient to Him. How many of us are still serving the Lord? Are we serving the Lord or idols? May God bless us all.
Bro. S.W. Wanyekheyi
I thank our Heavenly Father for the support you give me by sending Gospel News and the Bible. I am a regular reader of the Magazine and I am encouraging you never to grow tired of the great job you are doing; it is indeed the Lord’s work and no one will reward you but God Himself; the Bible says, “Be not weary in doing good”; “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise”; “He will not forget your work and your love”. I always say to myself that God’s ways are not our ways; He has arranged everything beforehand.
Bro. Thom Bicycle
Photo: Bro. Thom Bicycle
SUKASANJE
If you could add extra copies of Gospel News and send to me I will deliver to Brothers and Sisters in Mozambique/Mabwara, but most people do not know English. So, please, can you assist us to write the Gospel News in Chichewa? Additional to that, if you can start this, don’t forget the pictures as well, as done in the English copies.
Bro. John Mwaliwa
THYOLO
Thank you for sending me Bible Basics which I found very useful. Our church is about 8m long and 5m wide with iron sheets. We have about 36 members. I will be happy to hear more about what you said concerning drought-resistant plants. Please, we need more Bible Reading Calendars; it’s nice to know that we are all reading the same things daily.
Bro. S. Lombe
