news from zimbabwe
BANKET
We ask for God’s intervention, We have tried to live in a different ways but failed. Everyone is crying day and night; we have tried all the way, all actions, but nothing fruitful comes out. Right now we have the same thinking that you have, only God’s intervention will bring the happiness we are dreaming of. The time is up. Believe me, we are now living in the last days. Up to date, all the signs of Christ’s coming have been fulfilled.
Bro. Pindurai Banda
The mind is the part of our nature that deals with knowledge. It is our rational part that absorbs data, stores information, links various bits to each other and makes decisions. If you want to build up knowledge about anything you tuck away information about it in your mind, then use it as and when you want it. Knowing God is different. You know Him with your heart. You can absorb masses of facts and ideas about Him in your mind, but it is with your heart that you know Him as a person. God promised that the exiles in Babylon would learn to know Him in a new way after they had repented, humbled themselves and sought His pardon. They would come to new knowledge of Him as a result of a change of heart, a deep self-examination and a new hunger for Him. If you have a hard or bitter heart, or one that is bent on evil you will never know God. If you harbour resentment, nurse a grudge or secretly engage in something totally contrary to God’s will, then your heart is set elsewhere than on knowing God. You can only know Him when you put Him first in everything. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk. 12:30). That is the way to know God. Do we love Him with all our hearts?
Bro David Yelulani
God is in charge of events and everything depends on His will. People tend to respond to this truth in one of two ways: they say either, Then you can’t blame me, I am not responsible, or, There’s nothing I can do about it so I will not bother. The heart of the matter is not, Is God really in control? but, what kind of God is He? If He is merciful and gracious, then there’s no better place to be than in His hands. What Paul teaches in Rom. 9:18-20 had been clearly promised in the Jews’ own Scriptures, and confirm two points: right from the start God intended to include Gentiles in His family and, second, the true believers in God had always been a minority. In Israel, the Jews who responded to Paul’s preaching of Jesus were that remnant. Far from being puppets on a string, we are called to put our trust freely in Jesus. The Jews had become proud of their law and of their ability to obey it; they decided they could satisfy God’s demands by their own effort. The Gentiles, who had nothing to hope for, had eagerly responded to the Good News that they could be saved simply by putting their trust in Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:30-32). Lord, please especially bless all those men and women who are making a special effort to share the Gospel that was first preached to Jewish people.
Bro. Fibion Ngozi
Let us all believe that God hears our prayers. He may not answer them immediately nor in the way we would like – maybe not at all, because He knows what is best for us. I have been unwell and the medications have not worked, but I pray to God for help. The account of Hezekiah’s illness (2 Kings 20) reminds us that our time, naturally speaking, may be up, but, through prayer, our lives may be extended, in God’s mercy. Jesus told us that such signs as war, earthquakes, famines etc. would come when his coming was near. It is necessary that we prepare ourselves for this event and love and help our fellow servants. Whilst we do not know the day nor the hour, we know that Jesus will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, at a time when he is least expected.
Bro John Masumba
Note: Alas Bro John Masumba fell asleep in Christ last year, his faith was strong to the end.
Photo: Baptism at Banket
Photo: Banket Sunday School
BINDURA
May God bless you in spreading His Word, and you should keep up with the ministry to enrich and encourage brethren and sisters to grow spiritually. I felt very excited when I saw my articles published in Gospel News. It was a dream come true and I had to show it to my colleagues etc. World events sound sour ‘bitter’ i.e. the signs of the times. These are the last days; we find famine, war, the uprising of tribes etc. and starvation is a problem in our country and all over the world.
Bro. Joseph Mucheri
BULAWAYO
Thank you for the 10 Bible Basics, 12 Do Christians Need Prophets Today? and a copy of The Death of the Cross. Many thanks for your help.
Ambrose Tanyepana
CHEGUTU
I thank you for my article being in Gospel News. Another article that excited me was your comment on smoking and drinking; it was something I really appreciated. I had been discussing these topics with some of our newly baptised brothers. There has been an outbreak of cholera out here and it has claimed many human lives. It looks as though more people may die if the issue is not addressed with urgency. In our town there is poor drainage and sewage is everywhere. Despite all these problems, we keep strong and hope and pray that the coming of Jesus is near.
Bro. Richard Phiri
Gospel News is a very interesting magazine. It is one of the best magazines as it brings news from all over the world. It helps some of us spiritually because when we read it we hear of encouraging news. When I was at school my teacher used to say, “When the jacaranda tree sheds its leaves know that the end of year exams are behind the corner. When the clouds gather for rain it’s year end. Farmers and all those who have land start to prepare to plough so as to plant. So if you don’t read your books you will fail the year end exams. If you don’t prepare your land for planting nothing will come out. All the wages are at the end”. The Lord Jesus said that we must be ready all the time. Let us be found doing what the gospel says. It is said you reap what you sow. Let us all work towards the goal and get the reward at the end. The prophet Haggai 1:5-7 “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much but have harvested little. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it. You expected much but see it turned out to be little. Why? says the Lord,
Because of my house which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house”. So let us work towards the goal with great care. Some of us will not receive our wages at last because we at times are found too lazy to work for our Lord. He is loving, caring and merciful to those who know Him spiritually. So let us all get prepared for our Lord as the signs of his coming show he is at the door.
Bro Farai Phiri
Even though separated by distance, the sure hope of Israel binds us together. Things have been difficult and still are, but we rejoice in the hope of salvation which we hope will be delayed no longer. The words of Heb. 13:5-6 offer strength to us as a family of believers.
On a sad note, Sister Legina Mbewe, the wife of our late Brother Tom Chisika Bandare, has fallen asleep in Christ and we held a night service at her brother’s house where she was living since the falling asleep of her husband; he leaves two young daughters. We also conducted a graveside service during her burial. We hope we shall be with our Sister when the dead in Christ arise at his second coming. Away from sadness, Chegutu ecclesia continues to blossom; attendance is pleasing.
Bro. Itai Petro Tembo
Photo: Sis Legina arising to newness of life after her baptism.
Below: from left to right, top row Bre Tom Masimba, Student, Elisha Smoke, Innocent, Itai, Sis Hlwzip, Bro Farai. Middle row, Bro Tapera, Sis Legina, Sis Esnath, two students, Bro Tafara, Bottom row Sis Amina and students.
CHIVI
Brother, my heart feels lost if I am far away from the house of God. I am now at my rural home tilling the land for three months and I hope to return back to Bulawayo, God willing in March. While I am at Chivi I will be at Masvingo for the meeting once a month. I had to write this letter to let you know my address. Thank you for the book to help me grow better crops you sent me, it helps a lot, but there are many others that can help people who are in Africa like “Growing Root Plants With Weather in Mind.” That book is published by the same organisation.
Bro. Dzingai Sumburera
GURUVE
I am waiting for the programme of learning English and practical lessons on learning to read English, you mentioned in your letter. Brother, I will enjoy the book to read and the English lesson.
Sis. Loveness Ngunga
GUTU
As I am writing this letter to you it is raining outside my room. The rains have come rather late but it is promising to be a better season so we are working heavily on our fields. It has never stopped since it came a couple of weeks ago. Did I tell you that on 2nd October I travelled to Bulawayo where I was invited for a monthly meeting with them? I enjoyed it very much as I shared the same fellowship with them, the event I have been missing for a long time. Also on 7th October I travelled from Gutu to Masvingo where I met Bro. John and Sis. Helen Butler and Bro. and Sis. Denis Woodgate. It was a good time being together as we had a very remarkable Bible discussion. Unfortunately I missed the fraternal gathering that was held in Bulawayo as my wife wasn’t feeling well.
Bro. Tarirai Raphael Nyandoro
HARARE
Let us remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. (Peter 3:3), “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 19-23). My last words are from Philippians 4:4-6 “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything; by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Bro. Israel Mutunduwe
KADOMA
Thank you for the Gospel News. I just want to let you know that my employers have now left for Australia. They left me to serve the people who bought the house so I am still at the same place, carry on sending me the Gospel News, thank you. I will visit Rusape in two months time, God willing. I am fine and am working for the people who bought the house from my previous employer. Thank you very much for the book, How To Grow a Balanced Diet, I love it, I am using it now. God is looking after me. As we read in the Bible “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Sis. Alice Mlambo
KAMATIVI
We are saddened to learn that our Sis Miriam Ncube collapsed and fell asleep in Christ on 19 January at Harare and now awaits the soon coming of our Saviour when the living and dead servants of the Lord, by his grace, will be transformed into glorious immortal beings.
KARIBA
I praise God through the Lord Jesus, our Redeemer. If we endure the present situation in the world then we shall see him when he comes with his Kingdom; this is our prayer and unshakeable hope. I thank you also for the Bible Reading Calendars for our ecclesia, but we still need four more if possible. We have started a door-to-door public encouragement to people - students and non-students. Since people have the same attitude as Paul found (Acts 17:18-21), we are strengthened. We have a good number of students and hope, God willing, some will be added to our ecclesia. May God bless us all that we may not fall back from the truth. Let us hold fast till the Lord Jesus appears with his Kingdom.
Bro. David Mhondiwa
KAROI
In one of your letters to me you asked me if I feel you should continue to write on health issues. Yes please, it is more helpful to us in poor countries where we are short of hospitals and doctors and most of the time there are no drugs at the hospitals. Articles in this direction are of paramount importance. Let us all keep doing the work of the Lord till he comes, for a good reward awaits such servants.
Bro. Marison Tafirenyika
MASVINGO
May God bless all included and forward prayers to Jesus so that this work continues and has impact to all nations. I would rather not use “pen and ink” but talk face to face, as the apostle John said (3 John 13-14). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and he who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7-8). God showed love to us through giving His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and also through giving men to have dominion over all creatures. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God.” (1 John 3:1). When asked which one is the greatest commandment, Jesus, in Mark 12:29-31, replied, “Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, mind and strength.” The commandments of God show what God is and what love is. True love is putting God first and doing His will. Our life becomes worthy of God if God is the centre of all acts. Life is like a bicycle wheel and God is the hub. Don’t waste time worshipping other things, but take time to worship God because of His love.
Bro. Simon Mudavose
MUTARE
I thank you very much for the second hand hearing aids you posted me. I gave them to other children who are in need of them. Due to the poverty most parents find it difficult to buy aids for their children since they are very expensive here in Zimbabwe. We need more of the aids if you get access to them. Here is a card/snap of some of the children at the centre who are deaf and dumb. Norest is using his aid so that he can get used to wearing it. Second term he passed his examination. He got position 2 out of 35. This third term he was number 1 out of 35 I can put all these things in God’s hands because He gave me this boy for a purpose.
Bro. Stanford Masika
MVURWI
Here it is time for rain. People are busy planting their crops such as maize, sorghum, tobacco, cotton etc. The Word of God is powerful. I would like to ask you to please keep on sending me Gospel News. God will soon make war to cease everywhere when He sets up His Kingdom. All will honour Him. God will provide a covering for our sin if we seek Him in time. Salvation involves the forgiveness of sins. Righteousness can be obtained only by the grace of God and our faith in Christ.
Bro Nobert Kachasu
RIMBI
If the Master delays his return, on 12th February 2006 I will be accompanied by Bro. Admire Museba of Masvingo Rural ecclesia. Bro. Admire is showing interest in sowing the seeds of the gospel into Mozambique as well. All the Bible Basics you have sent are being put to good use. With great sorrow we report the falling asleep on 20th October 2005 of our beloved Sister Joyce Dhlakama. She now awaits the call to everlasting joy. She had been in the truth for 11 months. Joyce is my firstborn daughter. I found comfort in the word of Job, “And naked came I out of my mother’s womb and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.”
Bro. Moses Dhlakama
ZUMBA
We do thank you so much for the Bible Basics and Gospel News which we receive smoothly. Our ecclesia has four brothers and two sisters and we are looking for more fruits from the regular contacts. We are now preparing the fields for the coming season. We hope that things are going to improve this season so that we get adequate food. Till we meet either in this life or in Jesus’ Kingdom, may God bless you.
Bro. Moses Ajiweka
