news from zimbabwe
BULAWAYO
Greetings to you in the sure hope that we share. Many thanks for the Bible Basics, leaflets and a book entitled “The Cross of Christ” which you posted for the Bulawayo Ecclesia. The parcel came when I was outside Bulawayo, visiting my family, as you know that here in Zimbabwe we have country homes as most of us have no special professional jobs. The rains have fallen very well and the severe drought facing us has come to an end this year.
Bro. Ambrose Tanyepana
I am now back in Bulawayo. Every month end I go to Masvingo, a town about 99 kms from my home area. One of the things that touches me to the quick is that whenever I read Gospel News I came across some sad news about brothers or sisters in Africa or the world. Let me say the suffering, poverty and disease are from God. When God said, “Look, the man is like us, he knows good and evil” (Gen.3:22), the underlined word “evil” means bad. So in Gen 3:18 God promised suffering after Adam sinned, “The land shall produce thorns and thistles for you”. So why are we dumbfounded about suffering? Let us know that the life we have is meaningless (read Eccl.2:17-26). Wisdom to please God is the only good thing under the sun. When God created man He wanted him, to be obedient to Him. Some problems that we face are because of our sins. God promised to Israel curses for disobedience (Lev.26:14-21). A loving father always gives punishment to his son when he does bad things. When the Israelites bowed down to the golden calf, God plagued them (Ex. 32:35). We know that Jesus said, he will keep us from undue suffering, (Rev.3:10) Suffering gives us the perseverance that develops into faith. Faithful men are always at work, no matter at what time. In Romans 8:35 it says, “What shall remove us from the love of Christ..?” If we believe that God is our shepherd (Psalm 23:1), we shall not want. However many trying times come , He shall comfort us. All these shall end like one dreaming. All suffering and trying times shall end when the Kingdom of God shall comes no war, disease or death. Finally, let us be like the lamps which were in the tabernacle burning day and night, meaning our daily reading, that will make us a bud like Aaron’s rod. When we call ourselves Christadelphian it means that we are the flock of the same sheep, we must have been gathered together with the same voice (John 10). This means that all of us are united together with the cup of the new cvenant that we share. However, if we follow our own ungodly desires (Jude:19,20), there is a punishment that one can come to like Korah, Dathan and Abiram who were swallowed by the earth. To us also, we shall be sent to Satan (the world). We shall be swallowed by the sin that is in the world. Why also should the body of Christ be divided? We were all graffed in by the same olive tree (Rom. 11), Also the vine, we are all of us the branches (John 15). Why shall we put ourselves in the place of Christ who is the trunk? When we are leaders we must be the same as others. Finally I say let us value our baptism and the bread and wine. (1.Cor 12:25). Thank you for sending me Gospel News while I was at Chivi. I have tried to plant maize and sorghum on a large scale because our area is receiving rainfall below the amount needed.
Bro. Dzingai Sumburera
I have been added another year to my age. We should also be maturing in truth and faith. I have just finished reading the Present Day Events and their meaning from the Bible. The headings are: “Chaos in the world…when will it end?” and “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch”. I was desperately touched with the question by Jesus, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” With all this chaos, my answer is that many are called but few will be saved. I think with the current world situation, a vast number of people are trying to use human effort to solve the problems, but that should not be so with us who have chosen to follow Christ, come what may. Gal.3:3, “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”
Bro. Moses Ajiweka
Gospel News and other literature are like appetizing food which lead me to read the Bible. CAT is really doing a great job in helping people to know the Word of God. May our dear God bless the work more and more with the hope of the Kingdom to be established on this earth. Here, we are busy planting and weeding our fields. The rain season has started well. We look forward to a good season if the rain continues like this. The environment now looks green and beautiful. It will be more beautiful in the Kingdom as there will be no toiling and sweating. It is a life and place worth looking forward to. Like Paul writing to the young Timothy, likewise those who are elders, married couples and those who are well-to-do in material advancement, should help our young people and the needy to continue in the faith. Each ecclesia must see to it that it organizes teenage and youth meetings to help them to know what God expects them to do, and for our unmarried brothers and sisters to marry in the ecclesia. We should pray for and preach to those who are not saved. It is good to marry someone who is of the same belief and faith. Preaching through leaflets, invitation and visits are very important in bringing people to the Lord. Like ants, let us work and encourage each other as the time draws near to our Lord’s coming.
Bro. Obert Wiki
CHIVI
I am very happy because it is Sunday and I must keep the Lord’s commandment that says, “Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19. We must do it with faith, hope and love. Well, the world cannot judge itself, but we must judge ourselves. If we do this we shall not be judged. Finally, I want to let you know that my father has a small piece of land at Chivi where he has planted cassav in the backyard.
Bro. Dzingai Sumburera
GUTU
I want to have a daily personal reading of pioneer studies especially on the book, “Elpis Israel”. So could you please send the complete set of notes on these studies. Please keep sending the Gospel News and any other literature. Our secondary school is building a library and the plans are now at an advanced stage so please donate some literature, especially Bible Basics.
Thank you very much for sending the book ‘Backyard Rabbit Farming In The Tropics’. The manual is easy to read and the instructions easy to follow. Another project which does not need a lot of money to establish. I have +1,000 plants of JATROPHA on a nursery bed, the seeds of this plant can be processed into diesel fuel substitute, oil and soap, candles can also be processed from it. It takes three to four years to start producing a crop. I am now looking for more information on growing, harvesting and processing the oil from them I am eagerly in need of this information.
Bro. Raphael Nyandoro
Comment. Thanks for the most interesting comment about growing Jatropha, this is a very interesting crop and, as you say diesel fuel and oil can be produced from it, also soap and candles. For those interested and who have access to the internet, there is much information on its uses and cultivation, just write in ‘Jatropha’ on the internet and very much information is obtainable; I am sending you some of it. There is also an article on the negative aspects of Jatropha which can cause poisoning, it produces hydrocarbons which may cause some cancers. It is sometimes used as a dense hedge and I guess could be difficult to remove if not wanted. I appreciate Oil Palm take, a long time to bear fruit, but I would have thought long term they would be very useful as a valuable food and for cooking oil etc.MH.
KADOMA
On 23rd February there was an earthquake here in Zimbabwe; but mostly Mozambique. I do not know how many died or were injured because I am far away from Mutare, during that time I was fast asleep. May the Lord bless our united effort to encourage people to get back to the Bible.
Sis. Alice Mlambo
KARIBA
I thank our Lord Jesus Christ, through whose death we have this wonderful fellowshipping in the Truth of the Christadelphians. I am 62 years but I am still a child who needs more spiritual food in spiritual books, Present Day Events, Glad Tidings, Gospel News, to mention a few. The prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, John 17:6-12 - I feel very happy in the faith, that God chose me (v.8), and yet I always pray as in Matt.5:3 & 6 that I will thirst no more, even to those that I speak to, that the truth of the gospel news be revealed to them as I received it through Bro. Joshua Pakali. My opinion, God willing, is to make or start a pre-school for our Christadelphian children so that from youth they may have a true understanding of the Word of God. Though the preaching is in progress by the Campaign Group there are a good number of children and youth. There may be a place for them to meet and as we have a younger sister it is fitting for her to work with the children. Kariba has many students doing lessons, and some have given us reports that their tutors wrote letters for baptism, God Willing. As we wait for the Kingdom or our Lord Jesus we always pray that we may have all the armour of God (Eph 6:10-18), and I also pray for you that the love and peace of our God be with us till the Kingdom is revealed to us, where we will see each other face to face.
Bro. David Mhondiwa
CHISAPE
I was so happy when I received Gospel News and the deeper study of interest, ‘The Epistles to the Thessalonians 1 and 2’, very good. Thank you; this is real encouragement in our wilderness journey. Receiving Gospel News regularly and more news from you, my brothers and sisters, I have benefited a lot. Last year, I developed in wisdom through many trials and through your hard work in sending to me much different literature. God bless everything that you touch and keep you in good health. May they keep on sending Present Day Events and the newsletter; they are very informative and I am alert on world events, especially Israel, a boiling pot. We as the ‘chosen fruits’ of this earth know what is coming on this earth so let us pray always for our redemption is nigh. The Bible prophecy is now fulfilled at every corner of the world. Surely Jesus will come when all his enemies are under his feet. The sheep and goats are separated at his judgment, at his coming. ‘Where Women Have No Doctor’ would be good for my wife, Joyce, she does not feel well in her body. May she be sent one for her health needs. Sister Joyce sometimes feels pains in her body and hands; I will help her to understand an English copy, if available. At the moment I am busy working on sweet potatoes, which are doing very well, following instructions of “How to Grow a Balanced Diet”. May I have another book called “Principles of Planning Vegetable Production”, thank you.
I know that things are difficult these days but I always remember that every flower that has bloomed had to push through a lot of dirt to do so. We make a living by what we get and make a life by what we give. I believe that God is in control in the affairs in the Middle East, soon His Son will appear on Mount Zion. As Rev. 2-3 gives us hints on the first ecclesias it is good for us to compare how we are doing in our ecclesias; have we got agape love? Doing is better than talking. Blossom is well in its place...but if there is no fruit the tree is worthless. Prayer is the key in the morning and the bolt on the door at night. We must try and fail…but not fail to try, this is my motto. Your brother longing for Jesus Christ.
I was so happy when I received the book “Speaking About Jesus”. A good deed, no matter how small, is worth more than the greatest intention. My heart is full of joy. You have uplifted my ‘O’ level studies through the gospel message of our Saviour. Last year I sat for ‘O’ level exams for the first time. I wrote 5 subjects and passed one subject because of lack of books and assistance. I did not lose hope. Now I am doing night school at the same school that I wrote the exams. We were encouraged by the headmaster to do night school for them to accept us when we write exams again. I was very happy at this arrangement, so I am attending the night school. From my home and back is 16 km. but I have sacrificed to the end. You are saints of the Most High. You have done great my brothers and sisters. I am so pleased I am learning computer programs for the first time. I am seeing the hand of Providence in my wilderness journey through your deep spiritual love you share with this poor Lazarus. It’s the little things we do and say that mean so much as we go on our way. A kindly deed can lift a load from weary shoulders on the road, thank you very much. As I am a student these books are very helpful as I have a desire to pass my subjects when I write the examinations. This time I am studying human and social biology, English, Maths, Computer, History and Commerce.
Bro. Stanford Kuuzha
MASVINGO
Here in Zimbabwe we have received good rains and I have recently received your articles. It seems that God cares for our needs, physically and spiritually. Keep it up with the work of publications as this has helped by fellow student teachers, mainly Mubonderi Tongorona and Mpisa Samuel. We experienced a tremendous earth movement at midnight. This and other related issues herald Jesus’ coming very soon. All we need is to repent from our ways and be baptized in the Name of Christ and that is what is called complete renewal in Romans 6. I have also received all the literature you sent, but my fellow workers are better encouraged through reading from the Bible Reader’s Calendar. I am living in perilous times in the teacher training situation at Chikaruoko and hope I will endure up to the end of the world. Lastly I dedicate my best fellow student, Mpisa Samuel, to be in the Truth revealed in the Bible and also pray pray for me in this matter.
Bro. Simon Mudavose
I write this letter to let you know that I would like to continue to receive Gospel News and other literature. I am finding them useful.
Bro. Costa Makwarimba
MATHABISA
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ whom we are still waiting to come and set up the future Kingdom (Luke 21:34-36). He will raise the dead and judge them according to their faith and works. Those who are unworthy will die the second death (Dan.12:1-3). We are sorry to report the death of our student Portia Moyo after a short illness. She was on lesson 26 of the course and left two children, the first born daughter is in the Sunday School, aged 6 years. On the other hand we are delighted to report the baptism of Itai Ngwenya here at Mathabisa area, on February 27th 2006. May the Lord guide him to the Kingdom. Now we are three brothers. I am happy I now have brothers in the faith so that we can share the same faith and preach the Word of God in our area, God willing. We thank the CBM for opening us a postal box. The new address is Christadelphian Bible Mission, P.O. Box 110, Mathabisa, Zimbabwe.
Bro. David Ngwenya Norest
Let me take this time to thank you once more for your hard work for the widely read Gospel News. Here in Mathabisa we were blessed with one baptism and hoping the number will increase in the future as we walk towards the establishment of the Kingdom of God. We hope you will be spiritually and physically strong and healthy. We are doing fine in our preaching activities to our beloved students here in Zimbabwe. We are experiencing a lot of rainfall, and we thank the Almighty for His love towards His people. We meet twice a month with brothers and sisters in Bulawayo for breaking of bread. May the Lord of peace be with us in this life-threatening world, full of terror. Hoping the Lord Jesus may come very soon for his followers. Your brother by the grace we both abundantly receive.
Bro. Balewa Ngwenya
MUTARE
What are you seeing in the present day life? Are there any changes between today and yesterday? Life is now full of uncertainty, warnings, insecurity and fearfulness. This is to fulfill what is written in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Jesus. Read Rev.22:6-21. A true believer knows that God is in control, that He cares for His loved ones and that the Kingdom is coming soon. Did God reject His promises with the Jews and with Abraham? Read Romans 11:1-10. Did Jesus tell them about his death before he died? Read Matt.17:22-23. Who saw the vision of the Son of Man? Read Rev.1:9-20. Briefly I can say to all the believers, there is no room for fear, just joy.
Bro Stanford Masika
Photo: Bro Stanford’s son and his friends.
TRIANGLE
Here at Triangle the word of our Lord Jesus Christ is going well. I am waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth.
Bro. Jonathan Zvavamwenye
ZUMBA 7
Thank you for your letter and the notes on the signs of the times which are heralding the return of our Lord. It is really heart-rending to witness and hear of such sad events happening in our neighbourhood. As Christ told his disciples to watch the things that are going to come and happen before his return, we should also likewise take heed for what is befalling others can also happen to us. We can find all the answers and truth in the Holy Bible. Now, let me share with you the joy of our ecclesia on February 5th. We were very happy and blessed with the successful interviews followed by the baptisms of five wise Sisters who were studying the Truth for two years. These are Sis Fungai Joseph, Sis Costa Musi, Sis Talent Chimbodza, Sis Nhamo Wiki (my sister) and Sis Patricia Chiwara. There are now seven sisters at Zumba ecclesia and three brothers. There are about six male students who are studying the Truth; some of them will be interviewed before the end of this year. May you and other brethren and sisters worldwide pray for our five Sisters so that they may be firm in their journey to the Kingdom of God. There are more female students who are also learning the Truth. When travelling to town I like discussing the Word of God with fellow passengers. On 3 February I had a spirited discussion about where believers and Jesus will be during the thousand years. A lady and two gentlemen said believers will go to heaven. I disagreed with them together with another gentleman from another church. This made me search my Bible more and more to find the truth. Many Christians seem to have taught or misunderstand the Scriptures. They also base their argument on John 14:1-4. But the Christadelphian knows that Jesus will reign here on earth during the thousand years.
Bro. Obert Wiki
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). We are delighted to report that we witnessed the baptism of five Sisters here in Zumba on February 5th 2006 by Bro Gift Lungu. The names of the Sisters are Fungai Joseph, Costa Musi, Talent Chimbodza, Nhamo Wiki, and Patricia Chiwara. So brethren we ask for your prayers so that the ecclesia may become stronger spiritually. Our aim is to spread the gospel to everyone. I would like to thank you for the literature sent to me. “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sin, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:1-4). What if, from the day you were born, your parents kept a special book about you? In this book they write down every time you did something wrong. As you got older you were required to write in the book the things you did wrong. For example, you had to enter bad thoughts that no one else would know about or the bad things you might have done when no one else was around. The book kept growing larger and larger. The good news is that no book like that exists, but God knows all those things. Yet out of His great love for us, God offers us forgiveness though Jesus. The Bible reminds us that God removes our sins from us,as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). So Brothers and Sisters let us thank God that He offers forgiveness instead of keeping records.
Bro. Emmanuel Kondowe
ZVISHAVANE
Loving greetings in the hope we share. Hoping this letter finds you in good health as we are. We do appreciate very much the work CAT are doing worldwide, the proclamation of the good news. It is for this reason that we share the same faith as one family. Our ecclesia consists of eight sisters and four brothers and a Sunday school class. I have written this letter of behalf of CBM Zvishavane to request the book “Where Women Have No Doctor” for our sisters and the girls they are bringing up.
Bro.Sibangani Maka
