news from zimbabwe
BANKET
When we pray we say, “Our Father”, so as God is our Father, surely let us respond to His laws by following them, doing the right things only and teaching others. Thank you for all your support which you are handling so that preaching can proceed. I am in isolation so please send me book like “Where Women Have No Doctor”.
Bro. Gaud Mamba
BULAWAYO
Greetings to all Brethren and Sisters who are near and abroad. It is very pleasing to read different ideas and messages of encouragement to spiritual growth. The articles in Gospel News bring us together in spirit although we are many miles apart. It appears sometimes Brethren and Sisters are marrying unbelievers or one of a different church. In doing this it shows that we do not do what we read and are told to do in the Bible. Let us have a look in 2 Cor. 6:14-15, which says “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness, and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
How can you be “one flesh” as written in Eph. 5:31 when you have two different doctrines between yourselves that are true and false. For this reason the Lord God prohibited the Israelites’ marriage with the heathen people around them (Deut. 7:3-4), because He knew that as soon as there was mixed marriage His people were going to learn Baal worship. A mixed marriage can be a prolific source of misery (Gen. 27:46). It has come to my notice that such marriages may have no perfect happiness, especially on days of church going as there is a tug-of-war to see which of the two have the true belief and doctrine. How can you be of one mind and live in peace while having two different opinions in life in your service to God whom you worship day and night? Let us bear in mind that there is one body (one true church), one true doctrine, one hope of our calling (Eph. 4:4-6).
Bro. Ambrose Tanyepana
LIVE FOR SOMETHING
Live for something, be not idle
Look around for something to do,
Sit not down to useless dreaming,
Labour is the sweetest joy.
Folded hands are ever weary,
Selfish hearts are never content,
Life for you has many duties,
Then be active while you may.
If we daily do our duty
With a singleness of aim,
We shall see God’s wondrous
deeds and beauty
And shall magnify His name.
We may not be highly gifted
But may fill a little space,
But the meek will be uplifted
In the kingdom of His grace.
Scatter blessings in the pathway,
Gentle words and cheering smiles;
For better than gold and silver
With their grief-dispelling wiles.
So watch how you spend your time.
Sis Jean Mayo
I am enjoying the prophecy of Jeremiah because he was not like the other prophets. When he was preaching he was the doer of the preaching. If all of us were like Jeremiah the word would be preached to the four sides of the world. I hope you are working hard to write the next issue of Gospel News.
Bro. Dzingai Sumburere
CHEGUTU
I am very thankful for your letter and the contents and books. Well at times God does great things in our lives. He is great. The parable of the faith of the Canaanite woman, Matt. 15:22, reminds me of my faith in you and God. When Abraham was called he was told to leave everything and go to the land that God would show him. Jesus, when sending out his twelve disciples gave them instructions, Matt. 10:6-14. So now, because we have agreed to be together as Christadelphians we are one united family. But some among us are not serving the Lord spiritually and I wonder whether we are going to get the “rest” at the end. God knows everything. The death of Bro. Nelson is very sad and the great job he has been doing in Zambia was good. He preached to many of the brethren there and did his missionary work well. I knew his son, David Bwalya, and his young brother Alfred when I stayed with them during my days in Chipata, Zambia. May God be with his family.
Bro. Farai Phiri
Thank you for publishing my article that appeared in Gospel News. My young brother, Webster, was baptized together with two other students, Stanley and Paidamoyo. Our ecclesia keeps growing as we look forward to the coming of the Son of Man.
Bro. Richard Phiri
I would like to thank you very much for the splendid work you are doing on spreading the word through Gospel News and all the literature that you send to all those keen students wishing to learn of the ways of the truth. I have a confession to make and I hope you will publish it in Gospel News, together with my photograph. I used to go to a Methodist church, as from my childhood my whole family were Methodists. Well it was when I met Richard Phiri that he introduced me to the Christadelphians and I saw things differently. There was the Bible Planner to enable one to read portions each day which we never did at the Methodist church. What really helped most was the correspondence course of the 40 lessons; a lot of my questions were answered and I now understand. The leaflets and Bible studies have also helped me greatly. Meanwhile I keep strong and look forward to the coming of our Lord.
Sis. Hlezipi Phiri
Photo: Sis. Hlezipi Phiri
CHINHOYI
Allow me to express my views on the crossword puzzles and some questions. They are very helpful to us as they help us to stretch our brains and search for Bible answers, but for the puzzles I think it would be better if the answers were printed in the next Gospel News rather than put in the back of the same issue. For question and answer I think it is also good if there is a page set aside for that. I have just finished those which were presented by Irene and Lorton and were answered by Sis Joan Shuker. They have helped me very much and they are a sort of inspiration to dig further into the pages of the Bible. I am also stressed about the way John the Baptist behaved in the last days of his life. Question: When John was put in prison he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask whether he was the one to come or should they expect someone else (Luke 7:18). There and then Jesus started to cure those with diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits and giving sight to the blind. Jesus told the disciples to go and report to John what they had seen and heard. Before that, John had baptized Jesus and had said he was powerful and that he was unworthy to untie his sandals. Does that mean John’s belief had decreased because he was in trouble? Does that mean there were other people who looked like Jesus and performed miracles as Jesus did although they were antiichrists? Where did John’s disciples go after John was beheaded?
I would like to thank you all who contribute to Gospel News and would like to assure my many Brethren and Sisters that I am with you in my prayers. I was most touched about what is happening to our Brothers and Sisters in Iran, Morocco and most Islam countries. I am also sorry and sad to hear of the death of Brother Nelson Bwalya; he has been a good writer and inspiration to us young brothers. To his family and ecclesia I repeat 2 Chron. 19:11 “…act with courage, and may God be with those who do well.”
Bro. Moses Ajiweka Zumba
Comment: The miracles Jesus did not only confirmed John’s belief in Jesus being the Messiah, but would also have demonstrated to John’s disciples, that Jesus was the Messiah whom they should follow.
CHIPINGE
I was diagnosed TB and I am on TB treatment. I want to thank God for the assistance I got from the CBM Welfare Fund as it enables me to go for a blood test to see if I have a malaria parasite in my blood, because at first I thought it was malaria.
Bro. Moses Dhlakama
It is encouraging to see how God’s Word is spreading to so many remote places. I have been to Mozambique twice with Moses and I met quite a number of Bible students and I am tutoring most of them. It has been a privilege for me to talk face to face with them. The two visits have been a great joy to us all. We all made our way home with a firm resolve to continue the work by correspondence and possibly further visits, God willing. Recently Moses and Admire went back and the visit was blessed by the baptism of Sister Evermore Muchanga, the wife of our Bro. Arone Muchanga. She has been on the 40 lessons correspondence course.
Sis. Evelyn Dhlakama
We thank you for Portuguese Bible Basics as well as books Speaking About Jesus.
Bro. Arone Muchanga – Translated from Portuguese
CHIVI
According to the second epistle of John it says, “To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only but also all who know the truth, because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us for ever.” Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the son of the Father in truth, and love”, Brother with the happiness which is in my heart now. I am not here to tell you anything but I just want to thank our heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus for the kindness and love you have shown to the people of Chivi. The students are enjoying their studies and I have been given a classroom here at Chivi District Hospital and I also want to say thank you very much to Bro. Dhlakama of Rimbi who gave us some leaflets about the book Speaking About Jesus; we would like some more please.
Bro. Isaac Vheremu Ngara
KARIBA
Faith has two main aspects, it is true knowledge about God and Christ with an unshakeable conviction that what God has revealed about Himself and about us is true. Faith also involves trusting in God and being assured deep down that by His grace we are made right with Him because of Christ; that what Christ has accomplished applies to us. Faith is centred in Christ and in what he has done as each one of us is called to make a personal confession of faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord. The Blind Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus Christ that he would see and he received his sight. As Brethren and Sisters in Christ we must stand firm in faith knowing that God is always testing our faith to strengthen it. This testing may involve pain and suffering and God wants us to reach out to Him and trust that He is working for our good.
Bro. Witness Majecha
I am praising our Lord Jesus that I want to learn more of his words. God bless you for the wonderful books I am now reading. I am confident that God’s test only comes when and wherever He wants it done. Job 9:8, :18-19, Isa. 48:13. Regrettably our human nature is our enemy. In August God blessed us in Zimbabwe in having a Christadelphian Conference in Harare, when we met Bro. Steve and Sis Ruth Moore. Bro. Alan Turner and his wife Sonia. It was the most wonderful time I and my children have ever had.
Jesus, being of our nature, showed us the character of God. God is after his image being in us. God is looking upon this earth to see the hearts of those that realize they have to try to imitate the life of Jesus.. How and where can you run away from Him? God loves us, let us hear Him.. May the Lord give us more strength to stand against the winds that may come, for God wants strong people with faith looking forward to the coming Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.
Bro. David Mhondiwa
KAROI
Once more I am writing to forward my word of thanks to you and may the Lord add more to you for another hand that you have given to me. Many more days and blessings from the Almighty for you people who care for the poor and needy at the Lord’s table. I am preparing to go to the Conference in Harare, God willing.
Bro. Marison Tafirenyika
MAGUNJE
Joyous salutations in Christ. With heavy breath I gladly received your letter. Thank you so much for your great love. You took the burden off my shoulders which was too heavy for me. My prayer is that you extend your hand of help both spiritually and physically to wherever God so wills for the reward reserved for you is immeasurable. No amount of words would be enough to express my innermost gratitude for the services you have personally rendered to me. No more words of explanation can explain my joy and peace at this time. I am always singing hymns 268 and 335. Your fellow sufferer, fellow soldier, fellow pilgrim and fellow suppliant of the mercy of God unto eternal life.
Bro. Stanford Kunzha
I received the books you sent through sea mail and then a letter and the book “Where Women have no Doctor”. I think Sister Ruth and others will find it useful. I will take time to read all these books and those on gardening, goats, and rabbits. I am now well equipped with all information so I will have to keep them nicely. From the garden this last season I had managed to yield sweet potatoes, cassava and sugar cane which have different nutrients for the family. This time I have tomatoes of different varieties some of which I am about to market but we have a problem with our Zimbabwean dollar which is not stable. The news from the Middle East, as the Bible predicts, shows us that our Lord is now near to make everything change for the better.
Bro. Weston and Sis. Ruth Kamota
First and foremost I would like to thank you for send me Bible Basics, Introducing Bible Basics, The Death of the Cross, Jehovah’s Witnesses Doctrines Briefly Tested by Scripture and Bible Basics for Moslems.
Remember the words of the Master of the vineyard: “He who endures to the end will be saved”.
Bro Norman and Sis Grace Kamutikaoma
MASVINGO
On 18 August 2006 we had Bro. Steve and Sis. Ruth Moore in Masvingo town ecclesia and we had Daily Bible Readings and we shared the word for spiritual growth. I have found it difficult to raise college fees alone, since both of my parents died in an accident.
Bro. Simon Mudavose
MT. DARWIN
God gave us the 66 books of the Bible. He meant us to study all of them – not only read or study a few that are our favourites. We cannot build a house without a proper foundation. So when we get the proper foundation laid we need to put up some side buildings to hold the roof and have a strong house to live in. Therefore the 66 books of the Bible will build us up in faith. The writer of 2 Timothy 2:15 urges us to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of faith.” Again 2 Tim.3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” So the only recourse we have these days is the Word of God. The reason that many fall by the wayside is that the seed fell among the stones. It did not get deeply rooted. The Word of God is the seed and unless we study all the Word of God, getting down into the good, rich soil, we will not become very healthy spiritually and it won’t be long until we get trampled down and dried out by the earthly sun. To stand in these days we need to be rooted in the Word of God. As Peter says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy, where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter1:19-20) So do not pull out just one verse or two and think you have it. That is the tragedy of Bible study; we must take it all? So, Brothers and Sisters, let us all build entirely upon the Word of God using our Bible Companions, (Also reproduced in the Bible Readers Ccalendar) as by following this plan we will be able to read every chapter of the Bible each year. I am thanking Bre. Steve Moore, Alan Tanner and Sis Ruth and Sonia for coming to Zimbabwe, Resthaven CBM. Conference and studying the Bible with us using the theme, “Israel, past, present and future.” Please arrange more conferences for us in the future. I believe the study of God’s Word is our only hope for the future.
Bro. Sylvester Chakaipa
MUTEMA
Thank you very much for literature on growing crops in drought conditions; they are useful booklets. We are suffering high inflation in our country, indeed we are experiencing hyper-inflation. Many thanks for your advice and suggestions concerning the problems I mentioned. Thank you, too, for exhortation on present day events which is very interesting. I have not received the latest Gospel Publicity leaflets. Concerning copies of Gospel News, I suggest that you send one or two copies per small ecclesia. In our ecclesia we are 13 members, two copies are enough, we exchange them as we do one copy of the Testimony, the Christadelphian Magazine. This may reduce the cost of printing and by mailing to one ecclesia. If my suggestion is helpful send them through the ecclesial secretary. The Gospel News joins us all together worldwide. We pray for your wonderful work and its continuity till Christ returns.
Bro. Patrick Mandvinga
