news from zambia

CHINSALI
I enjoy reading Gospel News because it sheds light on what is happening in other ecclesias all round the world, especially how the good news is being disseminated throughout the world by the Christadelphians. This is fantastic! May the Lord God bless this life-giving work. After having helped in the formation of three ecclesias in Chinsali District, I am now helping the students at Malangura – eight of them. Their keen interest has encouraged me and it is my hope that, God willing, we might have another group embracing the true doctrines of the Bible. Thank you for the tapes which we have put to good use.
Bro. Brighton Chiluba

I hope and trust that you are doing fine in the hope of Israel which we share. I am glad to tell you that I have received your letter, together with Bible Basics for Moslems. I received it late due to the problem I have in terms of transport, since I live in a remote place. The information you wrote to me is very interesting and encouraging.

Communication is one of the most important elements in our daily lives. Without it man cannot develop. Alas live communication is very expensive and only available to the rich. This is one reason why the rich have taken advantage of the poor. Now, communication with God is free. It doesn’t matter what kind of language you speak, but what matters more is to confess our sins and seek our Lord Jesus Christ as our Mediator between us and God. God does not discriminate. That is why if we read Matthew 7: 7-11 we will find that Jesus is encouraging us a great deal. So the only communication which matters is that which is spiritual.
Bro. Goodwell Mubanga

I would like to thank Matero ecclesia for the help they gave in burying my father, Bro. Jack Bowa, after his death in Lusaka. It was a great work. May our Heavenly Father bless them abundantly and give them encouragement in Christ.
Sis. Justina Bowa

My house has burned with everything in it. Brother, I’m suffering so much with my family – I am left with nothing. The house caught fire when we were away with the entire family. We went out to work on the farm. Therefore, will you kindly send me books, together with a Bible, as these were all burnt.
Bro. Edward Mutale

FRINGILLA
Accept my greetings in the faith and the hope we have in our Lord. Recently I was struck by miseries: I had my house burnt and everything was destroyed. Some two months later my daughter was bitten by a dog. These miseries have disturbed my living; however, I have put all these things in the hands of God because if we read Isaiah 45:7 we are instructed. Therefore we need to look to Him and humble ourselves. Brothers and Sisters, please pray for me so that one day I might have contentment as I used to have. Having lost my literature in the fire, I would like to request some: ‘Where There Is No Doctor’, and a New International Version Bible, cross reference edition. I like this version and am very much in need of it. I would also like ‘Elpis Israel’, amongst other books. Lastly I would like to encourage and commend the wonderful work being done in printing the books and other materials; please continue, God will reward you. I conclude my writing with the Christadelphian Hymn No. 10 in Bemba (‘There’s a Land That is Fairer’).
Bro. Ignatius Chilekwa

KABOMPO
The Bible warns those Brothers and Sisters who are leaving the Truth and joining other churches. The Bible warns us in 2 Tim 4:4 “the time will come when … they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” We pray we may all grow and build each other up in the Truth. All of us need to be strong in the Word and to follow the Truth in the Bible; to bring many to Christ by preaching to those who have not heard the word of God, at the Sombo Guest House normally used when our Brothers and Sisters visit Kabompo from the UK with Zambian brethren. Bro. Amos Chkanda

On the translation I’m trying to do, I hope to get it printed into our local language since we are getting a lot of computers here. I will tell you about any developments, because I have learnt that the book will help my community here.
Bro. Charles Muhupu

KABWE
I started studying the Christadelphian Bible Correspondence Courses in the 1980s and I was baptised on 31st July 2002. Currently I am studying with Bro. Blackstone who is a very good tutor and has helped me greatly since I became a Brother. I was very glad to receive Where There is No Doctor. Please continue sending Gospel News and other literature which may be available. I was also pleased to receive a book about the Principles of Planning Vegetable Production.
Bro. Greenwell Kunda

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, Brother, have refreshed my heart.
Bro. Maybin Bwalya

Bro Amos standing behind the CBM Vehicle the CBM Visitors use

KAFUE
Be on time! Do you procrastinate and rush around at the last minute? Do you over-schedule yourself, trying to do too many things in too short a period of time? The principle given in Ecclesiastes 3:1 can prove to be helpful: “For everything there is an appointed time.” Having an appointed time for things allows you to do them in an orderly manner. First, list all the things you need to do. Next, follow the principle given in Philippians 1:10, “make sure of the more important things.” Yes, prioritise: what absolutely has to be done. What are the things that can safely be put off for later? Finally, figure out how much time you need to get things done and when you can realistically do them, so avoiding scheduling too much in too little time.
Bro. Lotson Kayuns

KALOMO
Thank you for the papers you sent and all the news, plus tapes etc. I delight in reading about the present happenings, so please if you can send me more of these papers from time to time. I need more preaching materials for when I go out on a mission trip, as more and more people have shown interest in the Christadelphian doctrinal message, for it is biblically centred – although we face a lot of opposition from other churches. But this will never discourage us from preaching, for we are baptised for the same and sent to do the same by our Master. Attached is the programme for my short trip to visit the students of both English and Tonga lessons. I am very glad to have received Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel, this will help me to answer questions on various topics. Yes, the 40 lessons in English have been translated into Tonga and many more students have liked the lessons and some have already progressed to lesson 15. More are needed, but I hope Kelly of Kafue has enough to meet the demand. I have today written to him to include more names to his list. So, please, if anyone has something helpful for preaching to the students, please request some on my behalf. May the Lord bless His word, and it is my prayer that once in a while you pay us a visit in Zambia: we only see you in the Gospel News, but wish for your presence so that you encourage us physically..
At least the Gospel is now moving towards other people whose interest is to know the Truth, but had no means of doing so, not having had schooling. All the same we give thanks to our Lord for His goodness towards us in His word. Just like the Gospel News, it contains vital news for all who love reading God’s Word. It encourages, builds, strengthens, corrects, guides, moulds, shapes, sharpens, brightens, makes one think, choose, follow and act, etc. I and my family say, Continue to send us Gospel News.
Bro. Harry Hambula

KAPIRI
The Bible tells us that after the day of Pentecost and when the apostles had received the Holy Spirit, they went forth preaching the Gospel everywhere. Those who believed were baptised and they devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They even went further, to sell their possessions and redistribute to the needy (Acts 2:42-47). We are told they had everything in common. The onlookers, both Jews and Gentiles, exclaimed, “See how they love one another.”

Imagine the quality of love that the apostles and these early believers portrayed which even amazed the non-believers. The question is, does this kind of love exist today in our ecclesias? The Bible challenges us that as believers blessed with the Truth, we have the gift to display such love in our ecclesias. It should all start with an individual: as individuals in our homes, even before we leave the door to meet our Brothers and Sisters, we should examine our conscience as to how we will serve the ecclesia each day. Love and service in the ecclesia is an unending cycle: Brother towards Brother, Sister towards another Sister, Brother towards a Sister and vice versa. At the end the entire ecclesia will be filled with admired love and those around us will surely say, “See how they love one another.” They certainly would be attracted to our faith, hope and truth.
It is common in ecclesias to find differences between one Brother and another, one Sister against another and so on. This is by virtue of being human with weak flesh, which has its own desires, and also due to differing backgrounds and personalities. However, as Brethren assembled together, this should not be the case. Listen to what Peter had to say, “Having purified your soul by your obedience to the Truth for a sincere Brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). The apostle Paul also says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:9-10).
Bro. Mike Mweene

KASAMA
We all eagerly wait for the Lord’s second advent in our time. It is very worthwhile, though, to imagine how prepared we are to receive the Master. Many prophecies are finding fulfilment in all of us but many people are still in incredible apostasy. However, this does not and won’t delay Jesus’ return even if there are fifty in the Truth, like the instances with Noah and Lot. May the Lord God increase the number of workers for His harvest that His chosen ones may be gathered in. The NIV is helping me with some historical religious discoveries I would not have learnt from my local school history. It contains very good commentary notes, though one has to be guided by the Truth’s doctrinal concepts as some comments derive their root from apostate Christendom, e.g. the Trinity and deity of Jesus and evil spirits.

Please never lose heart when you hear disturbing news from us, for sometimes we write in unfavourable circumstances due to our living conditions, sometimes you may wonder when you hear from WHO reports concerning death tolls due to malaria and cholera, - preventable diseases. In villages, people’s living conditions are difficult to describe. It is common in some remote African areas to share a pool of water with cattle, hyenas and dogs in dry seasons because of water scarcity. Living with many flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes would not be a strange sight or experience in countries like Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Donor funds through Governments can’t reach the targeted areas and important medicines and facilities like mosquito nets received from donors are shared amongst the medical staff and later sold at such prices that many cannot afford. For example, a mosquito net is supposed to be sold at K3,000 at hospitals and health centres ($0.50) but it is found in medical staff’s drug stores as high as K60,000! The former is the official Government price at a subsidised level.
Bro. Boniface Simpanzye

KASAKA
I am sending my great gratitude for sending me Gospel News. I used to be in so many churches here in Zambia looking for the truth and sound doctrine. But when I came across the Bible Course and started studying it, I found it to be so interesting that I completed it through my tutor, Sis Sheila Mothersdill of UK and got baptised on 17th June 2000.

Now my request is: Would it not be possible for this straightforward doctrine to be put on TV here in Zambia when the Linkmen visit us, for others to enjoy the gospel we enjoy as it is written in Matthew 5:14-16. Most Brothers here have tried their best to send the message all over the country, but it seems not to be enough.

I am appealing to Brethren and Sisters worldwide who have received sound doctrine, to fully follow the steps our Lord Jesus did when he was here on earth. We should not merely talk about the gospel but try by all means to practice what we read in the Bible, just as it is stated in James 1:19-26. By so doing I think we may be able to convince other people that we have a good doctrine and practice.
Bro Adams Nsamu

LUSAKA
I do appreciate that the Gospel literature that you send me is helping to lead me to salvation. Please continue, for my own betterment as well as others.
Thank you so much also for briefing me about the tension in the Middle East which is one of the biggest signs of Jesus’ second coming. I must tell you that Armageddon is very interesting to me, because as I am reading this book I see the whole scenario unfolding in a well simplified explanation. On this one I am very well informed and I pray that at an appointed time God will send Jesus to establish the glorious Kingdom here on earth.
Bro. Jaxon Kalumba (Jnr.)

Thank you very much for the study materials I received. Here I am doing well at school; even though some things seem to be hard, I put all my faith in God that one day everything will be well. As I mentioned earlier, there are challenges that I’m facing, but I am able to stand, and some of my friends are accepting literature which I offer them. I would like you to send me more literature for distribution to my class-mates and other interested pupils.
Bro. Stephen Siamabi

I am only physically fine because I can move and do things, but the emotional part of me can only be healed by God, who allowed my Mum to fall asleep in Christ. I thank God for the nightly sleep He blesses me with, but I expect to see her every day when I wake and find myself then feeling her absence. I first lost my young dog, a dog like my kid brother, and to add to that pain I also lost my Mum. It hurts so much that I at times fail to know what to think or do. My Mum willingly served God and that’s one thing I can’t forget. The two dogs we’re keeping seem to accept that she’s nowhere in the house, though my Mum would embrace them and treat them like her grandchildren. If making people know the true Gospel is what will make Jesus come, then I do my best so that he can come and resurrect my Mum. The thought of eternally living with her in an immortal state gives me so much comfort and peace. The day she’ll be resurrected will be the day my dream comes true. Doing the Bible readings is something I love to do, it’s what we used to do with Mum and it’s what we continued doing when she was resurrected in my dreams. I hope the time comes soon when I’ll be able to write about Mum without tears in my eyes.
I just completed my ABMA Diploma 1 (Clearing & Forwarding, Cargo Storage, Warehousing, Customs Declaration, Dissertation and Office Practice). God willing, I hope to do 2 and Advanced 3 in 2007 or later, because it’s expensive. College life takes much of my time, studying, doing assignments and researching from different Companies. The weekend is one thing I looked forward to after a busy week, coming back to our Christian (Christ-like) life. I hope we will all be able to do more in reaching out to the world with the Gospel message. We only need to pray for strength from God, unite in what we ought to do and do it with dedication. I pray that we may have more fun in what we ought to do and just enjoy being Christians. Jesus Christ was a strong, dedicated kind of person and I feel his followers should try to be like him.
Sis. Bervelyn Tembo

MAZABUKA
It was uplifting to hear from you. I was happy to read news of different Brethren around the world in Gospel News, as we are all members of the same body of Christ. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am an orphan and live with two lovely sisters who I share my life with. I joined the Christadelphian community on 26th March 2006 by full immersion in water. I have found the love and care of Christ in the Christadelphian faith. Since the day I was baptised I have been an active member of the ecclesia. I also serve as Secretary of Mazabuka ecclesia. My tutor is a German Brother based in Wirral, UK, named Bro Gunter Rudolph. He is a good tutor and very caring to me and I love him so much. He gives me advice for this life and peace of mind, and I know the love of God whenever he writes to me. If you have other books like Legalism v. Faith, Christian Marriage, Where there is no Doctor, and Calendars I would appreciate them. I long to see Jesus soon and when he comes, he will bring only the good news for all who believe in him.
Bro. Gideon Hankomone

MUFULIRA
I last wrote to you when I was a student requesting Bible Basics. Now I’m very happy to inform you that I am a baptised Brother. Enclosed is a photo of my baptism. I’m glad that my name is now included on the Gospel News list. May our gracious Father be with you as we keep on praying for the wonderful work you are doing in His service. Will you please send my name and address to the producers of Logos magazine, as I wish to receive this magazine if possible.
Bro. Gibson Mulenga

I am very glad to say to everybody that Sister Sandra Chabala and I Brother Geoffrey Chabala both of Mufulira ecclesia, were married on 5th November 2006 and would like to extend our appreciation to the Brethren and Sisters in the truth across the world for the spiritual and material support during our wedding ceremony. It was an awesome experience, marvellous to all who attended and inspiring to all fellow youths who are contemplating doing the same.
We would like to encourage all the youth to set perimeters for partners within our faith. This is the foundation of the good life one can ever think of because it typifies the special relationship between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people, which is the ecclesia.
Bro. Geoffrey Chabala

Baptism of Bro. Gibson Mulenga, Bro. Kombe Dennis on his right and Bro. Joseph Lumuna to his left.

Thank you for your letter and contents, may you continue to help us in this way. We are well, Brother John Mwewa (the blind Brother), myself and all students. Please continue to send me Gospel News. Pass my warm greetings to your ecclesia please, and to Bro. John Palmer my Tutor. Please pray for my wife who is waiting for baptism.
Bro Titus Mwansa

Bro. Titus’ wife and children, Titus (Jr.) and Webster Kabwe Mwansa

Titus Mwansa Jr their first born gift of God

NDOLA
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of the Test answers for student Reuben Kubama. Reuben has given very impressive answers to all the questions. In my view he is a suitable candidate for baptismal interview if he wants to put on the Saving Name of our Lord. I have written to him so that he attends one of our Sunday meetings in order to discuss further issues pertaining to his Bible course and, if possible, plan the way forward.
Thank you very much for enclosing notes on Circumcision, Resurrection and Judgement, PDE., GPL and Are You in the right Church? which contain important up-to-date spiritual materials.
Bro. Dennis C. Kombe

I am always happy to read the Gospel News and I am encouraged with the articles from Brothers and Sisters. Please do not weary of supporting the magazine – it is very pleasing to read different ideas and messages of encouragement to spiritual growth. I like reading the books, but with my eye problem it is made difficult: I hope you received my prescription for reading glasses and will be able to help me. With this letter I enclose a photo of myself with Bro. James Mwanza. I pray that the Lord will be with you all as we await the coming Kingdom. Even so come, Lord Jesus.
Bro. Harris N. Mulongesha

Bro. Harris Mulongesha with Bro. James Mwanza (right)

TOUR OF NORTH WEST
First and foremost, many thanks to our Linkman Bro. David Nicholls for calling and remembering me to be part of this tour in the Province. I joined them in Solwezi on the Monday afternoon, and it was a very good day. There were so many students who attended the Bible meeting, where I found the President was our Linkman Bro. David and he was assisted by Bro Arnold Kunda of Lusaka ecclesia; Sister Lynda Nicholls was also there. I thank Bro. David for giving me the chance to translate from English Lunda Kikaonde and Luvale and am glad to say it went well. After two days we left for Kabompo district: on our way we had a stop-over at Mufumbwe to see a student for two hours. Thanks be to the Lord that it went well. After seeing our student we left for Kabompo and on arrival found Bro. Muhupu and other Brothers who welcomed us; the Bible Study there was well attended. We stayed in Kabompo for three days, then left for Zambezi district, where we stayed for two nights before leaving for Kabompo. Once more on our way back to Solwezi from Kabompo we stopped at Mufumbwe to see our student, who we were pleased to meet again. We then left for Solwezi, spent a night there and then left for the Copper Belt. In Mufulira we had a Bible Study presentation by Bro. Peter Osborne of Australia. I pray that the Lord God will be with them all, and if it is His will we shall meet them again later this year.
Bro. Harris N. Mulongesha

PEMBA
It was so wonderful to hear from you about issues of the Middle East, sending Gospel News and other material. We really have to focus our attention on these problems around us, as they all show us how near the Lord is. We should believe that with these problems, whatever work is being done with regard to them will be repaid when that time comes, but this cannot happen overnight.

Most wonderful of all is that many are coming to understand and know the truth about these things. A harvest of men presses more on my mind, especially now with available literature, that we should share the good news with others. We are all being urged to be fishers of men as Peter was called, and I am sure God’s power will be with His people – therefore let’s all reach out.

The pre-school pilot project is doing fine, although we still have a pressing problem of a lack of learning/teaching materials. It is wonderful now at least 20 children are in uniforms, and I enclose a photo of them. We are now using this same room for e cclesial fellowship, Bible study and Sunday School, and CBM has now started paying rentals, which is much appreciated. Soon we hope to open a small ecclesial library.
Bro. Wilfred Chibomba

Bro. Wilfred with the pre-school class

I was very happy to hear that you have already printed up to part seven of the Tonga translation of ‘Introducing Bible Basics’; not only that, but also to hear that you have already mailed some finished, printed material which I hope to receive shortly. Surely the signs and events recorded in Micah 7:15 and the Gospel of Luke 21:32 remind us of the hope we have for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to restore peace and joy in this world. We praise the Lord that we have had heavy rain, and if this continues, we may expect a good harvest. There is sad news that in other parts of Zambia - Western, Northern and Eastern Provinces - they experienced crop damage caused by flooding.

Regarding the guide to the CBM (UK) Welfare Fund for Brothers and Sisters in time of need, it is now very good that the CBM has made things clear to everyone, especially those who live in poor countries like Africa. Some requests were unfortunately not genuine. Here I wish to comment on a few things. We have to consider the Brothers and Sisters who are currently still in isolation and in small ecclesias, for, as you know, most of the countries in Africa are still trying to develop. So for one to live a better life you need to be able to join with groups working together in order to have access to a Project Income Generating Fund to have help from lending Institutions. Without the ability to do that I am afraid the Brothers and Sisters in small ecclesias and in isolation areas may continue to live a miserable life.
Bro. Joseph Mulawo

SLAMU
I am one of the baptised members of the Christadelphians who was baptised in Chipata in 1995 by Bro. Graham Mitchell. Of late I have been moving too much, but now I am stationed in Petanke. I therefore wish to inform you that all correspondence to me should be sent to my current address (Zambia Wildlife Authority, Slamu, Petanke Sector, Box 560300, Petanke, Zambia.)
Bro. Davis Mwanza