news from zimbabwe

CHEGUTU
Thank you very much for sending me Gospel News and calendars. Thanks again for publishing my article; I hope it will go a long way in showing others the way to the Truth. I was wondering if you could please send me some material for a Sisters’ Class. As an elder Sister I am willing to teach my younger Sisters. I hope we will get something. We look forward to the coming of our Lord as we spread the word.
Sis Hlezipi Phiri

Thank you for your letter which came just after I had been having discussions on the Middle East with my cousin Reuben. Right now in Zimbabwe we have not received enough rainfall in all districts and the plants that we planted at the start of the rain season are wilting. This is the result of global warming.
Thank you very much for the book ‘Miracles’ and the literature that you sent. Could you, if possible, literature on Jehovah’s Witnesses. We keep strong as we look forward to the coming of the Lord.
Richard Phiri

I would like to let you know that I have been meeting with Harare Ecclesia, but I’m no longer staying in Harare, I have moved. I am now in Darwandale Area in farms. I have a small plot where I am staying. So I’m in isolation but sometimes I visit Chegutu where I meet some Brethren and I have fellowship with them.

Please, if it is possible, could you send me some pamphlets to distribute in my area as I share the word of God, and a Bible with simple English. In my area, there are those who call themselves like the apostles and wear white garments. They are faith healers, and many people go to them because of the miracles they claim to perform. They don’t read the Bible. They say they have the Holy Spirit which guides them to speak the word and they are strong on keeping the ten commandments. They do not teach what Jesus and the apostles taught, so they do not know the truth in God’s word.
I shall be glad if you will send me what I have mentioned above and a Shona Bible Basics, it will be helpful for me to teach some about the truth, as we may read the Bible with them and know what God has said for us in His Son Jesus. Then God may let them see the light of truth shining upon them, so that they can move out of the darkness.
Bro Reuben Chokufanacho

CHINHOYI
So You Have Decided to quit Christadelphian Beliefs Because:-

a) You are too isolated.
You are responsible for breaking that isolation through study groups and preaching in your locality.
b) The majority of your relatives are non-Christadelphian.
The truth shall set you free despite your loneliness. Narrow is the gate (Matthew 7:13,14).
c) You have been enticed in secret polygamy.
A man shall leave his parents (and so shall the woman), and the two shall be one. God in the beginning created Adam then his wife Eve- Monogamy unwaveringly encouraged (Matthew 19:4,5).
d) You are orphaned, diseased, neglected or less privileged.
Call upon the Lord’s name day in, day out. He will console you. The biblical Lazarus ate crumbs from the rich man’s table but was a God-fearing man and severely less privileged. Be the Lazarus of today (Luke 16:19 onwards).
e) Your term of office expired in the running of your local ecclesia.
Be part and parcel of God’s ecclesia always; the earthly life is both educational and temporary.
f) Non-Christians appear to be more blessed than Christians. They own cars, big businesses and lead luxurious lives.
Unless the prosperous non-Christians repent, they are having their short-lived share of wealth in this corrupt age. In God’s Kingdom, their earthly riches will vanish away in their destruction (Matthew 6:19-21).
g) I would like to bribe to become rich. If one bribes, he/she is fooling earthly men. God can never be fooled. The wages of bribes are always disastrous (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 27:25).
h) The wait for the coming Messiah has been too long.
The date of the coming of the Lord is known by God only. The time frame of God is 1,000 years for one day – which implies that the coming of Jesus is not far. Reading the signs of the time in Matthew 24 is yet another indicator of his nearness. Belief, perseverance and a contrite heart lead one to the most valuable gift of eternal life.
i) You have toiled in past years and not seen prosperity; prayed now and then for God’s intervention but to no avail.
God knows our situation and lets everything run normally for a purpose. The Creator always answers. Our problem is that we tend to force our way. The Almighty can never be a slave to our requests. YES, WAIT, NOW are His decisive answers portraying His wisdom.
Bro Innocent Kuvita

CHIPINGE
Our effort with the student Bible Classes in Mozambique is now yielding results as we are celebrating yet another baptism, Bro Hebert Mahala of Mossurize district (Espungabera), into the saving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ after giving a good confession of faith. The baptism took place in the Tanganda River, Zimbabwe, and was witnessed by the Chipinge district ecclesia including two of his relatives who travelled with him from Mozambique and there were also other Bible students present.

We also want to thank our heavenly Father tfor giving us good rains and we are looking forward to a good harvest.
Bro Moses Dhlakama

With God’s love the gospel preaching in Espungabera-Mozambique- is raising much interest. This is encouraged by Brethren Moses and Admire who are frequently visiting them from Zimbabwe. We do many activities like Bible readings and attention to the Bible correspondence course students. The book, ‘Speaking About Jesus’ is well received by many of them. I hope, God willing, we will achieve a good harvest in God’s name.
Bro Arone Muchanga

“His wife said to him, “You are still as faithful as ever, aren’t you? Why don’t you curse God and die?” Job answered, “You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good we welcome it. How then can we complain when he sends us trouble?” In spite of everything he suffered, Job said nothing against God (Job 2:9,10).

Job was a man of great faith and patience who lived a life of righteousness and near perfection. He loved and feared God and shunned evil. He was subjected to trouble and tragedy in the most severe and lasting forms, yet at no time did he waver in his belief in the goodness of God. However well-meaning they had been, Job’s friends did little to assist him in his time of trial while his wife did everything she could to provoke him into turning aside from God. But Job’s faith was rock-solid and was eventually rewarded by God.

There are those moments in life when we are tested; when events take place that test our faith in God. At times like these the mind is often filled with doubts and can even begin to doubt the very existence of God – let alone His love. Always remember that the living Christ laid down his life to establish his love for you and that nothing in all the world can take that love away. Cling to that hope and put your trust always in God.
Chionisa Sainah

CHISAPE
We were saddened by the death of our Sister Joyce Seremwe on 4th January 2007. She was ill for a long time but she was always present at the Memorial Service every Sunday we met, a good example to us all. Now she sleeps in the hope of our Master.

Concerning the keeping of rabbits, I would like to tell you that I have just finished making hutches and bought two rabbits last year. They bred four last year so they were six. Unexpectedly, two fell down from a hole in a fence one night; one was badly injured by neighbour’s dogs and I missed one. I have made up the hole in the fence. I hope more rabbits will be bred soon. I am requesting any information on rabbit keeping.

Thanks for ‘Wrested Scriptures’, Bible Views on the News, Middle East Update and some leaflets to distribute. The free Dictionary/Thesaurus is so good. I needed it to understand the English language; some I can read but I don’t understand well.

The devil is not a supernatural being, but the evil principle in human nature, apostolically styled, ‘sin in the flesh’. The two men, a publican and a Pharisee both went to the temple to worship, (Luke 18:10-14) but God did not accept the self-righteous Pharisee, instructing us that we should be extremely careful before we pass any harsh judgement upon the actions of other people. Such self-righteous condemnation is still to people who profess religion and our own community is not free from such thinking. When someone has been responsible for grievous sin in the ecclesia, he or she is often immediately disfellowshipped, rather than sat down with at a meal to feed them with our love and concern for their recovery.

Too often, removing someone from fellowship is done to purge the ecclesial attendance roll rather than to serve as a means of recovery. The person disfellowshipped is often thereafter ignored: case closed as far as we are concerned! Yet this is not at all the tenor of what our Lord Jesus is teaching in this case. The miracle of healing of the flesh is coupled with a wonderful lesson on the way to heal the flesh and spirit. “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:12-13). That marvellous way of healing spiritual illness is with the medicine of mercy. While offering it graciously and generously it is often contrary to the human mind, nevertheless it is the mind of Christ, Son of God.
Bro Stanford Kuuzha

CHISHUMBA
The books you sent are proving very useful and are circulating among the brothers and sisters of Chishumba Ecclesia. More are needed if available. Mostly needed are (1) Christendom Astray, (2) The Christadelphians: Who They Are and What They Believe and Preach. I would be glad and thankful if I, on behalf of the brothers, can have these books.
Bro Norman and Sis Grace Kamutikaoma

CHISHUMBA
I am thrilled by the feeling of having an unfailing friend – a friend who never leaves me when I am desperate, surrounded by opposition. He comes to rescue me. I know most believers have gone through some hard, trying times before or after baptism. God, an unfailing Friend comes in to lift you up. He gives you and me courage and He whispers, ‘Take courage’. He gives you what to say and never leaves you alone. This is what happened to Peter when Herod killed James, brother of John (Acts 12:2-7).

James was killed by Herod, so the next was Peter. He was arrested and guards were paid to have Peter under close watch. God is universally powerful; the angel of the Lord came into the prison where Peter was. Chains that tied Peter dropped off while the guards were put into a deep sleep. Peter was rescued by God’s hand to go on preaching His word.

In Jesus’ teachings, he did what he taught his followers. In our preaching, are we examples to people, or are we just persuasive talkers? Yes, we may be crowd-pullers without following what we teach. Let’s practice what the Bible tells us to teach, and do not use our God-given talents (oratory) for personal gain. Jonah tried to run away from God’s directions. Do God’s work, for He called you to do it.
Bro Steven Tedza

HARARE
To all Brothers and Sisters worldwide who have made an oath through baptism that they will serve God until the coming of Christ, I say to you have patience when suffering under the gods of this world. The Kingdom of the God of peace, love and patience is near. Our experience comes when we see and hear the problems being experienced by other people, such as wars, hunger, brother against brother, etc. These are foretold in Matt 24:6-14.
When we hear of these wars today do we turn away from the faith? Do we betray and hate each other? Do we let deceivers deceive us? If we do, we are false prophets. A true prophet understands that all these happenings are the beginning of birth pangs (Matt 24:8).

Now, who can name the many churches of this world? Who can number them? Amongst them only one teaches the real true Bible teaching. Others we can say are deceivers since they preach the opposite to what Jesus told us (Matt 24:4,5).

We are living in a world of trouble, so let us live with hope that one day we will wake up seeing Christ. Because of the increase of wickedness the love of many will grow cold. Are we letting our love of Christ grow cold? Bros/Sis, let us say a big ‘NO’. For we are told, “He who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mat 24:12,13). All that is needed, is patience, love and experience from our daily readings. Let us pray that those in hospital may be healed, and we wait for the Peacemaker to come soon.
Bro Israel Mutunduwe

KADOMA
This is to confirm that the book, ‘Where Women Have No Doctor’ arrived safely and the Bible reading calendars. Many thanks again for listening, Brother, and for lending a hand. On calendars, I meant the wall calendars although the reading ones are very useful and were most welcome. I am currently making efforts to reach out to as many contacts as I can and this is being aided by my current position of working with the public as I also attend to customers in direct contact and on the phone. So any material you have which might help this cause will be greatly appreciated.
Bro Itai Tembo

KARIBA
Many thanks for the magazines you sent to me and indeed they are of general interest to the Kariba ecclesia. I read about the free Dictionary/Thesaurus in Gospel News. It is in my interest to have one since it will help us a lot in improving our English as an ecclesia. Lastly, I pray for your wonderful work for the world as a whole.
Bro Witness Majecha

MUTARE
Righteousness is necessary to attain the Kingdom of God, and it is by that that we are saved (Ezekiel 14:20). It is the opposite of wickedness which God hates. However, He loves righteousness (Psalms 45:7; Acts 17:31). He will judge the world with it (Psalms 96:13) and uses its qualities in judging. All those who know Him will be judged accordingly (Rom 14:10, 2 Cor 5:10). God rewards according to how fully we live out the qualities of righteousness in our lives (Psalms 18:20,21). If we do strive to be righteous, we should expect to be persecuted or put under trial in some way (Matt 5:10). Righteousness comes through faith. It needs to be sought by faith, not by works of the law (Rom 9:31,32). Without it, everything is sin (Roms 6:20).

Jesus Christ’s words to his disciples in Luke 5:10, “from henceforth thou shalt catch men”, should not be lost on us today. As followers of our Lord and the apostles, are we prepared to endure what they did whilst spreading the word of life to those about them?

Read in Matt 4:18,19 what Peter and Andrew were to become. They were instructed that all followers of Christ must be fishers of men.

But what do we know about fishing? Often there is a lot of effort with little result. We can increase our success in fishing by making sure that we choose the right bait, the right fishing spot, the right tide, the right weather conditions and the right time of day – all of which also applies to the preaching of the Truth to others. Greater success can be obtained by going about the gospel proclamation in the right way and saying the right thing at the right time.

But fish, like men, might be caught at any time, as both are unpredictable! Therefore we also need to: (1) Be constant, (2) Present the bait properly (see 1 Peter 3:15) and (3) Use different types of bait, for not all fish are attracted by prawns, some like squid etc.

In case you think that to present the truth we must go out and be involved in the things of the world to show them what we have to offer, we are told not to do this! When Jesus went to teach the people, he got into a ship and thrust out a little from the land. Whilst maintaining a distance from earthly ways, we are to draw men and women out from the world to higher standards – to show them by example in the way we act and live, that God’s ways are higher than man’s. From time to time we have all types of men and women (or unusual fish) come into the gospel net, and we might wonder why those with a rather shabby or weird appearance turn up at our lecture. We must remember that the power of God’s word is able to change a person’s life and appearance, and it is not what people were that God considers important, but what they will be. So let us spread the word of God and be the example ourselves.
Bro Gilbert Tevere

MUTEMA
I am now working in the Department of Veterinary Service as a Dip Attendant. This is a relatively lowly paid job. I must study further for my salary to be up-graded. I started working on 2nd January 2007. It is about 300m from home to the workplace. I have enough time to do ecclesial activities. I thank God very much for this employment opportunity. I’ve been unemployed permanently since 1996, when I left school. God has done miracles for me this year. Thank you. Please help me to thank God in your prayers. May God continue sending these blessings upon me, though I am unclean before Him.
Bro Patrick Manduringa

RIMBI
Have any of us asked yourselves this question: Why should God keep you alive longer than today? Do you remember what Hezekiah did when he prayed to God after being told he would die? “O Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully” (2 Kings 20:2,3). The house must be built upon a rock, such as the guidelines, “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is blameless” (Psalm 15:2). Walking in the word involves the activity of the whole body, from head to toe, uprightly and spiritually (Psalm 1:1). We must walk according to God like Enoch and Noah (Genesis 5:22; 6:9). Walking with God means that followers of Christ have to be perfect, continually doing what is good in the eyes of God; “he speaks the truth from his heart” (Psalm 15:3). All that we do must be good in the eyes of both God and man. God knows what is in the heart. We must market ourselves to the world showing that we are the followers of God, and we must preach all the time (2 Timothy 4:2). We must not find out other people’s faults or weaknesses (Romans 14:10). It is easy to sin and James tells us that the tongue is a deadly poison, so let us not offend in this way (James 3:8-10).
Bro Dzingai Sumburera