news from zimbabwe
BINDURA
I thought I had been abandoned once and for all, by you not posting any articles to me to indicate that we are still together in the boat of Christianity. It’s actually a long journey to make. Now I’m feeling reassured by your sharing the word of God with me. May God bless you that you may never get tired, and blessings will be poured like manna from Heaven.
I am sorry for my late reply, and it is beyond description to explain the reason, since I am looking for food – especially maize cob and seed maize for planting. Every time we wish to buy, the prices of the commodities are increasing at an escalating rate. However, that has been prophesied in the Bible, that there will be an uprising of nations, starvation, etc. All these things are occurring time after time.
We as Christians should pray fervently that we will be enabled to overcome temptation. Jesus himself overcame all temptation and he knew what was going to happen. Furthermore, we should live like him, firmly strong, so that we cannot be eroded by run off water. This is the time to reform, whether our Christianity is weak or strong. Our situation requires God’s intervention (i.e. involvement) so that everything happens according to His will and purpose. That’s how it has been planned. In life we are supposed to experience complications to have a ‘story,’ but as time proceeds, better changes start to be felt. God himself has a purpose for this suffering.
Bro. Joseph Mucheri
CHINHOYI
Romans is filled with messages for us. We are all sinners, but God has provided the way of deliverance from sin’s bondage by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross. Through faith in Jesus we receive the gracious gift of eternal life. Sin goes back to the fall of Adam and Eve, and it enslaves all of us and brings death as its wages (Rom6:23). As we read Romans we discover both the power of sin in our lives and our need for salvation. “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (Rom.4:7-8)
Sis. Margaret Nyoni
CHIPINGE
The word of God is moving smoothly in the area of Chipinge Ratelshoek, with many Bible students all doing their lessons well, and some of the students are about to complete their final lessons and are wishing to be baptised. With the help of Brother Rhobson of Bulawayo and other Christadelphians around Chipinge, the work of God is in an advanced stage. A photo of the Bible students will be sent, God willing, as soon as we have organised it.
Bro. Farai Makandeni
I would like to thank God for the gift of life. He enabled us to enter another year. Right now we are busy on farms. The rains came very late but so far we have a good amount of rainfall which was supposed to give us a bumper harvest if the inputs were to be found in the market. We cannot blame our Heavenly Father this time for the poor harvest we are to have – it’s due to our own actions. That is why we are always looking forward to the second coming of the Lord Jesus.
The signs of the times are pointing forward to Jesus’ imminent return to restore all the mess we have made of dear mother Earth, resulting in climate change of which we are all responsible.
Bro. Moses Dhlakama
Photo: Chipinge Ecclesia with Bro. Steven Moore (UK).
CHIREDZI
I have received some Bible Basics which I am sharing with other brethren and sisters, including students, in our ecclesia. I would be pleased if you will continue with your supply of reading materials.
"The Lord formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Gen.2:7). He created male and female in his own image, they were made living souls
(Gen.2:22-24).
They were the first people to live in the garden of Eden; Adam and Eve living happily with everything, without knowing that their number one enemy was coming. God commanded them not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for the day they ate of it they would surely die. Here comes the enemy: the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die”. The woman responded to the serpent’s temptation and both Adam and Eve sinned. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord”. So sin – which brings death - is our number one enemy – it takes our beloved ones – children, husbands, wives, friends, mothers and fathers and leaves us with a lot of grief.
The only hope of defeating this enemy is to be baptised into Christ our Lord, because he is also the enemy of death. 2 Tim.1:10: “our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”. He died on the cross and defeated sin and death when he rose on the third day. So when we believe, repent and are baptised we can be made like him in his Kingdom to come here on earth, with its capital city, Jerusalem.
Bro. Abel Dumbu
CHISHUMBA
One thing men neglect, is prayer, which heals sore hearts, protects the failing, gives courage and confidence. Not forgetting the hungry, with prayer their stomachs are filled with everlasting food and the thirsty are given the word of God, which is like cold water quenching their thirst.
I am a happy man, like David, for the confidence I hold in Christ. It is never wandering. Despite living in isolation I smile when the thought of God pops in my mind, because it reminds me ‘I am never alone’ – I have his strength backing me always. Through prayer we talk to Him. He hears every prayer and replies to everyone as they pray.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who sits at the right hand of our Father, is our Mediator. When we pray to God we don’t need to forget Jesus and go straight to God. He advised us that Jesus is “the way”. Through him, Jesus, we will go to the Father. So in prayer, let’s not forget to ask our Mediator to seek mercy on our behalf, to help us by carrying our prayer to the Father.
Bro. Steven Tedza
I have much pleasure to write to you for the first time. How are you? I am still alive and kicking.
I am writing from Chishumba Ecclesia. Four of us were baptised on 4.12.04, two brothers and two sisters. On 13.3.05. I was robbed by 6-10 people at midnight: the store is in the remote area in Hurlungive, and even though there are five stores, only one was working. They asked if I could write my will, because I had few hours left. But God was on my side and caused it not to happen. So I surrendered everything for life: that included my radio, since they were stoning me through the broken windows.
I never looked back, almost filling my store, with God’s help things have worked out. Now has come inflation, and I read Haggai 1:1-6. Here now it’s little more than living from hand-to-mouth and hoping for the best.
I greet all brothers and sisters, and please pray for our enemies.
Bro. Lamiel Mazvaramhaka
CHISAPE
Thank you for all the literature you send. We are getting information from all over the world in Gospel News, and so have news from different ecclesias and personal items.
Here we meet every Sunday at our Hall with nine brothers and seven sisters, except the first Sunday of every month when we have a big meeting at Magunje where we meet jointly with isolation members and Chishumba Ecclesia.
In our preaching we are trying all means, but the problems we are facing are that most people are not educated, so they find the lessons very hard; and since they go 2-3 months without receiving other lessons, some of the students give up. So nowadays we are trying in Shona: we sit around the table with lessons and try to teach them every Sunday. Some of them are illiterate – they don’t read or write. We have a big job to cope with this.
Bro. Weston Kamota
HARARE
Here are some words of discipline from Proverbs 3:11-12 and 13:24:
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him”.
God loves us: He has only our good at heart. Therefore, and to that end, He disciplines us. We should follow His example in the way we discipline our children. To direct a child’s development without hindering it by undue control should be studied by parents. Too much management is as bad as too little. The effort to ‘break the will’ of a child is a terrible mistake. Minds are constituted differently: while force may secure the outward submission, the result with many children is a more determined rebellion of the heart. Even should the parent succeed in gaining the control he seeks, the outcome may be no less harmful to the child. The will should be guided and moulded, but not ignored or crushed. Save the strength of the will in the battle of life – it will be needed.
When all else has failed, physical punishment may be necessary, but violent physical abuse is contrary to the spirit of Christ and is counter-productive in itself. Punishment administered in anger only creates bitterness, resentment, and future problems for all concerned. Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Do not provoke. This advice is essential if the obedience required of the children is to rest on a moral basis. The last part of Colossians 3:21, “lest they become discouraged” gives the reason for this admonition.
There is a great strength and blessing in praying together in our families, with and for our children. When children have done wrong, we have to talk to them kindly and then pray with them. It won’t be necessary after that to punish them: their hearts would melt in tenderness before Jesus in answer to prayer.
I have enclosed my son Isaac’s photo. I thank God for this baby – he was born with difficulties but is now doing well and is two years old.
Sis. Shorai Phiri
Photo: Sis. Shorai’s son Isaac
Thank you for the Gospel News that you send to me. As world events keep pointing to the coming of Jesus, we shouldn’t relax our grip on the Gospel, but should continue preaching it, spreading it and sharing it as is the need. The way to the coming Kingdom of God may still be miles or kilometers away and there will be some walking to do, so we should keep up this good fight and good walk.
Changing conditions and situations in our country are making life very difficult for many people, including my family and me. Anyway, meetings are being well attended, thanks to the visible hand of God.
Bro. Alexio Kajowe
KARIBA
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Lord God for our daily living; mostly the life He has given us. Therefore I am so happy that you do remember brothers and sisters in different countries.
May God bless all the brothers and sisters world-wide. Also I would like to thank you for your spiritual encouragement. You are not only doing such good things for me, but you are reminding all brothers and sisters about the Kingdom to come. May God bless you for that wonderful work.
Things are not going too well with me, but I am not so much troubled, because our Lord Jesus Christ is around the corner. These are the last days, as Timothy wrote in 2 Tim.3:1-3, “In the last days there will come times of stress”.
Here people are busy shouting and accusing others, instead of accepting God’s hand in our lives and showing faith by the way we talk about these things.
Please keep on praying for us. Please, brothers, send me the books that you are willing to send.
Bro. Innocent Mushambi
As you read this topic ‘Be Careful,’ you will realise it’s a warning us Christadelphians of the Christendom Astray. If we read Proverbs chapter 8 we find with no care we get lost. Most people think that, for example, verse 27 which reads, “When He prepared the heavens, I was there”. By this statement someone might think it was Jesus Christ. Please brethren and sisters, read this script carefully; it was not Jesus, but wisdom – go to verse 1 of that chapter, “Does not wisdom call?” Does that mean that wisdom is a woman? No, but simply that wisdom is personified. Further, verse 11, “For wisdom is better than jewels…” So it is she (wisdom) who we should look for.
So by this we learn that it was not Jesus, but rather wisdom, meaning that wisdom was possessed by God at the beginning of His work. It also highlights that it is this wisdom that we should seek (v.32.) Finally, it illustrates that “whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favour from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself. All who hate me love death” (v.35-36). So by having scriptural wisdom we find favour from the Lord, but if we despise Him we love death.
Bro. Emmanuel Mhondiwa
MASVINGO RURAL
Thank you very much for continuing to send me Gospel News. May our Lord be with us during our walk toward the Kingdom of God. Let us work hard in spearing ahead the word of God to every corner of the world.
Bro. Admire Museba
MT. DARWIN
Rejoice in the Lord, brothers and sisters, I say rejoice! What a privilege to have someone who can carry all our problems without paying him. Jesus Christ and the Father solve all our problems and shield us from our enemies (Psalm 23:4-5).
Everything which is happening these days reminds us of the coming of Christ, so stand firm. Proverbs 10:25, 1Peter 5:9, James 5:8-9. ‘You too, be patient and stand firm, don’t grumble against each other or you will be judged.’ ‘Brothers, take the prophets as an example of patience in the face of suffering.’ Paul warns us not to change our behaviour because of suffering. Moses told the Israelites to stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord (Ex14:13). So let’s keep on praying, for God knows how to help us.
Sis. Esther Chigiji
MUTARE
Recently I received a copy of Christadelphian Tidings which I found very helpful. Many brothers are very interested in preaching the word of God but shortage of resources limits the work. Please pray for our preaching to be more effective, so that everyone here knows the gospel: I’m prepared to be a full-time worker for God.
A number of brothers and sisters have left this country to look for work in nearby countries because of the difficult situation here.
Thank you so much for your letter and envelope to reply. You thus helped me to write to you because postage has risen to US$2.00 for a 10g letter. Everything on sale in Zimbabwe is now charged by foreign currency. I wonder what is happening, as I have not yet received Gospel News since Nov.2008 – maybe I will receive it soon.
Recently I have enrolled 20 Bible students; I pray that they may be members of our ecclesia when they fully understand the Word of God. 2 Timothy should be understood clearly by everyone before Christ’s coming.
Bro. Gilbert Tevere
SANYATI
By the grace of God, we have survived through what I rate as the most difficult year in living memory for Zimbabweans at large, and the global village in general. Our hopes are on the sure and near return of our Master and Saviour Jesus, who we are absolutely sure will right all the wrongs and unrest the world is facing today.
I write to inform you that I have now moved house from Kadoma to Sanyati (a growth point 100kms west of Kadoma). I now have a position inthe technical sction of telecommunications, a move from administration. This is something I have always wanted. The position also comes with company accommodation and will save on the astronomical rentals we were being charged in hard currency. We are yet to settle down well, as we are still new in the area, but hopefully, God willing, everything will be fine in the long run.
As I write to you, we have managed to do open air preaching in which we distributed pamphlets during face to face preaching. A number of people we spoke to have shown interest. So as far as preaching is concerned, we will welcome any preaching aids you may have, such as pamphlets.
I have received your reply to my letter about Melchizedek and ‘legion of demons,’ which arrived safely with all the enclosures. Thank you: the notes are really good, and the signs of the times write-ups.
We pray that the situation obtaining in the world today, especially the financial crisis, will be resolved to enable the work of the mission field to continue.
Bro. Itai P. Tembo
TRIANGLE
The Triangle Ecclesia is very thankful to Bro. Admire Museba (Masvingo Rural), Rhobson Sithole (Bulawayo) and Moses Dhlakama (Rimbi) in Chipinge for interviewing Sis. Barbra Makandeni of Hippo Valley Sugar Estates. Sis. Barbra had a successful interview and she was baptised by Triangle brothers. Many students witnessed the baptism at Cheche river, near the Mill. It was a day of joy because we welcomed our sister in fellowship. We had a breaking of bread and drinking wine and sang Hymn 268, ‘Brethren let us walk together in the bonds of love and peace…’ It was a special Sunday. A short talk was given by Bro. Pasipanodya, taken from Minute Meditations, about soap.
Soap is a detergent which removes dirt in our clothes. Our children play in mud with good clothes, but mothers take soap and wash them to clean them. This is a true lesson to brothers and sisters who are Christadelphians, who must leave the dirty works of their past to walk in the right paths Jesus has shown us.
I also thank Bro. John Butler for his support in sending me the books ‘Elpis Israel’ (the Hope of Israel) and ‘Christendom Astray.’ I am growing spiritually and am spiritually minded, though suffering certain hardships in life. Since being in the Truth with Christadelphians the whole of my life changed.
Bro. Kuvarega Mavuvo
Photo: Left, Bro. Kuvarega Mavuvo and his friend.
ZAKA
First, I want to thank you very much for the five Shona Bible Basics you sent to me, and four booklets, ‘Introducing Bible Basics.’
By going through these books, I find them very useful. Shona reading students are enjoying very much the Shona Bible Basics. Also introductory studies booklets are very enjoyable.
In isolation areas we are pleased to receive more books, magazines, etc. so as to widen our knowledge as far as the Bible is concerned.
Thank you also for your letter and the book ‘The Death of the Cross.’ Going through it I found it very interesting and helpful. I am reading it in my spare time, and I hope it will help to equip me with knowledge about the need for Jesus to die on the cross.
I have also heard of the problems you have of high postage costs. I hope things will not continue in this state for long and that things will change to allow us to have more books.
I also thank you for Bible Basic Principles pamphlets which you sent me, with topics such as free will and pre-destination; the second coming of Jesus Christ; remembering Christ in bread and wine; Jerusalem, city of the great King; and the role of Sisters. By going through these pamphlets, I want to share some points with my fellow brothers and sisters world-wide.
To begin with, I want to talk about remembering Christ in bread and wine. First, when Jesus Christ was in the upper room in Jerusalem, “while they were eating Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat, this is my body. Then he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins”. He told them that he was not going to drink of this fruit of the vine until the day when he would drink it in his Father’s Kingdom.
We are told that the sharing of bread and wine has deep spiritual meaning; viewed in four complementary viewpoints that is:
· As a commandment of Jesus to be obeyed
· As a remembrance – to remember the suffering of Jesus for us, which brings forgiveness of sins.
· As a fellowship in Jesus, signifying that true believers are one in him.
· As an acted prophecy of Christ’s return, as the Lord promised.
We are also told that the Breaking of Bread was designed to be shared by sinners who have been forgiven through repentance and baptism. Also we are told that sometimes believers make excuses for absence from the Lord’s table – that they do not feel worthy – yet it is precisely because nobody is worthy, because all are forgiven sinners, that they are to meet to remember the sacrifice that has brought them forgiveness. We are told that the Breaking of Bread can be performed anywhere at any time, with any number of believers.
Bro. Christopher Biza
ZUMBA
I am a sister who was recently baptized and I would like to greet all the brothers and sisters around the world, wishing them the best in Christ. It is now the time of the prophecy of the coming of Christ, which is coming nearer and nearer.
Soon, very soon, we are going to see the ‘King’, Jesus Christ, for it is written, “When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled, for these will come to pass but the end is not yet” – but nearer, just around the corner.
“For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famine, and all these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt 24:6-8). So keep watching!
Sis Nhamo Wiki
