news from zimbabwe
BANKET
Our small Banket ecclesia would like to thank you for your support regarding our Library. Brothers and Sisters really enjoying reading various books and magazines which you sent to us. We really appreciate your work and love shown to us. The supply of spiritual material has helped us with our teaching, and enabled us to experience love and peace in Christ Jesus.
Our sincere gratitude goes to our Sister Jean in the USA who acted swiftly after you had requested her to send some second-hand books to us for the Library. This has been a great wealth to us, and we are much delighted. May the merciful Lord whom we serve richly bless you for the services you are doing in helping many know more about the Lord on this journey to the Kingdom, which Jesus is about to set up on earth when he returns as King of glory.
In my area we have had sporadic rainfall and last season crops almost failed. We are really very hungry but we are resilient to the hardship we are confronting. I am very concerned with the welfare of my brothers and sisters in my ecclesia. Banket ecclesia consists of ten members, six brethren and four sisters. The little I get from my garden I share with them. Down here everyone is busy running to and fro in the fields making some preparations – hopefully the rains are about to start.
Bro. David Banda Yelulani
BEITBRIDGE
I am a member of Masvingo Rural Ecclesia and am now alone here in Beitbridge since the death of Bro. Joshua Pakali in March 2009. We had about three students who had finished their lessons and we also have new students who wish to resume their lessons. Bro. Joshua had many students but due to his absence I nearly lost them because I did not have their contact addresses and the postal box keys were lost and the literature which was in the box taken by his workmate has lost the keys.
I would like another ecclesia to open in Beit Bridge. I have reopened the postal box with the help of Bulawayo Ecclesia and once a month I go to Bulawayo with the students who have finished their lessons. I plan to join others in Triangle for a seminar with the company of my students and I hope they will learn more from God’s Word. I am appealing for supplies of “Bible Basics” and other publications which might make it easier to preach to the students from prophetic African churches. I had been receiving the Newsletters but due to change of contact they have been lost.
Bro. Jacob Masvingise
CHINHOYI
I have hope that in the Lord, we all will get those reserved places for us in his Kingdom. I am an unworthy one, a least member in Christ, who cannot forbear to write briefly to you, for I cannot keep to myself this unspeakable joy and love that you show to us. On behalf of the Chinhoyi ecclesia and Zimbabwe at large who are so far away from you, we wish one day we could see you. The Lord will one day give us this joy in the kingdom where we will share our love together.
Bro. Gift Lungu
I am glad to let you know that three people are now taking the 40-lesson course – two ladies and one man. I am doing everything to encourage them to go through all the lessons.
Here are some wise words to benefit our brothers and sisters:-
· Know where to find God when you do not know what to do
· Never seek an earthly messiah
· Do not be blinded by negative thinking
· Pass on the positives
· Faith is not faith until you do something – action is required
· Never limit God’s ability
· Shut the door of doubt
Bro. Benjamin Makuti
CHEGUTU
Paul says, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.” (2 Thess.3:1-2)
Let us not weary in doing good to others. The Lord waits with the reward for such. As devoted ones to God no barrier should come in our minds. The Word must go and reach where it must and faith and deeds must work hand in hand. James 2:14-26. Let us not look at who is who but just say, “The Lord has given us this person to fulfil his Word.” Let us have peace, love and harmony in our hearts.
The photo shows our Ecclesia wearing T-shirts that the C.B.M. provided for our members; we thank all those who contributed in cash and kind for these to be provided.
Bro. Farai Phiri
Chegutu Ecclesia
CHIPINGE
I would like to express the good work of God which the brothers and sisters of Chipinge District are doing in spreading the Word in our area. The name ‘Christadelphian’ has now reached every corner, even as far as from Tamandai to the Mozambican border people are now talking about Christadelphians and how the teach they Word of God. Bro. Moses Dhlakama has established a weekly Bible meeting programme for us at Chipinge North. We meet and break bread with Bro. Moses and Sis Dhlakama, Bro. Simon Madhimba and myself of Ratelshoek, with some Bible students. After every meeting we have a meal of the little we had donated to serve our friends who would have come from a distance. Brother, I am kindly requesting you to send me some Bible posters, leaflets and any material which teaches the Word of God. I once saw a bag publicizing Bible Basics, please could you send me some, if you have them, and may I also have Shona lessons for my wife.
Let us all work for the Lord in good faith. Pray for us and our situation. May the God of Grace be with you all. Thank you.
Bro. Farai Makandeni
CHIPINGE
Brethren and sisters from Mutema came and joined us at our memorial service held at the farm. We also had six visitors who attended; three are studying the Truth and the other three have not taken the decision yet. We have already talked to them and showed them the importance of studying the Bible and being baptised.
We have finished harvesting as this year we did not have much, but we want to thank God for the food we have, to stop us going hungry.
Bro. Moses Dhlakama
CHISAPE, MAGUNJE
Thank you so much for the books you sent for my spiritual food; “The Real Christ” and an English translation of the Shona book (Zoinotauro mu Bhaiben), “What the Bible Says”. This helps my wellbeing in the wilderness journey to the Kingdom of God. Everyday I am glad to read the gospel and will stand fast until the Son of Man appears from the clouds in glory.
The book ‘The Real Devil,’ a Biblical exploration of the Devil is what I’ve always been looking for – I don’t want to give way to sin in my life-time. I want to keep looking at the Word of God and preaching the true gospel to anyone who will listen. At the moment I am searching the book every day.
Bro. Stanford Kuuzha
HARARE, RUWA
Thank you very much for your letter which made me feel very comfortable, as if you were just near me. As I told you long ago I am no longer getting any letters from other brethren and sisters but it’s all o.k. as long as I get more books to read. Our Lord Jesus Christ is still keeping an eye on me, caring for me daily as I am in better health at present but my eyesight is continually dimming and I know that happens as one gets older, as well as losing sense of smell and hearing, etc.
The book you sent me ‘The Real Devil,’ is a useful book which I can’t miss a day to reading. I have learned a lot from its contents – it is very interesting and explains how we misunderstand about Satan, the devil, demons and the serpent. These are the problems I did not understand from my youth, many years ago. Now, since I found the Truth in Christadelphian doctrine, I started to believe how these words or names have come to be used by many.
The interesting points I have picked up, to mention a few, are:-The serpent in Eden; Job’s Satan; Lucifer, king of Babylon; the sons of God and daughters of men; and Legion and the Gadarene pigs. These references were very hard for me, but through reading some of these books I now know the real meanings of such things. I can’t say more about this book, all I can say is that ‘The Real Devil’ is an excellent book.
Also, I thank you for the Bibles you promised to send me by sea mail, which I have just received. I am very pleased with the special book ‘The NIV. Pocket Concordance.’ I have never seen such a lovely book as this one, but by the grace of our Lord, I have it. The NIV. Bible I was looking for all the time is the one you have replaced – even the Revised Standard Version, likewise. The Gideon’s NIV. Bibles are the other Bibles I have never seen before: truly the Lord’s hand is working everywhere; thanks be to God, the Heavenly Father of our Master. It is very kind of you to help many to understand the Word of God. The Wrested Scriptures book and others are best for helping other people who seek the Truth.
Bro. Maxwell Mlakah
JERERA
Today we are living in a dangerous world full of all sorts of diseases such as Aids, also earthquakes, flood etc. to overcome. What shall we do? We are to look somewhere. Where? The Children of Israel, when bitten by dangerous snakes, looked at the snake which was on a pole. The same with us today; when we are in trouble we should look to the cross of Jesus to be healed from such obstacles. God looks on us in our trouble to see how we react to this chastening; whether we believe and trust in him. God is merciful, gracious and longsuffering to us and ready to forgive us if we repent. Read Num.21:4-9, John 17:12-19.
Bro. Svuure Faustino
KWE KWE
Near the entrance to the garden of, Gethsemane, Jesus left three of his disciples, bidding them pray for themselves and for Him. With Peter, James and John, Christ desired their presence near Him. After a season of watching and praying, they slept at a little distance from their Master. He desired them to spend the night with Him in prayer – he said, ‘watch with me.’ The conflict was terrible. From his lips comes the bitter cry, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36) “The hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (v.42)
Bro. Melusi Ndlovu
Looking upon the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, ‘His blood be on us, and on our children.’ That awful cry ascended to the throne of God. That sentence pronounced upon themselves was written in heaven. That prayer was heard, the blood of the Son of God was upon their children.
When Christ returns, “Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations.” In the place of a crown of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory (Mark 9:3). Those who mocked and smote Him will be there, and their cry ‘His blood be on us and on our children,’ will receive God’s answer. In awful agony and horror, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him” (Zech 12:10)
Bro. Bernard Maimba
MT. DARWIN
The Gospel News encourages some of my neighbours to do the course. I have two people who want to start it. For my eye problem, the doctor said I can’t be operated on because it will cause me blindness. I have no sight in my right eye and it is always painful. I was told to use some medicine to reduce the pain – some days it is reddish and swollen. The left eye doesn’t function well.
Thanks for the Gospel News and Glad Tidings, which I receive every month. My neighbour is interested in reading these books, and has applied for the question papers. My husband now wants to join us and has started the course.
Sis. Esther Chigiji
Comment: Bro. John Butler tells me that the medication you need has now been sent to you.
MUTARE
At present we have students from most parts of Manicaland province. We are trying to make sure that Christadelphian doctrine is heard by every citizen of Manicaland.
Bro. Gilbert Tevere
TRIANGLE
How the Bible changed my life.
I was invited by a fellow employee of the Triangle Sugar Estates in the Lowveld of Zimbabwe, Johanner Maklahe, to attend a meeting of the Christadelphians in Triangle, and after studying the Bible my mental state began to change. I gradually developed a desire to live and to be happy. Motivated by this state of mind I decided to cut my hair short as I had let it grow as a sign of my discontent and rebellion. Then I realised that if I want to be acceptable to God I had to quit the bad friends who were not for God. The first time I attended a Bible meeting, I noticed a pamphlet, “Who are the Christadelphians?” and a book “The Christadelphians, what they believe and preach”. I also noticed a book ,“Do you believe in the Devil?”. “Trust in God with all your heart and do not lean to your own understanding.” Prov.3:5-6. My life changed all of a sudden because of the Bible meetings and studies. I also thank Bro. Moses Dhlakama of Chipinge Rimbi, Bro. Rhobson Sithole of Bulawayo and the late Sis Christine Filer for her support and advice about the way the Christian should behave in his new life in Christ.
Bro. Kuvarega Mavuvo
I would like to thank you for the “Gospel News” I have found them very interesting and have shared them with other Christian churches who found them to be very useful. Please, if you have some more magazines from past years they would be very welcome. Thank you for the photo of you and your family. I am having problems in reading and wonder if you could help me with some reading glasses.
Our ecclesia at Triangle is now growing as we are having students coming to our meetings, although they are taking too long to get their Bible lessons. We are praying that our Bible studies may continue.
Bro. Mobie Siziba
Brothers and Sisters who are scattered throughout the world, I greet you all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to remind you once again that without faith it will be impossible for us to enter the Kingdom. We should learn what most of the brothers and sisters did in the New and Old Testament times.
We learn of Abraham: God gave him a son when he was at an advanced age, but God told him to sacrifice his only child, and he obeyed, taking his son to Mt. Moriah. Genesis 22:12: The angel of the Lord called to Abraham, “Do not lay your hand on the boy, or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’ He had faith in God because he knew that God had given him the son of promise – and also if He took him away from him, he could be restored to life. That was true faith which Abraham had.
Abraham was justified by faith: Romans 4:3: “For what does Scripture say: Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” So since we were baptized into Christ, having faith in him, we should follow his example. We will have peace with God through faith. Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Bro. Abel Dumbu
Thank you for sending the two books, ‘Bible Basics’ and ‘The Real Christ.’ I am already busy with Bible Basics and find it a really good work. The book is full of clear explanations of day-to-day questions, and of the Bible itself. Hopefully I will be reading ‘The Real Christ’ in a few days. I really appreciate the love and support you have shown and pray the Lord gives you strength and guidance for such work. Your time and efforts are not wasted, for we are getting much from you. I read with interest the Middle East update and see how most events fit some Bible prophecies.
Thank you for correcting me on my article on ‘Suffering.’ At times one knows what one wants to say, but fails to express it. But please publish it, as I hope others can learn from me.
Very sad news, brother;I lost my Shona Bible and hymn book, also the Bible Reader’s Companion last week. It really feels like losing one of the most valuable treasures, for without these three books I feel like a blind man. I don’t have money, or I would have bought another set. I would appreciate any type of help you may offer.
Bro. Servious Makondo
Comment: I am pleased to say that your linkman, Bro. John Butler, on hearing of your loss, immediately arranged for the books to be replaced. MH
