NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE

BANKET

Banket ecclesia comprises of 12 members ­ 5 Brethren and 7 Sisters. Sunday meetings are held at Chimwemwe Farm and sometimes in Banket at Bro. Fibion's house. 6 Members live on the farm and another 6 live in the township. Bible studies and Sunday School lessons are being conducted at both places.

In Banket Bro. Fibion Ngozi is responsible for 13 scholars, whereas on the farm, Bro. David Yelulani is accountable for 9 scholars. Bible studies are held on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons. Bro. David travels from the farm to Banket covering 28 Km to and fro on a bicycle every Saturday for Bible studies.

With great joy we record the baptisms on September 25 of 3 sisters, namely Sister Spiwe Patinho, Sister Nosisa Purazi and Sister Nicoli Moyo. These sisters came into contact with the Truth through Bro. Fibion Ngozi and subsequently took their Bible lessons through Bro. David Yelulani as their Tutor, studying Bible Basics, a study manual, for the last ten months. They attended meetings regularly until their confessions of faith and baptisms. We look forward to sharing fellowship with our new Sisters and pray for God's continued blessing upon them. We would like to thank Bro. Gift Lungu from Chinhoyi ecclesia who conducted the interviews and baptisms.

We are sorry to lose the company of brethren Pindurat Banda and Calvin Chitano who have moved from our area to Harare. We commend them in love to Harare ecclesia and pray for God's blessing on them in their new surroundings.

--Bro. David Banda Yelulani

BINDURA

We hope and trust that Bro. David Smith and his wife, including Sis Ruth Moore, had a splendid journey back to the U.K. We last met with the CMB visitors at Mvurwi (Zimbabwe), where quite a number of ecclesias gathered including Bindura,

Mvurwi, Guruve, Muzarabam, Centenary etc. It was an admirable occasion, where we had a Bible study and challenges which we are meeting in our ecclesias. As ecclesias in Mashoualand Central we agreed that we should meet at Mvurwi since it is our focal point, on a monthly basis. However, Bro. David Smith and his wife, and Sister Ruth Moore made the suggestion, to take it to Byo and the U.K. Last but not least, as an ecclesia in isolation we also need to go to AGMs so that we will have updated information instead of outdated. They must be the time when the chairpersons, secretaries and treasurers are invited for leadership skills, i.e. competence reasons. It's actually an appeal to the linkman of Zimbabwe ­ it is stated, `practice makes perfect'. Let us all pray, since God is about to bring the time of Jesus' return;­ there are revivals of nations, outbreaks of HIV/Aids disease, and starvation in some parts of the country. The Bible has already explained all these events as signs of the times.

Thank you for the literature which you posted me.

--Bro. Joseph Mucheri

CHINHOYI

We now often hear about, read and watch with sadness, anger, disappointment, frustration, and with tears trickling down our cheeks, the suffering and death of many helpless souls. We hear on the radio, we read in the newspapers and watch on T.V. the fulfilment of the Bible prophecies of events before the coming of Jesus Christ. There are more wars, earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes, diseases and famines; more godlessness, accidents and the failure of human ability to create a long and everlasting existence on earth. When the signs happen within our marriages, family, relatives, friends, neighbours, ecclesia and our community, that is when we face the reality of God's authority and power shown in the Bible. But when it happens far beyond our community, we just listen, read and watch, and perhaps brush aside the signs as they pass away. We cannot shed a tear, or attend to the suffering, or the funerals, as distance prevents it. But the reality cannot be changed.

The greatest sign of the nearness of the end is the fast-spreading of the Gospel message. The increase in many new churches is a clear and sure sign of the coming of Jesus Christ. Christadelphian fellowship is also found in all continents of the world. The impact of the message of salvation can be seen in brethren and sisters in isolation, and in Ecclesias who continue to read their Bibles.

As we continue to read our Bibles daily, or at the meeting. As we also continue to read newspapers, listen to the radio and watch television, how many of us are prepared and ready for the unknown moment when the Chief Shepherd will appear? We must be prepared and ready at the time of our death, or at the time of the coming of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of being told and warned, many believers are not prepared and ready. Do people ever learn and understand the final plan of God with the earth? The truth is in the Scripture and its message does not change. Despite hearing, believing, repenting, being baptized, having sins forgiven and the righteousness and holiness bestowed upon us the day we were born again, many of us are gradually losing the original sense of urgency of the nearness of the Kingdom of heaven we had at the time of our conversion.

Many ecclesias are losing brethren and sisters, not because of the lack of, or the ignorance of the Gospel message, but because of the desires of the sinful nature. We see and hear and read about brethren and sisters who are no longer active nor in meaningful fellowship because of marriage, drunkenness, sex, work and material pursuits. When the evil desires are affecting those with Bibles, what more of those without Bibles? These are clear signs to watch for ­ not outside our ecclesias, but right inside them.

My parting question is, "Are you born again, prepared and ready for the coming of the end?" May the grace of the merciful God be with you as you examine yourself to find if you are really prepared and ready. Find out the answers in your Bible.

--Bro. Obert Wiki

God is protecting us here, where our area is now a dangerous place to just move around. There are some fierce lions which slipped away from the nearby game reserve: there are quite a number of them killing our livestock, especially cattle and donkeys. Donkeys have suffered most because donkey flesh is the lion's favourite meat.

I think I am one of the few who did not receive a New Testament, and feel sure I need one as I have three students here, all without these Testaments and the whole Bible. Please can you help?

--Bro. Benjamin Makuti

I was so happy to notice in Gospel News how brethren and sisters are doing all over the world. I always pray to God to give you strength to continue doing the good work in the Master's vineyard. We are now living in the last days, where we are experiencing hard times. But we must remain true to the word of God. We all know that all things may pass away but God's word will remain.

--Bro. Tinashe Mberengwa

CHIREDZI

I am a Sister at Triangle ecclesia, a mother of two sons, Collins and Leonard, I would greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here I am quite OK and I'm in good health, able to live a peaceable life in all godliness, free from any harm and danger. I'm very happy and feel glorious, having been baptized into Christ and becoming part of the Christadelphian family world-wide. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1). I beg you to kindly assist me with the `Gospel News' magazine and `Bible Basics'.

--Sis. Barbra Makandeni

CHIVI

We are `called to be saints' (1 Cor.1:2) and as such accept the word of God, and have the word in us that it may build us up. (Acts 20:32). Paul also wrote to the Romans that they should not live in the flesh, but in the

spirit (Rom.8:5-8). This is the contrast between those of God and those of the world.

Believers should be overwhelmed that God has allowed them to have wisdom through His word, and so develop the mind of Christ. (2 Cor.2:14- 17) Work is required to maintain this mindset (Col.3:10). This must be in our day to day life. The word of God should dominate our everyday lives.

--Bro. Dzingai Sumburera

GURUVE

I was born in 1965, the youngest in a family of eight children comprising five boys and three girls. My parents were non-Christians, practising African tradition. In our family only my sister, the fourth in the family, was married to a gentleman who was a member of the full-Gospel Ministry and she eventually joined her husband.

When I was at primary school level I joined the Salvation Army for two years. At Secondary School level education I left the Salvation Army and after completing my O-level I started drinking alcohol to excess and continued this for almost ten years. After that I joined with the Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe for two years. In 1994 I joined St. Paul's Apostolic Faith Mission, and in that year I married my wife, Marita Hotera and we were both baptised. We spent ten years at that time together with Brother Fanuel Mawockeba who later introduced me to the UK 40 lesson course in 2004. I did my lessons with Sis Paula Buckler as my tutor and in 2008 I was baptised after passing my interview with Bro. Gift Lungu of Chinhoyi ecclesia. The following year (2009) my wife was also baptised. As the Truth was and is still real, we are happily here under Guruve ecclesia, even though we encountered many obstacles on our way to the real Truth.

At our ecclesia we started as a small number ­ four baptised members ­ but now we are almost twenty-three baptised people and these have joined because they are wanting to learn the real Truth about the Kingdom of God which is to be set up on this earth at Jerusalem in Israel.

My children are C.B.M. Sunday School students. The eldest, David, is sixteen and is taking the UK 40 lesson course. His tutor is Colleen Jannaway. The second is a girl named Meggie, aged 14. These two are at Secondary School level. The third is also a girl, named Sabhina, aged 9 years, and the fourth is Elijah, aged 7, and these two are at Primary School level. The last is a boy named Misheck and was born in 2009.

We live in a rural village and we depend on subsistence farming in our region which receives low rainfall It is drought stricken ­ an area which can encounter droughts or floods, depending on the rain pattern per season. We grow crops such as cotton as a cash crop, and maize, sorghum, cow-peas, peanuts etc. as food crops. As the real Truth is in our hearts, we leave everything in the hands of God.

About the issue of students who do not have the English Bible of their own, yes, there almost 20 students who undersand English: eleven have already completed their UK 40-lesson course. Nine students are about to complete their course. Eleven students are awaiting baptism and nine are about to complete, they do not have Bibles, so they are in need of them.

--Bro. Nice Yotamu

HARARE

When I read and enjoy the books I receive they always remind me not to forget the work done through God's grace. I pray that our Father in heaven will bless this work abundantly. We the readers should always acknowledge those writers for most of their time is spent on us, in order that we may obtain salvation.

Paul gives thanks to God (2 Cor.1:3-7):

`Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes. He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. Just as we have a share in Christ's many

sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help. If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we received.'

God's complete knowledge and Care (Psalm 139:1-6):

`Lord, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak, you already know what I will say. You are all round me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding.'

This is also applying to us to learn of God's love for us. God knows what we need even before we pray for it. He protects us from evil and cares for us. Let us praise God each day and give thanks for the food, care and protection He gives us. Psalm 140 also helps us understand God's care for us.

--Bro. Israel Mutunduwe

KWE KWE

Christ is the door to the fold of God. Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, the sons of men have beheld the Lamb of God, `which taketh away the sin of the world,' and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace. Many have come presenting other objects for the faith of the word ­ ceremonies and systems have been devised by which men hope to receive justification and peace with God, and thus find entrance to His fold. But the only door is Christ, and all who have tried to enter the fold in some other way are thieves and robbers. `He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.' Christ is both the door and the shepherd. It is through His own sacrifice that He becomes the shepherd of the sheep.

--Bro. Melusi Ndlovu

MAGUNJE

We thank CAT very much for the books you have sent to our Ecclesia. I had asked for 8 New Testaments as a figure which had been registered, but on their delivery every brother and sister is now complaining they want one, so is it possible for us to have more? Also if possible could we have more copies of Wrested Scriptures to help with our preaching work.

In recent debates we have had with members of other churches, including A.F.M. members and Jehovah's Witnesses, we responded to the question as `Did Jesus exist before he was born?' Gen.1:26 was quoted in response showing that God and his Angels, using God's Spirit, created all things and that Jesus was not in existence before his birth. There followed questions on John 8:56-59 and John 1:1-3 and we explained about God's plan for mankind being in His mind right from creation, (`the Word was with God') preparing the way for our Saviour, Jesus, to be born of our nature. He was glorified by God, His father, and given power to do miracles openly. As he lived a sinless life, the grave could not hold him and God raised him from death, so making Jesus a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. So our teaching, using Wrested Scripture and our New Version New Testaments, helped them to understand properly why we are baptised into Christ and into Abraham's `house.'

--Bro. Misheck Hondoma

I am now back in fellowship full-time and even as I am writing now, I am enjoying the company of and fellowship with Sis Ruth Moore and Bro David Smith who is our new Zimbabwe linkman.

Would you please be kind enough to put me again on the `Gospel News' mailing list? I always enjoy reading what's happening around the world.

--Bro Thompson Changata

Left: Bro. Thomson Changata, Bro. Mazuaramhaka, Trymore Chaona, Ngoni Chikwata and Bro. Misheck Hondoma, with other brothers and sisters. This was our big Sunday at Magunje, taken before the service, when others were not yet present.

TRIANGLE

Ever since Paul had been enlightened on the way to Damascus in his career of persecution against the followers of Christ, he never missed his chances. He believed and obeyed what Jesus had sent him to do. Because of hope, faith and belief he preached to his utmost, warning people about the dangers to come. He never ceased to praise Jesus even when he was in prison. Paul had infinite love of God and a marvellous transformation had been wrought in his life, bringing all his plans and purposes into harmony with God.

From that hour Paul became a newly formed creature in Christ. He had a longing desire to assist all those who are struggling in Christ. His life became wholly devoted to an effort to portray the love, mercy and kindness of the crucified man, Jesus. (Acts 9:20). His great, brave and sympathetic heart took to all classes (Rom.1:14- 15). Paul's preaching was to transform them from idol worshipping to serving the true, living God.

We are supposed to preach all that we have grasped of God to others. By doing so, we will be showing unselfish joy in the ministry of Christ. Being in Christ's ministry, we will be showing the highest type of nobility ever revealed of Christ to many people. Paul's transformation is a lesson to us all that God can and will forgive us our sins. He showed his love, mercies and kindness to sinners. (Acts 9:15). God is still calling you to His Kingdom to come; He has forgotten all that we have done in ignorance. (Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9). Paul's efforts were not without fruit, as many people repented and turned from idol worshipping to the true God. (Acts 13:43). Paul preached not to please himself or to please other people, he preached to bring everyone who was worthy to enter God's Kingdom. (Col.1:28).

We do have a shortage of Bibles. I pray God will guide us all to His glory. My request is for ten English Bibles and ten Shona Bibles, if possible.

--Bro. Tavaremba Mugova

The Gospel News