News from Africa

NEWS FROM BURKINA FASO

We are very pleased to report the baptisms of Brothers KOUMBELE, DENIS, ALBERT, CEDRIQUE and DESIRE; and Sisters MAMOU, RAKIETA and HABIBOU; may God keep them strong in the path to His Kingdom.

NEWS FROM CAMEROON

DOUALA

I can only describe as wonderful the mail I have just received from you . I cannot believe that I asked for just some pamphlets and yet you have sent me all these wonderful preaching materials. I humbly believe that all these will go a long way to help our ecclesia in its growth in the truth, and the wealth of knowledge contained in all these books will help us improve our mastery of the truth, for it's the lack of such things that hinders the growth and popularity of our group and doctrine here in Cameroon. Most of us cannot defend or preach this gospel as people who really know what they are talking about, and that is why we keep marking time on the same spot. If our Christian literature is widely circulated in town I'm very sure that many would see the truth expressed in these preaching materials. Some copies of Bible Basics will be put in our library to help some brothers and sisters come up to date with certain doctrines. You know my dear brother preaching in Africa is not like in Europe. We in Africa have great superstitions about God and demons and so on that it is not easy to get the message really through to most people. Furthermore, the mess preached by these apostate churches really makes it difficult for us as they have flooded the whole place with this stuff and many of them are also on the cable channels. Whenever I look at the TV and listen to one of this so-called Christian churches preaching I could shed tears. They spend their whole time speaking about prosperity and casting out demons from people but never teach the Word. Since most of us Africans in general are poor, we flood to these crusade grounds in the hope that we may become relieved of our poverty. Very few indeed would ever take the pains to study the Word, instead they foolishly think that is the work of the pastors and priests, and they should and be directed by their pastors.

--Bro Cyril Nadze

BAMENDA

CAT has done a lot in Bamenda. We received a large parcel of books including `Where There Is No Doctor' and `Where Women Have No Doctor' and other books. We put these into good use as we move to villages to talk about the gospel and encourage basic health care and sanitation. One of these villages is Buweh, in the photo, there some members of Bamenda Ecclesia donated some basic medicinesto them; Bro Philip Mafain (with book in hand) and Sis Nanji (1st on right) and Bro Akoso Peter (1st from left), presented them the drugs on the table. The village head and wives received us and we visited them weekly for a year. The UK Brethren have since visited Buweh and today there are six Brethren and Sisters meeting in their own hall.

We also got the news of a Brother in isolation, some 50 miles away, I visited him (Bro Somsong Samson) after reading his plight in Gospel News. Since then three Visiting Brethren from the UK have been to visit him in the remote village of Bamukumbi. Where few white men have ever been.

Can you help us locate Brother Kum Donatus who we have lost touch with.

Another possible door may be opening 55 miles away from Bamenda. I am a painter and went to work in this area and stayed with a Pentecostal pastor. He allowed me

Buweh presentation of medical supplies to preach in his church for four days and there was a lot of interest in our views.

Please, if you can, send us copies of the whole Bible and any other books on the Truth, as the Lord provides you with.

--Sis Eveline & Bro Emmanuel Nanji

NEWS FROM CONGO

On this occasion of the new year 2012 I take this opportunity to convey to all of you our best wishes. Our prayer is it may be for you and your family, a year of joy prosperity and blessings in Jesus Christ, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

We love all of you. You are so precious to us.

--Bro Kim's Mukambilwa (Kinshasa)

NEWS FROM EGYPT

Here we are doing fine despite so many problems in this country and many coming and going because of it. Greetings to all.

--Bro. Oludare

Brother Oludare with his wife and son

news from kenya

BULIMBO

Thank you for your nice letter which I received recently, and I always thank God for what He does in our lives. It is good that Bulimbo Ecclesia is now a lightstand for God's truths, and we pray that God may continue to guide us in His truth so that we may attain that coming Kingdom.

Secondly, we thank CAT for the help they have sent our Ecclesia which will help us to buy timber for making church benches and a few chairs. We are in the programme of fund-raising to buy a plot to construct the church. We are also delighted to inform you that our Bulimbo Ecclesia has increased in number and God has done greatly. This is why we have come up with this issue of purchasing a plot to build our own church. We do carry out our services under the shade of the mango trees: many people at the beginning used to discourage us because we had no meeting-place.

--Bro. Sadique Juma

BUNGOMA

I was born into a Pentecostal family and have grown as a Pentecostal since childhood until the age of twenty years, and developed an interest in Scripture while very young. Also, alas, I believed false teachings that when people die, after three days they go to heaven. Jesus now is a King in heaven and so many accept sprinkling as baptism, Hell, Satan, the Devil, Demons etc. Then I was confused and I asked myself many questions.

What made me develop is when I met Bro. Laban Kisaka and Brother Nimrody Masika and asked them many questions ­ and all were answered. That is how I started with Christadelphians. They continued to teach me many lessons which helped me to understand well. After taking the 60 lessons, my mind reflected back to when I was the Chairman of the Pentecostal Assembly and when I was teaching false doctrines. I prayed and confessed my sins and asked God to forgive me.

Then I decided to be baptised into Christ and asked Bro. Moses. Then he asked me some questions to test my readiness and invited me to attend their meetings; so after about three months I was baptized. It was Bro. George who conducted the interview: I succeeded and was baptised and given the right hand of fellowship.

--Bro. Alfred Wanyony

It is with great pleasure that we thank God for giving us the opportunity to worship and praise Him. I, of course, appreciate and consider your former help in giving us the Gospel literature we wanted, and were in need of. In fact, I send my loving greetings of joy to you all, and I hope you are happy and in good condition in the help of our Redeemer's purpose and plan.

I now would like to introduce to you my new brother in Christ, Bro. David Masika Kasili, who was baptised recently. He is interested in the Scriptures, reading very much the Gospel literature you gave.

I am pleased to assure you that the small booklets I have been receiving from the `Herald of the Coming Age' from Box 220, Findon, SA Australia, are of great value to me and my Brothers and Sisters in the Ecclesia, and so I really appreciate them and need their continuation. If available `Elpis Israel,' by Bro. John Thomas would be appreciated, to strengthen our faith.

We are taking our time, in our Ecclesia, to study the Bible diligently; `Bible Basics'; `The Real Christ' and `The Real Devil' are helping. We have put forward our present effort and practices to understand the Bible and be aware and learn from it. So far we are putting forward its exhortations and practices to our friends, so that we teach them the proper, enlightened truth of the Word of God.

--Bro. Martin Sibolo Situma

DAGO

We are quite fine here, and expecting the heavenly Kingdom to be established soon, so as to relieve mankind from the present state of problems we are encountering right now. I am glad to receive the new look, colourful Gospel News magazine.

Last year, for many it was a year when many were faced with such calamities as have never happened before. In recent years, there were problems ranging from droughts, wars, diseases, strikes, earthquakes, etc. In Kenya many families lost almost all their livestock possessions they entirely depended on for livelihood due to drought. The high cost of commodities is commonplace now and many shopkeepers are hoarding basic goods to fetch good prices. The Kenya shilling has lost value against the hard currencies. These and many other problems are clear pointers to the nearing of Christ's return to redeem the world.

--Bro. Raphael Joni Aimo

KOBUJOI

The N.E.V. New Testaments were enthusiastically received by my family members (some) and other two friends. They were all thankful for them, and I await supplies of the complete Bible.

The weather is cold and windy. We have harvested maize, but the produce was very low this season.

--Bro. Geoffrey Chirchir

MALINDI

I thank you very much for the good `seed' that you're sowing in God's vineyard and the good time you're committed for God's work: you shall be rewarded on that day, God knows your work and effort is not in vain. Keep up the good work in the Lord.

I kindly request that, if the Lord remains away for some time, God willing you come and also assist us in Kenya, particularly where I am now ­ Malindi ­ a Muslim dominated area, and Christian ­ but if he comes before your decision, then let us meet in God's Kingdom!

Also I request the following: `Bible Concordance,' `Christendom Astray,' the `Life and Work of Dr. John Thomas' and `The Parables of the Messiah.' I hope maybe you know of other good spiritual material from different authors with which you could kindly assist us.

And lastly, I am using a physiotherapy machine since my accident with a motor bike, three times per week. Please pray for me, first it was free but with every visit now it is 700/- per two hours.

--Bro. Walter Wasike

MYANGA

`The Real Devil' book and literature reached me well. I thank you very much for your help.

I thank our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for giving us a sure hope of eternal life after the resurrection and judging of the living and the dead. I do feel very happy that I am in the midst of true Brothers who hold a true faith of the Prophets and Apostles, and the good promises of God.

I want to inform you about my son Peter who died a death that can't be explained, on 25- 26.08.11. It wasn't a day our family will forget. He was 33 years old: I know he will be raised at Christ's coming. I enclose my family's picture.

--Bro. Edward Kunikina

NAITIRI

I hope you are fine. We of the Naitiri Ecclesia are very grateful and we thank all the participants who helped in the production of the New Testament Bibles. Members received them with happiness, together with friends. This has led to a shortage of these Bibles as some friends also wanted to have them.

Here in Kenya we are experiencing economic problems and we are facing this crisis which has become difficult to control. We hope that it is only God who would intervene, as our hope only lies with the Almighty God.

Brothers, according to the true teaching of the Bible about emerging false prophets, it has happened, when we heard over the media that "The day of the Lord has finally come and the world will end on 21st May 2011." This has caused a lot of panic to people, especially near to where I live. In Ezekiel 13:3, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing." Also in Matthew 24:36: "No-one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son of Man, but only the Father."

Family picture: Seated, from right to left, Bro. Edward, Cousin Joseph, my Bro. (young) Philip; Standing, from left to right,
James (my brother's son), my Cousin Barasa, my Bro. Maurice, my Nephew Emmanuel and my son Peter, who died.

So as Christians, we only believe what the Bible says, not what comes from the mouth of people who have no important mission in their lives, but to draw the attention of the world. Jesus is the only rock in a weary land. Let us not worry for the day is near, but unknown. May God bless you all.

We have finished reading the book, `The Real Christ,' and our friends are borrowing it and reading it. Please brothers, if the book, `The Real Devil' is available, help us by sending it to us so that we can be sure of Bible teaching about the real Devil. May God bless the work of your hands.

--Bro. Nasong'o Haron

The lessons that you are giving me are of great importance in my life, and these I use to teach others all about God's message and its importance. I really appreciate the effort that you are making in the ministry as a whole. If you saw some of the citizens in Kenya, you would see them trying to change, just because of the Word of God. Please send us some Bibles and Bible Companions.

--Bro. Khisah Joseph

NAKURU

The work of the Lord's vineyard in Nakuru is going on well, with two baptisms last year and one this year. We are glad that we are living in the last days and the Lord Jesus Christ can return at any time ­ that's why there is a need to be ready all the time. The Holy Bible says that neither Jesus, nor the angels know the hour, but only the Almighty God.

Did you post for me the letter I enclosed in my last letter to you? We are still experiencing high

Naitiri Ecclesia cost of living, with essential commodities prices increasing every day, but the Lord is always with us.

--Bro. Samuel Wanga

NALONDO

I appreciate your publications ­ the Gospel News amongst other literature, to enable the Word of God to be spread in many countries of the globe in many languages. I have no objection to your making any improvements in my articles which I have, or may send you for publication in the future, while our Lord is still away, and also while some of us are still alive and are in the right mind to do things for our ecclesias in the Faith of Christ.

On the New Testament which you published, it is good and convenient to carry and to read. I do support those who suggest that you produce the complete holy Bible.

--Bro. John Muyala

Nalondo Christadelphian Hall with some ecclesial members.

NDHIWA

Thank you for the dozen New Testament Bibles with study notes which we have received with a lot of enthusiasm. Our proposed idea of teaching the Gospel has started, and we have four women teenagers and three male teenagers altogether. My husband has also introduced our teaching to three of his work-mates and they are interested to join us. So I want, if God is willing, to make groups of `Mother and Baby', as well as teenage groups, and in God's mercy this group work can do even better if enough material is available. I think it is a blessing from God that when I start something it grows quickly, for I put God first. Your suggestions for this work have started bearing fruit.

What I'm wondering is, would you be able to link each of these members to personal tutors to get complete lessons? for these two guide books I have won't be enough for the members. I am still wondering how I will get enough material to get these projects going, for it seems a great challenge. Thank you for all your help. With love in the Name of our Master who is coming soon.

--Sis. Emmy Aseyo

Sister Emmy Aseyo (in red dress), with sisters

Millicent, Bonne, Margaret and Beatrice.

NDHIWA

Greetings in the loving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I give much thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus. I am praying always for you having been always exhorted by your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all faithful believers. I thank God because of the hope which is laid up for us in the heavens.

We have now a group of about 8-10 who come together weekly to study the Gospel, and it has started growing fruits. We would like to continue to learn more and more. We need your help. For this cause, do not cease to pray for us and make our request to God to fill us with the knowledge of His will in all scriptural understanding.

--Bro. Jacktone Ukiru Mlongwa

N. KINANGOP

Thank you for the book `The Real Christ' and other material. All these are deepening my faith and opening my mind to knowledge, just as the Apostle Peter states in his second letter, ch.1:5-6, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness..." Now what I request is that you send me some more Bible Basics, two for the initial church in Kinangop. I have friends who are very interested and one of them is requesting baptism, which I have to organize with other Kenyan brothers soon. We have never been granted an ecclesia in Kinangop, something which I have been looking forward to. I have been in touch with Maheru Ecclesia, which has been so costly in terms of transport.

Here in Kenya we have had a lot of changes from the civil wars. We are now in the period of new constitution implementation, which reflects a lot of changes: we are also approaching General Elections. Almost everybody is educated and understands English. It takes courage and a lot of enthusiasm to reason out the faith of Christ, regarding the Trinity. If it was not the Lord who has called me, and for sure He did, it would be difficult to survive in the Christadelphian faith, as there has never been any Christadelphian faith in my area. I call for your support now.

--Bro. Peter Njuguna

RAPOGI

I do show my appreciation for the Gospel News magazine which you have frequently sent to me, although unfortunately I did not receive the one for August. I was told that the parcel was lost on the way from the post office. I know the Lord is going to enable me to receive these again.

Generally I am constant in the Lord because your work has really showed blessings throughout the world. Nowadays I do like applying Romans chapter 13:12 which says, `The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light;' because the long awaited Master may come any time.

--Bro. Mike G.O. Juma

SINDO

We love each other because we were joined together through baptism. You accepted the message before me and on 21st August 1976, I was joined through baptism and we have remained steadfast and immovable to be strong witnesses to the truth together.

I would like to talk about love as the greatest gift our Father in heaven has revealed to us through His Son Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross and resurrection to life again. Let us look in the Bible to see how God can reveal His love versus hate, in the sense of Cain versus Abel in the book of Gen.4. God wants us to show our true love in the service we do every day ­ we are being tested to see if we love God and if God also loves us. Many people do not show their love in service, as they have their minds corrupted by an evil heart.

The God of the Bible put the two sons of Adam to a test; i.e. Cain and Abel and their sacrifices to God, to teach us that God's love must be manifested in our service. This love versus hate was shown when Cain murdered his brother Abel.

The Lord God made Adam and Eve to bring forth another seed of righteousness called Seth. Abel died in faith and will be remembered, together with men and women who were faithful to God and loved the Creator. Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts; and through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." In 1 John 3:11,12 we are told, "Love one another, for this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain who was of the evil one, and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous."

--Bro. John Owalo Onani

TONGAREN

During the quiet moment before worship one Sunday, the organist played a hymn that was new to me. I turned to the page noted the hymnal and read the words of the song, `The Lord my Shepherd guards me well,' ­ a beautiful paraphrase of Psalm 23.

No matter how often we read or hear the familiar 23rd Psalm, it seems to come to me with a fresh message of God's care for us. "Though I should walk in darkest ways through valleys like the grave, no evil shall I ever fear; your presence makes me brave; on my behalf your rod and staff assure me you will save." This message was familiar to the people who head Jesus say, `I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep' (John 10:11) Unlike a hired person who turns away from danger, the true shepherd stays with the sheep to protect them. `But a hireling, he who is not a shepherd... sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees...I am the good Shepherd; and I know my sheep.' (12-14)

No matter what you are facing today, Jesus knows your name, he knows the danger: the true shepherd stays with the sheep and he will not leave your side. You can say with confidence, `The Lord is my Shepherd, and He guards me well.' The lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to lead us.

--Bro. Isaac Kapa

Sis. Nancy Isaac, and Sis. Getquin Isaac, with Duncan, a new-born child.

TURBO

We thank you for the New Testaments and the Bible Basics. People in our area and far away have received the Truth, and it is the full Truth.

--Bro. Emmanuel Milimo

NEWS FROM MALAWI

DZALEKA REFUGEE CAMP

Here we are all fine. I've received news that you have accomplished the printing of the whole Bible, may the Lord bless your work. I do appeal for copies for us here, and your prayers..

--Bro. Bernard Wabene

Brother Bernard with his NEV New Testament

GONDA

Thank you for six copies of the New Testament, New European Version and six Bible Companion Reading Plans. For this parcel I have enclosed a photo showing brothers and sisters reading them and also holding other Christadelphian literature. When you put this photo into Gospel News please send me my own copy so that I can remember about this distribution. Gospel News is very interesting and encourages us, because through this brothers and sisters share their knowledge of God worldwide and this makes them into one family. We learn from it or tell others what we get from our Bible Study through it.

Don't forget us in your prayers. May God lead us, as Jeremiah 10:23 says, "that I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own. It is not for man to direct his steps", and Jesus said in Matt.7:7, "Ask and it shall be given to you".

--Bro. Robert Folley

KASUNGU

I have been elected to grow ground nuts. It is my wish to grow ground nuts as a cash crop, instead of tobacco as it is in our country, so through your prayers which change my life, I believe my dreams will come true. The rules are very difficult to follow, for example the minimum average amount to grow is five hectares. As I may not manage to do the work on my own I have found two young

men (twins) with their families, which is also tough as one has to feed these helpers. I would ask for more prayers that I may achieve my goals.

The picture is showing me feeding the young local chicks in my house after the mother started laying eggs. There were twelve chicks and one got lost during this time, so I thought of appreciating on what the mother chick has provided for my living and take care of them.

My fellow students are requesting if you may have some "New European New Testament" books like you sent to me ­ there are eleven of them. I would also like to have a "Good News" Bible as it is a recommended for our Bible Knowledge syllabus.

--Sis. Bertha Khonje

Gonda Ecclesia

Sister Bertha feeding her young chickens.

Sister Bertha relaxing and doing her readings.

LINGA

Now we have five ecclesias in this area: Mnduluka, Mkaika, Mwamsambo, Linga, Thale and Msenjele May God bless, and all I want is some more Bible Basics and Bible books. I am eagerly waiting my brother John Aldersley from New Zealand so that he can assist with baptism, God willing.

--Bro. Leonard

MTENTHELA

God "will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath." Rom.2:6- 8. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor.5:10.

We saw earlier that God offers us salvation, Titus 3:5, but the Bible says that we will be judged by our works. Nowhere does it say that we will be judged by our faith. How can this be? This is not a contradiction. If we have a vehicle which works well, do we say that vehicle became well-built by doing its job well? No, there is nothing it could do to become well built, yet the true test of how well it is built is how it works. So we are created in Jesus Christ unto good works, Eph.2:10. We are saved by faith but tested (or judged) by our works. That is why faith without works is dead. (James 2:17). God can see our hearts. He would not need to see our works to know how to judge us. However, by our works we can tell if we are truly His children. It is for our benefit that He tells us how He will judge.

--Bro. Henderson Sosola

MZUZU

A child would go around bare without any feeling of shame. However, the opposite is true with a normal grownup person. If you happen to see an adult person going around naked be assured that, that person is not normal.

The Bible presents the word nakedness in this way: Adam and Eve, after eating the forbidden fruit, realized that they were naked. This realization was accompanied with shame. In other words, these first two parents had sinned.

They went around looking for a covering for their nakedness, but what they discovered was not ideal enough. It was God who had the solution for their covering: An animal was slain and its skin was used for man's covering.

This animal slaying had foreshadowed one vital thing: the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God prepared for the covering of our sins. One thing is important: we need to admit that we are naked (sinners) and hence the need for our covering ­ Jesus.

--Bro. Sylvester Tembo

NENO

Thanks very much for the 2 cartons of Bible Basics and other booklets, that is what I wanted, and as I said, it is my duty now to distribute them to various places and to different people. I am happy receiving these books so that the word of GOD may spread. I am hoping some will be ready for baptism by the time Bro Aldersley comes.

--Bro. Amison

NGABU

I want to thank CAT for the books as they will enable me to teach my fellow friends the

Bible lessons. Here at Ngabu the work of God is going smoothly because God has added more people to our church. Please may I ask fellow Christadelphians all over the world to help us by prayers because of the situation which Malawi and the whole of Africa faces.

--Bro. Micky Mbawe

NKHTAKOTA

I am 50 and Cathy my wife is 39 years and we have 5 children one is studying in university of Malawi for 4 years she is in the second year another is finishing his form four, two of them are in form two and the last one will be going to secondary school so that I thank GOD because they were thrown out from my former mission School. Thank you for arranging for seven Chichewa Bibles and I have to share them in our ecclesia.

--Bro. Leonard Chaunga

I am encouraged by the way people are trying to respond to the word of God. Today Leonard and Catherine visited an Ecclesia at Mwansambo and next week is scheduled to visiting and training the Brothers and Sisters in these areas. I still thank God for being faithful.

--Bro. Esau

NTCHEU

Warmest greetings of love and peace in our fabulous hope in Christ. God is in control here but some months ago my mother, who was disabled, died. We cannot live without God's words. `Gospel News' is probably the most widely circulated and interactive Christadelphian magazine and it helps a lot of people to receive God's words. I want to encourage you in printing the whole Bible: to me it is another interesting thing and I assure you we are waiting for a copy.

--Bro. Peter Mbingwani

SALIMA

I just want to share with you that by the grace of God we have found a new contact in Salima. This man is originally from Nkhotakota but settled in Salima at a place called Limbe, just close to Salima township. He is a retired pastor of Anglican Church and is still being used as a pastor. His surname is CHIWEYO and is commonly called Pastor Chiweyo. The interesting part of his story is that he has wholeheartedly accepted the `doctrine' and he has even started teaching it in his church and he has told me that he is very ready to quit. The only thing that he fears is financial support; once he quits, the church will remove his name from their pension voucher and, because he does not have any other income or any other means by which he can create any, he asks me to try to find any income generating activity so as to support him with his family should his little pension cease. Health-wise he is not 100% because he was once knocked down with paralysis which affected one of his legs. He walks by being supported by a stick. It seems he was a teacher before he joined the pastoral work so one time last year he was picked by a private school as a teacher, but this time he is not working. Since our first meeting a year last October, I have given him some books including Bible Basics and he has managed to get a number of what he styles `disciples' from his church. When we met today he told me he is arranging to have a meeting on one of the Saturdays with those disciples where I will be called to assist him answer some of the questions to the topics he may not have fully grasped as yet. How do I help this contact?

Thank you very much and may the Lord be with you as you ponder over this issue.

--Bro. George Mayimba

TSANGANO

Those who confessed their sins and turned to God, have left their sorceries. 2 Kings 23:24-25. Witchcraft has no power over God's people who keep trusting in Him. God has always been against sorcery and witchcraft. "If God is for us who can be against us?" Romans 8:31-39. I was once African traditional witch doctor, but now I am a born again in the Christadelphian Church at Tsangano.

--Bro. Gomo Lampango

NEWS FROM MALI

We are very pleased to report the baptisms of GERALD, DAMIEN & FATAH, MATTHIEU, SAMUEL, SANIBE, LUC , MARIANNE, SEWA, RUKI, MARIE, MIRIAME and JUA; may God keep them strong in the path to His Kingdom.

NEWS FROM NIGERIA

ABA

I must commend the recently improved Gospel News. May the Lord be with you and your team as you work in His vineyard. I would like to request a box of Bible Basics of say about 40 or more. I have a lot of contacts that are really interested in a certain place far from our meeting place. Please do include one or two edifying materials for a brother who has been in isolation for about two years now.

--Bro. Peter Ojike

Your decision to further print a complete Bible in addition to the already printed pocket New Testament is a very welcome development. May our good Lord help and strengthen you to accomplish this project.

There have been few baptisms in this ecclesia this year. Nowadays the few who are listening and accepting the gospel news are mainly young girls. The female groups outnumber the male in all church denominations of the world. They are the group that accept Christ's advice to "seek first the Kingdom of God, and all other things will be added to you". (Matt.6:33). The male young groups are more interested in those things of the flesh that lead to them forgetting their Maker.

A recently baptised Brother is very zealous in the things of the kingdom, and due to my declining weakness in studying and reading, I have passed most of my older books to him as he was asking how and where he can get Christadelphian books.

--Bro. James E. Ogbah

Bro. James Ogbah

ASA AMATOR

I met Brother Goddy Nwosu and saw some pamphlets for preaching, printed in colours with different topics, which was handed to the people we preached to. Obviously, I am very much interested in these colourful pamphlets and would be pleased, if you can send some to me and a complete English Bible for my own use.

I sincerely thank you for a carton of the new testament Bible and other books you sent to Asa-Amator ecclesia. It has since been received and distributed to many interested friends.

--Gabriel Alaribe

Sisters at Asa Amator with their NEVs

BENIN

Am so grateful for your good works in sending some copies of `Bible Basics', `Real Christ' and magazines for the proclamation of the Gospel. Following my recent marriage with Br. Endurance Ebane of Benin Ecclesia, please I would still like the magazines to continue to me through my new postal address. Please I wish to request for copies of the NIV New Testament Bible.

--Sis Lydia Chimdinma Endurance Ebane

EKORI

I thank you for the information on the complete NEV with explanatory footnotes and a digest of `Bible Basics' which is undergoing production I pray that the Almighty God will continue to give you the ability to complete the project.

Please kindly send me eight copies at the completion of the project. May the Almighty God help me this time that they will not end in the hands of thieves at the Nigerian post office.

--Bro Igan i Eteng

ENUGU

I rejoice with you and Duncan's family for the new baby boy God has given to him. Romans 12:15. It has long since been my prayer for God to give Duncan a man who will help him in the Lord's work should he get old, should Christ remain away. May God who gave the boy, bless him and give him wisdom to grow in His ways.

Now concerning the Bible you mentioned, thank you for remembering us. If it is possible for you to send us one please do so in 2012. I used to buy

our newcomers Bibles sometimes. If we have a complete Bible it will be a joy to us. Any help given to us will not be wasted. I am trying to visit those who are in isolation as they cry out for visitors to teach or meditate with them and I cannot do it alone because of transport fees.

We spent two weeks in hospital with my son and he has now recovered by the grace of God. Bro. Ik Ugwa from Msaba Ecclesia came to the hospital and saw things for himself and cried for the situation.

I enclose a picture which was taken during the traditional marriage of Bro Elijah O, Ekeoma and Sis Ukamaka Elijah at the home of Sis Ukamaka

Bro. Elijah Ekeoma's marriage .

Abakili Ebonyi-State. After Bro. Nwosu gave the exhortation they were joined together. We pray that our Heavenly Father will bless the marriage to the end of their lives. I use this opportunity to thank Enugu Ecclesia for their support throughout the marriage. The journey was long and hard, from Enugu to the Sister's home, 50 miles away, and their parents not being in our faith made everything hard for us.

Bro. G. Nswosu is the first on the left of the photo with a cap on his head. Bro. Elijah is in the centre holding his wife's hand with thanksgiving. Gen.2:18-24, Matt.19:4-6.

--Bro. Goddy Nwosu

ESA-OKE

Know the type of friends you have. Many friends have led people to their death so if you are not careful friends can lead you astray. If you are lonely and in need of something, do not put God on one side, pray to Him and ask for advice before asking advice from someone else. If you put God aside and ask for advice from your friend, advice from your friend may lead you to commit sin against God and lead you to death.

You see, we, the brethren and sisters in the Lord ought to learn lessons from the people we read about in the Bible. It was a good friend of Amnon that led him to death through bad advice (2 Sam.13:3). Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab who was a very crafty man. We see the people of this world are wiser than the people of God. Jonadab advised Amnon to commit adultery with his sister Tamar. Little did Amnon know that he was kicking against his coffin. Any person needing advice, ought to speak to himself or herself; ponder here and there on whether what we want will please God or not before we act. You see, when Amnon was killed it was this man, his friend, that went to David to tell him the news of the death of Amnon (2 Sam. 13:32-33). Today around the world, bad advisors have led many friends to death and many countries have fallen due to bad advice. .

--Bro. Ademiyoju Ogunduro

IKWUEKE

Will suffering never end? Yes, Suffering will end. God is the Architect of the universe. He has a Master Plan for mankind. God plans to cleanse the earth of sickness and sorrow, sin and suffering, disease and death. He will send Jesus back to the earth to make all things new. Rev.21:3-5. God plans to fill the earth with his glory. The Apostle Paul said that "the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom.8:18. An understanding of suffering can help you towards God's Kingdom if you give your life now to

God. Truly, if we endure we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim 2:12. "Even so, come Lord Jesus".

I feel I am getting weaker because of age, but I feel some inner strength from knowing that the Kingdom shall soon come. It now takes me a long time just to walk as my right leg was seriously wounded.

--Bro. Friday Enyiogu

MBALSE

I need large quantities of the leaflets and Bible Basics you send to share with other brothers and sisters and those who are non-Christadelphians. In Mbalse Ecclesia we are eight in number worshipping together in Amuzu Oke-Uvuru Aboh Mbaise. This is more than four miles from my home and I walk there on foot every Sunday at 6.a.m. and arrive before 8.50 a.m. I am the only brother to baptise and conduct the Sunday Memorial Service. I need you to send me a Bible, Old and New Testament please.

Let us study how Jesus taught his disciples to pray: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1). They were listening as Jesus prayed. What power there was in his words! Sometimes I feel like praying, "Teach me to preach" when I hear a spiritual exhortation

We can't pray like Jesus prayed, but we can be a disciple. Let's look at Matthew 6:5: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward." Their reward was that someone saw them and heard them, so now they were known as someone who prayed. That is like doing a favour for someone and then talking about it, telling others what you have done. That is all the glory you will get. But if you do it as unto the Lord, not bragging about it or looking for men's applause, you will get your reward from God. You do it in secret and the Lord will reward you openly.

--Bro. Blessing Nwigwe

OHAFIA

Thank you very much for the New Testament Bibles sent to us. I have shared three copies with some friends that we discuss with during our outreach (house to house) and one to Bro. Peter Ojike of Aba Ecclesia when he visited us. In fact, the New Testament is good and understandable with clear letter words. I pray the complete Bible in print will be of the same standard. I am fine today after many months of illness in bed. I give God all the praise for

Bro. Uka Egwu and family. healing me and thanks to all the brethren who contributed one way or another and my sincere thanks to those in Aba Ecclesia.

Kindly send to us 8 copies of the complete Bible. The picture enclosed is our isolated family ecclesia, myself, Uka Egwu, my wife Ngozi Uka, Emmanuel Uka, God's Time (Geetee Uka) and Miss Comfort Uka. May God's love and blessing continue to abide with us as we wait the soon coming King.

--Bro. Uka Egwu

WARRI

I want to thank you for the Gospel News you have been sending to me, it has transformed my life over the years. However, I wish to request for copies of the pocket New Testament Bible to share with people who cannot afford a Bible in my vicinity.

--Bro Henry Obus

NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

CANDU

Our spirits have been uplifted by receiving the NEV pocket English Bibles, which together with the commentary and condensed Bible Basics help to clarify some of the Bible for us. We pray for the blessing upon this good work which has been done for our ecclesia. As we are first generation in the Truth, these Bibles are needed.

Sis Selinah, Bro Templeton & Sis Eugeina

We stay in villages with people who are ancestor- worshipers, which we reject and so need to be very clear on what the Bible teaches. Bro Duncan has sent us supplies of Bible Basics, The Real Devil ­ a Bible exploration of the subject which leaves us with no questions about fallen angels etc. It is important that we have such weapons to fight our spiritual warfare against the enemy.

Here in Candu we are expecting more Bible students, since we have seminars in the village with fifty attending. In one session we spoke about the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which tells us of the origin of sin, as it was the forbidden tree. Our forefathers ate of the tree and then sin came into the world. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Blessed are those that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life.

--Bro Templeton Mdludlu.

Brothers and Sisters of Candu Ecclesia

SOWETO

We rejoiced in the baptism of William Kameza on Saturday, 15th October. Bro. William, originally from Malawi, has been a faithful attendee of our Saturday seminars for more than a year. We are happy to welcome him into his immediate family in Christ in Soweto. His baptism was a lovely opportunity for other attendees to witness a baptism.

Our 8-week `Learn to Read the Bible' seminar finished last Saturday, 9 students received certificates and the New European Version of the New Testament for full attendance and most completed the Correspondence Course as well. We are pleased that a number of them are continuing with us at our Tuesday Bible study and our Sunday meetings.

Seminar attendees with their certificates.

Bro. William being received into fellowship

NEWS FROM TANZANIA

KASULU

NYARUGUSU 2 Ecclesia

Nyarugusu Ecclesia Bible Seminar on "Bringing More to Know The Real Truth of the Gospel".

Soweto ­ William Kameza's baptism

The Fraternal Feast

KIDATU

Thank you all so much for sending me many booklets. Please continue to send me literature and if it is possible a copy of the NEV New Testament.

--Bro. Joseph Kaliyaya

KIGOMA

Will you please send us copies of the new pocket New Testament. We have a number of friends at present who are very much interested, if not attracted by our Bible teachings. I do hope that by having the new books, they may change their respective ways of living through the Holy Word.

--Bro. Lambert K. Tambwe

We are required to bring more people to know the truth of the gospel, it is our duty to do that.

One of the ways of doing this is by our behaviour, so that others see by our lives that we are practical living examples of Christianity and they appreciate the example they wish to follow.

The Bible tells us, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity. Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you" (Titus 2:7-8). "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock" (1.Peter 5:3). The Lord has chosen us to be His servants to witness to the Truth and a good servant copies the example of his Master. So let us try harder to follow the example of Christ, so that others will come to him.

--Bro Iyendya Amsini

Bro Iyendya Amisini

NEWS FROM UGANDA

ACANMAC

Brothers and sisters offering a prayer for the building as they have already burnt their bricks as shown in the picture.

MUSOMA

At last my Kevin has been baptised and we gave give him the hand of fellowship. Help me to pray for him to grow strong in the truth as a Brother. The New Testament Bibles helped a lot. I'm in need of three complete Bibles of both Old and New Testaments for the contacts, but the New Testaments also are very important as they have good references. Brother why don>t you pay us a visit to Tanzania one day? Recently Bro Samuel Mutunga paid us a visit from Kenya with his wife Christine and son Jerry. We were all happy to have him with us and it was a real blessing full of love.

--Sis. Monica

BUTURI

Sisters from Butiru and Munamba Ecclesias at a Workshop organized by Butiru Ecclesia in 2011. The Workshop was also a blessing to our neighbours and friends who attended it was very successful indeed.

The Sisters here were the facilitators for two days. The sisters were: Evalyne Buyeyi Butiru Ecc., Matsatsa Florence ­ Mt. Elgon, Jesca Nangobi from Bugiri, Nantambi Aidah from Bugiri, Namulinda Beatrice ­ Butiru; The work done by these sisters was marvellous and we thank God for using them for this work.

JINJA

Brothers from all parts of Uganda at a Workshop.

NEWS FROM ZAMBIA

CHIPATA

I am praising God that I want to learn more of His word, and may God bless you so that you continue teaching us the good news through the `Gospel News' magazine. I have learnt a lot of things in this.

I am now confident that God is one, hence there is only one God. (Deut.6:4) The belief in demons is challenged by the Scriptures; see Deut. 32:17; Psa.106:37-38; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 1 Cor. 10:20-28; Rev.9:20. The Bible says, `the truth shall set you free.' I am now a free woman ­ I have no fear of the unknown. I used to believe in the demonic forces which are just the works of men, and I don't regret leaving my former congregation, the Dutch Reformed Church, where my zeal for what I believed was so big. My thanks goes to Bro Steven Mwale who introduced me and my husband, Duncan Mbewe to the Truth. We are now a blessed couple: We were baptised in Nov.2006 and we assist each other in truth in the walk to the Kingdom of God (Amos 3:3). Brothers and Sisters, let's encourage each other in the walk to the Kingdom, which can be hard. May the Lord come and find us without spot. Praise be to the Lord.

--Sis. Esther Mbewe

KAFUE

Being a Friend of God is better than Being a Friend of Any Human

God never disappoints his loyal friends (Psalm 18:25). Being a friend of God is better than having riches. When a rich person dies, his money goes to others. However, those who enjoy friendship with God have a treasure that no-one can take away. (Matt.6:19-20).

--Bro. Lotson Kayuni

Greetings in the Hope of Israel in which we share. I am writing this note to acknowledge receipt of the Bible you sent me recently. Thank you very much for this.

--Bro. Kelly Simayunbula

KITWE

Before you sent us the New Testaments, only very few brothers and sisters had the complete Bibles which were presented to us by the Horley Christadelphian Ecclesia. These, however, have seen seasons come and go. Some pages are no longer in their proper places. Ten of the brothers and sisters who were not on the ecclesial register at the time when the presentations were made, did not have the Bibles.

The Kitwe Ecclesia register at one time had reached a good number of 38 brothers and sisters, not including the Sunday School. The meetings were very interesting then. But somewhere along the line of years it was decided to form satellite meeting places at Kitwe Main, Garnaton, Misaka and Lwanga. These were all under one Kitwe Ecclesial Committee and this is where we went wrong, because the Committee failed to manage and co- ordinate these satellites. At one time the Garnaton group thought they were mature enough to stand on their own as an ecclesia, but CBM Zambia was apparently reluctant to grant this request. A very influential brother from Garnaton did choose to undertake outreaches into the Northern province where he originates, neglecting the local group and consequently the attendance dropped.

The stories for the other groups, i.e. Kitwe Main, Lwanga and Misaka are that the attendances dwindled, meetings became no longer interesting. We have now sought to come back as one great team, as one only Kitwe Ecclesia. The register is not constant though, the average of thirty is attained at times. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (ch.4:29-32) is currently our motivation: `Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but as the need arises, speak what is good for

encouragement, that it expresses grace to those that hear you. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed until the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and railing be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to each other, sensitive, forgiving each other, even as God in Christ also forgave you.' (N.E.V.)

Thanks again for these very handy, easy and light New Testaments to carry around, and we do hope that the full Bible will soon be out to our benefit, God willing. May the Lord, Yahweh of the heavenly realms grace the hands of all those who are undertaking the task. Regarding the Kiswahili Bible Basics, yes, I would like to get some copies to hand out to some of our contacts from the Tanzania and the Congo I.R. In fact, I possess a New Testament, `Good News for Modern Man,' Diaglot Edition which has a Kiswahili translation alongside English language. This was a legacy from my late son Evangelist Clarence Muntemba.

Life has not been quite easy sailing for me and my wife. The first problem that befell us was our mud bricked house built in 2,000 AD, which had been burrowed badly by the ants. It was very necessary that we build a much better and semi-permanent

Part of the Mafuta Ecclesia. Left to right: bro. Shardrick Zimba, Sis. Freda Mbewe, Sis. Polina Mwale, Sis. Stella Daka, Sis. Esther Mbewe.

Standing, left to right: Bro. Joshua Mbewe, Bro. Donald Mwale, Bro. John Phiri, Bro. Steven Mwale and Bro. Duncan Mbewe. house. So we started moulding bricks and burning them and worked extra hard to find money for cement to mould concrete blocks for the foundations. We now have a 14x8 meters house standing at roof level with a few materials left, like cement for plastering walls and ten roofing sheets. We were then upset by illness in the family.

The signs of the times are very exciting indeed as we see labourers in the field of Yahweh getting fewer and fewer. Many have fallen asleep, some have back-slided. In God's mercy, let us pray for labourers in the Lord's vineyard. We read in Matt:9:36-38: "But when he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Then said he to his disciples, `The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.'" We are in this situation today and we have just to do what Jesus said.

I have been also assigned to translate some booklets from English into Tonga local language and I am also a local Tutor.

--Bro. Elvin Muntemba (Snr.)

MAZABUKA

Many thanks for your kind letter, your greetings and book `Studies in the Psalms,' by Cyril Tennant. It is always uplifting to read your letters, and words of encouragement, `God is with us.'

I can tell you from my own experience that God is with you, that is why you are with God ­ it's like walking towards a mirror, the closer you come, the closer the image in the mirror comes to you. Imagine the image is God, it moves towards you as you come closer. You may press your nose against the mirror, but you cannot merge with the image. I think this mirror image is a good analogy because we can go very close to the image, but we cannot merge with the image no matter how hard we press our noses against it. Why is that? because of our sinfulness. But the time will come when we will merge with God when we will be sinless, when God will be all in all through His grace, according to 1 Corinthians 15:28.

I was pleased and delighted to hear that the programme of complete Bibles is going ahead. May God bless you in this massive project and may He help and bless you as the need arises. The Bible says, `Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you are sure to find; knock and the door shall open, for God is good and kind.'

My leg is now cured ­ many thanks for your prayers and medication I received. May God be thanked for such a blessing of health again: as far as I am concerned good health is the greatest gift God has given to us for this present life.

It sometimes makes me stand in awe before our God for His beautiful creations which He created. He made all things ­ what God made is amazing, joyful, wonderful, marvellous, fabulous, phenomenal, astonishing and really true because it was through God's amazing handiwork that we see such beauty, and we praise the Lord for that.

I am interacting with whoever I can. I do meet a group of United Church of Zambia members at a nearby School for Bible Study every Wednesday. Their pastor was amazed at the level of understanding that I have. He later asked to know more about the Christadelphians and wants to do a Bible Course: I will pass on his name to C.B.M.

Also Bro. Mwale, Bro. Chrivions and I have started street preaching. We want to see what the Lord can do for us. I suggested we had a radio programme teaching once every week to teach our Faith. I emailed Bro. Andrew Walker about it and he said he would support me. He has sent 300 copies of the leaflet, `The Bible, the Most Important Message in the World.' These, together with the ones you have sent me are ideal for giving out in the streets.

--Bro. Gideon Hankomone

MUZOKA

I was very happy to receive the current Gospel News and to see the improvements which you have made to it. For the last eight months I have been taking TB treatment, and I thank God I am now feeling well.

I should be happy if you could send some New Testament Bibles to me and the family, including the contacts that I had recommended for these New Testament Bibles.

--Bro Joseph Mulawo

NDOLA

I am well, as the Lord is with me, but I am not able to get work.

Religion is a system of belief and worship of a Divine being. Judah's religion had deteriorated as they were worshipping false gods and consequently their religion was vain and useless, and unless they turned again to the Lord they would be severely punished as Jeremiah 7:3-7 says: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: `Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these." `For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt;

MICHELO

Michelo Sunday School then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers for ever and ever.'

Following false religion is evil and we must ensure we ourselves are striving to serve the Lord and that our minds are always full of God's Word.

--Bro. Harris Mulongesha

Kneeling right, Bro. Harris, Bible student, Bro. Charles. Standing, right, Bro. Joseph, Bro. Oliver and some Bible students.

Bro. Nelson Bwalya, Bro. Oliver, Bro. Charles, student and Bro. Harris

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

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