NEWS FROM ZAMBIA
CHINSALI
I am so happy that the Lord called me to hear the Truth. I obeyed it in baptism on August 20th 1998. I thank God for all brothers who shared the Truth with me. We are working locally, and out of our zone, to forward the work of the Truth while we wait for the coming of our Lord.
I am the secretary of, Chinsali. We need more Bibles and Bible Basics, as we now number 18 brethren.
My faith is not the way it was before I started reading Gospel News now I am bright in the Lord. My prayer for all Christadelphians is that they will continue to be faithful. To such a community of brethren of Christ, God has promised endless glories in His Kingdom. We continue to love the Truth unconditionally, following Christ and observing His commands: Breaking Bread and taking wine, preaching and baptizing, and continuing in prayer. (Acts 2:42).
--Bro. Edward Mutale
Left is Bro. Edward Mutale with members of the ecclesia.
It's a pleasure to let you know that we would like to have 10 copies of the whole Bible, for our members and students who are about to be baptized. I would also like to inform you that I am very much interested to receive the Gospel News; also a copy for Bro. Isaac Mphasa Sibale, who is also a member of the above-mentioned Ecclesia.
--Bro. Brighton Chiluba
KABOMPO
We are requesting 30 copies of the NEV Bible for Kabompo Ecclesia, for use in preaching and distributing to those who have no
Bibles, or Bible students to be baptiZed.
Recently Bro. Denis Kombe and Bro. Silas Chishimba came to Kabompo from Ndola and Kitwe respectively on a joint visit to baptiZe two Bible students, Srs. Patricia Makina and Jessy Kutoha. We expect to baptise five more Bible students soon.
Please pray for the Kabompo Ecclesia that we may be given strength to intensify preaching and resources to embark on the construction of an ecclesial hall this year. We have paid K600,000 for application forms, for plot interviews and have successfully been interviewed. We have been told to pay K10 million {Kwacha (£1,184)} in order for the council to allocate us with a plot number in Kabompo town. We are eager to mould bricks, burn and ferry them to the site, God willing, in May, June and July to start the actual construction of the Ecclesial hall.
The number of Bible students is rising as more people in Kabompo are understanding the truth, and leaving wrong doctrines. So we need your help this year in sending to us literature, especially information on the signs of the times, doctrinal information and other literature. Bro. Denis Kombe has sent us a standard building plan. We shall, God willing, bake 3,000 bricks and start construction by the end of this year.
We are sure that many people in Zambia like going to church halls and this will help us more in preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, although not at all forsaking door-to- door preaching and the preaching through our way of life towards the outsiders.
--Bro. Reuben Musole Kaambeu
KABWE
I will be happy to continue receiving Gospel News and also glad to receive other literature. It is true, brother, like soldiers going to the battle in war, who have first to prepare themselves, it is the same for us Christians we need to redouble our efforts to prepare ourselves for the return of our Master, Jesus Christ.
More people are returning to the Word of God, although some are not in the Truth; of course more have come to realize that the end of the world is near because of the things which are happening. These are amazing things and this is the time, as Christians we must seriously proclaim the Word of God to non-believers, by helping them urgently to turn to the Lord so that they can be saved from eternal death.
--Bro. Greenwell Kunda
Bro. Greenwell Kunda
KAFUE
I was so happy to receive the NEV Bibles, Gospel News, plus supplementary materials a few Notes on some events which clearly make us aware of the likeliness of the Master's return.It's good to reach out, and this is quite evident through your untiring work which we, too, endeavour to support by whatever little correspondence we send in for Gospel News. Let's all pray for new projects for His work, and I assure you there are indeed many things coming our way, which we should not ignore.
--Bro. Wilfred Chibomba
KAFUE
I could see the smiling faces of brethren and some Bible students when I was giving out the NEV Bibles. The comment I got was, "This is the one" a very helpful, well designed Bible. It is very good for our student, who has been asking so
many questions, who has now refrained and says, "my question has already been answered by the commentary they have put down there". It has been made possible for many brethren and sisters to have Bibles of their own, not only these, even some of our very committed Bible students will soon be buried in water, dying with our absent Lord and being raised to newness of life. Thus they have helped many to have knowledge of the coming Kingdom. We have eight committed Bible students at the moment, and nine brethren who are able to read the English language
--Bro. Kelly Simayumbula
Bro. Oscar Chikobela and Sis. Chipego Muchango at their wedding on 27.09.11. at Simutete Hall in Kalomo.
Bre., from left, Haggai, Coasta Kanembe and Oscar Chikobela packing mud bricks for the construction of their Ecclesial Hall at Daphan Ecclesia.
Kalomo Sunday School
KALOMO
I would like to share with others who have the wrong interpretation of the `second coming of Christ,' because some, especially in Africa, believe that Christ is coming to get and take believers to live with him forever in heaven. The statement of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 must not confuse and make us ignorant of the Word. Paul was using a kind of figurative expression to comfort those who seek the Lord.
I was sharing a Bible talk one afternoon on a preaching `outreach' topic on `the second coming of Christ', when I met with someone who said, `It is a waste of time to worship if we're to remain on earth and not go into heaven.' The Bible clearly says believers `shall reign on
the earth' (Rev.5:10) not in heaven. Another passage of Scripture which reveals that the dominion will be `under heaven' is Daniel 7:27.
--Bro. Bargley Muleya
Bro. Muleya on a preaching outreach
Kalomo Sunday School: left to right Twine sister, Dorica and Dolice; Sigma; Sydney; Anner; Monde and Steve.
KAPIRI MPOSHI
All along I have been longing to receive the `Gospel News,' but I had no proper address, until of late. Kindly put me on the list of those to receive the magazine. I joined the Christadelphian family in August 1999. I live in isolation, but meet with brothers and sisters once in a while when I am able to pay for transport. My wife, who is also a Sister, and I are 28 Kms away from Kapiri Mposhi Ecclesia. Could you possibly send me a copy of `Wrested Scriptures,' as it will be a helpful book for us.
--Bro. Austen Mwaka
Thank you for the last parcel you sent to me for our Sunday School children. New Testaments which are very interesting and useful for the children to learn about and know the true God. The enclosed books and papers with Bible stories are also very helpful to us.
I have received the five Bibles which are very interesting, for the words are big to read, even for older people. In addition to these copies, could you please send seven more. It is very important to thank those well-wishers, those contributing to making it possible to print `Gospel News' worldwide as it is this magazine that helps to encourage us and enable more people to come to learn the Truth and receive rewards from our Lord when he comes.
--Bro. Chisosa Ostine
Kapirimposhi Sunday School
KAZEMBE
I am very pleased to let you know that I received Gos- pel News for December 2011. I am presently the Ec- clesial Secretary at Kasumpa, with eleven members as follows: Brothers John Kasanda, Harry Manda, Benson Mupini, Bernard Kabwe, James Kambobe, Bernard Musonda; Sisters Elizabeth Kasanda, Christine Mu- sonda, Josephine Kambobe and Judith Kaniki. Some are able to read and write, but speech can be a draw- back. They have expressed their wish to receive the new Bibles with an abridged version of Bible Basics.
--Bro. Vincent Moses Mwense
KITWE
I received the NEV Bible with both my hands and with one heart. I now say, thank you so much from the core of my heart. The edition is truly a masterpiece, a very handy insight for the labourer in the Master's vineyard in preaching and witnessing work. The inclusion of Bible Basics, the Bible Companion and of course the commentary, verify the excellence. Congratulations to Carelink Ministries.
--Bro. Elvin Muntemba
It is very encouraging, through Gospel News, to read about God's word from brothers and sisters around the world. Furthermore, I appeal to you to send me 5 copies of the NEV for 5 contacts who are interested in studying the Word of God.
--Bro. Robert Miwele Mpondo
From left to right: Bre. Katongo.. Simumba, Nkweto, Muntemba,
Bro. Kombe, Miwele, Changwe. Front: Bro. Simbao and a
Bro. from Chililabombare. (Robert Miwele, Zambia)
This letter is to inform you that I have moved from Kasaka Ecclesia, Kafue, and am now with Kitwe Ecclesia. Since leaving Kasaka all correspondence has been cut off. This calling is personal, and since it is, I have to advance spiritually on a personal basis: I can ask you to forge ahead with me spiritually, but if you don't want to, you remain, because salvation is personal. Preaching the Word of God is also personal, since it is a personal call. Some brethren travel long distances, risking their lives to preach the gospel to thirsty people, using their resources. But `us' here, since it is a group calling, need to do preaching in a group as if afraid of the unknown, and we think that in a group we feel safe. But salvation is one by one not as a group. Yes, if maybe one is not matured enough spiritually, he needs someone to teach him how to go about it, as an eagle teaching its young to fly, and is then left on its own. So the materials that we receive, plus our daily Bible readings, strengthen us spiritually, and one can `fight a good fight' to achieve the spiritual goal.
But Jesus commissioned us to go out and preach, not preach to our brothers and sisters on Sunday assemblies only I know and have seen that they are good speakers but to leave this and go out into the wilderness and search for the lost sheep and, if found, bring it joyfully in from the wilderness. But who can volunteer, using his resources and energy, that our God has given him? I personally am seriously in need of going out to preach, but lack `material.' Since moving from Kasaka Ecclesia to Kitwe Ecclesia, I have been asking if the Ecclesia has any leaflets as aids for preaching the gospel, but to no avail. Therefore, brother, I request personally from you, if you can send to me 10 Bible Basis, leaflets in great number, Sunday School books and teaching aids, as well as 4 New Testament Bibles and a full Bible for my own use. I hope our God of Israel will bless this request.
--Bro. Phillip Chilambwe
LIVINGSTONE
The NEV Bible will go a long way in spreading the Word of God the world over. There are still some people who cannot afford to buy one, especially
here in Africa where poverty levels are very high. This will enable some to have a Bible of their own.
As secretary of the Livingstone ecclesia, I hereby request six Bibles, as we have six students who congregate with us regularly and who are able to read English very well.
--Bro. Likando Ilishebo
LUSAKA
We are happy to inform you that our ecclesia is growing; eight members, one brother and seven sisters were baptised in 2011 and four Bible students are enlisted for the 40 lesson Bible course, none of them has a Bible. We are also requesting 12 Bibles, eight for newly baptised members and three for the Bible students. We hope and pray to enlist more Bible students and we will be informing you accordingly should the need for a few more Bibles arise. We hope to hear from you soon.
--Bro. Francis C. Mukabe
MANDONA
I received your note in the `Gospel News' sent to those who receive the magazine. Please do continue sending it to me as it gives me a lot of knowledge when I read and see pictures of brethren worldwide. I find the magazine to be very educative, so please don't stop.
The ecclesia at present has four members, with one student to receive baptism in April, God Willing, therefore I request five newly printed Bibles plus three for our ecclesial library and I live near a school, Lameck Basic School, which has two interested teachers and a school library, so if you can support this order, with God's blessings, I shall be very glad.
--Bro. Charles Kangwa
Please, we need about 10 copies of Bible Basics in Bemba, and we look forward to receiving these.
--Bro. Isaiah Mumba
MARAMBA
I much appreciate your kindness in sending me Gospel News and other material.
Please continue with this spirit of love and dedication for the work of the Lord Jesus.
In the Old Testament, oil is shown as a means of worship, purification and healing, and as a symbol of comfort, joy, peace and light. When Paul wrote to the Galatians of the fruit of the spirit, he showed them as `love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.' So oil is representative of the spirit of service to others, for it is only in relation to other people that these virtues make sense. They are Godlike virtues manifested in their perfection in the life of Jesus, and we have to be transformed into his image.
--Bro. Caphes Sikanyika
Sitting frm the right is Breo. Alexses Mbwende, Ilishebo
Likando, Caphes Sikanyika, and Sister Gertrude's families.
MAZABUKA
The NEV is easy to read and more explanatory notes from the bible basics makes it extraordinary. I guess this will be a useful tool to all those serious students approaching baptism and for those among the brotherhood who can read English and don't have a Bible.
May God bless all those who contributed to the printing of the NEV. It's easy to read and includes a commentary to help the reader for further references.
As the acting Secretary of our small ecclesia, I think we would first request 20 copies of the NEV
Bibles for our brothers and sisters who are without their own Bibles, and those serious contacts we have. Concerning contacts, I think it helps to loan them for a certain period of time, unless they prove to be diligent with their lessons. This is just my own suggestion, to keep these Bibles for future use, for example, in Bible studies.
It's worrying when we look around the world. The signs of Christ's return are all over the place. Although the U.K. for example seems alright at the moment, there are financial difficulties, especially with the problems in the European Union, as there are countries like Greece, which have no money. This is the time to `lift up our heads' and look for our redemption with prayer and supplications.
It is for this reason, brother, that we must continue to commit our lives to God to the One who created everything, - and to model our lives on the men and women of the Bible, those `of whom the world was not worthy' (Hebrews 11:38).
I was very thrilled when we read in Zechariah 12, that great prophet of the restoration, (v.3), "And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for the people." What a wonderful hope we have, for these things surely speak of the time of our hope of immortality and of righteousness filling this sad world: "Come, Lord Jesus."
--Bro. Gideon Hankomone
Brother Gideon and I are working together in field ministries and am very impressed with the people's response. This encourages me to make preaching and Bible teaching to be my life time-duty. I am therefore appealing to you for help in this work. I formed a group called `Youths in Action' (YIA) with the aim of preaching in streets, schools and many other places. We will also be visiting old people to help them with their household work. Therefore, we are asking for Gospel materials to assist this work old or new are all welcome.
--Bro. Chrivious Chimuka
MICHELO
I and the whole Ecclesia are fine. I am happy to announce that last year we baptized two new members, Bro. Liven Sikabuli and Sis Seviour Sikabuli now we have 22 baptized members here at Michelo Ecclesia.
We still wish to receive the Gospel News magazine: we are grateful to have received a parcel of interesting Scripture literature from you. It was good to read the magazine. We pray that God will be in the midst to bless everything, and so we hope to receive more copies soon. May God be with you all.
--Bro. Ackim Sikabuli
Bro. Ackim Sikabuli
Bro. Winnester Sikabuli
MUFULIRA
Bro. Dennis Kombe of Ndola Ecclesia, came and baptized three members for us, Bro Jackson Katwamba with the red shorts, then Bro Musonda
Chilufya with a white T-shirt, next to him Bro Stanley Mumba
Mufulira Ecclesia: Left to Right: Sis. Grace Chipata, Bro. Musanda
Mbewg, Sis. Loveness Chileshe, Sis. Catheline Daka, Sis. Silvial
Mumba, Sis. Jane Bwalya. Kneeling: Bro. Kasongo Lameck
We are looking and waiting for our Lord and pray that this is indeed the `time of trouble' which will bring His return, and please God, our salvation.
--Bro. Fred Mumba
NCHELENGE
It is my privilege and humble time of writing to you now. I, my wife, my children and the rest of the ecclesia are all fine. I have been directed by our ecclesial committee to write to you saying that we require 4 English NEV Bibles. These will be given out to our four brothers baptized last year who do not have an
English Bible, they are eligible to use them.
--Bro. Evans Mwansa
NDOLA
Thank you very much for sending me the wonderful gift of the Holy Bible, just received. It is indeed very pleasing to note that at last the Christadelphians have come up with an in-house written Word of God with additional explanatory notes in line with our doctrinal beliefs. Ndola ecclesia requests 20 copies through our secretary, Bro. Jonathan Simumba, P.O. Box 72313, Ndola.
--Bro. Dennis C. Kombe
