NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE
BULAWAYO
Greetings to you in the hope we share. Many thanks for the letters and the Gospel News.
Here in our country it's hot, the later rains are not to be found and the crops are in a bad condition.
It was good to know that the full Bible has just been printed. We thank our Heavenly Father for that. We look forward to having a glimpse of it.
--Bro. Ambrose Tanyepana
CHINHOYI
We are happy to have brothers who can encourage others to enjoy the word of God. I am happy to receive more literature from you, it makes me strong. Every day I read something from you and I am a happy man to be encouraged by all the information sent to us.
As a small ecclesia, I am requesting at least six full Bibles for members and students. The footnotes are very good and I am encouraged that many people can understand some verses very well after going through these.
`The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.' (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10. God is our real life, in Him we live and move and have our being. Learning to enjoy God will release us to enjoy every single
day of our life. Enjoy fellowship with Him. God is concerned about anything that concerns us, and the Bible says that God will perfect what concerns us. He is working in our life at all times, bringing us into His will more completely.
We should have fear of God, but don't be afraid of God in a wrong way. This means we should respect Him and know that He is all-powerful and means what He says. But we should never be afraid that God gets angry every time we fail to be perfect. God is merciful and slow to anger. He is longsuffering and He knows our frame and understands our weaknesses.
Most of us have many things in our life and personality that needs to be changed and God will change them. But the good news is you can enjoy God and enjoy your life while He is doing it. The life we have right now may not be the one we want to end up with, but it is the only one we have at the present time. So we need to start enjoying it find the good things in it. Learn to see the good in everything. Enjoy our family and friends. Don't pick them apart and stay busy trying to change them: pray for them and let God do the changing.
Enjoy your work, enjoy your home, and enjoy ordinary, everyday life. Keep your eyes on God, not on everything that is wrong with our life, your family and the world. God has a good plan for us and He is already starting to work it out. We can rejoice ahead of time, looking forward to the good things to come.
Most people live like they cannot enjoy life as long as they have any kind of problems, but that is wrong thinking. Don't dwell on the mistakes or regrets of the past. Continue to think about the great future you have through Jesus Christ.
I have learned to enjoy where I am, while I am in the way to where I am going, and I strongly urge you to do the same. There is much for God to do in our life, like babies must grow into adults, and Christians must also grow. It is a process that often takes longer than we want it to. We should admit our failures and ask for forgiveness for our sins, being willing to learn from them. If we will do this, God will do the rest. You have stepped out into a new way of living, and I believe you will never be sorry. Enjoy God, enjoy yourself and enjoy the future life Jesus died to give you.
--Sis Gift Lungu
Thank you for this very important notice and news: I am so happy that at last we are going to have a full Bible, written according to God's word, not human doctrines. Yes, we are not re- writing the Bible but simply adding some pages of Bible Basics to help us understand it better. I shall be so glad if you will include me, plus my two students among those to receive copies of the NEV. Bible. My students have completed the 40-lesson course and are awaiting baptism. We stay very far away from town, so are in isolation.
--Bro. Benjamin Makuti
CHIPINGE
We are growing maize in our field and we are looking at a good harvest: this does not mean all farmers will have the same harvest. This year we want to change our farming pattern, as we want to reintroduce piggery and expand our poultry production and backyard rabbits. We have also ventured into Cademia, at present we have 63 plants.
We are very much looking forward to the return of Christ, but we shouldn't forget our Scriptures which say, `The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance' (2 Pet.3:9). For me, the delay means we must prepare ourselves to make sure that we are fuelling our lamps to keep them burning. This can be done through initiating preaching programmes to reach other people outside our fellowship, as well as introducing programmes at an Ecclesial level which will encourage brethren and sisters to grow spiritually and maintain a high standard of doctrine and practice.
Sis. Evelyn, my wife, was very ill and she was said to have ulcers: she was given treatment. So
I am the only one working at the farm, leaving me with very little time to do other things.
In December at our business meeting, we agreed that we should at least have four books written by Christadelphians, and we must read and exchange them with one another. These are:
1. Phanerosis and other writings by John Thomas
2. Come and See the Gospel of John, by David Nightingale
3. The Real Devil, by Duncan Heaster
4. The Law of Moses, by Robert Roberts.
--Bro. Moses Dhlakama
CHIVI
We are requesting a new Bible for Chivi Ecclesia. We also thank our Heavenly Father for the good work C.A.T is doing.
--Bro. Isaac Ngaro
During reading the book of Job, I have learnt that Job was a `perfect' man whose moral integrity was recognized by God (Job 1:1). Yet he suffered greatly. The theological perspective of both Job and the friends seemed to lead them to feel that suffering was a direct response to sin, and blessing was therefore proportionate to righteousness. This was not understanding what God wants from us. The more we come near God, the more God tests our faith.
Approach your Bible reading session in a prayerful and focused frame of mind. Value what you learn.Set attainable goals for yourself. Look for new ways to study the Scriptures. Visualize Bible accounts. Devote time to difficult Scriptures and the explanations of them, so that you understand them clearly.Avoid rushing through the material.Develop a greater longing for God's Word.Finally, meditate on Scriptural passages.
--Bro. Dzingai Sumburera
GURUVE
We do have eleven students on the U.K. course, and nine on oral lessons, none of these do not have Bibles. We would also require another five Bibles for visitors who might attend our services. After the service they would leave the Bibles at the ecclesial hall..
Cell-phones are now being used' as the Network machine was opened on 15 January 2012. To those with phones communication has become much easier. It was very hard for us, the Guruve C.B.M. brothers and sisters, to communicate with other C.B.M. members in Zimbabwe, but right now I can borrow a phone from anyone, providing I pay him US$1.00 for air-time, as I do not have my own cell-phone.
--Bro. Nice Yotamu
HARARE
Everyone in our ecclesia is appreciating the good work of spreading the good news worldwide. We also pray for you. Let us look at Acts 28:31 and Ephesians 6:19. You have instilled knowledge in us also. Let us look at Proverbs 24:3-5.
I have shown the Bible to our ecclesial members and those on the 40 lesson course and so many liked it. So far 20 of them have requested them and also if possible add some more so that when visitors come they will have Bibles to read, rather than sharing.
--Bro. Johannes John
I have moved from Belvedere to Milton Park because of conditions of work.
I thank God for what He is doing in my life. I also thank God for CAT, because through reading the material you send me I learnt to understand the Word, and now I can more practically do what it tells me. And it increases my faith when I am doing this.
I have experienced many achievements since the time I started this. Now I'm looking toward running my own business or let me say, I've already started it. As the Word of God says, `all things are possible.'
--Bro. Calvin Chitano
KARIBA
Thank you so much for sending us a sample copy of the whole Bible. May the Lord our God
bless this wonderful work. We have three new contacts who have just started doing lessons, and are attending our Sunday services regularly, but our ecclesia no longer has extra Bibles to give. It would be helpful if you could send us three copies. I am convinced that sooner or later these contacts will be added to our number.
On the Gospel News magazines, oh yes, I would like to continue receiving them. I won't allow myself to miss the good and wonderful news from brethren and sisters all over the world.
--Bro. Witness Majecha
KAROI
I am a regular Gospel News reader, but the magazine has ceased to reach me. Would you please send, or resume sending it to me as before. The magazine is important to me as it keeps me in touch with the whole Christadelphian community.
I am in isolation and sometimes I ask whether I am still in Christ, but I am revived by reading what others think and do in isolation. Read and pray to the Lord our God thanks be given to the Almighty for keeping us informed and educated about the coming of Jesus.
Let's thank God for calling us into His splendid house, for in darkness we have been, when we knew not the true God. Say `hello' to the given light. Fight tirelessly the darkness that surrounds us, seeking to devour our given light. Pray God to strengthen you all.
The days we live in are full of temptation. Many of the sheep of the fold have fallen out and turned to the hyenas in sheeps' clothes, with their sweet tongues and alms to fill their bellies. The lustful hearts of individual members in the Christian family have destroyed the once worked-for faith. Remember to work only for faith that will remain at the end of the day.
--Bro. Steven Tedza
MAGUNJE
I was very glad and I thank you so much for sending me the NEV Bible, with commentary on each page. It is so nice to look at, open and easy to read every chapter with understanding. My prayer is for the Lord to continue blessing this work.
I am very strong in my preaching effort and there is no-one here to contend with my doctrine experience, as I am doing the work boldly, without fear. The work is very great in this corner of the vineyard. I have more people coming to hear the gospel whom I am helping to know `Bible Basics' and difficult passages of the Bible.
This year, 2012, I am gathering some people who have been taught error by other sects, and am teaching them true Bible doctrine, as many here are based on the Old Testament. Some students don't understand English well: six do, understand English, but they don't have their own Bibles.
Criticism and jealousy are always against our good work I have experienced this for a long, long time. But God is for us, so we do go forward in every situation in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
My eyes are becoming sick to read some very small print without the help of reading spectacles is difficult. I am sending you a doctor's prescription for reading glasses, as my old ones have broken.
I am so happy seeing God's providence every day in my environment. In this last hour I am praying for all brothers and sisters to stand firm in the Word, as many are becoming faint or lost. I am enjoying reading Gospel News to all nations.
--Stanford Kuuzha
MATABISHA
I received the new Bibles that will give me power for preaching the Word of God. Romans 15:1-3 says `those who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbour for his good, building him up.' Even Jesus did not please himself.
Would you please give us six Bibles that is our request please.
--Bro. David Ngwenya
TONGOGARA
We are happy to receive the parcel of Gospel News and books which we like as they contain good building up messages of encouragement from our different brothers and sisters around the world. We also need other doctrinal literature. God has blessed His work here in the refugee camp as we have now grown to the total number of 15 Brethren and Sisters and some others still on lessons, so Bibles are needed especially for those that have not. We also need your prayers so that people around may continue to be thirsty for the truth so that they may learn to escape eternal death.
--Bro Pascal Nyongolo.
Togogara Refugee Ecclesia
TRIANGLE
I was very glad to receive some New Testaments and Bible Basics from you. Your supply has made our studies a bit easier now. All the ecclesia members have their own Bibles, except students. We are asking if you could please possibly supply 10 English Bibles and 10 Shona Bibles, as this will make our studies much easier.
As I am dealing with students from different places, it would be easier for me to visit them if I have a bike. Some are school pupils, and some are elders in different villages.
--Bro. Tavaremba Mugova
I would like to express my thoughts about the Christadelphian church: it is the church of Truth, because of the verses of the Bibles which we study every day and every Sunday. I would like to thank the brothers and sisters of Triangle ecclesia for coming to church every Sunday, and I would like to say I wish to receive my own Gospel News magazine in my name.
I am sorry that Bro. Kuvarega Mavuvo is not now in Triangle ecclesia, but in South Africa.
--Bro. Clyford Chingwara
I received a pack of Bibles you have sent and I was very pleased to have them. I will try my best to distribute the Bibles to other brothers and sisters of Triangle Ecclesia. Some of them have their own Bibles already, so I will give to those without English Bibles, and the remaining ones will be used for Bible study at our local secondary school. As I have already mentioned about school pupils willing to commence the 40-lesson course, it's now my duty to contact them regularly at school.
If God blesses me for my ambition, I want to raise a big gathering here at Nyikavanhu, as it seems more and more people are willing to join us.
--Bro. Tavaremba Mugova
ZAKA
God willing, will you please send us five complete Bibles for members in Zaka. This will help us to uplift ourselves and others in our area, especially with the help of the Bible footnotes.
In Zimbabwe rain is moderate, but we are only managing to get `D' fertilizers, as `A.N.' is being hidden. Whenever we manage to come across `A.N.' it is too expensive. You buy it at US$40, not including transport. Crops now need topping if not, this year we shall face hunger again. Please pray for us, for God to pour on us His grace. This reminds me of Matt.10:21-26, 28-33.
Brethren and sisters, think of the signs of the times. The Lord Jesus is almost here. As we are baptised into Jesus' death and resurrection to a new life in him, do you know that we are married to God's
Son? God would never like to divorce us, but we are, in effect, divorcing ourselves from Jesus in deeds and works if we sin. Isaiah 54:6; 1 Cor. 7:10: The command we are given, "A wife must not separate from her husband." If we separate ourselves from God or Jesus, where will we be when Jesus comes to establish his Kingdom here on earth? Will we be in everlasting life, or everlasting death? Let us select the good.
--Bro. Svuure Faustino
ZVISHAVANE
I thank the Almighty God for yet another milestone you have embarked on after the publication of `Gospel News', the New Testament Bible and now the complete Bible, all in all for one purpose of spreading the gospel unto the uttermost parts of the world. It gives me great joy to know that out there are brethren who think of others before themselves. Most of us the world over are living under very pathetic conditions and as one family we can contribute
A FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY
In Florida, an atheist created a case against Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"
The lawyer immediately stood and objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays..."
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counselor, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said," Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fool's Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'
Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned..."
You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture to this work through prayers. The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, but it is only God who provides upon our request.
My brothers you are not alone in the field, let us keep on journeying together. From time immemorial God is calling for mankind to repent. As we wait for the return of our Master we must be doing his job, resources may limit but it is not a barrier. We need to study the Word of God so much that we may not be destroyed for lack of knowledge.
I am the secretary for this ecclesia and I request you to send me five Bibles for our students on the 40 lesson Bible course. I have gone through some chapters of the NEV Bible and its English is simple to read and understand. It is my prayer, if our Lord delays his return, that we may request the same Bible to be printed in our own languages for the benefit of our folk who are unable to read English.
--Bro. Sibangani Maka
The Gospel News
