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News from Tanzania
MBEYA | Bro James A Mwangomo
I write to acknowledge receipt of the two
parcels of the New Testaments with commen-
taries in Kiswahili. I failed to write to you
immediately due to the fact that I had been in
financial trouble when the heavy rainfall in
our district swept away all the crops we
depend upon and left us wandering from one
place to the other looking for the means to
make ends meet. Although I am not yet settled
as the matters are not yet solved I am forced
to thank you for these precious books. Zomba
members were very happy to receive them
and immediately contributed some money for
storage charges of the Post Office. After a
week I made an arrangement of distributing
some to our nearby ecclesias:-
Mwajelwa Ecclesia – 4 copies
Wanga Ecclesia – 4 copies
Ilysle Ecclesia – 4 copies
Igale Ecclesia – 4 copies
Mlowo Ecclesia – 8 copies
The remainder were given to Ilomba members
and 8 copies remained for our library.
News from Uganda
BUSIA | Bro Mangeni Rogers
Mark 1:14. John the Baptist was imprisoned.
Mark 6:11-29 gives us the full events that
led to the death of John. It is recorded that
King Herod had committed adultery with
his brother Philip’s wife. Mark 6:17. John the
Baptist was a prophet of miraculous capabili-
ties who would not
see evil and keep
silent. He therefore
condemned the
adulterous act and
warned King Herod to
end the relationship.
John the Baptist’s
act did not please
Herodias. She there-
fore wanted John to
be arrested. Herodias
then convinced King
Herod to kill John.
King Herod had a lot of fear and respect for
John, Mark 6:20. Herod just put him in prison
to protect him. Mark 6:21 informs us that King
Herod celebrated his birthday with a party and
invited a number of important guests. They
were served with wine and food stuff and
properly entertained.
The daughter of Herodias came in and danced
which pleased Herod and his dinner guests,
Mark 6:23. King Herod was so proud that he
promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask
I will give you up to the half of my Kingdom.”
v.23. Then the girl went to her mother
Herodias who told her to ask for the head of
John the Baptist. Then the daughter of
Herodias took her mother’s advice and told
King Herod “I want
you to give me right
now the head of John
the Baptist on a
platter!” v.25.
Herod was greatly
distressed but be-
cause of his oath and
his dinner guests he
immediately sent
an executioner with
orders to bring John’s
head. The man went
and beheaded John in
prison, v.27. The guard soon returned with the
head of John the Baptist on the dish. He
handed it over to the girl who in turn handed
it to her mother, v.28. Then the disciples of
John came and took his body and laid it in the
tomb, v.29.
So we should stand in truth just like John the
Baptist did. Death is not the end of human life
for true believers. There is the life after
death. So we should call on the help of God.