When we look at satellite images, we see Africa as a dark expanse with only minute dots of light revealing its larger cities. For centuries, Africa has had a reputation as a mysterious, dangerous place, as we can see from its now-outdated nickname the “Dark Continent.” A vital part of our Church commission is to be “lights” to a spiritually dark world—and this is certainly true in Africa, where God’s people are shining bright and the Gospel message is going out powerfully.
In June 2019, six Tomorrow’s World Presentations and Bible Studies were successfully conducted in Zimbabwe and Zambia. After weather-delayed flights, I finally arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, late in the afternoon on June 14. To my surprise, I arrived without my luggage, which was stuck somewhere in transit at the Johannesburg airport. Thankfully, I had my Bible, laptop bag, and TWP notes with me, so the Tomorrow’s World Presentation went ahead smoothly the next day—except that I was dressed not in my best clothes, but in my only clothes!
Nevertheless, this was a wonderful opportunity to bring a message of hope to the 24 people in attendance (eight LCG members and 16 visitors). During the first session I spoke about “What’s Ahead for Zimbabwe and the World?,” and after a tea break, I covered the topic of “What Happened to the Church that Christ Founded?”
Among the attendees was a local pastor from a mainstream church who brought up a number of questions, which we discussed—and he surely left with a lot of homework to do! Also among the visitors were some who had attended our TWPs the year before, and it was encouraging to witness their growth in understanding. Others had travelled nearly four hours to get there, despite the fuel and cash shortages in the country.
At the time of this writing, the political and financial situation in Zimbabwe remains critical, with shortages not only in fuel and cash, but also in food supplies. There are regular power cuts and rising inflation. Many citizens have lost hope that their situation will ever improve. During the TWPs, the causes of the current issues, as well as the solution, were highlighted. God’s word describes the hope of a bright future filled with peace, prosperity, and real lasting success for those who will obey Him. It is this hope of His coming Kingdom that our members are holding onto. It is the only hope, as man’s government cannot and will not bring the solutions; without the addition of God’s Holy Spirit, man cannot submit to God, nor solve human problems and evils that are of a spiritual nature.
On June 16, I gave two TWPs in Lusaka, Zambia. The TWPs in Lusaka had a total attendance of 21 people (eleven LCG members and ten visitors). Initially, I had planned to travel by bus to visit members in another city, but they decided to travel to Lusaka instead so that they could fellowship with members they don’t get to see very often. We made good use of the days that we spent together, with counselling sessions from early morning until late in the evening, as there is no local minister based in Zambia. My journey then continued by bus to the Copperbelt area in the northern part of Zambia, where I gave another two Bible Studies to seven members in Kitwe on Saturday, June 22. One of our members from Lubumbashi, Congo, travelled to Kitwe to attend these Bible Studies and was very excited to meet other brethren.
It was a wonderful privilege to again visit our members and meet new people in these two countries, as well as to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, the true name of Jesus Christ, the end-time prophecies, and the Ezekiel warning. It was also an opportunity to feed the flock and help build our members to the stature of Jesus Christ as best we can.
It is inspiring to see that our scattered brethren are holding fast, as well as God’s faithfulness to provide and care for His people. This is evidence of the power of God’s Spirit nourishing those who are attached to the spiritual Vine: “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8). May God’s Kingdom come soon, when the spiritual darkness will be removed across the globe and the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ will shine on all.