Bible Translator Gunned Down by Islamic Rebels in Africa While Trying to Protect Family

A Bible translator working in the violently unstable country of the Central African Republic was gunned down and killed last week while attempting to transport his family to safety. The Central African Republic has been in a state of upheaval since the March 2013 coup led by Islamic rebel groups known as the Seleka.

Elisée Zama, a translator working for ACATBA, a partner organization of Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Central African country, was reportedly shot in the city of Bangui while attempting to transport relatives to safety at a hospital compound amid growing violence between locals and members of the Seleka.

The unpaid Islamic militia group overthrew President François Bozizé in March 2013, and since this overthrow the rebel group has continued to inflict violence in the form of looting and surprise attacks on locals, especially Christians in the towns of Bangui and Bossangoa. The violence has heightened in recent months as the Seleka attempt to stave off a counter-coup by Christian residents who have formed small fighting groups of their own in response to the rebel violence.

The Seleka have been especially targeting Christians, often times attacking villages in the middle of the night and looting homes while murdering residents with machetes. As the Telegraph notes, members of the Seleka can be seen throughout Bangui riding around on stolen motorbikes, which usually take about four years of savings to purchase.

The growing violence has caused many Christians in Bangui and other cities to seek refuge in large enclosures such as hospital compounds and airstrips to avoid attacks by the Seleka; Zama was on his way to the hospital compound with his family when he was shot last week. He is survived by his wife and three kids.

ACATBA released a statement saying Zama is the second translator they have lost due to the growing violence in recent months. "Within a two-month period, ACATBA is experiencing the loss of a second translator," the group said in a statement.

"This morning the fighting ceased, with the attackers having pulled back from the city. Now pillaging and executions are happening. Everyone is staying in their homes in fear of being the next victim. ... There is only the Lord on whom we can depend, thanks to your incessant prayers."

Larry Robbins, a coordinator with SIL, another Wycliffe affiliate, said in a statement that fighting has been so bad in recent days that many have sought refuge on the airstrip at Bangui's international airport. "Reprisals against Christians in particular in Bangui are of great concern," Robbins said. "There have been ... reprisals in certain neighborhoods of Bangui, resulting in thousands seeking refuge on the airstrip of the international airport."

Recently, the United Nations Security Council passed a mandate allowing French troops to enter the Central African Republic to restore order by "all measures necessary," including disarming militia groups. This decision came after the Red Cross announced that close to 400 people were killed after three days of fighting in Bangui.

Gospelvisiontz Blog Wishing You Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Crowning 2013 In Style Concert @ Word Alive Centre

Mchungaji Gwajima;Ndoto yangu lazima itimie.

Siku cha baada ya mchungaji Mchungaji Gwajima wa Kanisa la Ufufuo na Uzima kueleza tukio la kunyweshwa sumu kwa nia ya kufanya aharibike akili,ameibuka na kusema hawezi kufa hadi ndoto aliyo nayo juu ya Tanzania itimie,ikiwa ni pamoja  na mikikiti kugeuka kuwa madarasa ya Sunday Schools za watoto na Masheikh na Maimamu wakikimbia mbele ya msalaba wa Yesu Kristo.

Mchungaji Gwajima wa Kanisa la Ufufuo na Uzima

“Wewe leta sumu kama unavyoweza ,wewe leta majambazi,wewe leta wezi siwezi kufa mpaka ndoto yangu itimie ” alisema mchungaji Gwajima alipokuwa kanisani kwake Jijini Dar es salaam hivi karibuni.

Katika mahubiri hayo pia sehemu yake imewekwa katika tovuti ya Kanisa lake,Mchungaji Gwajima alisema katika ndoto yake haina budi kutimia kabla hajaondoka duniani aliona majeneza yakiletwa Nchini kwa ndege kwa ajili ya kufufuliwa.

Huku kila mara akilejea kibwagizo cha “Ninayo ndoto haijatimia bado ,” Mchungaji Gwajima alisema kuwa ameoneshwa kuwa Tanzania ikigeuka na kuwa Ufalme wa Mwanakondoo,huku ikiwa imefunikwa na utukufu wa Mungu huku ikiwa isivyo kawaida jambo litakalotimia kabla ya kifo chake.

“Muota ndoto hafi kabla ndoto yake haiatimia,Yusufu hakufa hadi ndoto yake ilipo timia,Farao hakufa hadi ndoto yake ilipotimia,ninayo ndoto haijatimia” alizidi kusema kwa ujasiri mkubwa na kuongeza:
Chombo cha Mungu hakiwezi kurudi mbinguni kabla hakija maliza kazi”

Mambo mengine mchungaji Gwajima aliyataja kuwa ni sehemu ya ndoto yake kuwa lazima yatimie kabla ya kufa kwake ni pamoja na ndoto aliyoota ikionesha kwahubiri kutoka Tanzania wakiichoma Tanzania kwa moto wa Mungu.

“Niliona wahubiri kutoka Tanzania wanainuka na kuichoma Dunia,niliona makaburi yanafunguka kwa jina la Bwana,” alisema.

Awali mchungaji Gwajima alisisitiza kwamba muda wake wa kufa bado kabisa haujafika kwasababu ya ndoto aliyo nayo juu ya taifa la Tanzania na kazi ya Mungu anayohitajika kuifanikisha.
“Lazima nitimize ,nimepewa uwezo wa kuanza na uwezo wa kumaliza”,Alimalizia kwa kusema I have a dream

Chanzo:Nyakati

Together in Worship Concert

Pope Francis Named TIME's 'Person of the Year'

The head of the Roman Catholic Church has been named TIME Magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2013.

 

In an announcement made by TIME on Wednesday morning, the Pontiff was given the honor for his impact on the global stage, stated TIME's managing editor Nancy Gibbs.

 

"He really stood out to us as someone who has changed the tone and the perception and the focus of one of the world's largest institutions in an extraordinary way," said Gibbs.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, spokesman for Vatican City, said in remarks to the media that the honor was not a surprise.

 

"The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors…But if the choice of Person of Year helps spread the message of the Gospel - a message of God's love for everyone - he will certainly be happy about that," said Lombardi, as reported by the AP.

 

Formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentinian clergyman was elected Pope in March after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, opted to resign over health issues.

Noted as being the first Pontiff to hail from Latin America, Francis was also noteworthy for being the first member of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, to become head of the Catholic Church.

 

Since becoming Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis has garnered many headlines for his remarks on issues like abortion, homosexuality, atheism and capitalism.

Photos of the Pontiff embracing a severely deformed man and washing the feet of female inmates have gone viral online.

 

Many have even spoken of a "Pope Francis Effect," wherein the Pontiff's apparent change of tone has led many disaffected Catholics, especially in Europe and Latin America, to return to their church home.

 

First done in 1927 and originally known as the "Man of the Year" award, TIME's annual honor goes to a person – good or bad – whom TIME's editorial leadership believes most impacted the news for the year. In 2012, President Barack Obama won the honor and in 2013 was on the list of the 10 finalists for consideration.

 

Others whom the Pontiff beat out for the honor were Syrian President Bashar Assad, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, gay rights activist Edith Windsor, NSA leaker Edward Snowden, and Health and Human Services Department head Kathleen Sebelius.

25TH Ya Kumbukumbu ya Ndoa ya Mtume Prosper Ntepa na Mchungaji Deborah Ntepa.

Mtume Prosper Ntepa na Mchungaji Deborah Ntepa ni waanzilishi wa Huduma ya The Oasis of Healing Ministries iliyopo Ubungo Jijini Dar es salaam nyuma ya Ubungo Plaza. Kwa muda sasa huduma yao imekuwa ya mafanikio katika kuihubiri Injili ya Yesu Kristo na kuwa msaada kwa watu wenye shida katika mafundisho na Ukombozi nchini Tanzania.

Mtume Prosper Ntepa amemuoa  Deborah Ntepa miaka 25 iliyopita hivyo kwa sasa akiwa ni mtenda kazi mwenzake katika huduma Bwana aliyompa ya Oasis of Healing Ministries.Katika Miaka yao ya ndoa Mungu amewabariki na watoto 4 wakike  (Alice, Angela, Faraja and Shaddai).

Mwaka huu Mtume Prosper Ntepa na Mchungaji Deborah Ntepa wanasherekea 25 ya Kumbukumbu ya Ndoa yao.

Uongozi mzima wa Blog na wadau wake tuna watakia Miaka Mingi yenye utosherevu na mafaniko katika Ndoa na Kumtumika Mungu.

                 

               

Mtume Onesmo Ndegi akiongea na Vijana katika Semina iliyoandaliwa Women of Voice Sinza

 

Ushuhuda wa Uponyaji.

Huu ushuhuda hapa chini umenigusa sana maana unaelezea jinsi ambavyo mtu alipokea muujiza wake sio mara moja bali katika mchakato wa kuijenga imani yake kwa mafundisho sahihi. Huu ushuhuda utakutia moyo sana pale unapoona hupokei muujiza mara moja. Huyu mpendwa alipokea muujiza wake sio kwa kuomba, wala kuombewa, wala kupitia karama za Roho Mtakatifu. Aliupokea muujiza wake kupitia huduma ya neno la Mungu kuyabadilisha maisha yake.

Hakika:
Hulituma neno lake, huwaponya, Huwatoa katika maangamizo yao. (ZAB. 107:20 SUV).

Kupitia ushuhuda huu binafsi nimeelewa vizuri maana ya hii mistari ifuatayo:

Nami nitapeleka mavu mbele yako, watakaomfukuza Mhivi, na Mkanaani, na Mhiti, watoke mbele yako. Sitawafukuza mbele yako katika mwaka mmoja; nchi isiwe ukiwa, na wanyama wa bara wakaongezeka kukusumbua. Nitawafukuza kidogo kidogo mbele yako, hata utakapoongezeka wewe, na kuirithi hiyo nchi. (KUT. 23:28-30 SUV).

Mungu ameahidi kuyaondoa matatizo, changamoto na shida zako lakini sio mara moja bali kidogo kidogo na kitakachoamua yanaondoka kwa kasi gani ni kasi yako wewe ya kuongezeka katika kumjua na kumwamini Mungu hasa kwa wale ambao wamehangaika sehemu nyingi na kwenye huduma nyingi kuombewa na hawaoni matokeo. Kuna issue zingine hazitaondoka mpaka imani yako iwe mahali pa kupokea toka kwa Mungu. Ona huu mfano toka katika neno la Mungu:

Na huko Listra palikuwa na mtu mmoja, dhaifu wa miguu, kiwete tangu tumboni mwa mamaye, ambaye hajaenda kabisa. Mtu huyo alimsikia Paulo alipokuwa akinena; ambaye akamkazia macho na kuona ya kuwa ana imani ya kuponywa, akasema kwa sauti kuu, Simama kwa miguu yako sawasawa. Akasimama upesi akaenda. (MDO 14:8-10 SUV).

Huyu ndugu hakupokea uponyaji wake mpaka alipoonekana ana imani ya kupona. Hatujui kama hili jambo lilitokea kwa ibada mmoja au kadhaa ila tunajua huu muujiza ulitegemea imani yake kufika mahali pa kupokea muujiza wake. Imani yetu hujengwa kwa kuyajua na kuyaelewa maandiko ya ahadi ya Mungu juu ya kile ambacho tunakitarajia toka kwa. Mungu lakini pia kupitia mahubiri na mafundisho sahihi ya neno la Mungu.

Soma sasa ushuhda huu. Kile Mungu ametenda kwa ajili ya huyu ndugu atatenda pia kwa ajili yako. Huyu ndugu ni baba wa yule mtoto ambaye tulisoma ushuhuda wake ambaye alikuwa ana tatizo kama hili. Soma na ubarikiwe.

HISTORIA YA TATIZO NA MASHARTI YA DAKTARI:

Miaka kadhaa iliyopita nilianza kuwa na shida ya mafua makali sana yanayoambatana na chafya za mfululizo kila nikiamka asubuhi, mwanzoni nilidhani ni tatizo la kawaida tu, baada ya mda mfupi shida ikawa kubwa Zaidi na ikawa inaongezeka kila kukicha. Yaani nilikuwa pua zinawasha sana nabanwa na flu kali inayoambatana na chafya nyingi mwanzoni ilikuwa ni alfajiri baadae ikawa ni muda wote, then shida ikaongezeka nikaanza kutoka vidonda puani kwa ndani kabisa ambavyo vilipelekea kuwa na maumivu kila nikipiga chafya na pia damu na usaha kutoka nilipokuwa napiga chafya au kupenga.
Ndipo nilipoamua kwenda hospitali kuangalia shida hii inasababishwa na nini, baada ya kufanya vipimo (allergy test) nikaonekana nina Allergy ya vitu vifuatavyo: Mayai (egg white), Samaki aina zote, vumbi hasa la ndani au lililogandia sehemu muda mrefu, na flower pollen. Daktari alisema shida hiyo iko kwa kiwango cha juu sana (>1000) kwa hiyo nilitakiwa kuanza sindano aina ya Diplofos za kila mwezi; nikamuuliza daktari sasa hii ni dozi ya miezi mingapi? Akaniambia ni ya maisha yako yote, ukichoma kwa mda mrefu wa kutosha huku ukijitahidi usikutane na hivyo vitu vinavyosababisa hii allergy basi unaweza kuacha kuchoma kila mwezi na ukawa unachoma wakati tu ukiona hali inabadilika. Baada ya kutoka kwa daktari nilisema mimi kama mtoto wa Mungu sipaswi kuishi maisha ya mateso ya aina hii, kwa hiyo haikunisumbua sana akili yangu ingawa nilianza kuchoma sindano hizo.
Mwanzoni sikuwa nafuata masharti kikamilifu, kwanza kabisa kwa kuwa nilikuwa napenda sana samaki niliendelea kula samaki kama kawaida (mayai nilipunguza kula kwa sababu sikuwa nayapenda sana ingawa sikuacha), lakini pia zile sindano nilikuwa sichomi kila mwezi, nilikuwa nachoma moja na mwezi ukiisha siendi tarehe husika nakuja kwenda nikizidiwa (labda wiki moja au mbili baadaye).
Tatizo linazidi kuwa serious na ninaanza kufuata masharti:
Baada ya miezi kadhaa ya kuendelea kuvunja masharti huku nachoma sindano, tatizo lilikuwa kubwa Zaidi, pamoja na mateso nimeeleza hapo juu, ilianza shida ingine ya macho kuwasha sana sana, na yakianza kuwasha siwezi kufanya kitu chochote, hii ilikuwa inatokea sana mida ya jioni. Ilikuwa yakianza kuwasha nitaenda chumbani na nitakaa nimeyafunika macho kwa mda mrefu kwa kitambaa kisafi au wakati mwingine kitambaa kilicholowekwa kwenye maji na baada ya mda mrefu yanatulia. Nilifikiri hii ni shida ingine haihusiani na Allergy, lakini nilipoenda TMJ hospital kwa daktari wa macho aliniambia hii shida inahusiana na allergy zile zile. Pia nilianza kutoka vijipu ndani puani, nakumbuka kuna wakati kilinitoka kijipu kikubwa kikapelekea kufanyiwa operation ndogo ya pua pale TMJ; pia ikawa kila ninapoanza kupiga chafya naumwa sana kichwa hasa sehemu ya nyuma karibia na shingo.
Baada ya matatizo haya kuongezeka sasa niliona hii imekuwa serious kuliko nilivyokuwa nadhani, nikaanza sasa kufuata masharti kikamilifu ikiwa ni pamoja na kuacha kabisa kula samaki na mayai na kujitahidi kuepukana na vumbi ingawa haikuwa rahisi kuepukana na vumbi. Nilichoma hizi sindano kwa muda wa mwaka mzima lakini nilipoenda kucheki ilionekana bado nina allergy nyingi sana kwa hiyo niendelee na sindano na masharti.

JINSI NILIVYOPATA KUPONA:

Ilipita kama miaka miwili hivi bila unafuu ingawa nilikuwa naendelea kufuata masharti. Kama mtu anayemjua Mungu nilikuwa najua wazi na kuamini bila mashaka kuhusu uponyaji wa Mungu, pia nilikuwa naamini sio mpango wa Mungu niishi na tatizo hilo maisha yangu yote, hiyo ilinisaidia sana kutokuwa na wasiwasi lakini kwa upande mwingine sikuwa nimefanya uamuzi wa kuiandaa Imani yangu na kujilisha kiusahihi ili Imani ndani yangu izae matokeo ambayo kwa hakika nilikuwa najua ndio kusudi la Mungu na kwa sababu hiyo niliendelea kuteseka pamoja na kuwa na ujuzi huo. Katikati ya tatizo hilo nilianza kwenda kuabudu katika kanisa la Manna Tabernacle Bible Church kwa Pastor Carlos Ricky Wilson Kirimbai wakati naendelea kwenda kusali kila jumapili, pamoja na mafundisho mengine, mara nyingi nilikuwa nakutana na mafundisho ya Imani na kusudi la Mungu kuhusu kuishi katika afya; taratibu Imani yangu ilianza kujengeka, nikaanza kuelewa Zaidi juu ya undani wa kusudi la Mungu kuishi katika afya. Nikafika mahali Imani yangu ikawa imejengeka kiasi cha kutosha. Kwa kweli sikumbuki kwa uhakika lini niliombewa au nilijiombea kuhusu shida hii, ila ninachokumbuka ni kuwa ilifika mahali mda wa sindano umeisha siendi kuchoma na shida haipo, pia nilianza kula vitu vile nilikuwa sili, mwanzoni ilikuwa nikila samaki naanza kuhisi dalili lakini kwa sababu Imani ndani yangu ilikuwa imejengeka kiasi cha kutosha nilikuwa najua kukabiliana na dalili ikiwa ni pamoja na kukiri sawa na Neno la Mungu ambalo lilikuwa limejaa ndani yangu, na sijui ni lini hasa shida hii iliniisha jumla lakini hivi sasa nina Zaidi ya miaka miwili sina shida hiyo tena, na ninakula kila kitu.
Nikajifunza kuwa kujua kuwa Mungu anaponya na ni mapenzi yake tuishi katika afya haitoshi, ni lazima twende hatua ya ziada ya kujilisha Imani zetu na mafundisho sahihi, na pia kuchukua hatua kuhusu kile ambacho unajua ni makusudi ya Mungu uwe nacho. Pia kwa kadiri unavyoendelea kuilisha Imani yako mafundisho sahihi na kuyatendea kazi, kuna matatizo mengine utashtukia yameshaondoka hata hujui yaliondokaga lini, hicho ndio kilichonikuta mimi.
Sifa na utukufu ni kwa Yesu kwa matendo yake makuu.

Queen Latifah Shares How Faith Helped Her Through Tragedy

Actress Queen Latifah

She turned to alcohol for relief. In 1996, she was also arrested after being caught with marijuana and a handgun, which she had kept with her since the carjacking, in her vehicle. She later went through therapy, where she confronted the long-held secret that she had been molested by a babysitter when she was just five years old.

The support of family and friends helped her through her trials, though it was ultimately faith that brought her through her grief.

"I realized that [anger] wasn't helping me or my brother," she said. "I learned that God was going to provide comfort; I know He is always listening and guiding."

Owens says she believes God told her that she would make it through her struggles.

"Nobody is perfect. I know that I'm not a saint, but God's love is there for me," said Owens. "I know that I need help to make it through every day, so I pray to God to help me do the best I can, to lift me up when I am tired and help me develop into the person He wants me to be … I am always surrounded by His love, and He is always there."

Queen Latifah, now 43, was only 19 years old when her debut hip-hop album, All Hail the Queen, was released, according to her website. She is a best-selling author, co-founder of Flavor Unit Entertainment and a CoverGirl spokesperson. She also has her own talk show, has appeared in nearly 40 feature films and has received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award
ana Elaine Owens, better known as "Queen Latifah," says she once relied on alcohol to cope with the tragedies in her life, but it was her faith in God that ultimately helped her through feelings of anger and sadness.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine, the rapper turned actress shared how her "life was rocked to the core" when her brother, a police officer, was killed in a motorcycle accident not long after her career had taken off. Owens, who was raised Baptist, says her faith was particularly impacted by the loss.

"And I felt guilty," she told the magazine, "because I was angry at God."

After her brother's death, Owens invested herself in her work. She was dealt another emotional blow in 1995, however, when she became the victim of a carjacking and a close friend, who was with her in the car at the time, was shot and nearly died in front of her.