I Will Never be a Mandela

I Will Never be a Mandela I always love devouring any literature on the most revered human being on earth. One, who is  almost a living saint and who has made many Africans, black people and mankind at large stand high and proud in their defence of humanity – Nelson Mandela.  To many he is the world’ most loved statesman, a warm and magnanimous human being who is also willing to own up to his failings. This is the man who came out of prison after 27 years smiling and preaching reconciliation to all. To most people he is the founding father of the modern South Africa and it is the idea of Mandela that is the glue that binds that country together.   This year Madiba, as he is fondly called, marked his 91st birthday.  He has naturally become fragile. Many fear that inevitable moment. And many shudder at the thought of a South Africa without Mandela.  As confessed earlier, I am a Mendalaphillist. Whatever material I get hold of on the old man is food for me. Actually whenever I read something on him I feel rejuvenated and realise how minuscule my contribution to mankind is. It surely is a humbling experience.  The other day, though, I was more than humbled to read that actually the great African icon grew up in simple surroundings in a typical African village like any African child. Actually it read just like my childhood experiences.  In the article, Mandela talks of his wish to have his final rest alongside his ancestors in Qunu, in Western Cape, where, he says, he spent the happiest years of his boyhood. In his autobiography, he describes it as a place of small, beehive shaped huts, with grass roofs.   “It was in the fields,” he writes, “that I learned to knock birds out of the sky with a slingshot, to gather wild honey and fruits and edible roots, to drink warm, sweet milk from the udder of a cow, to swim in the clear, cold streams, and to catch fish with twine and sharpened bits of wire.”  Wow! I felt like I was living in that same small village many years ago in my boyhood. For what else did I do when growing up in Chalowe village in the Bena plains of Njombe, in the Southern Highlands? Similar indulgencies!   I learnt to knock down birds from the sky and from the many leafy trees in the villages. Though I have to admit I was very poor if not very bad in that art. I, and many other failed boys like me, had to find another means of catching birds. This involved spreading some grains on the ground where we would set up a trap involving a half suspended bamboo-woven-bowl held by a stick tied to a long rope. As soon as the birds were under this bowl we, hiding somewhere far, would suddenly pull the rope and naturally the supporting stick and the bowl would collapse on top of the birds. We would then come with a huge blanket and catch the birds.  And like Mandela we also spent most of our time gathering wild honey and fruits and edible roots. I will never forget the ‘makusu’, ‘masada’, ‘masaula’, ‘mafwengi’ and many other famous wild fruits from the southern highlands. Actually with the advent of the Sumry bus services to Mbeya I have already begun receiving in Arusha some fresh ‘makusu’ fruits from Njombe.  I also tried drinking warm sweet milk from a cow’s udder. In a nutshell I was a disgrace. Not only did I miserably fail to place my mouth appropriately but the cow became so enraged that I received a well aimed kick. I ended up spending a few days in bed after a thorough thrashing from my father. Naturally, I never went again near a cow.  We, the Chalowe boys, also enjoyed bathing in the clear, cold streams in the village. Though, on one occasion some wayward youths stole our clothes while we were frolicking in the waters. You can imagine the spectacle we made as our naked, wet and small bodies toddled along the village streets to the respective homesteads.   Fishing! I also loved fishing. But for all the years that I used my crude fishing rod whose twine rope and sharpened bit of wire was attached at one end, I caught only one fish. This was in contrast to my friends who caught basketfuls of fish all the time. For that, I plan to re-visit this hobby in my old age.  As you can see I grew up just like the old Madiba. But all the past, present and immediate future signs show that I will never be a Mandela.

Understanding Your Immune System

Understanding Your Immune System

Today we talk about our immune systems a lot. We worry about what we do to them sometimes, just not often enough. Unfortunately our defense systems take a beating from many outside influences, some of which are beyond our control and some we are ignorant of. Researchers are now telling us that in the last 10 years the average Americans’ immune system has decreased in function by 25%! If this is true we are in grave trouble because the germs haven’t lost anything. They are more resistant and prolific than ever. The purpose of this series is to highlight some of the risks and dangers that threaten us and give some much needed solutions.

YOUR DEFENSES IN A NUTSHELL:

Frontline: Our natural defenses were designed so well that it is amazing that we could get sick at all. Healthy, unbroken skin is your first line of defense in the battle against germs. After that it is up to the mucous and mucous membranes that line your nose, as well as your saliva, tears, and vaginal secretions.

These secretions contain natural chemicals that routinely destroy unwelcome pathogens. If a virus, bacteria or other invader does manage to infiltrate your system it still must face an array of defenses. The blood stream and lymphatic fluids are teaming with multitudes of cells that are programmed to recognize and destroy invaders.

Second line: Macrophages and Killer cells.

When a pathogen (Harmful germ) crosses the first barrier, the next step for the immune system is to stop its progression using macrophage cells (also called phagocytes (Eater cells) or scavenger cells). A macrophage is a specialized cell that moves through the blood but can also pass through the blood vessel walls. A macrophage works by engulfing a pathogen, which may be a bacteria or inorganic foreign body, and either destroys it or prevents it from escaping to other parts of the body.

These cells are complimented by natural killer cells or NK cells. NK cells, like macrophages, act without a commander or outside directions. NK cells are programmed to destroy any pathogen or cell that carries foreign DNA on contact They have no “memory”. meaning they act indiscriminately with invaders on contact, without prior recognition. They generally act by first making contact and then inject toxic chemical granules into the invading cell.

#2: Third line: B and T-cells.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow. They are originally non specific cells called stem cells. According to the bodies needs, some mature into B-cells while others travel via the lymph to the thymus gland and are programmed as T-cells.

B-cells work chiefly by secreting special proteins that are known as antibodies. First the B-cell contacts a pathogen with a special receptor site. It then produces the antibody that will specifically match the receptors on the enemy cell. These antibody substances lock onto or into the specific antigen or disease particle that they are designed to attack. They have an exact fit like a key in a lock. They then can inactivate or kill the pathogen. The body keeps a memory of a prior exposure to a disease and stores replica antibodies for future threats. Your Immune System www.temcat.com Health Secrets Resource Collection: 2

Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins.

T-cells. There are three main types of T-cells. Killer T-cells, Helper T-cells, and Suppressor T-cells.

Killer cells are developed to only attack specific invaders.They use special receptors to recognize the specific antigens to attack. They secrete a substance called interferon, which the body readily uses to stop viruses from replicating. They also inject chemicals known as cytokines into their opponent cells to kill them.

Helper cells work by aiding the killer T-cells by stimulating them and giving them instructions. They sometimes command B-cells to manufacture antibodies.

A scanning electron microscope can show killer (cytotoxic) T-cells attacking cancer cells. There is a sort of “fuzz” on the T cells. Those are glycoproteins. Glycoproteins are an essential part of the function of the cell. They are acquired through specific nutrition. Manapol an aloe vera extract can provide glycoproteins.

Suppressor T-cells are responsible for “calling off the dogs”. After an infection is over the body’s active defensives need to be slowed down or turned off. These cells are essential in balancing the immune system when it gets too offensive.

Many times after a systemic infection (usually viral) the killer T-cells mistake some of the body’s own tissue cells as enemy cells due to similar DNA. Suppressor T-cells are urgently needed or an autoimmune disorder like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue or lupus can develop.

Additional Immune Functions:

Inflammation is a positive response of a healthy immune system. If the infection is localized to a small region like a finger the response serves well by increasing permeability of capillary walls and tissues aiding the movement of white blood cells, and macrophages. Generally this is facilitated by the release of histamines. If the infection is systemic the inflammatory response causes neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to release a protein that affects the hypothalamus to turn up the thermostat, resulting in a general fever. Don’t be so quick to break out the Tylenol!

Interferon release is a function of a properly functioning cell that has been invaded by a virus. It releases this chemical, acting as a chemical signal to surrounding cells warning them to protect their RNA from being used by invading viral particles.

Interleukins are cytokines or chemical messengers that are produced by the leukocytes (a type of white blood cells). They help orchestrate the various functions of the many cells of the immune system. Since cells can neither see nor hear, they rely on information to be transmitted via chemical secretions in the circulation to communicate. As in conventional warfare, it is impossible to win a war unless the commanders can communicate with the troops.

#3: THINGS THAT HARM YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Toxic chemicals are everywhere. They are in your food if you are not eating organic foods. They leak into your skin when you sweat while wearing synthetic fabrics.

Most shampoos and lotions are heavy in toxic chemicals. Scientists have discovered that all municipal water supplies are highly polluted with toxic chemicals. They traveled throughout the world and found no exceptions! Your Immune System www.temcat.com Health Secrets Resource Collection: 3

Tobacco products are toxic and are proven killers.

Sugar thickens the serum of the blood and is toxic to the immune cells. Each person in America eats an average of 36 teaspoons daily. That is at least 300% more than is safe to eat.

Alcohol dehydrates and damages cell membranes making them vulnerable to attack. Alcohol is now recognized as a cancer causing agent.

Fat clumps cells together impeding their functions. Most Americans eat at least 3 times more than they should. Fat irritates the walls of your circulatory system making it a less than optimum environment for your immune cells to function.

Lack of exercise can kill you. The only cardiovascular exercise some of us get is blowing out the candles once a year! A big part of your immune system is dependent on a good lymph flow. It doesn’t flow unless you get vigorous exercise.

Poor diet may be your number one risk. The standard American diet is high in calories but poor in nutrition. Teenagers eat 2/3 of their vegetables in the form of chips and fries! Americans consume inordinate amounts of meat and dairy products. When experts estimate that more than 80 % of the dairy animals in this country carry leukemia it makes no sense in my opinion to ingest either them or their secretions. Excess proteins limit the amount of oxygen that your red blood cells can carry. Viruses are anaerobic, meaning they prefer a low oxygen environment.

Fruits, vegetables, and grains are high in fiber and elemental nutrition. Eating them fresh is also the best way to consume antioxidants.

Water is a must. Most of us are chronically dehydrated. Would you wash five loads of clothes in the same water? That’s what you are asking your body to do every day if you are not drinking enough water. The average adult should drink 10 large glasses every day. Sometimes more when you exercise or when it is hot. Distilled water is empty of junk minerals and toxic chemicals. It can carry away more impurities. It will not de-mineralize your body.

Lack of sleep is an epidemic in America. We all tend to burn the candle on both ends. The result is that we get run down and sick far more often than we should. Get to bed and live!

Healing Leaves

Early Christian Accounts

Early Christian Accounts

Our second clue is the vast number of early Christian letters, sermons, commentaries, and creeds referring to Jesus as the resurrected Lord. They appeared as early as five years after his crucifixion. Although many writings were burned under the edict of the Roman emperor Diocletian, thousands survived.

The number of these documents is impressive; more than 36,000 complete or partial writings, some from the first century, have been discovered.[16] Their words could replicate virtually the entire New Testament except for a few verses.[17]

So how does that compare with the Gospel of Barnabas? We have already noted that there are only two citations of it prior to the fifteenth century, and it is doubtful those references were to the “Gospel of Barnabas” in question.[18]

The earliest writings outside the New Testament were from men who knew and followed Paul, Peter, John and the other apostles. These early church leaders were not eyewitnesses to Jesus, but learned about him from those who had actually seen and heard him. Significantly, their writings confirm many New Testament details about Jesus, including his crucifixion and resurrection.

The most important of these early writings outside the New Testament are from Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna.

• In A.D. 96, Clement of Rome wrote a lengthy letter to the church at Corinth in which he cited Matthew, John, and 1 Corinthians. Some believe he is the Clement mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3. Since Clement’s letter was written in A.D. 96, these three books must have been written earlier.
• In about A.D. 110, Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of the apostle John, wrote six letters to churches and one to a fellow bishop, Polycarp, in which he refers to six of Paul’s letters.
• Polycarp of Smyrna, also a disciple of the apostle John, makes reference to all 27 New Testament books in his letter to the Philippian church (A.D. 110-135). Therefore, the gospels must have been in existence during the first century while some eyewitnesses (including John) were still alive.

We have seen that no such early reference to the Gospel of Barnabas exists.

Early Manuscript Copies

Our third clue is the abundance of early New Testament manuscripts which have helped scholars determine the approximate time they were originally composed. Archaeologists have discovered over 5,600 manuscript copies of the New Testament in the original Greek language, some complete books, and some mere fragments. Counting other languages, there are over 24,000.[19]

Quite clearly, 5,600 to three is an enormous numerical manuscript advantage for the New Testament. Furthermore, archaeologists have discovered New Testament fragments that date to within a generation or two after Christ, compared with hundreds of years later for the Gospel of Barnabas.

In the early twentieth century, a fragment of the Gospel of John was discovered in Egypt (specifically, P52: John 18:31-33) dated A.D. 117-138. Renowned biblical scholar Bruce Metzger noted the significance of this remarkable discovery:

Just as Robinson Crusoe, seeing but a single footprint in the sand, concluded that another human being, with two feet, was present on the island with him, so P₅₂ [the label of the fragment] proves the existence and use of the Fourth Gospel during the first half of the second century ... ”[20]

The discovery of this fragment means that within one generation of John writing his Gospel, a copy of it had migrated all the way from Asia Minor to Egypt.

There are many other early manuscripts dated from the late second century to the fourth and fifth centuries. Entire books of the New Testament dated from A.D. 200-1500 are preserved in various museums (Bodmer Papyri).[21]

An even earlier papyrus fragment from the Dead Seas Scrolls (7Q5) has been identified by a paleographer as a piece of the Gospel of Mark dated around A.D. 50, significantly earlier than the P52 fragment of John.

New Testament professor, Daniel B. Wallace, who has studied the Dead Sea Scroll fragment, agrees it is from the first century.[22] Although there is debate over this fragment, the collective evidence from other manuscripts strongly supports a New Testament written in the first century.