December Newsletter

Where has 2010 gone??  A lot of people are asking that question today.  It has certainly been a busy year for us.  This year, for the first time, I achieved Gold Elite status with my frequent flyer miles...that’s 50,000 miles.  Some of my colleagues reading this, travel more than I do and that won’t seem like such a big deal, but almost half of that came in the last one fourth of the year, making the last three months seem like I was always in the air going to or coming back from...somewhere.

December is usually a quieter month for me, since the overseas trips are done for the year.  I try to begin making reports to my supporters during December and January and I have been able to do some of that.  However, I am already making plans for new trips in 2011.  Currently, I am translating the class material for Revelation which I will be teaching in the Bible Institute of Honduras (IBH) at the end of January.  I will be staying over an extra week there on this trip because our students will be graduating at the end of this quarter.  The graduation is currently scheduled for February 11, 2011.  I am extremely proud of these men who have worked so hard in their studies and who are already doing such a great work for the King in His vineyard.

I plan to return to Central America and teach the short course Minor Prophets II (Nahum-Malachi) the first week of March at the Latin American Theological Institute (ITL) in Guatemala City, so I will also be translating that material over the next few weeks.  The students of ITL will also be graduating at the end of the next quarter.  Their graduation activities are scheduled for April 1-3, 2011, and, Lord willing, I will be there for that.  Again, I am very proud of the students in both these schools for their hard work.

The rest of the year looks to be busy, but very rewarding.  I am excited about what lies ahead over the next twelve months.  I want to thank all of you for your continued support, both financial and prayerful.  You are a great part of this work and I never forget that; I appreciate you all so much!

From Noma and me to you, we wish each of you a very Happy New Year and God’s richest blessings on you all!!

If you would like any further information about our work, I encourage you to contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  We have recently made some changes to our website at:  www.WeTrainPreachers.com.  I encourage you to visit the site and learn more of the work Bear Valley is doing around the world.

You may also find information specifically dealing with the extension program is a new blog:

http://extensiontraining.wordpress.com

You may contact me at: 

2013 Rushing Meadows

Edmond, OK 73013

Cell Phone:  (580) 326-1914

...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3). 

Thank you and God bless you all.

Donnie Bates

November Newsletter

News of the Work

Greetings in the beloved Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving and beginning to the holiday season.  Our family enjoyed the time together at our house.

The month of November saw the end of a very busy few months on my schedule.  On October 28 I began my journey to Kathmandu, Nepal where I taught a class on Prayer the week of November 1-5.  It was a great class, with good participation and questions by the students.  The only blemish on a great trip was that I lost my passport and money the day before I was scheduled to return home.  Needless to say, that was a stress-filled several hours before I was able to replace my passport with a temporary one obtained from the American Embassy.  Without going into all the details here, let me say that God watched over me and I arrived home (almost) without incident.  It occurred to me that I had spent a great deal of time in my class making the point that we, as Christians, can always find something for which to give thanks, no matter what happens.  It seems that I was given the opportunity to put my money (literally) where my mouth was.  I am ashamed to say that it took me a little while to understand that application of what happened, but I am happy to say that I did learn that particular lesson, and one or two others, I might add.

Once safely back on American soil, I concluded that 15-week whirlwind tour with a Gospel Meeting in Blossom, Texas.  The lessons were very well attended and received and I appreciate so much the good brethren of the Blossom congregation.  I am very blessed to have them among my supporters.  Thanks to brother Evan Butler for scheduling the meeting and providing much moral support and the brethren who provided some medicine when my health threatened to upend the meeting as it was beginning.

For the next two months I am scheduling times when I can travel to supporting congregations to give reports of this year’s work.  I appreciate the prayers and support (financial, moral and prayerful) of all of you.  I love you all very much!

School News

I do not have a lot of new news from the schools in Honduras and Guatemala, other than to thank brethren Zane Copeland and Lindell Mitchell for their recent trips to teach short courses in Honduras.  Graduation for the first class of each school is scheduled for the Spring.

In 2011 I will be spending much more time in both countries, trying to help both schools as much as my presence will.  It is my intention that the newsletters next year will have more information on each school. 

Travel Plans

As mentioned above, I am currently scheduling reports to supporting congregations.  If I have not contacted you yet, I will be; or, if you have an open date and would like to check with me at your convenience, please feel free to do so. 

At the moment, I am scheduled to speak at the 4th & Jackson congregation in Hugo, OK on Sunday morning, December 5 and the Blossom, TX congregation that evening.  I am also scheduled to give a report to the 7th & Beech congregation in Durant, OK on Sunday evening, December 19.

If you would like any further information about our work, I encourage you to contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  We have recently made some changes to our website at:  www.WeTrainPreachers.com.  I encourage you to visit the site and learn more of the work Bear Valley is doing around the world.

You may also find information specifically dealing with the extension program is a new blog:

http://extensiontraining.wordpress.com. 

...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3).  

Thank you and God bless you all.

Donnie Bates