There is now available a newsletter totally dedicated to news from IBH (Instituto Bíblico de Honduras, or Bible Institute of Honduras). The purpose of IBH News is to keep supporters and others interested in this work better informed of the needs and news of IBH. We are excited about the new class about to begin on August 1, but there are financial needs that we must keep before us if we are to continue this great work!
God bless!
djb
Welcome to the first edition of the monthly newsletter “IBH News.” This newsletter is specifically designed to keep the supporters of the Bible Institute of Honduras informed of what is happening with the Institute in Danlí, Honduras. Some of you already receive my monthly newsletter concerning my work with both this school and the extension in Guatemala. However, it occurs to me that there is a need for a newsletter such as this; that need has probably existed longer than I have been aware of it and I apologize for not recognizing it sooner.
I recently visited Danlí and was able to spend some time with six of our seven new students. One has not yet moved to the area with his family. In next month’s newsletter I hope to have the names and little bit of the background of each of the new students.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, August 1. Lord willing, I and my wife will travel to Danlí to be there for the first chapel. While things are progressing toward being able to start classes on time, we are still looking for funds to be able to support our budget. At present, we are approximately $1,200/month short of meeting all our needs. Because you have continued to send money in the months since our last class graduated, we have enough reserve to begin classes, but this will not last long.
For the most part, this newsletter is being mailed to congregations who are already contributing financially to the school and for that I thank you profusely. However, I do have two requests I would like you to prayerfully consider: 1) please consider increasing the amount you are giving, if even only a small increase (every dime of increase we receive puts us that much closer to meeting our budget), and 2) if you know of anyone or any congregation who might be interested in supporting this work, please help me to contact them. I realize that in these times of uncertainty in our economy this is asking a lot, but I also realize that we serve a God Who is able to do a lot more than we think we can do (Ephesians 3:20).
I want to thank you all again for your support of this work. Please visit our website for further news and updates: www.wetrainpreachers.com/donnie-bates-reports/ and www.wetrainpreachers.com/honduras/. If you have any questions you may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows,
Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914
Email: dnbates1@gmail.com*
*Please note the change of email address!
Thank you again and God bless you all!!
Donnie Bates
July 5, 2011
Greetings in the Name of our Lord!
It is hard to believe that another month has gone by! I ended the month of June with a short trip to Danlí, Honduras (June 24-28). The purpose of this trip was to meet as many of the new students as possible, as well as, to do some research into the possibility of installing a video conferencing system that would allow us more flexibility in teaching. There is already such a system in place in our institute in Guatemala. With such a system a last minute change of teachers for the short courses would allow someone to travel to Denver rather than Honduras, which is expensive at the last minute. It would also allow for simultaneous teaching of seminars in the two institutes.
My trip was a bit more adventurous than I like this time. Due to mechanical problems with two different planes, it took me a day and a half to get to Danlí, when it usually takes half a day, and seventeen and a half hours to get home when it usually takes about twelve. Still, with the help of many prayers on my behalf, God brought me home safe and sound.
The rainy season has begun in Honduras and already there has been some flooding, but so far no damage to the church building or to any homes of our brethren that I am aware of. Please continue to keep our brethren in this area in your prayers.
I was able to meet six of the seven new students and I am very excited about this new class (Beta Class). Five of the seven men are married and that was an area where we wanted to expand. Classes are set to begin August 1.
As for the video conferencing system, the basic need was high speed internet access. Brother Nery Irías and I were able to learn that it is indeed available, but expensive. We will be working more on that project.
I plan to return to Danlí at the end of this month for the beginning of classes on August 1. I’m very excited that Noma will get to go with me on that trip. We return home on August 2 and then I plan to travel to Guatemala August 6 to teach the short course on Job the following week.
I want to thank you all again for your interest in this work. If you have any questions you may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows
Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914
Email: dnbates1@gmail.com*
*Please note the change of email address!
Thank you again and God bless you all!!
Donnie Bates
International travel is always an adventure. However, this trip started out with more than I like. First of all, at the time our flight was to be boarding in Oklahoma City, we were told that the flight crew had not arrived. As it turns out, three had arrived, but they were looking for the fourth. Finally, they came to the plane, hoping that the other flight attendant would show up. She did looking hurried, harried, disheveled and embarrassed. Shortly thereafter, we backed away from the gate, only about 10 minutes late. I was keenly aware that I only had a one hour layover in Houston to make my connecting flight to Managua, Nicaragua (it had been suggested to me that I try that route as an alternative). After backing away from the gate, we sat…..for about 30 minutes before being told that there was a problem with the plane and we would have to return to the gate and de-plane. The delay only lasted about 10 minutes, but by the time we were able to take off, we were more than an hour late and I had serious doubts that I would make my connection. Because of that, I had talked to the personnel at the gate in Oklahoma City and they had backed me up on the next flight to Managua, which left at 6:10 p.m., 9 hours later than the original.
We landed in Houston 5 minutes after my connection left. Of course, it was in a different terminal so it took me about 20 minutes to get there anyway. After visiting the customer service desk and getting a new boarding pass, I settled in to wait. Actually, the waiting didn’t begin until after almost an hour of frantic calling trying to tell the men who were coming to pick me up in Managua that I was not on that plane. As I learned later, their Honduran phones don’t work in Nicaragua. I had no way of knowing if they received the message or not. Because of my frequent flyer miles, I was able to spend that time in the President’s Club of Continental Airlines, so the wait was not uncomfortable, just boring.
I finally made it to Managua at 8:30 p.m., local time. By the time I had cleared immigration and customs it was 9:00 p.m. I still did not know if anyone was waiting for me or not. One of the greatest things I have ever seen was a hand waiving that caught my attention. There was brother Nery on the other side of the glass and he was motioning in the direction of the door where I found Jesús waiting. After a very relieved greeting we headed for the pickup truck. It was too late to be traveling 200 kilometers to the border of Honduras, so we headed across the street to a nice hotel where we found a room with three twin beds and settled in for the night. The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the hotel and then hit the road. We arrived in Danlí at the Hotel Grenada about 11:30 a.m. About 4:00 in the afternoon I walked over to the church building and met with one of the new students and we visited about his situation some. After returning to the hotel to get my Bible, I returned for the class with the congregation at 6:00. It was a good class; it’s good to see the brethren of the El Zarzal congregation every time I do.
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:00 a.m. About 8:00 a.m. the power went off in the hotel. It came back on about 10 minutes later. When I arrived for worship, I learned that there was no power there either and that it had been off since 8:00. It seems the hotel has its own generator and that’s why the power had come back on there. I was to preach today, but there was no light and I was going to have read out of my Bible in order to preach my lesson. Well, I generally move around a lot when I preach, so it worked out that when I needed to read, I was close to the window. After worship we had our regular class and then I returned to the hotel for some lunch and a little siesta.
A little past 2:00, Nery and Yoni (one of our graduates) came by and picked me up and after picking up Nery’s brother Jairo (one of our new students) we headed south to the town of El Paraíso (Paradise) and visited with two of the new students who live there, one of them is the father of Yoni Gonzalez, brother Porfirio, who preaches in the mountain community of La Union. I met him about a year ago when I visited that area. The elevation of La Union is quite a bit higher than El Paraíso, but brother Porfirio travels up there every Sunday to preach the Gospel…by bicycle!! I asked him how long it takes to get up there on a bicycle. He said about an hour and a half. As we were leaving El Paraíso we could see the rain that had descended on Danlí. It looked like an angry cloud. On the way back, we took a short detour to the little town of Cuyalí, where live two more of our new students and we visited with both of them for a bit. So, on this trip I have gotten to meet and visit with 6 of our 7 new students. Four of the six I talked to I have met before. One still has not arrived in the area so I won’t get to meet him until classes start on August 1.
When we arrived back at Jairo’s house, or when we turned onto his street, we could see that the street was flooded. We were able to drive up it, but the water was moving very quickly. I was concerned for Jairo’s safety as he exited the pickup, but he made it fine, having to cross quite a stream to get to his front door. All of that water flows into the creek that runs past the church building at El Zarzal and which threatens to cut the street in two. On the way back out of that neighborhood, Nery showed me homes that are below the level of that street by a good bit and which suffer horribly during floods like this. When I arrived back at the hotel, the night manager told me to be careful because there was water in the passageway to my room. I negotiated that just fine, but when I entered the room I could see that a leak had started over one of the beds. I informed the management and was moved to another room, but it took a little bit to find one that was dry. None of my things were affected and I was fine, just a little inconvenienced; nothing like the people having to deal with real problems because of this flooding.
Monday broke with the sun shining and the streets around the hotel appeared dry by the time I got out, but since I had the morning free, I didn’t get out until mid-morning. Although the rain had gone for the time being, it was very hot and humid. By the time I returned to the hotel from about an hour of walking to the local grocery store (the new La Colonia supermarket is really nice) and back, I was drenched with sweat. Shortly after lunch I walked over to the church building and met Nery who had spent the morning taking his father to Tegucigalpa for his bi-weekly physical therapy. After enjoying a cup of coffee with the Irías family, we headed downtown to do some research on the availability of broadband internet access at our location. It seems this is a possibility, but it will be expensive. While at the building, Nery showed me a video he had taken Sunday evening of the creek that runs along two sides of the church property. I mentioned earlier that the flooding was bad in the part of town we were in. Well, all that water has to go down that creek, as I also said. I have uploaded that video onto my computer and will try to make it available somehow, but it shows how the water crested about one meter below the top of its banks. It was quite a scary time for Nery’s wife Daisy who was at home alone for a while as the water climbed.
Our business concluded for the afternoon, I took the memory chip to put that video on my computer and headed back to the hotel. Just as I walked outside, I heard thunder, so I didn’t waste any time walking back. I had been in my room less than five minutes when the rain started; it sounded like it did the night before and others times when the flooding has been so bad. I hope everyone is ok. The rain was as hard as the day before, but it didn’t last as long.
In the evening I met with Nery, his wife Daisy and their two children (Nery Felipe, who today turned 16, and Amalia who turned 12 in May), Jesús and his son Rafael, and Luis David and his wife (I’m embarrassed that I do not remember her name) for dinner at a local restaurant called Ovi y Ser. That is the usual place for our dinner/faculty meetings when I’m there. We had a great time together. After dinner I returned to the hotel and packed for my trip home the next day.
On Tuesday, Jesús and Nery were at my door early for breakfast. I learned, however, that Nery could not accompany us to the airport because Daisy woke up sick and he was headed to find a doctor. After breakfast, I checked out of the hotel and we headed to Tegucigalpa and the airport. The flight to Houston was uneventful and even though we were a few minutes late, I wasn’t worried because on this trip I had a five-hour layover since my final flight to Oklahoma City did not leave until 9:15 p.m.
Not long after our arrival, things began to “go south.” The scheduled departure of my flight began to be pushed back. Before long it was not scheduled to leave until after 10:00 p.m. After dinner I headed to the gate and found that the gate had been changed, but it wasn’t far so I moved and found a “great host” of people gathered there waiting for more than just a couple of flights. Before it was all said and done, my 9:15 p.m. flight did not take off until 12:25 a.m. We landed in Oklahoma City right around 1:45 a.m. and we got home about 2:30 a.m. I guess I had time for a second helping at supper.
All in all, even with the frustrations of travel (more this time than usual) it was a very productive trip and I came and went in perfect safety, due in no small part to the prayers of so many. I thank you all and pray God’s blessings on each of you.
Donnie Bates
Guatemala City, Guatemala – The Beta class of ITL began their two-year course of studies on May 16. They are currently finishing their second week of studies with a class on Christian Ethics, taught by Bryon Benitez. Beginning Monday (May 30) brother Lindell Mitchell will begin the first short course for the Class of 2013 on Leadership; translating for brother Lindell will be brother Conrad Pinder. Brother Denton Landon arrives a week from tomorrow (June 4) and will teach the next week on Old Testament Introduction; brother Conrad will translate that class, as well.
I had the privilege of speaking to the new class in chapel this morning. They seem like an eager group of students. I look forward to getting to know them better over the next two years.
Beta Class of ITL, L-R: Arnoldo Alejandro Tot Pelaez, Manuel David Avila Chuc, Eliezer Nieves Pérez Gonzales, Ángel Gabriel Gonzales Morales, Wálter Dardón and his wife Nohelis Dardón, who is holding their little girl.
Thanks, beloved brother, for you communication. I also have failed and have not been able to communicate with you for some problems that I have with the justice (authorities - djb) which now is accusing me of “kidnapping” a brother of the church. He already appeared but, with the complicity of his mother, assures that I kidnapped him just so that he not hurt his mother. I believe that it was a plot of theirs to ask me for 200,000 Lempiras. The brother disappeared the day that you accompanied us to the football game in Jacaleapa (that was on January 31 - djb) and until this week he appeared, blaming me. I have confidence in God that the truth will come to light.
With respect to my father, I have to travel with him two and up to three times a week to Tegucigalpa. He suffers from renal failure. He had an auto accident and fractured his vertebrae column with a flattening of the L2. He has a hernia in his spine and has arthritis (I did not understand the next word - djb). Well, he is very complicated. Today we went to Tegucigalpa so he could receive some rehabilitation.
With respect to the mother of Luis David, his mother suffers from diabetes and now they detected problems in her kidneys. Pray for them, please.
Well, we are still in the expectation with reference to the masters classes and we are only waiting for you all to come to an agreement. What we want is to continue growing in knowledge.
I appreciate the information over the problems that are affecting the city of Joplin. We are praying for its inhabitants and in particular for our brethren. Whenever these tragedies of nature happen the children of God are always affected. We only hope that their faith is capable of supporting them in this test. We lament the loss of life of the people, especially those that have not obeyed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Yoni always visits us and is like another son in our family. Each week he accompanies us in evangelism, also practicing English with the course given to us by brother Lindell. Now more brethren have joined in studying English. Please communicate this to brother Lindell.
Ocsar is preaching in a place called Empalme de Trojes. Several brothers and I went on an evangelistic campaign of two days and one woman was baptized, but he (Oscar) has had problems with a sect in that the place of worship is near that of theirs. I entered that sect where there were some 80 people and I preached to them the Gospel of Christ. The lady “pastor” almost died because the sect divided and for that reason they have been threatening Oscar to the extent that he is looking for another place. I told him not to fear them, that I would return (I did not understand the next word) and now he has to take the honey even with the wasp stings.
Hector continues studying and helping me with the congregation. He still has not been able to find a job. He and Yoni want to work to pay the cost of their studies and help in the economy of the home, but it is not easy to find work here.
Brother Enrique Figueroa visited me and says that if, please, you all could help move his things from the city of La Ceiba to Cuyali, he had said that a truck from La Ceiba to Progreso cost 5,000 Lempiras, but if you could help with 3,000 and he puts up the rest. He already spoke to the lady of the house in which he is going to live and the lady rents for 500 Lempiras for the whole house or 300 if they permit two young men to live in one of the rooms. The brother told her that he has daughters and that it was not possible such a proposition; that it would be better to rent the whole house and that he would be disposed to pay the 500 monthly. The brother wishes to speak personally with you.
Upon solving the problems that I have with the justice (authorities - djb), we will be traveling with Cesar to confirm the spirits of the future students of the cities of Catacamas and Marcala la Paz. Pray that their spirits are firm.
Whatever news I will keep you abreast, although I am not much for being on the computer.
Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In the last month my schedule has slowed somewhat and for that I am thankful. For some time I had been traveling somewhere every other week. So, I have been able to catch up on some much needed rest.
On May 1 I began a Gospel Meeting with the King Ryder congregation in Arkansas, not far from my parents’ home. That afforded me some time with them that was also needed. The meeting was successful; I always appreciate these good folks.
Upon returning home, I scheduled my next two trips to Latin America; first to Honduras and then to Guatemala. Circumstances developed to cause me to postpone my trip to Honduras, however. Originally, I was due back today and would be leaving for Guatemala on Thursday, May 26. I will try to make up the trip to Honduras next month, but am still scheduled to leave for Guatemala Thursday.
I am scheduled to give reports to the Lynn Lane congregation in Idabel, Oklahoma on Wednesday, June 1 and then the Bayfield congregation in Bayfield, Colorado on Sunday, June 5. I will be trying to schedule times to give reports to other congregations later in the Summer.
Just last evening I received a long letter from brother Nery Irías, our director in Danlí, Honduras, explaining some personal difficulties he is facing. He also tells of the health concerns of his father and the mother of another of our instructors, Luis David Argeñal. Please keep both families in your prayers; for more information on these situations, please visit our website at: /donnie-bates-reports/.
After these two trips to Latin America, I have tentatively scheduled five more for the remainder of the year. If you have any questions, please contact me using the information below. Also, please do not forget to visit our website at www.wetrainpreachers.com and see what Bear Valley is doing around the world.
You may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows, Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914; Email: dnbates1@yahoo.com
I love you all and so appreciate your interest in and prayers for this work.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Donnie Bates
...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3).
Greetings, dear friends. It is hard to believe that another month has gone by. While I did not travel quite as much in April as the month before, it still seemed to go by quickly. I am so glad that I got to return to Guatemala at the end of March and be there for the 2nd Annual ITL (Latin American Theological Institute) Lectureship. The event was very well attended; I spoke on the Christian’s duty to the local church and my class was Sunday morning, April 3. In the afternoon of that day ITL graduated it’s first class. It was a wonderful day and I salute the staff at ITL for the great job they did. If you have internet access, you can see photos of the events of that weekend at: /extension-photos/itl-lectureship-and-graduation-guatemala-city-guatemala-apri/ .
On April 15, 16 I was once again privileged to teach on the Navajo Reservation. This time the class was hosted by the brethren of the Kayenta church of Christ in Kayenta, Arizona. With its close proximity to Monument Valley, the setting was just beautiful, but the spirit of the brethren there was even more so. We spent 7 hours together in a class covering chapters 15-21 of the book of Matthew.
As I sit here finishing this report, I am also preparing to travel to my parents’ home in Goodwater, Oklahoma where I will be staying for the next few days while I preach a Gospel Meeting in the King Ryder, Arkansas congregation. I always look forward to my time with these good brethren. I will also be returning to both Honduras and Guatemala during the month of May.
The schedule for the rest of the year is filling up and I will have more information on that next month. If you have any questions, please contact me using the information below. Also, please do not forget to visit our website at www.wetrainpreachers.com and see what Bear Valley is doing around the world.
You may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows
Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914
Email: dnbates1@yahoo.com
I love you all and so appreciate your interest in and prayers for this work.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Donnie Bates
...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3)
We received this news from Guatemala this morning. The angels in heaven are rejoicing! /extension-news/2011/4/7/incredible-news-in-guatemala.html
For photos of this trip, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=287778&id=681697098&l=c1fd7d3b19
Guatemala City, Guatemala – April 5, 2011 – Friday morning, April 1 was our first full day in Guatemala City. Late last night the last of the visitors for the weekend’s activities arrived. We all assembled in the lobby of the Holiday Inn where we were staying to begin the day’s excursion to see some sights. Around 9:30 we learned that there were some mechanical problems with one of the vans, but the mechanic was on the scene. We finally were able to leave a little before noon. This excursion included all of the visitors (about 15 or so) and the students and their families, so we needed two 15-passenger vans and a couple of extra cars. There were about 40 of us, in total.
First, we headed downtown to see the National Palace and the Catholic Cathedral. After taking a tour of the palace, we crossed the street for some lunch. Most of the group ate at Wendy’s (Bob Turner and I went around the corner to Pizza Hut). After lunch the decision was made, due to the late start, to skip going out to Antigua and to remain in the city center and visit the market where more souvenir items could be found (later I learned that those who stayed until Tuesday were going to visit Antigua). We began with an unguided tour of the Catholic cathedral and then headed off to the market. The day ended with dinner at the home of Hiwatthia Jones (“hermano Hi”) and Byron Benítez and a tour (for those who were visiting for the first time) of the ITL campus next door. We returned to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.
Saturday morning, April 2 saw the beginning of the 2nd Annual Lectureship of ITL. Bob Turner, director of extensions of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, led off with a keynote address entitled “What Does the Bible Say about Authority?” Byron Benítez served as translator. Let me say here that throughout the lectureship, brethren Conrad Pinder and Abraham Alata did a fine job translating the lessons since there were so many who did not speak Spanish. Conrad also translated the keynotes and my lesson into English. After the break, the group divided into classes; the classes offered were: “What Does the Bible Say about Discipline in the Church?” by Denton Landon; “What Does the Bible Say about Lying” by Raúl Duran; and “What Does the Bible Say about Supporting the Preacher?” by Nicolás Chiquival. I would add here that Denton Landon had to leave immediately following his class to travel to the Ukraine to teach classes in Bear Valley’s extension there the next two weeks. After the classes, everyone returned to the main meeting room where Francisco Rada delivered a keynote address on the subject “What Does the Bible Say about Division?” This lesson was followed by lunch which was provided. I do not know the number of the attendees, but the main room was packed; the lectureship was very well attended.
In the afternoon we began with another keynote address from Bob Turner on the subject “What Does the Bible Say about Commandments Versus Opinions?” His lesson was followed by another period of classes which included a class for ladies only: “What Does the Bible Say about the Role of the Woman in the Home?” by sister Silvia de Castellanos; and a class for the men, “What Does the Bible Say about the Role of the Man in the Home?” by brother Alexander Castellanos.
After this class, several of us went to the hall where the graduation would take place tomorrow and rehearsed for that event. By the time we returned to the location of the lectureship, dinner had been served (although plates were prepared for us) and brother Francisco Rada was already delivering his keynote address “What Does the Bible Say about Who is My Brother?” That lesson was followed up by Bob Turner’s final keynote address “What Does the Bible Say about the Rapture?” Once again we returned to the hotel around 10:30 p.m.
Sunday morning began early with our group leaving the hotel around 8:00 a.m. as we had the day before. The custom of the Linda Vista church of Christ, who was hosting this event, is to have the worship service first and the Bible Classes afterward. So, we enjoyed a worship service of several hundred brethren which included Francisco Rada’s final lesson “What Does the Bible Say about the Holy Spirit?” After worship, there were three classes for the adults. Sister Silvia de Castellanos taught another class for the ladies entitled “What Does the Bible Say about the Role of the Woman in the Church?” Two classes from which the men could choose included a class by Guillermo Poz entitled “What Does the Bible Say about Social Justice?” and my class “What Does the Bible Say about My Commitment to the Local Church?”
After the classes, the entire group made its way to the hall where the graduation would take place. Large buses had been rented to transport the entire group. We estimated the number of those who attended the graduation was somewhere around 400. The ceremony was done very well; it was truly a very special moment for the graduates. Seven graduated from the full time program and three graduated from the Saturday program, which has lasted for three years.
I want to take this opportunity to say that I am very proud of the work these men and women have done over the years it has taken them to complete the program. This is not an easy program and many of them acknowledged a desire at one point or another to give up and quit, but these did not. They have worked hard and while they have already been a great asset to the church, I know their contributions to the Lord’s work will be great indeed. I also want to commend the job that Hiwatthia “Hi” Jones and Byron Benítez, along with brethren Anibal Ramírez and Darvin Alvarez, did in making this weekend’s activities so successful. Many others, too numerous to name, also contributed. I am so very appreciative of their work and pray God’s richest blessings on them all. As with the graduates of the school in Danlí, Honduras, I felt (and feel) somewhat saddened in the realization that the next time I teach a class at ITL, these students won’t be there. Our parting at dinner Sunday evening was bittersweet, but I look forward to seeing them again, hopefully in their new works, but if not, then I plan to see them on the other side.
God bless you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your interest in this work and for your help and support in allowing me to be a part of it.
Donnie Bates
For photos of this trip, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=287778&id=681697098&l=c1fd7d3b19
March 31, 2011 – Guatemala City – The day started off early, as it always does when I travel to Central America. At first it appeared we would be delayed on the first leg of the trip because one of the pilots had trouble getting there on time. However, we backed away from the gate at precisely 6:30 a.m., on schedule…and then sat on the tarmac for the next 40 minutes because of the check engine light; alright it was an indicator light on the instrument panel, but that’s how I imagine it. I was beginning to stress just a bit because I knew I only had an hour or so to make my connection in Houston.
Well, the Lord blessed us with a safe flight to Houston and I was able to meet up with Denton Landon and we made our trip to Guatemala City without incident. We were met at the airport by the students of ITL and, after meeting some other travelers who are also here for the graduation, we headed toward the Institute, where a sumptuous meal awaited us. (Sister Erminia is going to be very hard to replace as the cook). After lunch we were taken to our hotel (the Holiday Inn) and settled down to get some rest and make final preparations for the banquet tonight.
The President’s Banquet was simply outstanding. Many honors were handed out and the graduates all looked great in their caps and gowns. I want to say here that I am extremely proud of these men and women for all their hard work over the last two years. This is not an easy thing they have done. May God bless them all!
Donnie Bates
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been a busy March so far and things don’t look to slow down for a while. I taught Minor Prophets II (Nahum-Malachi) to the class at the Instituto Teológico Latinoamericano (ITL) in Guatemala City March 7-11. I returned home on Saturday, March 12 and then on Monday, March 14, Noma and I flew to Denver for a staff meeting and then returned home on Wednesday, March 16.
In the meantime I have been continuing to teach my class at North MacArthur on Wednesday evenings. We are currently studying the book of Exodus. I love teaching that class and my schedule for the rest of this Spring Quarter should allow me to not miss a Wednesday.
Speaking of my schedule for the next few weeks, I leave Thursday, March 31 to return to Guatemala City. The first weekend of April will see ITL’s second annual lectureship and I will be teaching a class on Sunday morning for that. After worship services that day, the first class at ITL will graduate. We are excited about that and are so very proud of these men and women for their hard work over the past two years. I plan to return home on Monday, April 4.
After that I will be heading to New Mexico/Arizona to teach a class on the Navajo Reservation again this year. I really enjoyed the class I taught out there last year and look forward to this trip. At the end of April I will be heading in the other direction to preach a Gospel Meeting for the good brethren of the King Ryder, Arkansas congregation May 1-3, which is also always a good visit.
There are more plans to discuss, but I will wait until next month’s newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact me using the information below. I would also suggest you visit our website at www.wetrainpreachers.com and see what Bear Valley is doing around the world.
You may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows
Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914
Email: dnbates1@yahoo.com
Donnie Bates
...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3).
If you would like to read this update in English, click this link: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/14/video-interview-bible-institute-of-honduras.html
Entrevista (en inglés) con Hector Viera, reciente graduado del IBH (Instituto Bíblico de Honduras):
Para ver este informe in español, haga click en este sitio de web: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/14/entrevista-de-video-instituto-biblico-de-honduras.html
Interview (in English) with Hector Viera, recent graduate of IBH (Bible Institute of Honduras):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_RL7qZyGnU
If you would like to read this update in English, please visit this website: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/8/march-8-2011-guatemala-city-guatemala.html
Día 2 – domingo, 6 de marzo, 2011 – Hoy estuvimos casi todo el dia con los hermanos de la congregación de Linda Vista en la ciudad de Guatemala. Fuimos de la casa a las 8:15 para que pudiéramos desayunarnos. Después del culto hubo una reunión y entonces fuimos para ver el lugar donde nos reuniremos para la segunda seminario anual de ITL. Después de eso fuimos al hogar de una de las hermanos de la congregación que había preparado una comida para el instituto. Regresamos a casa a las 3:15 de la tarde. Salimos de nuevo a las 5:00 para asistir el culto and regresamos después de comer en Pollo Campero (pollo frito) acerca de 9:30. Ha sido un buen día. Mañana inician las clases.
Dia 3 – Lunes, 7 de marzo, 2011 – Desayuno se sierva a las 7:00 de la mañana. Las clases empiezan as las 8:00. Hoy es la primera clase para “Los Profetas Menores II.” Tuvimos buena participación en la clase y progresamos bien por la materia. La devoción se inicie a las 10:00 y los lunes el servicio es cantar, oror y lecturas de la Biblia. El horario que tenemos esta semana nos lleva a las 3:50 de la tarde. Para la cena, los misioneros Hiwatthia Jones y Byron Benitez, maestros visitantes Waymon Swain y yo, maestro de aquí Darvin Alvarez y traductor visitante Conrad Pinder, todos fuimos a un restaurant llamado Sarita’s, lo cual es como Denny’s. Será bueno ver la cama esta noche.
Día 4 – martes, 8 de marzo, 2011 – El segundo día de clase paso muy bien. Progresamos un poco más lento hoy con más discusión de la clase. Prediqué yo en la devoción esta mañana. Ciertamente, me gusta predicar en español de nuevo. La clase termino al tiempo usual de 3:50. Esta noche nos quedamos adentro para tomar la cena con los estudiantes. Trabajare esta noche en traducir mas materia para la clase más adelante en la semana. De nuevo, espero una noche de descanso.
¡Que Dios les bendiga!
Donnie Bates
Si quiere leer este informe en español, por favor visite este sitio de web: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/8/8-de-marzo-2011-la-ciudad-de-guatemala-guatemala.html
Day 2 – Sunday, March 6, 2011 – Today was nearly a whole day with the brethren of the Linda Vista congregation in Guatemala City. We left the house at 8:15 so we could stop for some breakfast on the way. After worship there was a meeting and then we went to view the facilities where the second annual lectureship will be held. After that, the students and we went to the home of one of the sisters in the congregation who was providing a meal for the school. By the time we got home it was about 3:15 p.m. We left at 5:00 p.m. to go to worship and got home after eating at Pollo Campero (fried chicken) around 9:30 p.m. It has been a good day. Tomorrow we start classes.
Day 3 – Monday, March 7, 2011 – Breakfast is served at ITL at 7:00 a.m. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. Today was the first class for the Minor Prophets II class. We had good class participation and progressed well through the material. Chapel is at 10:00 a.m. and on Monday’s the chapel service is just singing, prayer and Bible reading. The schedule we are following this week lets us out at 3:50 p.m. For dinner, missionaries Hiwatthia Jones and Byron Benitez, visiting instructors Waymon Swain and I, local instructor Darvin Alvarez and visiting translator Conrad Pinder all went to a local restaurant called Sarita’s, which is a little like a Denny’s. It will be good to get to bed tonight.
Day 4 – Tuesday, March 8, 2011 – The second day of class went very well. We slowed down a little with more class discussion. I spoke in chapel this morning. That seemed to be well received. I certainly enjoy getting to preach in Spanish again! Class ended at the usual time of 3:50 p.m. Tonight we are staying in for dinner and eating with the students. I will be working this evening on translating more material for the class later in the week. Again, I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
God bless,
Donnie Bates
To read this update in English, visit this site: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/5/march-5-2011-guatemala-city.html
Buenas tardes de la Ciudad de Guatemala. Solamente quería enviar una nota corta para decir que he llegado sin (mucha) drama y estoy listo para una semana de estudio con los hombres y mujeres del Instituto Teologico Latinoamericano (ITL). Nuestro vuelo era sin complicaciones una vez que, por fin, pudimos salir. Primeramente, tuvimos que esperar unos 19 pasajeros de otro vuelo, pero eso nos tardó solamente 10 minutos y entonces no fue tan malo. No obstante, una vez que habíamos salido del terminal, esperamos 40 minutes antes de salir. El piloto nos explicó que habían 20 aviones por delante de nosotros esperando. Cuando llegó nuestro turno conté 17 detrás de nosotros esperando su turno. ¡Un día muy ocupado en el aeropuerto! De toda manera estamos aquí seguros y sanos y pudimos descansar un poco esta tarde. Mañana asistiremos el culto y entonces las clases empiezan el lunes.
Gracias por sus oraciones y ¡que Dios les bendiga!
Para leer este informe en español, visite este sitio: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/3/5/5-de-marzo-2011-la-ciudad-de-guatemala-1.html
Good evening from Guatemala City. I just wanted to send a quick note to say that I have arrived without (much) drama and am ready for a week of study with the men and women of the Latin American Theological Institute (ITL). Our flight down was uneventful once we were finally able to take off. First, we had to wait on 19 passengers coming in on another flight, but that was only 10 mintues, so it wasn't too bad. However, once we had taxied away from the terminal, we waited another 40 minutes before we could take off. The pilot explained that there were 20 planes ahead of us waiting to take off. When it was our turn, I counted 17 behind us in line. Busy day at the airport! Anyway, we are here safe and sound and were able to get some rest this afternoon. Tomorrow is worship and then class starts Monday.
Thanks for your prayers and God bless,
Donnie Bates
I remember putting a little short blurb in last month’s newsletter about how it has been a mild winter so far in
Oklahoma City. Apparently, that was just for my benefit. On January 29, I left for a two and a half week trip to Honduras, during which time winter made its presence felt with two major winter storms, while I suffered through 90 degree days. Now, I realize that to some of you that will sound like I am rubbing it in, or bragging. Actually, I would like to have been here for the weather and not hot, but I was glad I could be in Honduras with the brethren there.
I taught Revelation the first week I was in Honduras. Denny Petrillo, President of Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver came down the next week and taught 
Hermeneutics. The class and staff appreciated his class very much and I was happy he could be there. Unfortunately, due to a death in the family, Denny had to return early and did not get a chance to attend the first graduation of IBH, even though he had been anxious to be there for the students. They, of course, understood and all wished him a safe trip home to his family. Bob Turner, Director of Extensions at Bear Valley, came down along with his son Chase, and did attend the graduation and had encouraging words to say to the graduates. We are very proud of these young men and pray God’s blessings on them as they continue their great work in His kingdom!
My schedule for the next few months is full. I leave on Saturday, March 5 for a week in Guatemala, where I will be teaching Minor Prophets II (Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi). There is an extension staff meeting in Denver, March 14, 15 and then I return to Guatemala on March 31 for their first graduation. In the next newsletter I will have more information about April and May.
You may contact me at:
2013 Rushing Meadows
Edmond, OK 73013
Cell Phone: (580) 326-1914
I so appreciate your interest, concern and prayers for this work.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Donnie Bates
...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3).
If you would like to read this update in English, please visit this website: /donnie-bates-reports/2011/2/21/photos.html
Si usted no es miembro de facebook y quisiera ver los fotos de mi reciente viaje a Honduras, se puede accederlos al siguiente sitio de web: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275716&id=681697098&l=e598a25ed0
