DECEMBER 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT
INTRODUCTION
December was an eventful month for the school. There are several developments that took place in the month. Because this is the last month in the year, we also post a summary of what transpired during the rest of the year in terms of students’ practicums. Several other developments are highlighted hereunder.
1.0 NEW INTAKE
1.1 FACE TO FACE INSTRUCTION BEGINS
The school resumed its face to face instruction on the 6th of December and closed for a brief break on the 20th. This class was to commence its studies in May of this year but the process grounded to a halt due to the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. As a stop gap measure, online classes were done for 7 subjects. The two week program was meant to cement what was taught during the virtual classes. Of the 14 students that had been accepted, 12 turned up.
2.0 BICYCLES FOR EVANGELISM
Since activities have started at the school’s new campus. BVBIZ will be on a drive, through this class and subsequent ones, to reach nearby areas with the Gospel and possibly establish new congregations. For this to happen, bicycles are needed for this team. Transport is a huge challenge in the area.
3.0 SECOND INTAKE UPDATES
3.1 GRADUATION AND OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SITE
Preparations for the graduation of the 2018 class are in progress. The date remains the 13th of February 2021. This event will culminate into the official opening of the site the same day. The church and the community, together with past students are invited to this historic occasion.
3.2 END OF YEAR STATISTICS
The following statistics are from;
· The school’s weekend evangelism programs (Saturdays and Sundays)
· The school’s one week campaigns (which takes place at least once every tearm)
· The schools field/attachment program where students are attached to a congregation for 8 months (May-December). Covid 19 limited this effort but the students worked under this difficult challenge.
ITEM TOTAL
Congregations benefited from BVBIZ’s weekend evangelism program 8
Total Hours Out in Evangelism 2720
Sermons Preached 250
Counselling sessions 61
Devotions 810
Bible Classes Taught 209
Song leading opportunities 131
Lessons taught to prospects 1410
Restorations 35
Baptisms 156
Total prospects 2321
Tracts Distributed 750
WBS booklets Distributed 810
Hospital and Prison Visitations 6
Congregations Started 1
4.0 PROJECTS
Two projects, maize and broilers, took centre stage in the month of December.
4.1 MAIZE
In late November we grew a hectare of maize whilst we grew another hectare on the 16th of December. There has been a lot of rain in the area but our hope is that the crop will not be affected negatively. In January, we are hoping to begin preparations for the planting of beans.
4.2 POULTRY
We had a second batch of 200 chickens which was sold in late November into the first week of December. Of this number, 190 were sold whilst 10 died during the first 2 weeks. From the sales, $350 was used to buy roofing sheets for our cottage/storerooms being constructed whilst the rest was reinvested into the next batches. The third batch has 25 birds (already on sale), the fourth has 50 birds which will be ready by the 10th of January, whilst the last batch has 150 birds and should be ready towards the end of January. Our desire was to have a minimum of 400 broilers per month but funds are not yet permitting this to happen. Another fowl run will be needed. Presently, however, the school is reaping the fruits of these small batches.
5.0 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
There was a lot of activity in terms of the development of infrastructure. From what was done in December, the school’s new campus is now usable.
5.1 TEACHER’S HOUSE
Development continued on the teacher’s house. The box and backfilling were completed in November, whilst compaction and the slab was done in December. The builders took a break after the slab and will be back to continue with their work. We hope to finish all the brickwork when the builders come back. Great appreciation to Woodland Oaks for providing $2000 to continue with the work, $50 from Chirenda family and $25 from Simbi family.
5.2 THE HOSTEL
After the hostel had been completed, there were some outstanding issues that needed to be worked on. This included electrical wiring and installation, installation of floor tiles and painting. The situation remained the same for the classrooms. However, the main work was on the hostel. Great appreciation to Bear Valley Bible Institute International for providing $11876 towards this cause. Floor tiles were installed, painting of the hostel (both inside and outside) was done and wiring of the hostel including installation of a solar system was also done. The inside walls of the hostel were worked on with rhinoset first in order to smoothen the walls and improve the quality of the painting. The outside walls of the classrooms were also painted. As of the 31st of December, final touches were still being made of the structure.
5.3 KITCHEN
Since firewood (apart from gas) is going to be used for cooking, it was necessary to work on an outside kitchen so that cooking becomes easy. Part of the funds that were received helped in putting up the roof, floors and plastering.
5.4 STOREROOMS/COTTAGE
Behind the hostel, there is a structure that was constructed in August to act as a storeroom and also house a married student couple. Through some of the school’s savings, we took advantage of the presence of builders who were constructing the teacher’s house to plaster the structure. From the profit the school got after the sale of the second batch of broilers, $350 was used to buy 22 roofing sheets. 6 more are needed to finish the roof. The other outstanding issues will be the floors, plastering of the inside walls, doors and window frames.
CONCLUSION
Finally, we thank God for the journey travelled. We also thank Woodland Oaks and Bear Valley Bible Institute International for their unwavering support. To the teachers, students, board and the church. thank you. Several local partners who partnered with BVBIZ , one way or another, in 2020, thank you. We keep wishing all of you a blessed and prosperous 2019 even as we continue to pray for the end to the COVID19 pandemic. To God be the glory!