Thousands Are Being Reached In India...

Dear Brother, 

Thank you very much for your kind words and the good report of the work we have been doing. We are grateful for your visit to the CITY BEAUTIFUL.

Your visiting with us has encouraged us greatly. We trust that our Lord is pleased with our determination and He gives us good courage to work for His good cause. I am getting a very good response for the New Testament commandment we have made. So far we have printed it in English and Hindi but I think that if the Lord wills, we may print it into other Indian languages. In the first Wednesday meeting that we have on Nov. 2^nd, I plan to invite various people and share with them the difference between the OT & N T commandments and by that way we may be explain them the truth.

You may remember that last year we started sending daily verse to all over India in different states. Presently we have more than 1,000 people who daily receive few words from the Bible. Among them most of the people have some kind of belief or new to the faith. But they like it. Our printer (from whom we get our books printed) told me that even though he is a Hindu, but he enjoys daily reading from the Bible in his mobile.

The monthly letter is also covering a lot of people where our aim is to bring many people to one faith by sharing with them the different Bible topics and questions in an INLAND letter. We post them with a very nominal postage. Last month we printed 3,000 copies just to send as many people as we can. This letter is in Hindi. A reader from Chandigarh told me that he has kept all those letters in a file and teaches his children the Bible facts. Our target audience is different from the TFT and VOTI readers. We want to expand this to every people and all corners. Some people ask for it in English, but we don’t have presently that facility. We may do it if the Lord wills.

Brother Rajesh (who had gone home last week) has come back. Yesterday he took part in the supper. The next few weeks are going very busy for us. On 27th Brother Mangal Masih has arranged a gospel meeting at his place. We take all the students with us and if possible we will take the students to visit Wagah (India Pakistan) international border. They have a daily retreat and many people from all over India and sometimes foreigners also visit. We also may take them to Science City.

On the 2nd we are going to have a gospel meeting here and invite people. We have hired a hall for that. On the 7th I am going to attend the marriage ceremony of brother Julius' daughter in Bhopal (MP). It is more than 1000 km from here, but since it is in the mid India and Hindi speaking Belt, I think my going can benefit the college. So I will fly to Bhopal on the 7th and return back on the 8th.

Again we enjoyed your being with us and we are again thankful. The Students and the Staff send their greetings. 

In Christ
Earnest 

Flooding In Siem Reap...

Greeting from Cambodia,

I hope this message will find you doing great for our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, I hope you know some about the flood in Siem Reap recently. Now it seems to be down a little, but it is usual when the water goes down for a while then it comes back much more. We hope this time the water will not come back any more.

Also, when the flood came it destroyed our road to the school building. I left my car at school for a while during the flood, because my house was flooding. Now it's stuck there because the local authorities cut off our road. But, we are thankful to the love of the brethren from Bear Valley such as brother Wes Autrey, Sharon, Kathy, Sheryl, Rachel, and Dale that through them we can have a material to build our bridge. We just got the material this morning and we will repair our bridge this afternoon.

We also appreciate to them as they sacrificed their time, to leave their families and friends to travel a very long way to come to Cambodia try help us build our faith.

We all cried again just before they left us. It's hard for us to say goodbye to especially the ones that we love, but we do hope that we will meet them again, if not on this earth then in heaven. More sadly to us is our brother Phanat Ouch also left us to America. We know that he will go there for a while. Anyway, we still miss him as well.

I also have some pictures concerning the material to build the bridge just after I got the funds which were sent from Bear Valley. 

Keep us in your prayer.
Chann

Evangelistic Outreach In Chimala...

The school week is going well as we teach Bible Geography and the book of Hebrews. The students are creating five sermons from Hebrews and identifying the major places on the map of the Biblical story. Besides the school work, our students spent the weekend in evangelistic activities. One group went to the border of Malawi and Tanzania to have a friendship seminar.  Ezekiel, one of our instructors, spoke on the Family, and Joshua, our Dean of Students, spoke on the Churches Mission. Ezekiel and the students also spent much time with the children singing songs and teaching the Bible. Speaking of Ezekiel, he won an award from the district school system for teaching Bible Knowledge at our local secondary school.

At another point this weekend other teachers and students visited Uturo and Ukwama. On Saturday they had a Bible study with 12 people. Two members of the church were restored. We traveled to Chang’ombe on Sunday and the service was led by our students. We preached on The Five Duties of a Christian and after a baptism of last week the students studied with some who attended that afternoon and a young man obeyed Christ and was baptized. In other activities the teachers reported 1 baptism and two restorations at Kapunga.  

One of the inspiring stories of our student’s activities concerns the church at Chang’ombe. After driving them there this weekend they let me know some of them had been borrowing bicycles to make the trip to help the church there. Well, driving down these rough roads took us about 1 hour in our Land Cruiser; so I was impressed they had been taking bicycles. Another work of the students is having classes for our high school students on Sunday. They spend many hours with the students teaching and answering questions. Many are not Christians when they come to the Primary and Secondary school here at Chimala, so we are proud the students take this upon themselves to share what they learn in classes with these students. 

Yes, school is going well. We are planning for graduation. Boaz said today he is finishing his Swahili class on The Holy Spirit. Joseph has recruited a fine class of Swahili students for next year. The other classes are going well as the quarter winds down. In addition, our students are getting the “hands on” training they need in teaching and preaching the Gospel to others.

Garry L. Hill                                                                                                                                                       Coordinator

14 Responses In Arusha...

Greetings Fellow Workers:

We hope this note finds you well, blessed by the Lord in all the right ways. We thank you for your prayers and support. God is answering in a mighty way. Souls are being saved, congregations are being started and the Lord’s Church in Tanzania is maturing more and more. With your continued prayer support we believe we will have a strong end to what was begun in 1998.

Today was a wonderful day in worship to our God. David Kabala preached a master piece on Heaven. We had 14 responses, three asking for repentance for sin in their lives. What a joy it is to see the true power of God’s Word when preached to a people with good and honest hearts. We thank God for His mercy, love and grace. We thank God for the knowledge and hope of Heaven. We long for the day we can be with Him and  all the Saints.

Recently we had a visit from Bob Turner, the Director of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Extension program. He was with us for several days discussing the over all BV program and our work here in Tanzania. We discussed the future and what God is doing through this wonderful program. BV is currently working with fourteen schools throughout the world, with a good many being here on the African continent. The concept behind their program, that we too agree and have implemented via the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, is training faithful men in their own country to carry the Gospel to their own people. The program is Biblical, right, and is working.

This quarter I am teaching Evangelism 101. As part of the class work, the students are required to plan and execute a new Church plant. They began going to the field working with two of our previous graduates, David Bayi and Desdery Massawe. They are evangelizing an area between the Arusha Bible School and the Kioga congregation. After two weeks of efforts the Lord has blessed His Kingdom with a new soul. Her name is Christina. The amazing part of this is we have men we have trained in the past, teaching others! It’s working and the Kingdom is growing, indigenously!

Great News: through the generosity of many we have $20,950 for the generator needed for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. We now only lack $2,050. We thank you all and we thank God for His blessings making His work here go so well.

Please remember Cotton Box and Gene Davis as they make their way to TZ from AL. Also Anita Davidson from CO who will also be here on the 1st. We thank God for all His co-workers.

In Him, Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Evangelism Is A Family Ordeal In The Gee Family...

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

“BE DILIGENT to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of Truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Edith Kincaid sure left a lot of follow-up work to do! :) Loveness (a Personal Evangelism graduate) will continue teaching Rose with whom Edith began lessons. It’s great to see the fruit from this seminar!

NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE the ability of young people. Lindsey is continuing to teach two young ladies (ages 21 and 16) named Neema and Theresia (not the same Theresia mentioned before) with whom Edith studied. Theresia’s father was killed a few months ago while guarding a jewelry wholesaler. Lindsey studied with the girls four afternoons this past week.

YESTERDAY, Abigail had two separate Bible studies with Grace, age 15 ( Lutheran) and Jane, age 13, whose family is Catholic. The topics taught were the Existence of God and the Authority of the Bible. 

ROSEMARY, (a Christian of 10 months) taught our mid-week Ladies Bible class on Proverbs 7. Beginning this week, our Bible study will be on Thursday evenings instead of Wednesday due to some work schedules.

IT WAS OUR PRIVILEGE to have Bob Turner (Bear Valley Extension Coordinator) visit to meet with Cy Stafford, Jimmy and the entire ACSOP faculty to discuss the curriculum and possible future vocational projects (aimed at helping graduates become self-supporting). The students were also blessed to hear Bob speak on “Leadership.” Bob has left and we are thankful he had returned home safely.

DRESSED IN THEIR SPIRITUAL OVERALLS with their sleeves rolled up, Cotton Box and Gene Davis usually “hit the ground running,” ready to labor in the Lord’s vineyard in Tanzania. After arriving on October 25th, they will be working with David Bayi in Kioga for several days before traveling to Ushirombo to help Yusuph Mdaki with evangelism in that area.

“NEVER A DULL MOMENT.”  Due to our large family, people often smile and say the afore-mentioned phrase. Yesterday, five-year-old Elijah was tipping the water filter over to get some water (in his mouth and not in a cup!) when the entire top and bottom fell, spilling water into the dining room and in the living room under my computer desk.

YOU CERTAINLY CAME THROUGH! We express our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to a new generator for the ACSOP. Since our electricity is not always reliable, a generator is a necessity in order to run the school. One man, who wishes to remain anonymous, contributed HALF the purchase price. Contributions total $20,950 leaving a balance of only $2,050! As soon as we get that amount we will make the purchase and get it installed.

“WE GIVE THANKS to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…”(II Thess. 1:2-3).   

In Christian Love, 
The Jimmy Gee family

East Africa Schools Complete The Journey...

As I write this week’s report, I am completing my trip in East Africa. Over the past week I have been privileged to visit two locations in Tanzania where the Bible Institute shares in the work of training men to preach the gospel: Chimala and Arusha.

The Chimala Bible Institute (CBI) is part of the Chimala Mission under the oversight of the New York Avenue congregation in Arlington, Texas. The Mission also hosts a hospital, along with a primary and secondary education program. CBI (formerly the Chimala Bible College and the Chimala School of Preaching) became the umbrella of both schools that were involved in training men to preach in Swahili and English.

The school has 26 men enrolled who are preparing themselves for the great work of teaching others about Jesus. In just a few weeks the Chimala Bible Institute will graduate 12 of these men, seven from the Swahili program and five from the English. The staff of the Bible Institute is continuing their efforts to recruit students for the next class which promises to be even larger. You can read more about the Chimala Bible Institute and watch some video footage on their web-page.

It was a great blessing to be in Chimala. I was encouraged to meet the staff and students. We met several times to visit about the work and ways we can improve the overall program in the months and years ahead.

The last part of the trip was spent at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in Arusha (ACSOP), Tanzania. The ACSOP is a work of the Kensington Woods congregation in Hattiesburg, MS. The TZ2000 work is under the direction of Cy Stafford. Cy and the staff of the school have been preparing men to preach the gospel in the northern section of Tanzania for the past 14 years. 

The Andrew Connally School is only part of the TZ2000 work. The efforts to help the kingdom grow are also connected to the Moshi Bible School and the Arusha Bible School. Both of these efforts are connected to congregations planted by the work several years back. These schools have also been instrumental in providing students for the school of preaching. The development of the work in the ACSOP has played a significant role in the planting and growth of more than 100 congregations in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

I urge you to look at the depth of information about the ACSOP on their web-page. Having opportunity to meet with the staff and students these past few days continues to strengthen the bond we share in this work. I have admired the work of the Stafford’s and the TZ2000 team for several years. I look forward to the years ahead. 

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

Extension Reports 

Opportunities Grow In Cameroon: A new PA system, transportation and growth in the congregation increase the opportunities in Cameroon.

Graduation And New Class Begins At WCSOP: Graduation is quickly approaching in Takoradi, Ghana. As well, a new class begins in training men to preach in West Africa.

English And Kiswahili Classes In Uganda: Francis Wechesa shares the latest information about the two programs training men to preach at the Uganda School of Evangelism.

A Tribute In Ghana: A beautiful tribute in Ghana provides a beautiful backdrop to the description of the work in West Africa.

Flight To Mbeya Aids The Work In Chimala: Garry Hill’s report about the work in Chimala shows the benefit of flying into Mbeyha for those traveling to the Mission.

Twenty New Students Begin In Togo: The program continues to grow and show great progress at the Center For Biblical Studies in Kpalime, Togo.

The Joy And Blessing Of God’s Kingdom: This week’s report from Cy Stafford highlights the joy and blessing of being a part of God’s kingdom.

Two In One And Even More From Arusha: Jimmy Gee combines two reports in one and a whole lot more about the work in Arusha. 

Final Thoughts

It has been one incredible week. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this work. I am encouraged by the sacrifices made by so many to train men to preach the gospel. I have now had opportunity to see each of the 15 locations where Bear Valley is able to share in the work of Extension Training.

I know this is possible because of so many of you. Thank you for your love of the Lord, your desire to see the kingdom grow, and understanding the urgency of reaching the lost with the gospel of Christ.

I pray you know those who are involved in this work are serving faithfully in this task.

God bless
Bob

Opportunities Grow In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

I bring greetings from the staff, students and the entire Wotutu congregation. I do hope you are doing great in your endeavors, mostly in the line of nurturing and saving souls. It is 6: 45 pm here in Cameroon and our worship was great. We give glory to God for all that we do.

Many thanks to God for Sister Miriam Ike as she accepted the gospel in the cause of the week. She came to my office and told me I am ready to be baptized after two years of worshipping with the Wotutu congregation but refused to be baptize, claiming her sprinkling stuff that she took in Presbyterian was correct. I encouraged her not to worry much but let her continue to worship and study. So finally our student preacher, Nsong Eddie Nelson, baptized her to put on Christ. Join us with the host of angels to rejoice with us. We are thankful to God for the ability He gave us to steal from the strong man’s house. Keep her in your prayers so that most of her family members will follow her footsteps. She is the first to get baptize in a family of 8.

The week was a great one as usual in CBIW. All of our school programs went on well. Our weekly theme was BE TRANSFORMED (ROM 12:1-2). This was aimed at helping both the staff, students and members of the Wotutu congregation to know that as they eat food to grow in size physically they too need to grow spiritually, and to keep themselves from anything that will disturb their spirituality. Let people see Christ in us in all locations.

Evangelism remains top on our agenda in the week because we think souls and we are always ready to rob from the strong man’s house. Our students went to Tole village in a tea farm with house to house evangelism. They don’t allow any stone upturned with the gospel. We shall invest more time in Tole now as our tools for evangelism are here, like a powerful PA system generator etc. Keep our vision in your prayers to breakthrough and rescue perishing souls.

The Wotutu congregation held Bible studies this morning. We had a wonderful time with one another. We had 6 first time visitors in our worship who expressed great insight on the New Testament way of worship away from Pentecostalism. The total population in worship this day was 114 in attendance. I appreciate God for all He is doing in our congregation here in Wotutu. We shall install our PA system and we shall be broadcasting our worship, devotions and Bible studies which will allow our voices far from our church hall. Many that we cannot see when we our out for evangelism will be able to hear the saving message loud and clear in their homes. Keep this plan in your prayers.

As the Lord is adding souls in His vine yard He is also blessing families in His body with children. Three consecutive times my report has always carried pictures of a new born baby in the family of the church. Sister Mercy brought her new born baby girl into the church today for prayers. She had a safe delivery. Keep them with the falling brother in your prayers.

I exhorted the church about her life and her devotions to the Lord that many should emulate. I exhorted the church from the book of 1 Samuel 1:10-11, that we should remain steadfast in our doing. It is a problem in Africa if a sister is married and cannot conceive a child, It leads to many problems. That is why if God blesses a sister there is great joy in the family and in the family of God. The church contributed soap and gave it to the family.

PLANS
Our mission campaign to Batoke village is in progress as we are almost done with all the planning.

We are still studying the invitation given to us by Muyuka church of Christ to come over and help for 4 days. We pray to God for the means to go so that we can go and help the church there from the 27^th -30^th . The same invitation awaits us in November 24^th -27^th  to Mbalangi church of Christ for our annual Bible lectureship for the churches of Christ in Cameroon. It is always a big event and we pray by His grace to be part of it to help and also expose our school and what we are doing. Our presence will be great and our students too will benefit from the gathering.

APPRECIATION
Many thanks to you, your family and the entire family of God where you worship for all your  prayers and support to keep our dreams going. Our prayer for you is that God will replenish and continue His wonderful blessings in your life and the lives of those close to you. Keep this work in your prayers and continue to stand by us it is bearing fruits, to God be the glory.

Pray the more:
Brother Ayaubo is still sick. We are still there for him but it is not easy with the means.

One of our students, a French speaking brother Mbappe Guy Ekoulle, was dismissed from CBIW because he was unable to uphold the standards of the Bible and the rules of the school. We pray he will repent fully and later on think about his preaching calling.

Thanks very much and may God bless you as you share this report with others to know what is happening here in CBIW and Cameroon as a whole. Stay strong in the Lord.

Evangelist Elangwe and family
By His grace and Director CBIW

The Joy And Blessing Of God's Kingdom...

Greetings Fellow Workers:

What a joy it is to be part of God’s family and to know we will be with one another forever in the life to come. What a promise from our Lord, that He has gone to prepare a place for us. Heaven should be on our hearts and minds often, giving us the hope and faith to overcome the trials and tribulations of this life. We take great comfort knowing we have friends and family like you, praying and supporting God’s work here in Tanzania. Thank you all so very much!

Today was a very special day in Arusha. We were blessed with a great lesson in Bible class on the topic of God, His names and what they mean to Christians, followed by a most powerful sermon on Heaven. Bob Turner, Director of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Extension program was God’s evangelist who blessed us this day. Seven responded to the invitation asking for prayers for stronger faith, help on ones journey to Heaven, etc. Thank you Bob Turner, may our God continue to bless you in your life and work.

We are so excited about the upcoming graduation at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching on November 26th. This year we are thankful to have Dr. Earl Edwards from Freed Hardeman University coming to teach 1 & 2 Corinthians the week before graduation. He will also be our guest speaker during the graduation of 15 evangelist. Yes, we are indeed a blessed people.

Please remember in your prayers Edith Kinkaid (Jimmy’s great aunt) and Trina’s mother Rita who will be flying out tonight heading back to the States. Edith has been conducting 3 or 4 personal Bible Studies almost every day for the past two weeks. Souls have obeyed the Gospel, many have been encouraged and the Church has grown because our dear sister in Christ, a great lady of faith who cared! What an example of faith and putting God first in ones life (Matthew 6.33). 

Also, remember Cotton Box and Gene Davis as they make their way over on the 24th of this month. They will engage in personal Bible studies with David Bayi at Kioga and also will make the long trip to Ushirombo (100 miles south of Lake Victoria) to work with Yusuph Madaki and the Lord’s Church in that area. We thank Cotton and Gene for their continued support and involvement in God’s mission work through “Tanzania 2000 missions”. They, and many others, who have joined us over the years making God’s mission work what it is today.

UPDATE: We have received $5,950 toward the much needed generator for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, $17,705 remaining. A very special thank you to all who have donated for this need.

We wish you all a great week of service to Him and His. We continue to offer up prayers on your behalf, knowing God is able.  

In Him, 
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Twenty New Students Begin In Togo...

We have twenty students in the new class. The classes began on September 12. The students are very regular to the course. The courses begin during the mornings about 8 am to 12:30 pm and in the evening about 3 pm and ending at 5:15 pm Monday to Friday, except Wednesday evening doesn't have class. Every morning an early devotion is done by the students about 7:30 am to 7:50 am. The are six teachers, three teachers come from afar: Lome, Tsevie, Avetonou, and the other three are in Kpalime.  

The new place where we make the courses is a quiet place. A big number of the students are lodged there, and some live with me in the former place. Our device for the photocopy has serious problems. Every time one makes the maintenance so that the copies improve. The number of the students is raised and the courses are big volumes. Some time I miss to make the copies to the students, or I must wait until the arrival of Willie Gley to make the copies of the lessons for the teachers and for the students, and of other things again.

The Center misses the kitchen where the students should prepare their food. They buy every day food that sells near the road to eat. In the first month, the half of the students suffered from some illnesses. They have been treated at the hospital.

The program of evangelism:
Evangelism to establish the new congregations continues. After evangelizing Kpadape and Kpele-beme we programmed to continue evangelism in Kusuntsu in September since Willie had not come in Togo, and we reported evangelism on the 27^th to October 30^th. The eight evangelists work hard for the development of the church in the region. A new congregation is to begin in Aveho-toughbli with seven members and their evangelist is Ahanyaboe Afatawo Clement.

Concerning the evangelists, the major problem that I have is the help that was given them every month until now didn't come anymore in this month of September, and this help was twenty five thousand francs and some cannot pay their expenses of renting.

For the first part of the first year, I planned ten subjects for the bases for the beginning. A teacher has 40 hours to teach a subject.

Cephas

Two In One And Even More From Arusha...

Dear Co-Workers,

We apologize that you did not receive last weeks’ report due to electrical and internet problems. We will do our best to squeeze in two weeks onto this one short page.

Lindsey and Abigail (whose work permits are in the process of being approved) are eligible to take classes at ACSOP. Both are enrolled in Jimmy’s I, II and III John class and Abigail is enrolled in a second class, “Personal Evangelism” taught by the TZ 2000 Mission Team director, Cy Stafford. Abigail and her friend, Happiness, gave out tracts last Friday and are planning to study with a 13-year-old girl named Jane who works for one of our members. Lindsey already has two studies set up for Monday with a 16 year old and a 21 year old (Neema and Therasia).

Please pray for new Christian Miriam, who, after we returned from the dentist, found her little mud room (6 x 8) stripped of everything but some clothes. Her husband had left and taken everything they owned (bed, kerosene stove, pots, utensils, etc). There was not as much as a bowl left. She has left to travel 8 hours to her parents’ house in Singida where sadly there is no congregation. We have talked about sending a student to try to establish one there.

Last week, Jimmy preached at Maji ya Chai and announced concerning the Future Preachers Training Camp and Tanzanian Christian Camp both in December. He also advertized the ACSOP, seeking students who are eligible to attend. Today, he visited the Monduli Juu congregation to make these things known. The rest of the family attended at Kisongo where Trina taught the Ladies class, finishing up Genesis 19.

Now, for the best news! Due to Edith’s diligent studies, we have a new sister in Christ! Eunote, a Maasi lady, in her 20’s, with one small child was eager to learn and after completing all the lessons, wanted to have her sins washed away. Eunote’s mother and brother are also Christians.

Edith conducted 40 Bible studies (with 8 non-Christians and 3 new Christians) in the three weeks that she was here. She also taught two lessons at the Galatians seminar where almost 60 people from five different congregations signed our attendance book. The men of the congregation cooked and organized our lunch. It was a great day! She also conducted a Personal Evangelism Seminar where 12 ladies finished the course and received a certificate. But more important than that, they received so much knowledge, advice and confidence to carry on the work of the church. To say that her “plate was full’ while she was here is an understatement. She was sick one day and rested in order that she could speak at the Galatians Seminar the next.

We are very thankful to the Union Grove Church of Christ who donated enough money to buy 200 Swahili Bibles. These will mainly be given to new Christians who do not own a Bible. The Union Grove congregation also contributed heavily to fund Edith’s trip. I think they got their money’s worth!

Our hearts are always full of gratitude to all the congregations that have a part in this work. Through your prayers, support and dedication, you have made this work a tremendous success.

Although We have given you a little overview of these past weeks, we will end with what the Queen of Sheba said after meeting King Solomon: “The half has not been told.”  

In Christian Love,
The Gee family

Flight To Mbeya Aids The Work In Chimala...

I traveled back from the states after attending the Bear Valley retreat in September. The other weeks we were home, I traveled to various congregations in Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama raising funds for the work. I was able for the first time to fly in a small plane from Dar es Salam to Mbeya, near the mission. This is exciting to me and the short course teachers who will be coming for it shortens our long arduous trip to the school from the capital. Immediately upon returning, I met with the faculty, and the school was doing well. I began to teach my Hebrews class for the second year students and the Bible Geography class for the first year students. The staff and I also planned recruiting trips for the next few weeks to interview new students for the 2012 year. We had the new signs painted for the school and made sure the grades were up to date in the data base. 

The first weekend we all, students and teachers went out to preach the gospel. Four full cars left the mission early Sunday morning. Teachers, Joseph, Frank and Xaveer  left to travel 26 km to Kapunga. They brought four students and spent the day preaching and going house to house sharing the gospel with the village. The sermon was on the Excuses of Moses and they encouraged the congregation to not offer excuses for not doing the Lords work. This group plans on returning next week and spending all day Saturday in the village and Sunday preaching. 

Another two full cars left with teachers, Remmy, Boaz, Ezekiel, Menard, Don and myself. The first group went to Chang’ombe where Blessings, one of our second year students, preached on Being an Example. The afternoon was spent going house to house and by the time the group came home a new sister was added to the church and a brother was restored. 

Boaz preached at Ukwama on The Authority of the Bible and then spent the day with the students in doing Bible studies.  At Uturo, I was able to preach on Someone Cares for your Soul. The building was full and Israel and others led singing, directed the Lord’s Supper and led the prayers. Students spent the rest of the day there doing Bible studies and William, one of our first year students, preached there in the afternoon on A Spiritual Home.

Joshua, the Bible Institutes Dean of Students, went another 25 km away from Uturo to Mabadaga Mtoni. He brought Silence and Micah with him. Silence preached and Micah spoke at the Lord’s Supper. They spent the afternoon visiting the “sick folks” and encouraging the brethren. 

Yes, we all returned to the mission in the four cars by dark, tired and exhausted. But more importantly, we knew we faced another full week of classes, Bible study and work, and then could put this study to good use as we all made plans to go out next weekend with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It has also been an exciting week here at the Chimala Bible Institute with Bob Turner, Director of the Extension program, arriving on the small plane in Mbeya Tuesday. The students and faculty have been looking forward to his trip for a long time. He immediately went to work, speaking twice in chapel on Why Be Afraid and our Responsibility to Prepare for Heaven. He reminded the students we are to tell others to prepare, this is why we are in the program. Bob explained to us the overall mission of the BVBID program in training preachers to tell others (2 Timothy 2:2).

Bob then taught the 1st and 2nd year English students on leadership. As evidenced by the smiles and excitement on their faces as they left the classroom the lesson was well received. Bob traveled with us and many of our students to speak at the old historical congregation in Chimala on Wednesday night. Bob preached a powerful lesson on the Names of God from the book of Genesis. Thursday after chapel Bob met with the faculty and explained the overall work of the 15 schools in the BVBID extension program. He then challenged us with future goal and dreams. 

Bobs trip was inspiring to us all. As he entered the small plane in Mbeya to go visit other schools, what he left us all was a greater awareness of the great work the Lord has given us all in training others to teach others also. We are all committed to this great task and ever thankful to our Great God for the opportunity.

Garry L. Hill,  Coordinator

A Tribute In Ghana...

Greetings once again to all of our brethren throughout the world who have an opportunity to read this newsletter. Your brothers and sisters from Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Benin, and beyond extend their heartfelt greetings to you as we continue to labor in our Lord’s vineyard. Your prayers and support are an encouragement to all who love our Lord and have a desire to see the gospel spread. We pray that God continues to bless you with health and prosperity as we labor together in service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A Tribute to Avril Keoughan
During the month of August, we had the opportunity to celebrate the life of a wonderful sister, friend and coworker for our Lord. Sister Avril Keoughan had a terrible accident after attending the graduation at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies that resulted in her death. There was a time of mourning for our loss, but we now want to celebrate her life, and the example that she set for all of those who came in contact with her. Sister Avril was a Canadian nurse and missionary who had worked in the country of Ghana for many years. In addition to administering a Mission Clinic for the church of Christ in Kumasi-Ghana, Avril also taught basic health care to the students of our Bible Colleges. She had traveled to Tamale to help the students at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies many times during the past two years, and they always looked forward to her medical instruction. She had become such a part of the Ghanaian culture that she called herself a Ghanadian, and planned to spend the rest of her days in Ghana. Her final wish was satisfied when she was laid to rest in Kumasi-Ghana on August 27.

Throughout the years that I have spent in Ghana, Avril had become a very close friend to me, and I have had the opportunity to spend much time with her and her Ghanaian church family in Kumasi. We have worked together on mobile clinics in northern Ghana where we combined evangelism with the distribution of free medical care and drugs to those in need. She was not afraid to travel throughout West Africa or to work in the villages. It would be difficult to count the number of people that she has helped or influenced with either her medical skills or her life. She was a wonderful example to Christians everywhere, especially to women interested in working in the mission field.

It is our prayer that the works that Avril had been involved with over the years will continue to prosper after her departure. We pray that women all over the world will see her life as a Christian example that they can continue to follow. There is much work that needs to be done in the Lord’s Kingdom. Let us each take up the challenge that our dear sister Avril has laid at our feet and continue to labor diligently in her absence until our Lord comes to take us home also!!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

The French World in West Africa
The work in the French speaking portion of West Africa continues to need our prayers, and support. During the month of July, a seminar was held in the city of Lome in Togo for many of the French speaking preachers and Christians. Many of these preachers have been trained in the country of Benin at a preaching school that is directed by a Ghanaian named George Akpalbi. This is a wonderful example of how Ghanaians are having an impact on the growth of the church far beyond the borders of Ghana. A congregation of the Lord’s church located in Benton Kentucky oversees this preaching school, and some members of that congregation were present at the seminar in Togo. It was a great opportunity for many of us to gather together and discuss the work in the French speaking world. Let us keep the school, the preachers, and all of those who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in our prayers.

The Bible Schools in Ghana
There continues to be a significant need for trained leaders and preachers throughout Ghana and West Africa. Many have a desire to take advantage of the training available at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies and the West Coast School of Preaching in Takoradi. However, this requires support for each additional student that varies from $100 to $150 per person depending upon the location for supplies, food, lodging, etc. There are other needs for fixed assets such as beds, roof repairs, computers, and the funds to finish the building in Tamale. We need books to build up the libraries of each of the schools, and materials and tracts that we can hand out to the students and use for evangelism. We can only continue to offer this Bible training with your assistance. If you can help in any special way or with any special needs then please let us know!

Reporting in the USA
I have already called or written many of you to set up appointments over the next couple of months. I am looking forward to seeing you all, and telling you about the wonderful works taking place throughout West Africa. If you know of other congregations that may want to become involved with this work, then please let me know. All of us working together will make a difference!!

Bear Valley Bible Institute Website
I would like to remind you that more frequent reports for the schools of preaching where I am working are now being posted to the Bear Valley website. You can see these reports at this web address:

/why-extension- schools/

If you go to this web address, you will find links on the right side of the page for the schools in Tamale, Takoradi, and Togo in West Africa. You will also find specific links for each school on the left side of the page along with a link for my previous reports.

Financial Support
We want to thank all of the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

All checks need to be made out to: Mountain Home church of Christ

For: West Africa Mission and mailed to:
Mountain Home church of Christ
380 North College Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven Ashcraft at:

Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com U.S. Cell Phone: 971-270-8535 U.S. Message Phone: 870-425-4330 Ghana Cell Phone: 233-24-614-6022

Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter with photos by email.

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

To see Steven’s full report with pictures, click here.

English and Kiswahili Classes In Uganda...

Dear brethren, (October 10 report)

I am sorry to have not written my short report for a week or so. There have been a problem with my computer. It could bring very small letter on my gmail account until today when a friend showed me how to work it out. 

The school is going on well. We are half way in our third quarter. Every body is very busy with class work. Paul is very busy managing the farm and also assisting me with many other work at the school. Margaret is busy with her kitchen work. She makes sure students get their meals on time. 

We have also started translating from English to Kiswahili lessons which we are going to teach in the  last quarter. We will be teaching The Book of Revelation, Anti-ism, The Beatitudes, Millennial Mania. We need some good Concordances and Bible Dictionaries, to give our students as gifts on the graduation day. We are also in need of different good books for our library. We have nothing in our library. If you know anybody who might be with some good books he or she can donate to us through Woodland Oaks Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. May the Lord bless you. 

Dear brethren, (October 17 report)

We hope that you are all doing fine there in USA. We are fine here in Uganda. We are still  having some rain around. Farmers still need it very much for their crop mature. On Sunday we worshiped at Junge Church of Christ where our graduate, brother Okochi Josephat, is the preacher. We enjoyed worshiping with them. My lesson was about how one can prove a growing church. "It is not by number but doing the will of God." 

Ten churches among those planted by our school effort have started understanding the need to start being self supporting. They have started a plan of working together in purchasing land and building small grass thatched houses of prayers. They meet together every other two months to study and raise funds and the money raised is left for the hosting congregation. They want to do what they can to get through these efforts.

I know due to the poverty among them, it will take years to raise money which can do what they are planning, but it is better to start than waiting. Pray for them, and if possible we need your boost.

Yours In Christ
Francis Wechesa

Graduation And New Class Begins At WCSOP...

We are expecting two more for the junior class next quarter. They need time to get off their jobs to be able to attend full time. The picture to the right is the present junior class of students at the West Coast School of Preaching.

The picture to the left is a picture of the present senior class at the WCSOP.

The other picture to the right and below is of the new title holders - George the youngest, and Solomon the oldest on campus.

The mortal remains of our late sister Augustina will be laid to rest after her funeral service on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The school and the Ituma church still mourn her death, especially when she fell on duty and was rushed to the hospital never to come to the campus again. Please, continue to pray for her husband and their four children.

We have taken advantage of the favorable weather to plant some cassava on our school land. Cassava combines with plantain to give us a favorite Ghanaian staple, fufu. We could harvest the cassava by February next year, but the plantain will take longer.

Our 11^th graduation is some three weeks away, November 5, 2011. We are praying the weather will be favorable. We have had to do a graduation on a rainy day. It was an unpleasant experience, as the canopies under which we sat dripped with water. Bear Valley will be represented by Gary Fallis. He will be our Guest Speaker and will also hand over the certificates to the 11 men who will graduate that day. This will be the first time our students will be awarded Bear Valley certificates since West Coast became an extension school. The master’s classes will begin on the Monday after the graduation. It will run from November 7 to 18 and will be taught by brother Fallis.

We have had much rains this year. There was not much of a break between the major and  minor seasons. Floods have been reported in various parts of the country almost every week. This has affected many of our national road networks. Our access road to the school has not been spared – it has suffered much damage making it unusable when it rains. It can however be sued with some difficulty when the ground is dry and firm.

Brethren, continue to pray for us
Daniel Ampadu-Asiamah

My Week In Chandigarh (NIBC)...

The first part of the journey this week focuses on the North India Bible College in Chandigarh, India. I was met in Delhi by Jerry and Paula Bates and we traveled together to Chandigarh. The city of Chandigarh is known as the city of the “Open Hand.” The picture to the right is the symbol for the city. 

Earnest Gill, who serves as Director of NIBC, met us at the airport in Chandigarh. After arriving we had opportunity to meet the staff and students of the school. The time with these men was fruitful and eye opening to the conditions they endure to study. The picture to the left is the room where they meet for classes. This is the current student body with staff members in the back of the room.

The school presently meets in a flat of an apartment complex. Because of complaints and threats by neighbors, the students are no longer able to have devotional time in the morning or evening. They are able to have class and the church meets for worship in the same room on Sunday mornings. Earnest told us the police know every student by name because the complaints they have responded to concerning the school’s activities. The students live on site in the most basic of two rooms. A third room is used for a warden and his family. Their accommodations consist of sleeping on the floor and preparing their own food.

There are presently five students in their first year and five in their second year. These second year students will complete their classes and graduate in February 2012. It was both an honor and pleasure to have time with these men and worship with them Sunday. The names of the first year students in the picture to the right, as they appear are next to brother Gill, are: Shiv Kumar, Keshal, John, and Vishal. One student in the first year class was unable to be there. The second year students are are in the picture on the left as follows: Mahananda, Kirtan, Rinky, Baidyanath, and Naresh. 

The staff of the school consists of three teachers and a warden. In the picture to the right, brother Gill is standing on the left and next to him are the remaining staff members: Mangal Masilie, Noble Gill (Earnest’s brother), and the school’s warden.

Earnest Gill has done a tremendous job with the limited financial resources available to him, as well as, facing the challenges of meeting in the present location. Lord willing, as the months ahead unfold, we will be able to raise the additional funds needed to help the school meet in a new location where they will have greater liberty to study and worship.

In connection to these challenges facing the school and its operation, there are the challenges of dealing with other religious groups. Two of the prevalent religions of India is the Hindu and Sikh. There are temples for these religious organizations throughout the city of Chandigarh. The picture to the left is one of the largest and most elaborate Sikh temples in Chandigarh. The Muslim religion is also growing rapidly throughout the northern section of India.

Besides directing the school, brother Gill has been a great asset to the Voice of Truth International and Truth for Today organizations. He spends many hours translating materials into the Hindi language. While we were in Chandigarh, Jerry Bates unveiled the first edition of a booklet translated by Earnest for Voice of Truth International. This is the first of several editions to follow. I was most impressed and encouraged to learn he gives his time to this organization without compensation. It will most certainly provide a powerful example for these students.

I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to see this school for the first time. I know I have said it before, but there is something special and significant about seeing a school for the first time. I learn more than I could ever have learned simply through e-mail. I am proud to be part of the work of the North India Bible College and I look forward to seeing this effort flourish in the years ahead.

If you would like to know more about the school, the staff or students and how you can be involved to help, feel free to call me or send me an e-mail at bturner@bvbid.org. 

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

The latest report from Gary Fallis is located here. You can read about his recent trip to 

Remember to pray for Howell Ferguson and Denton Landon while they are in Gorlovka, Ukraine teaching. The should finish classes later this week. There will be a report to follow in the weeks ahead.

Extension Reports 

Great News In Cameroon: The news in Cameroon continues to be exciting as more are obeying the gospel and the plans for the future unfold.

Youth Event Reaches Many In Nepal: Jerry Golphenee reports about the doors being opened for the future of the school through youth events such as this one.

Fourteen Students Are Studying In Ukraine: The report from the school in Gorlovka, Ukraine shares news about the new students and the restarting of the Master’s program.

Church Growth Perspective In Arusha, Tanzania: I always love Cy Stafford’s perspective and this report is no different. This report helps us see the perspective of church growth through a powerful set of eyes.  

Final Thoughts
As I write my final thoughts for the week, I am sitting in an airport waiting for the second part of my journey. I will soon arrive in Chimala, Tanzania. This will be the last school I have yet to see. I am looking forward to meeting the staff and students of this program as well.

Later in the week I will travel to Arusha to visit with Cy Stafford, along with the staff and students of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. It is going to be a busy week filled with much travel, fun and excitement in spending time with some of the greatest people on earth. You just gotta to love God’s family! Until next week...

God bless
Bob

Teaching In Guatemala...

Gary Fallis recently returned from teaching in Guatemala. His report talks about the recent graduates and the new class.

Great News In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism remains a priority in our agenda. Every Saturday all students and members of the Wotutu congregation go out for house to house evangelism meeting people in their homes and sharing the gospel with them. Then after that I will go out in the evening visiting our Christians in their home pray with them and share words of appreciations and encouragement to them.

Below, brother Mbappe Guy shared the word to our closest neighbor’s son, whom David Ballard preached to the father last June 2011 and gave him a copy of his lecture on the New Testament church. The son spent some time to read through it and came last Sunday to the church and asked many questions about the church of Christ and other denominations. He had greatexplanations from me and the students and at the river side Mbappe read another scripture for him to really know and consider his decision.

Brother Kelechi said, I have seen the truth and I am ready to follow the truth. So the father said he cannot stop the son from following the truth, so in the picture above and right, Kelechi was baptized on Tuesday  4^th of October. Please keep him in your prayers so that through him his father and mother who are worshipping with us and have not accepted baptism because they said they were immersed in a denomination will finally believe the truth about the sin of denominationalism and will be baptized to be added to the body of Christ which is not a denomination.

Accept warm greetings from all the staff, students and the entire members of the Wotutu congregation. We just had a wonderful worship service today with many first time visitors. As I write this report to you it is 2:45 pm here in Cameroon. Today is our presidential election day and Cameroonians are practicing their civic rights today in total peace as usual. Keep the country in your prayers that this peace should continue in our fatherland. Cameroon is described by historians and geographers as a peaceful island in turbulent waters. They are referring to other African countries where there is always uprising and civil wars but Cameroon is always peaceful and we give God thanks for that.

Our week in CBIW was hectic and busy from our lectures and all other activities. We thank God that all is going on well and God is using us in many ways to fulfill His mission here on earth. I came back safe and sound from a short personal evangelism visit to assess the work we are planning to do to fully establish a congregation in Batoke village.

Let me share with you what made news here in CBIW and the Wotutu congregation and other congregations close to us.

Our students are making good use of the library as they do their research and assignment and other findings which is part of their studies. I appreciate many who donated books to our small library and I pray  God to use more people to think about us by sending books as we continue to build our library.

This week on Friday minister Ameli Martin from came visiting to CBIW. He is also the president of the board of trustees of the churches of Christ in Cameroon. He expressed great satisfaction about what is happening in CBIW and prayed God to bless all those who are standing by this school in prayers and finance to sustain this school that God should reward them in hundreds fold. Many more ministers will be visiting in the course of the month.

Yesterday, Saturday 8 October, God blessed our efforts by adding Ivo Esange into the body here in Wotutu. Our student, brother Muofo Bernard, baptized him late in the night to put on Christ. Please keep brother Ivo in your prayers to walk worthy of his calling. He worshiped today alongside his wife and a son giving me another opportunity to talk to them and pray with them in my office after service. May God give the increase as we plant and water the seed of the gospel.

Brother Patrick brought his new born baby today to the church for the church to pray for the baby. The wife also came, who is not a believer. We are happy because she saw and enjoyed the fellowship with the saints of Wotutu today. This is an opening for us to help her see the truth and be a Christian and just a Christian. I exhorted them and the entire church from psalms 127:3-5, that they should be careful with God’s gift. My wife carried the baby as I exhorted the congregation in Wotutu this morning. Please also keep my wife in your prayers as the Lord added one year in her life yesterday 8/10/11. My wife is 30 years now. To God be the glory.

Plans
Our program to Batoke village will come up soon as we are still putting tools for evangelism in place. We appreciate God that we have a stand by generator now and projector, but we are waiting for the PA system which will come by His grace very soon and by then we shall finalize the preparation to establish the Lord’s church in that community. Keep it in your prayers for God to direct our plans and our steps.

The Muyuka church of Christ has invited us to come over to them and help in evangelizing their community for four days from the 27 to the 30^th of October. We shall happily go which is part of our vision, but we don’t have a van and we don’t have money in school to hire a van that will take all of us to the place.

Another invitation has come to my office as the Mbalangi church of Christ is inviting us to come to their community to help in evangelism and nurturing from the 24^th to 27^th  of November, during the annual lectureship of the churches of Christ in Cameroon. One of our lecturer will teach on the New testament Church. Please think about this and see how you can support us to go to this Macedonian calling.

Brother Ayaubo is still sick and still in the hospital for the past two weeks now. Please keep him in your prayers.

Keep Cameroon in your prayers. Keep CBIW in your prayers. Please keep our visions to plant and continue to water tirelessly in our country in your prayers. The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. Please, we are ready with our spirit to help as many as we can to hear the gospel which will help them fear God and eventually they will keep His command.

Do your best to share this with others. God can touch and encourage someone to come to us. God bless you in all your endeavors.

Elangwe and family.
Evangelist of the churches of Christ.
By His grace, Director CBIW 

Church Growth Perspective In Arusha, Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Workers;

It is our hope and our prayer that this note finds you well and blessed in all the right ways by our Lord. We thank each of you for your continued prayers and support, making God’s mission work possible here in Tanzania. God continues to bless your labors here by giving the increase to His Kingdom.

Church Growth, what exactly is it? It might be defined differently by many. The bottom line is “What is Church Growth as God would have it? I believe you all are a part of genuine Biblical Church growth as seen through the Tanzania 2000 mission effort. Let me illustrate:

Church growth is two dimensional; spiritual growth (individually and collectively), numerical growth (locally and on a worldwide basis). Congregations throughout the world do what they can to help the individual and the local congregation grow in faith. Congregations on different levels are doing what they can to grow locally, spiritually and numerically as well. All to often, congregations fail in their duties as to numerical growth outside the local congregation.

Such is not the case here in Tanzania. Let me illustrate:

Today a husband and wife obeyed the Gospel here at the Arusha congregation. This came to be because one member, our brother Mwinyi, invited this couple to our Friend’s Day two weeks ago. They came and our brother Christopher Mwakabanje followed up with a study of God’s Word. The rest is history, a case of both spiritual and numerical growth within the local congregation.

The Arusha congregation has planted several congregations throughout East Africa. This year alone, they have planted the Kwa Mrombo congregation, over 40 new converts, (in conjunction with the Safari for Souls campaign, with the help of the Hoover, AL group and those who came with them. The Arusha Church is also in the process of planting another congregation between the city congregation and the Kioga congregation on the slopes of Mt. Meru. 

The Monduli congregation (with the help of Danny & Nancy Smelser) have planted a new congregation on the outskirts of Monduli town, over ten new converts (near the Tanzania Christian Clinic). 

The Mto wa Mbu congregation has planted the Kamaba ya Chui congregation in the village new Lake Manyara. They have around 15 souls meeting each week.

The Kisongo congregation hosted a Ladies Day this past weekend. Close to 60 ladies from many congregations participated in this great event. They had one guest speaker from America, Jimmy Gee’s great aunt, Edith. Edith is a retired school teacher who loves telling the story of God’s love for all mankind.

The area wide congregations have joined hands and have gone to Babati to help a sister congregation grow spiritually and prayerfully numerically.

Space simply does not allow a complete list of all the good being done as the Lord’s Church grows in Tanzania. A simple sampling of God growing His Kingdom in one small part of the world of some 7 billion souls.

We close by asking; what is your definition of “Church Growth” and is God pleased with your level of participation in this most important aspect of life as God would have it?  

In Him, 
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Fourteen Students Are Studying In Ukraine...

Dear brothers, families and churches.

In my letter I want to share with you some news from Ukraine. September was an intense and exciting month and full of many blessings.

First of all, our classes have started on September 5. We have 9 first-year students and 5 second-year students. All of them are very diligent in their studies and try to maintain high GPA.

Some of the second-year students are making their first steps in ministry and are helping to preach in local congregations. Dennis Petrov, Roman Kamayev and Dennis Yampolets are those men who will be ready to serve God to the full extend after 8 more months. We should keep them in our prayers since they are the next generation of Church of Christ in Ukraine.

Second, Howell Ferguson arrived a week ago. He is a regular visitor in our country, though the word “visitor” can’t quite be used here. As we say: he came to is second motherland. Howell will stay here for two more weeks. He’s teaching Homiletics and Christian Ethics to first- and second-year students respectively. So he’s busy every day. I thank God for his work and his help to us. 

This week marks the beginning of the Master’s program in our institute. This program was closed for about two years, but now we have an opportunity to continue this work.  Staring with October 3, Denton Landon is teaching his courses. It’s quite possible that because of this program we might have more good local teachers in our institute.

Central church of Christ in Gorlovka sends you their greetings. This month they had several events: a joint service together with church of Christ from Illovaysk, a meeting and a lecture for couples and young families, and youth group meetings. This church tries to constantly evangelize, and our students join this work. Every Thursday after classes, we go out and evangelize on the streets of Gorlovka.  It is very helpful for the students since they get a lot of practical experience. I noticed that many churches have problems due to just studying God’s word but not sharing the Gospel with others and, therefore, not fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. We are trying to train preachers who would be eager to preach not only behind the pulpit but also outside the church.

In the middle of October, we expect the arrival of Jim Sherman, Steve and Teesh Hausley. Please pray for their safe flight to Ukraine. 

Thank you for your prayers and support. Due to your help, we train ministers who in future will make a huge difference for the church of Christ here in Ukraine and maybe also abroad. 

Your co-worker for Christ’s cause,
Dennis.

Youth Event Reaches Many In Nepal

During the last 8-9 months of the curriculum at Nepal Center For Biblical Study [NCBS] we took our six students out on five campaigns to village congregations outside the Kathmandu Valley. One of these campaigns included two visiting American teachers. There were multiple services to provide, multiple lessons to teach and also to learn, and multiple areas for growth. One area that had a strong impact on each of our six preacher students, our regular teaching staff, and the visiting teachers was the young people in each of these congregations. Each trip back to Kathmandu included conversations about the enthusiasm of these young people, the need to do more for them, and different ways NCBS could include them as part of our ministry.

Last week we found the window of time and added the planning and preparation to meet this need. Every year there is a huge national and Hindu holiday during late September and early October. All the schools close. Every part of the Nepal community is affected in many ways.  

Last week NCBS hosted a four day Youth Week. About 35 young people, ages 14-22, were invited from outside the Kathmandu Valley. Some of them had to walk three days to get from their village to where they could catch the bus. The school paid for their transportation and meals, and provided lodging at the school. It was a little crowded but even that seemed to add to the adventure and the enjoyment of fellowship with new friends. We also had about 20 local young people come each day.

The theme of our lessons centered on the book of Genesis. These students were encouraged to read Genesis at least twice before coming to Kathmandu. The students were to come prepared to engage in “active learning” through discussion and questions/answers. Each morning we had three classes related to the stories and lessons from Genesis [12 total] taught by seven men. Each morning ended with the girls having a class taught by one of the ladies and the “gents,” as they are referred to in Nepal, having their separate class. Lunch for about 75 was served each day. We had more adult guests than expected. They were welcome but had to sit in the back and listen.

The first three afternoons began with a film in the Nepali language about Jesus. The students discussed it among themselves with very little teacher activity. They did a great job of teaching one another. Then came the games, relays, and silliness. Eight teams were formed by drawing names. This helped in make new friends and heightened the excitement level. They had so much fun that each day when it was time for the local young people to go home, they begged to stay and have more group activities.  

We planned to also have a film and complete the games on the fourth day but we had to alter those plans. All the young people, the teachers, plus other adults walked 25 minutes to catch a bus that would take everyone to the river where 13 young people, ages 14-20, were baptized into Christ. The river bank was the scene of the final group fellowship, singing, and saying “good-bye”. The mixture of laughter, tears, smiles, and hugs were all reflections of joy.  

It is often said that our youth is our future church. Last week was a touching reminder of that truth, and also a glorious encouragement to the youth ……… as well as to all the active adults.

Jerry Golphenee