Upcoming plans in Nepal

Greetings to everyone in the hope of our calling:

Friday of next week we are having graduation for our present students.  They began in November 2015.  The graduation is also highlighted by a lectureship from Monday through Thursday.  Jerry Bates will be teaching those classes.  His wife Paula will be assisted by Sunita in teaching classes for the ladies on Monday and Wednesday.  We expect about 100 guests from many parts of Nepal.  

Each year Nepal has a huge Hindu festival time spread over five weeks during late September to October.  Many things [maybe most things] either come to a complete stop or are greatly slowed down at this time.  It is centered on family and many people travel to their ancestral villages.  Nothing gets done.  Today it is about 20% religious and 80% cultural, maybe like Christmas is in the USA.

However, we try to make good use of this time.  We will have a five day Youth Camp that is very popular and will attract teens and early 20's from all over Nepal.  After that we will have campaign visits to many villages.  Our goals are to [a] teach, [b] evaluate needs [earthquake and recent floods], and [c] to encourage unity and fellowship within the brotherhood.  It is unwise to distribute any relief money until after this holiday festival.  Budgeting and wise use of money isnot a strong Nepali culture trait.  What we learn will help us to use the funds available in a more wise manner.  Our personal encouragement and discussions with church leaders will helpthem use the funds in a more appropriate way.  

September and October will be planning, setting priority goals, and discussing how to accomplish those goals with local leaders.  We anticipate distributing the majority of funds available in November and December.  They will be much more focused and serious about these matters after the holiday season.  

Tomorrow we will have a fellowship, classes, and lunch in my apartment.  The theme is centered on .....
Because Jesus Died For Me  ... I want to and need to respond in these ways. or how we should live each day.
Because Jesus Lives ...  with the message being the promise and hope we have for eternity.

Being in our new building is a tremendous blessing.  We are 100% moved in and functioning while still doing some of the finishing touches. 

Thank you for your love as expressed in your actions.  Thank you for the funds, for your prayers, as well as for the example of Christian commitment and compassion.

In service to God and to others, 

Jerry Golphenee

A new year in Haiti

A New Year at IST:  Year four has started at the International School of Theology - Haiti.  This year we have expanded our facilities to accommodate our new students. While we have almost finished the new facilities, there is still much to be done.  There are twenty-five students in the first-year class and fourteen of the sixteen second year students have returned.  We are now moving into the growing phase for IST.  We have a first year and a second-year class and in 2018, we plan to add a third class.  We will have our next graduation in May of 2019 and from that point forward, we will have a graduation each year.  

Meet our Haitian Faculty:  We now have one full-time teacher who will also serve as the administrator for IST and we have four part-time teachers.  

Jean Claude Lemours has a degree in education from the University of Haiti.  Brother Lemours is a 2016 graduate of IST and was our valedictorian.  He has served as the minister for the Butte Boye church of Christ in Haiti for almost twenty years.  He plans to continue his education toward a master’s degree in Bible.

Jean Yves Desmosthene has several years’ experience of preaching and teaching and holds a degree in administration.  

Derrises Alin is a graduate from the school of preaching in Cap-Haitian and he attended one year at IST.  He has served as an evangelist for many years.  

Saint Hubert Felix has been a gospel preacher for thirty-eight years and he is the director of our elementary school and serves as one of our directors at IST.   

Martial Viciere is a graduate from IST and serves as the director of the Sunlight Children’s Home.  He oversees an education program that includes about 125 young people from kindergarten through collage age.  He also is the director of the nutrition center where two hot meals are served five days a week to more than 100 children.  

Church Plant:  Beaubrun Origene, one of the directors at IST, and Martial Viciere have agreed to serve as the evangelists at the La Tremblay church of Christ on the campus of IST.  Plans are being made to start a congregation at the school in January of 2018.  The students and faculty have already started contacting people in the community and one person has been baptized into the body of Christ.  Please pray for this new work.  I will keep you updated at the work progresses.

 As the school grows, so do the needs.  We need both one-time and monthly support.  If you would like to know how you can help, please contact me directly at lwaymire@gmail.com or 731-798-0136.  You are also welcome to contact Bear Valley Bible Institute.  May God continue to use each of us as we continue to serve Him.  

We are thankful for the help of Bear Valley Bible Institute and so many individuals and congregations who have made this possible.  The glory belongs to God for all that has been done.

In Him,

Larry Waymire 

Graduation upcoming in Zambia

Greetings!

We bring Christian greetings from Bear Valley Bible Institute- Zambia. We are always happy to share with you concerning the work here in Zambia, and Luanshya in particular. The work of the Lord continues to grow from one degree of glory to the next. And we grateful to God for the opportunity we have in this noble task.

The six out of the ten students have finished their two years of study with Bear Valley –Zambia. For the past two years, we have seen these men on every curve of their spiritual growth. We can say with all our hearts that these men have turned to be very able preachers. And it is undoubtedly they will indeed make a meaningful contribution to the profile of the Kingdom of God. This has only been possible because of the existence of BVBI- Zambia. We have set 13th October 2017 as a graduation day for these men. Preparations are underway for the success of this day. 

Recruitments of new students have intensified. With two refuges from Angola wanting to be trained, We have so far interviewed fifteen prospects students. All things being equal, we would love that all these come and be part of the student body here at BVBI-Zambia.

Some of these of grandaunts are traveling with the rest of other men in Zambia to Kalomo, Southern Province of Zambia for Men’s conference. This meeting starts on 31st August 2017 and ends on 3rd September 2017.

We are eternally grateful to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for the financial support that comes to us each month. May God continue blessing you in all your endeavors!

Thank you once again.

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Graduation and lectureship in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 

Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Butubutu, Ibadan and fellow ministers of God in Nigeria. 
In one month the students teaching has resulted into the conversion of forty souls and restoration of over forty erring brothers and sisters and the planting of four congregations. 
This year annual lectureship and graduation was attended by over two hundred people from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Akwa -Ibom, Cross River, Abujaand USA. 

4,000 VOTI and 2,000 WBS introduction lessons were distributed to 150 congregations that graced the occasion. A carton of books from Mission Printing, Thompson Reference chain Bible, Bible Dictionary from Bro. Steven Ashcraft, Books from Bro. Doug Wheeler, and books from Bro. Jerry Bates were distributed to the 27 graduates .

Four of this year graduates(Bro. Obey Rimamsikwe, Bro. John Serimam, Samuel Peter and Bro. Ukori Godwin, pic attached) will now be ministering in four of the congregations the Lord planted by the school efforts in Taraba and Ondo States of Nigeria. 

In conclusion, we deeply appreciates the support from Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates and the support from Bro. Steven Ashcraft and associates and your great partnership and love towards the growth of the Lord 's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the Lord of blessings continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ Jesus, amen. 

I remain your fellow soldier of Christ..... Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

(Director of Studies & Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN & SWSE, Butubutu, Ibadan and WBSFUW)

Wotutu Director travels to Nigeria

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon, Wotutu. We are doing great and we return all the glory to God. I am sorry to send my last week’s report late. I was out of Cameroon to Nigeria. I was invited by a local congregation to officiate in a funeral program of late sister Alice Idemokon. She was so nice to me when I was in the Bible college in Nigeria. She took me like my mother away from my mother, so when she gloriously passed on, her children and the congregation of Church of Christ Ikot Idem Udo decided to invite me to join with other ministers there for the funeral program. I took my wife along and it was great to travel with her again. The program in that village went on well and we also went to Uyo town to be part of the Akpa Ube congregation.

I hope this report meets you in good health and sound faith as usual .

As students were going to different locations for weekend evangelism my wife and I were also on the road to Nigeria. We drove to the border in Ekok, packed there and went across the border to Akwa Ibom state as our invitation stipulated. Some students went to the newly established congregations and return with great news, like in Owe congregation 3 souls were added, a man, his wife and their son all obeyed the gospel without hesitation. We are planning for a mass evangelism in Owe village.  There is also great improvement in Nfaitock, Bakebe ,Ashum and Eyang as the Christians there are praying and appreciating God for the truth that they are enjoying now. Please, we need some urgent help to get benches and sign boards to these congregations. They are very promising. Brother Derrick was also added to Wotutu the congregation. The fruits of the VBS and the “Friends and Family Day” have started coming us.

PLANS

We are planning a mass evangelism campaign in Owe village before our general campaign. There are many demands for us to send our students to many places.

We are also invited by our sister school in Mbanga to join with them to evangelize a community in the French area.  A lot of English people live there as well. We shall finalize that soon.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for your prayers, your concern over souls here, and your support for us to go out and reach out to souls. God bless you and keep you strong, for there are more days to serve Him. Do your best to share our reports with others.

 Thanks very much for standing with us.

 Elangwe and family

 By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM.2TIM2:2 2TIM4:2

Campaign results in Malawi

The table below is a summary of the evangelism work done since we started the BV programme.  You will notice that there are three remaining campaigns before the students graduate.  Here at Mzuzu Bible College, all of us are strongly committed to the BV focus that 'we train preachers'.

It should be noted that the number reflected here are the work of both departments here at Mzuzu Bible College: BV and MSOP

2016 campaigns

1.      Katili – Karonga

This is a place where one of the former student of the Mzuzu Bible College was coming from, seeing the few Christians, he asked the College to come for a campaign and the results were as follows:

a.     9 souls were added to Christ.

b.     2 souls were restored.

2.      Lupaso – Mzuzu

This was a new congregation we established

a.     5 souls were added to Christ.

b.     6 souls were restored.

3.      Chisangano – about 35km from the college (Mbano’s home village)

This was a new congregation established

a.     24 souls were added to Christ.

b.     5 souls were restored.

4.     Chankhombo – Mzuzu

This was a new congregation established

a.     5 souls were added to Christ.

b.     3 souls were restored.

5.      Kalimira – Kasungu

This was a new congregation established

a.     35 souls were added to Christ.

b.     5 souls were restored.

2017 campaigns

1.      Zarewa – Blantyre

This is a new congregation established in May this year

a.     9 souls were added to Christ.

b.     10 souls were restored.

2.      Kamphenda – Rumphi

This is a new congregation established in last month of July

a.     12 souls were added to Christ.

b.     10 souls were restored.

3.      Chiseng’ezi – Mzimba

This is a new congregation established last month as well of July

a.     21 souls were added to Christ.

b.     5 souls were restored.

4.      Chinombo – Ekwendeni (September – 2017) not yet

5.      Kasungu – Central Region (August – 2017) not yet

6.      Lilongwe – Capital city of Malawi (August – 2017) not yet

Looking forward, we will have a new intake of students in February 2018.  Already we have over 120 student applications for 2018/19 (for BV we have about 35 applications).

Marc Veary

Much progress in Togo

TOGO, GHANA AND BENIN WOMEN TAKE TO THE STREET.

One of the highlights of activities in Togo in July was a big conference organized by ladies from Togo, Ghana and Benin. The conference took place at the Nukafu Church of Christ in Lome under the theme “The influence of women in the church and in the World” the gathering brought together over 400 ladies. 

The conference started with presentations on the theme on the first day from several speakers. 

On Saturday July 21, they walked through the principal streets of Lome to present the Church of Christ to the public. They made several stops to distribute tracts while the preachers delivered the gospel message over the PA system.

This event is going to be replicated in some of the major cities in Togo. It was a successful program by all standards.

ACTIVITIES OF THE GOSPEL CHARIOT

It is almost impossible to organize campaigns due to the rains. We are therefore using the season to visit churches we have already planted. However, the early morning devotion in nearby villages is on-going. The team arrives there as early as 5:am. 

Bro. Aluka a retired principal of one of the High Schools in Kpalime volunteered to join the dawn preaching team.

We met a lady who is a founder of a denominational church in this village. She heard a strange message and decided to come and find out who was preaching about the church of the bible. Apparently she did not know of the Bible Church. She came to confront but after all her questions were responded to using scriptures, she fell in love with Christ and His church. She is ready to invite the church of Christ to speak to her congregation.

Young people are becoming more interested in our tracts. We are the only church bold enough to distribute our literature in kpalime and the surrounding towns and villages.  The message is spreading like bush fire. It is interesting how the devil is using insufficient funding as our only handicap. We can plant several churches but how do we take care of them?

FIVE SOULS ADDED TO THE CHURCH 

During the month under consideration, God blessed our efforts by adding five souls to the Church through baptism. 

MOTOR BIKES FACILITATE MOVEMENTS OF STUDENTS AND PREACHERS

In Togo, motor bikes are the regular means of transport. In recent years, we have had individuals provided funds to purchase these bikes. The bikes are used mainly by students for personal work, Sunday visits to village churches and during campaigns. We currently have a fleet of five motor bikes. I would like to use this medium to appeal to individuals and congregations to help purchase more bikes for the school.

COMMUNICATING THE WORD

The word is often communicated using different methods in our effort to reach masses with the saving message of Christ. We use one on one bible study, group study, dawn preaching with megaphone in communities, radio broadcast and tract distribution.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CLASS

With barely Three months for this class to graduate, the students are expressing so much appreciation for the knowledge they have acquired in computer science. We thank all who have made this possible. Our special thanks go to Gabriel Oaks Church of Christ for its support.

LIVESTOCK PROJECT TAKES OFF

We recently commenced the livestock project for the BVBI. The objective of this project is first, to include animal and crop science in the curriculum of the school. The structure you see is a piggery under construction. Since we have limited funds, the plan is to construct one at a time. As soon as we raise enough funds, we shall start with the poultry too. This complex shall consist of grass cutter, rabbit, snail goat, sheep and a bee hive. The second objective of the livestock project is to generate funds internally to sustain our mission efforts.

Report by: H. WILLIE GLEY

P.O. Box AN 19611

ACCRA, GHANA

wgleycbs@gmail.com

011 233 244 509169

011 233 208137017

Graduates doing great things!

The Lord at work! It is amazing to be hearing good reports from our graduate students from various preachers all over east Africa that. The Lord is adding many souls to his church every day. Just for this past week , the reports show 25 souls have obeyed the gospel in Arusha.

It brings much joy to see five of these numbers coming from the Arusha church of Christ where I serve as a local preacher. Most of these converted souls are children of faithful members who have grown up in the word of God and have reached a point to confess and put on Christ through Baptism. These young boys and girls are now serving the Lord in many areas as they see fit according to the scriptures. Last month, Michael and I had the opportunity to visit 17 secondary schools in the Manyara region, and some in Arusha, and distribute Bible tracts.

The school here serves as a distribution centre for world for today material that is shipped from Texas (USA). It happened during our visit with the students and we carried about 60 boxes containing 500 tracts each. Simple statistics shows that these schools had a total of 7000 students and staff in total.

The materials will be able to reach even the parents and relatives of these students and staff. Two days I go I started receiving calls from several teachers and staff members, asking more questions concerning salvation and various topics in the materials. Please keep this work in your prayers for all the seeds that have been planted.

I managed to visit 15 people who are our radio listeners living in Arusha. I was able to share with them the truth. We spent much time looking at the importance of much water baptisms, because they believed only prayers of repentance saved them. Please don’t forget to say a prayer for these people because they are now visiting our local congregation for more Bible classes.

In Christian love, Godrey Mngoma

Dean of Students- ACSOP

Fiji now has 2 terms in the books

I couldn't be happier with the progress of the school in Fiji. With two full terms now in the books, I think you will enjoy the latest report from Jason Pierce. Click HERE to see it.

Mbanga students are doing well

Greetings from Cameroon. We hope all is well with you. As we are writing this report, we are proud to inform you that our school in is doing great and the boys are growing. We can see this growth as we observe them preaching in church during worship. Keep on praying for all of them.

Jesus went to the cross because of all of us. While we were still sinners Christ died and so today we are glad to preach the word in season and out of season. It is rainy season now in Cameroon and a very difficult time to travel from one place to the other, especially with the earth road to carry out evangelism. We travel very muddy roads on bikes to get to our various points for weekend evangelism. This makes the job more tedious, but still lovely and encouraging, as the brothers must still go from one place to the other preaching and nurturing assemblies. We always do our best to respond to the Macedonian call wherever we are needed. With our school van or with the public transport whenever the van not go through the terrain.

The students are seriously preparing for their second quarter exams, followed by their short courses which start on September 4th, then on their week of campaign, and finally a week for their quarterly break. I appreciate the greatness of God this day for the soundness of the scripture in our students as they go out for week end evangelism and around the streets of Mbanga to other villages.

We attended the annual youth retreat that took place last week in BMC College in Buea. We went along with a few youth student preachers in Mbanga and everything went well.

Things are going on well in our new campus and we are implanting our new facility in a gradual process. The fans are all working and by the end of this week the office, the library, and the visitors room will be equipped.

We are also preparing to inaugurate our new facility that is the building come Sunday 27th of August combined with our fellowship meal. Thanks for committing us in your prayers.

Remain blessed my beloved. 

Your beloved ITITI Benedict 

15 baptisms in Ghana

Dear Brethren,

We are happy to report to you, once again, our report for the month of July, 2017.

CLASSROOM WORK

Our classroom work for both the regular and part time went on successfully. Went on successfully. All instructors and 26 students were present and on time which contributed to a successful teaching and learning.  

PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Both instructors and students continued efforts in evangelism, visiting from house to house teaching them the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. These efforts again contributed in the baptism of 15 souls during the month of July, 2017

May the good Lord richly bless you all.

CHARLES 

Jerry Bates teaching in Nigeria

Dear fellow soldiers of Christ, Greetings from the students and instructors of BVBIN & SWSE,BUTUBUTU,I BADAN and fellow WBSFUW in western States of Nigeria .

I am writing on behalf of my self and Bro. Isaac Olaniyan who has just completed a three years Master's Degree program organized by the BVBI USA for ministers in the Lord 's Church especially the instructions in Bible Colleges in Africa. 

Our able lecturer as usual taught both intensively and extensively on the book of Hebrews between 9:00am and 4:30pm from Monday through Friday at Bear Valley Bible Institute School of Graduates, Accra, Ghana .

Brethren, we appreciate you all for your thoughtfulness, trust and supports through out our studies in Ghana. May God in His abundant blessings continue to bless all your endeavors in Christ Jesus name, amen. 

We are now expecting an invitation for graduation on April 2018 from our wonderful director of BVBI USA extension program, Bro. Gary Falis and associates. 

Brotherly,

Makinde

Exciting plans in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

We send greetings from your brothers and sisters from this end.  We are doing fine and we have reasons to appreciate our God for His love towards us. Things are moving well as our Bible students continue to study.

This week they are in a more serious mode as they will start preparing to write their third quarter exams. In few weeks and two short courses will take the stage. The short courses are “CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES” and “THE BOOK OF GALATIANS.” We will round up the quarter by sending the students to different locations for evangelism in the last of September.

As I write this report, all students who went out for mission work have made it back safe and sound. Many had disturbances with their movement because of rains. Not only did persons struggle to move but the van struggled as well.

PLANS:

We shall start our west coast mission soon. We may join with our sister school in Mbanga for mass evangelism if time permits.

APPRECIATIONS:

God bless you for your prayers towards this work and all you do to sustain it. God will continue His blessings upon you and the congregation. Share with others our news.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC- Wotutu 

EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM.2TIM2:2 2TIM4:2

A new motor bike in Sierra Leone

Dear Brethren,

We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Just coming from the holidays, as we have resumed normal classes for the third Quarter nothing new has happened.

DONATIONS MADE TO THE SCHOOL

We thank our donors for providing us with another motorbike to ease our transport problem in the field. We also have set up the computer room for our students who are presently doing computer studies as part of their course.

We want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the tremendous effort made towards the smooth running of the school in Sierra Leone Not forgetting our able West Africa coordinator for making things happened on our behalf through the grace of God.

We have also provided uniforms for our preachers to put on during school session.

Hope to keep up to your standard and expectation as we forge ahead for the promotion of the gospel in this part of the vineyard.

Thank you

Yours in christ,

Bro. Ishmael S. Bangura

Successful campaign in Cameroon

Accept our sincere greetings from Cameroon and from Mbanga in particular where the Church is operating a Bear Valley school of preaching. We are sorry for this late coming of our report for the week. We had no power since Monday. Nevertheless we suspended our classes for five good days in order to meet up with the Macedonian call. This time around at it was Ashum village situated along the Kumba to Manfe road. We participated massively during this great campaign with some ex-students, the present students and myself along with a few others who were interested and followed us with the van.

We worked tirelessly with in the space of five days as well as the ran the vans drivers who were transporting the laborers from one village to another. We evangelized a total of four villages. There was a fifth village which was not included but we went there with Elangwe and made some ready prospects for evangelism which by His grace some students who might be going there will one day put them on track.

Just as the Lord added on the day of Pentecost, so too He added about 55 souls last week and restored about 15 members. The majority of these backsliders were from Eyang village where a congregation of the saints has been restored. This is the highest record in Cameroon after the Kwa Kwa records of 54 some years ago.

Our greatest desire is to manage these new converts and these revived members of Eyang.

I was also opportune to preach during this program and also carried out translation as some French speaking people were around. I also went into the stream myself to conduct some baptisms at night.

Your brother,

Ititi

A baptism in New Zealand

Bear Valley Bible Institute-New Zealand has officially been in operation for over a year. We are all better for the experience and knowledge we have gained. Thank you to all who have encouraged the work here.

A few months ago, the Wellington church received a visitor, Kevin. Right away, Daniel, one of our full-time students, spoke with him about Bible study. He agreed, and after a couple of months of study, decided to be baptized into Christ. We are thrilled to see our students reaching out to those who need Jesus.

Again, thank you for your love and support. Keep praying for our students and their studies!

Keep serving Him,
Lance Mosher, BVBINZ Director

A new class is ready in Ukraine

Denis Sopelnik, Director of the Bear Valley extension in Ukraine, reports at number of baptisms in several congregations, as well as a new batch of students prepared to begin their studies. These are exciting times at BVBIU and you can read more about it HERE. 

55 converted in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

We send you greetings from the beautiful nation of Cameroon and more precisely from the village of Wotutu. I write this report with great joy in my heart to be able to share with you what made news in Cameroon last week. We had a 5 day break here in BVBIC-Wotutu and we used those five days to make Jesus and His church known in Ashum community. This took us to 3 other villages sharing common boundaries with Ashum, which was our main target, Some brethren whose village of origin is Ashum decided to invite us to come and help established a congregation in their village. They don’t live there but they want by all cost for a congregation of the church of Christ to be in their village, so that their friends, family members and strangers can possibly come closer to the truth. 

They called it the Ashum for Christ project. They supplied the accommodations, food, and medicine for us as we spent time sharing the good news. It was awesome for us to be a part of the calling to go to Ashum and preach. As I write this report, all of the students, some staff, and some graduates that we took to Ashum, are all back safe and sound, although we are all very tired and worn out because of the intensive work and the long distances that we covered. Thank you for your prayers towards this project.

The good news is there were 55 new converts and 9 restored Christians. It was amazing to harvest 55 souls with 5 days of our break. This is the highest number of baptisms at one time for any program in Cameroon. In 2003 during a lectureship 54 baptisms were recorded. This week we break that history. A new beginning has just begun in Cameroon. Please, please pray for us and the work in our hands. We shall have some challenges but it is clear that the field is ripe. We established 3 new congregations. Ashum, Bakebe and Nfaitock villages now have congregations. Eyang was revived and restored. Please keep these works in your prayers. Our students will begin traveling long distances every Friday to make sure these congregations are nurtured and kept safe.

We are looking for more evangelistic opportunities to virgin land.

APPRECIATIONS

God bless you. May the good God that has allowed you to stand with us to help expand His kingdom, bless you and grant you your heart desires. Keep up the great work. Please share this good news with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM. 2TIM2:2; 2TIM4:2

Brighter days ahead in Tamale

BEAR VALLEY INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES, TAMALE, GHANA.

The new management team of the school gives glory to the Lord for His support in our struggle to bring the school back to life. The team took over at the time the school was almost closed down. The school was having seven students and out of the seven only three were having Junior High School certificates. Apart from the poor enrollment with the low educational standard, the school compound was turned to forest and home of goats, sheep and fowls. A lot of negative comments were said about the school and that the school cannot longer see any progress due to the situation in which it was at the time.

The roof of the building was leaking all over and parts of the walls were almost fallen apart which the new management put in order. There are still some other things realized not being in good place that the team is trying to put them one after the other as and when the opportunity and funds come. 

The New Enrollment:

The effort made by the new management with your prayers to make things put in other and in place, we are now able to enroll 14 students that commenced the new school year on the 10th July 2017. Though we have not met our set goal of 16-20 students yet, the 14 in number is a great change. We are still campaigning for more till the end of 2017.

The School Farm:

The new management team with the new vision has converted the one and half acre land of the school that was turned from forest to maize farm. This farm when well manages can provide food for seminars and students which can help reduce some financial burden of the school, especially the seminar feeding expenses.

The Land Lease:

We have also much work with the land lease documentation of the school land   that has been delayed for a very long time. What is left now is for Steven to come with the original land documents for the chiefs to sign to make it mature for ownership registration.

The Tamale Team

3 new congregations and 15 baptisms in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

In the little time that BVBIZ has existed, the school continues to be exposed to new things. Many plans have been made and continue to be made. It has succeeded in some, while forced to go back to the drawing board for others. One of those that came to fruition is the first ever Field Program. In this July report, more space shall be dedicated to report on what is transpiring in the field as students are putting theory into practice. 

ANOTHER TERM ENDS

Another term of learning ended on the 13th of July. Final examinations were successfully written and compilation of results is in progress.  Averagely, the performance of students is satisfactory.

PROVINCIAL WORKSHOPS AND LECTURESHIPS

Mashonaland West Leadership Workshop - The school was invited to a provincial workshop for church leaders. This took place at Chirau on the 15th of July. The theme was “Leadership and Evangelism.” The Director and one our teachers, Howard Suwari presented lessons. The leaders went into a planning session after the presentations.

Matebeleland Lectureship - This lectureship was held from the 28th to the 30th of July. Brother Ishmael Mutichu, our full time instructor and Mathew Muchingami, the director, were part of those who attended. Brother Muchingami presented a topic on “Developing a Self Sustaining Church.” 177 people were in attendance. 

APPLICATIONS FOR 2018 INTAKE

BVBIZ is welcoming applications for the 2018 intake (second intake). Some have already been turned in. 

FIELD PROGRAM UPDATES

Preparation - Several efforts were done to prepare students for field program. Several lessons and workshops were done. At the end of the term, Brother Gushakusha, a personal work teacher, came to fine tune the students for the work ahead. The leadership class also benefited in one of the sessions. The ladies were also taught by Brother Gushakusha’s wife on the “Preacher’s Wife and Work.” In one of the pictures attached, students and the leadership class are taken through some essentials in Singing and Personal work.

Farewell Dinner - Before students left for their field practicum, a farewell dinner was held for them by congregations in Gweru. Every weekend, students have been going to these congregations for their weekend evangelism. BVBIZ appreciates this gesture. Each of the student was given a few toiletries that were going to help them for the first few days.

Deployment - Students were deployed to their camps from the 14th-17th of July. Over 1500km were covered in taking the students to their centres. Unfortunately, the vehicle being used broke down in Masvingo (about 160km from Gweru) on its way back to Gweru. About $450 is needed to get it back on the road.

Tracts - BVBIZ received a consignement of tracts  (from Mission Printing) for use in evangelism through Jubilee church of Christ in Mutare. These shall be an important tool for students in our evangelism efforts.

Follow Up - Teachers have already made their first follow up of students. Each teacher is expected to stay a minimum of 2 days with his team. Besides, these teachers, our students are learning from experienced preachers whom they are working with at the various congregations. News from the field so far indicates that all is going on well. Congregations are doing their best to take care of the students. In one of the attached pictures, a student is pictured working with one of our oldest preachers in the country, Brother Mupanduki of Gokwe Nembudziya.

New Congregations

BVBIZ is happy that 3 congregations have been planted. The first was at Deure in Masvingo Province. The team of students at Triangle was at Deure (the home area of Dzingai Mugova, a preacher at Traingle and BVBIZ ambassador for Masvingo province), about 10km from Jerera Growth point. A few other preachers for the Gospel Chariot in Masvingo were present.

The second was at Chikuku, again in Masvingo Province. Brother Panganai Toperesu (the man at the far right in the picture below) and his wife have been instrumental in making sure that a congregation is established in their home area. They are sponsoring the work. BVBIZ also appreciates Brother Auswich Mashaba of the Gospel Chariot for being with the students for a week and evangelising the area. Please see an attached picture of one of the newly planted congregation.

The third congregation is now at Insukamini. A congregation once existed there. The work failed 3 years ago. It is a joy that BVBIZ has resuscitated the work.

CONCLUSION

Finally we would like to thank you all for your moral, spiritual and financial support. Our request this month is that you keep remembering the students who are in the field. This is a new experience for them. Our desire is that the world be won for Christ. To God be the glory!

Your brother,

Mathew Muchingam