West Africa Happenings

We pray that all of you are doing well as we maneuver through the many restrictions implemented due to the pandemic.  COVID has limited our ability to hold public gatherings for graduations, seminars, evangelistic campaigns, and even worship in many areas.  However, we thank God that all of our schools in West Africa are now once again in full operation.  We are blessed with the modern technology of video conferencing and email, which allows us to stay in continual contact with our staff and students.  As a result, we are training preachers during this difficult time.  We are also able to preach on the radio, do personal evangelism, and continue the Lord's work in many other areas where social distancing is possible.  We are bringing many souls to Christ, and the Lord's kingdom is growing!

Thankfully, it appears that the borders and airports in West Africa are beginning to open after being closed for months.  Unless things change once again, I will be able to return sometime very soon.  We are already rescheduling times for me to teach classes in both the certificate and degree programs at various schools.  It is our prayer that we can also resume many of our planned graduations, seminars, campaigns, and workshops by early next year.  

Karen has been busy writing, printing, and laminating Bible study materials for her Sunday school workshops.  She is ready to continue training women to teach their children to love the Lord and His word.

With Christian Love,

Steven and Karen Ashcraft

Benefiting from technology in India

Dear Brethren in Christ,

Salutations from the students and faculty of the Visakha Valley Bible College, Visakhapatnam. By the grace of God we are all doing good, except little sickness of some of our present students every on else is doing good. Lord Blessed us by protecting us under His loving and merciful arms. We request you to kindly pray for the corona victims.

Online Classes: Finally we were able to begin a new chapter in our Visakha Valley Bible College. It is not just a chapter but a new development to have the classes running even in the physical absence of the instructor in the class. Due to corona travel has become a difficult thing. Rail road or road travel has become a cause for rapid spread of the Virus. Couple of our instructors are far away from the Visakhapatnam, they have to travel some hours to get here, in this conditions its not advisable to travel on public transport, at the same time our faculty cannot drive or ride that far.  So, after thorough discussion we have decided to establish a setup to execute our plan of setting up online classes. Brother Vamsee and Malleswar Rao and John Dean had a discussion on installing Zoom App in one of our Desktop computer. However it needs upgrade, so after the needful upgrade and installation of new OS, we have successfully installed Zoom app and made a trial run. We bought a router, switch, loud speakers, mouth piece and other required items for this setup. We were very happy to see everything came to a successful ending.

After everything set up, our director Bro. Samuel Raju offered a prayer of thanksgiving and introduced the online class room to the students. Bro Vamsee has taught the first class and spoke for an hour. Before that he actually explained the process of how the online class will be done/operated, how to interact with the instructor, how to raise questions etc., well, after couple of days buying things and techies working everything fall in place and students overwhelmingly joined in the class room enjoyed in this new establishment.

Heavy Rains & Corona Crisis: cases raising like anything: on a average everyday in our state 6000 is the number patients being diagnosed with Corona positive. Hospitals are being packed up with such increasing number of patients, doctors are almost giving up on their non stop services, looks like the future is going to terrible, health wise, economically and in the field of education as well.  We have been hearing from the preachers how difficult it is to survive during this time. The situation in rural India is threatening to common man’s life. Monsoon season has brought additional to those who survive on house farming. Some of our preachers, especially those in the hill areas live on house farming. Due to heavy rains from last two weeks, their chance of getting produce from the farm is quite difficult, hope by the grace of God things would turn in a positive side and bless them with good out come of their farming.

Evangelism: Our Graduates have been effectively trained for two years, also time to time they used attend the Lectureship/seminars conducted to learn more and increase more in their teaching & skills. As the materialism and love for technology is increasing in our country gospel is needed to taught more intensely. The establishment of the preaching school has been very helpful in producing some effective communicators of the gospel. In this time of corona pandemic we still hear from our graduates that people hearing gospel and being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. It is nothing but our preachers constant working besides all circumstances. We are so glad to hear that people who are getting to be materialistic are realizing that this world is not permanent. Impressive thing is that they are wanting to be with God in heaven permanently. We are able to provide Bibles to our graduates for free distribution to those who are studying the Bible.

Dear brethren, we always praise God for keeping us safe and sound, especially during this time of Corona Pandemic, we sure need your prayers , our country, preachers need your prayers of encouragement.  We are able to help some families who are suffering lack of food due to no work, since the industry they are working has shut down during this lock down time. We appreciate your encouragement so far, we would love to see that we would do more as we see the need. We pray that Lord provides.

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, we look forward to keep you posted more in my next email. Please give our greetings to your family and also to the Church family you worship with.

In Christ,

John Dean M

Visakha Valley Bible College

Harvesting in Tamale

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, TAMALE

TAMALE, GHANA

JULY REPORT 2020

The everlasting graceful grace of our Lord continues to be the source of our livelihood in all things. We appreciate Him for all He has done, and continues to do for all the saints in His kingdom. His faithfulness remains certain to us all. We bless Him for all He is doing through you.

SCHOOL GARDEN / FARM

First batch of harvest for the school garden have been done with. Groundnut has been successfully harvested. Maize is doing well. The rain continues to be promising, and we are sure if it continues this way, we could have a good harvest. We have sowed some maize on the land where the groundnut has been harvested. They are also doing well.

STUDENTS IN SCHOOL

AS reported in June, thirteen students have reported and the classes are in progress. The following courses had been treated respectively: Kojo Acquah Beenyi, Preacher and his work; Roger Akumse Ayillah Minor prophets; Albert Malir Tamanja 1,2 peter & Jude and James Legend Bisoing the Book of James. Students were tested and they performed much better than ever. They are left with one course, 1 & 2 Thessalonians to finish and go on break for three weeks.

ADMINISTRATION

The school activities are on course as a result of the collaborative effort of the administration team. Although the Corona virus has impeded the calendar for the year, it is our pledge and hope that with your prayers and support we shall run the school to catch up all the losses within the year. From our point of observation, it was assumed when coordinator Kojo Beenyi met with us to deliberate on how to diligently deal with the curriculum with the students' consent. The prudent decision taken with students’ compliance will help us achieve our goals this year. We pray the borders opened soonest to enable our beloved Brother Steven Ashcraft come to teach the course Bible geography.

STOOL LAND

The stool Land office called on us to pay for rent dues for school and Church premises. An amount of three hundred Ghana cedis {GH¢300.00} was paid for 2019 – 2020 rent.

May God’s name be praised for His continues mercy.

God bless us all,

Albert and James

Continued progress in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.

Greetings from Nigeria. Report reaching me today from BVBIN Agege shows that 24 students attended this Saturday class and 23 in Ikorodu while 14 students were in Lagos Island.

As for those of us in the full time program, we concluded our three days Open Air Bible Lectureship yesterday evening at Egbeda town. Bro.Andrew Adeolu and Bro. Kayode Eniafe served as the speakers of yesterday lectureship in Fasade/Egbeda saw mill market while I moderated the program and Bro .Dele Shotola as the song leader.

Today, I went out with the students serving in Egbeda to visit our prospects, Bro.Kayode Eniafe also travelled to work with the students serving in Ekiti and Ondo State immediately we finished yesterday outreach and Bro. Andrew Adeolu and Bro.Dele Shotola worked with the students serving in Ajia town and Butubutu respectively.

Beloved, our degree students will continue their classes on coming Monday August 17 through 27,2020 Lord's willing. We deeply are appreciative of your support,love and encouragement.
I will be speaking on "Using Every Available Opportunity To Win Souls For Christ " in Egbeda congregation Lord's willing on Sunday morning Bible Class.

I remain yours in His Grace as a servant.....Makinde                

Zooming in Cambodia

Cambodia Update

Even the COVID-19 Pandemic can not stop us from studying God’s word. Colleges, Universities, schools and institutions have closed down, but not our International Bible Institute at Siem Reap. We are extremely appreciative of how our brethren have shown us love and support.

Our staff and students are still very curious about the words of God and want to keep on learning! One of our Co- Directors Piseth is teaching the Wisdom Literature (Psalm - Ecclesiastes). Our other Co-Director, Darat, is teaching the 2 Part of the Minor Prophets. As you know from the last report we have 3 new students who are full time now.

It is an encouragement to all of us to share with them God’s word. We stay in touch with our sister churches in the area and do as much as we can to help them. However, they need your prayers as they struggle with many issues and temptations of the world. One of our students had her motorbike stolen and we have helped her with those payments for almost a year. She has been very grateful and she has been working part time to make those payments, even though she doesn’t have a motorbike.

Wednesday Morning Zoom Meetings

We are using Zoom to stay in contact with Brother Wes and the church in Battambang, about 3 hours away. Battambang has many people that were once graduates of IBISR so they are our brothers and sisters that we love dearly. Our meetings are with another bible school in Battambang. There are about 40 total online as we sing, pray and study together. Sister Teri teaches the ladies in a break-out room on Women of the Bible. Brother Wes and the men rotate teaching on various subjects.

Friday Morning Zoom Meetings.

On Friday mornings Brother Wes is teaching just IBISR. Right now he is teaching about the Holy Spirit. We want to continue to learn about the Godhead. After this we have submitted various questions that we want to study.

Friday Evenings

Brother Wes and the staff from IBISR and Brother Phanat have a Bible study and talk about many personal things to help us become more accountable and better leaders in the family, school and church. Please pray for brother Chann, our preacher who is struggling with some personal issues and decisions. We could do nothing without your concern and support, especially from the Lord who strengthens us.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Servants of Christ,

Piseth Rin - Co-Director

Darat Run - Co-Director

Pros Rok - Staff

Back to business in Accra

End of July Report, Accra

We shall be always grateful to the Lord for His lovingkindness in our living. Peacefully, July has ended and there has not been any record of our students, teaching and non-teaching staff testing positive for Covid. Praise be to the Lord GOD.

Gradually, classes are ongoing and the students are participating effectively.

Just recently we visited the school land with some of the students and instructors to spray weedicide. The place is highly secured as our caretaker is concern. The land registration is in progress. We have given some amount of money, 200.00 being sent for the processing.

We are also grateful to the Lord for admitting one new student by name Emmanuel Agyeapong Arhin Oheneba. Currently, the total number is ten (10) and out of this number, seven (7) has reported.

Keep praying with us.  

Summer activities in Ukraine

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

In this letter I'd like to share with you some news of the events that took place in July and the beginning of August. 

The warm summer weather has remained in Ukraine for a while now and it's the time for summer vacations. However, this year so many people are afraid to leave the security of their homes and there are still some places where churches congregate with reduced attendance. The quarantine is still recommended and the government divided the territory of Ukraine into a few zones. If the number of cases is still very high in a certain place it's declared a red zone, and the whole city infrastructure is shut down except for the grocery stores. The government decided that the school year will start as usual but if the number of infected students grows the schooling will return to the online mode. For this reason, the classes for the second year students will resume in Bela Tserkva as usual and I hope the students will arrive safely. But we won't have the first year students this time. First of all, our recruitment efforts were very limited, and, secondly, people don't feel safe moving to a different place fearing COVID 19. 

I will also share with you the news about our students ' summer practice.  

Ilya Zhuravlev work in Brovary alongside his father who is the local minister as well as our graduate and the Instructor.  They organized a summer retreat for their congregation in one of the neighboring villages called Pukhovka, and two women were baptized as a result. Ilya teaches youth group and takes part in worship services. 

Nazar Semikoz had his summer practice in Brovary and Slovyansk. His dad is a minister in Poltava and also our Instructor. He also often helps his grandfather who is a minister in Liman by teaching the Bible classes on-line. They Skype him and he teaches the class. He takes part in worship services in Brovary.  

Bogdan Antipenko has his summer practice in Bela Tserkva. He taught a few Bible classes and helps with maintenance and routine chores. We attempted street evangelism as well by distributing Christian pamphlets and invitations.  

Marianna Medvid is our student from Ternopol where she teaches women and children. The congregation baptized Irina and Marianna spends a lot of time with her, doing follow up teaching. 

We are thankful to all congregations who support the work of the Bible Institute. We are thankful for your work and your trust in our Ministry during this most uncertain times. May God bless you and keep you safe. 

Your brother and co-worker, 

Dennis Sopelnik 

Mass evangelism in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings to you and your family. It is a good day in Cameroon. Rainfall fell after worship today but all is good. We give glory to God for His grace and love over our people here.

We do hope this report meets you all doing great in this period of uncertainty. The world is not treating people well. The Covid19 is a harmful insect as I can describe it because of the havoc it has caused to the people of in the world. God is faithful as our ministries are going on well. The BVBIC-Wotutu is on and the students are doing well.

We all wear face masks in public places. Many thanks for the provision of thousands of masks to our students. If you don’t have a face mask, you are not allowed into the examination halls, banks, and in other places.

The washing of hands and wearing of face masks are a daily routine now in the Wotutu congregation. We follow the WHO rules to help keep us safe from the harmful insect as I call it, the COVID-19, that is ravaging the world. You are in our prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as well.

Last weekend we had a mass evangelism in Idenau. It was great as we are penetrating the west coast of Cameroon. The west coast is very vast land, and the church is really dotted there, so we are doing all we can with our lives and resources to spread the good news to the lost there.

House to house evangelism was great as the students returned with good reports. The told of how the people were so receptive to the gospel, and, because of that, it has open a lot of doors for us to study with many. We met business men who are trading within the beach to Nigeria. We need to add more effort and more resources to this work. The west coast will be very fruitful!

 PLANS

 We shall continue with the Idenau mission.

 I will be visiting the SUPE congregation this week which is along the Kumba-Mamfe road. The congregation there has some differences among themselves so please keep me in your prayers that God will go ahead of me, to help them.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you for your time and prayers towards the work here! Thank you for the bread you help put on our tables! God bless you! He is watching keenly what you are doing for His name sake. Please share our reports with others. I am praying for a four-wheel drive car. Please help me pray for open door.

God bless you.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Another school has resumed in Ghana

END OF SECOND QUARTER (April, May, June) REPORT

We ushered into April and May when parts of Ghana, including Kasoa was under lockdown. It was lifted in May ending.

In June, our school reopened, being the first week end school, among the Bear Valley Schools in Ghana. The students were happy to be back to school and they were all praised and ready to observe all the protocols. We where glad we had all the needed items supplied. The reopening was attended by Kojo Acquah Beenyi, Samuel Ntim and Roger Solomon Asante who is the instructor for the course God Head.

The school in Kasoa is currently having 21 students and all are active in class as well as being regular.

The students work in the three months resulted in 12 baptisms. Most of the students are leading members and others are the preachers in the congregations they are members of. Mass evangelism is not permitted now so the students are doing preaching on public address system mounted by the villages to send out messages to the village folks.

Cost of things are higher because of the mess the covid-19 has caused. The lunch provided by the school is helping much and we are very grateful.

May the God continue to bless you. Amen.

The gospel is not masked in Guinea!

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Report for June and July 2020

It has been quite a difficult time during the lockdown to fully achieve our desires and plans here at the Gueckedou Bible Institute. Nevertheless we were able to make some significant progress in the areas of congregational visit and evangelism. Under Government authorization we were also able to resume classes even though there were obstacles hindering the return of some of the students. Public worship services have also begun and there is a high turn up of the congregation at the school premises thereby demanding a wider space / hall. Here below are the details of the activities highlighted above.

School Resumption: After almost 4 months of lockdown due to the pandemic Government had with strict health measures finally authorize the reopening of schools and religious centers in rural areas. Due to that long period of health crises coupled with the farming season we at the Gueckedou School encountered difficulties in getting back some of the students. By the grace of God a good number did return, but normal classes did not start till  1 week after the official reopening. On the other hand, there is a high turn up of the congregations’ members who meet at the school premises. Before the lockdown our average attendance was 60, but now we are within 80 to 85.

Now in accordance with government health restrictions especially for distancing, we are considering putting up a temporary, but durable shelter in the wide space before the main building. This will serve not only for the congregation and the school session, but for other gatherings or ceremonies such as seminars and graduations.

We have already made sanitizers available for the school and the church community and masques for the students.

Classroom: After the March – June health crises lockdown normal classes at the Gueckedou School resumed on July 6th with 17 of the initial 20 students on roll.  A few days later 1 of the 17 students had to leave due to illness and was encouraged to ensure proper treatment before returning if necessary to wait for the next batch. This means that there are at present 16 students on roll to continue for this academic year. A new paper binder has been purchased to replace the spoiled one. Courses completed so far include Hermeneutics 1 and the Godhead.  This quarter’s course materials are scheduled to be completed by the 22nd of September. 

Congregational Visit / Evangelism: Just before and especially after the lifting of the lockdown band we started making regular weekend visits to encourage and strengthen the new congregations. During these visits, we were able to convert a total of 13 souls in 3 locations – Gueckedou town plus 2 new villages where we also extended our evangelical visits.

Drilled Well on Agriculture Land: With the help of Healing Hands International, we were able to drill the well in the month of May which was the lockdown period. The water is good, abundant and needed by the community and we are ready to serve, but due to the well’s present location – being a bit distant for town not many are able to walk the 300 meters compared to other sources around. Until the buildings of the town which are progressing towards the direction get closer, we have but a few persons who come to fetch the water. Perhaps the need will increase during the dry season.

Conclusion:  Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute has resumed normal classes after some 4 months of lockdown due to the health crises. Sixteen of the 17 students who returned are continuing the course study. Congregational visits and evangelism are strengthening the churches and there were 13 souls added to the body of Christ. We are doing our best to satisfy the Government requirement for health measures. It is our prayer that God will continue to protect and bless the Bear Valley Overseas partners whose support has kept us going. May God eradicate the deadly virus so that we can continue his service. We also thank Healing Hands and all of you for your prayers and support as we look up to moving forward.

Photos attached

Your servant

Francis

Finding new ways to spread the gospel in Ghana

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR JULY, 2020

Dear Brethren,

We greet you all, our fellow workers in the Lord’s kingdom. By God’s grace another month has ended and we are very thankful to the Lord for His guidance and direction and grateful to you all our brethren for your continuous prayer and support to us at West Coast School of Preaching here in Takoradi, Ghana.

We give below, the report of activities by the school during the month of July, 2020.

1.      CLASSROOM WORK

Classes for both the regular and part-time students continued very successfully. However, we have two regular students who have failed to report to school since the school resumed classes from Covid-19 break. We have tried talking to them on the phone, but they failed to tell us why they are not coming. And even when we speak to them, they promise to come but all their promises have failed. We later sent them a warning letter giving them a deadline, yet, we have not heard from them, and therefore, we have reached the conclusion that they are no longer coming. And so, that brings the number of the regular students to nine (9) and eighteen (18) part-time students. God willing, we are expecting these nine (9) regular students and eleven (11) part-time to complete their courses by December this year, of which their graduation date is going to be scheduled somewhere next year.

2 .      EVANGELISM

As we all know, Covid-19 has brought a lot of activities to a halt, especially, things that involve social contacts. And this has so much affected evangelism. However, we are trying to do the best that we can to reach people with the gospel. Because it is such a time as this that the world needs Jesus Christ. Therefore, instructor Nathaniel and some students have been using the school’s motorbike to go to some of the nearby villages to do personal evangelism, also, on each Lord’s Day, they use it (the motorbike) to visit the new congregation that was planted in our last campaign for Christ.

I too have been busy preaching on the Facebook and Youtube (3 times each week—Sunday, Monday, and Thursday). Thank God, my videos on Facebook has about between 8,000 and 12, 000 viewership each week. I also continued with my radio preaching.

Also, some of our past students who have formed an evangelism team decided to organize a 5-day gospel campaign for Christ at one of the villages around Takoradi here. And thank God they were able to bring it to an end successfully.

3.      BAPTISMS - God blessed our efforts with three (3) baptisms.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours for the Master’s service.

Joshua Aidoo.

Souls saved in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ.
Greetings from BVBIN & SWSE ,Ibadan.
The Lord adds two souls (a widow named Mrs Funmilayo Janet Adetunji and a young woman named Mrs.Dasola Idowu )into His body yesterday,Friday. As a result of our last week three days Open- Air Bible Lectureship and the follow-up by two of our students who are doing their one month teaching practice in Ajia town.

As scheduled,our teaching staffs worked this week with the students serving in Butubutu in early morning campaign and in three days Open-Air Bible Lectureship in Jago town from Thursday through Saturday evening. Bro. Peter Ortserga served as the Songs leader and the moderator of the three days lectureship. I was graced to speak on "Sin and its consequences" on Thursday evening ,Bro. Dele Shotola spoke on "God's way of Redeeming man" on Friday evening and Bro.Andrew Adeolu on "Identifications of The New Testament Church'. The program in Jago town was well attended from August 6-8,2020. About twenty five people sat each days to listened to the words of God with many hanging around to hear the undiluted gospel.

Concerning the BVBIN -WEEKEND SCHOOLS in Lagos State, report reaching  me shows that 24 students were in class today in Agege, 22 in Ikorodu, and 13 in Lagos Island.
Also, report reaching us so far from some of our students in a month teaching practice shows thirty one conversions and eighteen restoration.  Bro.Kayode S.Eniafe continue working with students serving in some part of Lagos and Ogun States.
Lord's willing, we shall be working next week with the students serving in Egbeda from Wednesday through Friday evening in three days Open-Air Bible  Lectureship.

School hasn't stopped in Sierra Leone

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE KENEMA SIERRA LEONE

OPERATION REPORT FOR JUNE AND JULY 2020

Almighty God has been merciful to us and families for His guardians and love towards us all.

However, life was very challenging with the Corona Virus Pandemic that affects almost the entire World. So many people have lost their loved ones in this COVID 19 fighting. By God’s infinite mercies we are still alive despite the solution to the Pandemic has not been effective. Nevertheless we continue to put our trust to our God for a final solution with the Corona Virus. With God all things are possible. Beloved, let us keep praying for one another for good health and long life.

We will continue to serve in the training and empowering Men for the services of God for the fulfillment of the Gospel call. We sincerely appreciate all those that are contributing one way or the other to make it a success. May God continue to bless us all in all that we do.

CLASS ROOM ACTIVITIES

We are coming from a three weeks’ vacation and classes have commence for the Second Year level of studies. In June students were courageous to complete the Second Year First Semester even though there was an inter district lockdown due to COVID 19, yet our campus was safe for learning. We maintain classes until the end of the semester. District lockdown was lifted few days after we released our students for vacation.

We are please to let you know that classes for the Second Semester of the 2nd Year has commenced. Keep us in your prayers as we do for all. 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Despite the invasion of the Corona pandemic in our lands yet we do not cease taking classes. We stood by our students giving some encouragement to them to complete the 1st Semester of the Second Year. We were grateful to our lecturers for their commitments in doing what was to be done, may God continue to bless them and their families.

Outdoor activities are curtail as social distant is been monitored by officers in every city and towns. Evangelism is presently on one to one. The raining season does not permit much of outdoor activities. We do what we can in sharing Jesus.

CONCLUSION

To this end, we continue to pray for each other for God’s final intervention on the planet earth with the solution of Corona Virus Pandemic. This year has been a trial period for many. I just lost my dear Aunt who has been like a rear Mum to see me succeed in life. May her soul rest in peace.

May God see us all throughout this trying period of life.

Yours in Him

Jacob Sesay

Admin /Director – Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema

Sierra Leone

A guest teacher visits Arusha

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

I want to start out with a big "thank you!" to Renee Galloway for providing new uniforms for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching students, faculty, and staff.  It was a huge job, and they look great!   We appreciate all of the time and effort spent completing this task.

I also want to update you on the progress being made on the Cy Stafford Leadership School. This was Cy's last dream for the work and it is thrilling to see it nearing completion.  It is going to be a huge blessing to the church in East Africa!  It should result in more and better elders, deacons, and other church leaders for congregations across the region.  It also paves the way for a significantly upgraded library to be shared with the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  The exterior is mostly done now and the next need is for doors.

Jerry Bates just returned to the US after teaching a short-course in our graduate program.  This is the first time an American has been able to visit the work since the COVID-19 outbreak.  This marks an encouraging step in the return to normalcy.  We thank God for Jerry's safe travel and effective service.

If your congregation would like a visit or you can refer me to a friend at another congregation that might be open to helping, then I would love to hear from you!  In the meantime, keep praying with me for the church in East Africa.

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Progress in Zambia

Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! We give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare opportunity to work in His Kingdom. This is a good time to report what is happening at BVBI-Zambia during the month of July, 2020.

It is fantastic to see that in the next few weeks, our students will finally complete their two years of study here at Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia. Our fourth quarter has not been easy nearly all our students had flu and coughing, but they tested negative to Covid 19 and we continue to pray that none of them catches the deadly virus. They are now busy preparing for their final examinations in the remaining courses.

These courses are: Christian Ethics, the Book of Revelation, Denominational Doctrines, and Church Development. They are really excited to finish and eager to go back to their congregations and preach. Before the end of this quarter, the students will also do another short course with Brother Kennedy. The short course will be “Foundation of Missions” (study of missions in the New Testament). It is always great and refreshing to have Brother Kennedy come over and teach in these short courses.

It will also be in the same period where some of the students will do some catch-up courses in the courses they have missed. In spite of the demands from these courses, they are also tirelessly laboring with the surrounding congregations of Luanshya district and other nearby districts like Mpongwe and Baluba.  As a result of these efforts a soul has been added to the church and six restorations recorded. We have also recorded two more restorations through our alumni and one baptism.

Luanshya Central church of Christ has been meeting at one of the Government schools since its inception. But due to the high prevalence of Covid 19 the ban to do so by the Government has been brought into play. Because of this, BVBI-Zambia realised the dream of opening a congregation at the campus and since we started congregating at the institute, The students have been very influential in reaching out in the neighborhood. They have invited neighbors for Church services and they have also set up more Bible studies in this area. We are very happy to see many people attend the services. Throughout their tenure of study at BVBI-Zambia, the students have been engaged more in personal evangelism.       

Each student has made tremendous progress in what they are doing now. This is also seen in the way they have been cooperating building and gardening. We are hopeful that they will in their individual capacity make a meaningful contribution to the Kingdom of God. And we also believe that they’ve had a very rich and rewarding experience here at BVBI-Zambia.

Thank you kindly to all who have helped in any way to prepare these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute International, Instructors, Donnie our Country Coordinator and indeed everyone involved in this work. 

Thank you all once again!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Building in Zimbabwe

JULY 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The world continues to reel over the COVID19 virus. Zimbabwe is not an exception. There has been a steep rise of cases in the month of July forcing the government to impose more strict measures including a curfew from dusk to dawn. Movement has to be authorised without which one will be turned back by the police. Patrols have been more in the city centres whilst public transport remains banned. Many are realising the need to pray to God so that this scourge may be abated. However, within this quagmire, the word continues to be preached in season and out of season. We are pleased to report the following;

PROGRESS OF LESSONS (THIRD INTAKE)

The new class (BVBIZ’s third intake) which was supposed to commence studies in mid-May on campus are currently being kept busy through online studies. The following subjects are currently in progress;

How We Got The Bible (M. Muchingami)

Personal Evangelism- Theory (H.Suwari)

Public Speaking  (I. Mutichu)

New Testament Church (I.Mutichu)

Life of Christ  (I.Mutichu)

EVANGELISM (SECOND INTAKE)

In 2Tim 4:2 Paul instructs Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season. Even when movement has been curtailed and gathering of over 50 people banned, ordinary evangelism methods on hold, the word of God still has to be preached. The second intake had to find a way to make up for its last practical before their graduation in October. Sermons were preached on Whatsapp and sent out. Prospects received lessons and reading material on the social platforms. Some went to the extent of doing daily devotions to keep members and prospects spiritually fed. At the school’s permanent site, a congregation has since started. The students stationed there preach from 6-8am when people come to fetch water for drinking and from 12-1pm when boys and men bring their cattle for drinking. On average, 20 are coming for services. A baptistery is yet to be built so that these people receive their baptism.  However, a total of 9 people were baptized in the month of July.               

CONSTRUCTION

The following developments took place in the month of August;

·         Construction of the much awaited septic tank began around the 15th of July and is almost complete.  What is left is to fill the soak away tank with stones. The soak away tank measures 5m in length, 2m wide and 3m deep.  Great appreciation to the congregation at Nashville here in Gweru for giving its 85 bags of cement so that the construction is done. These bags costing $680 will need to be given back once their own construction of an auditorium starts possibly within the next two months.

·         An outstanding 4 metre door of the hostel was bought and fixed. Its glasses will be installed in August.

·          Some outstanding plumbing materials were purchased and fixing will also be done in August. The only outstanding items are the kitchen sink, outside sink (to be constructed by the builders) and 2 solar geysers. 

Without the burden of paying rentals, the school is now able to slowly deal with some of the demands though this will take over 10 months. The builders have also been very flexible, offering their labour and then slowly paying them.

CONCLUSION

Despite the pandemic that has changed the ordinary way we used to do things, we remain grateful to God for enabling BVBIZ to make more steps at the permanent site. The Word is being preached in various ways. We are also grateful to you all, that despite this worldwide challenge, you continue to stand with us. May the God of heaven, bless you and keep all of you safe!

Lagos schools back in full force

Good evening from Nigeria. All our students reach their different  destination yesterday evening/ early this morning. I was monitoring their movement through phone from yesterday noon till 12:00am before going to bed and I continue early this morning till they all responded positively.

Agege  & Ikorodu  witnessed 21 students each and 11 in Lagos Island. Lord's willing, the rotational programs continue for the month of August 1,8,15,22 . Bro. Frank to teach on Denominational Doctrines in Lagos Island, Bro. Emmanuel Odo on Godhead in Ikorodu while Bro. Mfon on 1,2,3 John in Agege.

Bro.Kayode S.Eniafe ,Bro.Silas Guda and Bro .Andrew Adeolu will be supervising the students in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti States during their one month teaching practice and Bro. Isaac Olaniyan will be in charge of students in Lagos while I( the Chief servant) will be monitoring those in Abuja, Abia ,Enugu,Cross River and Akwa Ibom States  by phone conversations and those in Kwara by unscheduled visit.

Big thanks for your great commitments to serving the Lord. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus Christ name,amen.
Sincerely yours in His Grace as a servant.......Makinde

2 Tim. 2:2 in action in Fiji!

 Bible Institute @ Raiwaqa (Fiji) Report

2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Bula and Greetings in the Mighty Name of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. Before I move on, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Emosi Sailo. I am 52 years old. I am a member of the Lord’s church here in Suva, Fiji Islands. This is my second year in helping out brother Rocco Pierce (Director – BIR) and brother Jason Pierce (Dean – BIR), at the Bible Institute here in Suva, Fiji.

The first day I walked through the doors of the BIR as a student, it was not in my wildest imagination that one day I will be teaching in the Bible Institute. I have been teaching, preaching, Youth Coordinator, and especially bringing souls to the Lord’s church since I was baptized in the year 1999. I thought I had it all, but when I was going through the studies that the BIR is offering, and after completing it at the end of two years and three months, I came to the conclusion that I was mistaken. The Bible Institute has taught me so much in regards to God’s word.

For that, I would like to take this time to thank the Bear Valley Community and family for bringing the Bible Institute to the Pacific. We are really blessed to study under two great teachers of God’s word.
During my first year as a teacher, I have also completed studying online the “Fundamentals of the Faith” through the World Video Bible School page.

So, this is my second year in teaching at the Bible Institute. Some of the subjects that I have taught were, Life of Christ based on the Gospel of Mark, Called to Holiness based on 1&2 Peter and Jude, Denominational Doctrines, Gospel of John (Writings of John), Acts of the Apostles, and 1&2 Timothy and Titus. At the moment I am preparing a lesson to teach on Personal Evangelism based on my personal experience here in Fiji. The Director of the BIR has also given me the task of organizing and implementing our Evening class program for our working brethren which we started in November, 2019, on Monday evenings. At the moment we have 11 (2 being excused for work and family commitments) students for our Evening classes in which bro. Rocco Pierce is taking them on Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.

Teaching at the BIR has also encouraged me to do more personal studies, be a good example of the word, and continue our husband and wife ministry here in evangelizing and visitation to the needy and the sick.
The experience during this one year and four months to be precise, was challenging and at the same time fulfilling.

Once again, Thank you so much! (Vinaka Vakalevu).

Emosi Sailo

Sowing the seed in India

Reporting letter for the month of July -2020

Respected  International director Mr.Keith Kasarjian  , Our coordinator Mr.Mark Reynolds , supporters and prayer partners of BVBI-Tiurpati , A.P,India behalf of our Bible college we convey our greetings to you in the precious and matchless name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ . We hope that this reporting letter may serve us to convey gratitude and thanks to each one of you for your love, prayers and encouragement.

All  the Bear Valley Bible Institute teaching  staff, non teaching staff  and all the regular students and guest students are safe and free from  Covid-19 by the grace of God. But positive cases are increasing day by day in India, as per the current news the schools would be permitted to open from September first onwards, lord willing we may restart our classes from the first week of September, we request you to pray for the classes.

Conversions: In the month of July seven souls 1.Mr.Anvesh, 2.Mr.Jaswanth 3.Mr.Krupadass 4.Mr.Akil 5.sister.Solomy 6. Sister.Krupa and Sister.Bhavani have obeyed to the water baptism. We request you to pray for the newly baptized souls so that they may grow in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Covid-19 relief supply for the blind people  : Bear Valley Bible Institute has indentified the most deserved visually challenged people  who were suffering lot without food , we have approached Healing Hands International in US and raised $750/ donation .We purchased these following food items Groceries (1.Green dall, 2.red dall, 3.Bengal gram,4. Ravva, 5.Cooking oil, 6.salt packers , 7.washing soup,8. bathing soap,9. tam rid , 10.chilly  powder, 11.coriander  powder , 12,turmeric powder 13. Rice 14.sugar etc..

Total Number of Beneficiaries : 32 blind families (113people in 32 families ) and 16 individuals blind people for 6 times have been benefited.

We are ever grateful to you for your willingness to establish the BVBI in India , hope that in days to come several young men would be trained to spread the boundaries  of the His son’s kingdom(Col 1:13)  in the hearts of idol worshiping people in India. Right now each student has been connected with separate local churches and able to assist effectively with their local preachers for the glory of God. We are ever grateful to you for all your efforts for the great cause of spiritual educational service in India.

Agricultural Kitchen Garden: The Garden has established by the support of HHI , we have completed the first time harvest and planted seeds second time last one month back, the garden is healthy growing , soon we will be enjoying the organic vegetables .

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

Vijay -behalf of BVBI-Tirupati-India

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

Vijay&family from Church of Christ&BVBI-India.

Resuming classes in Accra

 JUNE REPORT

ACCRA

The peace and the love of our Lord be with us now and forever. We thank the Lord God how far He has brought us.

All the students, teaching and non-teaching staff are doing well. There has not been a reported case so far unless our normal stressful and malaria ailment.

During the first week of June, the administration met to decide on when to schedule the reopening date. The conclusion was made on resuming 14th and on 15th normal classes commence which was under the authorization of the E. O. Larbi, the director and Kojo Acquah, the national coordinator and Sammy. The full-time school resumed as dates were disseminated across the social media handles.

Upon resuming, six (6) students reported for the class while information reaching us by unreported students is that the covid-19 keeps increasing and one student mother being in sick bed and he being the only person could not permit him to come. Sadly, we have had the information that the mother has passed on. Currently, effective class is ongoing with those students ready for the class.

Courses understudies are being restructured in order to avoid any lacking courses. The structure is that courses to be taught on the second quarter was occupied by the Covid-19 however, the second quarter courses are currently being taught for this third quarter. All courses that should have been taught the third quarter have been shared among the second and the fourth quarters and are going to be taught as short courses. Therefore, there is going to be four short courses this quarter and six short courses the next quarter together with our normal classes period. I will attach our time table for the activities.

This is a sacrificial period to enable our relief the next year, 2021 and to complete them as according to our normal academic calendar.

As the protocols hold, we are seriously observing them to our best in preventing the spread. Records are being kept on periodic checks on the temperature and washing and anointing of hands with the sanitizer.

The Covid-19 keeps increasing in Ghana, yet, none of our students is positive. Remember us in your daily prayer.