Greetings! The Summer has gone by so fast I did not even realize that I had missed sending a newsletter for the month of July. Sorry about that. It has been a busy and hectic Summer to be sure. We managed to get our daughter Jessica moved to Denver about a month and a half ago; we’re very glad to have her close by.
During the month of July, we were able to visit the good brethren in Bayfield, Colorado for our annual report. We always enjoy the opportunity to spend some time with good friends and brethren and the 300-mile drive over the Rocky Mountains is just an added benefit.
Currently, I am making preparations for an unscheduled return to Guatemala to teach a class the last week of this month, for a teacher who, because of health issues is not able to teach this time. I will return just in time for our annual staff retreat on Labor Day weekend. Immediately following that retreat, I plan to be giving annual reports to some more of our supporters. As of this moment, I am scheduled to give a report to the congregation in Slim, OK Sunday morning, September 8 and to Cave Springs, AR on the evening of September 15. I will be trying to fill the other slots of that week in the coming days.
Our plans continue for a Bear Valley campaign in Guatemala in the month of October. We have four campaigners who plan to make the trip. We still have not worked out the details of the campaign, but we are looking forward to a profitable time together in helping our brethren in the work there.
A new school year has begun here at the Denver campus, with ten new students and their families. It is truly a blessing to welcome this new freshman class. I am not currently scheduled to teach this year, but there is still plenty to do here. I will be helping with the publication of Uplift, the school paper. We are hoping to get an issue of this quarterly publication out this Summer. We are also making plans for the 2013 Bear Valley Lectureship. This year’s theme is “Majoring in the Minors” with a study of six of the Minor Prophets (Hosea - Micah). If you are at all able, we would love to see you there. Over the years, the BV Lectureship has grown and become one of the best in the brotherhood.
Let me close this report by saying how much we appreciate each one of you, not only for your financial support, which allows us to be involved in such a great work, but for your moral and prayerful support. While it is impossible for us to “see” all the blessings involved, we know that without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts and may God bless you richly!!
In Him,
Donnie Bates