ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR NOVEMBER, 2023
Full Time and the Extended Programs
INTRODUCTION
As we said in the conclusion of our October 2023 report, we were anticipating to share with you the November 2023 report of what is going on here at KBVBI. And now we can thankfully write and appreciate God because He has kept us alive and strong to share with you the good news of what is happening here. We hope that you would be very patient to go through this report and as you do that, we pray that the good Lord will be with you always as He has been with us. The following activities took place in November 2023: a lectureship and the graduation programs were held the new class began, one of the instructors got married, the Bear Valley International Director visited the school for the first time, and souls were converted. Beloved brethren, we encourage to keep on reading for more information on the highlighted activities.
LECTURESHIP AND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
In the report for September 2023, we informed you that our 3rd graduation and the 2nd Biennial Lectureship were scheduled to be held from November 16-18, 2023. And by the grace of God, the program came and passed successfully. The lectureship was held on the first two days (16th and 17th November, 2023), and the theme for the lectureship was, “In Times Like These….” Under this theme, various topics were handled by various speakers. We were blessed by seasoned speakers both in Sierra Leone here and other parts of the world. Three of our external speakers included Brother Keith Kasarjian (The International Director) Arthur David and Brother Borton Pyee Jr., all from Monrovia, Liberia. The program brought together many attendees from various congregations of Churches of Christ in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Some of the Alumni were present and took active part in all the activities. We invited some non-Christians too and they came. One of them got converted after the whole program. Brother Dave Arthur together with his wife, Sister Enora Arthur and the team of 4 more that he brought from Monrovia. Sister Anora took ladies class and it was insightful. The symposium was held and many issues were handled.
The lectureship was followed by a football match between the Bear Valley staff and the graduating students. The match ended 1:1. We believe that if our International Director, Brother Keith had played, maybe the staff should have won. While the match was going on, spectators came and some of the brethren who were not playing were engaged in sharing tracts and preaching to them individually. We thank God that a social occasion like that could as well be used to share the Gospel with the perishing souls. After the whole lectureship and the other activities, on the 18th November, the graduation exercise was held. As we informed you in our October report, twenty (20) students were enrolled in 2021 for the program. However, in the course of time, three (3) couldn’t continue. Therefore, the school graduated seventeen (17) preachers and evangelists. Brother Keith Kasarjian charged them and were sent out to turn the world upside down with the Gospel. We thank God for the successful program.
THE NEW CLASS BEGINS
In our October 2023 report, we informed you that on October 6, 2023, an entrance exam and an interview were conducted for a new set of students in the full time program. After going through the due process, all of them were admitted and were told to go home and prepare to start classes on November 6, 2023. Therefore on November 6, 2023, seventeen (17) of them came and started classes. We are yet to see the 6 more students. The administration continues to check on them to see what is still holding them back. Though some of them said they are still looking for money to buy some of the things that they would be using in the school like the school attire, shoes, etc. There are even other brethren that are indicating interests to be enrolled, therefore, we are hopeful that the number will increase. Please keep on praying for them and for us also.
THE ACADEMIC DEAN’S MARRIAGE
One of our instructors, Michael Sahr Triyoh who also functions as our Dean got married on November 11, 2023 to his sweetheart, Edith Trioh. We know that we requested for your prayers for the success of that marriage and truly the Lord answered those prayers. Thank you all for your concerns. Thank you to our coordinator who was also very supportive in the process. Please keep on pray for the Triyohs as they have come together to form a godly family.
BOTHER KEITH KASARJIAN VISITS THE SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME
There have been plans for the International Director of Bear Valley Schools worldwide to visit the Sierra Leone Bear Valley Bible Institute, but because of other demands and engagements, he was not able to until on November 16, 2023 when he landed here. His coming was very impactful and rewarding. During his visit, he taught a Bible lesson at our lectureship and also charged the graduates. He met and encouraged the new students; he also watched them use the E-Library that was set up by our hard working coordinator, Steve Ashcraft. Moreover, he held meetings with Bear Valley staff from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. He was as well encouraged by what he saw happening in the school and appreciated the coordinator and the staff here. We had a great fellowship indeed. We appreciate his coming and we are hopeful that he keeps on visiting us.
CONVERSION OF SOULS
As evangelism continues, souls are being won to Christ on a daily basis. We are grateful to God that He was able to add twelve (12) souls to the Church in this month of November. Please brethren, let us keep on praying for them as we have always done.
GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION
The entire one body family of Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema Sierra Leone continues to express her deepest appreciation to her supporters, sponsors and all our well-wishers for your financial and the spiritual support you continue to demonstrate toward her. We remember very well that a year ago, we were asked to submit our prayer requests so you could pray for us. Your involvement in the work here is truly acknowledged. Brethren, we are really appreciative. May the Lord bless and uphold you and may your works follow you. May God bless all of you!
CONCLUSION
In summation, we pray that the Lord keeps us all to witness what will unfold in the last month of the year, December. Thank you, our patient readers!
Peter Sahr Makundu,
Director,
Sierra Leone Bear Valley Bible Institute