East Africa Gospel Meeting...

Dear brethren,

We thank God always for brethren. Through your support a lot is being done here in Uganda. We have just finished our one week East Africa gospel meeting. Thank you for your prayers. 250 Christians attended the meeting. These came from over 30  congregation of East Africa.

Over one hundred homes were reached by the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 people were baptized and many believed and promised to be baptized. We are ending our second quarter on 1st September and start our short course after one week rest. May the Lord bless you as you serve Him. 

As it always happens, yesterday I could not write to you because of power. But all the same we thank God very much for all what he is doing for us. We are still doing well. Uganda School of Evangelism students have one week break as from 26th August 2011. On 6th I will start teaching a short course. This time we did not get any short course teacher from U.S.A. I will be teaching about church planting (world Evangelism). On 6th I will start with English class students and finish with them on 10th September 2011. The Kiswahili class will start on 12th September up to 16th September 2011. 

On the side of the churches we have planted where graduates are helping as preachers, we have got a very big problem. Most of them have brought a wrong doctrine from the anti brethren. A brother from Tanzania who used to work with Tanzania 2000 mission in Arusha by the name Boaz Auma has come with one missionary from America teaching that those who use many cups in the Lord's supper are sinning. They are promising to start giving them monthly support and buy them plots and build church buildings for them. Because of the need they have of support they are with them. I am still waiting things to cool and then I will start visiting those congregations and see what members are saying. But for now we need your prayers.

Yours
Wechesa  Francis

Cameroon Students Prepare For Campaign...

Dearest in Christ,

I bring greetings on behalf of the students of CBIW, staff and members of the Wotutu congregation to you. I do hope this report will meet you all in good health and a sound faith in the services of the Lord. 

We thank God for all He is doing for us hear and we do hope He is doing the same to you and the entire family of God’s people around you. Our student preacher Ititi Benedict baptzied Rose Mankume into Christ in the Wotutu congregation after Wednesday Bible class. Please keep her in your prayers to work according to the purpose of her calling, so that most of her family will emulate her example and come also to the body to learn more.

God is always there for us. In CBIW all our programs for these last two weeks for this quarter are going on smoothly. The students are enjoying the insight of the short courses which are 1 Corinthians and the prison epistles made up of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. Please keep them in your prayers.

This Friday, 2nd September, all students will leave the campus to more than 15 different villages for evangelism. They have been shared in twos and some will go to areas alone. The demands for students to come over and help congregations was more than we could hold. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel through bad roads. The roads are really bad now as rains are still on. I left last week for a mission to sensitize some congregations over what we are doing. So, I snapped the road on a motor bike.

Some of our students were involved in sharing the gospel with a Jehovah Witness preacher who came right into the net of the truth in the student’s residential area. The students exposed him to the truth about the kingdom of God and he escaped. The same thing happened to a denominational pastor who was a neighbor to the students. He escaped out of the compound because he could not contend with the truth. Many blessings are coming to the inhabitants that live close to the Wotutu church as they are close to the students and they keep getting the truth. When we shall finally have our public address system, it will serve as a broad band because from our hall we shall preach early in the morning and many people in their home will hear the truth as if they are listening to a radio.

Brother Ititi Benedict taught the Bible class this morning on the topic, “The Importance of Suffering in the Life of a Christian” (2 Cor. 12:7-10). He encouraged both the students on the assiignment they will face shortly on the mission field and Christians to know that suffering is a preparation for a testimony about God’s faithfulness.

The Wotutu congregation worshipped this morning. During the sermon, which was a part of a wonderful worship service, even though there was a torrential down pour of rain, God still opened the way for some of our Christians who live outside Wotut to still manage and come to worship. We had 6 first time visitors today. Please keep CBIW and the Wotutu congregation in your prayers and many other congregations we are working hard to nurture.

Next week schools will resume in Cameroon, so now it is not easy for parents and guardians to help their children go back to school. My married students are facing hard times now, on how they will do to get back to school. It is a million dollar question with a simple answer; God will provide. Please keep them in your prayers, as it is not easy now in our country.

Keep me in your prayers and some students who are still sick. I am still having a running nose due to the climate now and more work outside of Wotutu for mission. God still sits on the throne.

APPEAL
1. Please keep our students in your prayers as they will travel on Friday. Some will to go villages where there are no congregations to see how they can start one. Some will go to areas where the church has been dead many years ago and try to revive it. Some will go to weak existing congregations to help nurture it.

2. We are moving gradually toward the season and by so doing we shall invest in more time to evangelize. There are some things we need to put in place like the public address system, van, more tracks and Bibles for young converts. 

APPRECIATION
I am thankful to God for you, for all you are doing for us here. The students are overwhelmed with your love and deep concern for them. Please continue this good work to train men to preach for the field is ripe, but laborers are few. You are a pillar in our ministry. God will continue to bless you for this work is bearing fruit because you are a part. Tell others to come and be a part. The one that saves souls is wise. Keep thinking souls. We shall continue to rob from the strong man’s house. Perishing souls are crying for the gospel. Keep this mission work for our students in your prayers so that the Lord will work in their lives so that they shall set the captives in sin free and the free gospel. 

God bless you and all the sacrifices you are putting for the work in Cameroon. You will never be forgotten. God alone will bless you richly in all His riches in glory.

Elangwe and family
By His grace, Director CBIW

Second Greatest Work On Earth...

Training men to preach the gospel has to be the second greatest work on earth, second only to the actual preaching of the gospel. For the past two years I have been privileged to see the growth and development of the work in Extension Training. As students are being trained in the sound doctrine of the faith, they are extending the gospel to various villages and cities around the world. Souls are saved, wayward brethren restored, congregations edified, Christians around the world are encouraged, and God is glorified through the work.

The work involves many levels and faces numerous challenges. With each passing day, we continue to resolve various issues to help make the overall operation of the program better. In a few weeks the stateside staff of the Extension Program will meet to discuss ways we can help the program become more effective in training men to preach. I ask you to pray for us as we discuss these matters.

The reports this week continue to demonstrate the growth and success of the program. God is blessing our efforts and we give thanks. As the program develops in the years ahead we are going to face a number of challenges. This is where you come in. Please share the report each week with others. Send me their e-mail address and I will add them to the list to receive the report. 

Be praying about the need for overseeing congregations to get involved with additional schools. Please pray for the economy of our country so additional funds are available to develop the work in these new locations. If you would like to know more about these areas, please drop me an e-mail at bturner@bvbid.org.

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

Donnie Bates recently returned from both Guatemala and Honduras. His report explains the details of these trips.

Extension Reports 

Writing Exams And Extending The Gospel In Cameroon: While the students finish another quarter of study, their efforts to preach the gospel continues to bear fruit.

Beta Class Prepares To Begin: A new class is set to begin their studies in Honduras. With this new class comes opportunities to reach more souls.

Center For Biblical Studies Is Changing Lives: The work of the students in converting entire denominations emphasizes the lives being changed with the preaching of the gospel in Togo.

House To House and Public Preaching In Uganda: Uganda was host of a gospel meeting last week and the work went from house to house and public. 

Final Thoughts
There are only a few months left in the year, or so it would seem. As quickly as the first eight months of the year have flown by, I know the remaining four months will go even more quickly. Nearing the end of the year will bring planning for the year ahead.

I pray you all know how vital you are to this work. You are needed. Thank you for being so supportive of our efforts. Thank you for being involved in training men to preach. 

God bless
Bob

House to House and Public Preaching in Uganda...

Dear brethren,

We thank you very much for all that you are doing for the Lord. We are fine here in Uganda. As from 15th August, the East Africa Gospel meeting started in Busia District at Buyimini Church of Christ. We thank God who has enabled the brethren from Tanzania, Kenya and many parts of Uganda to come to this wonderful meeting.

We have started teaching people house to house and preaching in class rooms after lunch and at four we all go in the market place near their church building to preach and teach Christ to the people in the market. Brother Jimmy Gee, the Director of Andrew Connally School of Preaching from Arusha, is the one who has taught from Tuesday and Wednesday. Tomorrow they will be traveling to Kampala to teach a certain man there who has called them. I will be filling in for him tomorrow and Friday teaching in the market place for those who come in the market and pass by people.

We are using public address system which helps us very much to reach many people who are even in their homes seated. If they do not want to come where we are, they can still hear what we are teaching. We still have electricity problems in Uganda. Right now I have just managed writing this email because of the help of a generator. May the Lord be with you all. Pray for us in this meeting. 

Yours
Francis Wechesa

Center for Biblical Studies Is Changing Lives...

Hello! My dear brethren

In the beginning of July we continued our Evangelism program. We (preachers) went all at KPELE-BEME for public preaching on 15^th but we have not succeeded because there was a big raining all the day. We postpone it on 19^th-21^st August. 

I went to ATIYI with KODJO of AVETONOU area to work for start the church. We met the chief to talk with him to mobilize youth for preparing the place for shed. On 21^st they started preparing the place. The Center Biblical Studies bought a football for their youth. That football was given to the youth’s leader. They started playing that football and they were happy and working so hard to make temporal shed. 

KPELE-BEME – CHURCH.
The evangelist Kossi GIDIGIDI want be the preacher their, I spend that when we shall do the public preaching on 19^th to 21^st, he will be their with he family. We need fifteen (15) benches and on table, and altar for church. 

KPADAPE (New congregation, denomination change to Church of Christ).
The attendance was 21 to 22.

After KELE-BEME, 13 preachers and 4 members of KPADAPE church join us. We went to knock doors with gospel (house to house) two by two. At 3 pm we have a rest and take food before going back. All preachers were present and I encouraged them at the end with 1 Cor. 15:58.

Two men were baptized on the 3^rd after worship. The men pass 08 to 10 and on the 24^th six young boys visited and started studies with evangelist. Preachers were in KPADAPE on 26^th June for public evangelism program organized by the Centre Biblical Studies (CBS). The last report I notice that people visited the church. 

World Bible School (WBS) and Radio Program and Center Biblical Study:
One group of six started studies with Evangelist Yawovi AMEGANDJIN at KOUSOUNTOU and I plan the public evangelism there in September 23^rd to 25^th. 

Our radio program continues with force. 28^th September evangelist Selom ASSOKLOU, my interpreter, talks about “things sins can do with sinners” and we notice that many people were interested and our listeners request Bibles, tracts and we make program of personal study with them. One woman and her husband started coming in church now. Evangelist Selom has on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon studies with that family. 

The Center for Biblical Studies (CBS) teachers met on 25^th at Lome: Cephas NYEMANTA, ESPERANCE Akovi and Kodjo KPODENOU to discuss the program of school. The interview day will be 17^th and 18^th August 2011 and 5 September will be the beginning of the new school year. I enrolled 27 candidates and on 17 to 18^th we have to choose 20 twenty best to be students at CBS. 

God bless you all,
Your brother in Christ
Cephas Essotena NYEMANTA

Beta Class Prepares To Begin...

The report below is the most recent from Nery Irias about the new class of students with the Honduras Bible Institute in Danli.

The Beta class at the moment is maintaining their excitement. Each one of the brethren is motivated in continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each one of them strives to complete the demands of the teachers, up to this moment all goes very well.  

We are taking advantage today, in the morning we head out to evangelize and this afternoon we are going to give out the Manna Rice (food supplies) to the poor people of the community. Each student will be involved in this effort, giving out a bag of food and also giving literature from the church of Christ. Brother Luis David spoke with sister Yorleny about the class on Spanish. She has agreed to give 2 hours of Spanish and 2 hours of English to the students, but she needs $90 monthly for expenses and food. If you are in agreement we can tell the sister if she can begin to give these classes next Friday. I will be awaiting your answer. We hope that you are well together with your wife.

Nery Irias

Writing Exams and Extending the Gospel in Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Accept greetings from the staff, students and members of the Wotutu congregation. We are happy to share our reports with you about what happened here on our campus. I do hope you and your entire family and the church are just doing fine in health and sound faith. Our prayers go up to God for you daily.

Brother Norbert baptized John Atakan into Christ in one of the newly established congregations in Atongeh. The report reaching us is not good because there are no strong brothers that can be helping the congregation, if a student is not sent there. A student cannot go there every week because it is not easy with us financially.

Last week in CBIW all went on well, but very busy as usual. This week was characterized with our students busy writing their third quarter exams. Oh how time flies. You can’t imagine that we shall soon get into the last quarter for this year and later on next year we shall finish our two years of intensive study of the word of God. Thereafter, by His grace, many pulpits in Cameroon will have the right persons to divide the truth rightly. Many other communities in our land will come into the limelight of the gospel that will shine in their lives and they shall see the path to heaven clearly. That is our humble prayer and we are doing all we can as humans to see it a reality according to God’s will.

The students of CBIW were recently dressed in white sweaters because of the cool climate now in Wotutu. They were busy writing their exams for the third quarter. Please keep them in your prayers for them to maintain growth in their studies.

The students stood with a nurse sent to the Wotutu village by the government of Cameroon to give free drugs to fight against Filaria and worms. I met with the authorities so that our students could benefit from it. The students were very happy for such care and raised the thumb, our normal sign in CBIW that stipulates that they are not alone, with their new school T-shirts which will be used for vocational training soon, if means be.

One of our students, Tobias Sakwe went out for weekend evangelism in Tole sharing the gospel from house to house. Brother Ashu Evaristus did the same with the church of Christ in Lobe village. If we continue like this, many congregations will be empowered to defend the doctrine of Christ in their localities. Who can still continue?

Tobias taught in Tole congregation this morning. Tole is a struggling congregation. His topic was Giving is a Command. He said if you don’t give the right way you are sinning against God. He brought out a very good illustration about their relationship with God in the aspect of giving with this question. Who is God to you? God or dog. He further explains that many Christians have made God to be dog in their lives because they give all rejected things to God, just as a poor man will give bones and expired things to his dog.

Please keep us in your prayers for the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few. Every week I receive calls and demands for our students to come over to different congregations to help nurture and evangelize the area but we are not able to meet up with all of this demand. Please keep us in your prayer for more laborers to come and join us to do more for the Lord. 

APPEAL
1) We still lament over transportation problems to meet up with our calling.

2) We still lament about a public address system to reach out to many communities.

3) Our students need to travel to virgin lands and communities where the Lord’s church is dying for evangelistic campaigns come the 2nd of September. Please come and help us meet up with these challenges. 

APPRECIATIONS
We are thankful to God for using you, your congregation and your family to help get to this level. Please, we lack words to appreciate your wonderful gestures to His work here in Wotutu, Cameroon, but only God will reward you in due season.

Continue to keep us in your prayers as we pray for you. The weather conditions now are the best for our health and the work. Some students are still sick and I am also sick from catarrh, since last week when I returned for a weekend mission in some congregations.  

SAD NEWS
One of our students, Awatt Manfree, lost his father and I was there yesterday with some few students for the burial. Please remember the young brother in your prayers, for it is not easy, as the first son in our culture to carry over all the fatherly responsibilities. But, we are satisfied with our Lord’s promises, “I will be a Father to the fatherless and the husband to the widows.”

Stay strong and do your best to share this report with others around and far from you. 

God bless you in all your endeavors. 

Elangwe and family
By His grace, director CBIW

Weekend In New England...

Over the past weekend I had opportunity to speak in a lectureship at the Northern Valley Church of Christ in Lancaster, New Hampshire. The lectureship was a great experience and success. I was encouraged with the organization and participation of all involved with this event. It was a true honor to share in this event. The church in the Northeast part of the country greatly needs sound men who are willing to work in teaching the gospel. 

The development of men throughout the Extension Program has been successful in spreading the news of Jesus in many countries around the world. Our efforts are desperately needed within the U.S. also. There are parts of this country with the same need for sound doctrine. The New England states certainly fall into this category.

I ask you to be praying with me for the needs of men to preach the gospel in this country, as well as, the countries where we are preparing men to preach. The reports this week relate the need for men to go with the gospel to places throughout their countries where people need to hear the message.

As the population of the world approaches seven billion people, the need will continue to grow. The time is now for us to step up to answer the commission of the Lord to go into all the world with the gospel. The need is great! Jesus said the laborers are few. His words are just as true today. You are needed to help meet the task at hand. If you would like to know more about how you can help meet the need, please contact me at bturner@bvbid.org.

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

Josh Austin shares news in his report about the work in Cameroon and the challenges of raising support for the work of a coordinator.

Extension Reports 

Focal Point In Cameroon Is Bearing Fruit: The focal point of the work in Cameroon continues to see souls added and restored to the kingdom.

50th Anniversary - John Oppon Gaidoo: 50 years ago, John Oppon Gaidoo began preaching the gospel in Ghana, West Africa. Daniel Asiamah from Takoradi was involved with this event.

2nd Graduation In Nigeria: The school in Abakaliki, Nigeria recently finished the second class of students. Chad Wagner was able to be there for the celebration.

Preparing For East Africa Gospel Meeting: The week ahead in Uganda will be focused on the East Africa Gospel Meeting. Brethren will be attending from all over the Eastern Region.

Living Examples In Arusha: Thanks to the efforts in Safari For Souls, Christians in Tanzania are proving to be living examples of the work. 

Final Thoughts
My final thoughts express the words of Paul. I give thanks upon my every remembrance of you. My heart is filled with joy when I consider all the ways each of you have chosen to be involved in this work. There will always be work ahead for us to do. I am thankful to know we are working together to accomplish this task.

I pray for you and ask you to pray with me for the future of the work in Extension Training. I know God will continue to bless our efforts to His glory.

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words, your prayers, financial support, and the sacrifices you make to keep the work progressing.

God bless
Bob

2nd Graduation In Nigeria...

Beloved Brethren,

It was great even to announce that the 2nd convocation ceremony of our dear ministerial students was very fantastic. Brother Chad Wagner represented the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver very well in the ceremony and has arrived back home safely. The graduates were highly honored and they were wished well into the fields for soul-wining. All we need to do for them was done including transport fares to go home.

During brother Wagner’s stay with us after the convocation, we had two baptisms after worship at Afikpo and one more baptism yesterday. That was great and wonderful. Please pray for the new converts.

The Governing board of CSMT School of Biblical Studies is still meeting to know when and how the program will continue. The 2nd meeting for that will be held on 20th August 2011. Any development in the program, you will be dully informed.

Reuben in His Service.

Living Examples In Arusha...

Greetings Fellow Workers,

We thank you for your continued fellowship in the Gospel. God continues to bless His efforts through you and through His Church here in Tanzania. We are indeed the most blessed people in all the world and it is through the preaching of the Gospel that others might know our God as we do.

Through the good example of "Safari for Souls" campaigns, our good brothers and sisters in Christ are now living by example. They too are doing as God would have any of His faithful, by conducting what they call; the "East African Gospel" meeting. Each year they come together, rotating between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, holding a Gospel meeting.

This year they have chosen the Southeast part of Uganda, just outside the border town of Busia for their meeting. Jimmy Gee, Charles Heberth, Ahimidiwe Kimaro and myself will join them in this evangelistic efforts. We leave today, after Bible class and worship, heading for Uganda. We will overnight in Nairobi, Kenya and make our way to Busia on Monday.

We ask you to join us in praying for this effort everyday this week. The meeting will conclude next Sunday, August 21st. Please pray that God will be glorified, souls will be saved and all participants and their families will be safe. We thank you and we pray for you as well.

Until all have heard! 

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Preparing For East Africa Gospel Meeting...

Dear brethren,

It seems now that every Sunday we don't have power in Busia the whole day and Night. But thanks be to God today we have it and I am sharing with you my day and week. It has been a busy week at school and in my private work. Brother Elias Omollo has gone back to Kenya to prepare for the gospel meeting which is starting on Wednesday at his home congregation Lieta church of Christ in South Nyanza. This meeting ends on 13th August 2011. He is going to miss the East African Gospel meeting which starts on 15th August 2011. 

Sunday we worshiped at Nabyunyu church of Christ 40 km from Busia towards Kampala. This is the congregation where one of our students, brother Sande Joseph, comes from and he is currently the preacher. When we preached the gospel the first time in this village in 2009 someone who was not a member of the church gave us a place where we erected a shelter where the church meets every Sunday. Due to the inflation in the country right now, the owner wants to sell it out to whoever may give him money. Pray for these brethren so that they do not miss this plot. 

Many congregations are planning to attend the East Africa Gospel meeting. Pray for them as they plan so that they are able to attend. May our God bless you richly. 

Yours
Francis Wechesa

50th Anniversary - John Oppon Gaidoo...

The campus is now quiet with all students gone for the holidays. While school is out instructors will be engaged with working on their assignments from their classes last month, working with churches that have requested their services and getting materials for the new school year that begin early September.

The fiftieth anniversary of the death of John Oppon Gaidoo, the first Ghanaian evangelist of the Church of Christ was held on July 24, 2011 at Nkum his hometown, and where he had the first congregation of the church. This was organized by his family and several brethren from around the country were invited. I was privileged to preach the sermon at the service. His tomb which was renovated with funds from the Bomso church in Kumasi was unveiled that day. There was fundraising to build a meeting place to replace the shed now used for services. A target of 50,000 Ghana Cedis (about $ 34,000) has been set. 3,750 Ghana cedis of that amount were raised at the service. A request has been made to the family to preserve the room where the first converts of the church in Ghana held their meeting. It will require the strengthening of that portion of the building of which the meeting place is part.

One of our students, Augustine Assoro, the oldest, shown in an earlier report, has opted to go to the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies to complete his training. He was part of the team that went from West Coast to the Tamale graduation. He is now past 70 years and wants to be closer to his home town in the Upper East Region.

My senior brother who lived and worked in Belgium has returned home in his retirement years. He is down with Parkinson’s disease. The cost of medication is very high. My understanding is that there is not a cure for the disease yet. All the medication is to help manage the situation. What I am seeking help for is how to care for him. It is mostly my responsibility and that of his two children to look after him. There are times he gets tremors and pains and we do not know what to do. If anyone knows about this disease and can give us information on it, and especially how to provide proper care for him as he is confined to the house and cannot walk by himself. It is not easy helping to care for him when I have no idea what it is all about.              

Brethren, pray for us.
Daniel k Ampadu-Asiamah

Challenges Of Raising Support For Coordinator...

Two-thirds of this month we were on the road trying to raise support. The Lord was good to us. We had safe travels and met friends, family and great brethren. The only real difficulty we had was the kids getting food poisoning for several days. Aaliyah also had a foot injury while playing with one of the kids we were staying with. That has been bruised and swollen for about a week, but thankfully a brother in Christ, who is a doctor, took some x-rays and said that there were no breaks. The children did great considering how long we were on the road and how many different places we stayed.

We went from Denver to Wichita, KS and stayed with my brother and his family. I was able to meet with two new congregations there. Then we went to Tulsa, OK and stayed with the Clayton family who has faithfully supported us for years. We were able to meet with the congregation they attend. While in Tulsa, the Comers, who are some good friends of ours from school, came from Arkansas to meet us. We then went to Oklahoma City to meet up with the Schinnerer’s, who are also good friends from school.

For the next two days we were in Stratford, OK. This is where I have a lot of family members. It was good to have time with them. The next leg took us to Dallas, TX. We worshipped with the Cold Springs congregation in the morning and the Waxahachie congregation in the evening. It was so good to see these familiar faces and then meet some new ones. The Dobson’s housed us on Sunday night and then we drove to Waco, TX to meet some generous brethren that have known us from the days of the Rez, but we really didn’t know them. Getting to know the Donaho family and sister Corley was such and encouragement to us.

Tuesday we made our way to Hico, TX. These brethren have supported us since Bear Valley. They had a special dinner where nearly 40 people were in attendance to have fellowship with our family. That really showed a lot of love; and once again we were encouraged.

Wednesday night we met with a new congregation in Lancaster, which showed a lot of love and generosity towards our family and the work we are now involved in. Thursday was wonderful as we spent the night with the Craytons. We met them at Polishing the Pulpit about 5 years ago. They are always uplifting to be with.

The next three days we stayed with the Stephens family. It was so good to get to know this family better and to see the good works they are doing in the Lord’s kingdom. It was a nice break before our long trip back home. Sunday we worshipped with the Decatur church and then on to Weatherford to worship with the North Main church. This is a very mission minded church. We appreciate all the McKay’s did to help us meet this church. We are thankful for their hospitality and generosity.

Monday we drove about 6 hours to visit some good friends from Bear Valley. The Roach’s are doing a good work near Farwell, TX. We valued our time there. Lots of catching up as our families continue to grow. The next day we drove long and hard to finally make it back to Denver.

The Lord blessed us richly on this trip. Relationships were renewed with so many loved ones and so many new relationships were forged. We praise God for this great opportunity. It was not the easiest trip, but it was a trip filled with so much giving, encouragement and love.

We want all of you who housed us, fed us, gave to us, taught us, prayed for us, encouraged us and loved us to know that you are in our prayers and we are putting these experiences on paper so we do not forget how the Lord works through His body the church.

As most of these congregations must meet with mission committees and elderships to decide budgets, we will not know the outcome of our support until the end of the year. We pray that we are able to become a part of these congregations. Our prayer is that God will place the right congregations together with us in this work of training preachers in their own countries to go into all the world.

PLEASE GO TO THE BEAR VALLEY WEBSITE AND READ MORE ABOUT TRAINING PREACHERS THROUGH EXTENSION SCHOOLS: /extension- news/tag/cameroon

You will also be able to read all of the past reports from Cameroon and any other school connected with Bear Valley.

Josh

Focal Point In Cameroon Is Bearing Fruit...

Dearest in Christ,

Amazing grace is what I wish you all this hour in Jesus name. I am sure all is going well with you and your family. Accept greetings from this end and I am happy to inform you that God still sits on the throne so all is going on well.

Brother Frederick Epie was added this afternoon after worship and 8 souls were restored after spending time with the minister on Saturday visiting backsliders. Among them was brother David Epulle who stayed for 8 years away from Christ. I restored him this morning back to his first love. Please pray for this congregation and the nearby villages. By the grace of God, most of our students will go to this area because they have seen that it is a fertile land for the gospel to grow.

Our weekly program went on well no matter the rains. All our lecturers came to school as usual with the zeal to train soldiers of the cross. Their zeal is always appreciated by me for their effort toward this work. It is priceless.

Our students are seeing our sacrifice as we are all living examples to what we preach and what we teach in the school. Chapel topic for this week was “My Focal Point.” This was aimed to help both the students, visitors to the school and staff, because we know in life all must have a focal point, but our emphasis was for us to focus on Christ who is able to do more than what we expected (Eph. 3:19-20).

I left the campus on Thursday night for personal missions to some congregations about 200 kilometers away from Wotutu. All the churches along the road I took to get to the main congregation in which I was assigned to preach welcomed me well. This visit also sets an eye opener for other young men who are on holidays now and desire coming to CBIW to be trained in the future.

All the congregations are struggling with only two having trained preachers who can divide the truth rightly. The demand for our students to come and help in different congregations is on a regular basis. It has become like the Macedonian call. We love to do this, but the time has not come. The field is really ripe, but the laborers are few. Please help us in your prayers that these brothers, after their training, will become useful in God’s hands.

The population of Ngusi congregation this morning worshipped their King. I have been sending students to this congregation to help. The leaders today applauded CBIW and those concerned in this school that they should not relent their efforts for it is bearing fruit in their community.

Carl Doibe, minister in Ngusi, has been preaching since 1976 and really prayed for the students to graduate and come to that area. His son, Nsong Nelson, is in CBIW now training and he is doing well with his studies. His presence in CBIW gives us hope for the future in the Ngusi area as a young man.

This quarter’s campaign is tilted toward nurturing and planting new congregations, if all that is planned remains the same. Please continue to help us in your prayers. 

PLANS
We are still praying for all of our evangelistic tool to be put in place. Let us break grounds for the gospel in Cameroon. The staff and students are ready, but there are things still pending: public address system, van and tracts.

Keep us in your prayers and stay strong. Please come and join this team to save souls. Keep thinking souls so that we shall continue to rob from the strong man’s house and by so doing we shall depopluate hell populate heaven to the glory of our King.

Thank you for helping us in all that you are doing. Your labor will never be in vain. God bless you to do your best to share this report with others. 

Elangwe and family
By His grace, Director CBIW

What I Love About The Weekly Report...

Classes began today at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. BVBID is starting the 46th year of training men to preach. It is exciting to share in the opening chapel celebration as new students enter the program. Over the next few weeks several schools around the world will also begin the next class of students preparing themselves for the greatest work on earth, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are several updates this week. A few are specifically from coordinators and the others are from the men who are serving on the ground in various locations. I know I have said it before, but it encourages and excites me to read about the work so many are involved with in the Lord’s kingdom. 

I love reading about the work of students who are evangelizing the various villages and communities near their school.

I love reading about the commitment and dedication of Christian men and women who work hard to share the gospel with others.

I love reading about the future plans for growth and development of new congregations where the students will be laboring.

I love reading about the cooperative efforts of Christians in the U.S. and in Africa who are able through e-mail to connect to strengthen the hands of others in fulfilling the Lord’s work.

I love reading about the efforts made to overcome a variety of challenges met on a week to week basis in the Extension Program.

I love reading about the grateful hearts of fellow-laborers who know the value of the sacrifices made by many of you to help make the work fruitful.

I love knowing we are working together with congregations throughout the U.S. and around the world in lifting up the hands of faithful men who will teach others the gospel.

I love sharing the reports with you and I believe you will love reading about this information and much more in this week’s report.

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

Donnie Bates sent his monthly report about the work he has been doing with the school in Danli, Honduras.

Howell Ferguson reports on the work he has been involved with over the last month. His article can read by clicking here. 

Extension Reports 

My Life As A Mirror: The lessons in chapel are benefiting the students and the community as others are attending this time of worship in Cameroon.

Roll The Gospel Chariot: The work of preaching the gospel ties into a children’s song and the reality of the work in Chimala.

Updating The Work... The Ghanaian Way: Steven Ashcraft recaps the work in Tamale and in Togo in this month’s report.

A Successful First Year And Prospective Future: The recent graduation in Tamale is only the foundation for the work of the future in Ghana.

Limiting Electrical Power, But Not The Power Of God: While the government may limit the electrical power, the power of the gospel is still changing lives in Uganda.

Cooperation To Preach In A Refugee Camp: Working together with Christians in the U.S. and Tanzania is making a difference in preaching the gospel to a refugee camp in Tanzania.

New Converts, New Visitors, New Opportunities: Several areas in Arusha demonstrate the growth possibilities in the work in Tanzania.  

Final Thoughts
These are exciting times with the beginning of a new school year. It is hard to believe how quickly time passes before us. I am so thankful to be involved in this great work and I appreciate the efforts of all who make it possible.

I know I am very repetitive when it comes to expressing my gratitude. I hope you know this is more than just words on a monitor screen. With all of my heart I thank you. 

Thank you for your love for the Lord, the gospel, His church, the lost and for those who are willing to work diligently to most effectively carry out what God has instructed us to do through His word.

There will always be more to follow. I love you with the love of the Lord.

God bless
Bob

A Successful First Year And Prospective Future...

The Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies has started with a second batch of students training. Out of the twenty-four short-listed applicants, twelve reported for the commencement of the program. The other twelve applicants are being contacted to ascertain their reasons for not reporting. Reasons given so far indicate that the reporting date, as per the Institute’s calendar, coincides with the peak period for farming. Efforts are being made to admit more students to make up the desired number of twenty-four.

The graduation of the first batch of 15 students which was tied to the Institutes annual seminar taking place from June 23-26, 2011, as scheduled.

In all, participants of the seminar which preceded the graduation were entreated to a call to the great commission. Speaker after speaker, the message let us revive that spirit to evangelism as it was in the beginning of Christianity.

The director of the Institute, brother Baah Joseph Okyere in his welcome address, thanked the Bear Valley Bible Institute and all sponsors for their support. He said this appreciable intervention by brother Steven Ashcraft has brought about a great relief to students and an undeniable hope for the growth of the congregations in the northern sector of Ghana. He called on preachers and leaders of the congregations to make maximum use of the facility.

Brother Bob Turner, who represented Bear Valley Bible Institute, in his presentation spoke of the Institute’s mission to train men for preaching of the gospel around the globe. He expressed appreciation for the efforts the Tamale Congregations are making and urged them to continue with the work. He further called on congregations in general and individual Christians in particular to consider the need for training for the dissemination of the gospel.

In another impressive talk delivered by brother Tony Johnson, participants were brought to an understanding that no excuse can be given for not obeying the call in the 'Great Commission'. With several references from the scripture, the great speaker aroused the commitment of participants to go and preach the gospel.

Speaking on the topic 'Set for the Defense of the gospel,' Brother Francis Ayine reminded participants of the protection, guidance and providence of God and said as faithfuls, all should be bold in their evangelistic work.

In the same vein, Brother Roger Ayillah cautioned participants of the need to couple their zeal to spread the gospel with the true knowledge of God and added that all should avoid speeches which have no bearing to the doctrine of Christ.

Participants were also asked to continue to appreciate the past since that would enable us know the way forward. Brother Ampadu Asiamah, the director of the West Coast School of Preaching outlined the zealousness that those who were baptized in 1970s showed toward preaching, and assured participants of a remarkable growth of the Lord’s if all take up the evangelism activities in the various congregations seriously.

The graduation which took place the next day was chaired by Brother Ampadu Asiamah. The function was attended by the representatives of Bear Valley Bible Institute, staff of West Coast Bible Institute, the medical team from Bomso Clinic, members of the Tamale Congregations, friends and family members of the graduates and some invited guests. 

It was a short but very colorful gathering. The main activity was the presentation of certificates to the graduating students. The students were commissioned with prayers led by brother Bob Turner. Another significant activity was presentation of special awards to outstanding students. Jacob Adjei Yeboah received best academic performance award, Stephen Abugbilla received both the best servant award and the most enterprising award, and Christian Someritey received the most disciplined student award whilst the most determined student award went to Godfrey Nathaniel Cann.

God bless
Baah Joseph Okyere

My Life As A Mirror...

Calvary greetings to you and your family. I pray that this report finds you in good health and a sound faith. We are doing great as our programs in the school and the congregations are going. But for the health of many students that we reported last week that they were sick, we praise God as many of them are responding to treatment. I could not take any of them to the hospital, but I met a doctor who prescribed essential drugs for all the students because to take above 10 persons to see the doctor for medical attention is not easy financially.

Our chapel topic for the week was “My Life As A Mirror” (Prov. 27:19). This was to help not only the students, but others who will pass around to be part of our chapel services. Because of how rich the topic was, some members and some leaders of the Wotutu congregation requested it to be taught in our Sunday Bible class so that a larger part of the population will benefit from it. As you can see, one of our students this morning, Etongwe Nicholoas E was taching at the church in Wotutu. It was really good.

The students are happy because of the availability of drugs now in the school. I bought a quantity that can take us for a month because the climate makes people sick often, not only the students. We are praying for the months to pass by fast so that we shall enter into a favorable weather conditions. 

The weather this week was so horrible that it made me stop the students from going out for evangelism. All our scheduled evangelism was disturbed because of bad weather conditions.

Our daily program went on well, just for the fact that lecturers from outside came to lecture late of one hour because of rains, because they must use a motor bike to make it to the school. but they stayed above normal closing hour to make up the lost hour. I commend these ministers who are teaching in the school for their marvelous sacrifice to make things happen.

Elangwe, taught a sermon this morning on the topic “God Sees (Prov. 15:3). We have four first time visitors in the church. It was great to commune with one another and the food was a balanced diet to help us grow in the Lord.

Our congregation in Wotutu is appreciative of God for CBIW and all you are doing to sustain this vision of the school. The school is doing and will continue to do great things for the Lord’s glory. 

PLANS
1) We are still praying and looking forward to favorable weather conditions for us to move to Batoke village to establish a congregation. The means for a public address system is still keeping us from moving ahead, along with the weather.

2) Next campaign will be in September and there is a village that one sister came to the school by herself pleading for the school to help send students to establish a congregation because that is her village. To get to the village you need to travel by land and then finish it by a boat for four hours in a creek. Please pray for us to have the means to go to this village and save souls for the Lord. There are similar demands like that in my office.

3) Transportation is a problem and a stumbling block to our work, because if we use a motor bike it is more risky to make our trip with this kind of weather conditions. Thanks be to God for our area is not characterized with flooding, no matter the intensity of rainfall. 

APPRECIATION
I am very happy for all that you are doing to see that this work is in progress. God will never pass you by when the time of reward will come. Please be confident that your prayers and support are not and will never be in vain. 

God continue to bless your efforts.

Elangwe and family
By His grace, Director CBIW

Roll The Gospel Chariot...

We used to sing the song “Roll the Gospel Chariot” in VBS. I was able to preach on the Gospel Chariot this last Saturday.  It is a huge truck that travels around to villages so we can spread the gospel.  It was at the small village of Nsonyaga. The lesson we preached was from our first combined Church History class last quarter at CBI.  It emphasized the Restoration plea to be Bible Christians only. There was a large crowd, and Kara Wells, who was taping the service, said there were at least 50 “children in attendance. We always take the opportunity to speak where we can and emphasize the training of preachers at CBI.

Classes are going well and since we are here only four weeks in this quarter, we are using Wednesday as the catch up day to get the necessary hours taught. The classes we are teaching are Kings, Chronicles, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  We are all excited about Remmy, one of our long time Swahili teachers, because he is teaching his first English class on the Minor Prophets. We want all of our teachers to be able to teach in both departments. Therefore, they are all enrolled in the BVBID Master’s program here at Chimala.

Silence, our only absent student, returned this week. He had major surgery over the summer. Returning, he reported 10 baptisms at the congregation in which he has worked. This week, four of our teachers are with the Gospel Chariot. This fall our students will be involved in many weekend campaigns giving them practical experience in preaching and evangelism.

This Sunday I went to preach at Itamboleo with Menard, Don and Sue Laugston. Don is here at the mission and will be teaching our students better ways to grow crops and raise livestock. This will allow them to better support themselves when they return home. Itamboleo is one of the many small churches in the region that needs help, and I go there to represent CBI and see about the feasibility of our students going there to help.  

We have at the mission several Irish medical students. We have been spending some time with them to hopefully plant the seeds of the gospel. Their love for people was evident when we returned from Mbeya last Thursday. There was a large crowd outside the hospital and we asked what was happening. There had been a terrible bus wreck. When the students heard this, they immediately jumped out of the Land Cruiser and ran into the hospital to help. About 10 pm that evening two came by to report on the injured. We desire and encourage these Irish students to interact with our students so they can learn of the work of CBI.

Speaking of evangelism opportunities, Kara Wells has been spending time at the Primary and Secondary schools. There are numerous baptisms here because many of the students are not from Christian homes. Ezekiel Harrison, one of our CBI instructors, is teaching “Bible Knowledge” every day for the children. Also, our students at CBI study with the primary and secondary students. They teach the children the gospel on a weekly basis.

Please remember our work in your prayers. We will be traveling to the States for the Denver faculty retreat, and then we will come back to teach for the final quarter in September. Upon our return, we will spend the weekends traveling to recruit students in Dar-es Salem Dudoma, Milawili and Mbeya. We have many who have already shown interest in enrolling in school here. We need your help in supporting these students.

Garry L. Hill: Director
Chimala Bible Institute

Updating The Work... The Ghanaian Way

Greetings, once again, to all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world. We thank God for your faithfulness and your desire to see the gospel spread in West Africa. We pray that God is continuing to bless you and those close to you as we labor towards that day when Jesus will return. With your help, the work in West Africa is moving forward, and a lot has happened since our last report. We are continuing to train leaders and preachers who are going out to build up and expand our Lord’s church. Graduation ceremonies were held at the schools of preaching in Tamale in northern Ghana, and Kpalime in southern Togo. Time was spent meeting with the board, staff and students of the various Bible schools discussing problems, needs, improvements, and the way forward. Plans were made for evangelistic efforts over the next few months in both Ghana and Togo. A new class of students began in Tamale, and significant progress was made towards the completion of the building for the school in that city. This newsletter will attempt to briefly outline and describe some of these efforts and events. For those of you who receive this report by email, you will be able to see a photo journal of many of these happenings.

Thank You for your Prayers
We have told you often about our strong belief in the power of prayer. Some of you may have heard that I recently had another battle with malaria. We thank God that I have completely recovered! Unfortunately, malaria is a problem that many Ghanaians and some Americans in West Africa must deal with on a regular basis. We continue to need and appreciate your prayers!

Graduations

Kpalime, Togo
During the month of June, we were blessed to see many future leaders and preachers graduate from two of our Bible colleges in West Africa. On June 18th, eight students graduated from the two year program located in the city of Kpalime in southern Togo. The graduation was attended by many in the community, and was very edifying to the local congregations. Please keep these men in your prayers as they move out into the field spreading the gospel of Christ in the country of Togo.

Tamale, Ghana
On June 25th, we had fifteen men graduate from the school of preaching located in Tamale in northern Ghana. This was our first graduating class! The graduation was part of a three day program that included a seminar based upon the subject, “What the Church Needs.” There were visitors from all over Ghana, and the USA who attended this event. We thank God for your support, and for giving us the strength to make it to this point.

In May 2011, a new class of ten students began at the school in Tamale. We are expecting more students to be added to this number over the next few months. During their first five weeks of classes, the subjects related to the Life of Christ, the basics of Christianity, surveys of the Old and New Testaments, and English writing skills were taught. Tony Johnson, a missionary from the U.S., was able to spend one month in Tamale teaching this new class a survey of the Bible. It is our prayer that brother Johnson will be able to return to Tamale next year to work full time with this school. With your help, we continue to train men to become more effective church leaders in northern Ghana.

Northern Togo
The work is continuing to progress in northern Togo. During May and June, we held numerous meetings to discuss our plans for the future. A new congregation was planted earlier this year in the town of Kande by the congregation in Kara. This city is about fifty miles north of Kara. We are also in the process of planting another congregation of the Lord’s church even farther north in Togo this year. During the month of June, we moved a preacher and his family to the town of Dapoang with the intent of establishing a new congregation there. With your help, we are bringing the gospel to the people of northern Togo!

Special Needs

Used Laptops – We are currently attempting to locate and refurbish older laptops to be given to our preacher students. Do you have an old laptop that we may be able to use in Ghana?

Library Books – We are attempting to build up libraries in all of our schools of preaching. We are in the process of putting together a list of needed books. Can you help buy a book or two or more?

Buildings - We continue to have facility needs in our schools of preaching in West Africa. We are attempting to put the finishing touches on the building in Tamale, and the school in Takoradi is in need of repairs and expansion.

Personal Support – With the change in my personal situation, I am attempting to raise additional funds for the support of myself and my family. If you or someone you know can help with this, please let me know.

Reporting in the USA
Over the next month, I will be calling you to set up times that I can visit your congregation to show you all of the wonderful works that are taking place in West Africa. I will be returning from Ghana in October, and will be setting up times to report through the end of the year. If you know of a sister congregation, or anyone else that may be able to help us spread the gospel in Africa, please let me know. I will be happy to speak with them!

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

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

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

All checks need to be made out to: Mountain Home church of Christ
For: West Africa Mission

And mailed to:
Mountain Home church of Christ 380 North College Street Mountain Home, AR 72653
Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven Ashcraft at:
Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com U.S. Cell Phone: 971-270-8535 U.S. Message Phone: 870-425-4330 Ghana Cell Phone: 233-24-614-6022

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

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

Limiting Electrical Power, But Not The Power Of God...

Dear brethren,

I did not write this short report on Sunday because in Uganda we have power rationing. They give power on certain days and hours. We thank God that He is blessing us greatly with good hearth. On Sunday, we worshiped at a congregation  called Bulukuyi this is one the congregations where two of students go preach on Fridays and Sundays.

Brother Peter Otieno from Migori Kenya and Brother Maloba Fedrick from Bugati congregation are working. I was a companed with Ema Mawa who was given a chance to preach during service. Brother Peter Otien taught the class. For me I taught the congregation some new songs in our native language Lusamia. After the service four people were ready to be baptized. I took them in the Lake which was about 18 km from Bulukuyi village. Those who were baptized were  Olengo James, Rose Awino, Auma Henderika and  Auma Vivian. Pray for them. The Bulukuyi church is among those churches which are in need of Land and Building. They are ready start putting  a grass house so that they can save the money used on rent a very month. Pray for this congregation. God bless you all. 

Yours
Francis Wechesa