Two Students Become Christians...

CBS continues to chop more successes. Recently two denominational students at the school couldn’t help it any longer but submit themselves for baptism. It has been the mission of CBS to use the school as a tool for evangelism, and that is exactly what we are doing. Teachers teach with this mission in mind. Our goal was to baptize all the denominational students who enrolled in the school by the close of the first year, but as it stands now, we may achieve our goal before then. We thank God for blessing our efforts.

PENTECOST CHURCH CONVERTS TO CHURCH OF CHRIST

Hodanu Kwami enrolled at CBS as a member from the Pentecost Church. Kwami recently accepted Christ through baptism thus renouncing denominationalism. Kwami led CBS to his congregation to conduct a special class for his members. Four members were also baptized and now 20 others are contemplating baptism. Let us continue to pray for this new congregation.

Willie Gley

Students Take A Vocational Class In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Cameroon. It is a good, bright day and we had a wonderful worship in Wotutu with two, first time visitors. I worshiped in Tole congregation to assess one of our students on campaign in that village. I do pray this mail will meet you in good health and a sound mind. We are doing great here in Wotutu, except for the fact that some brethren are not okay in health. We know God is able.

Brother Gage Coldwater taught class during his vocational training. It was a great class to help our students be self-sustaining when they will graduate from school. Keep this program in your prayers. We also have gardening and other things that will help us have meat on our table and also to raise income. We thank you brother Gage. God bless you as you share your wisdom to many others on your way.

Last week in CBIW was a busy one as our students and the visiting lecturers from the USA were rounding up studies for them to take off for campaign. It was a hectic week with much learning from class and outside work to keep the line straight to avoid any doctrinal problems in the future from congregations as our visiting lecturers visited to encourage.

Brother Gage taught the students and some interested Christians from the Wotutu congregation outside on the field practically. He also hired some experts from a non-governmental organization who are specializing in snail farming to come and help teach us so as to create diversity. It is a great development.

We had our rabbits in their cages as we have started. Please keep our efforts in your prayers so that we shall share pictures of our developments by His grace in the future.

We were laughing and smiling, making jokes as we happily constructed our snail pens. It is a good thing because it is rich in health and also to improve our family income. God bless you all who contributed to the realization of this work.

After a busy week for vocational training, all CBIW students were set after the send forth ceremony for our visiting brothers who came to contribute their own quarter in the training of men to preach in Cameroon. Campaign this time for our students took a different face, as all our married students went to their campaign villages with their wives. Our focus is to start getting their wives to be more mission conscious as they prepare to get into full time ministry after graduation. Many congregations in Cameroon called my office to applaud the gestures, even though it is expensive, but it serves a great deal for the work we are out for.

Brother Nicholas Etongwe was to travel with his wife Barbara who is five pregnant. Please keep these students in your prayers that God use them to accomplish His purpose.

Cameroon is known as Africa miniature. All of Africa is in Cameroon. After a hard week of work and services, I took our visiting lecturers to admire nature like lava flow and the beautiful shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Friday, the 16^th of March, was our mid-week prayer meeting days. We also attached the program to a fellowship meal and send forth ceremony to brother Martin Johnson and brother Gage Coldwater who sacrificed their time and money to come over and to help us accomplish a lot. They visited 5 different congregations and helped many that they saw were using Lord Supper wine containing a low percentage of alcohol. Their visits increased the soundness of the gospel in Cameroon. As I mail you, brother Gage is very close to returning to the USA, in the air now, while brother Martin stopped in Paris, France to worship in a congregation and then continue home. They left Cameroon, by His grace safe and sound. We give glory to our King for care.

VISIONS
1) I am still praying and planning to attend the Africans Claiming Africa for Christ conference  in Zambia. Please find a place in your heart to help me attend this conference financially. ($ 2000)

2) We appeal for the young congregation we established in Lebialem village that appealed for me to come over to help solve a problem there that is still pending. I was busy with the lecturers that came and the means is not there now. Keep this young congregation without a preacher in your prayers.

3) We shall move to Batoke village to establish a new congregation when the students come back.

APPRECIATIONS
We give thanks to God for all His wonderful things towards us. We thank Him for helping us go through the quarter without any major problems.

Thank you for all you are doing to help this work continue. You are clay in God’s hands and He is using you well for His glory.

Continue to pray for this work here. Think about it.

Join my entire family in appreciation to God for watching over the life of my son Welisane Raymondchris Elangwe, who was two years last Tuesday 13^th March. Keep him in your prayers that he will grow up to defend the truth and to help many know God.

Do your best to share this with others, God is able.

Elangwe and family,
By His grace Director CBIW

Students Strengthen Churches In Tamale...

Tamale is experiencing the harmattan season with a daily temperature between 39 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius.

The Institute’s premise is always quiet because students are on recess. The last examination paper was written on the 24^th February, 2012 after which students packed for home for their quarterly break. They are to resume on the 19^th March, 2012.

Before leaving for the quarterly break, students prepared for their examination each one hoping to win the award for the overall best student. The award is being keenly contested for by most of the students. The idea of awarding academic excellence has served a real purpose of motivating students to learn. We therefore thank those who brought about this very important idea.

Reports reaching Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies indicate that students now on holidays are reviving brethren who have falling away. Management is happy about their effort and has sent messages of commendation to these students. 

Two of the past students, Stephen Abugbilla and John Avoka, who are presently preaching near Bawku in the Upper East Region of Ghana, are planning to organize a Seminar for the spiritual growth of the congregations in and around Bawku and have invited instructors of Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies to assist. It is hoped that by this achievement that envisaged development of the Church would be on course.

The Board wishes to call the attention of all to pray for the success of the work here in the Northern part of Ghana. In July, 2012, two devoted American Preachers would be in Tamale to assist with the preaching of the gospel and it is our prayer also that the Almighty Lord should be with them, provide all their needs, protect them bless them for a successful stay in Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies- Ghana.

Baah Joseph Okyere

New Sister In Christ...

Let me begin with the best news of all. Sunday I was privileged to baptize my sister into Christ. We have been studying for several months, looking at a number of areas regarding God’s word and our relationship to God through His word. It was an incredible feeling to have the opportunity to immerse her into Christ and know the hope she has because of the cleansing power found in the blood of Jesus.

Monday begins the first of two days where the staff of the Extension program comes together to discuss matters relating to the various schools. Our goal is to continue taking a few steps each time we meet to improve the overall working of the program. We will be discussing several areas over the next few days which I know will provide growth in the work. I am always encouraged by the opportunity to gain insight from the depth of wisdom these men, who have served the Lord in various capacities for many years, bring to the work.

As well, this week includes a trip to Guatemala to participate in the annual ITL lectureship. I will share more about the lectureship in next week’s report. The lectureship is one facet of the work being done by Byron Benitez and Hawatthia Jones with the Latin-America Theological Institute. Bear Valley is privileged to assist in their efforts of training men to preach the gospel in Central America.

Following the trip to Guatemala; Donnie Bates, Ralph Williams and myself will be traveling to Asuncion, Paraguay. We will meet with various staff members who make up the team of missionaries working in this area. As well, we will meet with the local leadership of the congregation in Asuncion to discuss their desire to be involved in training men to preach the gospel in South America. I look forward to reporting more about the development of this possibility in future reports.

As you will read this week, the work continues to be a blessing. I love reading about the development of the work as men prepare themselves to fulfill God’s plan for the salvation of the world. I hope you enjoy reading them this week.

Now on to the reports...

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

Jerry and Paula Bates recently returned from a trip to India to participate in several activities within the work of India and the Extension Program. Click here to see the complete report.

Chad Wagner’s report is attached below. Chad and his family are making final preparations for moving to Chimala this summer. Read more here.

Josh Austin’s monthly report about the Extension work in Cameroon and his activities with the Bear Valley congregation is located here. 

Extension Reports 

Short Course Teachers In Cameroon: Two teachers from the USA recently began short course classes with the CBIW. The impact has been encouraging.

Opportunities To Be Gained Or Lost: Work in the mission field presents many opportunities and sometimes those opportunities are lost. The work in Arusha faces the same. 

Final Thoughts
I always enjoy closing with a word of thanks. Saying thank you does not seem near enough to express the depth of gratitude I have for all you do to make this work possible. I know your desire is to see the kingdom of our God expand through training men to preach the gospel. God has and continues to bless our efforts as we serve him around the world.

I pray you will always know how much you are appreciated. Make a great day!

God bless
Bob

Austin Report...

Dearest brethren, 

Last month we wrote you with about 2 feet of snow on the ground, today I am writing to you with 68 degree weather (expecting snow in two days though).  We continue to be blessed in so many ways.

Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu (CBIW) has completed its long courses of the first quarter.  Over the next two weeks they will be taking their two short courses taught by Marty Johnson from Utah and Gage Coldwater from Texas.  Marty is teaching 2 Corinthians and Gage is teaching Vocational Skills.  I am so thankful for their hard work and sacrifice in preparing for this trip.  

CBIW continues to reach out and evangelize every weekend to surrounding communities; sometimes several hours away.  They had 27 souls immersed into Christ this past month just in one new town.  We are excited to see their progress.  Because of the impact the school is having on the church in this region of Cameroon, there are a lot of interested young men wanting to come to the school for training.  There are also a lot of churches begging for these men to come to their towns once they graduate. 

I was back in school this month.  Bear Valley has a class called Ministry Technology, which was not offered when I was in school.  An anonymous donor generously gave me an electronic Bible software called LOGOS, which is not cheap.  This is an extremely valuable tool when studying the Bible.  However, to effectively use the software, you need training.  I received a little over 20 hours of instruction, which has already helped my everyday studies, but I think I still need another 100 hours of instruction.  

The weekly preaching at the Retirement home continues right along, as well as the Wednesday Bible study.  We continue to have a consistent number of about 12 souls.  

I was also presented with three other Bible study opportunities with a friend of ours from the congregation.  He is inviting all his family members and some of them have allowed us to study.  

One night we really enjoyed having two couples over for dinner and games along with their kids.  We also hosted a teen devotional and a student-wives devotional.  We ending up having about 60 people in our house for the teen devotional; it was the largest turn out they had ever had for a teen devo.  It was a little crowded, but the singing was awesome.  I was asked to share a few words of encouragement.

Some other highlights include preaching on the RESURRECTION one Sunday, and teaching in the book of Psalms for two Sundays for the Bear Valley church.  Those were some great studies.  

My parents also visited with us for a week this month.  My dad took his second “Blitz Week” courses in the Master’s Program.  We really enjoyed our time together.  My mom continues to be healthy and we are so happy she could make the trip.  

Last month we shared some good news about our support, unfortunately we lost $200 this past month.  We are planning a support trip to Tennessee the first part of April.  Please keep those efforts in prayer.

The children continue to grow.  Amazing!  We have been really blessed with good health and sharp minds.  They are growing in their knowledge and service.  Aaliyah participates in “God’s Precious Daughters.”  Every Sunday they get together and are receiving extra training and service opportunities.  We have started taking the kids to the YMCA at least 3x a week for some PE, mostly basketball.  It has been fun.  

We are so very thankful for your support and prayers.  We are thankful for our God who has designed the body to help each other accomplish His will.  May He be glorified in all we do together. 

In His service, 
Austin Family

TAKE A MOMENT SOME TIME TO VISIT THE BVBID 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 other extension schools.

Opportunities To Be Gained Or Lost...

Dear Co-Laborers:

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” --- (commonly attributed to) Quaker Stephen Grellet

OPPORTUNITIES: Another week has quickly passed and with it possible lost opportunities. Wherever you live, there are many ways to be involved in God’s work and our hope is that you will. Life in Tanzania, East Africa is filled with so many opportunities that it will literally overwhelm you. Today, several visitors worshipped with us, including Esther, who “just lived in the neighborhood and wanted to attend.” Another visitor, Monica, is the sister of a weak member named Helena (who wasn’t there today).  Lucy, Paulina’s cousin with whom Trina has studied, was also there for both Bible class and worship. Due to our schedule being busier than usual (both Lindsey and Abigail are taking ACSOP classes), we haven’t been able to complete the study with Lucy. Rehema, sister of new convert Teresia, has also been attending regularly and requested a study. A Christian of several years and employee of ACSOP, Faustina, has agreed to teach Rehema. Paulina (Trina’s translator) and Trina discussed which ladies (listed below) are capable of conducting a study and she will work on arranging with Lucy.  Please pray that these ladies will take on this responsibility of teaching others the “first principles.”

UNITY: Loveness, wife of Mrutu, taught the Ladies class on this important subject using scriptures such as 1 Cor. 12:14-26 and Eph. 4. Loveness, truly a lovely person with a sweet, humble spirit, has been a Christian for several years and is now capable of teaching.  Trina’s translator, Paulina, is also a good teacher (she taught last week) and is a diligent Bible student. Another lady in class has the knowledge but lacks the confidence or desire to teach. Two other ladies, Janet Deo and Rosemary Lembris, have the confidence but lack the knowledge! So, these two ladies have enrolled in the Kisongo Bible School (four nights a week). Janet says she is really enjoying it and, we’re sure, soaking up the knowledge like a sponge.  Saturday is the only day of the week that she is not learning (worship and bible class on Sundays and Thursdays, Kisongo Bible School M,T,W,F). It is the same with Rosemary, her husband, Lembris and three others. Jimmy has completed the series on the Gospel of John in Sunday morning Bible class.  He is now having question and answer sessions in Bible class. An ACSOP student, Faustin, preached to a packed auditorium in worship. Our younger children had to be held in laps as there was no extra seating.

BOYS AND BUGS are such a natural combination so, at Stuart’s request, we hosted a special day for boys (ages 6-12) to study them. Using the computer and projector, Jimmy taught on the working / living relationship, defenses and communication of bugs, showing how this knowledge refutes the theory of evolution. Information from the Apologetics Press website (http://apologeticspress.org/DiscoveryTopics.aspx) was very useful. The boys watched short videos showing a Bombardier Beetle defending itself by shooting a hot chemical spray at enemies and viewed ants “milking” aphids. Afterwards, the boys played dodge ball, ran through an obstacle course, played Tug-of-War and had a wet-sponge battle. This event was, as normal, a family effort and, to give “credit where credit is due:” Lindsey baked banana bread, Abigail made the lemonade and took pictures, Heather and David set up the obstacle course, Candace and Stuart helped out tremendously doing several things while Elijah, Naomi and Matthew helped by being cooperative and sweet. Right before playing Tug-of-War, a poisonous centipede “made an appearance” but, due to the quick action of the kids, died quickly due to stoning and stomping.

TECHNOLOGY: As any of you who have visited here know, Tanzanian “technology” isn’t always up-to-par as in the good ‘ole U.S.A. For some reason, our internet at home has been on and off for several weeks now. If you have written an email and we have not responded, now you know the reason. The internet might be on for 5 minutes, then off again. So bear with us, and rest assured we are not ignoring you.

THANK YOU…for helping us with this great work. While it is challenging and frustrating at times (mainly dealing with government issues or having to go to three different stores to buy cooking gas), it is very rewarding and fulfilling. Our sincere appreciation is extended to you for your continued prayers and support. 

Serving Together for Him, 
Jimmy, Trina and Family

Short Course Teachers In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Accept greetings from all over here. We are always pleased to let you know what made news here in Wotutu Cameroon. We praise God for you and your family. We are convinced that you are doing great in all that you do. We are just fine except for few of our Christians who are sick and some students. Some of their wives or relatives were sick in the course of this week and they went to their villages to check on the situation, like brother Ashu Evaristus who just left campus now from an emergency call about the sickness of his wife.

Minister Martin Johnson from the USA arranged his table last Monday with ties which he gave to all the students as lovely gift from his lovely wife sister Julie. The students were very happy for such a gift that makes them decent in the pulpit and from house to house as they scatter the seed of the gospel. Thank you sister Julie. May God bless you for such wonderful love shown to us.

We praise God for all His blessings toward us here as we were really busy with the short courses. Brother Martin was busy in class teaching 2 Corinthians while brother Gage and I kept moving to set all things for the vocational training that will start tomorrow. They are reporting well in health just for the fact that the climate is too hot for them now, but all is well because God still sits on the throne.

Brother Gage Coldwater taught Bible class in the Tole congregation. Their visit has been characterized with visits to nearby congregations. It is good to discover  the work here in Cameroon.

Brother Martin supervised his class final on the book of 2 Corinthians. It was really great as the students understood the in-depth studies of the book.

The students were smiling as they enjoyed food made with corn and beans. It is pathetic to me because a blind sister left the Tole congregation just to come and feed the students of CBIW. I was worried about that but she said, God is blessing me, so let me share that blessing with the students who have sacrificed their time to study the word of God.

Today we visited one of our youngest congregations in Mondoni. Brother Martin taught on the topic, “Who Is A True Disciple?”

We enjoyed great fellowship with one another, especially those who share the same vision and dreams to train men to preach the serving message. We moved around in Mondoni village to visit some Christians in their home before worship. Brother Gage and brother Martin were able to be a part of these visits.

At the end of our worship today in the village, with an attendance of 56, we stood for a family picture. This congregation was established one month and two weeks ago today. Keep this young congregation in your prayers for them to keep growing in all angles of life.

Visions
1) The quarter will end this Friday and the students will go to 18 different congregations for a campaign. Some will be in virgin lands to see the possibilities of establishing a congregation.

2) My plans to attend the African Claiming Africa for Christ conference in Zambia in August 2012, is still fresh. I count on your support to attend this conference. You can check on the conference program on www.aca-zambia.org

Appreciation
We give thanks to God for all His blessings toward us. We thank you for your prayers and support toward the successes that are happening. God bless you and keep you in all that you do. Do your best to share this report with others.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director CBIW

Adding Souls To The Kingdom...

What a great and awesome God we serve! Considering the development of the present schools in the Extension Program, as well as, the potential establishment of future schools, this work gets more exciting by the day. We are seeing requests for additional schools on almost a weekly basis. Some of these requests are not legitimate possibilities, but some hold great promise.

What really makes these possibilities exciting is not adding more schools to the list, but seeing souls added to the kingdom as a result of the work being done within the schools. As you read through the various reports below I believe you will see what I mean. God’s word is being proclaimed, the Lord’s people are being edified, and souls are being won, saved from eternal condemnation. These facts explain why this work is so exciting.

We are also just a little over a week away from on of the most important meetings of the year. Each year in March, all the staff of the Extension program come together to meet for two days in discussion about the various areas of the work. We will be examining what is working well and what is not working well. We will also discuss ways we can improve the overall program of training men to preach in their respective countries. I look forward to sharing more about the result of our time together in the weeks ahead.

I continue to ask you to be praying for the work. Please pray for the men who will be traveling to Denver for this meeting. Pray for the discussion and decisions of this meeting. Also, continue to pray for the work of the program, as we work to fulfill the Great Commission. We know God will bless our efforts in the future just as He has in the past. Our prayer is that all we do will bring glory to Him.

Now on to the reports...

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

Howell Ferguson, who is working at the Chimala Bible Institute sent his latest report on the work. To read the report and see a picture of the class, click here.

The Hochdorf family recently returned to Arusha, Tanzania to help in the TZ2000 work. Along with many other responsibilities, Sean and Anita will work in the area of evangelistic outreach and Sean will be teaching at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Click here to read more about their arrival and adjustment.

Extension Reports 

Mondoni Village Is Growing In Cameroon: Over the past month 27 souls were added to the congregation at Mondoni Village. The work in Cameroon is growing.

Green Mambas And Muddy Roads: While the rainfall is good in Chimala, there are challenges to some of the deadliest snakes in Tanzania.

Spreading The Gospel In Ukraine: The local work of preachers and the students at BVBIU take the gospel throughout the Ukraine.

New Sister In Siem Reap: Through a contact on the basketball court, Phanat was able to reach out and see one of the young ladies in Siem Reap become a Christian. 

Battambang Is Growing In Cambodia: The efforts of Chann Lork and one of the students at IBISR are making strides at helping grow a church in Battambang, Cambodia.

A New Bible School Begins In Kisongo: Through the grow and development of the local leadership in Arusha, Tanzania, a new Bible school is beginning in the Kisongo congregation. 

Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking time to read through the report each week. I pray you get as much encouragement out of the work as I do. The development of this work depends on you, the sacrifices you have and continue to make in support of this work. Please know it is not unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you!

God bless
Bob

A New Bible School Begins In Kisongo...

Quote of the Week: "It's the pack that gets the job done, not the lone wolf." – Mike O'Neil

COMMUNICATION. Last week, Jimmy thought Trina was writing the report and Trina thought he was. We are sorry about that MISCOMMUNICATION.

PRECIPITATION. “Elijah…prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit,” James 5:17-18. Wow…somebody or many “somebodies” have been praying because the once brown, dry and dusty Kisongo area is now green and very, very wet. This means the "short rains" have started. For the past two weeks, rain has fallen many days and almost every night. In fact, you could say we had a “deluge” today! We are loving the fresh air and trying not to complain about the mud. Our thanks to God and to you for your prayers. In one of the recent thunderstorms, an ACSOP student’s wife was emptying a large barrel of water into buckets. Lightening struck killing a dog only six meters away from her and apparently killed a goat also (found dead in a pen the next morning).

HUMILIATION. While at the fruit stand, we witnessed something brand-“spanking” new: A bus driver getting spanked with a policeman’s billy club! Ouch! A Tanzanian lady explained that the driver had let someone off at the wrong place. These mini-vans (called dala-dalas) are the major reason for extreme FRUSTRATION in traffic because they pick up and drop off riders at any and every point in traffic, swerve in front of others, side-swipe people, you name it.

ANTICIPATION. On March 25, Keith Kasarjian and his daughter, Molly, from Prattville, AL are scheduled to arrive. Keith is the Assistant Director of Extensions for the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO. He will be teaching Biblical Leadership for the second-year students. Molly is planning to volunteer in the Tanzanian Christian Clinic at Monduli. Then, a few days later, Gary Fallis will arrive to teach Denominational Doctrines and Islam to the same class the next week. Also, our friends, Forrest and Teresa Rachels (the okra farmers!) have committed to working here in June. Yea!

EDUCATION. Tomorrow begins the first day for the first class of the Kisongo Bible School. This two-year school was planned, organized and is being carried out totally by the Tanzanians (except that they will invite Americans to teach when needed). Jimmy begins teaching “A Survey of the Bible” tomorrow evening. The Tanzanians are certainly “stepping up to the plate” in leadership and vision. The man responsible for most of the effort is ACSOP graduate (both the Undergraduate and Graduate programs) Ahimidiwe Kimaro, who serves as the preacher at Kisongo, Dean of Students for the ACSOP and Office Manager/Printer. And, who is responsible for his training and education?  Kensington Woods Church of Christ (Hattiesburg, MS) who made a 20-year commitment to train Africans to teach Africans. Who brought his vision and dream to the attention of the KW elders? Cy Stafford. And upon whose work did Cy Stafford build? Andrew Connally, who began evangelizing East Africa long ago in the 1960's. And who is responsible for keeping this work alive and prospering? YOU ARE. Many, many people have been involved in the TZ 2000 Mission work including, but not limited to, supporters (whether individuals or congregations), visiting teachers, visiting American preachers and personal evangelists, missionaries, African evangelists and Tanzanian ACSOP staff (housekeepers, cooks, office workers, guards, etc) “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (I Cor. 3:6)

PARTICIPATION. Our children, especially the older ones, love to be actively involved in the many good opportunities that exist here. (And it is the privilege of parents to brag!) Lindsey has taken it upon herself to make vegetable soup every Saturday after cleaning out the refrigerator. Using all the “fresh” leftovers plus a few other ingredients, she makes a delicious soup to deliver to members of the church. Yesterday, she also baked two loaves of homemade bread to give away (although we persuaded her to leave us half of a loaf). Heather and Candace recently volunteered to help clean house and hand-wash clothes for a church member (who, due to her young child’s condition, has very little time to do her work).

DESTINATION. Sean, Anita, and Maddie Hochdorf (along with Sean’s parents, Norm and Alice) arrived safely and have begun to do the “million and one things” that it takes to get settled so they may begin their work. We are happy to have them and know, as previously, they will use their talents to contribute to the growth of the Lord’s church in Tanzania.

LIMITATION. There are only 24 hours in a day and we feel guilty that we cannot do more Bible studies and have difficulty completing the ones begun. We believe in honest reporting and request your prayers that Lindsey, Abigail or Trina can get to the 3 people who have agreed to/requested a Bible study. Tanzanian ladies (Personal Evangelism Class graduates) have been asked to conduct some Bible studies but often fail to do so (may be a lack of confidence, or, perhaps like me, also struggle with “time issues.”)

CELEBRATION. Stuart will turn 10 years old tomorrow and his party was yesterday! He requested a “surprise” party!

APPRECIATION. A Tanzanian was praying this morning and a phrase was translated as “bunches of gratitudes.” While not proper English grammar (and much of our writing may not reflect it either), we will close expressing the same sentiment. Please accept our “bunches of gratitudes” to you and everything you do to help bring glory to God through this work.

OPERATION. A dear friend, John Rice, is having bypass surgery on Monday. We would appreciate your prayers on his behalf. He and several others have come over the past several years and ran Tanzania Christian Camp. We want John to do well in this surgery so that he can return again in December of this year!

Serving Together, 

Jimmy, Trina, Lindsey, Abigail, Heather, Candace, Stuart, David,
Naomi, Elijah and Matthew

Battambang Is Growing In Cambodia...

Dear all brethren,

Thank you for your concerning about me and dropping me a message.

The work at Battambang is doing okay, as last week the people stopped practicing their habits in worship and turned to do what the Bible said about worship.

I also expressed to them about what they did to be saved. They told me right as the Bible said one must be baptized to be save.

They really want to do right and we keep going there, especially on the weekend to try and teach them more and Lord's willing when one of our students finishes at school he may stay there and work full time to help the people in that area. Keep praying for this work and our work as well, as we don't know how long that our church 's fund is going to last, because what we spent is more than what we got from contribution.

We also may need some funds for the mission of our students as now I am teaching our second year students on the mission course.

It would help them better if we take them to the mission field and see the needs of the people at the villages rather than just teaching them in the school without taking them to teach and preach to the other areas.  

In His service

Chann

New Sister In Siem Reap...

Hallelujah Praise God for our newest sister in Christ, Saranya! After meeting her husband on the basketball courts and inviting them to church, then her enrolling into IBISR on her own has been nothing short of God's hand being involved in all of this! Glory to God for bringing souls who are seeking Him to join with other souls who are doing the same! I am excited for her because not only did she obey the gospel in putting on Christ in baptism but she has been coming to study God's Word everyday full time! It is no wonder that she responded so quickly. The students and my wife also had a role in teaching and being good Christian examples! Please continue to pray for the work of Christ here and for our new sister in Christ, Saranya!

Phanat

To see the report with a picture of Saranya’s baptism, visit Phanat’s blog by clicking here.

Spreading The Gospel In Ukraine...

Dear brothers, families and churches. 

I want to share with you some news about events that took place at Bear Valley Bible Institute in Ukraine in February. We thank God for the peace that He gives us and our families. It is a blessed time for spreading the Gospel and serving the Lord. Of course, it is different from the time after the Soviet Union collapsed, when multitudes of people came to Bible seminars and classes. But we still have an opportunity to proclaim Christ openly and share God’s Word. At the end of March our students will participate in evangelizing campaigns in four local Church of Christ congregations. Please pray with for this work. 

In February we had classes in session: the first-year students studied 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles and the first part of the Minor Prophets, and the second-year students studied 1-2 Peter, Jude, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews.

In this month we hosted the meeting for the preachers of the Donetsk region. We discussed a topic of “Worship.” The questions that were raised again were about the day for the worship, the Communion, contribution, etc. Even though this is not a new topic, we want everybody to understand the importance of worshipping the Lord in the right manner. 

Right now we are actively working on recruiting new students. We continue visiting churches around Ukraine and do the presentations of the Institute. My latest trip was to Kremenchug, Poltava region – it’s the central part of Ukraine. There are fewer churches of Christ in that part of Ukraine then in Eastern Ukraine. But I had wonderful fellowship with brothers and sisters there, and we might have several students from that congregation in future. 

Once in two months, our Institute also publishes a Christian magazine and spreads it all around Ukraine for free. In this way we demonstrated stability and promote the sound doctrine.   

Often students ask me about what awaits for them after they graduate. And we know that not every one of them will become a preacher, but they can and will be helping and serving in their local churches. We want all of them to continue serving the Lord, so that because of their work the new churches would be formed and more people would come to Christ. Please pray with us for the future of the Church of Christ in Ukraine. 

My experience shows that if God’s church is not growing but decreasing to the size of the preacher’s family, then initially there was done something that did not correspond to God’s plan. After the missionaries left, many preachers developed a wrong understanding of their work and responsibility for the Lord’s church. Even now some of them think that being a preacher is preparing a Sunday sermon and teach a Bible class during the week, and that is all. In our Institute from the very first days we try to dispel that myth and we want our students to understand that a preacher is a social person who keeps meeting new people and seeks opportunity to bring lost souls to Christ. He encourages the church by being an example. We have to be honest with God while doing this work for Him. 

We try to spend some time with our students outside the classes and show them how one can make life of the church more various and interesting and, therefore, attract more young people to church. In Ukraine, we celebrate the Day of the Defender of the Motherland on February 23, and our sisters (students) prepared a surprise party for us with interesting games and quizzes. 

Thank you for your help and brotherly care for us. We need your support and your prayers. It’s hard to put into words all the input you are making by supporting financially the Institute and the future preachers. Ukrainians should appreciate this help and be active in the work for God. Students and staff of the institute send you their greetings. My family gives special thanks for this support. 

Your brother and co-worker in Christ,
Dennis

To see Dennis’ report with pictures, please click here.

Green Mambas And Muddy Roads...

Things have been quite interesting here at the Chimala Bible Institute. We ended the first quarter and spent last weekend grading papers, final exams and sermon notes. Then we started the two short courses for the first and second year English students. We are teaching Christian evidences this week while Howell Fergeson is teaching 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. When I returned from teaching about the three major arguments for the existence of God for lunch I noticed my cook and housekeeper were in the back room of the house with one of the mission guards. When I entered the room I saw what all the commotion was about. A five foot long green mamba had decided to visit my usual tranquil house and we had to deliver him to the other world. Yes, they are the deadliest snakes in Africa and after the harsh rains of the past week they have a tendency to want to go into a dry place. 

Speaking of the rains, every weekend we are all taking the students out to evangelize. I and Ezekiel went to Isitu with five students. After a wonderful Bible class taught by William Tembo, one of our students, we preached on the love, joy and peace of the Christian. Immediately after service the rains began. The roads were so muddy we could not return that afternoon, but everyone took it all in stride. Howell and Menard went to Chosi A. where Howell preached on discipleship. Mary and Upendo taught the children. Speaking of children, we went to Lyombogo  last Wednesday night and were able to teach 28 children the story of David and Goliath with Ezekiel. It has always touched our hearts when we go out into the “bush” how many children will come out to hear God’s word. 

Even though he is not a child, one young 15 year old named Stephen came to school last week and wanted to talk about entering the Swahili program sometime in the future. Later we found he was not a Christian. The teachers got together and studied with him the rest of the afternoon and by evening we all rejoiced at another addition to the kingdom. He was sent home with the Bible correspondence course and other materials to help him in his “new life.”

We finished our section on inspiration of the Bible this afternoon. It was a fun day for me for I was able to discuss the role of Bible Archaeology in showing the accuracy of God’s word. The students will have their final tomorrow afternoon. Howell’s class will have a final also and then the students will be taught Christian Ethics and the Gospel of John. I am so proud of all our students and teachers. Everybody is working so hard in class as well as spending time preaching and teaching the gospel on the weekends. Please pray for all the wonder young men as they continue to prepare themselves to be better servants of Christ.

Garry L. Hill
Extension Coordinator

Mondoni Village Is Growing In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from my physical family, the staff, students and members of the Wotutu congregation. We pray this mail will find you all in good health and sound faith. We are excited to share with you our weekly report.

This is the young congregation we established one month ago in Mondoni village. The Lord’s hand is upon our work and your prayers and support keep us going. After one month 27 souls were added and the worship is sound.

God is still sitting on the throne. All is well with us except for few members who are sick and some who lost dear ones like sister Grace Itoe, who lost her husband and sister Schorlar who lost the senior sister. She died and leaves behind a four month old baby. We feel bad about these type of situations.

It is good some members of our congregation went to these places to show our sympathy making the Bible to be fulfilled in us, to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

Students of CBIW finished their exams this week and all went on well. We pray they improve on their grades and their devotion and passion for the gospel to plant and water so that God will give the increase in due season.

Thank you very much for all your prayers. I made a request for your prayers for two brothers who were supposed to travel from the USA to come over to CBIW to help teach a short course for two weeks. Brother Martin Johnson from the Moab congregation where he is preaching full time in Utah is here. He was assigned this morning in our Wotutu congregation to teach the adult Bible class. He did well as he encouraged the congregation to continue with her evangelistic efforts drawing inspiration from the parable of a sower.

Brother Gage Coldwater spoke in his sermon on the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, making wonderful application for all to benefit. Our congregation this morning was blessed by their presence. A total of 95 Christians listened and took home great messages from them. Glory be to God.

After worship, I took them to the Buea congregation where I went to attend a meeting. It was great for them to meet with other brethren who were also happy to welcome them. We returned to our home in Wotutu where they are lodging and had a delicious meal cooked by my lovely wife.

Even though Exams took a lot of time for the students, to be fully involved in our evangelistic efforts, some few were sent out for weekend evangelism. Brother Muofo taught in Mondoni village house to house. Keep the work in your prayers.

APPRECIATION
Thank you for all your prayers and support. We are prepared to send our students to 18 different congregations after short courses from brother Martin and Gage from the 16^th of March 2012.

APPEAL
My personal appeal to you and your family and the congregation is to help me if you have the means for my to travel to Zambia. It will cost me about $2000.

God bless you and all that you do.

Elangwe and family by His grace
Director CBIW

The Kingdom Is Growing...

Souls continue to be added to the kingdom as we receive reports of growth throughout the Extension Program. As you know, this work is about training men to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The power of this program rests in the fact they are being trained in their own language and in their own country.

Ultimately, the design of this program is to prepare men to teach their own people. Considering the traditional missionary model, the challenges of culture, economics, language, and religious background present a number of issues that make reaching more souls difficult. As we see the world’s population grow, we must find the most affective ways to share the gospel with the multiplied billions of people on earth.

Recently, Cy Stafford, Director of TZ2000 in Arusha, Tanzania, addressed the students at the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver. During his lesson he pointed out the incredible difference in the growth of the church in Tanzania by the men who have prepared themselves to preach at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.

While sharing accounts of the growth, he focused his thoughts around the word “door,” as it is used in scripture. One door really stood out to me, the door for the word. Paul asked the church to pray for him, that God would open a door for the word. God has blessed us in opening a door for the word through the opportunity of making a difference in training men to preach in the Extension Program. This work continues to grow and as it does we will need you. 

We need you to pray with us for the future of this work.
We need you to share the reports with others who can be involved to help.
We need you to consider how you can help financially in support of our efforts.
We need you to continue to provide encouragement to those who labor in this work.

We are growing and moving into 2012 with diligence as we work to connect with several locations in training more men to preach. We will have more to share about these locations in the weeks ahead.

Now on to the reports...

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

Extension Reports 

Change Will Be Everywhere: A simple statement in an opening ceremony prayer, but one that is being lived out in the work of the CBIW in Cameroon.

VVBC Students Outreach And Leadership Workshop: The students in Visakhapatnam are seeing fruit in their work, as well as, participating in a leadership workshop.

Tamale Makes Changes For The New Class: After several staff meetings, changes are taking place to help in the development of the new class of students in Ghana.

Studies In Battambang, Cambodia: New developments in Cambodia could possibly produce a new congregation Battambang.

Opening Doors In Siem Reap: Phanat is finding open doors through individuals contacted through recreational activities. 

NIBC Lectureship And Graduation: The recent lectureship and graduation of the North India Bible College produced a great opportunity for growth in the church of India. 

Final Thoughts
As we approach the final few days of February, I am reminded of how quickly this year is flying by. It seems as if I write one report, only to turn around and write another. The weeks seem to be going by like days. It is such a blessing to be involved with this work and I want to thank you for helping make it all possible.

There is no way to list all the individuals who are involved in the development of the Extension Program, nor to thank each individual who has helped financially. As a friend of mine recently said; “we are partners in this work.” The number of congregations and individuals who are responsible for the overall program is awesome. You are a blessing!

Thank you.

God bless
Bob

Change Will Be Everywhere...

Dearest in Christ,

Accept warm greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Wotutu congregation and the staff and students of CBIW. Our week was great here and God continued His great love and care over us. Permit me to use this quotation from a brother that came from the USA. Ralph Williams, during our opening day on the 4^th of January 2011. “Oh Lord, we thank you for this day. Many lives will be changed because of this day, lives will be touched, souls will be saved. Because of this day, change will be everywhere.” There are times that many will joke with the utterance that a brother will use during prayer either in our family or in worship. The above prayer from that brother is being fulfilled daily in our country and mostly in our community. The CBIW is creating a lot of awareness in the gospel. Something that has not happened since the establishment of the church in Cameroon 54 years ago is being happen now.

Sister Clara also accepted the accepted the gospel. Keep her in your prayers, as her husband was a backslider. She called the husband to come and see what she was about to do. The husband came and met us and disclosed to us that he was a member and has not been worshipping for the past 13 years. He shed tears and pleaded for forgiveness from the Lord. We restored her after the baptism of his wife. Keep this family in your prayers as they will lead many as long as they keep growing.

The students of CBIW are going where ever the gospel calls. Weekend evangelism is touching many lives away from the school campus. Lives in Wotutu are being touched daily through our programs. People in our community are being taken to the Bible closer and closer with our program back to the Bible. Dead congregations, weak members and backsliders are coming back to the fold because of CBIW. New congregations are being established because of CBIW.

We just returned from another busy weekend with some students, while others were assigned to other villages keeping in mind the gospel in Romans 10:13-15. Souls are in darkness and by His grace we have seen the light and we are doing all possible means to help many come over to the light as long as we have the means.

One of the students, Mulango Theophile, and I went into a market square in Malende village where people where so receptive to the gospel. This village was the first we visited after our opening day where we revived the congregation, but it needs nurturing. The harvest is really ripe, but the laborers are few. In Cameroon, laborers were few because the preaching vocation was not attracting men to go into it, but CBIW is changing the focus through the passion of both the staff and students. On the field many desire to enroll. As I am writing this mail more applications keep coming to my office. Means and space will not be there to take many who desire to be trained as a preacher.

I was able to conduct the baptism of Brother Awah Roland with other students and members of the Malende congregation standing as witness. Keep this young man in your prayers to keep growing.

Our student brother, Mulango, baptized sister Agatha. Keep her in your prayers. The Malende village is good ground for more souls to be won over to the Lord if only we put a powerful mechanism for planting, watering and to have in mind that we must continue to gain ground and grow so that these saints will continue to glorify God. The strong man’s house will continue to be robbed. We pray to God for the means to go where ever we are called to go. In Malende a total of nine souls were added into the church in that village and one soul was restored. Keep this struggling congregation in your prayers.

APPEAL
Please keep the students in your prayers as they will begin writing their exams as from the 28th of February and to end on the 2nd of March, that God should help them as they prepare to this end.

Pray for two visiting lecturers who will come over here and help train men to preach. One of them will teach the students some vocational studies.

APPRECIATION
We thank God for His care over us while in school and our travels. We also thank Him again for using you and your family to be part of this great work that is going on here. Many offered special prayers to God because of you. Our PA system and our powerful generator is making others know that the Church of Christ is not a dead church as it was before, where by it was not easy for them to even rent a PA system to preach the gospel not of less buying it. God will not pass you by because you are a strong pillar to all these positive changes taking place here.

Please, I am personally pleading with any one that will have the heart of supporting my travel to Zambia during the AFRICAN CLAIMING AFRICA FOR CHRIST conference in August. It is a conference that helps expose avenue for collaboration to work together to win more souls, and to learn some vocation that will help sustain a preacher. It will cost me about $2,000. If your heart is touched to help me, may God blesses you in advance.

Thanks for praying for us.

Elangwe and family by His grace
Director CBIW

VVBC Students Outreach And Leadership Workshop...

Greetings to you from Visakha Valley Bible College, Visakhapatnam. By the grace of God we are all doing fine and hoping the same with you. The weather here is getting gradually warm as another hot summer is awaiting for us. We cannot describe this unless some one spends a week here like any other person..ha.  

Moreover, in the meeting with Brother Jerry Bates during his recent visiting to Visakha we were thrilled to learn about the interest of the Elders of Strickland Church of Christ to sponsor our School, this is really wonderful news. We praise our loving God for his providence. At the same time we extended our heartfelt gratitude. We have known this congregation for a long time, I remember myself giving a report to the brethren at Strickland during my visit in 2011, which is when I mentioned about the school established in Visakhapatnam and its association with BVBID. It is certainly a great blessing of God it is beyond my comprehension, may our Lord receive the praise. 

I remember my visit to Denver during the summer 2010. During my visit the church at Bear Valley was holding a Future Preachers Training Camp. I was inspired by that program and wanted to introduce here. You know we have been conducting a Youth Rally. Now FPTC is an addition to working with the young people in India. I really thought it would be great if we can do this program here. I am praying God for a successful Camp.  

Faculty meeting: 
This is another time for us to discuss several things including our preparation for the next quarter. We have a great time to share our views and experiences with the students with which we can go forward in training the men to be more effective. We advised all the faculty to turn in the Score reports of the students for the respective classes they are teaching. We all agreed for a new kind of score report prepared that would be useful by all of us.  

Visit of the Coordinator: 
Our coordinator, brother Jerry Bates, visited with us for a couple of days. In our meeting with Jerry, several things were discussed. One of them is cutting our expenses which is very crucial. We feel like there are certain modifications we can make to tailor our expenses. However it is not possible to cut the cost we spend on evangelism, because our school is established to train the evangelists. We hope with the tailoring of expenses whatever is possible, things would work out. The church in this part of the Andhra Pradesh has not really grown to the point to have a self paid preacher. Under this circumstance it is too advanced to seek any support for the school. May be in the long run we can see the congregations coming forward to take care of their expenses in all the evangelist activates, where as helping with the other activities like Bible school seem to be mere impossible this soon. 

Library: 
We are thankful for Chuck, Jerry, Denton and Garry who helped us in adding some books to the Library.  If there is a possibility, kindly see that our brethren can raise at least a little money towards the library with which we can buy some Telugu books (religious) for the Library. It will be a great addition. With this development, library assignments can be a part of the daily activity of the students. When our faculty met with brother Jerry, they spent a little while talking about the progress of the school programs and shared with him the format of the score reports. During their conversation they mentioned about the need for more Books in the Library which they remark it as a lack, at the same time they expressed their happiness about the collection what the library has now. Adding more books is nothing but adding more treasure. 

English classes for Under Grad Students: 
English is our business language in India. People tend to use a little bit of English at shopping malls, restaurants and other entertainment centers. Nevertheless many students want to communicate in English, but when it comes to a Bible School, most of the students feel like it is a great thing to learn the Bible in English medium. In addition to that, most of the literature available is in English. So, if there is ever opportunity that would be available for the students to learn the English language they would be delighted to get enrolled in that class. Moreover we think it is necessary for every Bible school student to have some good foundation in the English language. Unfortunately not every student has that foundation even though they have a desire to have it.

Having this mind when we were looking for a way to resolve this, we got an amazing idea…that is requesting the Instructor’s wives to teach English to the undergrads. Paula Bates usually comes once or twice in a year. If she comes she always looks for an opportunity to work, so we are thinking why can’t we use their ability for the benefit of the students. Greg Hamlin’s wife, Sheila, is going to visit with us in September. We would like to take advantage of her visit by using her as an English teacher. Hope it will be a great step towards providing better education.

Then our school will be well identified as the school that has the strongest motive in providing effective education. It has sounded as a wonderful thought to have English Language Classes for the Under Graduate students. Hope it works out good for the students overall for the school. 

Working with BVBID Graduates:   
As part of my vision, I am taking every opportunity that comes my way to reach the vision, that is to see the establishment of the Leadership in all the local congregations in India. Brother John O’Neal and Russell Bell from USA are working together conducting preachers seminars in various places in India. This time I had the opportunity work with them for a week as a translator and also to co-teach the text book for the seminar. The book, 'The Church,' published by Roy Lanier Sr., who is the founder of BVBID. Russell Bell is a graduate of Bear Valley. This time, we had Dennis Holst, a graduate in the year 1983, who is now working as the full time preacher in Odell, NE. It was really a wonderful time for me to work with those two Bear Valley Graduates in India.

Farewell to Gary: That was an exciting moment for Gary as well as for the students to meet him at his hotel room to offer send off. In fact, Gary was leaving on early Friday morning, Master class students didn’t know this until Thursday evening. When they heard that they all went together and asked the Director to allow them to meet Gary at the Hotel. Since the director, Samuel Raju, is also one of the students in the Master’s Class he was very glad to go with them, so it all workout well for them to meet Gary in his hotel room. He was thrilled to see them coming to give him a send off, especially when they presented some gifts which made him very very special. He, along with the students, shared a momentous joy for a little while. After that they left him and returned back to the school. The affection between the Instructors and the students is what we have to really think about. At our school, our Lord blessed us so to have a healthy relationship within us. This kind brotherly atmosphere and love is what scriptures are teaching about. We continue to keep our spirits up to keep up this brotherly love. 

Leadership Workshop: We had a visit from the President of Heritage Christian University, HCU to Skinner's Garden on the 9th of February. We invited all the students of VVBC to be present. Attached is the group photo with brother Dennis Jones showing some of our students who attended the one day Leadership workshop. Brother Dennis was very impressed to see all the work that is going on here. I explained our  Bible School project which has focused on the Northeast region of Andhra Pradesh. He was very happy to meet our faculty and students.

Repair: When we work very hard, really hard, maybe beyond our capacity, we encounter health problems, like wise our copier needed some repair. It happened during the visit of Gary only, after printing several reams of paper, the toner has to be replaced, also the drum cylinder. It cost over Rs.8000/- including the labor charges and taxes. 

Work Report: 
Number of people baptized in this month through our ministry: 2

Denominational preachers: 1

Gospel meetings conducted: 8

Preachers’ Fellowship meeting: 2

Weekend Campaign: 1

Gospel tracts distributed: 1800

Doors Knocked: 112

Held the Bible Studies: 43

Please convey our heartfelt thanks to the Elders at Bear Valley for their efforts in running the School successfully. Give our greetings to all the brethren that labor at BVBID. Convey our greetings to your family as well.   

In Christian love & service,
Samuel Raju & John Dean

Studies In Battambang, Cambodia...

Dear brethren,

I am happy to share with all of you the work that we've just set up and teaching to the people at Battambang area. On Saturday, the 18th of February, one of the students and me went down to set up a Bible study with mostly ladies who live at Tasorng village, Bay domram commune, Banon district Battambang province, which is a way from where we are, about 220 kilometers. We went there by a motor bike and it took about three and half hour to get there.

We had 8 ladies who came and studied with us for about two hours on Saturday and two more hours on Sunday. We also met a teacher from a denomination who used to come and teach to the people over there often. After talking to each other for a while, they are really impressed on the word of God that we taught, and they asked us to go and teach them more next week. They were also impressed on how to worship God after they learned a lesson that I showed them from the scriptures, how the Bible teaches us to worship God, which is different from what they used to do. So they want to do right as the Bible said, and they asked us to bring the communion cup so that they can worship as the Bible teaches.

Lord willing we will continue to go there next week and spend one night over there and try to teach them to get to know more from the Bible. 

Attention
These people used to worship and were baptized by a denomination teacher, but they just don't know how to worship God, as they don't have Bible knowledge, otherwise their teacher doesn’t how to worship either. So after they heard a lesson taught, both the teacher and the people up there wanted to know more and they seem to be very interested.

We would love to ask you to continue to pray for this soil so that the word of God can sow to the right soil and will produce more fruit for our Lord.

Thank for remembering us in prayer for this work. Lord willing we may extend the Bible school in that area some more.

I have some pictures as I posted some on Facebook already. Here again I attached them on Yahoo for the sake of some brethren who do not use Facebook. 

In His service
Chann

Opening Doors In Siem Reap...

This past week, Chann and Sopheap (second year student), went on an evangelistic campaign to Battambong province to teach to a contact of Sopheap to try and get another congregation started there. The trip was a success and the church in Siem Reap has decided to support this campaign in hopes of planting another church there soon! We are excited and can’t wait to get the rest of the students and staff involved in the rotation in planting and watering the new crops. I, personally, want to share about meeting a new contact through basketball and we started talking about God and Jesus and now that person is taking classes at the Bible school and coming to church on Sundays. We hope that she obeys the gospel soon and puts on Christ in baptism. Please keep her in your prayers. I met her through her husband who played basketball with me while he was here visiting. Please pray for him as well as he plans to come back to Cambodia next year and contribute to the work here in Siem Reap any way he can.

Phanat

NIBC Lectureship And Graduation...

Brethren

I always appreciate the sacrifices that you have been making from the beginning of this ministry in Northern India. One brother rightly said that though it may be the beginning, but it is great. It boosts the moral of the brethren and the coming generations will see its fruit. Please be assured that we forget not giving thanks to our God for the great love and sacrifices you have been making for His cause.

North India Preachers' Lectureship
Including Brother Russell G. Bell, Topeka, KS, Brother Bobby Peyton, TN, his wife sister Ruth Ann, Brother Jerry Bates, MS and Brother Dennis Holst, Marysville, KS there were around 70 people from different states who witnessed the presence of representatives of the congregations of the Lord's church in Northern India. 

The theme for this year's lectureship was the 1^st Epistle of John. 5 speakers were asked from India, brother Earnest Gill (Chandigarh), brother Francis David (New Delhi), brother Rajendra Chhappani (Maharashtra), brother Sharnappa (Maharashtra), brother Peter Singh (Chhattisgarh) and brother Vinay David (New Delhi). Brother Sharnappa could not attend due to the ill health of his wife. In his place brother Dennis spoke. All the American brothers spoke in the lectureship.  

NIPL delegates of 2012
People of adjoining states viz., Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal are also in our prayers to join us so that they may also join us within the mission field.

This lectureship is a part of our training and helping to grow each other, sharing our experiences and encouraging one another this way. Hindi Bibles, tracts, and song books were given to the preachers who attended the lectureship. Some asked for more Bibles and we have promised them to send by post later on.

Keeping in mind that the Preachers' wives should also take benefit in this lectureship, as the preacher is crippled without her help. Sister Ruth Peyton took the ladies' class. Sister Benu assisted her in telling her experience with the truth and the joy of sharing it.  

Graduation Ceremony
The more joyous and fruitful part is the graduation ceremony of the North India Bible College. It gives us tremendous joy that we have been able to train these people for 2 long years. But at the same time it saddens us when we see the challenges they face in the field.

On Friday evening, the 17^th day of 2012, we graduated 5 people from different states. Brother Kirtan Chhatria and Brother Rinku Chhatria are from the notorious state, Orissa. This is one of the states that have banned the conversion. 

NIBC Graduates 2012
Each graduate was gifted a communion tray with the offering stick and a bicycle to use in the local work. This was a gift through brother Russell G. Bell. We are also working to send 50 Bibles to each graduate, if possible. 

To convert someone into Christ in states like Orissa can attract jail for 3 months and monetary fine. The Lord has been so kind to us that these young brothers accepted Christ and decided to serve him. Though after going back home they have to face new challenges to defend their faith, yet they are so determined that they have told me that they have prepared their parents to obey the truth. They ask our prayers and encouragement because they may be boycotted by their society as we think that they will be pressured to leave the faith. They may have many kinds of troubles but they have shown while living here that they will not stop preaching and teaching.

It is almost the same story of brother Naresh and brother Baidyanath. They wish to spread the light in their hometown in Bihar, as they have got here.  All of these brothers have a strong faith and I trust that our prayers are answered and our labor gives fruit when we hear the good reports from these kinds of brothers. Mahananda is another outgoing graduate from NIBC. She is from Maharashtra state. She loves the Lord and has recommended 2 new girl students for the next batch from Maharashtra. 

At the same time we are also preparing ourselves for the next batch. We will continue from the first week of March the next session. Some people have shown interest but will be able to join after their exams are over in March. 

VOICE OF TRUTH INTERNATIONAL (Hindi)
Vol. 1 of the VOTI (Hindi) has come out of the press with 5,000 copies. Several of the copies have been sent to the brethren by post as single copy or in bulk as per the demand. This book has been in great demand among the brotherhood as it has short articles and common people find it interesting. 

Free SMS
A year back we had started the Free SMS service where I send a Bible Verse to the people. We started in the city, but then later on spread to the nationwide. Our contacts increased to 1,500 in a year. Then the Government policy came that the daily limit of sending SMS will be 100. Now we are praying that we should have at least 12-15 different telephone numbers (otherwise we have to pay a huge amount of money, per SMS Re 1 for local and Re 1.5 for national), but we cannot afford that.   

Free Letter Service
"BIBLE KI BAAT" a letter in Hindi was started last year with a view to spread the New Testament teaching to those who cannot or do not want to give us time or do not like to spend more time on reading. Initially it was started as the INLAND letter with a minimum postage. From Jan.-Feb. issue its size is increased (A4, 4pages) with adding new features, especially a short article in English on Apologetics. 1,000 copies were printed with the cost of Rs. 2,000 ($40). We also added some of the addresses where the worship service is available, with the name and address of the preachers. To print 6 issues a month it will cost us just $250 a year + the postage to be paid additional.    

Monthly gospel meeting
The monthly gospel meeting in a rent hall is helping us to invite people where we have visited during the month. This also gives us the opportunity to have fellowship. 

We have a fellowship meal for those who attend each first Wednesday of the month.  Thank you for your prayers and support and we always lift you in our prayers to the throne of grace. Give thanks to God for your generous support for his cause.

For any kind of gift(s), i.e., books for the college Library, used projector, one time or more check for printing Tracts, booklets, Bible Ki Baat, purchase New Testaments can be made in the name of CHURCH OF CHRIST and sent to Earnest Gill, # 5721A, Sector 38 west, Chandigarh-160014 (India). We are about to shift to other apartment, (#5748 in the same Sector) maybe in April, because our present owner does not want us to stay anymore, but by that time I may inform you before shifting. EG.   

Your Fellow Laborer for the cause of Christ
Earnest

To see the report with pictures, click here.