A Vision For Growth In Liberia...

Greetings from your fellow laborers who are working for Christ in Liberia, West Africa. Thanks for all your support of the Liberia Bible College through prayers and financial assistance over the period under review. Your active benevolence has resulted in the resurrection of our preaching school from the doldrums of academic inactivity after being shut down four years ago by the National Commission on Higher Education for not meeting minimum requirements as a degree granting tertiary institution. This state of affairs has constrained us to seek help from the brotherhood overseas.

Initial Contact
After the director described the dismal state of affairs at the preaching school to brother Steven Ashcraft of Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver in early January, the latter visited Monrovia on February 27, 2012 and stayed a few days. Brother Steven, after looking over the facilities and set up of the Bible College, intimated to the Liberian brethren that he and Bear Valley could help Liberia Bible College in some way to operate successfully. Following this initial contact with the Liberian brethren, brother Steven did discuss the plight of the school with some brethren and congregations in the United States of America in his attempt to source financial assistance for the school. It was through his search that he found brother from Texas, a modern Barnabas who immediately came to the aid of the Liberia Bible College.

Building Renovation Campaign
Liberia Bible College officially began the largest capital campaign in the school's history following the second visit of brother Steven Ashcraft. He launched a drive to raise the needed funds to renovate the Jerry Langford Building. Built in 1971, the building facilities desperately needed major renovations. The campaign was a four month effort to raise adequate money for much needed renovations to the school building. The Langford building was built in the early 1970s and has not had major improvements or renovations since that time. The funds provided by this brother from Texas served to remodel, modernize and refurbish both exterior and interior of the said building. Fulfilling the role as fundraiser is Steven Ashcraft. Quote from him while raising the funds: “I have found a good man who has agreed to provide all the money required for the renovation.”

Enrollment Update
We would like to update you about our unusual, yet extremely significant school year, following a hiatus of four years. Our Fall Semester started September 14, 2012. We expected the twenty- two (22) applicants who submitted their application forms to enroll during this first term of academic activities. At the close of our registration exercise, the total enrollment of students stood at fifteen(15), comprising seven residential students and eight commuting. We would like to have more students, but fifteen students can make a real difference for the Lord as they graduate and go out to preach and teach the gospel. Even while they are in training they are seriously carrying out the commission of Christ by teaching the gospel in evangelism and edification.

Our plan, however, is to increase enrollment by organizing a second class come September 2013. There is a great need to recruit, encourage and train more workers because 'the harvest is plenteous but the workers are few.' Also the furniture/facilities procured through your beneficence including beds are greatly under utilized. For instance there are ten bunk beds to accommodate twenty full-time students, but only seven students are available.

First Term Courses
During the Fall Semester there were six courses offered and taught by six teachers as follows: Brother Jerry D. Wamah taught How We Got the Bible; Brother Maxwell J. Whea presented the Old Testament I (Pentateuch); Brother G. Moses Beh taught Personal Evangelism; Brother Philip G. Montgomery facilitated Writing Skills; Brother Arthur David presented Worship; and Brother Alassis N. Goldore handled Christian Evidences. The first term of regular academic activities ended on November 29, following a week of Final Examinations.

Short Courses
Two short courses were offered during the first and second weeks of December. Courses included Leadership and the Scheme of Redemption. The Leadership course was presented by the director of the school while the Scheme of Redemption was taught by an adjunct faculty.

Evangelism Update
Weekend evangelism is an integral component of LBC extracurricular activities. Students participate in community evangelism each week as part of their outreach obligation. They work with congregations both in Monrovia and beyond in the areas of teaching Bible classes, doing personal work and visitation. The results: There are baptisms from their effort and many restorations. Praise the Lord.

During the month of October our ministerial students were involved in field work and worship activities at local congregations. Their efforts resulted into six baptisms. In November our students actively participated in Bible class teaching, visitation, and personal evangelism. There were ten baptisms. In week one there were three baptisms, week three two restorations, and the fourth week seven baptisms.

End of term Gospel Campaign
At the end of each academic session both faculty and students conduct a week of campaign for Christ. This first term campaign was held on two weekends in December with Smythe Road church serving as host. Twenty-five persons participated in the Gospel campaign. Twelve persons received water baptisms and many were encouraged to return to the fold.

Our Vision for 2013
Not satisfied with the present lean enrollment we will make sure that a second class is started during next Fall Term, which begins in September. This increase in admission will help us attain the twenty full time students plus more commuting students. Local congregations, most of which are manned by our graduates have assured us to encourage some of their members to enroll next academic year. A one year church leadership training program being operated by two graduates of Liberia Bible College has signed a memorandum of understanding to serve as feeder to the Bible College.

Commitment from local congregations to support the Bible College through financial contributions will be forthcoming. Smythe Road and Monrovia congregations are the leaders in this arrangement. We have received assurance from our brethren that they will surely make good on their promise on a monthly basis. A listing of all potential supporting congregations and brethren will be sent as soon as the administration receives all the commitment forms from them. Also the alumni and former students have resolved to get involved with direct support to the Preaching School.

Closing Remarks
We extend our gratitude to you for your generous support of our institution; your financial contributions have tremendously helped LBC to resurrect. You are indeed our colaborer in Christ. God bless you with his love and mercy. We appreciate your continued prayers and support.

Alassis N. Goldore Director
Liberia Bible College

Students Prepare For Upcoming Campaign...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your family here in Cameroon. We do hope you are all doing well. We pray and continue to keep you, your family and the church in our prayers. We pray you do same to us.

The Lord added Brother Louis into Christ. Keep him in your prayers for him to grow and so that many will learn from his ways.

We are happy to relate information to you about the happenings in CBIW and the congregation in Wotutu where I am serving as an evangelist. God is still sitting on the throne, the work here is in progress and the students continue to study in total tranquility, even though many challenges occur with their health as we are in the heart of the dry season here in Cameroon. Too much dust continues to make many sick from catarrh and cough. Our small medicines box is helping. Not only CBIW students, but also members of the congregation are benefitting from that.

This weekend, I went with some students and visited four locations, to preach, teach and also make strong relationships with those congregations. They are ready for the students campaign and subsequent weekend evangelism. They are ripe for that. We cannot send students out by themselves now because they are still blank, even though many of them where already serving in congregations as preachers before coming to CBIW, but we need to transplant in them sound teaching before sending them out. By so doing we shall also know some of their beliefs before they could come to school.

I went to Likoko village, far away from Wotutu, doing evangelism on house to house. The students will follow and see how we conduct one on one evangelism house to house before we match where they will go out of the school for their first campaign. It was great for those who were with me and that is what we shall do till their first outing. Keep this work in your prayers.

Plans
We are still making contact to congregations for the forth coming campaign for CBIW students. Many congregations are showing their interest as many still flash back to see what the alpha batch did as concerned evangelism in these villages.

Appreciations
God bless you for your great sacrifice to stand by us. Continue and also encourage others to come and let us join together to depopulate hell, so that we shall populate Heaven.

Elangwe and family
By His grace Director of CBIW

Quality Students Trained By Quality Teachers...

The new from around the world is exciting and wonderful. I enjoy reading from each of the men involved who provide information about the recent events where they are working. While reading through the reports this week I came across a statement made by Charles Ogutu, who is the Director of the Kenya School of Preaching. As I read the statement, I could not help but think about the quality of education these men will receive because of the quality of men who are training them. Charles said, “We are not in the business of pleasing the students, but we stress hard work and are very keen on good grades (No room for joy riders), it is quality learning.”

Students learn very quickly how intense the program is in Denver, and I know they are experiencing the same in each of the Extension Schools. Students must demonstrate a high level of determination and dedication to the program to spend the necessary time to learn the material, complete the assignments, and use the lessons they are learning in the context of their own ministry, wherever that may be in the world.

I am thankful to work with men like Charles, but he is only one of many who maintain this attitude when it comes to training men to take the message of Jesus Christ to the lost of our world. They face many challenges during the two years they are preparing themselves for the ministry, but these challenges help prepare them for any difficulty they will face when they leave school and begin working to plant a new congregation or strengthen an existing one.

I encourage you to read through the reports and examine the quality of men who are involved in this work, along with the quality of men who are preparing themselves for the greatest work on earth, preaching the gospel.

Now on to the other reports...

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

Read Donnie Bates’ latest report by clicking here.

Read Gary Fallis’ latest report by clicking here.

Extension Reports 

A Healthy Work In Cameroon: The church is growing as students continue to evangelize the area of Southwest Cameroon.

Nearing The Goal For ITL...Special Request: With your help ITL in Guatemala will soon own the facility where the school is meeting. Please read this request.

No Room For Joy Riders: Charles Ogutu shares the challenges of directing the school in Kenya and expresses how dedicated the students must be to go through the program.

Becoming A Light And A Torch: The students have returned to the Chimala Bible Institute and they are becoming a light and a torch to the youth around Chimala.

A Trip Down Memory Lane: The overall Chimala Mission has been influencing people for many years. Chad Wagner shares some of the recent events around the Mission.

Impacting The Youth In Kenya And Uganda: Recent programs for the youth in the churches of Uganda and Kenya are helping strengthen the future of the church.

TIBS Is Back In School: Students have returned for their studies in Tamale, Ghana and they are anticipating a move into the new facility soon.

The Tanzania Chronicles: Much is happening in Arusha. Sean Hochdorf shares news from the northern part of Tanzania.

Parker Memorial Library: One of the goals for helping reach out to the people of Arusha, Tanzania is to have a public library. Please read about this wonderful venture. 

Final Thoughts
On a final note, thank you for all you do to help in the success of this work. You are a blessing in numerous ways and your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. 

God bless
Bob

A Healthy Work In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Wotutu. We do hope you are doing great over there with the work of the Lord. We are doing well here and God is still sitting on the throne. The students of CBIW continue to progress in their studies. We are happy for their interest and zeal to study and to grow.

One of our students, brother John, baptized sister Wase into Christ. She came from Tole village. She follows our radio program in the morning and praise God today she is a Christian.

The Wotutu congregation is healthy and today we had a great worship service with 7 first time visitors who expressed satisfaction with what they saw in the New Testament worship. The topic during Bible class was “Church Leaders.” This was aimed at strengthening our present leadership in the Wotutu congregation, to help the new students know who is a leader, so that they will check on those scriptural points to elect their student government in the months ahead, and help those who listen to us through our speakers to know about leadership which has nothing to do with influence or financial build up, but just going back to the Bible to see what the Bible says.

CBIW students were involved in sports on Saturday morning to keep fit. It is good for them to keep fit because they left their farms where they were active, so if they are not doing this it will make them become sick always.

I bought a carton of new drugs which will serve in an emergency for minor cases in the school and also to help many in the congregation. Brother Dikana, who is one of our student, was a state nurse before coming to the school, so he is helping us much to prescribe drugs for those sick. This week 3 students were taken to the hospital to see the doctor because their cases were more than what we could handled in school.

Brother Itoe David baptized sister Angelina, a French speaking visitor to our congregation. She follows what she can while in worship, but our French speaking students talked with her after worship and taught her the way of the Lord much better and she obeyed the gospel. We have connected her to the church of Christ in Douala where she will continue to grow in Christ. Keep her in your fervent prayers.

Sister Angelina smiled after the baptism. It is great what the Lord is doing to our ministry. We continue to make known the gospel to many giving any opportunity on our way. Keep this work in your prayers as we penetrate and dismantle the strong hold of the devil.

Plans
Survey to some possible areas to establish new congregations will take place this weekend where we can go for evangelism. Keep the vision in your prayers.

Appreciations
Many thanks to God for His grace and help towards us for the work that is going on here.

Many thanks to God for our graduates who are already in the field. Keep them in your prayers as they continue in the expansion of the kingdom of God all over Cameroon. Subsequently we shall share with you some of their work because we are working in close collaboration with them. We promised to always be at their disposal in case they need us in anything in their ministry.

God bless you. We wait to read comments and reactions from you if any.

Elangwe and family
By His grace Director CBIW

Nearing The Goal For ITL...Special Request

Greetings Family, Friends and Supporter of Mission Guatemala! 

It is our prayer that your new year has started off well. We are doing fine. At this writing Byron has returned back to Guatemala where he is teaching the book of Revelation in our full-time program for ITL. Hi remained in the U.S. for another week to visit a few congregations in the Texas area. Once he returns, he will begin teaching Letters of Paul 3 (1 Thessalonians - Philemon) in our ITL Saturday program and Byron will teach Old Testament 3 (Job - Ecclesiastes). We solicit your prayers for our effort in 2013 to serve the Lord's church in Guatemala. 

The reason we are writing is to update you on the progress of the fund raising efforts. We are very thankful to God for such an great response that we have had thus far to our request and believe that if the funds continue to be committed at the pace in which they are coming in, then we will have most if not all of the needed funds. Before give you the numbers, allow us to remind you briefly of the details of this opportunity.  

From the last message that we sent to everyone in our database we made known of a special opportunity that we have to purchase both the house we are renting and the house where ITL, our preaching training school, is located. The owner of the house where we live is the son of the lady who owns the property where ITL meets. Due to circumstances beyond their control they need to sell both properties and have given us first option to buy both of them before they place them on the market. The owner of our house plans to ask for $95,000 for his house but is willing to sell it to us for $70,000. It is a four-bedroom, 4 1/2 bath house, with two additional rooms that can be converted into bedrooms. The second property, which joins our house, is what we presently use for ITL. It includes a three-bedroom, 3-½ bath house, a two-bedroom, one bath apartment, and a studio apartment. Presently, our students live there and all of our classes for the school take place there. Remember that we have both a full-time program and a Saturday program. This property belongs to our landlord’s mother. She is willing to sell us her property for $80,000. We believe that this presents us with a great opportunity for our work and want to take advantage of it. 

As you can see, the total for both properties will be $150,000. We already had $80,000 that we previously raised to purchase property for ITL. This means that we were needing $70,000 when our first request went out on December 29, 2012. Thankfully, since that first e-mail God has blessed us with $45,400 of the needed funds thus far. Of these funds $23,500 have been donated by 6 congregations and the remainder has been donated by individuals. While we do not feel comfortable putting a list of our contributors in a general e-mail, we will be glad to send a complete detailed list of supporters for anyone wishing to receive one. We are thankful to God that we now only need to raise $24,600 to purchase both properties, which we hope to do. However, if we do not get to the desired total amount, we plan to apply for a loan for the difference so that we can still take advantage of this tremendous offer for our work. 

Please allow us to remind you of some of the advantages for this purchase:

1. The price for both properties is good for the area where they are located.
2. We will no longer be paying rent and that money can be used in other areas of the ministry.
3. Since the properties are next to one another, this provides an opportunity for the expansion of ITL as it grows.
4. We are already in the facilities. We have lived in our house since 2000 and have rented the other property for ITL since 2009.
5. The properties are centrally located for both the full-time students and for those who study on Saturday. Our full-time students are close to shopping and the other things they need for daily living. It is a fairly easy commute for our Saturday students to come where we are presently located.
6. The properties are located in a safe area. Since we also have teachers who come from the U.S. to teach, this is very important.
7. By purchasing the property, we will avoid the additional costs entailed in having to move our residence and the location of the school, and having to rent another house and another facility for ITL, which would likely be much more expensive than what we are currently paying for both. 

If you have already sent funds to help us, thank you very much. If you have not we are calling on you to prayerfully consider helping us purchase these properties. If you can help us, we assure you that your donation will be put to its greatest use. We are also asking if you could inform as many people as you know about the great opportunity with which we have been blessed. We would like to say “yes” to the sellers by the 1st of February. So, we need to hear from you as soon as you can to let us know if you can help. You have more than one option to get your donation to us. You can go to our secured website and donate online by clicking here. You can also send your tax-deductible donation to our overseeing congregation at the following address:  

Kingsley Terrace Church of Christ
c/o Dwaine Himes/Guatemala Mission
2031 E. 30^th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46218 

Please note on your form of payment “Guatemala Property Fund.” If you would like to make a contribution to this effort but need to send it over time (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc), that would be fine also. What is important at this time is that we know the funds that are being committed for the purchase, even if they do not come in until later. 

We are attaching pictures of the properties. We are also attaching an electronic “Property Donation Intent Form” to this message. This form differs slightly from the first form in that there is a section for those wishing to donate over time. Whether you donate online or through regular mail, please, send us this form through e-mail so that we can know more precisely the funds that have been raised for this purchase. We will continue to keep everyone posted as we raise funds. 

We close this message with a sincere THANK YOU for the love and concern that you have for the Lord’s work in Guatemala. We also thank you for being a part of this most important effort. Please help us get the word out to as many as possible about the opportunity we have with the purchase of these two properties. Please remember to keep the work in Guatemala and us in your daily prayers. 

May God bless each of you with a wonderful 2013 of service to Him. We hope to hear from you soon.

We love you!

Hawatthia
Byron

“Teaching the CENTRAL MESSAGE in CENTRAL AMERICA!”

Becoming A Light And A Torch...

We have finished the first week of classes at the Chimala Bible Institute. After my travel of two days finished off with the small plane ride through rough weather and landing in Mbyea we traveled to school to greet the students and see that the classes, dorms, and food situation was acceptable to our students. I am constantly amazed at the humility and dedication of our fine group of teachers. Their concern for the students. their soundness in the faith, and desire to train this next generation of preachers for Tanzania and Malawi is awe inspiring. Chapel has been especially moving this past week. The speaker every day was one of our faculty members and their lessons were inspiring and thought provoking. The combined voices of over 45 in our small chapel room lifted all of our hearts to God in song. This weekend all of our students are out working in the local congregations strengthening the church.

I am always interested in what our students do when they are not in school, so I interviewed some of the second year students asking them what activities they were involved in during the break. Micah said he had been preaching with some of the members of the church in various places. As he expressed it he spoke “man to man” as well as to groups of people. He concluded by saying he was thankful to God for CBI, to all who support her existence and the teachers.

Payana is one of our second year Swahili students. He reported how he worked with the church all the time when school was not in session. He worked with the church and preached six Lord’s Days giving the title of his lessons. He preached on Spiritual Growth, The Importance of Assembling, the Need for Giving, and Being an Example to all people for Christ. The church he worked with was rightly blessed because this student, as well all of the others, are preparing to be better servants of God. 

In our student body this year we have four young ladies. All of these girls are local Christians who want to train themselves to teach the large group of children that so desperately need to be taught the gospel. Upendo is one of these young ladies. She has been teaching children for years and has spent many weekends translating for ladies from the States as they have come to teach. Before school started this year she shared how she has been teaching children’s classes in Chose A, Uturo, and Lyamabogo. She says she has come to school to “learn deeply what the Bible teaches and to become a light and a torch to children in learning about the Lord.” Please keep our young students in mind as they prepare themselves to continue to use their knowledge to teach the world about Jesus.

Garry L. Hill
BVBID Extension Coordinator
Chimala Bible Institute

No Room For Joy Riders...

Dear Brethren,

I pray and trust you all had a wonderful time with your families and the congregations where you serve during the holiday seasons. Happy New Year to you all! 

The classes for the second quarter at the Kenya School of Preaching(KSOP) began on the January 7th. A total of 17 students reported back to classes with one requesting more time to handle family issues and is coming back, while two found the going to be tough and dropped out of the classes. This gives me mixed reactions, one, I am sad to lose these two men but hope we won't lose their souls, and second, I am happy because we are not in the business of pleasing the students, but we stress hard work and are very keen on good grades (No room for joy riders), it is quality learning.

The 17 came back very excited and ready to begin another quarter as Elias and I lead them through the courses Hermeneutics I, Life of Christ II, Exodus-Deuteronomy, Homiletics II and Prison Epistles within the regular six weeks. We also have two short courses, Godhead and Leadership lined up during this quarter. We look forward to an amazing quarter!

During the December month, when the students went for a break, a lot happened. One student reported how he spoke for two days at youth’s camp meeting in his congregation, “And those who attended the camp were about 200… youths and God did marvelous job, we baptized 15 youths”

Another said, “I went for evangelism and conducted bible studies… I baptized one of the four who were studying with me.” The students were very active in the Lord’s work visiting congregations and teaching the truth. One student helped a congregation to know the importance of Lord’s Supper in worship service. They have not been partaking of the Lord’s Supper on every first day of the week, but waiting for Easter and December 25th. On the issue of the Lord’s Supper we request for the “small cups” to give out to various congregations here that lacks and even to replace the ones that are worn out.

Always remember this school in your prayers. We pray to get funds to buy land and put up school building and support for another full-time instructor for the school. We are in a neighborhood that is not happy when the students sing while conducting evening devotion claiming that they are making noise.

We also plan to have the preaching students evangelize the area around and even visit and help the congregations within Western Kenya, this too requires your prayers and support.

I have now successfully moved with my family to Kisumu, my children are in school and this makes me happy. We are still facing challenges, life is not as usual. My colleague Elias has also moved with his family to Kisumu.

We love you, and thank you all who have been keeping us in prayers.

His servant and Yours,
Charles Ogutu

.

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Recently, the Chimala Mission welcomed Bob Wheeler from Oklahoma. Bob is the son of Raymond Wheeler, M.D., who was a doctor here at the Chimala Mission back in the 1960's. His parents wrote the book Chimala Safari. Recently, Bob returned to the mission with hopes of reviving the Ailsa Farm project on top of the mountain behind the mission. He has taken several trips up on the mountain for research. We took three older preachers up on the mountain in the hopes that they could remember where the buildings where and more importantly where the land boundaries lie. It was a highly successful trip and I'm sure a good trip down memory lane for those faithful men of God!

Chimala Mission Update
We have been very busy here on the mission. We have all three schools starting this week. It was learned today that our Herring Christian Secondary School was the top school in the Mbarali District and number 13 out of 441 schools area wide! They are doing a fantastic work at the school! We are also starting our Form 4 this month with record enrollment. In fact, the dormitories are full for both boys and girls!  

With the start of the new school year, Rena and the girls have been very busy putting together school bags for the school children here on the mission. Each year, congregations and individuals donate school supplies. Those supplies are sent over each year on a container. Also, several ladies from congregations hand-make school bags. Those bags are filled with school supplies and given to children. Rena and Anna recently handed out school bags at the Secondary School.

Rena and the girls handed out dresses and shorts to kids in the Chosi village area. Every time we attend this small church, the children outnumber the adults 2 to 1! These dresses and outfits were made by ladies in the US and also Sue Logsdon. They kids and parents were very appreciative!

At the Chimala Bible Institute, we have restarted classes. With all indications, the total number of students at Chimala is now up to around 39. 39! We train men to preach this year from Tanzania, Malawi, and also the Congo. In fact, with this number of students, we have the largest school of preaching in the churches of Christ IN THE WORLD.  

We started a new program here -- elementary Greek!

We are outgrowing our facilities and have almost outgrown our dormitory. We are hoping to convert the current bible school into a school of nursing (since it is so close to the hospital). We will then build a new facility for the Bible school closer to the dormitories. This preacher school is doing a fantastic work in the church and the LORD is truly blessing our work. We need help from people like you to make this dream a reality. 

Can you imagine yourself here? Would you like to help fulfill the Great Commission in SW Tanzania? If you are interested in getting involved in our mission work on a short-term or long-term basis, let us know! We would love to have you here for 2 weeks, 2 months, or two years! If you would like to discuss this more, let us know. 

Wagner Family Update
One of the great ways that the Wagner family fits well into the life of the mission is the various ways that we all get involved in the mission. The Chimala Bible Institute recently gained a new librarian -- her name is Anna Wagner! She will turn 18 tomorrow (January 17). She is a good fit for the mission and is always willing to lend a helping and serving hand where she can. The CBI Library is in serious need of help and she has answered the call!

She also helps out with the kids when we go to churches in the bush. She is scheduled to leave for college in the fall, but she is unsure about what she is going to do. She sees the needs all around her and how she can help out. Her servant and compassionate heart is good and she is a real asset to the work here.

One of Chandra's friends from school in USA recently asked for a picture of her. I took a picture of her at the Manyolo church of Christ.

Jonah has friends wherever he goes. In fact, he even likes to preach to them! 

A New Generation in Tanzania
On the grounds of the Chimala Mission is the Herring Christian Secondary School. The Herring Christian Secondary School (HCSS) is in its third year of operation and will begin Form 4 in January. HCSS is one of the highest rated Secondary Schools in this district of Tanzania and is highly regarded among other schools. At a recent School Board meeting at HCSS, I wrote a few words about the work at the school and its purpose here on the mission.

First, HCSS helps to Train the next generation of leaders. Since HCSS is so highly regarded and successful academically, the school has applicants from all of the country who want to train at the school. These students will go on to be the leaders of tomorrow in their communities and their country. Training these future leaders now with the ideas of the pure New Testament Gospel, honesty and integrity, and to have a humble, Christlike attitude is the key to seeing long-term growth in this country. 

Second, HCSS helps to Instill an attitude of excellence in life and work. Truly great people demand excellence in their work places and in their lives. We are helping to shape and mold these young people to demand more than what they have now out of their lives and nation. We are helping them to see the possibilities for a bright future in their country and also in the church. 

Third, HCSS helps to Prepare students for a life of service in the Kingdom of God. With strong Bible instruction, we are teaching these students about the fundamentals of the faith, God, Jesus and His church. When these students become adults, they will fill the churches with members who are strong in their faith and their knowledge of God’s Word.

Fourth, HCSS Assists the work of the Chimala Mission. There are so many programs on the mission which are for the good of the community in SW Tanzania. There is a school of preaching, a primary school, an also a hospital which serves people in a wide radius. The tuition paid to the HCSS helps to fund these works of compassion and enable the mission to reach and serve more people in this area. 

The future is bright for the Herring Christian Secondary School and its students. I appreciate any help you have done and may do in the future to help these kids build a better future for themselves and also for the church in Tanzania. 

Missionary Worker Spotlight
We would like to introduce you to a faithful worker here on the mission. His name is Remmy Mfaume. He is the Dean of the English program at the Chimala Bible Institute. He is also a fulltime teacher in both CBI departments (English and Swahili). He is married to Veronica and have a daughter of 2 years old. He is also an evangelist with the Chang'ombe Church of Christ. He has 8 years of experience in ministry. He likes the work of preaching and teaching the Gospel. He also says, "I am interested with the mission how it helps the natives of Tanzania academically (with the Bible school, primary and secondary schools), health (with the hospital helping thousands of people each year), and spiritually (spreading the Gospel for soul winning)." He also prays that God may bless all who support this mission.

Chad Wagner

If you would like to see Chad’s report with all of the pictures, please click here.

Impacting The Youth In Kenya and Uganda...

Dear brethren,

I hope that this email finds you all doing fine in the Lord. Here in Uganda we are doing well except for the pain I am in after the accident on the 11th day of January 2013. We began well, we weremall gathered together as a church to thank God for being with us and also prayed for the same protection during the 2013. 

On the 9th of January I left Busia going to Nyahururu in the Central part of Kenya, in the so called Kenya Highlands. This is where Thomson Falls is located. It is a very good tourist site. There is also a veterinary school, one of the best in East Africa. I had gone see their program and if they can train Paul. While there I also met with the brethren who are going to be hosting the church of the East Africa Gospel meeting this year and I helped them with some plans showing them what they should be doing right now to get ready for the big meeting. 

On the 11th of January 2013 I left very early in the morning and arrived in Busia on the Kenya side and took a bodaboda motorcycle to take me across into Uganda. We were riding well now on the Uganda side. On the Jinja road there was a taxi which, was parked aside the road, drove into the road making a u-turn and  ran into us. The same taxi took me to the hospital. The x-ray was made and no bone was found broken but veins and the muscles were very much affected. I am having a lot of pain on my right foot and right side ribs and also on the left knee and leg. The pain is now reducing compared to the first day of the accident. 

The churches of Christ in Busia and Namayingo District organized a youth seminar which was hosted by Nandwa this year from the 16th to the 18th of January 2013. Sixty-three youth from seven congregations attended. Each youth was supposed to contribute 2000 shillings and 20,000 shillings from each congregation to cater for meals. Fourteen youth contributed and three congregations contributed. I was assigned to teach about a youth entrepreneurship. They had to endure with me because I was teaching while seated with my right leg stretched on another chair. I taught on the 17th and brother Peter Angata from Buswale church of Christ taught on the 18th of January 2013. Each youth was awarded with a certificate of attendance. There were also some Bible lessons. A youth was first given a certificate and his or her congregation was given a live chicken to rear. There was also an award to the best behaved youth on both sides of female and male and each was also awarded with a certificate and his congregation was given a chicken. These chicken were to help the youth of that congregation to start an enterprise so that at the next seminar they will have some income to enable them to contribute for the seminar. The congregation which brought more youth, their youth were given a chicken also. It was a good time meeting these young boys and girls studying the word of God together. Buswale Church of Christ will be hosting next years youth seminar. May our Lord bless you all as you strife to serve Him. 

Yours
Francis, Margaret and Paul Wechesa

TIBS Is Back In School...

School is back in session at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies in Tamale. This will be the ninth out of ten terms that make up the school’s curriculum. This term the students will be taking classes in Hermeneutics, Congregational Development and Christian Evidences, along with Bible classes for 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Old Testament 7. During the final week of the term the students will be divided up into 2 campaign teams, one to work in Walewale and the other in Kulugogu. 

We had hoped to have the school completely moved to the new building location before this current term began, but that was not to be. We are still waiting for the electric company to run the power lines to the building so we can complete the installation of the electrical fixtures. We have moved the library, computer room, and literature distribution areas to the new building, leaving only the students beds and the classroom at the existing building. Our lease on the existing building runs out in February so we are praying that the electricity situation gets resolved quickly so we can complete the move as soon as possible. 

Evangelism efforts continue in the Northern Region with TIBS students, graduates and staff. A three day seminar was set up by current student Jacob Nichema in Kuku, where I was invited to speak concerning Christian Growth. We are also supporting graduate John Avoca’s leadership training efforts in the Bawku area as he begins a series of classes designed to encourage the men of the congregation to take a more active role in leading the church.  From the Bolgotango area we received a report from TIBS graduate Isaac Ayamga who is working with the Bolga-Sherigu church of Christ. Isaac reports states: “The church in Bolga-Sherigu we plan for every weekend after church service we will go to some of the members houses and visit and pray with them. The members and I started winning souls of those that are students, and even two boys who have started helping me during church worship. There are challenges in the church and the denominational churches want us to change the doctrine because our worship is the truth. But they want us to use instrumental music to praise God. Even the drumming in the denominational churches has changed some of the peoples minds and I have church members drop out and joining the denomination churches. But the numbers are still encouraging. I am also planning in my church to do evangelism in Bolga-Sherigu by God’s grace if the days reach.” The Bible Institute will be helping Isaac in his evangelism efforts by providing Bible study materials and tracts. It is hoped that a campaign can be set up in the near future in that area to further assist Isaac in his work. It is exciting to see the efforts being put forward by so many to spread the gospel in northern Ghana!

Bear Valley coordinator Steven Ashcraft is visiting the Bible Institute this week, along with Richard Renfro from Mission Printing in Texas. It is our prayer that Mission Printing will be able to send a large number of gospel tracts to the school for distribution throughout the northern region of Ghana. The tracts are a great help during our evangelism campaigns as well as in the local churches. We greatly appreciate brother Renfro for making the long and difficult trip to Tamale to see firsthand the need for their help. 

In His service,
Tony Johnson

Tanzania Chronicles...

Greetings friends and supporters of the Lord’s work in Tanzania. It seems like we just blinked and the holidays were over and we are well on our way into 2013. We hope your holiday season went well and the fresh start of the new year has brought renewed dedication to our Lord.

Madeleine’s graduation
As of December 14th our daughter, Madeleine, is officially a high school graduate. Maddie returned to the states in July of last year to enroll in a self-paced high school in Cleburne, TX. Initially it was her plan to complete her senior year in one semester. Apparently that pace wasn’t quick enough for her and she wrapped up everything in seven weeks! Not only did she fly through the work she actually understood it and graduated salutatorian of her class. She definitely takes after her mother. We are very proud of her.

ACSOP
It’s about time for classes to start up again for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Our school year is slightly different than what we are used to in the states as the academic year begins with the calendar year.

This quarter I will be teaching How to Study the Bible / Hermeneutics. I have a number of sources I am using to get the class designed the way I want. One of the books that is turning out to be most useful is Grasping God’s Word: A Hands On Approach To Reading, Interpreting, and Applying The Bible. If you are interested in knowing or teaching How to Study the Bible pick up a copy, you won’t be disappointed. As with any book written by men, keep in mind that in all religious matters the Bible is the final authority.

New Recording Studio To Begin This Year
Of the many things we have planned for the upcoming year the one that has me most excited is our plan to construct a recording studio. In our desire to spread the gospel it doesn’t take long to realize that we are going to have a difficult time reaching the masses if our only means of converting the lost is one bible study at a time. This is one of the reasons the Tanzania Mission effort was planted in Arusha. It is a large city with a transient population that has a direct effect on much of East Africa. It is also one of the reasons the ACSOP was established; to train multiple men at one time in order to reach more people than we could ever reach on our own. In an effort to further increase our efforts we hope to soon be recording our own DVD’s. We have a number of DVD’s available that have been produced through WVBS out of Maxwell, TX. Christopher Mwakabanje, the ACSOP Swahili director, has made several trips to Texas to record material. The trips, however, are expensive and there is not enough time to produce the myriad of subject matter we need. Additionally, we have a number of other qualified men that can record material. Have you ever resonated well with one preacher but not so much with others? It’s no different here. By having many speakers we can reach more people and cover more material. Please keep this part of the work in your prayers as we go forward with this ambitious project.

Facebook
Have you been to our Facebook page yet? If you want to see pictures and video of our life here in Tanzania head over to our Tanzania Missions Facebook page. Anita makes a point of posting tons of pictures, video and commentary. If there is something you would like to know about, or would like to see a picture of, send us a message and we will do our best to accommodate. If you don’t mind, while you are there go ahead and “like” us and recommend us to others you think might be interested.

Support Update
Shortly before Thanksgiving I sent out a request concerning our support. We had quite a monthly deficit and we weren’t sure how we were going to deal with it. I am glad to say that God has blessed us through you as many of you responded favorably toward our need. While we are still short of our budget, the gap was closed significantly and we are breathing much, much easier. On behalf of Anita and myself we offer a heartfelt thank you. Your gracious and selfless offerings have encouraged and humbled us in a way that is unexplainable with words.

Backstory
An American, a Tanzanian and a Chinese man gather for a meeting. Sounds like the beginning of a joke doesn’t it? Well, this was the scene recently when I went to town to get some quotations for repairing one of our vehicles. The conversation went something like this: (Me) “Nesta, tell him I need a new tie-rod.” (Nesta) “What’s a tie-rod?” (Me) “I’ll teach you later just translate what I’m saying.”(Nesta)”But we don’t have a Swahili word for tie-rod.”(Me)”ummmmm” (Nesta)”What shall I do” (Me) “uhhhhh” (Nesta) “anything else you want to fix while your figuring out what to do about this tie-rod?” (Me) “Now your a comedian?”(Nesta) “Maybe.” (Me) “Ask him to put it on a rack and inspect the front end, he will see the bent tie-rod.” (Nesta) Sawa. 

The conversation then proceeded and lasted for quite some time. English, Swahili, Mandarin Chinese. All complex languages to learn, all necessary for me to get some simple mechanic work done. I’ll know soon how well the translation went. The two-page quote was written in Chinese but couldn’t be translated to Swahili or English as the Chinese shop owner only knows how to speak Swahili, not write it.

It’s times like these that I wish the miraculous gift of speaking and translating other languages was still available. 

While the scene I described above has no eternal ramifications, the work done by the Tanzania Missions team certainly does. We face translation issues on a regular basis and we are most grateful that we have godly brethren who know how to speak in the native Swahili and in English. As we enter this new year we solicit your prayers as we try to overcome the many obstacles of effectively communicating God’s word to the millions of souls in East Africa. Too, it is our prayer that you will overcome the hurdles that impede your efforts of reaching those in your community. We hope that regardless of the physical location that 2013 will be a year that all of us can bring some to Christ, edify the body, and glorify our God.

Take care and God bless,

Sean, Anita, Maddie, Mom & Dad

Parker Memorial Library In Arusha...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

SEARCHING FOR TRUTH (and the bill of lading). Many are familiar with this great DVD and book produced by World Video Bible School. The SFT book was translated into Kiswahili, sent to China for printing and delivered to the port in Mombasa, Kenya. To collect these books (5,000 in number) the possession of the bill of lading was needed. After waiting weeks, it was tracked (through DHL) and had been mistakenly delivered to the Seventh Day Adventist headquarters (Dec. 17th) due to one wrong phone number on the package. Addressed to the church of Christ, c/o Elly Martin, it also had his correct phone number. The person "responsible" signed for it and kept it for a month without notifying us.

THE SPOTLIGHT....shines on Walter and Rita Ward (from Anniston, AL). Rita is Trina's mom (and married Walter after Trina's father died). These two hard working individuals are big supporters of this Mission Work. For all your financial support, encouragement and prayers... THANK YOU!

SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE: On Saturday, Heather and Candace invited the younger girls from church for a devotional, fun and food. Six girls attended, coming in two by two (3 pairs of sisters). They played hide-and-go-seek, sardines and freeze tag and enjoyed fudge, homemade "Reese Cups" and homemade donuts. The main purpose was to help the girls spend time with one another, forming friendships within the church as they grow. More of these events will be planned.

TEEN DAY: On Friday, Lindsey and Abigail invited guys and girls (from 3 different congregations) for the normal 3 F's: food (bean tortillas, pineapple, brownies, peanut butter cookies, cupcakes and sodas) fun and fellowship. Due to completing exams, teens were out of school. Nineteen-year-old Oscar (attended the Future Preachers' Training Camp and Tanzania Christian Camp) led a devotional on "Working in God's Kingdom." Events like this help promote friendships among young Christians, helping people make better choices when it comes to marriage (many marry outside of the church). Among the attendee's were Mwita Kambarage (a third generation Christian; Andrew Connally converted his grandfather) and Celine Mohammad (2nd generation Christian). Mwita's and Celine's families were the only two attending the church in 1998 when the TZ 2000 Mission Work began. It's great that these two families have passed on the faith to their children. 

WHAT IS WEIRD ABOUT AMERICANS? The girls asked their friends this question and received these two answers: the "ladies first" policy and the fact that most Americans do not have other relatives living with them (such as younger siblings of the husband or wife, a niece or nephew, or cousin).

"LET NO MAN DESPISE YOUR YOUTH" After months of planning and thought, our 17-year-old daughter, Abigail, has undertaken a wonderful project of establishing a community library (planned to open late 2013) in our community of Kisongo. For more details, open the attachment and view both clicking on the prospectus and question/answer sheet.

WHAT YOU MIGHT ONLY EXPERIENCE IN AFRICA: (Former "missionary kid" Garrett Richardson used to say, "Now's there's something you don't see every day").

*The police will pull us over to try to find an offense and will ask "Where are you going?" "Where are you coming from?" We don't know the reasons for these questions (some have been asked to transport a policeman or military personnel to a certain place if going the same direction). We have actually been stopped and told "Happy New Year!"

*A person might make a fortune if they invented a video game mimicking Arusha traffic. It would be similar to an "obstacle course"...dodging bicycles and motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, dodging wooden carts, people crossing the road at random, dala-dalas (mini-vans used for public transport) pulling on and off the road (mainly riding half on and half off), and vehicles backing out into the road.

*It is common for three adults (with no helmets) to ride on one motorcycle.

*A woman may carry a baby on her back and a bundle of wood on her head.

*A woman has been seen balancing a large pole (about half the length of a telephone pole) on her head on her way home to build a fire.

*A neighbor allows their three-year-old child to walk a mile to preschool with her 1 1/2 year old sister. Once, when lost, it took an hour to find them.

*A Maasai man is dressed traditionally (red robe, tire shoes, stick and sword), lives in a mud hut but uses a cell phone (two worlds collide).

FACEBOOK: If you are a "Facebooker" look us up on our recently established TZ 2000- Gee Family Page to see lots of pictures and maybe other stories or details not mentioned in this report.

Please pray all furlough funds will come in soon. "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!" (hopefully $14,000 - ticket prices have gone up $1000 since last week...another reason to buy tickets SOON). A huge debt of gratitude is extended to all who have given! 

With Love from Africa,
The Jimmy Gee family

New Students Begin Classes...

Much has happened over the past week, the greatest of which was the latest addition to my family. Our oldest son Rob and his wife welcomed their first child into the world. Nehemiah Robert was born Friday afternoon and is doing great. We are so thankful to God for answering many prayers since the conception of this future leader. I have been praying since we found out they were having a boy that he would be a great leader in the Lord’s kingdom and proclaim the powerful message of our Savior.

While this took place at the end of the week, other wonderful events were taking place at the first of the week. The Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver started a new class of students last Monday, January 7. Six men began their studies in this January class of students. They all seem eager and equipped to accept the responsibilities required during their course of studies over the next two years. I look forward to reporting more about them as they press on toward the prize of the upward call of our God.

The Denver campus is not the only one to begin a new class of students. We recently learned about the new class of 29 students in Cameroon. More is in their report below. The Chimala Bible Institute will also begin a new class of students this week. In fact, 36 new students are beginning their two year journey on Monday. You can read more in Garry Hill’s report below. At this point, CBI has the largest enrollment of students in the program. Awesome!!

Within the Extension Program, a number of exciting events have also taken place. The efforts of training these men and involving them in evangelistic efforts has proven fruitful. Please take time to read through the various reports and learn how God continues to bless the labor of these students around the world. We serve a great God!

Now on to the other reports...

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

Extension Reports 

Cameroon Ministry On The Grow: New students who are starting classes are learning about the growing nature of the work in Cameroon.

A Personal Invitation: Each of you are invited to attend the 4th Annual ITL Lectureship and 2nd Graduation Ceremony in Guatemala.

Say What? The message being taught by some professors is amazing, especially when it comes to state universities. Plus, read more about the new class in Chimala, Tanzania.

Discipleship: If you were to sum up your work for the Lord in one word, what word would it be? Would you characterize it as discipleship? This word is what TZ2000 is all about. 

I Want To Do It All Over Again: From the mouth of a child on the mission field, what a powerful thought to the way we live our lives. 

Final Thoughts
I find it hard to believe we are half way through the first month of the new year. Time has a way of moving very quickly, or so I am told. :-)  There is so much happening in the kingdom and I am thankful for the opportunity to learn about it and share it with you each week. I am also thankful to each of you for the sacrifices you make for the success of this work. 

Thank you for the time, effort, resources, and talent you contribute to the training of preachers in Denver and around the world. Know you are loved and prayed for each day.

God bless
Bob

A Personal Invitation...

Greetings from Byron and Hi,

We pray that this message finds you and your loved ones doing well. We are doing fine here. The Lord is blessing the work here in many ways with a very positive start for 2013.

As we traveled during the end of the year giving our 2012 report, many of you saw what took place last year when we had our 3rd Annual Lectureship for Instituto Teológico Latinoamericano (ITL). In our report you also received an invitation to join on March 21 – 25, 2013 for three great events. As a result there was a great interest shown by many to come to Guatemala in March. We told you we would send you more information to help you properly plan to visit us.

On March 21 – 25, Lord willing, we will be celebrating the 5th Anniversary for ITL. God has been good to us and we give Him the glory for five years of existence. We will also be having our 4th Annual ITL Lectureship. And, to crown off the weekend, we will have our 2nd Graduation from ITL and graduate our BETA class as well as four students from the ITL Saturday program. This year’s theme for our lectureship will be Unidad Entre Hermanos: Una Respuesta a la Oración de Jesús (Unity Among Brothers: An Answer to the Prayer of Jesus). Again, we have a great line-up of speakers. Pedro Batres from Nicaragua, Alexander Castellanos from El Salvador, Francisco Rada and Silas Prado from Texas, and Bob Turner from Colorado are our principle speakers. Other speakers will be Abner Ramos from San Cristobal, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and Misael Ajuchán from Guatemala City. In addition, Silvia Castellanos from El Salvador and Araceli Rada from Texas will speak to our ladies. As you can see, the lectureship is going be a great inspiration to everyone who attends. Please remember that all activities will take place in both English and Spanish.

The schedule of events and other details, along with costs, can be found by clicking here.

As you can see, we are trying to keep the cost reasonable. We believe it is a good price for 4 days in Guatemala and for all that will be taking place. You will not only be a blessing to us and to our students, you will also receive a blessing yourself by being here.

PLEASE come and be with us. Please share this message about our 4th Annual Lectureship, our 2nd ITL Graduation and our 5th Anniversary celebration for ITL with others in your congregation who may not receive our correspondences; please make sure it is posted on your bulletin board at your congregation. This would be greatly appreciated.

May God bless each of you! Please RSVP by Sunday, February 17th so that we can make the proper arrangements for your arrival to Guatemala.

Con amor en Cristo,

Hawatthia Byron

“Teaching the CENTRAL MESSAGE in CENTRAL AMERICA”

I Want To Do It All Over Again...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."  Proverbs 12:26

The scripture above reminds us of the importance of a good example. Until a new family photo is taken, we're replacing the old one with scenery/nature photos of Africa. The beautiful purple flower grows in our yard by the gazebo. The teen girls came over on Saturday for a devotional, games, food and laughs. They all left exhausted after playing a game called "Link."

"I JUST WISH I COULD LIVE MY LIFE OVER AGAIN!" said 6-year-old Elijah, while at the ACSOP where he and his brothers were enjoying their skateboard and skates on the smooth concrete. Thinking he was dissatisfied and wanted to change something, I asked what he would do differently. He enthusiastically responded, "Nothing! I just want to do it all over again!"

ACSOP: The employees of the ACSOP enjoyed a delicious meal as part of the "Employee Appreciation Day." Mr. Elly Martin (the General Manager of TZ 2000 Properties and government liaison) cooked some of the dishes, making some "down-home" Southern mashed potatoes (not normally a Tanzanian dish) and a wonderful fruit salad. Each employee received some groceries, a small cash gift and a whole chicken for their service to the school.

COUNTDOWN to furlough is about 13 weeks and $13,000 on the airfare. Other travel expenses are also needed but the priority focus is the airfare. If the tickets are purchased early we can lock in the departure date and have a better chance of reserving all 11 seats together. We are DEEPLY grateful for all the funds sent so far! We appreciate your generosity, one of the evidences of your appreciation for our work.

MICHAEL MITALAMI (left), an ACSOP Master's graduate, preached a wonderful lesson from James (three types of faith) at Kisongo. Trina continued teaching Genesis to the ladies and Abigail taught the children (right photo) about Noah. Three lady visitors were in worship today. Two were employees of the mosquito net factory. The third was from Mbeya (a day's journey) and, almost in tears, she told that she came to Kisongo looking for her husband who had abandoned her and her children. Jimmy preached at the new congregation in White Rose.

Many times "old-fashioned" English songs are led in worship here. Certainly nothing is wrong with these songs (although they are sung slower than normal). However, when "Bringing in the Sheaves" is selected, Trina imagines herself wearing a bonnet while sitting in the church building on "The Little House on the Prairie" show. When she was a child, she sang it as "Bringing in the Sheets" and wondered why one would rejoice...maybe because of clean sheets?

WAYS IN WHICH OUR LIFE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS:

* On our weekly "grocery" day, we shop at two different grocery stores (one mainly to get tastier bread), go to a separate meat store, then on to another place for our fruits and vegetables, and, if needed, go to another store to swap out our empty gas cylinder for the stove (not much "one-stop shopping.")

*We "buy" our electricity on our cell phone and install it (entering the numbers) on our Luku meter. Our guard helps us keep up with the amount left so we don't run out unexpectedly.

*We discuss, consider and check our water supply nearly every single day. I think most folks in the U.S. don't even think about their water supply except when paying the monthly bill...because they don't have to! :)

*We don't experience a "real" winter...haven't for the past 7 years because our time in the states is always spent in the summer months.

We appreciate each and every one of you!  

With Love from Africa,
The Jimmy Gee family

Discipleship!!!

January 7 report

Greetings Fellow Workers:

We wish you all a very Happy New Year and pray God blesses you all with the best year of your life. Stephanie, Granny and I are good, busy and traveling from here to yonder “telling the story” and sharing God’s mission with with many.

As of this writing and after five weeks of travel, we have traveled over 5,000 miles by car, over 2,000 by air, been to 8 different States and presented the work to 10 different congregations and/or Elderships. Yes, our prayers and needs are being answered and met as we present our work! What a joy it is to be a part of such a grand mission work and being able to meet and work with God’s finest! Below is a short report I received from our dear brother Christopher, worthy of sharing:

“On 14th of December, I received a call from Joster Mwilongo (from Chimala Mission) asking me to attend and teach at a youth seminar to be held at December 28-31, 2012. I hesitated to answer! I was just thinking how I was going to enjoy a week off from my studies! Finally, I decided to attend the seminar after reading the theme of the seminar  and noticing its significance: "Youth and the Church Today." Two lessons were assigned to me: (1) The Youth and his/her Worshipful Life, and (2) The Youth’s conduct in the Church and in the Present World. As you can note that the topics are crucial, timely and relevant.

I was surprised to see 159 girls and boys (age between 12 - 25) who eagerly anticipated hearing from God's word. From twenty seven different congregations they attended. As a result, six youth were baptized on the night of 29th. What struck me the most is their attitude of listening attentively and taking notes. They did not need luxurious life, but enjoyed a simple meal of rice and beans almost ever day. Sincere questions were also posed during question and answer session each day. Indeed I don't regret my decision of  attending this seminar. It was a worthy trip to end the year. I arrived at Arusha 2:30a.m.

Thank you all who make it possible for us to serve God in this part of the world. your prayers, supports, cards of encouragement, e-mails, etc. are much appreciated. In His service, Christopher, Julia and Children”

God continues to bless and give the increase in Tanzania. With your continued prayers and support we believe the best is yet to be seen. May our God bless each of you with a life worthy of the Gospel to the saving of some lost soul.

In Him, Cy

January 14 report

Greetings Fellow Workers:

We thank our God for the life He has blessed us with, for the wonderful work in His Kingdom and a Christian family like none other. Thank you all for your part in this work, making it one like few others. 

Recently I was asked the question, “if you were to sum up the Tanzania 2000 mission efforts vision, goal and purpose in a word, what would that word be?” Several came to mind, but the one that best describes who we are and what we stand for is “discipleship”. 

The mandate given by our Lord to “make disciples of all nations” is one we all need to take to heart and make a part of our daily lives. 

Who is a “true disciple of Chirst?” Jesus said; “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher...” Yes, we are to be like Jesus!

The disciple of Christ need not fear, because the Father is able and knows the true value of each soul (Matt. 10:31).

The true disciple of Christ keeps his or her priorities in order. “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37-38; i.e. Matt. 6:33.)

The disciple of Christ takes up his or her cross and follows Him daily (Matt. 10:38).

Yes, the disciple God is looking for in each of us is the one, “who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

In the writing of this I thought of Jimmy Gee, Sean Hochdorf and their families. They have given up much for the Master, to His glory and to the saving of many souls. 

I was also reminded of Daniel Gaines, his wife Tiffany and their three young children who are currently on the fund raising trail. They have committed their lives to serving God and have decided to join the Tanzania Team. Please pray for this sweet and committed family as they do their part that they might be the “disciples” God would have them to be.  

If you are able or know of others who might be able, please contact Daniel and gather the information you need in order to support this good family. In so doing you will aid them in their desire to “make disciples of all nations.”  daniel-gaines@hotmail.com

Thank you for making it possible for us to be the disciples we strive to be and for the opportunity to “make disciples” of the good people of East Africa.  

In Him, 
Cy, Stephanie & Grannny

Say What??

As a Bear Valley Extension Coordinator it is a blessing worshiping and working with various churches around the brotherhood. While getting ready to return to Chimala, we were raising money for the students at the Chimala Bible Institute through teaching a college class filled with students of a local state university. One of the students in the class, a faithful Christian, said he was taught by a Jewish man in a Christian Origins class that besides the New Testament there were no other places where Jesus was mentioned in the first century. This totally discounts Josephus, an ancient Jewish historian of the first century. My first response was, “Say what?” I then spent the rest of the class giving evidences for the existence of Jesus in the first century.

As we begin the new school year Monday, at worship this morning I was thinking about that incident. Ezekiel Harrison was preaching, one of our fine instructors both in the secondary school and in the Chimala Bible Institute. In the audience this morning was the man who taught him the gospel from his hometown. The brother was able to see how his former convert has advanced here to become one of our students. 

Ezekiel, along with Joshua, Boaz, and Xavier, Joseph, as well as, Remmy will be teaching this group of incoming students. Everything from various Biblical books to Hermeneutics to Preacher and his Work, our students will be taught by these men who have spent years, studying, teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. All of these evangelists have graduated from the Bear Valley Bible Institute extension program. All have received, or are working on, the Bear Valley Master’s degree. All are faithful, hardworking, sound preachers of the gospel. Oh I am sure they will also have some ”say what” moments in their classes, but I am confident they will also be able to answer the questions that arise. That is why we are eagerly starting another year of the Chimala Bible Institute tomorrow. Another year of preparing the students to answer the objections of the skeptics, and fully proclaim the message of the gospel.

Yes, Ezekiel was preaching, his mentor who taught him the gospel was listening, and another generation of preachers is about to be taught because of the Bear Valley Bible Institute extension program. 

Garry L. Hill
Extension Coordinator
Chimala Bible Institute

Cameroon Ministry On The Grow...

Dearest in Christ,

We continue to say happy new year to you and your family. We pray this year will be a spectacular one for you as you continue to invest your time and self to reach out and expand the shores of the kingdom of God.

Valentine Angwambe obeyed the gospel this morning after worship. Three among the five visitors accepted the gospel. Keep them in your prayers as they walk with God. We shall use them by His grace to penetrate their families.

The first week of classes went on well with the BETA batch of students in CBIW. It is great and we praise God for all the students who are seeing the task that is not as easy as they thought of it before coming to CBIW. We continue to encouraged them to remain focused and God will help them to scale through. 

I was able to preach in the Wotutu congregation this morning. The Lord used me to bring forth the gospel on the topic “Salvation Only in Christ.” Over 150 of the population benefited a lot from our worship.

Keep this congregation in your prayers to continue with the work that is going on here.The community of Wotutu and other communities continue to be influenced by us.

Today we were blessed with 5 first time visitors. We thank God for our early morning radio program Back To The Bible. Many continue to listen and visit us to see if those things are so. One man came to worship and to see after following our radio program. Keep this program in your prayers because as we preach the gospel in the morning between 6000 and 10,000 people get the word of God from their beds before they could go to their farms.

CBIW continue to admired their studies here, we are already with 6 courses. How We Got The Bible, Old Testament 1, Christian Evidences, Cost of Discipleship, Use of English, Public Speaking and French language. You can see their sacrifice. Some of them will sleep with mattresses on the floor provided to them by the administration because there is no more space for beds. The number this time around increased and we decided to give them the opportunity to study the serving message, so that they will take the message out to many perishing souls. We shall continue to rob from the strong man’s house as we think souls.

Our ministry here is growing. The Brightland Christian Academy in Wotutu, which is really a young school, will add to the influence of the community as the first Christian school in our community. Many testify to the academic, social, mental and spiritual developments of their children. Our mission here is that if we succeed to show love and truth to these children, it will open ways for us to evangelize their parents. That is why one graduate from CBIW is stationed there to make sure the truth and morality of these children is in good shape daily. Keep this school in your thoughts and prayers. 

Plans
1) We plan to visit Bova congregation this month.

2) Batoke mission will be looked upon this time around. 

Appreciations
Many thanks to God for His love and care over us.Thank you for standing with us in all that is going on here in CBIW. God bless you and open doors for you and your family. We shall appreciate your comments. God bless you. 

Elangwe and family
By His grace director

Moving Into 2013 In Extension Training...

Ready or not, 2013 is here and we are moving quickly into the first month of the year. As we move ahead, two areas should be discussed. One, the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver begins a new class of students for the winter quarter. Six new students arrived in Denver and went through Orientation on Friday. They will begin classes on Monday in this two year journey preparing themselves as greater servants in the Kingdom.

The second involves the development within the Extension Program. To give you a perspective of what I mean, the school in Cameroon began its second class of students. There are 29 students who began this next round of classes. The excitement is spreading for the Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu as others are hearing about the development of this work and the result is bringing growth in the preparation of these men.

This is just one of the schools where the same activities are happening. A new class is set to begin in Chimala, Tanzania next week. As well, graduation will take place at the North India Bible College in Chandigarh, India in February and a new class of students will begin. We are looking forward to seeing these programs grow in the future.

The first class of students will begin their studies in Asunción, Paraguay in March. Another development mentioned in a previous report will be our assisting in the consolidation of the school in Danlí, Honduras with ITL in Guatemala. Plans are to finish with the current class and begin recruiting students from Honduras to train in Guatemala. 

Additional plans are developing in a number of the other schools which we will be sharing in the weeks ahead. The enthusiasm is high as the program develops in 2013.

Now on to the other reports...

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

The latest report from Howell Ferguson can be read by clicking here.

Wes Autrey’s report about the work in Cambodia can be read by clicking here.

The final report from Josh Austin, who has been coordinating the work in Cameroon, is here.

Extension Reports 

Special Prayer Request From Guatemala: Sad news hits the Linda Vista congregation in Guatemala. Remember the Ordoñez family in prayer.

Beta Class Begins In Cameroon: As the new year begins, so does a new class of 29 students in Cameroon. This is going to be a great year.

New Opportunities, Ideas and Plan In Ukraine: The new year in Gorlovka will be filled with opportunities for growth and development as a record number of students prepare.

180+ Attend Youth Seminar In Chimala: Recent events in Chimala, Tanzania influence a great number of youth.

New Year Adds 5 Souls In India: As 2013 gets rolling, reports from North India indicate growth as souls are added to the kingdom.

The Lord Gives The Increase In Paraguay: The church continues to grow in Asunción. The report from Troy and Andrea Spradlin shares the news.

Planning A Very Busy Summer: The activities ahead for the Gee family will keep them busy for the summer of 2013. 

Final Thoughts
While the economic situation has not improved in our country, the sacrifices you are making continue to show the ways our God is working through you to bless the work of Extension Training. Thank you for your dedication to preparing men to preach the gospel. Thank you for trusting us to further develop this work. We hope you know how much your efforts are making a difference around the world.

God bless
Bob

Cambodia In 2012...

Cambodia 2012: International Bible Institute of Siem Reap

Greetings
It is with great excitement that I am able to report to you the good news from Cambodia and the plans for this next year.  

IBISR
Your support to myself and the work in Cambodia has allowed the International Bible Institute of Siem Reap to train men to preach the gospel and women to study and teach women and children. We had 8 graduates this past year, 5 men and 3 women.  The men have already been teaching and preaching in various parts of the country with success.

Village Children Learning Bible 

Church Growth
During 2012 we have seen continued growth in our main congregation of Siem Reap. More male leaders are stepping up and taking leadership roles, with the intent on becoming elders!  The membership has increased to about 50 souls.  Takam Village continues to be a place of growth and one of our most potential filled sister congregations.  We currently have 3 of our past graduates engaged in the work there.  This congregation continues to grow and there are plans to start some other congregations in the nearby area.  Leang Dai is a place that we have 2 of our graduates working and taking care of those members.  This is a farming village and smaller in size but has steady growth. Even though Svay Reng is near the Vietnam border and is small we continue to see maturity and have hope for them.   

New Work 
Two of our recent graduates currently live on a large pontoon boat in the Bos Krolan area on Tonle Sap Lake. These young men will evangelize, study and hold worship services on the boat while also providing purified water with their filtration system to those in the area. This is very exciting and we ask for you prayers in this area. 

Future Plans 
In February I will be traveling to Cambodia for 2 weeks to teach a short course for the students.  Another instructor from the Bear Valley Bible Institute will be traveling with me to teach I & 2 Peter as a short course as well. We are already scheduling others to go and teach on the Godhead, Christian Evidence, I & 2 Timothy, Evangelism and the Preacher and his family.  I am excited to go and report back to you upon my return my personal viewpoint how things are going.

Thank You  

2 Thessalonians 1: 3-5
I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to each of you for your support and faith in this work.  I believe that training preachers in their native culture is the best way yet to further the spreading of God’s Word. Your actions have brought many to salvation and honor to the Lord by your giving character. 

Wes Autrey

Cambodia Coordinator for IBISR
Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver
Extension Program
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