Seminars Bring Souls To The Lord In Nigeria...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from Nigeria! Brother Douglas M. Wheeler arrived in Nigeria on Thursday evening, January 9 and works commenced on January 10 at the Ijegun Churh of Christ, Festac-Lagos State, in a day World Bible School seminar where I spoke on “The Gospel of Christ” and brother Doug Wheeler spoke on “Obedience to the Gospel.” The seminar was attended by 85 people. Among them were 11 WBS students.

On Saturday, January 11, in a day Leadership seminar at Ipara town, Lagos State, I spoke on “Leaders and Church Growth.” Brother Timothy Iwe spoke on “Saved to Serve,” and brother Doug Wheeler spoke on “Characteristics of Christian Leaders.” Over 120 brethren graced the occasion from Lagos ,Ogun and a neighboring country-Togo.

On Sunday, January 13, we worshiped with the young congregation at Ipara where brother Doug taught on “Discipleship” from the book of John, while I admonished them on “What is Your Decision for Year 2014” from Daniel 3:14-16.

On January 13 & 14, brother Doug Wheeler taught an expository sermon from the book of Ephesians in the second day of the Christian Workshop at SWSE-main campus, Ibadan, in Doug Wheeler's Hall in the morning session, and spoke on “God's plan of Salvation” in the afternoon / evening sessions at the WBS seminar on January 13, held at St. Anthony High School, Ikoyi, Osun State. Thirty students and some of the non-teaching staff of the school were baptized on January 15 by brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe was assisted by some of the SWSE students.

At another WBS seminar on January 14, afternoon / evening period at Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, brother Doug Wheeler also taught on “Way of Salvation,” while I served as an interpreter, and 6 souls were added to the Lord's church at the end of the exercise.

On Wednesday, January 15, brother Doug Wheeler taught at a one day WBS seminar organized by the Oro town Church of Christ, Kwara State on “The Place of Refuge is in Christ & His Church.” The seminar was attended by over 120 people, including 15 WBS students.

On Thursday, January 16, 2014, brother Doug Wheeler continued his preaching trip to Ebonyi State, while I left for Ibadan to continue my activities with the students of SWSE-Ibadan, Oyo State.

We thank you all for your partnership and your dedication for the cause of Christ. Stay blessed.

Sincerely His & yours,

Makinde E. Olufemi (Director of studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos satellite campus, Nigeria

A Year End Note From Tanzania...

We hope this newsletter finds you each doing well with your New Year off to a promising start. The Lord continues to bless the work here and we are anxious to share some of the exciting news with you.

Since our last report we have seen the Future Preacher Training Camp come and go. A number of us were privileged to teach the zealous young men who attended. I was asked to speak concerning Jesus’ temptation and how He serves as our example. It was an encouraging study and one from which I profited. The young men seemed to enjoy it as well and were great participants when questioned about the material.

Sometimes when we are involved with our individual mission team responsibilities it is easy to put the big picture in the background. Recently, we received some encouraging news after our mission team leader, Cy Stafford, surveyed approximately 10% / 14 men (we plan on surveying 20-25% during 2014) of our ACSOP graduates.  The results are for the 2013 calendar year.

*57 Campaigns were conducted

*278 put on the Lord in baptism

*47 new congregations were established among which there are 881 active Christians.

Here is some further information relating to the ACSOP and Tanzania Missions Team that you might find encouraging as well:

*There were 3 Safari for Souls campaigns that concluded with 84 new converts.

*The annual Tanzania Leadership Conference hosted around 140 participants from over 56 different congregations, and from 7 different nations.

*At this year’s Tanzania Christian Camp we had between 80-90 young boys and girls from many different congregations, with 17 souls obeying the Gospel.

*At our annual Future Preacher’s Training Camp we had 15 young men, with 1 obeying the Gospel.

As you can see, the Lord is really blessing the work and we pray that the seed will continue to be sown in the soil of good and honest hearts.

We hope this short note has encouraged you to trust the Lord and share the gospel with someone. We never know who that one person is that is genuinely seeking the truth.

We pray for the church in America often and we solicit your prayers as we labor in Tanzania.

Until next time, take care and God bless,

Sean & Anita

Coming To America, From Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

We greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in Whom we live and have the hope of eternal life, because He lives! We pray all is well with each you and your families as well.

We continue to see God’s mighty hand at work here in Tanzania and throughout East Africa. We are blessed in so many ways, such as with men like Gary Fallis. I was privileged to sit at this man’s feet many years ago while I studied at the Brown Trail School of Preaching. Gary has made 20 trips to Tanzania and many more around the world teaching in some of the 17 Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver’s extension schools. The good being done through the BV school and all her sister schools can be measured in souls being saved and lives being changed for eternity.

Report from Josaphat Massawe (Evangelist for the Kilimanjaro congregation and Director of the Moshi Bible School): “We visited Bwawani, meaning ‘in the dam”, a small village surrounding a man made lake. We have one Christian sister, who has influenced two other ladies to obey the Gospel. They invited me to come and conduct worship service. They had invited ten people to come and listen to the teaching of the Bible. We now have two new congregations towards Magadini area and one more in Rombo district. ….We rejoice last Sunday one precious soul was added to the Lord’s Body. Here name is Naomi, a Maasai lady. She is a professional teacher. Edward was baptized a week before Naomi, he is from Monduli Juu, working as a night guard here in Moshi. He is a devoted learner of the Word of God. In His Service, Josephat & Anna”

From the ladies: Each Friday, Stephanie and Jane Massawe conduct Bible studies in the area of the newly planted White Rose area of Arusha. A couple of weeks ago, while they were walking from one study to another, they were stopped on the road by a man by the name of Gared. He asked them if they would please come and teach him God’s Word (I know this happens every day where you live). Last week they began the study and after learning the Truth, he asked to be baptized into the Body of Christ. Amen!

Update: Thank you all for your positive response regarding Yusuph’s evangelistic trip. He has made one trip already, having taught 8 families and is to return in the coming days to teach them as well as several others. Please continue to pray for this amazing opportunity.

Coming to America: For years we have been working with World Video Bible School, translating and video taping Ki-Swahili Bible lessons, books of the Bible, etc. We now have three more lessons done and with your prayers and help, Christopher, his wife Julia and Charles Heberth will be coming to Texas to tape these lessons. We need to raise $7,500 for their airline tickets and visas. Can you help us help the good people of East Africa (over 150 million souls) hear the Word of God? Thank you for all you do and thank you in advance for helping us in this evangelistic outreach effort. Until all have heard…….

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

An Encouraging Visit To Graduates In Nepal...

Warm greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the grace of God, love, and peace always be with you.

I am writing about my one week visit from our graduated students. It was a refreshing and encouraging time for me. I have visited with our graduated students. I have met brother Dev, Suka, Jeet, Abraham, Ezekiel and Chandra Prakash. I began my journey on January 7th 2014 and returned back on January 12th 2014.

January 7th 2014: I traveled from Kathmandu to brother Ezekiel's home. Ezekiel is one of our second graduated class students. It took me four hours on a micro-van. Brother Abraham joined me at Ezekiel's house. We had an evening Bible study at his home. Ezekiel was a graduated student from last year. He is surrounded by many denominational groups. He is doing his worship service and activities in his house. There are 17 people gathering on Sunday worship. He is doing his best in God's kingdom.

January 8th 2014: We woke up early in the morning. We began to walk toward brother Dev's house. Dev is our first graduated student. He is having a good Bible knowledge. It took 3 hours to climb up hill. We had a Bible study together at his local congregation from 11 am to 3 pm. He is having a regular Bible study program. There is quarterly congregational fellowship program in his local Church.

January 9th 2014: We moved toward Brother Abraham's home village. Abraham is our second graduated student. It is almost 6 hours high hill walking from Khankhare bus station. We went through Jeet's house. We had time to talk with brother Jeet and other Christians. We had opportunity to meet all of their family members. We had evening Bible study at his home. There are many denominational groups. He began Church services at his home. There are 12 people gathering for Sunday worship service.

January 10th 2014:  We returned back from Abraham' home and came back to brother Chandra’s at Prakash village. Chandra is our second graduated student. We reached there late evening. It was a day travel. We were tired. But also we had an evening family Bible study at Chandra's home.

January 11th 2014:  We had a day Bible study program at Chandra's local congregation. Around 25 people gathered in his local congregation every Sunday.

January 12th 2014: We had worship service together at his local congregation. After that we had some time to visit our present student's family members. Then I returned back to Kathmandu. I reached the school at night.

Purpose of my visiting:
To encourage our graduated students.

To visit other local preachers.

To have fellowship and Bible study together.

To find out our student's problems and try to help them.

To get some more new students for next group.

To establish our graduated students in God's ministry. 

Problems at visiting:

Many are uneducated. Most of them don't have Bibles and song books. Their Bible knowledge level is low. So, we need to provide Bibles and songs books to our graduated students. They will supply to them.

Church building constructions are needed in some places.

My achievements at visiting:
Our first batch of students: Dev, Jeet and Suka are doing good works. They have invested God’s money in the right place. Their life is much better than before. I have seen their progress. I have seen their goats. It is providing good income to their family.

It is the right time to help our second batch of graduated students. I have gone and seen their family situations. Brother Ezekiel and Abraham are planning to purchase goats to sustain their family members. Their places are surrounded by hills. It is good for goats. Brother Chandra has purchased a flour grinding machine for an income source. Brother Ramesh will do some business work. Brother Arun will go to South India for further Bible study. He will be a useful tool for our Bible school and Churches of Christ at Nepal.

All of our graduated students are good examples in their societies. Our time, money, labor and investments are in a good place. I am personally glad to be with you all brothers and sisters.

I am personally encouraged by the visiting.

Thank you.

Servant of Christ….Gajendra Deshar
NCBS Director
Kathmandu, Nepal

Students Keep Evangelizing Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters in Cameroon and all the students in CBIW. We do hope this reports finds you all in good health and a sound faith.

Last week in CBIW went on well with little health issues, but sister Ruth is still helping as she dispensed medications to sick students.

This weekend took our students to 10 different locations for weekend evangelism. As I write this email all of them are back on campus. Thank you for your prayers for journey mercies. God continues to work through our efforts to reach out to souls, as we think souls we go for souls, so that by the grace of God we can rob some souls from the strong man’s house.

The Wotutu congregation continues to enjoy from our general theme for 2014 “A Year Of Love In Action.” Today, the Bible study focused on “Love in the Family.” We are paying greater attention to families because if we have stronger families that love the Lord and fear Him, then we shall equally have a great congregation that loves and is willing to share love to one another.

The Ediki congregation is growing. Brother Samson was baptized a few weeks ago and he has become very instrumental in the congregation. Keep him in your prayers to use his personality to influence the church in that community. Keep brother Thomas Eyong in your prayers also as he is very sick and he is also a member of the Ediki congregation.

Our students went to different locations on house to house evangelism.

They met people with the gospel in their sitting room, which is highly appreciated by many. The gospel is for all.

Our students keep growing in these different locations as they are giving opportunity to preach and teach in different pulpits. Keep praying for them.

Our children carry the tradition of the Wotutu congregation where children attend their children’s class during Bible study. In this congregation, the children will be under a plantain tree to study, which is good.

Sister Juliet Mbah obeyed the gospel in the Down Beach congregation this weekend.

Sister Jackeline smiled as she received a Bible in the Dikome congregation after her baptism. Keep this young congregation in your prayers as they keep growing. We send our students weekly to preach and teach in the entire community to provoke growth.

Christians in Dikome received hymns from the hymns we received from brother David Ballard. More congregations will continue to benefit from it as God opens ways for us to have more, and even used books and Bibles if donated to us.

Reaching Dikome is not an easy task. The road that leads there is passable in the dry season, but during the rainy season it will become more difficult. Keep this work in your prayers as we reach out to this community and we shall also extend it to other communities. I will be making a trip there next month.

Plans
1) We shall be sending our students this weekend to the Kossala congregation as they have invited the entire school to come and help in evangelism. Our ex-student, Mulango Sakwe, is the evangelist there.

2) We have in mind to continue reaching out to unreached / virgin communities as long as we have the means.

Appreciation
God bless you for standing by us with the work here. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your prayers and support to accomplish whatsoever we can accomplish here. God bless you as you share this report with others.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director CBIW

Jump-Start On A New Year...

We are seeing a strong “jump-start” to the new year after two weeks of witnessing the mighty hand of God blessing the work of extension training. Last week’s year-end report explained the progress over the last twelve months. The growth in 2013 was simply the beginning of greater things to come. Students continue to preach the gospel and souls are responding to the message of Christ. The seed is planted and watered and God is causing the growth (1 Co. 3:6).

Reading about the development of the work this week from South America to Nepal emphasizes the way the program is growing. The interest level grows among students who desire to prepare themselves to lead in the Lord’s kingdom. We learned of the largest number of students enrolled in the Nepali Center for Biblical Studies. The enthusiasm of directors and teachers is exciting to see as they report about the progress.

The possibilities of adding new schools in 2014 encourages everyone on staff. Locations in West Africa, the South Pacific, and the Philippines are a few areas under consideration and discussion. We ask you to pray with us and for us that we might have the wisdom to make the right decisions and follow the will of God in developing new schools for training men to preach the gospel.

Thank you for remembering the work of extension training. We need you and appreciate you for the way you provide for the progress of the work. We look forward to a wonderful year of seeing more souls added to the kingdom and sharing the news with you.

Now on to the other reports...

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

“Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given” Read the latest report from Gary Fallis by clicking here.

“A Look Back” Read the latest report from Donnie Bates by clicking here.

Extension Reports 

The Work In Dikome Is Growing: As the gospel is preached in Dikome, Cameroon, the church is growing and CBIW continues to provide help.

Largest Class Begins In Nepal: With thirteen students enrolled at the Nepal Center for Biblical Studies, the future looks exciting as students grow in their interest to study.

A New Year Brings Restoration In Nigeria: After lessons presented near the SWSE campus, two men were restored to the Lord’s family.

Fellowship, Fellowship And More Fellowship: The growth and development of the work in Paraguay is highlighted with the fellowship among brethren.

A Providential Story Worth Reading: The working of God is amazing and an act of benevolence leads to people hearing the gospel.

Final Thoughts
We ask you to consider how you can be involved in greater ways throughout 2014. Numerous areas of service will need to be fulfilled and if you are interested, please contact me at bturner@bvbid.org. Thank you for all you do to participate in the growth of God’s kingdom in each location where men are being prepared to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God bless
Bob

A New Year Brings Restoration In Nigeria...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Joy @ Its Peak, Grace @ Its Depth, Peace @ Its Horizon, Favor @ Its Climax, and Blessing @ Its Pinnacle are all yours this new year. Welcome all of you to the year 2014 from all of us at SWSE-Ibadan and Lagos satellite campus, Nigeria.

I taught on the Moral code of the kingdom of Christ on December 25 while bro.Arowolo Samuel,one of the year 2 students of the SWSE-Ibadan taught on Planning for a meaningful future at a day Youth Seminar organized by Church of Christ,Onikokoro / Gbongudu,Ibadan.

On December 29, I taught at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation on “Jesus Christ......The Only Solution to Human Problems,” while brother Arowolo Samuel admonished the church on “Appreciation.”

On January 5, 2014 the first Lord's day in 2014, I moderated the service, brother Gabriel Ishom, one of the year 1 students of SWSE-Ibadan taught the first lesson on our three months Internal Lectureship that centered on “Worship of the N.T. Church” and brother Lawrence Olawale Dada, one of SWSE-graduates in year 2010 admonished the church from Ecclesiastes 12.

At the Egbeda congreagation, Ibadan, brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe, one of the SWSE instructors at Ibadan’s main campus taught on “New Year New Revolution” in the morning and repeated the same topic at the Asejire congregation in Osun State in the evening and two brothers who left the church some years ago were restored. To God be the glory!

Brethren, brother Doug Wheeler will arrive in Nigeria on Thursday for this year’s preaching trip from January 10 through March 1, 2014. Please remember him and those of us who will be working with him in one way or the other in seventeen states of Nigeria. As for me, I will be working with him from January 10 through 17 in the west and on February 16 through March 1, 2014 Lord's willing.

Thanks for your labor of love. Stay blessed!

Sincerely in Christ,

Makinde E. Olufemi (Director of studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos satellite campus, Nigeria

A Providential Story Worth Reading...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

What a joy it is knowing we are part of God’s family. We are so thankful for your prayers and support of God’s mission work here in Tanzania. God is showing His love, mercy and grace on His mission team here in TZ. Thank you!

Today was a GREAT day in the Kingdom. We now have a new brother in Christ, Robert decided to put Christ on in baptism. We rejoice with the angels in Heaven over the decision from our new brother in Christ. 

We do what we do, if indeed we are faithful in Him, to His glory and to the serving and saving of our fellow man. Last month, a young man came into the worship assembly and worshiped with us. At the end of services, he told us his story. He had been robbed and did not have any money to eat or to travel back to his family. The good brothers and sisters in Christ at the Arusha church came together, donated from their poverty and gave this “stranger” 35,000/- shillings (about $19). He expressed his thanks and made his way home to his loved ones. 

Last week he called one of the Christians at the Arusha congregation. He pleaded with this brother for someone to come and teach his family the Truth of the Gospel. He went on to say he had shared with twenty others the “good news” of this loving and most generous church of Christ. 

Well, he has called again! He again pleaded with the Arusha congregation to please send someone to teach them the Truth of God’s Word. He went on to say he now has seventy others wanting to hear the Gospel. Amen! 

We have been in touch with our brother Yusuph Mdaki who is the closest evangelist we have, able and willing to make the trip to share the Good News! The journey will take him just over 100 miles from his home. He will need to stay at least one week, possibly two. We need your prayers and we need your help. We need $200 to help send Yusuph on this missionary trip. We need to send bibles, tracts, etc. We have the bibles and tracts, we only need the $200 to send the materials and Yusuph in order for him to go, proclaim the saving message of the Gospel. 

So many opportunities, so few workers. The number of workers in Tanzania continue to grow. We are excited about our brother Gary Fallis coming our way. Gary has made several trips to TZ, teaching and preaching the message of God. I was personally privileged to sit at this man of God’s feet while attending the Brown Trail School of Preaching. Gary will be teaching two graduate classes and also teaching the Arusha Marriage seminar. No rest for the weary! 

We close with great expectations! Knowing we serve the only living God, Who desires that all men everywhere come to a saving knowledge of the Gospel. [1 Timothy 2.4] Please remember Jimmy, Elly and the McVeigh’s as they make their way back to Arusha tomorrow. Till all have heard.....

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Fellowship, Fellowship, and More Fellowship!

Happy New Year! We pray 2014 provides you with many blessings to come! It’s been a great 2013. The best part about the holiday season is not really the food, the presents, nor the decorations. The best part is the fellowship! Getting together with your brethren in Christ for dinners, special activities, or just visiting is the true beauty of Christianity! This month has been a stellar month for fellowship. There were lots of events and opportunities to show the world that “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). We hope you enjoy this month’s report from the mission field of Paraguay!

DEVELOPMENTS AT AVENIDA SACRAMENTO
Andrea hosted the monthly Ladies Tea in our home for December. There were 24 ladies present with three of them being visitors. Two of the visitors are from active Bible studies that we have been conducting. Andrea delivered a powerful, devotional message on the subject of “Who You Are.”

Our annual “End-of-the-Year” dinner is always a lot of fun and this year was no exception. All three congregations were represented and there were many visitors who also came. After a wonderful meal (which included about 7 different varieties of Chipa Guazu!), there was a fun talent show. We were all rather impressed with many of our young people and their talented capabilities!

The men have been meeting every Sunday morning to discuss general business issues and to continue to reorganize our service ministries. It has been slow, but they are making some great decisions.

DEVELOPMENTS AT ÑEMBY CONGREGATION
The members are continuing to reach out to their neighbors and have been inviting several guests to the Bible studies and worship services. We are confident that their evangelistic spirit will soon see more fruit provided in the Lord’s kingdom.

On a sad note, there have been a couple of incidents where vandals have destroyed the toilets in the outside bathroom and have also tried to set fire to the front door.

ASUNCION BIBLE ACADEMY UPDATE
As the summertime heat is upon us and with the upcoming break being just a few weeks away, it is easy to see that the students are beginning to struggle with their attention span. However, they all continue to show great improvement in many aspects of their character and knowledge. We consistently hear compliments from the members about the students and how much they have grown spiritually. There is no greater reward for a teacher than to hear words like those!

Evangelistic Contacts / Bible Studies / Activities:
Last month, we reported that we had some exciting news regarding our study with Sandra Durarte. We explained that when she first came to study with us, she said that her husband, Rolando, was very Catholic and didn’t want her in a Bible study. After a few weeks she said he finally approved of her coming and then later, she informed us that he had lots of Bible questions and would like to come study with us! Well, we were blessed to have the study and it went very, very well. I went to the study with the intention of simply establishing the fact that the Bible is our only source of authority. Twenty minutes into the study, Rolando affirmed that he believed the Bible was, indeed, the only authority in religious matters! Ike Yegros assisted me in the study and the two of them made a really great connection. Andrea, along with Delci Enciso, have taken over the study with Sandra and are making a great connection with her, as well. We are really excited about the possibilities of this family becoming a part of God’s family. Please keep them in your prayers.

I also had the opportunity to study with our brethren, Enrique Albera and Leti Alfonso, who will be getting married soon in the month of February. They are both very strong in the faith and will make a fine example of a Christian marriage. We pray for a long, happy, and prosperous marriage for them both.

Most of our students in our “Learn English Using the Bible” program have been on break this past month. Andrea’s student, Oscar Parodi, finished the first program and will be starting “Searching for Truth” next month.

Our Leadership Training by Extension class finished up this past month. We studied through a book on “Hermeneutics” with Ike Yegros and Pedro Vera. They responded very well to the study and we pray it will provide valuable tools for them in their Christian walk. We will continue next month with more studies in Homiletics, which will include Cultural and Historical background studies.

Attendance was down considerably this past month in both Ave Sacramento and Ñemby. Many of our members have been traveling or taking vacations with the holidays falling on weekdays this year. January is the traditional time for taking vacations in Paraguay.

Other news and upcoming activities:

The ladies will be having a Ladies Retreat in January.

Karen Bennett will be coming to Paraguay to visit us again in January and lead the Ladies Retreat.

We plan to host a “Hawaiian Luau” in our home with the youth group, Enrique Albera and Leti Alfonso, as well as, Ramon Paredes and Elvira Dominguez will be getting married in February.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES
Personal Activities:

Andrea and I were so very blessed in 2013 with many opportunities to serve in the Lord’s kingdom and to witness several milestones being achieved here in Paraguay. We pray God will continue to use us as his “instruments for the Gospel” in the upcoming year. We are very excited about the possibilities for 2014 and look forward to the adventure!

We went out to visit our dear sister, Estela Curcio, this past month to celebrate her birthday and encourage her. We always enjoy our visit with Estela. She lives in Caacupé and rides the bus every Sunday for two hours, one way, in order to get to church! She has been a faithful Christian for more than 25 years.

We enjoyed a nice evening of fellowship and food for Christmas eve with our brethren, the Pedro Vera family, the Mirta Vera family, and the Delci Enciso family.

Our former mission teammates, Enoch and Laura Rinks and Perry and Alba Hardin came to have dinner with us in our home. We greatly appreciate these fine couples and all their contributions of service they have provided for the church. Enoch also preached for us this past month in Ñemby and Ave Sacramento. He will be teaching class in the Asuncion Bible Academy in January.

While I was teaching one morning at the Bible Academy, Andrea surprised me with a specially prepared “Happy Birthday” lunch. We shared with the students and enjoyed a nice hour of fellowship.

Personal study: I am currently reading / have read:

“Church History in Plain Language” by Bruce L Shelley

“The Paraguayan Reader” by Lambert and Nickson

I am happy to report that I finished one more course towards the earning of my Master’s Degree. “Poco a poco” as they say!

Preaching/teaching opportunities:

This month, I had the opportunity to preach at Avenida Sacramento and twice at Ñemby. I spoke on “God’s Kingdom” and about “Sanctification.”

I taught classes on Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Romans in our Bible study hours at Avenida Sacramento.

I taught “Acts 7” at the Ñemby midweek Bible study.

This quarter I taught “I and II Kings” and “Church History” in the Asuncion Bible Academy.

ANDREA ́S AMAZING ADVENTURES!
Andrea, whom I’ve always viewed as my "girly-girl from the city," has turned into a farm girl right before my very eyes! She used to have a pretty deadly black thumb when it came to gardening, but apparently, the hot, South American climate agrees with her because she has now developed a rather vibrant “pulgar verde" (green thumb, or manos de jardinero)! First, she grew several herbs, then she grew an outstanding green lawn, and now recently, she’s produced home grown corn! In addition, she also planted her first banana tree. What I find amazing is that she has to get her girly-girl hands dirty to do it - yes, those perfectly manicured, frequently exfoliated, regularly moisturized, with nails always painted hands .... dirty! ¡Impresionante!

Troy and Andrea Spradlin

To see the report with pictures, please click here.

Largest Class Begins In Nepal...

January 2014

Nepal Center For Biblical Study  [NCBS]………. Kathmandu, Nepal

We enter the New Year with thankful hearts. We are thankful to all the loving and generous brothers and sisters in the USA who encourage and support us in so many ways; thankful for the growing number of local Christians who are becoming more active in the Lord’s work; and thankful to God for His wonderful guidance, love, protection, and His holy word that touches our lives and our work each day. 

In 2011 NCBS graduated six students. All are active preachers in their home communities today.  In 2013 we graduated five students. Today we have eleven preachers, located from the high Himalayan Mountains to the north, to the jungle villages to the south, and including some in more urban areas. The church is growing in all these areas because of these dedicated Christian men who have a constant local presence, an attitude of service, a love for the truth, and the Bible knowledge and understanding to be fruitful Christian leaders. 

Today NCBS has thirteen new students. They began classes in November 2013. Their average age is younger, their years in school slightly less, and their beginning Bible knowledge noticeably weaker. However, their enthusiasm, keen interest, humility, joys in learning, and excitement for fellowship with one another is a motivation and encouragement for Gajendra [Director] and for me. I can hardly wait for their first holiday and trip back home [April], knowing the positive influence that will be created in their home congregations when those brothers and sisters see the tremendous progress that returns with each young man. Their teaching level will be impressing, compared to when they left home five months earlier. Their example of learning and growth will give credibility and power to their teaching of God’s truth.

One of our 2013 graduates [Arun, age 22] is working daily with this new class. His English is good and he often translates for me. For the new students to experience his level of knowledge, understanding, and teaching ability is an encouragement and testimony that can only be provided by a native Nepali and one near their own age and background. Arun leaves for Chennai, India in February for a two-year Bible Masters Program. We hate to lose him, yet we know that this two-year LOAN will be a long-term GAIN for the Lord’s work in Nepal.

We enter 2014 with thankful hearts and expectations for great and glorious progress for the future. Please keep us in your prayers.

Gajendra Deshar, NCBS Director    gajendra_deshar@yahoo.com
Jerry Golphenee            jrgx21958@gmail.com

The Work In Dikome Is Growing...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters in Cameroon. I hope you are all doing great. I want to apologize that my report will not be lengthy because the keyboard on my computer is bad and needs to be replaced. The immediate effect causes me to use the screen keyboard, which is really slow and consumes a lot of time.

I need 45.000 frs to get it back.

Our week in CBIW and Wotutu went on well. We had a campaign in one of congregations. Mile 4 was blessed in the work with 5 precious souls. One lady, who was supposed to be an ordained elder, was involved in the denomination that came to attack us. The lady is now our sister. She said please come, this is the way to heaven. It was amazing to see someone being happy with truth. Keep her in your prayers.

The work in Dikome is growing. Today our student, Mokwe, conducted worship there and 16 souls assembled for worship. Elderly people in their ripe old age are becoming Christians. Oh, if without the gospel now they would have perished.

Sister Miranda was baptized today in Wotutu. It was great, she is the 4th in their family to become a Christian. Please keep them in your prayers.

Please share with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director CBIW

A Year Blessed By The Lord's Hand...

The new year is in full swing. Looking at the reported achievements for 2013 keep us all excited about the way’s God is blessing the efforts of the staff located in 17 extension schools. The following year-end report was accumulated and submitted by Keith Kasarjian about the overall program. The news is exciting, and based on the reports this week, 2014 is starting with a fervor that will surpass the work of 2013. Let us pray God will continue to bless these efforts.

It is hard to believe, but the end of 2013 has come. At Bear Valley, we have had an outstanding year and are even more excited about the prospects for next year and the future to come. This year has truly been wonderful in the history of the Bear Valley Extension Program and we want to share some of the excitement with you - our friends, partners, and supporters.

There are now 17 extensions, in 13 different countries around the world, with 254 full-time, preacher training students! This year has also witnessed 122 men graduate with their degree or certificate from Bear Valley. Just think of all the potential in those men and their families in the years to come, as the vast majority of them are serving in fertile parts of the world. This is truly exciting!

But at Bear Valley, we know that we aren’t doing this alone. We depend on partners and supporters to help us train preachers around the world. In addition to our all-important supporters, 78 different local teachers taught in Bear Valley extensions this year. In addition to those local men, another 57 men have made the journey to an extension to teach a “short course” to our students. This truly is a team effort at every level.

In addition to teaching these men how to preach and live, we want to instill in them a passion for soul-winning. This is borne out in the many studies, campaigns, and gospel meetings that they are involved in throughout the year. As a result of these efforts, we know of at least 990 baptisms, 60 new congregations, 5 congregations restored, 292 campaigns and gospel meetings, 4 lectureships, 4 youth conferences and camps, 1068 bible studies, and the conversion of at least 8 denominational preachers. To God be the glory!

This has truly been a remarkable year, but we are not resting on our laurels as we look to an exciting future. There are already many new students set to enter the program next year and a new extension in a country where it is needed is a very real possibility. 2014 promises to be the most exciting year yet.

At Bear Valley, we thank all those who support us and partner with us to carry out the mandate of 2 Timothy 2:2. What you are doing is making a difference and we literally could not do it without you. Thank you for the confidence you have placed in us and we look forward to continuing to serve together as long as the Lord allows.

Now on to the other reports...

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

To read the latest report from Howell Ferguson about the work in Ukraine, please click here.

The read the latest report from Steven Ashcraft about the work in West Africa, please click here.

Extension Reports 

A Year End Review Worth Reviewing: The totals from the work of students in Cameroon is a wonderful blessing. Read all about their work here.

A Historic Ending To The Year In Chimala: Masters, Bachelors, and Certificate classes graduate at the Chimala Bible Institute with more on the way.

What Is God Doing With Our Preachers: The answer to this question shows the results of the work being done in Togo.

Efforts To Expand Outreach In Northern India: As opportunities with technology increase, the desire of NIBC is to give exposure to the college and church in North India.

15 Conversions, 25 Restorations In Two Weeks: As the year came to a close and the new year began, God was giving the increase in Nigeria.

Igor Obeys The Gospel: A husband and father to members of the church in Gorlovka, Ukraine obeys the gospel. The news is exciting and the school is looking to grow.

And Then Came The Increase: One of the most exciting ways to begin the first report of the new year is to see how God is blessing the work in Tanzania.

Come One, Come All: An unusual and unexpected landing of a jet in Arusha draws the attention of many locals in Tanzania. 

Final Thoughts
Beginning a new year affords us the opportunity to express our gratitude to God for the ways He continues to bless this work. We also have opportunity to thank you for all you do to help this work exist. Considering the information throughout the report this week indicates why we are blessed to be involved in the greatest work with the greatest people on earth. Thank you!

God bless
Bob

A Year End Review Worth Reviewing...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings to you all in Jesus’ name. We wish you all a fruitful year 2014 to you, your family and the entire congregation in Jesus’ name. We do hope you entered into 2014 with sound mind and sound faith towards the work entrusted in your hands for the Lord.

We are doing fine in health and we praise God for making it possible with all the difficulties to enter into 2014 without many problems in health and others.

We are happy to share this report with you which is the first of the year 2014, but carries information of the past year 2013.

We have a paper stacked on our worship hall that is the theme we shall use throughout the year 2014. We aimed at helping our Christians to love and also to make them show love to one another.

We had a good worship service this morning. During the announcements, we had visitors stand to greet and to give their address. We had 5 visitors who came to worship with us and two have booked for studies. Keep them in your prayers.

Our students in CBIW went out for their last campaign, marking the first year of their intensive studies. They have made their way back to the campus with pleasant results. God blessed them in many ways.

Brother Julius Wamo preached house to house in our newly established congregation in Down Beach, Limbe. He met people in amusement areas who came to enjoy leisure, but they met the gospel of Jesus.

Brother Ekele Thierry baptized his father into Christ; what a joy to his father who was a knight in the Roman Catholic church. The head of the family was baptized. Please keep him in your prayers that all in this family will obey the truth in due season.

Brother Agbor James baptized sister Seraphine in Mile One Kumba. Keep her in your prayers to grow to maturity.

Brother Julius Wamo baptized brother John in the Down Beach congregation in Limbe. God is blessing this newly established congregation.

Brother Dikana baptized sister Kathy in Munyenge village. Keep her in your prayers. A total of 61 baptisms were recorded during this last campaign, a total of 66 restorations, and a new congregation in Dikome was established. This congregation recorded 5 souls, and is the first congregation in this very vest community. We need to be sending our students there on a weekly basis, but we may not be able to meet up financially, as the transport to transport a student from Wotutu to that village will cost us about $40 weekly. Please keep this work in your prayers as the people there are very receptive and we cannot allow those souls to perish. We must rob from the strong man’s house as we think souls and put our love into action.

Brother Thierry, sister Sylvia and I prepared handouts for the students as we start the last year of studies tomorrow. Our graduation will be December 17, 2014 and that same day we shall have the third batch matriculation for the GAMMA batch students. We are already receiving application forms from prospective students. Keep this work in your prayers.

Please let me give you our annual report for the year 2013.

Total number of students ending the year: 27

Total number of campaigns: 16 including monthly Bible lectureships, end of quarter campaigns, and special invitations to some communities.

Total number of weekend evangelism: weekly for the whole year.

Total number of baptism: 273 souls

Total number of Restorations: 192 restored

Total number of Congregations revived: above 8

Total number of congregations established: 4 as follows:  COC Mile 4 - February 2013, COC Batoke - August 2013, COC Down Beach Limbe - November 2013, COC Dikome - December 2013.

Our students and staff were also involved in other beautiful works that are growing that all cannot be part of this report. God bless you as you keep these in your prayers.

Plans
1) We shall continue with studies, intensively and evangelistically. Please keep this work in your prayers.

2) We have invitations with others preachers to come and help in evangelism. Keep it in your prayers.

Appreciations
We lack words to describe your contributions towards this success. We say thank you and may God continue to bless you and your family for being pillars to the work here in Cameroon. Share our reports with others to help pray or be part of this work in any way.

My family is appreciative to you for all that you have been doing for us. You stood by us the entire time. We thank you and we pray that you continue to stand by us, so that the Lord will use us to accomplish His purpose here in Cameroon as the church continues to grow. God bless you.

Elangwe and family

By His grace, director CBIW

A Historic Ending To The Year In Chimala...

The historic school year ended with the numbers 13, 2, and 5 as graduation was held on the last week of October and a special ceremony was held on the 8th of November. We had our first Master of Biblical Studies graduating class with 13 graduates. Their teachers, both Denton Landon and myself, were there to give the 13 students their long coveted Masters degree. Over three years ago, the Director and Coordinator decided that all our CBI teachers should work on their Masters degrees. With Denton Landon and Jerry Bates traveling to Tanzania to teach these students, along with myself, in a three-year period we studied with and worked with these dedicated men to equip them for this milestone. Not only were the CBI faculty involved in this work, but also we now have 4 faculty members of the Mizuzu School of Preaching in Malawi as well as other Tanzanian and Malawian teachers and preachers trained.

The two graduates in our bachelors program who graduated are also historic in their education. These two men finished the Swahili two-year program and decided to continue for another two years to receive the bachelor’s degree. They both have decided to enroll in the new Masters class that starts this coming March. 

Five graduated from the Swahili program. All five have returned to their villages to preach Christ as they were trained to do. 

Next years numbers include 11 Swahili students enrolled as well as seven English students. A new intake of Masters students will begin in March with already 8 to 10 showing a strong interest in coming to school at CBI.

As far as evangelism is concerned, the weekend preaching and teaching trips, along with the summer campaigns and the evangelistic work done at the primary and secondary school, because of the work of our students, we have over 188 baptisms this year. 

Garry L. Hill
Coordinator/Instructor 
Director: Chimala Bible Institute

What Is God Doing With Our Preachers?

God is using our new preachers in wonderful ways in the kingdom. Since September, three new congregations have been planted and our recent graduates are preaching there.

Congregations up for adoption

1. Agou church of Christ – 4 baptized members and the preacher is Agnala Essodinam. (Outcome of September campaign)

2. Agoe Vakpossito Church of Christ - 6 baptized members and preacher is Sodohume

3. Klime Church of Christ - 18 baptized members and preacher is Atikama

4. Zomayi church of Christ - 9 baptized members and the preacher is Yovo Yao Mensavi.

The Zomayi Church of Christ started as a breakaway group from the Life Celebration Church, the denomination where Yovo used to be a member.

He tried to share his new found faith with the church, but met a strong resistance. However, those who gladly received the word were baptized. They have since left and are now worshiping in Zomayi. Since Yovo is a new convert and a student, he is being guided by Cephas, the principal of CBS, and assisted by one recent graduate.

Urgent Need: We need $500.00 each to build a structure for each of the new congregations.

CBS is closed for the holidays beginning on the 20th of December, and will re-open on the 6th of January, 2014

Two more students baptized: Joseph Asiki from the New Apostolic Church and Mathias Komou from the Deeper Life Ministry.

Year in Review

1. Total Graduates in 2013: (15)

2. Present Students: (20) 

3. Total Present Teachers: (7) 

4. Visiting instructors: (1) Barry Baggot 

5. Total lectureships in 2013: (3) 

6. Total campaigns in 2013: (2) 

7. Total churches planted in 2013: (5) 

8. Total baptisms in 2013: (73) 

Nyiveme Church of Christ
The wife of preacher Atta returns. Pelagie, the wife of Atta, a recent graduate, left her marital home and threatened to divorce the husband if he did not return to the Catholic Church. We all prayed for her hoping that she would one day understand why her husband took that decision to renounce Catholicism and accept New Testament Christianity. All attempts to get her back yielded no positive results. However, we never relented in our prayers. On my recent trip to Kpalime, I was shown a picture of Pelagie in the watery grave of baptism, also renouncing Catholicism. Our God is a prayer answering God. Pelagie has since reunited with her husband. When asked why she made the decision, she responded, “I now understand what my husband did.”

Report by Willie Gley

Efforts To Expand Outreach In Northern India...

New Year Greetings
We wish you a very happy a prosperous year ahead. The past year brought many blessings and challenges as well. 

Charles Scott and Bobby Peyton 
First of all, we remember brother Charles Scott and brother Bobby Peyton. We missed brother Bobby in the last NIPL due to personal reasons, but from this time we will not see him till we go there. He was having a great love for the North Indian Belt, like brother Paul Tustin and brother Jim have, who once worked there. 

Brother Charles has a great role in my life and many in India. I had never met him until I graduated from the NBC Chennai, but I am 100% the product of his love and dedication for the cause of Christ. Today there may be many who oppose some of his style of working, but I believe that his kind of selfless work is the need of the hour to work in the Northern part of India. His booklets, “Things Eternally Important” and “10 Simple Rules to Understand the Bible,” I have printed it several times in Hindi and my mother tongue Punjabi. Brother Scott sowed the seed and now the tree has started giving fruit. 

Family issue
Benu was diagnosed with breast cancer, but to God be the glory that we have not been a single day without His providential care. The threat was big, but God gave us such caring and wonderful sisters and brothers that all our burden was lightened. Half of the treatment has almost been complete and so far there has not been any further complications. 

Field work
Though we were somewhat concerned, yet at the same time we have in mind the talent that the Lord has given us. Encouraging reports are received from most of our graduates throughout India. We had been hearing of people obeying the truth. We rejoice about the people coming to the knowledge of truth from various parts of the country i.e., Punjab, Orissa, MP, U.P., Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh etc.  There were several baptisms at various places, but I really do not remember how many in total. 

Our efforts here continue as always, though my going out affected a lot. But again I am making myself to go this year out for evangelism. Our students were always sent for the evangelism. 

In addition to speaking in the monthly gospel meetings in Chandigarh, I had also the opportunity to go where the brothers are working in Punjab area. I wish I could go to more places, but because of the time and financial restrictions, I was not able to visit where brothers were requesting me to come. Pray that this year I may work on that. Locally, we have been requesting many people to give us time for the home Bible study where I will go house to house.  

Brother Salatial Masih, who works in Ferozepur District of Punjab, has purchased a small house for worship. He sold his piece of land to get this for Rs. 300,000 ($5,000). It has 2 small rooms. He told me yesterday that there are about 50 baptized people who worship in this place. I asked him to remove the middle wall and make it one room. I have offered him, from our side, a small amount and will request more from brother Russell when he comes here.      

Ex Students’ Help
We have decided to help our outgoing students with a small amount of money from the offering we get here. It has been a real challenge for us to encourage the young people. I think this will be a boost for them. 

Literature Service
We printed and distributed VOTI- Vol. 3, 4 (Hindi), Truth for Today (Hindi and Punjabi) all over India. Truth for Today has started printing Commentaries in all the Languages, and I am privileged to work for the Hindi and Punjabi languages.  

222 Hindi Bibles were distributed. Song books were also given free of charge to brethren in various parts of the country. 

Daily Bible verse through SMS
We have more than 1,600 cell numbers of people throughout India who were getting daily Bible Verse on their phones. Unfortunately, I had to stop that, and one reason was definitely the financial. Now again I am getting requests to send daily Bible messages. I pray we can start this. 

Bible correspondence course
There may be several courses available online and in other languages, but in Hindi there were not many. As per my knowledge only, the brothers in Delhi were doing that. It has 27 chapters, and the Chapter (27th) is of 40 pages. I do not know if the finances will be available for that, but I think that lesson on the restoration is important. Now that we have started, there are presently 85 students who have been enrolled. Several of them have completed the 4th chapter and we have printed up to chapter 5 only. The next 5 chapters are in line. 

Bible Ki Baat (Let the Bible Say in Hindi)
A 4 page leaflet was liked by the people. My aim was to reach every denominational family in the country. It was just a simple inland letter earlier and was developed to 4 pages. After getting a copy of House to House Heart to Heart, I saw the possibility of improvement and used most of the material in House to House …

Website 
We have been thinking about starting a website for the college. Pray that soon it may be a reality and we will put our latest activities on it. Any suggestion in that regard would be welcome. The idea behind this is to publicize the NIBC so that people may know about us in this Internet age.  

Earnest Gill

15 Conversions, 25 Restorations In Two Weeks...

Dearest in Christ Jesus,

Compliments of the season to you all from the staff & students of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan and Lagos campus.

The SWSE Ibadan main campus resumed today and classes commenced Lord's willing on Monday (January 6, 2014).

Both our instructors and students in the two campuses and co-WBSFUW in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun States actively participated in the end of the year program of December 20, 2013 to January 2, 2014 at our respective congregations which resulted in 15 conversions, 25 restorations and planting of a congregation at Ajetunmobi area of Ijegun in Lagos State.

Brethren, we deeply appreciate the gift of $600 from brother Doug Wheeler and associates that enable us to put our van and jeep in better shape for the end of the year program.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND PARTNERSHIP ALL YEAR LONG!

Sincerely His & yours,

Makinde E. Olufemi (Director of studies)

Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos campus, Nigeria

Igor Obeys The Gospel...

Dear brothers, families and churches.

We greet you with winter holidays and wish you God’s blessings, patience and persistence in your work for the Lord.

We have some very good news. In the Central Church of Christ in Gorlovka, on December 21, there was a baptism of Igor, the husband of Lyudmila Davydova and the father of Anya. Anya and her mother Lyudmila were baptized three years ago. As you remember, Anya was diagnosed with cancer last summer. We had been visiting with this family quite a lot. Churches in Ukraine and American brethren helped financially to pay for two surgeries and still help with her medical treatment. After one-on-one Bible studies and seeing our attitude towards Anya, Igor decided to leave Adventists and be baptized according to the Bible. We hope that he will faithfully serve the Lord and their family will attend the church together. 

In December, we had a meeting of church of Christ preachers in Kramatorsk, and we discussed the topic of “The Role of a Preacher in the Church.” Preachers from six congregations (Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Krasniy Liman, Donetsk, Konstantinovka and Gorlovka) participated in it; everyone shared their experience, and then we had some good fellowship. We try to get together and support one another at least once in four months. Every one of us needs encouragement and prayers. 

Last month BVBIU students had such courses: 1st year students studied Exodus-Deuteronomy (Victor Semikoz) and Matthew-Mark (Albert Bagdasaryan), 2nd year students studied Denominational Teachings (Andrew Zhuravlyov) and 1, 2 Corinthians (Dennis Sopelnik). In general all of the students are willing and have a good potential to preach sound doctrine. Please keep praying for our work and training of qualified ministers for God’s church. Also I want to share with you some news about our graduate (year 2011) Stas Kuropyantikov. For the past 3 years, he’s been an assistant preacher in Slavyansk and proved himself to be a responsible and teachable minister, who loves God and His gospel. Now he is getting ready to move to a big city on the shore of the Black Sea, Odessa, and become a minister in the small church of Christ there. It’s a port city, and there is a huge potential for the future church growth there.

We are actively looking for the prospective students for the next school year. We correspond constantly with many churches in Russia and Ukraine via emails. Starting with January, I will resume visiting congregations I know a little about; sometimes this method brings some good results. At the moment there are a few people who are interested in enrollment into our institute. 

Next year I have a desire to plant a new church in a new town with the help of the BVBIU students. We want to include in this project everyone who is willing to participate in it. For the past five years, I remember only very few churches which were planted in new places. In the 90s, dozens of new churches were started annually, and many of them are still spreading the gospel. If you have any ideas, please send your suggestions to me via email. 

My wife and I continue visiting the orphanage. Last Saturday, we organized a puppet theater in the church and invited kids from our part of town. There were many kids with their parents, and we invited them to our Bible school for kids, “The Gifted Child.”  

Thank you for your financial support of the Bible institute, students and teachers.  

Your brother and co-worker,

Dennis Sopelnik

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

And Then Came The Increase...

Greetings and a very Happy New Year,

We are blessed to see the light of yet another year. If the Lord wills, we pray He will help us all to see another year of service to His glory and to the saving of many more souls.

The year has started the way we always hope, David Bayi writes; “We had a blessed day and one has been added to he Lord. Her name is Hosanna. I preached a lesson from Philippians 2:5-8, “the mind of Christ” and “Sacrifice”. He humbled Himself, even unto death, how much more should we?”

Amos Kinasa writes; “This year (2013) we have conducted four Gospel meetings, eighteen souls being added to the Church of our Lord, seven souls have been restored to the Lord’s Family and we have been able to plant one new congregation. Four souls have been saved from Christian families and we now have over fifty active members.”

Clement Murungu writes: “We the church of Christ at Karatu really give thanks to you our brethren in the Lord. May God bless you all spiritually and with good health. We thank God for the five souls added to the church this year (2013). We continue to house to house Bible studies. I am now teaching Bible Knowledge at our local Secondary School. I have also got an opportunity to teach Bible at Karatu College. We have big plans in 2014, with your prayers, help, and the Lord’s blessings we know more souls will be saved.”

We have received many well wishes for the New Year and even more thanksgivings for all the help our many evangelist receive. We know of over a dozen new church plants in 2013; yes, “what God controls truly does grow”. 

Stephanie, Granny and myself will be coming to America for the months of March and April. We would love to see everyone, this is simply not possible in the allotted time. So, “first come, first served”. If you will let us know, we will do our best to book an appointment to come and see you; one-on-one or see the congregation, giving an updated report on all the Lord is doing in Tanzania and throughout East Africa. 

We truly wish each of you the best year ever. As we strive to be all God would have us to be, let each of us give all we have, are or hope to be, to God’s glory and to the saving of mankind. Till all have heard.....

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Come One, Come All...

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

It's a lovely day in Kisongo, Tanzania (East Africa). Found in our front yard, the little chameleon colored herself to match the dirt she was using to cover her eggs. Soon the warm sunshine will hatch them.

"The Unity of the Scriptures" was the topic of the Bible study that Abigail held last week. After Christmas break, another study will be scheduled.

The Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner was held at the ACSOP on Friday. Jimmy spoke on 1 Corinthians 12, using the example of the importance of each physical body part with the importance of all employees to an organization.

On Saturday, the Kisongo church had their normal youth meeting. Godlisten taught the lesson (and also translated for himself due to no other translator being there) on "Watch Your Language." 

"Come one, come all..." to see the jet that had to make an emergency landing at the Arusha Airport (runway designed for only small planes). As far as we know, no one was injured. Within minutes people everywhere were pulling over their cars, and anyone on foot was running to see it. For three days until it was moved, thousands of people came walking in large groups, on motorcycle taxis, in the back of trucks, on bicycles, etc to stand and stare at this large plane. To pass through, one had to drive very slow for about 1/4 mile because people didn't pull all the way off the road and people were everywhere.  Joking, but somewhat serious, I commented that someone could make some money if they were to start selling hotdogs, cokes and popcorn to the crowd. The next day as we passed by, we saw a young entrepreneur selling bottles of cold water. Flabbergasted, we asked a TZ friend why the downed plane drew such a multitude (had it been on fire or had crashed we could better understand the curiosity). He said most people in Arusha had NEVER seen a large plane before. (Of course, Tanzanians think foreigners are very strange to take pictures of women carrying large loads on their heads, etc). Now, if we could just park one of these jets outside the church building on Sunday...

As 2013 comes to a close, we thank you for your loyal support and dedication to us and to the TZ 2000 Mission Work. Many have heard and obeyed the Gospel through the many avenues you have provided by your support. We pray for you often and wish you every good thing in this life.  But mostly, we hope you are preparing for life eternal with God and Jesus Christ, our only hope. May 2014 be a year that you grow closer to the Lord. Sorry, this report is being sent a week late.

With Love from Africa,

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

To see the Gee report with pictures, please click here.