Plans Made For Graduation In Ukraine The End Of May...

Hello dear brothers, families and churches.

I want to share with you some latest news from Ukraine in my report. We still have military actions in Eastern part of our country, right now it's more like slow shooting over the borderline territories; nevertheless, the sounds of firearms never cease. With the coming of spring, many people are worried that, after the greenery springs up, the active phase of military actions will begin. We continue helping those who are in desperate need of help. Recently our congregation sent money to one of the preachers in Mariupol. His parents used to live in Donetsk and unknown people robbed their apartment and took everything, even including salt. This story tells a lot: looting, starvation, unemployment, and panic flourish on those unrecognized territories. We ask you to continue praying for Ukraine and our brethren who stayed on in the occupied territories.

In April, God blessed us to have a good seminar for the local church of Christ congregations. We had visitors from Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi. It was a wonderful time for worship together and edification. We try to encourage churches in the western part of our country. Unfortunately, as I have mentioned previously, traditional denominations (such as Catholic and Orthodox) have very strong roots here, and evangelizing efforts require a huge amount of time and patience. People can have Bible studies with you for hours, but they will do their routine work, attend cathedrals and participate in a non-biblical worship just because their ancestors did that. It is a great challenge to continue doing ministry for God. 

Bear Valley Bible Institute in Ukraine
The classes in the Institute go stably according to the schedule. In April, we had both Ukrainian and American teachers at the Institute. Brother John Durham taught Luke to the 1st-year group and Galatians to the 2nd-year students. We are grateful for his help and eagerness to be with us and to share his experience and knowledge. I taught Ezekiel, Albert Bagdasaryan taught Daniel, and Vitaliy Rodichev taught Pauline Prison Epistles. We thank these brethren for their help in teaching future ministers in the church. Brother Dan Owen continues having classes via Polycom system, and now he teaches Revelation. 

This year three students will graduate and another two will have to complete several more courses next year. We plan to have graduation ceremony on May 30 at the Institute facility. 

One of our future graduates (Sergey Chubenko and his family) is invited to serve as an assistant minister at his home congregation in Smila. We try to help him and his family in this ministry. 

We have several prospective students from different parts of Ukraine for the next school year. Brethren from their home congregations contacted me and gave them good recommendations. Let us pray for them to choose wisely. 

The question about the future location of the Institute is still open. For the last year we have been trying to find a better solution for both our American and Ukrainian teachers.  The Institute’s location should be convenient for everybody, including the students. We have several good options, and I hope we will make a wise decision soon. 

We continue looking for support for the future work of the Institute at the moment. Due to this work, there were more than 100 preachers trained for ministry for the past 15 years. Some of them preach, and others serve as good ministers and teachers. We do our best for the church in Ukraine to be strong and sound. All this work is being done due to your prayers and financial support. If you have an opportunity to support the Institute and are willing to participate in this important work, please contact coordinators of Ukrainian program: Denton Landon - dlandon@wetrainpreachers.com , Howell Ferguson - hferguson@wetrainpreachers.com  and Dennis Curd - dscurd@yahoo.com,  dscurd@verizon.net.

We are grateful for your help and prayers. BVBIU students and teachers send you their greetings.

Your brother and coworker for the Lord’s cause,
Dennis Sopelnik

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

Student Recruitment Begins For The Next Class at SIBS, Ghana...

New Students For Class of 2016
In March, our campaign to recruit new students for the 2016 training year, continued in the background. As at now, we have six interested candidates who are yet to confirm their application by submitting their completed application forms. As formal recruitment letter is now being sent out to the brotherhood, we look forward with great optimism to a good number responding this time. Besides, verbal announcements of new recruitments are being made in some congregations. Interestingly, a couple of devoted young men who are non-members of the church are seriously seeking admission to “study and to train” to become ministers of the gospel of Christ.

A laudable idea which came up this time was that, the school began looking for a parcel of land on which Lord willing, a permanent school building would be built. This means, the school must also necessarily have recognition with the government through official registration.  Initiative has been taken, and we are hoping that both the land acquisition and the registration processes find a success.

Variety Instruction Through Short Course
The Short Course period in each quarter is an exceptionally exciting time for our students. Oftentimes, we would have different instructors with a great deal of experience come to teach different courses. Right now, [SIBS] has four other short course instructors, two who have already completed the Bear Valley Masters program, and the other two, still studying for the Masters. Besides, we also have opportunity to host some US instructors from time to time. This is indeed, a great benefit to our students. During this quarter, we were actually grateful to have brother Steven Ashcraft to teach one of the courses. Brother Steven took the students through the course on Bible Geography, which according to them, gave them not only a good insight into the historical background of prominent Bible characters and places, but also adequate information on certain significant reigning periods in Israel’s history. Such historical settings of the Bible made the lessons come more alive to them. 

Water supply to the school which hitherto had been a problem hadn’t seen much improvement until this time. However, our fervent hope was that, the situation would see remarkable improvement with the re-digging of the school well and also as we approached the rainy season.

God has been so good to us, and we are exceedingly thankful. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Seth Osae-Larbi
Southern Institute of Biblical Studies

Outreach Begins After The Earthquake In Nepal...

Greetings brothers,

Six students and myself made an earthquake relief work camp in the Makwanpur district, central Nepal and the Tanahun district, west Nepal for four days from May 5th - 8th 2015. We were able to visit six different congregations. We didn't visit each and every single house of our Christian believers and other people. We collected reliable information from our Christian leaders and graduate students which are listed below:

Totally destroyed houses numbers: 23
Cracked houses numbers: 142 
Safe houses numbers: 32

There are all total 197 Christian houses. We found some of their earthquake victim's neighbors. We plan to provide them tarpaulin for rain protection and rice for their daily basic needed food. They don't have food to eat. Unfortunately we were not able to get tarps in the market. So, we decided to provide them bags of rice for each family. We purchased 7300 kilograms of rice, which is cost of $3000. We handed it over to our Christian leaders and they distributed according to their needs.

We are thinking about their family situations. Monsoon - rainy season will begin in the month of June. We don't know what brothers will eat and where they will stay during monsoon. Please kindly suggest us. 

Thank you brothers for your regular help. Now we are planning to go and do earthquake relief work at Rasuwa and Dhading districts, mountain areas. Please kindly pray and provide us financial aid to help those who are really in need. 

All are welcome to support and help us. We need your help. Thank you.

Gajendra Deshar, Director 
Nepal Center for Biblical Studies - NCBS.
E-mail: gajendra_deshar@yahoo.com

The Influence Of The Gospel Is Spread Through Young And Old...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings in the great name of Jesus to you from your brothers and sisters here in Wotutu, Cameroon. We do hope you are doing great in health and your services to the Lord. We are doing great here with challenges, but God is in control.

Last week in school went on well. Students are a bit stable in their health as they continue to take both drugs and herbs in their situations. Students are growing daily and they are excited to be here with the sound studies and great opportunities for evangelism in different communities in Cameroon.

Students in BVBIC-Wotutu are almost winding up the second quarter. They were out for a field trip to a poultry farm. Brother Foka is teaching vocational studies to the students. When we are done with the poultry farm, we shall continue with gardening.

Our students are excited, singing and praising God as they trek on stony roads to do house-to-house evangelism. Keep praying for them as they are always excited to go and rob from the strong man’s house. Weekend evangelism continues to expose our students to the reality of the mission field.

Meeting people in their home is our joy, so that they can bring out their own Bible as we study with them. They will be able to see the truth in their own version of the Bible where they have confidence. Pointing to the Bible is our habit.

A 78 year old was amazed with brother Gladson, our student, as he was able to expose the truth to this man. He asked a question in this village of Teke, “Where has the Church of Christ been all these years? We are having a study with him every time a student goes to that village.

After morning devotion at Brightland Christian Academy, the teachers move from one child to another to check the cleanliness. Brightland Christian Academy will be graduating their second batch of kids on the 16 of June. Keep this school in your prayers and your thoughts as we are using the children to get the gospel to their parents. The children love it and they keep coming to our children’s class on Sunday.

Brother Ngu Daniel in Wotutu, who obeyed the gospel, comes every evening to be part of the evening devotions with our students. He asked them to pray for him while he prepares for his public exams. That was an ample opportunity for the students to start studying with him. He obeyed the gospel, making his history to be the second person in their family to become a Christian. Keep him in your prayers that more doors will be open for us to teach and preach in that family.

Our speakers are all bad, making it difficult for the waves of our radio program “Back to the Bible” to be effective again. Through this program we reach out to many daily during the early hours of 5 am.

Praise God we just got some Bibles for new converts. Brother Daniel and brother Filden were baptized during the course of the week and received new Bibles, which will help them grow as the church continues to help them eat the food needed for their systems to grow. I handed the Bible to them. Thanks to those who allowed us to have these Bibles. God bless them and replenish their sources.

Brother Moli Simon is our convert in Buea central prison where brother Vincent is working as a prison evangelist. Today, brother Vincent handed brother Simon and Tem Eugene Bibles, as they were all released from the prison. His village is in Bonjongo, which is not too far from Wotutu The nearest congregation to him is Wotutu. He had a house before he was jailed, and now he has returned and it is in poor condition. Please, please, urgent help is needed to accommodate him and we trust God has opened a way for us to pass through him to reach out to this community, so if we can help repair this house, the future congregation can start worshipping there. Pray and keep it in your thoughts.

Plans
1) We have the annual preachers forum in Douala this weekend.

2) We have the annual preacher’s wives forum in Lobe at the end of the month.

3) We are still planning to make the trip to Idenau on the west coast of Cameroon for evangelism. Now, with the presence of the van, it is easier. God is faithful.

Appreciations
It is always my joy to say thank you Lord for these good people that He uses to make His name known in Cameroon. I thank you for allowing yourself to be used by God to this extent in spreading His saving message. God alone will replenish and reward you a hundredfold. Thanks for all you do for the old rugged cross. Do your best  share with others what is happening here.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Earthquakes, Graduations, And New Schools...

News continues to reach out from Nepal. In the reports this week, I include a letter sent from Jerry Golphenee last week. If you receive the weekly report, you received the letter in a separate e-mail. In case you did not have a chance to read it then, it is below. There are many agencies involved in providing relief efforts for the need in Kathmandu down into India. If you are interested in helping with this need, please read Jerry’s letter.

We are a few weeks away from the next graduation in Denver. Mark and Christa Bassett, Adam Hahn, Abraham Hutton, Scott Johnson, Scott Robinson, Troy and Brenda Woolery, Donny and Brenda Stow, and Bill West will finish their studies and enter into the ministry. As mentioned previously, these men and their families will fulfill the need from New Hampshire to California and several places in between. Please pray for them as they complete their studies these next few weeks and begin a new phase in their service to the Lord.

The new school in Mbanga, Cameroon is off to a great start as this week’s report indicates. Also, students from other reporting locations are actively preparing themselves for the ministry and until they graduate the work they do for the kingdom continues to be exciting. Reading about their efforts to share the gospel in adverse circumstances in inspiring. God is honored and He continues to give the increase.

Additional schools are on the horizon and we ask you to pray about each of these locations as plans are made to expand the borders of extension training. 

Now on to this week’s incredible 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/

Extension Reports 

Young And Old Alike Benefit From The Van In Cameroon: The recent addition of a van for the school and church in Wotutu is providing benefit for everyone connected to the work.

New School Busy With The First Class Of Students: The new school in Mbanga, Cameroon is now one month into studies and the early reports are promising to the work.

Earthquake In Nepal Leaves A Great Need: Everyone is aware of the devastation from last week’s earthquake in Nepal. This is Jerry Golphenee’s report on the situation and need.

Full-Time Students And Vocational Studies: Between quarters, students at the Southwest School of Evangelism in Nigeria are learning a new trade to support them in ministry.

Furlough Brings USA Visit, But The Work Is Growing In Paraguay: Troy and Andrea Spradlin are in the USA sharing news about the great work in Paraguay.

News From Abroad Shows The Power Of The Gospel: As Cy Stafford heads back to Tanzania this week, he reports about the power of the Gospel in Tanzania.

Outreach Effort Is Bear Fruit: Reading about 17 precious souls obeying the gospel and 21 restored to the church brings a great level of encouragement with the work in Tanzania.

Final Thoughts 
Thank you for continuing to be involved with the Bear Valley Bible Institute. The domestic and international work of training men to preach is needed and serves to fill a portion of the gap for sharing the gospel on a global scale. Thank you for making it possible to do this work. Our God is glorified and He is blessing our efforts.

God bless
Bob

Furlough Brings USA Visit, But The Work Is Growing In Paraguay...

For Andrea and myself, April spells F-U-R-L-O-U-G-H. Every year, about this same time, we return to the USA to visit our families and report to our supporting congregations. We always love getting to visit our brethren and we started out this year in West Palm Beach, FL and will be traveling to visit everyone over the next several weeks. We are looking forward to seeing all of you! God bless!

DEVELOPMENTS AT AVENUE SACRAMENTO 
Another precious soul was added to the Lord's Kingdom this past month. Sammy Ortiz obeyed the Gospel call and was baptized into the Lord's body! He is the son of our sister Christ, Mabel Ortiz. Sammy responded to the invitation because he heard a preacher say, "Today is the day of salvation!" So, after studying a little more with some of our brethren, it was determined that he understood and was ready to make the most important decision of his life. Praise God!

DEVELOPMENTS AT ÑEMBY
Baptism! Nicholas Osorio is the 23 year old cousin of our sister in Christ, Natty Osorio (who is also a Bible Academy student). He had been observing how she lived her life as a Christian and then began asking questions. Natty taught him the Gospel and then some other brethren studied with Nicholas which led to his decision to put on Christ in baptism! He lives in Ñemby and will be worshiping with the brethren there.

ASUNCION BIBLE ACADEMY
The “Beta Class" is off to a great start with their studies and doing quite well! We had a guest teacher, Enrique Morales, from the Brown Trail School of Preaching this month who taught via the Video Conference System. The students reported the class was "outstanding" which is always good to hear! Also, brother Ike Yegros taught a class on Fundamentals this past month.

If you would like to watch, here is a video of our mission report from our first furlough stop at Palm Beach Lakes church of Christ, April 19th, click here. 

- Troy and Andrea

News From Abroad Shows The Power Of The Gospel...

Greetings Fellow Servants, 

We continue in amazement as to what God can do when His family here on earth really cares, loves, and gives sacrificially. We thank each of your for your prayers and support in this amazing work of God currently on going in Tanzania, East Africa. 

The good news from abroad really shows the power of the gospel at its best in the hands of His faithful. What God can do through His church is so powerful and encouraging. We thank each of your for partnering with us in the greatest work that can be known to mankind. 

Stephanie and I ask for your prayers. After a good furlough I will be heading back to Tanzania, unaccompanied. After much prayer and contemplation we made our decision. Stephanie will remain in the States to care for her mother. I will return to Tanzania to continue with the work on Wednesday. We are hoping that Stephanie will be able to come to TZ during the month of June, if her sister is able to care for their mom. The separation will be challenging, but with your prayers and God’s grace all is possible. 

We are so pleased to be able to update you on our financial short fall. Two couples and two congregations have stepped up and helped us by committing $400 of the monthly short fall as mentioned in last week’s report. Also two “over the top” donations, we now only lack $3,500 for our travel needs for the year. We still need help with our monthly medical insurance need (the first four months of the year were covered by this last amazing gift). We want to thank everyone who has stepped up through your prayers and support, making God’s work possible. We are simply overwhelmed by your love and generosity. 

Our first campaigners arrive tomorrow, Tom Watkins and I arrive on Thursday. Bibles have been purchased, tracks and other materials are being printed and if all goes well, the school will have its new (used) van to help with outreach transportation needs. We are so very excited about this year’s Safari for Souls efforts and all who will come and those who help those who are coming. We ask for your prayers as we move forward with God’s work to the saving of lost souls in Tanzania. 

Great News: Daniel reports; “A few weeks ago we announced to you a new outreach initiative that partners the Andrew Connally School of Preaching and the local congregations. Through this effort our preaching students are being sent to area congregations on weekends to help with evangelistic efforts, and serve in worship service. After the first month of this program, we are very happy to announce that good fruits are already being produced. So far this effort has resulted in 17 baptisms! Additionally, 21 unfaithful souls have been restored to the Lord's church. I am so proud of our students, and I look forward to seeing all of the ways that God continues to use them.”

God continues to grow His Kingdom and to be a small part of it is indeed a blessing and joy. Thank you and we thank our God for you. Until all have heard…

In Him,
Cy

Outreach Effort Is Bearing Fruit...

Today we had the pleasure of worshipping with the Njiro Nane Nane congregation. The rotating "Spiritual Disciplines" seminar is beginning there, and that congregation will be blessed by the study for the next 3 months.  

A few weeks ago we announced to you a new outreach initiative that partners the Andrew Connally School of Preaching and the local congregations. Through this effort our preaching students are being sent to area congregations on weekends to help with evangelistic efforts, and serve in worship service.  After the first month of this program, we are very happy to announce that good fruits are already being produced.  So far this effort has resulted in 17 baptisms! Additionally,  21 unfaithful souls have been restored to the Lord's church. I am so proud of our students, and I look forward to seeing all of the ways that God continues to use them.

Daniel Gaines

To see Daniel’s report with pictures, please click here.

Full-Time Students And Vocational Studies...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from students and staff of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan and the satellite campus in Lagos state, Nigeria.

The full-time students of the SWSE Ibadan are presently in a month of vocational studies from April 13 - May 15, 2015.

Classroom instructions for the fourth semester will commence on May 18, Lord's willing, at Ibadan main campus. The two satellite campus’ continue their weekend classes until July 10 when the students will embark on a month of teaching practice that will cost us $500.

Brethren, I taught Sunday on “Witnessing for Christ” at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation, Ibadan and on Sunday will admonish the saints on “Why Worry?” (Phil. 4:6-7). On Tuesday, May 5, I will travel with 3,000 copies of the recent volume of VOTI to WNCC, Abeokuta, Ogun state, along with brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe, brother Dele Shotola, and brother Gabriel Akinyoola to attend this year’s Leadership seminar and on Thursday, Lord's willing, we shall embark on a brief four-day visit to Taraba state to see some Christians who were converted through the WBS correspondence courses in year 2014.

Here are some some reports from my co-workers at SWSE Ibadan and Lagos campus.

Brother Kayode Eniafe reported the conversion of one lady and three restorations at the Egbeda congregation and one restoration at Ikire, Osun state.

Brother Emmanuel Nwaorji, one of SWSE year one students reported the restoration of three brethren at the Ilisan Remo 2 congregation in Ogun state.

Brother Monday Nnna Ofem, one of our 2011 graduates, reported the conversion of one denominational pastor near his station in Edo state.

Brother Dele Shotola, a graduate of SWSE Ibadan, and one of my co-WBSFUW in Oyo and Ogun state, reported the restoration of two brethren at the Felele congregation in Ibadan. Brother Mfon Etim, a graduate of SWSE Lagos campus, and presently one of the instructors at the Ikorodu campus, reported the conversion of two brethren at Owutu -Ikorodu, Lagos state.

Brother Dairo Joseph, one of the instructors at SWSE Agege campus, Lagos state reported his involvement in prison and orphanage evangelism and that he taught throughout the Sundays in April at the Ota congregation  Ogun State.

Brother Ezekiel Okorougo, one of the SWSE Lagos graduates and presently one of the instructors at the Agege campus, continues his ministry by using the Mission Printing and WBS materials in his daily evangelism at Ipaja and environ.

We are evangelizing Ogunbunmi and Akinwande villages tomorrow, Saturday, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Beloved, we deeply appreciate your continuous support for the Lord's work in Africa, Nigeria in particular. May the Lord continue to bless you all in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Your fellow laborer in Christ Jesus,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos campus, Nigeria

Earthquake In Nepal Leaves A Great Need...

Some moments get etched into your memory deeper and more vibrantly than others. Such was the case on Saturday, April 25 just before noon. Last September, my sons [Brad 7/63 and Kyle 2/68] and I decided to write to each other on a selected topic each month at a more personal and transparent level than usual letters. It has proven very enlightening and meaningful while also infringing upon some comfort zones and resulting in occasional pain. Being deeply truthful can do that. Last Saturday at about 11:50 I finished a segment of my next correspondence [subject: Freedom], printed it, turned off the computer and printer, and sat down to review my words. At 11:56 I was running out the door and down three flights of stairs for my life. My neighbor lady and her 17-year-old daughter were doing the same from the 2nd floor. The look on their faces was pure FEAR. Their screams and crying matched. I will never forget their faces, the swaying stairway, and those desperate moments of the unknown. 

EARTHQUATE = FEAR, as I have never known. PANIC = How each person handles fear. The streets were a lesson in degrees of panic.

There are many things that you know much better than I. I don’t have a TV, have not seen CNN and BBC, and the local newspapers are not what you would expect. However, experience will teach you things that the papers and the newscasters can’t capture. A picture is worth a thousand words. You must be well supplied with information. All of us have seen pictures of hurricanes, the tsunami, war, and Hiroshima. Pictures tell the story but can’t capture the experience. The devastation is overwhelming from any view, yet it is magnified greatly by personal experience.  

The whole city has been without electricity. My area was the last to have power restored. No Internet service until today [Wednesday]. Usually we only have about 8-10 hours of electricity per day [in two segments]. I’m sure that will be greatly reduced. I had no cell phone connection until today. We have no water.

The good news ……… everyone I know is healthy. No deaths, no hospitalization, and no serious injuries to those I know or to me. My time has been spent with the children we have helped over the last 18 years. Their family is not measured by DNA, but by common experience, support, love, and by hardship. Being with them almost all the time has been good for all of us.

Little things ……… Saturday at 11:57 I reached the road barefoot. Ten of our young ladies and men and myself went to an open field to be safe from falling buildings. We stayed there for five hours. We came back to my flat [apartment] and had dinner. I put my shoes on about 5:00 and have not taken them off since. Top priority has been to always be ready to run. I also put some emergency money in my backpack. It has not left my side. Sunday and Monday night we slept outside in what I would describe as a refugee camp. There were over 2,000 people sleeping at this park. There were 2 toilets. I slept with my shoes on and my backpack strap hooked on to my arm. The people were extremely nice, cooperative, and friendly. We were all in the same boat of tragedy and everyone exhibited the golden rule …. without know what it says …. just by instinct and situation.

Tuesday night we slept in the carport at my flat. They are still too frightened to sleep inside. We did cook and eat inside and they played Yahtzee. Their laughter was therapeutic for them and music to my ears. Things are getting better. Tonight the boys are sleeping at their own flat, and the girls are in one room at my flat and I’m in the living room. We haul water from a nearby water pump.

The damage is monumental. I know people who have lost their homes. Many villages where I have visited and have friends have 80% of the homes destroyed. The monsoon rains begin in mid-June. Prices are going up enormously. The government is justly being criticized locally and internationally for their attitude, ineptness, and corruption. Clothing, food, water, and medical supplies have arrived and are sitting at the airport. In the past the government has given the distribution rights to private companies, a.k.a., meaning friends. They sell these items that are suppose to be free and give 25% back to their government friends.  

I suggest that you consider helping with some relief funds. Spread the news to your friends, to church organizations, civic clubs, and with anyone who will have a heart to help ……… when they know that 100% of their financial assistance will be used for the people in need. I suggest one of these two avenues:

Children of Kathmandu: You can read about this charity that Judy and I established 18 years ago by going to www.childrenofkathmandu.org. All donations will be tax deductible and you have an 18-year history of all the money going directly to those in need for the purpose specified. In the past about 5% has been spent on printing, stamps, and other inexpensive fund raising methods.  Make checks payable to CHILDREN OF KATHMANDU. Under MEMO please indicate Earthquake Relief. The address and information is as follows:

Children of Kathmandu
3801 Spruce Meadow Drive
Bozeman, MT  59718         Phone:    406-585-8028

The Lakewood Church of Christ already is helping with here. Your donation will also be tax deductible. You can make the check payable to LAKEWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST and again under MEMO write Earthquake Relief. Please send these checks to my sister and brother-in-law as follows:

Lorna & Steve Rudd
6011 Coldbrook Ave.
Lakewood, CA  90713-1025        Phone:        562-866-7953

Help is badly needed. Either of the above ways will provide the maximum bang for your buck. No salaries, no unknown expenses, and local knowledgeable American and Nepali cooperation for the needed purpose.

Thank you for your concern and prayers ……………
Jerry

More personal e-mails will follow over the next couple of weeks.

New School Busy With The First Class Of Students...

Greetings from Cameroon and from BVBIC-Mbanga.

I hope all is well in USA. I apologize for sending this late, but for the past three days we had no electricity in Mbanga and all my electronics were flat, that is my phone and my laptop, so I rushed to Kumba this evening. Our electricity system in Cameroon is not the best and that is why in some big towns business men have standby generators, but that is not really common in Mbanga.

Our work is going on well in BVBIC-Mbanga and we are grateful for the work and give thanks to God. You can’t imagine how time flies. Students have been involved in lectures for close to a month because this is the fourth week and everybody is really happy. Thank you for your prayers. We have many pictures to share with you, but we are still working on it, that is how to send them because at the moment, it will be as if it has gone, but just talked today with Elangwe and he promised to do something by this week.

We started making plans for weekend evangelism and also to revive a nearby congregation that closed her doors in 2014. One of the members worshiped with us yesterday and we have plans to discuss that next week after worship. Please commit this work into the hands of God.

Preparation for our first fieldwork is at hand and some congregations are already planning to host our students, but remember preaching in French Cameroon is as difficult as in USA, but with God, everything is possible.

May our God continue to bless you for the great work.

Yours in Christ
Evangelist Ititi Benedict

Young And Old Alike Benefit From The Van In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We do hope you are doing great in health and sound in your faith.

Life is going on well and we praise God for His providence. Some are sick in our congregation. A brother was involved in a car crash, but he is getting better in the hospital keep him in your prayers, Atara Jarvis.

Last week in the Bible college went on well. Students continue to grow and are gaining ground for ministry as they are enjoying weekend evangelism. Keep them in your prayers.

Our children were happy to study the Bible this morning in their hall which is attached to the church hall. The class continues to grow as kids in Brightland Christian Academy love to study the Bible with the church of Christ. We shall easily get to their parents through these kids. Keep these efforts in your prayers.

The Christians in Wotutu this morning surprised me as a preacher. They brought cooked food, fruits juice, and biscuits to celebrate the goodness of God because of the arrival of the new bus.

Our children were part of the joyous moments. We love involving our children in many things that bring glory to God because they will continue tomorrow.

Brother Masango is a widower who lives 6 miles away from Wotutu. Today he was blessed to come to worship through the bus. He continued to smile and praise God for this providence. God bless you who made this possible. God will bless and replenish your source for your kind heart that is touching the lives of many here.

Little children will go round and round touching the bus. Our Bible students who are the beneficiaries of the bus continue to lift up prayers to the donors and that God alone will reward them in due season.

Our students are given opportunities now in the Wotutu congregation to officiate on the Lord’s table, not only in preaching and teaching. This will help them be balanced preachers in the future.

Plans
Our west coast mission trip is still in program. Keep it in your personal prayers.

Pray for the newly established congregations during this new batch of students..

Appreciations
Many thanks to God for you and your family for all your prayers and support towards the work here. We are blessed to know you and to work with you. We lack words to use to thank God for you. We pray God will watch over you and keep you stronger to do more for His glory.

Do your best to share this report with others.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Praying For The People Of Nepal...

The primary concern on everyone’s mind this week is the earthquake in Nepal. Various news agencies report a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Kathmandu, Nepal around noon on Saturday. The results devastated an area from Kathmandu down into India. Recent reports claim the death toll is now well over 2,500. Without any doubt, millions of lives were changed in a just a few moments. We ask you all to pray on behalf of all those in this area.

Several of you asked about the families we know and the school we are affiliated with in Kathmandu. We are thankful to report that Jerry Golphenee (American missionary in Kathmandu), Gajendra (director of Nepal Center for Biblical Studies), and all the students are safe and suffered no physical harm. Jerry reported that the flat where he lives was not damaged during the earthquake. He did report that the students are sleeping outside, but it is out of concern over the aftershocks that continue to occur.

As we learn more information, we will provide reports to keep everyone updated on the situation. We hope to learn more about how you can help our brethren in Kathmandu and other affected areas in the days ahead. Thank you for your concern and we ask you again to pray for those living in this area. We pray God will use this situation as an opportunity to work though us to show His love and light to a devastated part of the world.

Additional reports this week share news about the growth of the work. We are thankful for the opportunity to read about the souls who were added to the kingdom and the strengthening of the church. The reports speak for themselves.

Now on to this week’s incredible 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/

Extension Reports 

Transportation In Cameroon Aids The Development Of The Church: After waiting almost six months, a van to help in the work of the church and school in Wotutu, finally arrived.

Nigerian Instructors Travel To Ghana For Continuing Biblical Training: Staff members from the SWSE in Ibadan, Nigeria traveled to Accra, Ghana to participate in continuing education.

Translation Team Hard At Work Preparing For Safari For Souls: Materials to be used in the Safari for Souls campaign are now translated and ready for printing in Tanzania.

Changes Bring Challenging Decisions For The Stafford Family: Cy and Stephanie need our consideration to help them with recent changes to their family and the work.

Long Overdue Rains Come To Tanzania: While the Lord reigns from heaven above, rains fell from the sky in a much needed area of Tanzania. Additionally, the work continues to grow.

Final Thoughts 
You are a blessing to this work. Thank you for all you do to help make training workers for the kingdom of our God a priority. We pray God’s richest blessings on each of you. We also ask you to pray about this work.

God bless
Bob

Transportation In Cameroon Aids The Development Of The Church...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters in Christ here in Wotutu. We are doing better, even though some of us here are sick. Keep praying for the many who are sick. We do hope you are doing great and we keep you in all our prayers.

Last week went on well with our studies in BVBIC-Wotutu. Students continue to grow both spiritually and physically. Keep praying for them.

Weekend evangelism is going well and we continue to witness growth and love for the Lord and His church for the young congregation in Menji. Many continue to admire and love the New Testament way of worship, while others are like sister Dorothy are still under strong persecution from family. Keep her in your prayers. It is not easy for them. I sent one of our graduates there and he stays with brother John Nkemenkeng to help with the work over there. Keep evangelist Itoe David in your prayers as we will change them to help till we graduate a student in December of next year to go there permanently.

Brother Mendel stood up in class to ask a question for clarifications and to gain more information. We love to see our students being eager to know more and to share their views on subject matter. This helps us keep them on tract as many who have been preaching to know now how to handle the truth.

They manifest their studies in Wotutu congregation, who are directly assessing them as they can see them growing from the time they enter school and as the months are passing by. Brother Abanda Edwin taught this morning on “Religious Titles Today.”

Evangelism is still going on, early in the morning and from house-to-house here in Wotutu. God continues to use our PA system to reach out to the communities every day in the morning, and we go by the nickname now in Wotutu: Church of Christ, the village clock, because we get up early and as we preach many also get up to prepare to go to their farms, businesses, and schools. 

This week, sister Linda Obie obeyed the gospel in the water pool of baptism. Some students, with brother Maurice stood by to watch her baptism. Keep her in your prayers. Her husband has been a Christian in Wotutu for the past two years. He was happy to see the wife obey the gospel and they have one focus now.

We are serving a great God. Today, after worship it was all joy and joy as we saw the long awaited van that was bought last November to enhance our evangelistic efforts. The students and the entire congregation shouted for joy as we prayed and thanked God for using all those He used to realize the dreams of this van. Only God will replenished it for them.

The van will carry our students around to evangelize. The van will also stand as a means of advertising for the church of Christ and the preaching school as we wrote on the wall of the van. The van will take 15 seats instead of the 19 seats we were intending to have. It seems the shipper sent to us this, but the good thing is that this one has four wheel drive.

This morning, the car took some students to nearby congregations for worship and it equally carried some Christians from outside Wotutu who came down to worship with the congregation in Wotutu. To them, it is an answer to their prayers to have free transportation to worship at any time.

Plans
We are still planning to go to Ideanau for evangelism and possibly start a new congregation on the west coast of Cameroon.

Appreciation
God bless you and keep you strong. Thank you for standing by us. God bless you for sharing our newsletter with others. Keep doing it. God bless you and watch over you.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Long Overdue Rains Come To Tanzania...

Things are continuing to move right along here in Tanzania. We are still the only American team-members in the country right now, but we are looking forward to Cy's return in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we are busy making plans for what promises to be a very busy Safari for Souls season. Our first campaigners will be here next week to do work in Njiro Chini. Exciting times!

At the school, I am currently teaching a class on Christian Evidences. It's one of my favorite topics, and it is rewarding to see the students growing in this area. 

We are finally getting some very long overdue rains and the crops are happy because of it. It makes travel on all of these dirt roads a little more treacherous, but the rains are very much a blessing to the people of Tanzania. The drought has caused reservoir levels to drop dangerously low, and has been a serious concern.

The electrical situation has stabilized (somewhat). For several weeks the power was going out for several hours each day, and even for several days in a row at one point. A couple of weeks ago we used more gas in our generator than we did in our vehicle. In fact our generator has already logged twice as many hours this year as it did all of last year. However, the past several days have presented no problems in that area, and we hope that will last a while. 

An acute awareness and gratitude for the blessings of water and electricity are just part of life in the African mission fields! 

Daniel Gaines

To see Daniel’s report with pictures, please click here.

Changes Bring Challenging Decisions For Stafford Family...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

We thank you, we thank our God for you, and we are thankful for the privilege of service. It has been a “whirlwind” of a furlough and a true blessing. I have shared the good news of God’s work in Tanzania with congregations in TX, IN, MS, AL, GA, TN, VA, SC and with several individuals. Because you care, pray and support this great mission effort, God continues to answer your prayers to the saving of countless souls. Thank you. 

Fariji reports: “In March, we studied with 14 people, one of them was baptized into the kingdom of Christ. Nelson Sango said that he desires to serve God in His kingdom, and has just completed the Bible correspondence course. He asked us to pray for him so that may overcome the false prophets. A future church plant is to set up at Tengeru, please pray for that.” 

Charles Hebeth reported three souls being added to the church today at Kwa Mrombo, Amen!

Stafford Family Update: Stephanie and I have struggled much lately with a major decision. We both love the Lord with our all. We love one another more than life itself. We love “Granny” so very much. What to do? Stephanie’s mom will not be able to return to Tanzania due to health issues. She does not, nor do we, want to be put in a nursing home. We do not want to leave the Lord’s work in Tanzania. Stephanie and I do not want to be separated. What to do? 

After a great deal of prayer and discussion we have concluded the following. I will be going back to Tanzania on May 6th, if the Lord wills. Stephanie hopes to come the first week of June for a month (Stephanie’s sister hopefully will be able to care for their mom for a month). Stephanie will return to the States while I remain in TZ through the end of July. I will come to the States the first part of August to raise much needed funds, speak at Polishing the Pulpit, conduct a wedding, attend the Bear Valley staff retreat and the return to TZ at the end of September. 

We need your help! We do not believe it to be wise to be separated more than few weeks at a time. Therefore, until things change with Granny our plans are for me to travel back and forth. I will be in TZ for six weeks at a time, or so, back to the U.S. (fund raising as much as possible and reporting on the good God is doing in East Africa) and then back to TZ. We need your prayers and we need congregations (families) who would be willing to help with my (our) travel fund needs.  We need to raise $8,500 for this year to help with our travel needs. Please prayerfully consider this need. 

Much has been accomplished in East Africa over the last 17 years and if the Lord wills, much more will be done in the coming 17 plus years. To His glory, great things He is doing. 

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Translation Team Hard At Work Preparing For Safari For Souls...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The things which you have heard from me...entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." II Tim. 2:2

This week is one of the busy weeks for ACSOP instructors, especially those who are working with the translation team. The translation team this week dealt with translating a series of six lessons from English to Swahili, each one of them has three to five pages. These series of lessons are purposed to be used in June evangelism campaign. This work was assigned to be done for three days (Tuesday - Thursday) only. The good thing is the work was done on time and it has been submitted to the chief of translators.

This second quarter of studies here at ACSOP is impressive. Our lecturers are working harder and harder to impart to these fellows the knowledge of God’s word. They are doing exactly what I have quoted above for this week. The first year students are showing a great improvement in their studies. Last quarter we had some who were struggling to cope with their studies but now they are okay.      

On the other hand, things are moving well with the ACSOP staff; all the cooks, cleaners and students are okay. We all are enjoying God’s blessing of heavy rains here in Arusha. The school farm and the vegetable garden are blooming. We hope this year we will have a good harvest of corn and more vegetables.

We ought always to GIVE THANKS to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting..." (II Thess. 1:3) for all you have done and for your faith in us and the work going on here. "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified..." (II Thess. 3:1)

In His Service,

Losotwa Michael
Dean of Academics, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school
Arusha, TZ

Nigerian Instructors Travel To Ghana For Continuing Biblical Training...

Beloved in Christ,

Greetings from the staff and students of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan and the satellite campuses in Lagos state, Nigeria.

Two of the twelve SWSE Ibadan instructors (brother Isaac Olawole Olaniyan and myself- Mak) joined our Ghanian brethren in a three years Master's program conducted for gospel preachers in West Africa by the Bear Valley Bible Institute International of Denver, Colorado USA from April 6 - 18, 2015.

We thank our guest speaker, brother Gary Fallis, for taking his time to come to West Africa for the cause of Christ. We appreciate the effort of brother Steven Ashcraft, brother Bob Turner, brother Wagner, brother Doug Wheeler, brother Jerry Bates, brother Joel Coppinger and all of you who are contributing in one way or the other to the growth of our Lord's church in Africa. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless our joint effort in Christ name, amen.

The two week program was attended by seventeen brethren from three African countries: Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana - the host country. Classes began at 8:00 am and end at 6:00 pm daily with a one and half hour break from 12:00 pm through 1:30 pm.

On Monday, April 13 brother Steven Ashcraft, BVBI - West Africa coordinator and brother Gary Fallis met at 6:30 pm through 9:00 pm with five directors of Bible schools affiliated with BVBI for heart-to-heart deliberations.

When in Ghana, we worshipped with the Church of Christ, Sarpenman - Accra. On April 5, 2015 I taught on “Saved to Serve,” while brother Gary taught on “The Kingdom of God” (Matt.13:31-34). On April 11, brother Gary taught on “What the Church Is and Does” from the book of Ephesians, while I admonished them on “Witnessing for Christ.” We had an average of attendance of 120 worshippers with average collection of C64.

We appreciate the generosity of brother Seth Larbi and his family during our two-week visit to Ghana.

Our second international trip will again come up, Lord willing, on August 2015.

Brethren, I will embark in a one-week visit to our students in Vocational Studies.

Big thanks for your prayers for us in Nigeria before and during our March and April election. May the Lord grant your countries peace and good governing in Jesus name, amen.

I remain your co-laborer in Christ,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos campuses, Nigeria

What Opportunities Await You This Year?

Now that the major tax deadline is behind us, opportunities for the remainder of the year are the focus of this week’s report. Consider five of the following opportunities that await over the next eight months: 

1) An opportunity to attend graduation. The Bear Valley Bible Institute will host the 50th year graduation for its next class of students May 31. If you can be in the Denver area, we would love to have you share in this great occasion. Perhaps there is also an opportunity to visit one of several locations around the world to attend a graduation at one of the extension sites. Consider how you can bless these graduates with your presence.

2) An opportunity to attend Bear Valley’s annual lectureship. September 17-20 are the dates scheduled for this year’s lectureship. The theme is based in the second half of the minor prophets. If you enjoy a rich and deep study of the Old Testament, we encourage you to be here. While here for the lectureship, plan to join us for the “free” banquet where the focus is on the work of the Bear Valley Bible Institute.

3) An opportunity to go on a mission trip. Opportunities abound globally for you to travel to Asia, Europe, Africa, India, Nepal, Central America, South America, the South Pacific and everywhere in between. We are privileged to work with brethren in 18 different locations in 14 countries. Please consider how you might take advantage of a great opportunity to see the work first-hand and participate in sharing the gospel with others.

4) An opportunity to share the report of extension training with others. If you are as encouraged with the news each week as we are, we ask you to send the report to others who might also share in the excitement. If you know of someone who would like to receive the report each week, please let us know and we will add them to the list of recipients.   

5) An opportunity to pray. While the work of extension training has extensive needs, nothing is more important and essential than your prayers on our behalf. As the program grows, we ask you to pray that we have wisdom to know the right locations and people with whom to work. We ask you to pray that God will continue to provide for all our needs.

Now on to this week’s incredible 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/

Extension Reports 

A Remarkable And Historical Week In Wotutu, Cameroon: A young couple, who only spoke French, needed patience while learning, but they are now a brother and sister in Christ. 

Growth Occurs As Students Return To Class In Kenya: After a short break, students are back in class and the report indicates they are growing numerically and spiritually in the church.

The Lord Has Done A Special Thing In The Arusha Congregation: Souls repented and returned to fellowship with the Lord at the Arusha congregation. The report shares more.

Final Thoughts 
Thank you for reading the report each week and sharing in this work. If you receive this report it is because you are involved at some level with the work at Bear Valley. This work continues to succeed because each of you love the Lord, His church, and those who need a Savior. We appreciate your willingness to share with us in task of training kingdom workers. We pray God’s richest blessings on each of you.

God bless
Bob

Growth Occurs As Students Return To Class In Kenya...

Receive greetings from your Kenyan family. Just to let you know that we are all doing well, we were not affected with the terrorism act that hit our country. Kisumu has been safe and peaceful and that can be proved by the students coming from far places like Mombasa and find a peaceful home in Kisumu. We ask you to keep mentioning us and our country to God in prayers. 

The 20 KSOP students who went for a short break are all back for classes which began on April 13. Since these students joined the school it has been very dry and hot. This month we were blessed with good rain and the weather now is cool, while for others it's cold. 

Classes began well with Elias teaching 1 and 2 Corinthians, Matthew. I am teaching Joshua - Ruth and English II among the 7 courses for the quarter. 

In this second intake, we have 5 students from four congregations who  came from the Rift Valley part of Kenya. They had attended Bible training at Nairobi Great Commission School before. The school has been training and ordaining women as pastors and using instruments among the other many errors they teach. 

These 5 students visited me in my house to appreciate the preaching school and the Bible truth we stand for. Within the two quarters, they said their spiritual growth has changed. They each shared how they had been given big titles that they didn't qualify for. They lamented how they had been having incomplete worship without Lord's supper and when they do have it is with the wrong elements. 

Two of them come from a congregation which has an NGCS extension program and they said the leaders there are not willing to change because of the support, but these two men will not stop teaching the truth either.  

They requested Bibles in their native language, song books, and gospel campaigns in their areas to raise more awareness to save souls. Keep these brethren in your prayers so the zeal to contend for the faith will not go down. Anyone touched and would love to help these brethren with Kalenjin  Bibles and/or Swahili song books can contact the Charlotte Avenue Church or Mike Reese. 

We had the largest number worshipping with us at Hellena court. Thanks to the great work of evangelism being done by the students under the leadership of Elias and Nixon, our former graduate. We expect the students to begin going out to help local churches around. This is and has always been a great opportunity to put into practice what they learn in class. 

We thank God for the sacrifices you are all making on your end to keep this great cause going. It's effect is felt near and far. 

Blessings to you all. 

Fellow servant, 
Charles Ogutu