Campaign Season Is Off To A Great Start In Arusha, Tanzania...

Campaign season is upon us! Our first group of the summer (winter here) has arrived and things are getting off to a great start. The focus of most of the campaign work this year will be the new congregation at Niro Chini. In anticipation of this, Elly Martin built a new portable baptistry. This will be a great tool. Previously we had to drive almost an hour across town to get to the baptistry at ACSOP. We look forward to wearing this new tool out in the Lord’s service.       

We have another new tool for this year’s campaigns. Thanks to the sale of a previous truck, along with some donations from  kind supporters, the Andrew Connally School of Preaching has been able to purchase a new (to us) van. Less than a week after purchase we have already been putting the van to work in transporting hard-working campaigners to and from the airport, the work area, and the school. The van is also useful for transporting students and translators during evangelist efforts.  We thank God and His people for providing this wonderful tool to the  school. 

We are delighted to welcome our beloved co-worker, Cy Stafford, back to Tanzania after his furlough. He was greatly missed while away doing the necessary evil that is fund-raising.  

Cy was accompanied back by Tom Watkins who is doing some work this week in Namanga, at the Kenya border. A small group arrives today from Oklahoma to make evangelistic efforts in the Usa River area. Meanwhile, we are facilitating these efforts, handling logistics, and working hand in hand with our guests from the States. As you can see, things are busy, busy, busy, and getting more so by the day. The next couple of months should be action-packed and exciting as we see God at work in the people of His kingdom.

A group from the Town Acres church in Muncie, Indiana is here now getting our campaign season kicked off in a great way. Their efforts have already yielded several baptisms and many studies. We have even been able to witness one passionate Muslim man confess that Jesus is the Son of God. The church rewarded the campaigners’ efforts with a fellowship meal, providing the opportunity to enjoy some delicious, authentic African cuisine.

Student Spotlight
Back in 1990 a missionary visited the Rift Valley area of Kenya. There he taught and baptized Pius Ngetich. Twenty five years later, Pius is now a student at ACSOP, where he is preparing for a promising career of sharing with others the gospel message that he first received all those years ago.

Today we had the pleasure of worshipping with the Ngordoto congregation, located in a remote area on the side of Mt. Meru.  We had some delays along the way and got terribly lost.  Our path took us through mud holes, across creeks, down footpaths, and through animal herds, but we finally arrived... 1 hour 45 minutes late.  Yet judging from the fact that there were no empty seats, not a single soul had given up on us and left.  Can you imagine that in America?

Starting so late, you might expect that there would be an abbreviated service.  Not so!  Those Christians put in a full 3 hours of worship and study just like they would have otherwise.  They didn't "short change" the Lord any time just because we were running late. 

The Tanzanians, especially away from the city, are much more "event-orientied" than they are "time-oriented."  Sometimes that's a little aggravating to us westerners, but when it comes to worship maybe they're on to something.  What if we took down the clocks and just gave worship as much time as it needed to do it right?  I know that there are various reasons why that may not be very practical in a lot of places, but there may still be something to say for slowing down and letting worship have its time.  Just food for thought.

Daniel Gaines

There are two reports with pictures, you can see them by clicking on the two links below.

Please click here for #1

Please click here for #2

Obedience, The Master Key...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from Nigeria. We (myself, brother Dele Shotola, and two of SWSE students) traveled on Thursday morning, May 7 2015 boarding Benue link to Takum town in Taraba state by 8:00 a.m. and we stopped at Markudi in Benue state by 8:30 p.m. to spend the night. Early Friday, we continued our preaching trip to Takum via Buruku and Wukari River and we landed at Lissam town by 4:00 p.m.

By 5:00 p.m., I addressed the thirty-five WBS students from five local governments in Taraba state and a neighboring country, Cameroon on “Obedience, The Master Key,” while brother Isaac Ibrahim, who was converted last November along with seven of his household and two of the other WBS students of B. Wolfe-BCC TX 026, served as my interpreter and brother Dele Shotola, one of my fellow WBSFUW in the South Western state of Nigeria, declared the program opened by short prayer.

On Saturday morning, the much awaited WBS seminar for students and friends in five of the local governments in Taraba state was officially opened by opening speech from brother Isaac Ibrahim, a one time pastor at Restored Church of Christ in Nigeria who doubled as the WBS coordinator and the host minister, while I taught extensively for about three hours on the “Three Dispensations of The Bible” and also answered questions for about two hours before six of the twenty WBS students were baptized at a river which is about a thirty minute drive from Lissam town.

We were forty five in attendance. Twenty WBS students and twenty five friends.

On Sunday morning, brother Victor Yiron, one of the SWSE students, led in songs. I taught on “Worship that Pleases Jehovah,” while brother Dele Shotola admonished the saints at Lissam town on “Thy Will be done.” We were thirty five in attendance.

On Sunday evening, several Bible classes were conducted in Lissam and nearby villages where I and brother Dele Shotola , our host (brother Isaac Ibrahim) and some of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE) students studied with the extended family of brother Ibrahim (father of our host) and denominational friends from 3:00 p.m. through 9:30 p.m.

We left Lissam town early Monday morning by 8:00 a.m. via a charter van that passed through Jalingo to Gombe state to Abuja to Kogi to Akure and lastly to Ibadan city in Oyo state. We arrived at Ibadan by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The whole exercise cost us the sum of N120,000=( N40,000 to Taraba state and N70,000 back home. N10,000 was spent on food, water, and benevolence during the Saturday WBS seminar for fueling the bike that was used to convene the six candidates for baptism).

The church at Lissam needs a place of worship and at least $75 monthly support for their preacher’s Bible School to train some of the zealous WBS students in this Northern part of Nigeria and a bike for brother Isaac Ibrahim for evangelism and follow-up, while the WBS students, over 2,000 of them, need Bibles for their studies.

One thousands copies of VOTI vol. 83 were freely distributed with some Mission Printing Materials during our mission trip to this Northern state of Nigeria starting from Benue state on Friday morning  till Tuesday morning in Kogi state.

Brethren, we thank the Almighty God for counting us useful in His kingdom and we appreciate our dear brother Doug Wheeler and associates for funding this mission trip to the Northern part of Nigeria. Lastly, we thank you all for your partnership in this soul winning program.

May the Lord keep on using each and every one of us for His glory in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

I remain yours in His Grace As A Servant,

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

Souls Added To The Kingdom And A Congregation Converted...

Four Led to Christ during AGOU 
The staff, preachers, and students of CBS embarked on a major campaign in March to strengthen the small congregation in Agou Gare. Activities included: house to house, open air preaching, film show, and tract distribution. At the close of the three day campaign, four souls were led to Christ. 

Kpodzi Church of Christ adds two to their number 
David, a student of CBS, works with the Kpodzi church of Christ. While in the denomination, he established several denominations, but is now determined to convert all to become congregations of the Lord’s church. The congregation has several prospects and visitors each Sunday, but for now it has 35 baptized. Recently two were added to the number. 

Nyiveme congregation lost a sister. 
The funeral service organized by the Nyiveme Church of Christ turned into a campaign ground, when after the service three ladies responded to the invitation by asking the church to baptize them. The three were a lab technician, a trader, and a student. They have continued to worship since March. Sister Esi Akpawu was survived by the husband and three daughters of which two are members of the church. 

CBS had a visiting instructor. 
Brother Dossouvi is a graduate of the preacher training school in Benin. He preaches for the church in Aneho, not far from Lome. He was invited to teach a short course in Ethics recently at CBS. 

The Last Quarter courses at CBS 
1) Deuteronomy
2) Christian Evidences
3) Bible history and Geography
4) Teaching methods
5) Minor Prophets 

GRADUATION! GRADUATION!! GRADUATION!!! 
CBS GRADUATION IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER, 2015 

World Radio Program 
The speakers handling the radio program are addressing the issue of New Testament Worship. Listeners are given the opportunity to phone in to ask questions. This approach has led to personal Bible studies with individuals who are regular listeners. Very soon brethren are going to start a panel discussion on various topics.The radio program is impacting church growth in the Kpalime area. 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS NOW CHURCH OF CHRIST 
Our student, Mawunyo Koffi Honku, used to be a member of the Good Shepherd Church in Kpalime. Upon his conversion, he started teaching the congregation he was working with. It got to a time that the preacher of the congregation couldn’t cope with our student teaching lessons that were exposing their errors. He, therefore, decided to move away to give Mawunyo the opportunity to handle the congregation. On my recent trip to Togo, I was informed that the signboard has changed from Good Shepherd Church to Church of Christ. This is what truth can accomplish. 

CBS NEEDS A MOTOR BIKE 
It has become essential for the preacher training school in Kpalime- CBS to secure a motor bike. This bike will be used by the students for their Sunday visits to congregations in the Kpalime area and other outreach activities. The school is presently spending much hiring a motor bike to conduct business in and around town. I am confident this will be a great asset for the school and the church. One such bike will cost $900.00 which includes the registration. Kindly let me know if God has touched your heart to purchase a bike for the work in Kpalime,Togo. 

Chariot visits villages in the Kpalime area 
In March and April, there was a ban on public gatherings due to the election. However, we managed to organize one outside the city of Kpalime in Agou Gare. We, therefore, used the period to visit nearby villages to distribute tracts and conduct home Bible studies. There is many requests from those villages and towns to establish the Church there. 

The villages the Chariot visited included: Huime, Akata, Agame, Agoviepe. 

H. Willie Gley

Entering The Last Quarter Of The First Year Of Studies In Uganda...

Dear brethren.

We do once again thank you for your financial support and the prayers you always give us here in Uganda. At Uganda School of Evangelism we started our last quarter of the first year. Brother Donnie came for the short course which officially ended on the 2nd of April. The ladies came on the 6th of April 2015 and stayed for one week. This time five missed due to family problems. They promised to make sure that they come in July.

During this long course, brother Ouma Christopher is teaching the book of Isaiah in both Kiswahili and English classes, brother Morris Ojiambo has come on board and he is teaching Paul’s Prison Epistles in both English and Kiswahili classes. Brother Daniel Oloo is still teaching Kiswahili grammar, plus the Psalms in the Kiswahili class, while brother Ema Mawa is also still teaching English grammar and Psalms in the English class. I am teaching Homiletics in both classes during chapel times. We do very much thank the world Video Bible school for the materials they provided our school. When a teacher needs what to teach we just photo copy and make copies for both teachers and students. May God bless your effort.

The rains are still strong in this part of the world. Our lands are still flooded. We plan to stock our ponds at the end of this month to avoid water taking away our fish. Everyone here is doing fine. May God bless you all.

Yours in Christ,
Francis and Margaret Wechesa

Devastation, Dangerous, Desperate, Disappointing, And Dismal...

You have seen more pictures from the earthquake than I have seen. You have watched more news coverage than I have. You realize the extent of the damage and the far-reaching effects that are the new reality for Nepal. There is one big difference. You can change the channel, go outside or do a number of things and find yourself in your normal reality. That is not possible here, nor will it be for many years.

Descriptive words for natural disasters usually include the words DEVASTATION and DANGEROUS and DESPERATE. This last word describes the situation in Nepal today.  The death count, injuries, buildings destroyed, homeless, and every other unwanted casualty will continue to grow for a long time.  

My Nepali colleagues and I have attended two meetings at the Kathmandu United Nations complex, visited the Humanitarian Staging Area at the airport cargo terminal and met with a Joint Secretary of the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs. The descriptive words continue to begin with the letter D … DISAPPOINTING and DISMAL.

The bottom line is that all rescue aid goes from a formal donor agency licensed by one government to a formal recipient agency registered in the receiving country. Nepal interprets this as a government-to-government transaction. The Nepal government has claimed every bag of rice, every jacket, every tent, and a large portion of the money that is coming into the country. Large sums deposited into any bank account opened after April 25 are immediately placed into a government account under the sole authority of the Prime Minister. This one-door policy for relief aid has allegedly and officially, but dishonestly, been put into effect to protect the aid for the good of the people. 

Every government has its own “trickle down system.” Such would include outstretched hands to fill many personal pockets before the goods and services reach their intended destinations. In Nepal the government is not accountable to the civil society. Nepal is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world. 

Fortunately there are ways around these discouraging obstacles. We have contacts with established businesses that import goods. We can place orders in Nepal, China and India, pay lower prices than USA, and receive these “hard goods” without government interference. We can rent a truck and deliver the goods to the place of our choosing. The most efficient way to help is to use cash within the country and to order locally and from neighboring nations.

How do we get money into Nepal and into our hands? We will have two main contacts in the United States. Information relative to these contacts is listed below. Both allow every donation to be tax deductible. For both of these entities we have bank accounts in Nepal that have been in existence for some time. The government will not watch these accounts as closely. We can utilize these accounts by transferring small sums of money over a safe period of time. 

What is the overhead? NONE. No paid employees. I have lived in Nepal for 19 years without outside financial support. My Nepali colleagues also have a will to serve the needy people of their homeland. There will be No Trickle Down System. 

One hundred percent of money donated through either of these
 channels will go directly to aid the neediest people of Nepal.

OUR GOALS:   

1.    Emergency Survival:  Get through the monsoon season [June 15 - Sept 15]. Food  Cooking items  Tarps  Tents  Sleeping pads  Clothing -  Remember the word DESPERATE.

2.    Be prepared for a better level of survival for the winter. Build some small two-room homes that may serve two families. Crowded [4-7/room] but a roof and walls are better than a tarp.

3.    Help families to rebuild over the next two to three years. Add on to some of the two room houses. Build more houses.

4.     Food and clothing as needed, and they are badly needed.

5.    Children and local schools.

Please share this letter with your friends and civic or spiritual organizations. I hope you never see a bigger relief need in your lifetime. I sincerely believe you will never find a better “value for dollar donated” or wiser and efficient use of the money.  

SHOULD YOU CARE TO HELP US MEET OUR GOALS PLEASE
SEND A DONATION TO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

Donations: 

    Children of Kathmandu            Lakewood Church of Christ

            At “Memo” please indicate Earthquake Relief.

    3801 Spruce Meadow Drive             6011 Coldbrook Ave.
    Bozeman, MT  59718                        Lakewood, CA  90713-1025
    Contact – Judy Golphenee              Contact – Steve & Lorna Rudd

                                           Lorna = My sister

May God bless you, your families, and all those you love.
Jerry Golphenee

FINAL POST SCRIPT: 
I just received this from Don Nelson, a longtime Montana friend, who returned last night from an evaluation trip to mountain villages with a Canadian and four Nepali men. Ajay Pariyar, a 20-year-old Children of Kathmandu student, was one of these Nepalese.

“I had wondered what was meant by the few people who have witnessed the real depth of destruction in the outlying areas. Now I know. We arrived back in Kathmandu speechless and stunned by the vast devastation and rising hopelessness and desperation of the survivors. I just finished a shower, trying to not only wash off the dust and sweat from climbing those incredibly steep mountain trails, but trying to clean away the desperate feelings we experienced there.”

The FINAL POST SCRIPT will not end this letter. I intended to mail this letter yesterday [Tuesday]. The 7.3 earthquake yesterday at 1:00, no electricity, sleeping outside, etc. changed the plans.   

Thankfully all those close to me are uninjured. That is not true everywhere. As you would expect there are more deaths, injuries, destroyed buildings, homeless, and the fear and discouragement that must accompany these tragedies. The needs for weather protection, food, medical, sanitation, clothing, and the list goes on has only grown lager.  

I don’t do Face Book, websites, etc.  

Please look at the updated website: www.childrenofkathmandu.org

Keep us in your prayers ………… Jerry

God's Word Must Be Preached...

The word of God is truth and must be preach. We train faithful men for a faithful work. Greetings from BVBIC-Mbanga. We praise God for His mercy. The work is going on successfully and we are preparing to go out for our first ever field work and that will be completely in French speaking Cameroon, but just few of our congregations will have access to our students because our students are very few in number. But I think since this is the first ever school to operate successfully in the francophone area, we will have to work very hard to motivate others to engage into the preaching vocation. Beloved in the Lord, please keep on praying for these servants of the Lord. 

Brother Ititi
Director BVBIC-Mbanga

Overcoming Challenges To Reach Others...

Several reports came in last week throughout the extension program. Students in Denver moved closer to graduation and new students were approved to begin in August. Plans for the future of preacher training are stronger than ever. We are excited to see the interest level growing among men who desire to prepare themselves in greater ways to serve the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reports from each school below share exciting news about the direction of the work around the world. News from both the east and west sides of Africa indicate the work is growing. The report from Ukraine address the continued struggles of a war-torn nation and the church trying to survive these challenges. The difficulties of overcoming the recent earthquake continues to plague the work in Nepal.

News from Sean and Anita Hochdorf (below) mentions the surgical procedure that was scheduled for last Friday. Sean’s surgery went well and he is now home recovering. Everything looks good and he will know more in the weeks ahead as to the success of the surgery. His invitation to stop by and share jello was interesting and I think we should all take him up on it. More seriously, we are thankful the surgery went well and ask you to pray for his recovery.

God continues to bless our efforts in moving forward with the development of training men to preach the gospel. We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue praying for the wisdom to make the right decisions in the direction of the work as it expands in the months ahead. You are all a blessing to the program. Thank you!

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/

The latest report from Luis Camacho about the work in Paraguay can be read here.

The latest report from Howell Ferguson about the work in Chimala can be read here.

Extension Reports 

The Influence Of The Gospel Is Spread Through Young And Old: The report from Cameroon demonstrates how the effectiveness of the gospel is seen in the influence of young and old.

Outreach Begins After The Earthquake In Nepal: The report from Nepal shares pictures of the damage in Nepal from the recent earthquake to several Christians’ homes. The need is great!

Student Recruitment Begins For The Next Class At SIBS, Ghana: After a successful first year of classes, plans for the next class are shaping up as students are recruited in Ghana.

Plans Made For Graduation In Ukraine The End Of May: In the midst of the turmoil in Ukraine, we are excited for the upcoming graduation for students at BVBIU.

Gearing Up For The Safari For Souls In Arusha, Tanzania: Cy Stafford is back in Tanzania and evangelism is the thrust in the approaching Safari for Souls campaign.

Surgery Completed And Sean Hochdorf Is Home Recovering: We give thanks to God for answering prayers regarding Sean’s surgery. Everything went well and he is home.

Final Thoughts 
A great week of news and we appreciate your time to read through the reports and pray about the development of preacher training. You are needed and a blessing to the work. Thank you for continuing to actively support and strengthen the hands of those who are involved in extension training. 

God bless
Bob

Surgery Completed And Sean Hochdorf Is Home Recovering...

Dear friends and brethren,

It is our earnest desire that this short report finds each of you busy in service to the Lord and ready for HIs return whenever that may be (Matt. 25:46). Our brethren in East Africa have busied themselves with kingdom work, watering and sowing the seed in the hearts of men, and indeed they have done so in good soil as God has certainly given an increase. Daniel Gaines recently  wrote:

“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.”

Losotwa Michael. the Andrew Connally School of Preaching Dean of Academics, had this to say:

This week is one of the busy weeks in ACSOP the 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. The good thing is the work is done on time and it has been submitted to the chief of translators.

This second quarter of studies here in 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)

PRAYERS FOR THE STAFFORD'S
Please remember Cy and Stephanie Stafford in your prayers. When this report hits your inbox Cy will be on his way back to Tanzania while Stephanie stays stateside to care for her ailing mother. The situation is not ideal but at this point it is their only option. The separation will be difficult. Our love for the Stafford’s is immense and we admire their willingness to put the care of the lost in Tanzania and the care of a loving mother ahead of anything else. I know Cy and Stephanie would appreciate any encouragement you could offer, especially while they are separated. They can be reached at cstafford@wetrainpreachers.com.

SURGERY SCHEDULED
I am glad to report that my surgery has finally been scheduled for May 8th at Baylor Hospital in Trophy Club, TX. So many good people have worked selflessly on my behalf to make sure this could happen. I thank God for each of them daily and hope that in some small way they are aware of the the deep gratitude Anita and I have for every dollar and every prayer offered on our behalf. If all goes according to plan, the surgeon will swap the bad disc in my neck for a synthetic one and voilà I’ll be gorgeous again. Well, at least my neck and arms will feel better. If you're in the area, stop by and I'll be glad to share my jello with you.

I can hardly wait to dig in to this new phase of the work!! What a tremendous joy to work alongside good brethren to prepare and train faithful men to preach the gospel to a world that desperately needs to know about our Savior. Can there be any more noble cause? Certainly not!

As we close, please know that we are grateful for all you do for the kingdom. As senders and goers for the Lord, we make a great team. Thank you for the support and the privilege of making it possible to serve our God in this capacity.

Until next time, take care and God bless, 
Sean & Anita

Gearing Up For The Safari For Souls In Arusha, Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

What can I say? Happy Mother’s Day to all the godly mothers in the church. Without you, we would not be and for this, we thank our God for each of you. Our hope and prayers is that God and your children bless you with a double portion this great day, your day, Mother’s Day. 

I thank God for answered prayers. Tom Watkins and I arrived safely Wednesday night and yes, I am missing Stephanie already. Tom will be working with Mathew, one of our graduates from the Andrew Connally School of Preaching at the border town of Namanga. They will work with two newly planted congregations, one on the Tanzania side and one on the Kenya side of the border. 

Dennis Dickey, his two daughters (Mariah and Lauren), and Brian Howard from the Town Acres congregation in Indiana are with us conducting a campaign at the newly planted Njiro Chini congregation. They have had several Bible studies with two precious souls having put Christ on in baptism this past week already. Please continue to remember all of our brothers and sisters during this time of summer campaigns as they serve God and our fellow man through the teaching and preaching of God’s Word. 

After criss-crossing the Southeast for the past serval weeks, reporting what God is doing here in Tanzania with serval congregations and Christians, God has answered our prayers bountifully. As noted in previous Short Reports, Stephanie and I lost some support. Through the generosity of several congregations and Christian families we have received much of the short fall. A very special thank you to a dear sister and brother in Christ in the Tennessee area for their commitment and for introducing our needs to the church family at Mt. Juliet. The congregation has come on board with monthly support to help us with our medical needs. Stephanie and I are humbled by everyones care and concerns. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of God’s family. 

We ask you to join us in daily prayer for the next 90 days as we plan and execute God’s will through the Safari for Souls campaigns. We have a group coming from Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi to help us, help the family of God in the Arusha/Usa River area, help the lost. We know through your prayers, God will bless these efforts and many will come to know Him as their God. Through this effort, the Lord’s church will be built up and encouraged to stand firm in the Faith. 

Also, remember our student body as they work through their finals this week and prepare for two short-courses to follow and then a two day Gardening Project to be taught by our brother Ebenezer Udofia from Kenya. 

Prayers are needed for our bother Sean Hochdorf. He had surgery on Friday and is recouping at home. 

We thank you all for all you do and mean to God’s work where you are, here in Tanzania, and throughout the world. Until all have heard…

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

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