Adding To The Mission Team And Preparing For The Leadership Conference...

We are delighted to be able to welcome some new additions to our mission team in Arusha. Justin and Anna Maynard, along with her sister Samantha Edwards, recently arrived to work with us. Justin and Anna are going to focus on helping expand the farming aspect of the work at the school of preaching.  

This is a very important part of the school for two reasons: First, it helps with the sustainability of the work. By cutting food costs, and even creating revenue with surplus foods, the school's budget will be that much less dependent on outside support. Second, the students can learn valuable gardening skills. While the demand for preachers is high (we can't graduate men fast enough to meet the need), much of this demand is from congregations that can't fully support a full-time preacher. Being able to garden will help our students to feed their families while they are working as evangelists. 

Additionally, Samantha has agreed to serve as librarian for our school. She will have the opportunity to be a great help by providing some badly needed organization to our book collection, implementing a system for maintaining that order, and training a permanent librarian for when she returns to the US. This will be a tremendous asset for our students. 

You can catch up with the new workers on their blog here.

Pray for them as they get adjusted to their new lives in Africa, and bless their hearts that they now have to put up with me all of the time. 

Juggling Act
With short courses going on and the Tanzanian Leadership Conference around the corner, we have the pleasure of hosting a large number of guests in the coming days. We are no strangers to dealing with a lot of guests, but usually it is one or two large groups at a time where everyone's schedules are pretty similar. 

The current situation is unique in my time here. We have so many individuals trickling in and out on different itineraries, that we are in the midst of making 10 airport runs over the course of 13 days. Keep in mind that an airport run, realistically takes half a day for the driver. On top of transportation logistics, we want to make sure that all of our guests are well cared for and have everything they need. Almost all of these individual guests also have unique agendas for their visits, requiring personalized attention.

With the unfortunate limitation of only being able to be in one place at a time, there is absolutely no way that I could juggle the current situation alone. That's why I'm taking the time now to praise our faculty at the school. Charles, Ahimidiwe, Godfrey, Michael, and Augustine along with some others here and there have stepped up and taken on new levels of hosting responsibilities. They've had Americans into their homes to eat, helped with transportation issues, and generally been absolutely indispensable resources. 

I hadn't planned it this way, but necessity forced these increased roles. In hindsight (if it can be called that from the midst of the situation), this is actually proving to be a valuable growth experience for local leaders, as well as for myself.

So to sum up the message of this report: Thank God for teammates, both foreign and local. I pray that He blesses them all.

Prayer Request
Our other teammates and dear friends, Cy and Stephanie Stafford are each facing medical situations. Your prayers on their behalf would be much appreciated.

Daniel Gaines

A Bitter-Sweet Farewell To A Friend Of The Work In Tamale...

Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies remembered the late sister Avril Keoughan and dedicated the main lecture hall of the Institute in her memory. This is to express our appreciation for her selfless and dedicated service rendered to students, staff, and more importantly, to God Almighty.

The Institute encountered the saddest experience ever to be thought of a day after the graduation of the first batch of students. As part of the Institute’s effort of producing self-reliant preachers, sought the services of the late sister Avril Keoughan. She visited Tamale once every quarter with her team to teach the students on Primary Health Care. Prior to the graduation ceremony. She informed the Institute of the need to conclude her syllabus with a three–day activity. She was electricuted by a faulty water heater in the bathroom when she was bathing after her first day class activities, and died at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. She was buried at the Bomso Church premises on the 27th of August, 2011.

“The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil”.  (Isaiah 57:1) New International Version

Avril Keoughan was a Canadian Public Health Practitioner who worked closely with the Churches of Christ in Ghana. She started her carrier in Ghana at the Bomso Clinic. She was later engaged by the Village of Hope. She finally came to settle in Kumasi where she worked with the Bomso Clinic.   Her vocation as public health practitioner took her to several towns and villages in the north, especially in Yendi and its surrounding villages, where together with the Yendi church, set up a clinic in Yendi and gave health care to the people there. Together with sister Johnson and brother Bob Williams, all deceased, the Tamale Church was assisted to establish a Clinic at Cheshagu in the Tolon- Kunbungu District in the early 90s.

When the Tamale Institute of Biblical studies (TIBS) was established two years later, she was invited to teach the trainee preachers in public health. The rationale for the above was to enable them get some vocation as a supplement to the preaching work, an offer she accepted with enthusiasm and since that time visited with her team every three months to teach.

Avril Keoughan happened to be one of the resource persons invited by the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies to its annual lectureship and maiden graduation ceremony held on the 24th and 25th of June 2011 respectively. In addition to the above, she was to take the graduates through their last lectures in public health and to examine them in the subject before they went to the field.  

On the day of graduation, she was invited to present a prize to the most well behaved student.  She also took part in the thanksgiving ceremony held on 26th of June 2011 to express the Institute’s gratitude to the Almighty for making the graduation possible. It was at TIBS, on Monday, the 27th of June 2011, around 9:30 pm, that she met her untimely death. 

She had earlier that Monday organized a class for her students and arranged with them so that they could take their exams the following day (Tuesday, the 28th of June). She was to proceed to Kumasi that Tuesday after conducting the exams for them (the students). However, Tuesday, the 28th of June 2011 never came to meet her alive. 

She was going to take her bath that fateful Monday night after watching a television program on CBS that she was electrocuted by a faulty wall heater and died when she was being rushed to the hospital. True, therefore, goes the saying that we know where we were born, but not where we shall die. Yes, she was born in Canada, but ended her life in Tamale, Ghana.  

At age 62, the normal expectation was that she still had some meaningful years to live on this earth. Nevertheless, things did not happen the way we thought. We loved and cherished her dearly for her immense contribution to the church and TIBS and wished she had stayed a bit longer to teach the subsequent trainee preachers their lessons in public health, but our expectations have been shattered at our feet. We really did not understand why things happened this way, but the Almighty knows best, and it is his will that must prevail.

At this moment, we are at the crossroads ready to part company with her sense. Her physical body will soon be lowered into the grave and today will be the last day we shall be setting eyes on her. However, we still nurture the hope that we shall meet one day in heaven where the saints will forever be comforted.

Avril! Farewell
Avril! (Farewell in Dagbani)Ti chepsi- a
Avril! Damrifua Due

Exciting New Beginnings With The Work In Cambodia...

"New Beginnings" 1 Co. 15:58

A new class began with a new school program this month and we are excited about the result that it will yield. There are so many significant changes and upgrades to IBISR that we can’t help but be excited. The rotation of teachers and the adding of English and Computer courses in the program not only benefits the students, but the teachers as well. We are truly blessed in Siem Reap!

I was invited to teach a short course in Yangon, Myanmar on the Kings and Prophets of the Old Testament to a group of 40 plus people, 5 hours a day for 7 days! It was an enriching experience for me. Spending time with the brethren there brought me back to my early days in Cambodia. I can see the similarities and potential for the Lord's kingdom to expand in Myanmar. There is potential for a proper Bible school there to keep the Christians growing in their faith. Please keep them in your prayers. 

God also added Phearom to His church this month. Phearom is a first year student. Please keep him in your prayers as he walks a new life with Christ!

Next month, I will join Wes Autrey and Mike Hite from Bear Valley, in Tanzania to speak on a Leadership Conference put on by the brethren there. I am really excited for the opportunity to meet the brethren in Africa! It will be my first time ever and I can’t wait to learn from them. I will update you next month about our trip to Africa!  Please keep us in your prayers as we serve God in that part of the world. 

Phanat

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

ITL Faces Multiple Challenges In The Training Program...

Dear Family and Friends,

¡Saludos de nuevo de Guatemala! (Greetings once again from Guatemala!) 

It is our hope that you are enjoying good and many blessings. The three of us are doing well, thankfully. We are doing our best to tie up loose ends before we make our end-of-year trip to the U.S. and to Europe. 

Let us start by saying THANK YOU for your involvement either financially or through prayers in the Lord’s work here in Guatemala and especially with the preacher’s school Instituto Teológico Latinoamericano (ITL), aka Latin American Theological Institute. Because of people like you we are seeing ITL and its graduates making a big difference in the Spanish-speaking world. We have graduates that extend all the way to Paraguay. 

Although ITL has been very successful and we believe it is a very good work that should continue, we also understand that no work is without its difficulties. On this occasion, we want to share news about our most recent class, the Delta Class, that is unique in the school’s history and we hope will not happen again. Still, we all have learned from the experience and believe we are all better because of it. We have delayed sending this information because we were waiting for our students’ sponsors to receive the news first by means of regular mail. 

Due to situations beyond our control, it was necessary to dismiss the entire student body of our Delta Class. By mid September, the last family went home. Please allow us to explain why. Normally after a quarter of studies, we are more aware of our student body’s strengths and weaknesses and begin to help them improve on the former and work on the latter. All student bodies have come to ITL with various challenges. Normally, by the second quarter, the students begin to adjust to the lifestyle and discipline of the school, eliminating old habits and developing new ones. However, with this class, it did not occur quite this way. Sadly, well into the second quarter, we still had not seen the needed positive changes that we believe are healthy and necessary for those who are going to serve in the ministry full time and whom we can send into the field with the school’s name behind them. In fact, we believe that we may have even been too patient with most of them in order to see if we could make things work. 

Let us further share some of the challenges that we faced and why the ITL staff made this final decision. The students were dishonest on several occasions. We tried to work with them in this area, but to no avail. It got so bad that we did not feel confident to leave them alone to take any exam. Additionally, just about every rule in the ITL manual was violated and they consistently neglected fulfilling the cleaning responsibilities assigned to each of them. Aside from this, the students lacked respect for the ITL property and failed to take responsibility for their actions. They or their children broke numerous items. The student body would always deny knowing anything about things that were broken, unless we actually saw them doing it. ITL would purchase needed items, like a crib or new dustpans, and in just weeks, these things would be ruined or destroyed. Even though ITL incurred additional costs because of this, it did not seem to bother them to ask for additional funds for personal items. It appeared that the more the school 

gave to the students or to their children, the more they expected of the school. The situation with the younger children got so bad that the cook/babysitter turned in her resignation unless we found someone else to take care of the children. She complained that the children were uncontrollable and that the parents would often just pamper or defend the children. And, as if all this was not enough, there was the final circumstance that made it impossible for us to allow them to continue at ITL: most of the students failed more courses than the ITL manual allows. In other words, they academically disqualified themselves. This student body was given opportunity after opportunity to make changes, but did not take advantage of them. 

We hope that you can understand our dilemma and the decision that came after much effort and prayer. Needless to say, we were discouraged. However, we found comfort in knowing that this is only a setback and not an end. ITL is not closing. We believe that the Lord has used this institute to make a vital difference in the Spanish-speaking world. We believe that He will continue to use ITL in the same way. Despite the setback in the full-time program, the Saturday program continues to move along strongly and the students are doing an excellent job. 

Lord willing, we will begin another class in the full-time program in April of next year, just seven months from now. We already have some prospective students who were waiting to start in 2017, but now will be able to start one year earlier. We will use the next few months to promote ITL and to seek a qualified student body for our 5th class. This will require additional traveling for the staff during this extra promotional period, which will produce some extra expenses for ITL. However, in the long run we believe it will be worth the time and additional funds needed. And, we have faith that God will, as He always has, provide for this need. 

Please pray for ITL, for our past student bodies, and for our present Saturday students. Especially pray for the Delta Class so that they will learn from this experience, they will value what ITL was able to give to them, and they will let God transform them. In addition, please pray for the future students that God is preparing for ITL to be trained to work more effectively in His vineyard. And, lastly, pray for us to train them patiently, lovingly and correctly. 

Let us close by thanking you again for being a part of the work in Guatemala. Also, please feel free to contact us if you should have questions or concerns about this news or any other part of our work. May God continue to bless you and keep you! 

Con amor en Cristo (With love in Christ), Sus Servidores (Your Servants), 

Hawatthia
Byron and Snezana 

To see information about a recent landslide in Guatemala that buried approximately 125 homes, please click here.

100+ Baptized Over The Last Two Months In Togo...

Nine Baptized in Assahoun Campaign
Evangelistic activities took us to Assahoun in the AVE region of Togo. Fifteen brethren left Kpalime with the Chariot and motor bikes to join members of the Assahoun Church of Christ in a three day outreach program. Activities included: Public preaching at night, film show, personal work in homes, and tract distribution on the street and in the market places. At the end of the three days activities, nine souls were added to the Assahoun Church of Christ. 

Visit to Nyiveme Church
In July, I had an opportunity to preach at the Nyiveme congregation on the topic “Your 40 days is Here” using 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 16 as a text. 

The Nyiveme congregation started in 2004 and it housed the school of preaching for a couple of years. As the first congregation in Kpalime city it has experienced significant growth, but as more congregations were planted, the Nyiveme congregation has to feed the newly planted ones with members. We had to allow members who were willing to transfer their membership to newly established congregation in order to also create space. The leadership of the congregation is initiating steps to raise funds to construct a shed above the present auditorium. 

Tsame Church of Christ Returns to Original Site
A couple of months ago when the Church of Christ wanted to purchase land to construct a meeting place, we couldn’t afford the price. We had to find a cheaper place on a mountain in Kpodzi. But all along we wished we had the place in Tsame on level ground. God realizing our plight, sent someone who was interested in purchasing several plots on the mountain for an industry. Since our structure was in the middle of the property the company intended to purchase, they met with the church and proposed that if the church decides to relocate, the company will not only purchase the new land but will also construct a new structure for the church. At this point the brethren quickly went back to the Tsame land, which was still available. This was how the Tsame church came back to their original place. This is God at work. The brethren have since started worshiping in their new place and their faith has increased. 

Motor Bike for CBS
A brother recently sent funds for Togo mission in response to our call for funds to purchase a motor bike for the center. This bike will facilitate student visits to congregations on Sunday, visit prospects for Bible study and run errands on behalf of school and church. Like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more. One of these bikes cost $900.00, i.e. bike and registration. 

Planning 2015 Graduation Program 
I am always grateful for the men around me who help in making the decisions. We recently met to plan the graduation program. All these men are preachers and staff members of CBS. 

Visit to Beme Church
On my recent visit to Togo, I had the opportunity to travel to Beme, a 20 minute drive from Kpalime. First, the purpose of the visit was to meet the family head in Beme who donated one plot of land for the church to construct a meeting place. And second, the purpose was to pay for the documents covering the land. 

While there, we met some ladies who were in a Bible study with the preacher that morning. Later we heard the good news that the ladies were ready to put on Christ in baptism. 

World Radio Sponsored Program
For the past few weeks, the brethren in Kpalime have been discussing the Ten Commandments. One of the speakers was Atah, an instructor at CBS. A young man responded to the gospel invitation and was baptized as a result of the radio program. The program is on air each Sunday evening from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. We wish to thank our sponsors for this great opportunity to be on air with the saving message. 

We Need Help to Develop 26 Plots of Land for CBS
About twelve years ago, the eldership of the West Dyersburg Church of Christ helped to purchase land for CBS. Over the last few years all attempts to utilize this property for the intended purpose has proven futile. We have decided to organize a local fund raising initiative by inviting all the congregations in and around Kpalime for a ground breaking ceremony. 

Five Baptized in Kpadape Campaign
Kpadape is about seven kilometers from Kpalime and the minister is David Wama. The Chariot spent the weekend of August 27-30. Preachers and students from the CBS and Kpalime area were present to assist members of the Kpadape congregation with the campaign. Activities included tract distribution, house to house Bible study, chariot booth display, open air preaching and film show. 

The Kpadafe campaign was climaxed with a worship service. I had the opportunity to preach on the topic “Use Your Talent or Loose It,” Matt. 25:14-30. I used the lesson to encourage our brethren and the new Christians to find out what their talents are (if they already don’t know), develop them and use them to the glory of God. We took a group picture after the worship service. At the close of the three day campaign, five people put on Christ in baptism. 

Three Souls Added to the Nyiveme Church of Christ
The Nyiveme Church of Christ in Kpalime continues to make progress. This is because members are involved in the work, they continue home Bible studies, distribution of tracts, radio program and inviting neighbors, friends and family members their worship services. Three ladies were baptized and added to the church. 

Assiki’s Wife Baptized
Joseph Assiki was one of the students who graduated on Sept. 5. His wife was recently buried with Christ. Joseph came to us from a denomination as a “Pastor,” but was converted while in school. We were able to get a picture of him standing with his wife just after the baptism. 

CBS is now BVBI
Since 2005 we have used the name Center for Biblical Studies. Recently the authorities of Bear Valley Bible Institute International in Colorado suggested that all schools under Bear Valley use the name Bear Valley Bible Institute. We thought it wise to use it to reflect the relationship between us. I would therefore like to inform all my cherished readers that henceforth we shall be using the name Bear Valley Bible Institute Togo.  

Literature Center Now Open
We recently opened a resource center in Zomayi, a suburb of Kpalime. Preacher Asuka is the one managing the center. The center is going to be used as a training ground for students. Each week two students will be assigned to work at the center for two hours each day. This practical training will help them learn how to share literature and share the gospel message with the public. 

WBS School (Facts and Figures) 100 Baptized in two months
The Gospel Chariot has continued the Central Region Evangelism Tour. The team which comprises two drivers and two WBS workers is committed to spreading the gospel from one town to the other, working with churches, and planting new ones. It is truly an exciting work to be associated with as a Chariot committee member. In spite of the challenges encountered by the team at times, they still enjoy doing it. The Chariot team spent a little over two months in the Assin area because of the extent of work there. 

God blessed the efforts of WBS and the Gospel Chariot with the following results. 

Assin Towns – 26 baptism
Oda - 74 baptisms
WBS enrollments - 3080 new students. 

Activities of the chariot included: Tract distribution, personal evangelism, film show, open air preaching, enrollment in high schools etc. The responsibility of the host congregation is to provide lodging and meals for the Chariot Team. All other expenses are taken care of by the Gospel Chariot Mission. 

Mars Hill Christian Academy is Three (3) Years Old
Another academic year began on September 8 with a population of eighty kids from nursery to primary 4. However, we are looking forward to more kids coming in. Our biggest challenge now has to do with space and classroom chairs or desks. As at the time of writing this report, the population at the school stands at 132 kids. Though the token fee of about $20.00 is what Mars Hill collects, some parents cannot afford. The government has compelled us to employ eight teachers, including the head teacher for efficient academic work. This situation is a major challenge because the tuition cannot pay the teachers and still have enough for development of facilities at the school. I am using this medium to appeal to you to come to the aid of Mars Hill Christian Academy. We need funds for two more classrooms and extra desks. Each desk will cost $20.00. You can support a child with $25 a term which is made up of three months. Let us know if you are interested in this sponsorship program. Remember that each child in the school is a potential Christian. 

H.Willie Gley

A Campaign That Is Exciting To Read About In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We do hope you are doing great. We are also doing our best with the work entrusted in our hands. Most of our Christians, including me, are having red eyes. We commonly call it “appolo.” Keep praying for us as we move towards the dry season. We are bound to face such.

As I write this report, all 21 students who went out for campaign in different location, finished it and traveled to their different villages for a one week vacation. They made their way to Wotutu this evening to start their classes tomorrow, which will take them to the 4th of December, and it will mark the end of their first year of intensive studies.

They are reporting well in health and sound faith ready to start again tomorrow in our ever charged daily program in BVBIC-Wotutu. Keep all of us here in your prayers that we go through this quarter without any problem.    

We continue to thank God for His protection and care over us in our travel to do His work.

As the students were off from Wotutu, evangelism was not off. We continued our radio program “Back to the Bible,” and it was also time to meet our prospect. Brother Divine stood listening to the reading and explanation of God’s word, which will provoke his faith to obey the gospel.

He obeyed the gospel and invited us to study with his wife and children. We started studies with them, but they are being stubborn to the truth. They are welcoming to us whenever we knock at their door.

Our students love doing house to house. I told them in class that the more you do house-to-house evangelism, the more you see the expensive nature of your faith because house-to-house evangelism will expose you to people having different forms of belief and they hold fast what is not true. If all Christians can do evangelism, then they will not joke with their believe.

The Ngamalikum congregation witnessed growth, as our students passed by with evangelism. This is a very young congregation, which is less than 6 months old. Keep praying for them as we work with them on weekly basis.

House-to-house evangelism is a blessing and a curse depending on the situation. Some will welcome you and give you water to drink, while others mock you and even beat you. You can even see a nursing mother could not let the gospel pass by because the baby was crying. She decided to carry the baby in her hands and still paid attention to the word of God.

House-to-house is sweet, but at the same time, it can be bitter, like brother Abanda Edwin. He came back to school with pains on his body like many others because of the rainy season. The roads are bad. It is not easy to move along the street because of mud as the street in Baiyi village.

Mud cannot stop or hold back our students because we think souls, and we go for souls. By His grace, we can rob from the strong man’s house. Brother Abanda baptized a soul.

The Lord continues to add souls. For the one week campaign, the Lord added 18 precious souls to His church and 13 souls were restored back in the fold. As usual, keep the work in your prayers.

The news about Mission Printing tracts continues to spread like wild fire. Many evangelists keep coming to Wotutu to get tracts, no matter the nature of the roads now. Most evangelists, who were not able to get tracts during the last ocean container, will always smile as they meet tracts of their choice that will aid them work in their communities.

You may be surprised why children cluster by me, or maybe you are asking, “Who are they?” The orphans in the Brightland Christian orphanage were early in the church hall this morning as usual. They saw me entering the hall and they all ran towards me and embraced me and welcomed me into the hall for worship with smiles. Wow! It was amazing to see these children provoke my heart with joy as I am set to preach and feed the church. These are children who have no explanation to give why they are orphans. When I flashed my eyes back to the day each of them was admitted into the home, it provoked tears from my eyes, as I am always with them. I see their physical, spiritual, and social changes. They make me trust God more and say, “What shall I Render to the Lord for all He is Doing Towards Me?” I doubt if this home was not there what these children will have turned out to be in the future. Maybe they would have be like wild grass that grows without any control and direction. God bless you as you pray for these orphans and for those who take care of them. It is a great ministry. I am privilege to be a small part.

Plans
We have two Macedonian calls to come over and preach the saving message: Likomba Tiko and Idenau West Coast.

Appreciations
We express many thanks to God for you. You are just a great pillar in the work here. God bless you and watch over you. Thanks for all you do, your love, prayers, deep concern, and support. Those are the wheels that make this work move on. God will bless you when He returns to reward His servants. Faint Not! 

Please share this with others.

Elangwe and family
​By His grace Director BVBIC-Wotutu

A New Quarter Begins And Weekend Campaigns Bear Fruit...

Beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Below are reports from BVBIN and my fellow WBSFUW in the South West state, Nigeria.

FIRST SEMESTER SCHEDULE AT BVBIN: This semester began as scheduled on August 17 with 38 students. Brother Biola Joseph Olusoji is teaching on “The Fundamentals of Faith,” “Church Problems” and the “Scheme of Redemption.” Brother Isaac Oluwole Olaniyan is teaching on the “Life Of Christ 1,” “Biblical Eschatological” and “The Pentateuch.” Brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe is teaching on “Evangelism 1,” “2 Corinthians,” “Old & NT Survey,” and “OT Wisdom 1.” I, brother Mak, am teaching on “NT Church 1,” “1 & 2 Thessalonians,” “Ministerial Counseling,” and “Teaching With Success.”

Our campus minister, brother Abraham Idu Yeje, continues coordinating our weekend evangelism, while our computer instructor, Miss Esther Oyenuga, continues training students in basic knowledge of computing every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

WEEKEND CAMPAIGN: We campaigned at Asejire, Osun state on September 5, and two souls were converted. On September 12 at Ilisan Remo, Ogun state, brother Dele Shotola and one of our year 2 students, brother Emmanuel Nwaorji as the host ministers, and two restorations were reported by the host ministers on September 13, 2015.

On September 19, I and brother Kayode, and some BVBIN foundational members (brother Paul Akinwale, brother Dairo Joseph Abiodun, brother James Gbolahan, etc.) were part of the marriage ceremony of brother Bode Olowe, the last male child of my in-laws, that was held at Monatan - Ibadan, Oyo State.

On September 26, we evangelized Kuede and Laminin villages, Ona-Ara Local Government of Oyo state, and a denominational pastor named Nathaniel Oladele was converted. Brother Kayode Eniafe and brother Abraham Idu Yeje will attend their Bible Studies today (Tuesday) while two of our year two students is now assigned to worship with them from next week on, if the whole church embraces the New Testament doctrine this week.

WBS SEMINAR AT AKURE, ONDO STATE: A one-day WBS seminar, organized by the Abusoro congregation in Akure, Ondo state and brother Matthew Roland, was held on September 20 and resulted in the conversion of five souls on September 21.   

TEACHING / PREACHING AT ONIKOKORO / GBONGUDU CONGREGATION IBADAN: Brother Maknde Emmanuel taught on the “Second Coming of Christ” on September 6, while brother Lawrence Dada admonished the church on “Faithfulness.” Brother Moses Bamidele, one of our year-one students taught on “Why we are not Growing” on September 13, while brother Makinde John admonished the church on “Walking with God.” Brother Gabriel Ishom was the teacher of September 20, while brother Destiny Elijah admonished the church, and brother Makinde Emmanuel again taught on the “Marks of a Growing Church” on September 27, while brother David Oyekanmi admonished the church from Acts 11:28.

On September 20, I taught on “The Cost Of Discipleship” at Oke-Ofa Atipe, Ibadan, and on September  27, I taught on “Spiritual Challenges” at the Oniyere congregation, Ibadan and, Lord willing, I will teach the same topic at the Mile-12 congregation in Lagos state.

REPORT FROM OTHERS: Brother Dairo Abiodun Joseph and the church at Ota in Ogun state continue their prison and hospital ministry that resulted in the conversion of a soul in the month of September 2015, while brother Ezekiel Okorougo and his team continue their morning campaign at Ipaja and the environ using the Mission Printing and WBS materials in their daily campaign. Also, two of our August 28, 2015 graduates named Adedoyin Sola Rotimi and Ilori Gbenga Dare have just been appointed as the ministers of the Ido-Ekiti and Igbara -Odo congregations in Ekiti state. These two brothers will assume duty on October 1, 2015, Lord willing. 

CONCLUSION: We thank you all for your partnership with us, to aid us, and lighten our heavy burden. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Yours in His Grace as a Servant,

Brother Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi 
Director of studies - Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria. 
Minister-Church of Christ, Onikokoro / Gbongudu, Ibadan
​Proprietor - Southwest Institute, Butubutu, Ibadan

A Truth That Cannot Be Changed...

God is Divine and no one can change that truth. He does a lot of work in our life and the school in Mbanga in Cameroon. Students returned safely from the campaign and started immediately with short-courses taught by brother Gary Fallis. We had two weeks of intensive studies on the “Schemes of Redemption” and the “Godhead.” Brother Gary was interpreted the first week by brother Norbert, an instructor from the school, and the second by the brother Ititi Benedict, the Director. We are proud to have such a visiting instructor who took His time to discern his notes through the life and the mind of the students. Even though our area is really hot, he took the class in a shade where there is no electricity in the hall. We were under a mango tree, but we enjoyed it because there was natural air condition, since as the tree could not withered like that of Jonah in Nineveh. May God keep on blessing this big family of His.

Due to too much fatigue, we dismissed the students for one week so to begin third quarter on the 5th of October, instead of the 28th of September.

Regarding the third quarter schedule, by His grace, we shall kick off powerfully next week on Monday and also prepare for our campaign as far as to the North Region, which might cost us a lot of money. We are also preparing to attend a lectureship at Tonga, in French speaking Cameroon and also the Annual Lectureship in November. This will give a very tight schedule this third quarter with weekend evangelism. Oh my beloved, “Evangelism is our Mission and our Mission is Evangelism.”

The students are now going to the prison for prison ministry, as one of the students and myself went there with brother Nicolas yesterday. Every time the prison ministry is programmed, the school is represented by one or two students, or the director. This will help the students learn how to prepare lessons to preach in prison and even to refugees, as some of them have been out in the hospital.

As we keep on working in the the Lord’s vineyard, so our blessings keep on flowing in abundance. 

Brother Ititi

Preparing For Campaigns...

After an incredible lectureship at Bear Valley, students in Denver near the end of the quarter. For the freshmen, they will close out their first quarter this week preparing for final assignments and exams. The remainder of the student body prepares for the same and all the students will travel to various places around the country for a campaign next week. We are encouraged by the opportunity students receive to put into practice their classroom training. Please pray for them as they head out this coming Friday and Saturday.

News from the various extension locations where we are privileged to work also brings encouragement. A few of the locations prepare for their campaigns, while others continue the classroom work of training. The excitement of seeing students in each country share the gospel with the lost and witnessing souls obey God’s word cannot help but warm the heart with the power God demonstrates.

Additionally, we are thrilled to finalize the last few details of two new locations where schools will begin in February, 2016. Crossing all the “t’s” and dotting all the “i’s” takes time. In a few locations the process is even longer, depending on the regulations of the government nationally and locally. We are glad to report that the process is in the final stages for schools in Fiji and Malawi. Again, we ask you to pray about these locations and the future of their work. We will share more news as we near the beginning in each location.

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

Students Are Out On Campaign, Focus Shifts To Brightland Academy: While the students at Wotutu are sharing the gospel, a focus on the Brightland Academy shows outreach opportunities.

Work In French-Speaking Cameroon Is Growing With The Fear Of The Lord: The school in Mbanga, Cameroon continues to make an impact on the training of men to preach.

Souls Added To The Kingdom And Your Prayers Are Needed: The report from Arusha is exciting as more souls obey the gospel. Important prayer requests are included. Please pray.

Quarter Ends And Short-Courses Begin At ACSOP, Tanzania: The Andrew Connally School of Preaching students complete another quarter and prepare for two short-courses.

Final Thoughts
Thank you for continuing to believe in and participate in the training of preachers. The work in Denver and around the world continues to prepare men for ministry work, sharing the gospel with the lost of the world. These efforts introduce countless souls to the power of the gospel, now and for the future. Your involvement in this program is immeasurable. Thank you.

God bless
Bob

Students Are Out On Campaign, Focus Shifts To Brightland Academy...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Wotutu. We do hope this report finds you well and sound in faith. By the grace of God we are doing great. The weather was better this past week and health is better for many of our Christians.

All our students are out to 21 different congregations in Cameroon teaching, preaching, evangelizing, and nurturing congregations. They ended their campaign today, and by next Sunday when they will return to Wotutu, I will share stories about their work. Keep praying for them as many now are on the road leaving areas where they went for campaign to their own villages.

I will use this opportunity to share with you the work of the Brightland Christian Academy, a school where we are struggling daily to have influence on the kids in our communities. This year we have kids leaving 5 different villages to attend the school. This is an open door for us to reach those communities with the gospel also as we transplant the truth daily to the kids. We know we can easily reach their parents.

One of our graduates, brother Nsong Nelson, taught Bible during devotionals, chapel, and in different classes daily to the kids in Brightland. His work is making an impact firsthand, as the kids sing to the glory of God without clapping their hands and dancing as their parents do in their denominations. Kids go back home with that and on Sunday, many around Wotutu come and study with our children in the church hall and worship with us. That is great as their parents don’t stop them from coming. Keep praying for more open doors for the gospel.

It is not very easy to teach these kids who are young and have empty minds. Teachers in lower classes make sure they hold the hands of these kids to teach them how to use the pencil on their books.

Thanks to sister Nancy that brought some good wall charts containing numbers and the alphabet. These very little kids can learn easily as they see the letters and numbers on the wall in bold. This is a great tool and it helps them a lot.

Some of our permanent wall charts contain Bible information, like one the books of the Bible. This helps our kids in the school to keep learning the 66 books of the Bible, not the number books found in some Bible versions which is 72 and 85.

Many thanks to Mission Printing and those who contributed funds to make sure these rich tracts made it to Cameroon. Many preachers and different congregations continue to come to Wotutu to make selections of tracts that help ease their evangelistic efforts in their area. God bless Mission Printing and we can only say, “thank you for your great help to the work here.”

Plans
We still plan mass evangelism in the Tiko likoumba area when our students will return from campaign. Keep praying for the success of our plans.

Appreciations
God bless you. Thank you very much for all that you do to make things happen here. God alone will bless you and keep you strong as you continue to work for Him.

Prayer Request
Please keep one of our instructors in your prayers. Brother Norbert Bekwike struggles with his prostate, and the doctor said the only solution will be surgery and it is an emergency. Please keep him in your prayers and also help financially as 300.000 frs is needed within these days to do that. We pray God touches your heart as usual to help this brother.

Do your best to share this report with others.

God bless you.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Work In French-Speaking Cameroon Is Growing With The Fear Of The Lord...

With the Lord, everything is possible. People are dying every day, companies are being closed down day by day, businesses of men run short of capital income, but the Word of the Lord will never die down and will continue to save men every day in this world. The work in Cameroon is growing with the fear of the Lord and especially in the French speaking part of the country.

Students returned to campus on the 11th of September. Brother Gary Fallis arrived on the soils of Cameroon the same day and was taking directly to his hotel room with the company of the coordinator, David Ballard, and the director of the school in Wotutu.

Brother Gary finished his first week of teaching on “The Scheme of Redemption” and was interpreted by one of our instructors, and all seven of our students validated it and will begin today with the “Godhead.” He is a very good teacher, even in his approach of this particular course. We pray for him to still have more strength so as to give us a powerful approach on the next course.

We spent several days last week going up and down with the David Ballard and Steve doing evangelism to some villages around Mbanga, and the Lord added some souls into His vineyard who are worshiping God today with all amount of authority. We should keep on praying for these precious souls.

Our second quarter will end this weekend. Students went for field work and restored many souls in Nbangante, Abang, Mabanda, Douala, Nsanke, and Mujuka. We are still doing follow up with prospects and backsliders, as we sent students back to these congregations for weekend evangelism. The field is really vast and the students are few, but we shall still do our best to see that the work penetrates the French world in Cameroon and other parts of the world, like in Tchad and Central African Republic.

We shall immediately kick off with the third quarter on the 28th of this month and students might go for campaign as far as the Northern part of Cameroon.

May our good God give us long life, and as young as I am I will use my strength to do the work of God. “Evangelism is our Mission and our Mission is Evangelism.” 

Brother Ititi

Souls Added To The Kingdom And Your Prayers Are Needed...

Greetings Fellow Servants, 

We greet you once again as I prepare to return to Tanzania on Monday. It has been a great couple of months sharing with many the good our Great God is doing In Tanzania. We could not be more joyful for the good done and being done. The next few days and weeks will be packed with much good on many fronts. 

We would like to introduce you to our newest team members. Justin, Anna Maynard and Anna’s sister, Samantha Corners. Justin will be working with the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, including the student body with the farming project. We know how important it is to not only strengthen our students in the Word of God, but also strengthening them in their ability to provide for the physical needs of their families. Anna and Samantha will be working with Jane Massawe and other Christian ladies teaching them to teach ladies and children in God’s Word. 

Welcome Justin, Anna, and Samantha. May your journey be all you have hoped it would be and may our God bless you with much success to His glory and to the saving of countless souls. 

In two weeks we will host our annual Tanzania Leadership Conference. We will be blessed with several speakers from America, one from Malawi, another from Cambodia, and several from East Africa, including many from Tanzania. Strong, spiritual, and courageous leaders are needed in the Lord’s church in East Africa and throughout the world. We are in the process of expanding our leadership training (more to follow). 

Great News: (Yusuph Mdaki) “The work of evangelism continues very well at many congregations in this region. At Kazibiyo 6 souls have obeyed and 4 others have been restored. At Ushirombo, 2 souls have been added to the Kingdom. At Mganza 1 soul has been saved from the power of darkness”. (Godfrey Mngoma) “We thank God that through our visitation program at Arusha, sister Olimpiy has obeyed the gospel.” (Isaac Kasupa) “Two sisters have been restored at Ilkiure this week.” Thanks be to God for these amazing increases! “

Prayer Request: Our good friend, bother and sister in Christ and great supporters of missions, Dupree and Soneia Galloway have a 16 month old grandson by the name of Quin. Quin’s parents are Paul and Tara Merryman. A few days ago they discovered a tumor at the base of Quin’s brain stem. They will operate first thing Monday morning. Please pray for this little one and his family. Please have your congregation offer up prayers for this young boy and his family. Our God is able. We fully trust in the prayers of the righteous and the power of God. 

Two other prayer request; Stephanie had a check up this past week and a spot was seen on her lung. They will follow up this coming week with a CT scan. Also, during my regular annual physical my PSA levels were found to be elevated. An ultrasound was done, showing a nodule on my prostate. I will return from TZ to have a biopsy on the 12th of November. We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we move forward. 

We thank you all for all you mean to God’s Kingdom work where you are and throughout the world. We thank you for all you do, making God’s work possible in TZ. We thank our great God for all He has done, is doing, and for what He has yet to do in the saving of the lost of this world. 

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Quarter Ends And Short-Courses Begin At ACSOP, Tanzania...

Greetings from East Africa, particularly the ACSOP. The faculty and staff here are doing great things here for the sake of the Lord and His church. The rotating spiritual discipline program went well with me last month. As a part of it, I went to Manyire in the eastern part of Arusha to teach in the Bible classes as well as in the worship. The topic was Journaling for the Purpose of Godliness. I was encouraged to see about 26 men and women plus children in worship there listening to me teach that topic. I real enjoyed visiting that congregation for my first time.

This week ends our third quarter of studies, which will be followed by three short courses that will be taught by two guest brothers from USA. Bruce Ligon will be teaching Counseling and Christian Evidences, and Jonathan K. Page will be teaching Prison Epistles. 

Beside the above, on October 19th – November 20th, 2015 the ACSOP will be in the 4th quarter for the first year students. While on October 12th - November 13th 2015 the second year class will begin their final quarter. All of the second year students are expecting to graduate on the 28th of November this year. Let’s remember these faithful fellows in our daily prayers, giving thanks to God for the great heart of loving the Lord for coming here to study the Word so that they can go back to their homes to teach others. 

Also the Tanzania Leadership Conference is almost at hand. It will start on Thursday 8th – 11th October, 2015. This conference will involve all the East Africa church leaders. More than 80 men and women are expected to attend. We also request to remember this conference in your daily prayers for the effort which is being done by the ACSOP faculty to ensure that it happens. 

Let me end by quoting the word of the apostle Paul, “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph. 1:15).

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

Majoring In The Minor Prophets...

Bear Valley’s Annual Lectureship was the highlight of the weekend. The focus of this year’s lectureship was the second half of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The speakers taught incredible lessons that demonstrated a depth of their study with an application for the church today. Additionally, the fellowship among the hundreds of Christians who attended the lectureship furnished a small taste of what we anticipate in heaven. If you would like to listen to the lectures, please visit the following link: http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/2014-lectureship/.

The lectureship banquet is a special time that has become a traditional part of the lectureship each year. During the banquet, time is dedicated to discussing the current work in Denver and within the extension program. The opportunity to learn about the growth and development of the program is exciting for everyone present. 

The present work and future plans for the extension program continue to highlight the work at Bear Valley. Two new schools started this year and two new schools are set to begin right after the first of the year. Additionally, a number of locations are under consideration for new schools during 2016. News about the development of the extension program is getting out and contacts continue to come through the office. We look forward to the future.

The reports this week share news about the present nature of the work. We pray you are encouraged about the growth God continues to give in the work. Please remember to pray for each location and the progress of the overall development of the program.

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

Campaigns, Mission Printing, And Growth In The Family At Wotutu: Students in Cameroon unloaded tracts from Mission Printing and began campaigns, while God gave the increase.

Details On FPC At ITL In Guatemala: The news from Guatemala about a recent Future Preacher’s Camp is exciting as young men prepare for the future of the church.

Nine Souls Added To The Kingdom In Togo: The outreach of students at the Center for Biblical Studies in Kpalime, Togo sees the fruit of God’s increase.

On Schedule, Students Abysmal Performance, And Property: Teachers and students continue to move forward in their studies and there is discussion over the future of the property. 

ACSOP Serves The Lord Through Evangelism: Souls are added in Tanzania as students at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching share the gospel with others.

Spiritual Discipline Seminar Continues To Grow In Tanzania: Conducting the Spiritual Disciplines Seminar makes a powerful impact on the church in Tanzania.

Final Thoughts
We close the report by thanking each of you for your involvement in the Bear Valley program of training. We know this work is only possible because of your help. Thank you for helping us fulfill God’s saving mission in training those who are faithful to teach others. You are a blessing to the work at Bear Valley.

God bless
Bob

Details On FPC At ITL In Guatmala...

As we are rapidly bringing the 2015 summer to a close, we pray that you and those you love are doing well. We are doing fine here. As always, we feel the blessings of God being showered upon us. However, at the same time, and in so many ways, we also see how Satan works so hard to blind us to the blessings that are so abundant. 

In our Third Quarter Newsletter our plans are to recap some of the major events for June, July and August. However, to avoid making this letter into a book, we are going to divide it into Part One and Part Two. This will allow us to give you a little more details, make you wish you were here during the events, and, perhaps, encourage you to visit us for one of our events or teams next year. ☺ However, please keep in mind as you read about the major events, that during those times we were also teaching in both the full-time and Saturday programs at ITL, traveling and speaking at a couple of lectureships in the US, and teaching and preaching at the Linda Vista congregation, etc. 

Even though the work load seems immense, we desire to do no other than continue in full-time ministry for our Lord. And, we thank you for your support that allows us to do it. Now, let’s talk about the first major events for the last quarter. 

June 2015 – FUTURE PREACHER’S CAMP
The Lord blessed us to be able to host our second annual Future Preacher’s Camp (FPC). We believe God was glorified through our efforts. And, we also believe that the church here and our preacher’s school Instituto Teológico Latinoamericano (ITL) will receive benefit for the efforts that were put forth. Our team here, under the direction of camp director Kirk Brothers from Freed-Hardeman, did a great job in making it all happen. 

Just as a reminder, let us quickly explain what an FPC is. We gave you a brief description in our last update. An FPC takes boys 13 – 19 (ages vary) and introduces them to the life of a preacher. The campers learn a little about many aspects of being a preacher, as well as serving in various capacities in the church, such as singing, praying, presiding over the Lord’s Supper, etc. One of the main aspects they learn is how to prepare a sermon and deliver it. In short, the primary purpose is to encourage them to become future preachers, thus its name. An added benefit, as noted by some of the Guatemalan preachers, is that many of these campers return to their congregations with a renewed zeal to serve. 

Last year for our 1st camp, we did it all in two and half days and all at the ITL campus. Even though things went well, for the most part, we went beyond the capacity that the ITL campus can hold for an event such as this. Once we decided to have another FPC we also quickly decided we would have to find another place for it and that the next camp would be a full week like the camps in the US. So, the search began! 

The Lord blessed us to find an adequate and very beautiful camp ground named Campamento Caleb that was perfect for our needs. We looked into several camps but this one was the only one that would allow us to bring our own cooks and food. Needless to say, this reduced our cost significantly, not to mention it gave us confidence in the food we would have to eat for a week. ☺ The camp site offered plenty of rooms and beds for sleeping (everyone had to bring their own linen or sleeping bag), plenty of places for showers, a great kitchen area with a private area for the cooks to sleep, two large rooms for devotionals, meals and classes, and a large open area for various outdoor sports and activities. 

We had a total of 32 campers, 4 cooks, 4 teachers, 1 translator, and 7 counselors. Darvin, Hawatthia and Byron served as teachers, together with Kirk. Benjamin Montejo was Kirk’s translator. Snezana worked in the kitchen with our other cooks. A majority of the campers arrived on a Sunday afternoon and most would stay until the following Sunday for the conclusion of the camp. A few of them had to arrive on Wednesday. Four of them left because they were ill and two because they were homesick. 

This year’s theme was “Haciendo una diferencia” (Making a Difference) with a focus on character studies from the books of Luke and Acts. Amongst other things, each participant prepared a sermon eight minutes in length using the character assigned to him. 

that would allow us to bring our own cooks and food. Needless to say, this reduced our cost significantly, not to mention it gave us confidence in the food we would have to eat for a week. ☺ The camp site offered plenty of rooms and beds for sleeping (everyone had to bring their own linen or sleeping bag), plenty of places for showers, a great kitchen area with a private area for the cooks to sleep, two large rooms for devotionals, meals and classes, and a large open area for various outdoor sports and activities. 

We had a total of 32 campers, 4 cooks, 4 teachers, 1 translator, and 7 counselors. Darvin, Hawatthia and Byron served as teachers, together with Kirk. Benjamin Montejo was Kirk’s translator. Snezana worked in the kitchen with our other cooks. A majority of the campers arrived on a Sunday afternoon and most would stay until the following Sunday for the conclusion of the camp. A few of them had to arrive on Wednesday. Four of them left because they were ill and two because they were homesick. 

This year’s theme was “Haciendo una diferencia” (Making a Difference) with a focus on character studies from the books of Luke and Acts. Amongst other things, each participant prepared a sermon eight minutes in length using the character assigned to him. 

At noon we stopped for lunch. Wow, these guys could sure eat! ☺ After lunch and clean-up, 1:00 p.m. was dedicated each day as a time for the campers to work on their sermon with the help of their counselors, putting into practice some of what had been learned in the morning. At 2:00 p.m. they learned some of the practical aspects of ministry (i.e. conducting a personal Bible study, leading singing, 

answering questions after a sermon, etc.). So, when 3:00 p.m. rolled around they were ready for their free time. Some of them participated in basketball and/or, soccer others in table games or a time of relaxation and, believe it or not, some of them worked on their sermons. 

After around three hours of free time, dinner was served. Following dinner, various activities took place, some of which taught more practical things while others gave the campers, counselors and teachers an opportunity to stand before the group to talk about different things. At 9:45 p.m. they had free time again with lights out at 11:00 p.m. 

The last three days were very exciting. On Friday afternoon the entire group traveled by bus to Guatemala City to bowl, most of them for their first time. We found that we had some good bowlers in the group. However, we also found that a lot of them did not need to consider it as a profession.☺ On Saturday the campers presented their week-long work in front of their peers, counselors and teachers. Two of them were selected to preach for the Sunday morning service.
On Sunday we had a full house. A bus was rented for members of Linda Vista to attend. Several parents of the campers and other members for their congregation were also in attendance. A graduation followed the morning worship during which trophies were presented to the outstanding campers and to the most improved camper. 

We are sorry to report that Brother Kirk was not able to stay for the entire camp due to the death of his sister-in-law, Angie Osmon, his wife’s sister. Thankfully, she was a faithful Christian who has gone on to her reward. Kirk left very early on Saturday to be with his family and to preach the funeral service. Our love, sympathy and prayers continue to go out to Kirk, his wife Cindy and their family. 

Please allow us to close the FPC section telling you of the highlight of the camp. Six campers put their Lord on in baptism. This was the most joyous moment of the entire week. Please keep the new walk of these young Christians in your prayers. You received more information earlier about their baptisms. 

Without doubt we believe the camp was a tremendous success and brought much glory to the Lord’s cause here in Guatemala. Lord willing, we plan to have FPC 2016. Please join us in praying that this will happen. 

Thank you for taking the time to read part one of our September-Third Quarter Newsletter. We hope you enjoyed what we shared. God bless you! 

Serving the Master, 
Hawatthia “Hi” Jones Byron & Snezana Benitez Missionary Missionaries 

“Teaching the CENTRAL MESSAGE in CENTRAL AMERICA!

Nine Souls Added To The Kingdom In Togo...

Five Baptized in Kpadape Campaign
Kpadape is about seven kilometers from Kpalime, and the minister is David Wama. The Chariot spent the weekend of August 27-30. Preachers and students from the CBS and Kpalime area were present to assist members of the Kpadape congregation with the campaign. Activities included tract distribution, house to house Bible studies, Chariot booth display, open air preaching and a film show. 

Willie Preaches at Kpadafe Church of Christ
The Kpadafe campaign was climaxed with a worship service. I had the opportunity to preach on the topic “Use Your Talent or Loose It,” Matt. 25:14-30. I used the lesson to encourage our brethren and new Christians to find out what their talents are, if they already did not know, develop them, and use them to the glory of God. We took a group picture after the worship service. At the close of the three day campaign, five people put on Christ in Baptism. 

Three Souls Added
The Nyiveme Church of Christ in Kpalime continues to make progress. This is because members are involved in the work. They continue home Bible studies, distribution of tracts, radio program and inviting neighbors, friends and family members to their worship services. Three ladies were recently baptized and added to the church. 

Assiki’s Wife Baptized
Joseph Assiki was one of the students who graduated on September 5. His wife was also recently buried with Christ. Joseph came to us from a denomination as a “Pastor,” but was converted while in school. He stood with his wife just after the baptism. 

CBS is now BVBI
Since 2005 we have used the name Center for Biblical Studies. Recently, the authorities of Bear Valley Bible Institute International in Colorado suggested that all schools under Bear Valley could use the name Bear Valley Bible Institute. We thought it wise to use it to reflect the relationship between us. I would therefore like to inform all my cherished readers that henceforth we shall be using the name Bear Valley Bible Institute - Togo. 

Literature Center Now Open
We recently opened a resource center in Zomayi, a suburb of Kpalime. Preacher Asuka is the one managing the center. The center is going to be used as a training ground for students. Each week two students will be assigned to work at the center for two hours each day. This practical training will help them to learn how to share literature and to share the gospel message with the public. 

Report by
Willie Gley

On Schedule, Students Abysmal Performance, And Property...

Almost all of the instructors at SIBS are full-time workers serving in various congregations around here. Some even work with more than one congregation – that means they also work with other congregations to mature them through teaching and preaching, including periodic leadership training. These instructors almost have to travel a considerable distance to teach at SIBS. Such a tight schedule puts additional strain on these preachers who teach classes at SIBS.

However, it is gratifying to note that, although it has been very challenging in some quarters, during this period the instructors were on schedule and completed their classes on time.

A notable instance is the case of Charles Arthur, an instructor from West Coast who travels about 225 kilometers from Takoradi in the extreme western point of the country, to teach classes at SIBS.  Also Kojo Acquah Beenyi, who travels from the Swedru in the Central region to teach classes at SIBS. This is commendable of our instructors.

Students Abysmal Performance
Although the students’ performance had been impressive, a couple of them were not punctual and did not complete the quarterly schedule this time.

Property For [SIBS] Campus
SIBS is now operating from a temporary rented house. We are almost in our second year, and have two more years remaining to stay in this house. What we are not sure of is whether we would still have the opportunity to continue renting the facility for the next two years. It has therefore been necessary to consider possible alternatives before it is too late. We had the opportunity therefore to look at a piece of plot being offered for sale. However, since our school had not been registered by then, not much could be done to pursue the land. [SIBS] now has received the government’s registration and, therefore, the quest to acquire a piece of property for a permanent campus need to be vigorously pursued. This is important to guarantee the security and future of the school.

Please continue to keep us always in your thoughts and prayers.

Seth Osae-Larb
BVBI-SIBS

ACSOP Serves The Lord Through Evangelism...

It’s my hope this finds you well in the Lord’s work. I am happy for the Lord’s work which is entrusted to us in this area. Also, I am happy for your position to make the ACSOP the best school in this area. It has been a blessing to see students performing well in their studies and working hard on their evangelism efforts. As I am writing this report the students just finished baptizing one person that they reached this week. This is exactly what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:2, The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

Now the students have the great privilege of serving the Lord by evangelizing in local congregations every weekend. Next week will be the last week for the long quarter which will be followed by two short-courses in each class. As part of the students training, we are able to listen to students preaching every Thursday at the Kisongo church, which is closer to the school. On the second Thursday of this month we were able to listen to brother Emanuel Dagati from the second year, who is among the best students on preparing and delivering sermons. He preached the sermon on “Who can Escape the Terrifying Hand of God?” Hebrews 10:31. He preached out of confidence which led everyone to have the feelings of what will happen to those still living in sin. This encouraged teachers and all those who are making this work to be possible. By training these men, God has been glorified in all East Africa and Central Africa. Too many churches are being established through these efforts.

Back to the Kisongo church, God is still in control. In August and September six peoplereceived the gospel by being added to the church and four were restored to Christ. The church is working hard, as much as possible, to make sure the gospel is being taken serious regardless of the challenges she is facing. We are now encouraging members to do their part by preparing as many Bible classes as they can. 

Please, in your prayers remember to pray for our good brother, Loishiye, who has been passing difficulties due the conflicts between him and his wife. This is causing him to draw back from the church. There are worldly friends trying to interfere in their relationship by encouraging the wife to divorce him. He has been suffering in this problem for almost a year now.  

Thank all for your time.

In His Work

Ahimidiwe Kimaro
Assistant Director, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute International Extension School
Arusha, Tanzania

Spiritual Discipline Seminar Continues To Grow In Tanzania...

The Spiritual Disciplines seminar that has been traveling around the area has now come to the Njiro Chini congregation. My "Timothy," Ayubu, and I were privileged to bring the introductory lessons. Over the coming weeks area evangelists will be visiting Njiro Chini to teach about important spiritual disciplines that will help the members there to grow. I'm excited to see what will happen for the congregation as they apply these practices.  

Our students are beginning the last week of the 3rd quarter. I'm sure they would appreciate your prayers as they prepare for final exams and finish up their papers and projects. This quarter I taught the course on “Job.” It was a rich and rewarding study of placing unconditional trust in God. I hope it blessed the students as it blessed me.

Elly hosted a gathering at his home to honor and appreciate the workers at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. It was a warm gesture and seemed to be well received by the staff and faculty. He asked me to give a speech at the gathering. I gladly took the opportunity to remind the workers of the valuable role that each of them play in the overall work of the school and the souls that are saved as a result. I am immensely thankful for the brothers and sisters that work so hard in cooking, cleaning, security, maintenance, gardening, in the office, translating, and other necessary tasks that contribute to the operation of the school. In whatever capacity you serve Christ and His church, fill your role to the best of your ability.  

Would you like a visit?  I have openings available in December and early January. If you would like for me to visit with your congregation to discuss the work here, then contact me so we can get you on the schedule.

Daniel Gaines

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

Campaigns, Mission Printing, And Growth In The Family At Wotutu...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Cameroon. We do hope you are doing great in all that you do. We are doing better here in health and the rainy season is still on, as today during our worship there was a heavy down pour of rain.

Last week went on well in BVBIC-Wotutu. We were off from classes because all the short courses were over and our students were supposed to be out for campaign, but we delayed their trips because we were expecting the Mission Printing container to Wotutu, so they were supposed to stay by to help offload the ocean container.

September is always a period in Cameroon where schools, after three months vacation, resume classes. Brightland Christian Academy resumed well and God blessed the school. We can see from the increase in population that many people have started seeing the importance of Christian education. We pray God to be in more things that will continue to attract the population. This year the population is moving up from 140 kids, from last year to now. For the past two weeks, 170 kids, with many female children, have the opportunity to go to school as we make it affordable .

My child, Rita, studied the Bible at home with brother Steve, who was around our home for one week teaching a short course, “The Prison Epistles.”

My child, Rosaline, also benefitted from that opportunity to study with my friend and partner in the things of God in Cameroon.

Rosaline obeyed the gospel. Keep her in your prayers to keep growing. sShe is very smart and can do more things for her generation.

Rita also obeyed the gospel. It is awesome to see your children being focused, as they see you putting hours upon hours in what matters. Keep them in your prayers.

Cameroon was blessed again with another ocean container from Mission Printing that carried thousands of boxes of tracts. It arrived in Cameroon safe, and made it to Wotutu without much trouble on the way. We have millions of tracts to touch the lives of many as we go out preaching and teaching the truth.

They were placed in our church hall in their label ready for distribution. We placed them for easy identification and selection. We have tracts of different subject matters carefully selected by me to meet up with the questions many will ask us as we go on evangelism. This is a great tool and I pray that through our reaching out God will add many souls to His kingdom.

The arrival of the container to Wotutu, which took us hours upon hours to offload, provoked smiles and happiness as our students, 21 in number, were the first to benefit from a special box labeled “Preacher’s Box.” These boxes contain assorted books and special tracts with other things our students were so happy to benefit from. They continue to send words of appreciation to Mission Printing and partners for such a good thoughts about them. The boxes will help them start building their library. God bless you Mission Printing.

After the offloading, the same day students were ready to move for evangelism to 21 different locations. Many congregations called to get students to come and help with the work. Brother Cyprine was ready to go. Some will go to villages where the roads are bad. Cars or motor bikes cannot go there during this period because of the rains, so they will be forced to carry their boxes of tracts and their bags in different ways to make it through. Keep them in your prayers. As of now all of them made it through.

Brother Hilary was set to go. One thing I like about our students is that they are very happy whenever the time comes for mission work in different places. It is time of personal prayer and meditation because everyone is eager to make an impact in the lives of people in the community where he will serve. Keep praying for them.

Cameroon this time around had double blessings because we are both English and French. Brother Ititi Benedict is one of our graduates, and he is preaching with the congregation in Mbanga where the French school is located. He was in Wotutu to get French tracts, which will also help the work in the French part of Cameroon.

The news about the arrival of tracts in Wotutu spread like wild fire, as many preachers in different congregations all over the nation of Cameroon came down to Wotutu to get tracts for their congregations. One of these men selected his own and wrote his name on it, so that when he comes to Wotutu he will get the tracts to their destinations little by little. The rush is too much to get and from looking at things, the tracts will be in different locations in a very short while. Writing of name on a box is a sign of ownership.

We thank God that brother David Ballard and wife and brother Steve, who were here for different assignments, left our country safe without any problem. While here, cars were unable to take us, and when we had a delay in one way or the other we jumped on a motor bike and moved because time is short and souls are perishing. We have the saving message in our hands which can soften the hard hearted and bring lasting peace in the souls of many. Peace talks, after bombs and gun firing, are always short lived, but the peace we succeed to transplant in the hearts of men lasts forever. If God continues to bless us with motor bikes for most of our preachers, the work in Cameroon will take a very different dimension.

Plans
We have plans for two different locations when our children return from mission work in Likomba. We plan to join evangelism with the French school in Mbanga where we shall storm the community of Mujuka with the word of God. Keep the plans in your prayers.

Appreciations
God bless you for all that you do for the work here. If it were not you we doubt how far we would have gone now. God bless you and keep you strong. Share this with others. God will reward you in due season.

Elangwe and family
By His grace Director BVBIC-Wotutu