Evangelism in Cameroon

We bring our warm greetings and salutation from Mbanga Balong were the church of Christ and the students of the bible institute are working hand in hand for the glory of God. We are doing our best in the midst of Covid-19 as we do our very best to keep and respect all the measures put in place by the state and the WHO.

God is richly blessing us with the breath of life and His spiritual food even though sickness has been a great challenge to our community and to our students. By the grace of God, we are gradually overcoming this stage.

We begin with the work of our students and instructors of BVBIC-Mbanga. We are happy to let you know that the students are growing and are now becoming good pulpit men and are also hard working in the field. Their presentation on the pulpit and the level of handling church activities is showing some level of maturity. We are getting good reports and feedback from their weekend evangelism and other mission work. Keep on praying for this 3rd batch of students who are now in quarter 2 year 2 of their studies.

We are still very concerned with health safety during weekend evangelism as we move to neighboring assemblies and to some distant assemblies. As we do make way for evangelism, God is adding to the church of our Lord, such as it should be saved.

Evangelism is a great vocation and God is faithful, giving a way for faithful ones to carry it out as He is prepared to give the increase. Still in our studies, we are also progressing in vocational training as we train them in animal farming and gardening. Paul was a tent maker and we are also training our students to become “tent makers” in the field of tomorrow as one can decide to either enter into animal farming, gardening, or both to help support themselves as they preach for the Lord. God bless Bear Valley for this endeavor.

We also accomplished a mission to Mombo in a mass evangelism program with brother Alfred and brother Giresse. It was a very good mission of sharing tracks and doing door to door. These two souls were also added in the church in another mission to Tombel. Bibles were handed over to the new converts. We are praying for these new converts and for them to use their weapon of warfare to God’s glory. 

Still in our campaigns we handed bibles to the young assembly in Loum. The leader is a new convert named brother Maturin who is facing many challenges after been displaced from the southwest region. As he traveled to Mbanga to collect these Bibles, one of the major challenges he told me about was about a child in the congregation who was suffering from hernia. God used our beloved brother David and the support team to intervene and the surgery was successful.

God added 5 souls during our mission work as we concentrated mostly around Mbanga and some closely neighboring communities. 2 were baptized in Mbanga and 3 others in nearby communities.

  We are now back in class. We started last week on Thursday and we now in our 2 quarter in the 2nd year of studies.  We harvested some maize (corn) from our garden and some melon (like pumpkin) or what is commonly called egusi here.  Thanks so much my fellow workers in the vine yard. God bless you 

 From table of the willing slave in Mbanga,

 Ititi Benedict Nimending

Director BVBIC-Mbanga 

Temporarily on hold in Trinidad

TRINIDAD SCHOOL OF PREACHING. JUNE 2020

Grace and Peace to all ! School is now officially closed for the 2019-2020 period and will reopen as scheduled in September along with all schools.  Our students have all done quite well given the covid19 situation and we anticipate graduation in December hoping all goes well.  Our doors are opened for the new intake and we are looking forward to a great set of fresh men to continue the legacy.

In terms of involvement, both Trovel  Immanuel and I were asked by the church in San Fernando to assist in getting men ready for Eldership. This was completed and with God’s help, San Fernando should appoint elders soon. We are all excited that we could have been involved this way. Let us be praying for this congregation that has housed the TSOP from inception.

We continue to pray for returning students as borders are still closed. However, in the event that they remain closed, classes will continue online, even with the new intake. Also, in terms of mission trips, we await guidelines from all authorities so keep praying for us. Even our Masters students are impacted so much so that Bear Valley has suspended classes until October. Pray for this please.

Allow me to say a hearty thank you to all those who help make TSOP what she is today. Thanks for your prayers, support, encouragement, funds and general well wishes. We remain humbled by your kindness to us. We also extend an open invitation to prospective students for our next class in September. We will not hesitate to say as well that classes may be fully available online by September so you may still join the class and come to school when all of this is done!! Stay tuned for further details . May God bless you richly!!

Classes have resumed in Togo

Report of June 2020

I give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for His infinite grace. The teachers, as well as the students of BVBI and CBS are doing well. June 8, 2020 was the date on which classes were opened with all the features of the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures. Classes are continuing, teachers who are far away are now arriving to teach the classes. Everything is normal. The evangelization and distribution of Bible treatises in the markets and other activities planned by the school is respected.

Classes:

Twelve students are present and continue their courses from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 to 8:00, morning devotion. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a 30 minute break.

Evangelization:

Today, motorcycles are used to go to the villages and door-to-door evangelism and the distribution of Bible treatises. Last two Fridays, three students went to AMOUIZOUKOPE accompanied by an evangelist ASSOGBAVI GABRIEL as part of establishing a new assembly. It is a place that we have in program for evangelism this year 2020.

Agriculture Project :

When the students are now permanently at the center, we have taken over all the work. For some time they are not available because of the pandemic.

CBS:

Forty students to enter the Bear Valley Institute next fall continue to run every Saturday from 8:00 to 2:00 with a 30-minute break.

May the peace and grace of our Jesus Christ fill all his blessings for the support you bring to the Institute.

Thanks

Your brother

NYEMANTA Essotena

A new congregation in Zimbabwe

JUNE 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT

Introduction

Zimbabwe  has remained under lockdown with a few service providers having been allowed to operate. Schools remain closed, with only examination classes allowed to write their examinations. This means that BVBIZ is also affected. Travelling remains difficult and this means most of the schools programs remain on hold. However, God has his ways of doing things in that we were enabled to make a few strides. We can report the following;

Lessons Start

With the prevailing lockdown induced by the COVID19 virus having prevented students from coming on ground for now, lessons had to start in a way. The new class was due to start classes on the 13th of May. Having been placed in “a new normal,” an attempt to start online classes was made in June and it proved to be a success. Three subjects were put on trial. These are; How We Got The Bible, Life of Christ and Public Speaking. Lessons were done on Whatsapp and Zoom. Assignments that were due in June were turned in whilst others are on-going. We continue waiting for an opportunity to resume classes normally. This resumption will also allow our second intake which is due to graduate in October, to undertake its last practicum.

Gardening

Currently, a small garden is being prepared. Planting of vegetables has already begun. The aim is consumption and minimise costs once the new class is on campus. However, the lack of water in the area, brings an opportunity for us to produce more and sell. The garden needs to be expanded and put under drip irrigation if resources allow.

Impacting the Community

The area surrounding the school’s new site has a huge challenge of water. With the country facing challenges of drought, for two consecutive years, several cattle had died due to water shortage.. The nearest source is 8 kilometres away. The community came together and bought a 300m  poly pipe which draws water from our borehole to a drinking trough outside the school premises. People come every morning from 6-8am to fetch water for consumption whist their cattle drink there from 12noon-1pm. Almost 400 cattle are benefitting from this arrangement.

New Congregation Starts at Site

When schools closed in March due to the lockdown, two students, Batsirai Tengulachepa and Grey Ndoro,  remained on campus and have been with us since then. When the school relocated its property to the new site, they also went there. They have started evangelism in the area, most of which is done when people come to fetch water in the morning (6-8am) and at noon (12-1pm) when cattle are brought. The average attendance is 20. Unfortunately no baptism has taken place yet due to the absence of a baptistery or pool of water. We hope to construct a baptistery soon. Great appreciation to Nashville church of Christ for providing part of the food needs for these students.

Conclusion

The words of Paul in 2Co 4:8-12  can summarise our situation well. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Indeed, we owe everything to God who enables us to take the extra step despite various challenges confronting us including the COVID19 virus. Great appreciation to Woodland Oaks and all of you for partnering with us one way or another in the expansion of God’s Kingdom. May God keep all of you safe. To God be the Glory!

Back to full swing in Zambia

JUNE, 2020 - REPORT

Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who through His grace and the love fully expressed in Christ has granted us the opportunity to work in His Vineyard. This report has been written in an effort to provide some insight into the accomplishments that BVBI-Zambia has continued to experience. 

We have continued to receive good report from our former students, the month of June we have been visited by Clive Kabika from Kabwe central province where he is currently preaching, he has visited and preached to our three congregations in luanshya and has restored three Souls.

The classes are back in full swing after eight weeks of break due to restrictions of COVID-19. All students are back and just concluded the backload of third quarter’s work with a short course in homiletics with Kennedy Mukuka. We are thankful to brother Mukuka who besides the risk of contracting corona virus in Lusaka past through to come and prepare these men for the noble task of preaching. We have also been granted permission by the ministry of healthy to be meeting on Sunday for worship at the Institute, we are currently using a car park as a meeting place. This has given our current student body a good platform for preaching and meeting the community already some members of the community are meeting with us during the worship assembly.

For the past eight weeks that the classes were suspended, these men worked tirelessly with their respective congregations. Joseph Ilunga As he graduates before the end of this year he promises to go back and work among his people in the neighboring country of Congo DR. Joseph has also been preaching in two districts since his return at the Institute.

Nelson Sikazindu is also eager to go back and continue helping the congregation at Miyengelwa in Mpongwe District. The church that he is working with is quite small but given time and constant reaching out in the community, this congregation could be one of the vibrate congregations in Mpongwe area. He restored two souls during his preaching. He is also graduating before the end of this year. And he says he cannot wait to go back and continue helping Miyengelwa church of Christ.

Vincent Simwanza and Stembiso Magawa have been sharing the gospel in Luanshya and Mufurila, Vinicent has converted one soul to Christ, they have enjoyed the evangelism program and we believe the results will continue to be marvelous. We have also noticed a great fellowship with our former and current students whenever we come together.

Simon Khazi was marooned in Lusaka during the time of COVID-19 restriction period. Lusaka Province became the epicenter of the pandemic here in Zambia. Hence, all forms of church gatherings were banned by the government. But Simon and some brethren in Lusaka found a way of reaching out and preaching to people. He mentions that they used to move from house to house of members in an effort to encourage them. He plans to go back to Chitungulu village in Eastern Province of Zambia which is His home village once he graduates from BVBI-Zambia. He plans to go and work with the church in that part of the country.  

We continue to be grateful to God for the privilege of helping these men prepare for the wonderful work of preaching. We are also thankful to Woodland Oaks church of Christ for the partnership in this work. Your financial help that you send to the school each month will undoubtedly yield great dividends in God’s Kingdom. 

God bless you all!  

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred 

Using time wisely in Liberia

GREETINGS

We bring you greetings from the Bear Valley Bible Institute-LIBERIA , hoping all is well you all by the special grace of God our loving and faithful Father in heaven.

COMPULSORY CLOSURE

The month of May begun with us very challenging because of the Covid 19 Pandemic in Liberia and from around the world. Our government was force to passed out mandate as a state of emergency for the immediate closure of all schools and businesses to help keep its citizens safe. This forced us to followed the Government orders by suspending classes on May 6, and most of the students went home. This we have to do to avoid getting in trouble with the authorities. This has brought everything out here to a stand still. We have six of our students staying on campus because of the distances to their home towns. We all thought this would have finish sooner, but it has surprised everyone as it stands now. Meanwhile, the few students staying on campus continued to share tracks and do little Bible studies. Three baptisms have been done by them.

There is a state of emergency in Liberia with a 3:00 pm Curfew for everyone for the next 21 days in the country. Please keep us in your prayers because the numbers of Corona virus patients are rising.

ABOUT A STUDENT:

JULIUS D. NOWON - is one of the young student in the Bear Valley Bible Institute here in Liberia. He hailed from Lillepo Kanweaken, Chedepo District, River Gee County. He is single and a high school graduate. He became member of the Lord's church two years ago in Fish Town Church of Christ River Gee County. He is very zealous and high working.

When I ask him of his aim, this is what he said, “ I want to study the Bible and work for God. I don't see anything precious in this life then working for God.

APPRECIATION AND CONCLUSION

We want to thank all of you so much for supporting the work in Liberia. Without you, this effort would not be possible. May God richly bless you.

In Him,

Robert Dahn

More good news from Malawi

Bear Valley Bible Institute

Ekwendeni  Malawi

June, 2020 Report

Introduction 

It is two and half months now since the schools were suspended in Malawi and some other parts of the world. We have been encouraging our students to keep preaching than just staying at home waiting for the classes to resume. We are praying daily that the Covid-19 should end. Even though the cases are increasing daily, but it has started to stabilise giving us hope to resume our classes soon. The government of Malawi says by the mid July the schools will reopen (13th July). But we (BV  Malawi) will possibly resume our classes the first week of August, to give our students 2 weeks to prepare coming.

The future of every school is when it has its own structures (Buildings); we have been praying that one day the school in Malawi have its own school site where the building work can start. We reported earlier in the year that we have been given land, but now we are confirming that the land is finally paid for,  allowing us to start our building projects after meeting the lands people to map the school site next week. God is good! The good news is that souls are being saved even in midst of the pandemic. Some students have reported about 5 baptisms this month and also I and the teachers have been travelling every Sunday worshiping with these students in there meeting places. We have also been visiting the former students and they are doing good job as the leaders of the congregations are commending them for their zeal for the Lords work as they keep on preaching and teaching.

Preaching and Teaching

We the Bear Valley Bible Institute  Ekwendeni (Malawi), staff have been conducting some lectureships and preaching of one to one in order to follow the Covid 19 precautions of social distance. The lectureship system is also working well as far as social distance is concern as we wait for conducting gospel campaigns which attracts more people. Through this effort of lectureships in village congregations, some many souls are able to get proper Bible education from us. We have helped more than 4 congregations in the Northern part of Malawi who were not following the Bible pattern of worship. Now they are able to understand as the Bible directs. The other thing we have been teaching is the Autonomy of the church. We are glad that many are coming in the line. One student (last year graduate), also reported that the education they got from the school is a great weapon that is helping them change the understanding of some congregations in the southern region of Malawi. We thank God that many preachers are benefiting from the school here.

We would like to keep on thanking Bear Valley Bible Institute  International for the huge support both physically and spiritually. Without your stretched hand on us, we could not have reached this far. We commend you to God in prayers as we still need your help. God bless your families as you THINK SOULS!

Your fellow servants,

Ephron and Clergynton

ReplyReply allForward

A BV preachers seminar in India

Preachers’ Seminar:  We were pleased with the visit of our Brother Keith Kasarjian, Director of Bear Valley International school. He made it possible to visit besides several difficulties in here and internationally. We certainly appreciate his courage and  leadership in directing the Bear Valley International Schools across the world. Our students, graduates and preachers gathered have been encouraged by his teaching on that Day. It was a great time of fellowship and learning. God has been blessing this part of India through the efforts of Visakha valley Bible College, in Visakhapatnam. Our graduates or doing amazing job of saving souls and establishing local congregations and edifying them. “We are one, we are strongest working together in unity” 1cor. 12:14

 Visakha Valley Bible College: Our Faith is being proclaimed; during the visit of Bro. Keith, we were invited by one of our graduates to speak at a public gospel meeting. He is recently starting up a new congregation in this area with the help the Bible College faculty.  Several have gathered under a tent for the meeting.  We have arrived late  they have been waiting for us; so without waste of time Keith begun to preach, after few minutes cloudy sky begun showering, increased so much where crowed scattered, but half of them remained in the tent and started singing, by the time song is over the rain was gone, we were uplifted by God’s grace, it stopped raining and the preaching was begun which touched several hearts, lead to Truth. This congregation continues to grow by bringing several to Christ. The word of faith being proclaimed.

John Dean Mapuddi

Classes have resumed in Lagos Island

REPORT OF THE BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – LAGOS ISLAND CENTER,  May 2020 - June 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Challenging time is really an opportunity to show the true strength of a Christian. The COVID 19 pandemic is no longer a news to all but the effect of it to the church, the school and the society will last long. The lockdown affected our classes for two months but we were able to resume class last month being May when Lagos State government gave permission for movement within the state.

The number of people we are reading or hearing having Corona Virus in our Country may not be the true picture, for some government leaders have seen this as an opportunity to make money from International body. Such attitude made them to continue to inflict the number. We pray that God will continue to protect his own children always.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES: Our classes resumed after the lockdown. Bro Oluwafemi Adewuyi taught the Book of James and Bro Emmanuel Odoh just concluded Godhead. Bro Etim Nfon who is the Coordinator of Ikorodu Center will be teaching the 3 Epistles of John from next Saturday. We have 17 students in our center presently however, 10 are regular in class while some have not resumed due to fear of the present situation.

WBS ONLINE STUDY HELPER: It is my pleasure to be found useful even during these challenging times. The Online World Bible School Project is a great one and is even becoming more effective this time that many are working from home. It is challenging that they choose to upgrade their site when needed most. The process has affected our online studies with our students.  I have been able to grow my WBS Online Students from 1,716 in beginning of May to 1,863 as at the 30th of June 2020. 2 students completed their courses during this period.

I want to thank God for using me in that capacity. 5 souls were added to the body of Christ during this period. “Kerry Lombard wrote Hi there. I just wanted to thank you for arranging my baptism. I was baptized on Monday and have been invited to a church. Feeling very blessed indeed. Regards Kerry. That was Kerry comment from South Africa. Join me to thank God and pray for her to be stable in the kingdom. The last was a family that Bro Titus Blair introduced to me. We will do more as God give us the privilege to serve Him.

CHALLENGES: We thank God for the authority of Bear Valley for the sacrifice in helping us study the word of God in this part of the world. The pandemic may continue to be a serious challenging factor to our work. We pray that it go down worldwide this period.

CONCLUSION: We are all pencils in the hand of God. More work will be done as we learn more to work and serve humanity.

Thanks and God bless you.

TIM IWE

Lagos Island Center Director

Moving forward in Ibadan, Nigeria

Dear fellow ministers of God.
Greetings from Nigeria in Jesus Christ name. I trust all is well with you all during this global pandemic.
Below is the summary of this month activities from all of us in BVBIN & SWSE ,IBADAN.

OVERVIEW
1. WEEKEND EVANGELISM / GOSPEL  CAMPAIGNS
2. FOURTH  SEMESTER  CLASSES BEGINS AS SCHEDULED ON JUNE 1,2020
3. VOICE OF THE TRUTH VOLUME 104 & 105
4. BVBID DEGREE  PROGRAM
5. WBSFUW  VISITATION TO REMOTE TOWNS.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM /GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS : The students and staffs of the BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan were busy in all the weekends of the month of June 2020 in the evangelization of towns and villages of Oyo and Osun States. We divided ourselves into five groups in the evangelization of Butubutu and environment, Jago and environmental, Ajia and environmental, Egbeda and environment and Asejire -Ibadan and Osun State. Even though, their is no conversion recorded but thanks be unto the Lord that the group that evangelized Butubutu and environmental were able to restored the Lord's Church in Kuede village after five or six years of their apostasy.

FOURTH SEMESTER CLASSES :Our last semester for this session, 2019/2020 begins on June 1 and will be ending Lord's willing on July 24,2020.
Bro. Kayode Eniafe is handling 1st Corinthians and Christian Ethics, Bro. Andrew Adeolu is handling 1 & 2 Timothy  & Titus and Revelation, Bro. Isaac Olaniyan is handling Life of Christ -4(The Book of John) and Leadership, Bro. Guda Silas is handling  Elementary  Greek and Church History, Bro. Abiola Olusoji is handling Church Growth and NT & mission and I (Bro. Makinde Ebens) is handling Homiletics -2(Practical),Fundamentals of the Faith, Advanced Homiletics and Islamic Religion

VOTI VOLUME 104 & 105:Report reaching our office from some of the recipients of the VOTI volume 104 shows that the materials aided in the conversions of seven souls in Uyo by Bro. M. B. Archibong and restoration of over 50 erring brethren in the Northern and Western States of Nigeria. Also, we have start the distribution of VOTI volume 105 since last and over 100 packages will be posted in two weeks time to churches in Eastern and Northern part of our country, Nigeria Lord's willing .

BVBID DEGREE PROGRAM :The degree program commenced on June 15 through 26,2020 at Butubutu village. I (Bro. Makinde Ebens) taught on The Fundamentals of the Faith -2 from June 15 -19 while Bro. Isaac Olaniyan taught on Research and writting -2 from June 22-26. Classes commenced by 8:30am and ends by 5:30pm with two hours break between 12:30-2:30pm and 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Ten students were in attendance.

WBSFUW VISITATION TO REMOTE TOWNS :Our  World Bible School Follow Up Team in spite of the tension in the country ,Nigeria visited some remote towns in Kwara and Ogun States and over 150 Introduction Lessons shared and about 100 collected back from those willing to know more about God, Christ and His Church during this global insecurity.
Lessons collected will be posted to WBSTC @ Bro. Joel Coppinger immediately the Nigerian Government lift band on International flight.

ABOUT A STUDENT :Bro. Olabode Ayomide Samuel is one of our year- 2 students. Born in Omu-Aran, Kwara state on July 2001. He is one of the children of Bro. Dare Olabode one of the leading members of the Lord ''s Church in Kwara State. He is presently assistant students welfare officier. His mission is to be one of the competent gospel ministers in Igbona land after his tertiary education.

UPCOMING EVENT:Lord's willing, our students will embark on a month Teaching Practice on July 25th through August 30th, 2020 to the six geographical location of Nigeria. As usual the school will be in need of about N150,000($428.57) for transportation fare to their stations and re-printing of our local tracts for this one month's outreach. In spite of the global pandemic, some congregations have start showing their interest in joining us in these training program.

CONCLUSION :We appreciate you all for your great commitment to World Evangelism. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus Christ name, amen.
I remain your fellow Soldier of Christ,
Makinde Ebens Olufemi
(The Chief Servant of BVBIN &SWSE  Ibadan and WBSFUW)

Being creative in Lima

Greetings brothers,
Hoping in God that all of you are well with his blessing. We know that many of our brothers have been physically affected by Covid-19, but that thank God they are already recovered or in the process, some of our brothers have also gone through this, but they are already better.

As previously mentioned, our activities as an institution have continued, albeit virtually, in the month of May we have taught the course "Planting Churches", we have had five students connected during this course in a virtual way. But everyone continues to be a challenge especially due to the limitations both with the devices and their respective internet or data services, even so, everyone has made and continues to make a great effort to stay active in the classes and also when fulfilling their assignments.

During this month of June the course that is being taught is I, II Pedro and Judas. Responsible for the presentation of the course is our brother Abraham Alata, according to his reports five students are connecting in the course as well.

For now, the only thing we are dedicated to is teaching, most are not carrying out any activity related to the ministry as far as we know, in addition to being participants of their ecclesiastical meetings in their respective congregations, in fact, there are only some churches that They have implemented virtual services, and it is a small percentage of siblings who have access or knowledge of technology, limiting them to having family gatherings at home.

This is the case, for example, of José Medina, one of our students, who is having family reunions during this quarantine period. On the other hand, we have Alejandro Berrio, another one of our students, in the church where Abraham and I preach and we have him active presenting a series of topics in a virtual program that we have prepared for him, in which he operates with great comfort.

All this situation is demanding of us, a lot of creativity to continue trying to reach many with the gospel and stimulate them to their spiritual growth. At the moment the quarantine continues, although gradually some things are beginning to be reactivated, although taking all possible security measures. In the case of churches it is not yet legal to open the doors, on Sundays mass gatherings are generally prohibited, which includes churches or educational centers. We hope to have some favorable reports at the end of the month, however we are all aware that the problem with the virus is still latent in the streets. We trust God that this will happen, and that things will gradually get better!

Doing good in Fiji

The Coronavirus guidelines basically kept the school shut down for about a month. However, during that time, we were not idle. We were busy working on plans for reopening the school and continuing to train our students. After about a month, the government eased some of the restrictions on institutions of higher learning. While they encouraged schools to use online programs as much as possible, we were allowed to resume classes of fewer than twenty people at a time. Since we are a small school, this meant that we were allowed to have in-person classes. However, there were still concerns about finding childcare for some of our students.

In the end, we decided upon a plan to use pre-recorded videos to finish out our classes from the first term. We were able to do this in large part thanks to a private donation from a member of the Killen (AL) church of Christ. This donation had allowed the school to purchase several Samsung tablets. Dad and I were able to record videos and place them on the tablets for the students to watch. We then delivered the tablets along with the assignments to each of our students. At the end of the week, we swapped out the videos and gave them new assignments. This allowed us to ease back into the program.

On May 19, we were finally able to resume in-person classes. We have had to revise our schedule in order to allow our students to still be finished with the school year in time for graduation (October 31). We are now following a schedule with two classes being taught at a time (one morning and one afternoon). Each pair of courses run for two or three weeks. We have unfortunately had to cancel all of our planned evangelistic campaigns (due to both the lost time in the schedule and the continued travel and assembly restrictions). However, we have set time aside during our personal evangelism course for doing evangelistic outreach.

Since resuming classes, we have completed four courses. Rocco Pierce and Emosi Sailo co-taught a class on the book of Acts. Emosi Sailo taught a course on 1-2 Timothy and Titus. I have taught a course on Christian Evidences and a course on Greek Grammar (which has basically been a review of what we had learned before the coronavirus guidelines shut us down). This week, we will be beginning two new courses. Rocco Pierce will be teaching a class on Bible Geography, and I will be continuing teaching Greek Grammar.

At this point, I must take time to compliment our students! When we first decided to resume in-person classes, we were not sure how many of our students would return. However, on the first day of classes, all of our students were present and accounted for! Since resuming, they have all been enthusiastic in their studies. In fact, the general response has been that they missed being in class, and they have a greater appreciation for the program. We continue to see this new group of students grow closer together. We look forward to the opportunity to continue teaching them.

Each year, we make it our goal to bring in six visiting short course teachers. We believe that it is important that our students have the opportunity to learn from a variety of different teachers. The students always love coming for short courses. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has really impacted our short course program this year. As I mentioned in our last letter, we have already had to cancel our April and May short courses. We had hoped to reschedule them for the end of this school year. However, the continued restrictions, mandatory quarantine times for visitors, and the closing of Fiji Airways has made this impossible. We have already had to cancel most of our short courses. We do have one teacher who will be pre-recording his classes and sending them to us. We have another who is still hoping to come, because he had already purchased his airline tickets. While we have not been able to have short course teachers to visit us this year, we remain hopeful that we will be able to schedule teachers for next year. Please pray that the travel restrictions will be lifted so that we can continue bringing in quality teachers to help educate our students in the word and work of God.

NIGHT PROGRAM

There is one other thing that I need to mention. As previously reported, we had started a night program that was a shortened form of our program that was offered one night a week for Christians who work during the day and cannot attend the full-time program. Unfortunately, we have had to suspend this program over the last few months due to the curfew and travel restrictions. As those restrictions ease up, we will be revisiting the program. We hope to be resuming those classes as soon as possible.

Jason Pierce

Graduation in Ukraine!

Dear brethren,

This time I have only good news in my report and I hope you will be glad to hear them.

In June we graduated 7 students. It so happened that the government eased our burdens and allowed religious organization to congregate in small numbers. We seized the opportunity and had a traditional graduation ceremony for our students. They came to Bela Tserkva on time, some used the trains while the others took advantage of automotive services giving rides to random passengers. All of them arrived here successfully. Some of them also needed to get their belongings and say their goodbyes.

I'm sure it wouldn't happen if some of you were less devoted. During the last two years many American Christians and families were very sacrificial to achieve the goal of training workers for Ukrainian churches. Thus, this year 4 men and 3 ladies got their Diplomas. I'd like to introduce you to these people who diligently studied and kept the desire to serve in the Lord's Kingdom.

Taras Danilenko is a very active Christian. He keeps ministering in Skvira Church of Christ and leads the youth group classes. Recently he developed some health problems and the doctors are still to determine the diagnosis.

Vitaliy Melchin is from the city of Dnipro. He is a young Christian with a lot of potential. Currently he is helping the home congregation in Dnipro but he desires to be a full time Minister in the future.

Eldjun Aliev is already ministering in the church in Kamenskoe. He is currently looking for financial support but if he can't get enough finds he is open for an option of getting a job as well. Most people in this congregation are very young and they can't afford to hire him. He is a very diligent and faithful Christian. He plays basketball professionally for a local team.

Ruslan Gaevsky is a very good man. He has a lot of talents, and he is very good working with his hands. Most of the maintenance and renovation jobs in the church building were completed by his efforts. Currently he is employed as a construction worker and a contractor. He wants to remain in Bela Tserkva and help the local congregation.

Masha Rodicheva is a daughter of our Instructor and preacher from Kramatorsk. She is a talented teacher of Sunday school. Kids adore her.

Rosa Valkova is a very smart student. Her grades were always great. She is currently looking for a job and helping this congregation with ladies and children classes.

Olena Stupa was also a diligent student. She is shy but very helpful. She will be looking for an employment while teaching Sunday school classes for the children.

This was just a brief information about our graduates. They are young and talented and we ask for your prayers about their future.

We are very grateful to everyone who took part in training these future servants of the Kingdom. I have faith that God will use these people for the completion of His will. Together we are shaping the future of the Church of Christ in Ukraine.

We love you and send our greetings.

Your brother and coworker,

Dennis Sopelnik

Ready to reopen in Tamale

TAMALE, GHANA

MAY REPORT 2020

Jesus remains the victor and Satan the victim in the story of Covid 19, for there is hope for all humanity as data for recoveries keeps on increasing whilst deaths data static in Ghana and most of African countries and we guess the situation in European countries  are not different. All this happened as a result of our prayer. We pray that you recover from any health and financial setback so that you can continue to show your generosity to the Lord’s work in Africa – Ghana.

ACTIVITIES IN THE SCHOOL

The school management is working with all seriousness to implant the school in the heart and mind of all Churches of Christ dear lovely ones in the three Northern Regions to enable us come together as a Church to build a better Church of Christ and the college in the regions. Consequently, Albert Malir, James Legend, Adjei Mensah and our able coordinator Jojo Acquah are collaborating as a team, sharing ideas on how to manage the school in this difficult time. We shall not be able to express our appreciation for the hard working servants of God Steve Ashcraft and Keith Kasarjian for their patience, tolerance and love for us and God’s work, we are very motivated working with such vibrant servants if we must confess for Christ seek.

As ambassadors of Christ we keep focus on all facilities in the school and the Church plot, every facility and property of BVBI are intact and functioning to our expectation and purposes except students who are at home waiting for reopening date. For government has lifted a ban on final year student for SHS, JHS, universities, Church and Mosque gathering. Students would be back to school God’s willing on 28/6/2020 to commence classes to enable them finish the remaining courses {three terms} successfully. We wait patiently and pray for this day to come, meanwhile, students are well informed through phone calls and WhatsApp group.

School yam and groundnuts farm as well as some vegetables are looking promising, we pray for better rainfall this year so that when produces is harvested will supplement the support we receive from you.

Brother Albert Malir made a personal visit to Chamba on an errand of the Church and his farm work; I succeeded grouping the members into three locations to worship till ban on social gathering is lifted. We were able to mold 30 bags of cement blocks so that God’s willing we may be able to raise Church building. We have being able to get sign post for the Church {designed by Brother James Legend}. The members are always exited anytime I visited them. As a result Brother Taponja Nasandin Nicodemus and Margret Daniel were baptized when I taught on “Is Hell Real”? Mark 9:43-50. My mother N-yaawalbi Tamanja who was baptized 2002 at Saboba – Inaabuuni when l sent Christ there was gladly restored to the folks. We continue to pray for this Church and the vibrant leader Simon to remain faithful to God during this epidemic.

We praise God once more … “Thus far He has helped us.” {1 Samuel 7:12}

Full speed ahead in Fiji

We are back in full swing at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa.  We have been going strong on our new schedule for three weeks now.  Emosi and I have finished co-teaching the book of Acts and Jason has finished up a rigorous course on Christian Evidences.  Jason has a solid background in this subject both academically and from a practical standpoint.  Jason started out his preaching career as a missionary to Moscow, Russia where he was able to hone his understanding of the subject through discussions with bona fide atheists and skeptics.  He was able to bring this experience to the classroom to engage his students.

Jason and I have been working on the schedule for 2021.  We are working to bring our course offerings inline with the new guidelines for standardizing the curriculum for the Bear Valley International schools.  2021 starts our two year cycle over again, so this will be the perfect time to start with this new schedule.

Due to the covid19 restrictions we have had to totally revamp our schedule for 2020.  While we had an extended break, we were able to complete the 1st term via videos, and through rescheduling have been able to put together a schedule to complete our year without cutting classes or hours.  We have had to reduce our breaks for the year from 6 weeks to 3 weeks to accomplish this.  Lord willing, graduation will be on time on the 31 of October.

Regrettably, it is not looking good for any of our short course teachers to come out this year.  So Jason, Emosi, and I will be taking up the slack.  Terry Pafford, one of our short course teachers, is in the process of recording his classes via video.  Unfortunately, our internet is not robust enough here, for these classes to be taught live.   But, Terry has his textbook, assignments, quizzes, and final exam worked up and will administer his course via a proctor here in Fiji.

Rocco Pierce
Director: Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

Set to resume in Accra

MONTHLY REPORT

ACCRA SCHOOL

MAY 2020 

Thank God, all of us are well and doing good. None of the students or anyone we know is positive with the virus. We pray that all are well and that the Lord continue to bless and guard us.

10TH TIME TALK OF OUR PRESIDENT

This Sunday May 31st, was the 10th times our president updated his fellow Ghanaians on the decision under debate, either to lift the band on churches and schools or not. According to him, public schools are not opened, but for only the final year students. Churches can congregate with maximum of 100 people under lay down protocols. Upon this order, the administration will come out with the following decisions.

• Resume class for the regular school in Accra. This is based on number of students in class which is self-distanced per the arrangement of the chairs. As Kojo is the coordinator, decision is made that the Tamale school will opened two weeks after the Accra school. After seeing how the Accra school will get on with the Government directives.

• Fumigate the entire building.

• Make available the necessary items assumed could be the health care for our safety:

Ø  Thermometer gun

Ø  Veronica bucket with stand

Ø  Liquid soap

Ø  Hand sanitizer with dispenser

Ø  Hand towel (tissue)

Ø  Nose masks and

Ø  Other relevant first aid

The school is scheduled to reopen on June 15th after the needed protocols are put in place. Thereafter, we will need to provide the above needed items for our Week End Schools and have them (Nsawam, Kasoa, Koforidua, Sunyani) reopen in July.

Kojo with the Accra School Administration have contacted all the students in all the schools and they are all fine and doing well, waiting to get the dates for them to come to school.

The pandemic have made things messed up and prices of items are gone high. We pray God to bless you and continue to bless us. We pray for you and we ask you to pray for us as well.

God bless you.

On hold in Liberia

PROLOGUE:

Fellow Workers, 

We bring you greetings from the students and staffs in Liberia- Bear Valley Bible Institute, hoping all is well with you and your families in the Lord's name. We truly appreciate God for your partnership with us in this great work we have to do here in Liberia, West Africa. Below are the happenings for the month of April 2020.

CLASSROOM AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

Classes continued normally in the first and second weeks in this month with every student and staff carrying their duties as assigned to them even with news of the coronavirus fast spreading across the world. Our students contunued to engaged the communities around the school campus in weekends house to house evangelism and distributions of tracks as part of their practical grades for field work. These went on well until the virus hit Liberia …

STATE OF EMERGENCY

Due to the fast spread of the Coronavirus across the world with cases in Liberia already, the government of Liberia through it President H.E. DR. George Manneh Weah imposed in Liberia a state of emergency ordering every citizens to be home by 3:00pm each day for the first three weeks. This from the beginning was not too strong as it is now when the virus rate started rising that a total lock down was ordered by the Government demanded the immediate closure of every schools, businesses, restaurants, transport stations Churches etc. This forced us to followed the Government orders by suspending classes on March 6, and sending the students home to avoid getting in trouble with the Government. This has brought everything out here to a stand still. It is our prayer that things get better soon and our students come back to finish the activities for graduation.

APPRECIATION

We continue to thank you so much for your support to all the work here in Africa especially in Liberia. May God continue to bless you in Jesus Name.

In Him,

Robert P. Dahn Jr.

Director- Bear Valley Bible Institute- Liberia

Pig project progressing in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from the beautiful country of Cameroon. We are happy to share news with you about the work that is going here in Cameroon. Last week went on well in BVBIC-Wotutu as it was the last week for the second quarter in the second year of the EPSILON batch. Keep them in your prayers as they are moving towards the end of their studies in Wotutu.

Students are doing final exams in music. This marked the end of their music studies. They have made it through of all the music lessons. They have really grown in their talents to be able to lead songs in their congregations and to teach others to do. We are still maintaining our social distancing.

We spend midweek activities praying for the world. We are a very prayerful congregation. As we pray, many things happen. The world will become a better place if Christians spend time to pray for the ills that are in the world.

Our piggery farm is on and the pigs are growing. Within the next 6 months it will be different. Our Bible students are taking care of them and by so doing they are learning how to keep pigs because it is our aim to make our graduates self-sustaining with income generating activities that will not distract them from preaching and evangelism their communities. If it develops well, students will each have a piglet upon graduation and other piglets will be kept for food to help many here as food shortage is at its rise now. Many are suffering for food and basic needs but God is using His children everywhere in the world to help as time permits.

Brother Tabi Elvis baptized a soul, as we are still on with weekend evangelism. The threats in the world because of COVID19 are helping many to gain consciousness about life and it is helping them to come closer to their creator. That is why we are taking advantage to help as many as we can to hear the gospel and we pray, if God wills, obey it.

PLANS

The short course starts tomorrow. The book of James is the course for the Bible students while their wives will be learning how to organize a VBS. We miss our brethren from the USA who were supposed to be here  by now to do a lot for the work here. The COVID 19 stopped them from coming. That is why COVID19 is not good at all because either you are infected by the disease or you are affected by its influences around the world.

APPRECIATIONS

God bless you. Thanks very much for all that you are doing for the people of Cameroon through our ministries. You are feeding people here physically by putting food on their tables and feeding their spiritual man as well. God bless you and your entire house. Please share our reports with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Using lockdown time wisely in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Report for April and May 2020

Greetings to you all from the administrative body of the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute.

It is by the grace of God especially during this pandemic period of COVID -19 that we are not only kept alive, but in good health and are therefore able to give you an update of events during the months of April and May.

Government had since end of March taken necessary measures forbidding the gathering of persons in all public places such as schools and religious centers. Therefore the Bear Valley Bible Institute has not been holding classes and all other public activities such as campaigns. Our students are making telephones calls from time to time especially since May inquiring to come back. It is true that new cases are still being confirmed, but the number of those being healed in Guinea is encouraging. With this, Government attempted to give hope that in a short time the resumption of gatherings up to 30 would be possible in the interior, but that is yet to be confirmed.

While the lockdown is still in place, a few other things did take place and these are detailed below.

Evangelism: Even though constrained by health measures, we were nevertheless able to reach out a few with the gospel. In Gueckedou, our efforts resulted to 5 conversions. Then we managed to continue visits to the village of Tehomolo where we started in March. That effort resulted to 6 baptisms making a total of 11 souls in April and May.

Agriculture /Well drill: Just before the spread of the deadly virus, COVID -19, “Healing Hands” had already made available funds needed to start the first majour action of the agriculture program namely, well- drilling. Hence, after contact and a series of follow-ups, the team of drillers and their equipment finally arrived on Wednesday, May 13th. The job was successfully done even though they encountered tick rocks at 2 different times.

Two days later, another team was sent to install the manual pump-head - meaning all is now done with the well drilling.

Conclusion: We are truly grateful to the Bear Valley administrative members for their support and for every achievement thus far at the Guinea Bear Valley School. We are equally expressing the same gratitude to all our friends especially those who were prompt to answer our urgent financial needs for the agriculture program.

It is our prayer especially for the brotherhood for God’s protection and to eradicate the virus that has caused the luckdown worldwide.

Be blessed!

Francis

Giving much needed help in India

Reporting letter for the month of May -2020

Respected  International director Mr.Keith Kasarjian  , Our coordinator Mr.Mark Reynolds , supporters and prayer partners of BVBI-Tiurpati , A.P,India behalf of our Bible college we convey our greetings to you in the precious and matchless name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ . We hope that this reporting letter may serve us to convey gratitude and thanks to each one of you for your love, prayers and encouragement.

In the month of May there was rapid spread of Corona virus in India , the Indian president has declared the lockdown and it was strictly implemented , Actually from the commencement of lockdown in India  many people suffered a lot without going out side to bring basic needs for the family maintenance, in addition the daily wage labor Christian families have no work to get earning to feed their families.  The local govt strictly prohibit the people’s entry into the streets. There are no shops , markets, bank transactions etc..to feed their family children and old people. In such a tough and crisis situation we have consulted Healing Hands International and raised $2000/ funds for the covid-19 pandemic relief supplies . we have helped the food material  in these following areas

( 1.Vidyanagar church of Christ &Surrounding areas in ,Nellore-DT, AP, India

2,Tirupati church of Christ &Surrounding areas in  Chittoor-DT, AP, India

3.Narapur church of Christ  &Surrounding areas in  west Godavari -DT, AP, India

4. Manipur-state, North east of India).Total Number of Beneficiaries : 150 Christian families .Food items distributed : families .Rice 1500 KG,Groceries (1.Green dall, 2.red dall, 3.Bengal gram,4. Ravva, 5.Cooking oil, 6.salt packers , 7.washing soup,8. bathing soap,9. tam rid , 10.chilly  powder, 11.coriander  powder , 12,turmeric powder 13. Rice 14.sugar etc..The Plan of Implementation : After receiving funds from HHI , we conducted meeting with the church members  both in Vidyanagar &Tiupati and Participation of staff &students of the Bear Valley Bible Institute and formed a distribution committee with 12 members .Then the committee selected a needy beneficiaries from the above said areas and purchased food material from  local whole sale market and packed them systematically and distributed each family with 10  KG Rice, Green dall 1-KG, red dall 1kg,  Bengal gram 1 KG, Ravva, 1 KG .Cooking oil 1 Liter  .salt packets 1 KG, washing soup-1, bathing soap-1, tam rid 500 Grams , chilly  powder 100 Grams, coriander  powder 100 Grams, and turmeric powder 100 Grams .We distributed the  above said items with packets door to door to all the families . The Christian families appreciated the work of benevolence that was done by the BVBI&local churches .God has blessed our benevolence service , 150 families were able to received food material, few fallen families were restored by seeing the love of God.

Regarding the lockdown period it will be ended by June 8, 2020 , we look forward seeing better days to conduct class room work and complete the syllabus.  we are ever grateful to you for your continue prayers and encouragement which helps us lot to serve Indian people , we request your prayers and encouragement .

Thanking you.

Yours brother and sister in Christ.

Vijay&swarupa, from Bear valley BibleInstitute, Tirupati,India