Another school has resumed in Ghana

END OF SECOND QUARTER (April, May, June) REPORT

We ushered into April and May when parts of Ghana, including Kasoa was under lockdown. It was lifted in May ending.

In June, our school reopened, being the first week end school, among the Bear Valley Schools in Ghana. The students were happy to be back to school and they were all praised and ready to observe all the protocols. We where glad we had all the needed items supplied. The reopening was attended by Kojo Acquah Beenyi, Samuel Ntim and Roger Solomon Asante who is the instructor for the course God Head.

The school in Kasoa is currently having 21 students and all are active in class as well as being regular.

The students work in the three months resulted in 12 baptisms. Most of the students are leading members and others are the preachers in the congregations they are members of. Mass evangelism is not permitted now so the students are doing preaching on public address system mounted by the villages to send out messages to the village folks.

Cost of things are higher because of the mess the covid-19 has caused. The lunch provided by the school is helping much and we are very grateful.

May the God continue to bless you. Amen.

The gospel is not masked in Guinea!

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Report for June and July 2020

It has been quite a difficult time during the lockdown to fully achieve our desires and plans here at the Gueckedou Bible Institute. Nevertheless we were able to make some significant progress in the areas of congregational visit and evangelism. Under Government authorization we were also able to resume classes even though there were obstacles hindering the return of some of the students. Public worship services have also begun and there is a high turn up of the congregation at the school premises thereby demanding a wider space / hall. Here below are the details of the activities highlighted above.

School Resumption: After almost 4 months of lockdown due to the pandemic Government had with strict health measures finally authorize the reopening of schools and religious centers in rural areas. Due to that long period of health crises coupled with the farming season we at the Gueckedou School encountered difficulties in getting back some of the students. By the grace of God a good number did return, but normal classes did not start till  1 week after the official reopening. On the other hand, there is a high turn up of the congregations’ members who meet at the school premises. Before the lockdown our average attendance was 60, but now we are within 80 to 85.

Now in accordance with government health restrictions especially for distancing, we are considering putting up a temporary, but durable shelter in the wide space before the main building. This will serve not only for the congregation and the school session, but for other gatherings or ceremonies such as seminars and graduations.

We have already made sanitizers available for the school and the church community and masques for the students.

Classroom: After the March – June health crises lockdown normal classes at the Gueckedou School resumed on July 6th with 17 of the initial 20 students on roll.  A few days later 1 of the 17 students had to leave due to illness and was encouraged to ensure proper treatment before returning if necessary to wait for the next batch. This means that there are at present 16 students on roll to continue for this academic year. A new paper binder has been purchased to replace the spoiled one. Courses completed so far include Hermeneutics 1 and the Godhead.  This quarter’s course materials are scheduled to be completed by the 22nd of September. 

Congregational Visit / Evangelism: Just before and especially after the lifting of the lockdown band we started making regular weekend visits to encourage and strengthen the new congregations. During these visits, we were able to convert a total of 13 souls in 3 locations – Gueckedou town plus 2 new villages where we also extended our evangelical visits.

Drilled Well on Agriculture Land: With the help of Healing Hands International, we were able to drill the well in the month of May which was the lockdown period. The water is good, abundant and needed by the community and we are ready to serve, but due to the well’s present location – being a bit distant for town not many are able to walk the 300 meters compared to other sources around. Until the buildings of the town which are progressing towards the direction get closer, we have but a few persons who come to fetch the water. Perhaps the need will increase during the dry season.

Conclusion:  Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute has resumed normal classes after some 4 months of lockdown due to the health crises. Sixteen of the 17 students who returned are continuing the course study. Congregational visits and evangelism are strengthening the churches and there were 13 souls added to the body of Christ. We are doing our best to satisfy the Government requirement for health measures. It is our prayer that God will continue to protect and bless the Bear Valley Overseas partners whose support has kept us going. May God eradicate the deadly virus so that we can continue his service. We also thank Healing Hands and all of you for your prayers and support as we look up to moving forward.

Photos attached

Your servant

Francis

Finding new ways to spread the gospel in Ghana

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR JULY, 2020

Dear Brethren,

We greet you all, our fellow workers in the Lord’s kingdom. By God’s grace another month has ended and we are very thankful to the Lord for His guidance and direction and grateful to you all our brethren for your continuous prayer and support to us at West Coast School of Preaching here in Takoradi, Ghana.

We give below, the report of activities by the school during the month of July, 2020.

1.      CLASSROOM WORK

Classes for both the regular and part-time students continued very successfully. However, we have two regular students who have failed to report to school since the school resumed classes from Covid-19 break. We have tried talking to them on the phone, but they failed to tell us why they are not coming. And even when we speak to them, they promise to come but all their promises have failed. We later sent them a warning letter giving them a deadline, yet, we have not heard from them, and therefore, we have reached the conclusion that they are no longer coming. And so, that brings the number of the regular students to nine (9) and eighteen (18) part-time students. God willing, we are expecting these nine (9) regular students and eleven (11) part-time to complete their courses by December this year, of which their graduation date is going to be scheduled somewhere next year.

2 .      EVANGELISM

As we all know, Covid-19 has brought a lot of activities to a halt, especially, things that involve social contacts. And this has so much affected evangelism. However, we are trying to do the best that we can to reach people with the gospel. Because it is such a time as this that the world needs Jesus Christ. Therefore, instructor Nathaniel and some students have been using the school’s motorbike to go to some of the nearby villages to do personal evangelism, also, on each Lord’s Day, they use it (the motorbike) to visit the new congregation that was planted in our last campaign for Christ.

I too have been busy preaching on the Facebook and Youtube (3 times each week—Sunday, Monday, and Thursday). Thank God, my videos on Facebook has about between 8,000 and 12, 000 viewership each week. I also continued with my radio preaching.

Also, some of our past students who have formed an evangelism team decided to organize a 5-day gospel campaign for Christ at one of the villages around Takoradi here. And thank God they were able to bring it to an end successfully.

3.      BAPTISMS - God blessed our efforts with three (3) baptisms.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours for the Master’s service.

Joshua Aidoo.

Souls saved in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ.
Greetings from BVBIN & SWSE ,Ibadan.
The Lord adds two souls (a widow named Mrs Funmilayo Janet Adetunji and a young woman named Mrs.Dasola Idowu )into His body yesterday,Friday. As a result of our last week three days Open- Air Bible Lectureship and the follow-up by two of our students who are doing their one month teaching practice in Ajia town.

As scheduled,our teaching staffs worked this week with the students serving in Butubutu in early morning campaign and in three days Open-Air Bible Lectureship in Jago town from Thursday through Saturday evening. Bro. Peter Ortserga served as the Songs leader and the moderator of the three days lectureship. I was graced to speak on "Sin and its consequences" on Thursday evening ,Bro. Dele Shotola spoke on "God's way of Redeeming man" on Friday evening and Bro.Andrew Adeolu on "Identifications of The New Testament Church'. The program in Jago town was well attended from August 6-8,2020. About twenty five people sat each days to listened to the words of God with many hanging around to hear the undiluted gospel.

Concerning the BVBIN -WEEKEND SCHOOLS in Lagos State, report reaching  me shows that 24 students were in class today in Agege, 22 in Ikorodu, and 13 in Lagos Island.
Also, report reaching us so far from some of our students in a month teaching practice shows thirty one conversions and eighteen restoration.  Bro.Kayode S.Eniafe continue working with students serving in some part of Lagos and Ogun States.
Lord's willing, we shall be working next week with the students serving in Egbeda from Wednesday through Friday evening in three days Open-Air Bible  Lectureship.

School hasn't stopped in Sierra Leone

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE KENEMA SIERRA LEONE

OPERATION REPORT FOR JUNE AND JULY 2020

Almighty God has been merciful to us and families for His guardians and love towards us all.

However, life was very challenging with the Corona Virus Pandemic that affects almost the entire World. So many people have lost their loved ones in this COVID 19 fighting. By God’s infinite mercies we are still alive despite the solution to the Pandemic has not been effective. Nevertheless we continue to put our trust to our God for a final solution with the Corona Virus. With God all things are possible. Beloved, let us keep praying for one another for good health and long life.

We will continue to serve in the training and empowering Men for the services of God for the fulfillment of the Gospel call. We sincerely appreciate all those that are contributing one way or the other to make it a success. May God continue to bless us all in all that we do.

CLASS ROOM ACTIVITIES

We are coming from a three weeks’ vacation and classes have commence for the Second Year level of studies. In June students were courageous to complete the Second Year First Semester even though there was an inter district lockdown due to COVID 19, yet our campus was safe for learning. We maintain classes until the end of the semester. District lockdown was lifted few days after we released our students for vacation.

We are please to let you know that classes for the Second Semester of the 2nd Year has commenced. Keep us in your prayers as we do for all. 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Despite the invasion of the Corona pandemic in our lands yet we do not cease taking classes. We stood by our students giving some encouragement to them to complete the 1st Semester of the Second Year. We were grateful to our lecturers for their commitments in doing what was to be done, may God continue to bless them and their families.

Outdoor activities are curtail as social distant is been monitored by officers in every city and towns. Evangelism is presently on one to one. The raining season does not permit much of outdoor activities. We do what we can in sharing Jesus.

CONCLUSION

To this end, we continue to pray for each other for God’s final intervention on the planet earth with the solution of Corona Virus Pandemic. This year has been a trial period for many. I just lost my dear Aunt who has been like a rear Mum to see me succeed in life. May her soul rest in peace.

May God see us all throughout this trying period of life.

Yours in Him

Jacob Sesay

Admin /Director – Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema

Sierra Leone

A guest teacher visits Arusha

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

I want to start out with a big "thank you!" to Renee Galloway for providing new uniforms for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching students, faculty, and staff.  It was a huge job, and they look great!   We appreciate all of the time and effort spent completing this task.

I also want to update you on the progress being made on the Cy Stafford Leadership School. This was Cy's last dream for the work and it is thrilling to see it nearing completion.  It is going to be a huge blessing to the church in East Africa!  It should result in more and better elders, deacons, and other church leaders for congregations across the region.  It also paves the way for a significantly upgraded library to be shared with the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  The exterior is mostly done now and the next need is for doors.

Jerry Bates just returned to the US after teaching a short-course in our graduate program.  This is the first time an American has been able to visit the work since the COVID-19 outbreak.  This marks an encouraging step in the return to normalcy.  We thank God for Jerry's safe travel and effective service.

If your congregation would like a visit or you can refer me to a friend at another congregation that might be open to helping, then I would love to hear from you!  In the meantime, keep praying with me for the church in East Africa.

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Progress in Zambia

Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! We give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare opportunity to work in His Kingdom. This is a good time to report what is happening at BVBI-Zambia during the month of July, 2020.

It is fantastic to see that in the next few weeks, our students will finally complete their two years of study here at Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia. Our fourth quarter has not been easy nearly all our students had flu and coughing, but they tested negative to Covid 19 and we continue to pray that none of them catches the deadly virus. They are now busy preparing for their final examinations in the remaining courses.

These courses are: Christian Ethics, the Book of Revelation, Denominational Doctrines, and Church Development. They are really excited to finish and eager to go back to their congregations and preach. Before the end of this quarter, the students will also do another short course with Brother Kennedy. The short course will be “Foundation of Missions” (study of missions in the New Testament). It is always great and refreshing to have Brother Kennedy come over and teach in these short courses.

It will also be in the same period where some of the students will do some catch-up courses in the courses they have missed. In spite of the demands from these courses, they are also tirelessly laboring with the surrounding congregations of Luanshya district and other nearby districts like Mpongwe and Baluba.  As a result of these efforts a soul has been added to the church and six restorations recorded. We have also recorded two more restorations through our alumni and one baptism.

Luanshya Central church of Christ has been meeting at one of the Government schools since its inception. But due to the high prevalence of Covid 19 the ban to do so by the Government has been brought into play. Because of this, BVBI-Zambia realised the dream of opening a congregation at the campus and since we started congregating at the institute, The students have been very influential in reaching out in the neighborhood. They have invited neighbors for Church services and they have also set up more Bible studies in this area. We are very happy to see many people attend the services. Throughout their tenure of study at BVBI-Zambia, the students have been engaged more in personal evangelism.       

Each student has made tremendous progress in what they are doing now. This is also seen in the way they have been cooperating building and gardening. We are hopeful that they will in their individual capacity make a meaningful contribution to the Kingdom of God. And we also believe that they’ve had a very rich and rewarding experience here at BVBI-Zambia.

Thank you kindly to all who have helped in any way to prepare these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute International, Instructors, Donnie our Country Coordinator and indeed everyone involved in this work. 

Thank you all once again!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Building in Zimbabwe

JULY 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The world continues to reel over the COVID19 virus. Zimbabwe is not an exception. There has been a steep rise of cases in the month of July forcing the government to impose more strict measures including a curfew from dusk to dawn. Movement has to be authorised without which one will be turned back by the police. Patrols have been more in the city centres whilst public transport remains banned. Many are realising the need to pray to God so that this scourge may be abated. However, within this quagmire, the word continues to be preached in season and out of season. We are pleased to report the following;

PROGRESS OF LESSONS (THIRD INTAKE)

The new class (BVBIZ’s third intake) which was supposed to commence studies in mid-May on campus are currently being kept busy through online studies. The following subjects are currently in progress;

How We Got The Bible (M. Muchingami)

Personal Evangelism- Theory (H.Suwari)

Public Speaking  (I. Mutichu)

New Testament Church (I.Mutichu)

Life of Christ  (I.Mutichu)

EVANGELISM (SECOND INTAKE)

In 2Tim 4:2 Paul instructs Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season. Even when movement has been curtailed and gathering of over 50 people banned, ordinary evangelism methods on hold, the word of God still has to be preached. The second intake had to find a way to make up for its last practical before their graduation in October. Sermons were preached on Whatsapp and sent out. Prospects received lessons and reading material on the social platforms. Some went to the extent of doing daily devotions to keep members and prospects spiritually fed. At the school’s permanent site, a congregation has since started. The students stationed there preach from 6-8am when people come to fetch water for drinking and from 12-1pm when boys and men bring their cattle for drinking. On average, 20 are coming for services. A baptistery is yet to be built so that these people receive their baptism.  However, a total of 9 people were baptized in the month of July.               

CONSTRUCTION

The following developments took place in the month of August;

·         Construction of the much awaited septic tank began around the 15th of July and is almost complete.  What is left is to fill the soak away tank with stones. The soak away tank measures 5m in length, 2m wide and 3m deep.  Great appreciation to the congregation at Nashville here in Gweru for giving its 85 bags of cement so that the construction is done. These bags costing $680 will need to be given back once their own construction of an auditorium starts possibly within the next two months.

·         An outstanding 4 metre door of the hostel was bought and fixed. Its glasses will be installed in August.

·          Some outstanding plumbing materials were purchased and fixing will also be done in August. The only outstanding items are the kitchen sink, outside sink (to be constructed by the builders) and 2 solar geysers. 

Without the burden of paying rentals, the school is now able to slowly deal with some of the demands though this will take over 10 months. The builders have also been very flexible, offering their labour and then slowly paying them.

CONCLUSION

Despite the pandemic that has changed the ordinary way we used to do things, we remain grateful to God for enabling BVBIZ to make more steps at the permanent site. The Word is being preached in various ways. We are also grateful to you all, that despite this worldwide challenge, you continue to stand with us. May the God of heaven, bless you and keep all of you safe!

Lagos schools back in full force

Good evening from Nigeria. All our students reach their different  destination yesterday evening/ early this morning. I was monitoring their movement through phone from yesterday noon till 12:00am before going to bed and I continue early this morning till they all responded positively.

Agege  & Ikorodu  witnessed 21 students each and 11 in Lagos Island. Lord's willing, the rotational programs continue for the month of August 1,8,15,22 . Bro. Frank to teach on Denominational Doctrines in Lagos Island, Bro. Emmanuel Odo on Godhead in Ikorodu while Bro. Mfon on 1,2,3 John in Agege.

Bro.Kayode S.Eniafe ,Bro.Silas Guda and Bro .Andrew Adeolu will be supervising the students in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti States during their one month teaching practice and Bro. Isaac Olaniyan will be in charge of students in Lagos while I( the Chief servant) will be monitoring those in Abuja, Abia ,Enugu,Cross River and Akwa Ibom States  by phone conversations and those in Kwara by unscheduled visit.

Big thanks for your great commitments to serving the Lord. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus Christ name,amen.
Sincerely yours in His Grace as a servant.......Makinde

2 Tim. 2:2 in action in Fiji!

 Bible Institute @ Raiwaqa (Fiji) Report

2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Bula and Greetings in the Mighty Name of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. Before I move on, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Emosi Sailo. I am 52 years old. I am a member of the Lord’s church here in Suva, Fiji Islands. This is my second year in helping out brother Rocco Pierce (Director – BIR) and brother Jason Pierce (Dean – BIR), at the Bible Institute here in Suva, Fiji.

The first day I walked through the doors of the BIR as a student, it was not in my wildest imagination that one day I will be teaching in the Bible Institute. I have been teaching, preaching, Youth Coordinator, and especially bringing souls to the Lord’s church since I was baptized in the year 1999. I thought I had it all, but when I was going through the studies that the BIR is offering, and after completing it at the end of two years and three months, I came to the conclusion that I was mistaken. The Bible Institute has taught me so much in regards to God’s word.

For that, I would like to take this time to thank the Bear Valley Community and family for bringing the Bible Institute to the Pacific. We are really blessed to study under two great teachers of God’s word.
During my first year as a teacher, I have also completed studying online the “Fundamentals of the Faith” through the World Video Bible School page.

So, this is my second year in teaching at the Bible Institute. Some of the subjects that I have taught were, Life of Christ based on the Gospel of Mark, Called to Holiness based on 1&2 Peter and Jude, Denominational Doctrines, Gospel of John (Writings of John), Acts of the Apostles, and 1&2 Timothy and Titus. At the moment I am preparing a lesson to teach on Personal Evangelism based on my personal experience here in Fiji. The Director of the BIR has also given me the task of organizing and implementing our Evening class program for our working brethren which we started in November, 2019, on Monday evenings. At the moment we have 11 (2 being excused for work and family commitments) students for our Evening classes in which bro. Rocco Pierce is taking them on Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.

Teaching at the BIR has also encouraged me to do more personal studies, be a good example of the word, and continue our husband and wife ministry here in evangelizing and visitation to the needy and the sick.
The experience during this one year and four months to be precise, was challenging and at the same time fulfilling.

Once again, Thank you so much! (Vinaka Vakalevu).

Emosi Sailo

Sowing the seed in India

Reporting letter for the month of July -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.

All  the Bear Valley Bible Institute teaching  staff, non teaching staff  and all the regular students and guest students are safe and free from  Covid-19 by the grace of God. But positive cases are increasing day by day in India, as per the current news the schools would be permitted to open from September first onwards, lord willing we may restart our classes from the first week of September, we request you to pray for the classes.

Conversions: In the month of July seven souls 1.Mr.Anvesh, 2.Mr.Jaswanth 3.Mr.Krupadass 4.Mr.Akil 5.sister.Solomy 6. Sister.Krupa and Sister.Bhavani have obeyed to the water baptism. We request you to pray for the newly baptized souls so that they may grow in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Covid-19 relief supply for the blind people  : Bear Valley Bible Institute has indentified the most deserved visually challenged people  who were suffering lot without food , we have approached Healing Hands International in US and raised $750/ donation .We purchased these following food items 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..

Total Number of Beneficiaries : 32 blind families (113people in 32 families ) and 16 individuals blind people for 6 times have been benefited.

We are ever grateful to you for your willingness to establish the BVBI in India , hope that in days to come several young men would be trained to spread the boundaries  of the His son’s kingdom(Col 1:13)  in the hearts of idol worshiping people in India. Right now each student has been connected with separate local churches and able to assist effectively with their local preachers for the glory of God. We are ever grateful to you for all your efforts for the great cause of spiritual educational service in India.

Agricultural Kitchen Garden: The Garden has established by the support of HHI , we have completed the first time harvest and planted seeds second time last one month back, the garden is healthy growing , soon we will be enjoying the organic vegetables .

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

Vijay -behalf of BVBI-Tirupati-India

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

Vijay&family from Church of Christ&BVBI-India.

Resuming classes in Accra

 JUNE REPORT

ACCRA

The peace and the love of our Lord be with us now and forever. We thank the Lord God how far He has brought us.

All the students, teaching and non-teaching staff are doing well. There has not been a reported case so far unless our normal stressful and malaria ailment.

During the first week of June, the administration met to decide on when to schedule the reopening date. The conclusion was made on resuming 14th and on 15th normal classes commence which was under the authorization of the E. O. Larbi, the director and Kojo Acquah, the national coordinator and Sammy. The full-time school resumed as dates were disseminated across the social media handles.

Upon resuming, six (6) students reported for the class while information reaching us by unreported students is that the covid-19 keeps increasing and one student mother being in sick bed and he being the only person could not permit him to come. Sadly, we have had the information that the mother has passed on. Currently, effective class is ongoing with those students ready for the class.

Courses understudies are being restructured in order to avoid any lacking courses. The structure is that courses to be taught on the second quarter was occupied by the Covid-19 however, the second quarter courses are currently being taught for this third quarter. All courses that should have been taught the third quarter have been shared among the second and the fourth quarters and are going to be taught as short courses. Therefore, there is going to be four short courses this quarter and six short courses the next quarter together with our normal classes period. I will attach our time table for the activities.

This is a sacrificial period to enable our relief the next year, 2021 and to complete them as according to our normal academic calendar.

As the protocols hold, we are seriously observing them to our best in preventing the spread. Records are being kept on periodic checks on the temperature and washing and anointing of hands with the sanitizer.

The Covid-19 keeps increasing in Ghana, yet, none of our students is positive. Remember us in your daily prayer.

Adapting in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe, where it has been rainy since morning. Many of our Christians came to worship wet because they have never had an umbrella nor a rain coat . Hundreds of them still came anyway. I am happy to write what has made news here in Wotutu where we are laboring day and night to grow the church and to keep the Christians under our care focused on Jesus in times like this where many are losing faith and turning against God.

Last week went on well here except that Brother Prisco, our student, is still very sick. We keep going back to see the doctor and to help him in his health. The swelling in his legs is going down a little bit but he is still on his medications. Students are still busy with their studies as they dig deep into the Bible to gain knowledge and to be grounded with the truth. They will be preaching the truth in their respective places as it is less than 5 months until their graduation. Keep them in your prayers because at times like this, they are always facing strong temptation as the devil is not happy that soldiers are about to go out to fight and to depopulated his kingdom.

Keep us in your prayers here. We are faced with lots of challenges with health and daily necessities but we trust God that the tough times will not last for too long because our God is tougher than all of our tough times.

Even though we are praying and teaching, we also make sure our Christians are observing the measures put in place by WHO to help prevent the spread of the pandemic. We have hundreds of masks, hand sanitizer, and hand washing stations to keep us and others safe while we are worshiping. No one enters the hall without doing those things at the door.

I was there to make sure the measures are observed. I was also there to help children know how to wear their masks properly. It is very important for all to obey the rules. Quality face masks were distributed to students as well to keep the fight against COVID-19 alive in school while the students who are preparing for their examinations. Keep these efforts in your thoughts and prayers.

It is compulsory for Bible students to wear their masks before they leave campus for mission work and they are also advised to always put on their mask as they share the gospel on house to house during weekend evangelism.

PLANS

The second Sunday in August we have mass evangelism in Idenau, which is one of the congregations on the west coast of Cameroon. We want to help nurture the church there.

We shall go to the Supe congregation by the end of August to help the church. The Supe congregation is a struggling congregation. They have part of their roof iron purchased and installed but the other part is expose to the rain. They are crying for help to finish it. We shall be there by the end of the month. Any help toward this project will be very much appreciated.

APPRECIATIONS

We can only thank you for all you are doing for the work here. We know God is watching and He will reward you and your family for the extra sacrifices you are making to see that things are happening here for the glory to be giving to God. Please share our report with others.

God bless you and keep you safe. You are in our prayers. Please pray for us as well.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Students sent forth in Ibadan, Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.
Greetings from BVBIN & SWSE located in Butubutu village,Ibadan,Oyo State. The send forth programme for the 2019/2020 students held on 23/07/2020 @ Doug Wheeler's events center yesterday night and early this morning ended in good mood.
The programme of yesternight started at exactly 8:00pm Nigeria time with I (Bro.Makinde Ebens) as the moderator and songs leader and Bro. Kayode Eniafe delivered a fifteen minutes sermon on the topic   Be of Good Report and TEXT Philip.4:8 after some minutes of praises and opening prayer said by Bro. Andrew Adeolu.
The second prayer was said by Bro. Dele Shotola after the sermon. This was followed by songs of praises to God. Another prayer was offered by Bro. Silas Wayne on behalf of the students as they were about moving to the field.
After the prayer, announcement was made for the students on how they will run their practicum effectively and necessary materials(Tracts in Yoruba language,tracts from Mission Printing,WBS introduction lessons ,500 of VOTI vol.104 &105) distributed to the students and half of the transportation fare to their station.
After this, the closing hymn was rendered, GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN and the closing prayer was said by Bro. Isaac Olaniyan. The programme ended exactly 9:10pm followed by refreshments provided by the school.
We deeply appreciates all our American brethren for their great partnership and supports toward the building of the building of the Lord's kingdom.
The students are expected back in the school on August 24/25,2020 in preparation for our 18th Annual Bible Lectureship / graduation of August 26-28. The new students will commence classes on August 17 Lord's willing.
Thanks once more for your great contribution.May the Lord keep us fit in His loving way till death is our fervent prayers.
I remain yours in His Grace as a servant......Makinde Ebens

Using time wisely in Malawi

Bear Valley Bible Institute - Ekwendeni

Malawi  - July Report

Introduction

Since the the government suspended the schools due to Covid 19 pandemic, we are just being assured of reopening soon but we don't know how soon! Although schools are suspended, but we are making sure we do something that encourages our students and churches of Christ around our country. We are still visiting our students where they worship to make sure they remain active spiritually. We have been conducting lectureships and one to one preaching. We are also grateful to God that the forms for the school land lease are all signed ready to go! We now have the land as a property for the school.

Lectureship

 This month of July, we managed to visit two congregations where our two student comes from respectively and we have been always accompanied by our former graduate Wongani Gondwe. Wongani Gondwe graduated in 2017, he has married a daughter to Clergynton one of the staff for our school here and he is very energetic and zealous for the work of the Lord.

In both congregations, the brethren showed their excitement for our visit. They appreciated the work the school is doing for training men to be faithful and sound teachers and preachers of the Gospel - 2 Timothy 2:2. They told us that the students have helped the congregations to be faithful and remain in the true "Doctrine" which the Bible teaches.

Brother Clergynton also visited Kamanda Church of Christ where one of our current students is coming from. He said was very encouraged to hear from the church leaders that the student ID doing very well and that he teaches the sound Doctrine which has transformed their worship to as what the Bible directs - Worship in spirit and in Truth. From this same congregation, some men have already signed the application forms for the 2022/2023 intake. Brother Clergynton and our student, had an opportunity to visit some Christians who stopped worshiping and managed to restore one soul to Christ. 

Evangelism

Again, one of our students brother Jimmy Banda who comes from Chisangano church of Christ, together with Kennedy Chiwone the preacher went to restore Kamlezi congregation which is about 5/7 km away. Christians at Kamlezi stopped worshiping for some months and some members asked our student to help them as they wanted to start worshiping. The result after doing a visiting trip for a day, 9 souls were restored. Praise God!

Brother Saliwa Nkosi our former graduate has also reported that one prominent Presbyterian elder believed last Sunday. We are encouraged that the students are doing a great job which has "great reward hereafter".

School Development

Finally we can now report that all forms about the school land lease have been submitted to all in authority and we are waiting for the leased to to given after the Minister of lands to the government signs in the office of president and cabinet (OPC). Next week, the beacons will be put down in all boundaries where the school will be situated.

We are always thankful to Bear Valley Bible Institute - International for the great help you give us for this work. Without your help, the work of winning souls to Christ and training preachers, would have been difficult. May God bless your families and protect us all from the Covid 19 - Pandemic.

Your fellow Ambassadors for Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton

Back to business in Arusha

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

I'd like to share with you some words from Charles Mwanga at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God..” (Rom. 8:28). Though this has been a hard and trying year, but still God is in control and blesses His people.  I would like to take this opportunity first to that the Almighty God for His love and care, and secondly to thank you brethren for your prayers, love and support. Thank you so much.
 
"We (the Churches in Arusha area), would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your love and care. We received funds for COVID relief and those have been able to minister more than 600 souls with food. We thank you so much, life is still hard since the financial situation is getting worse everyday but through your love, many have been blessed. May the Lord bless you all beyond measure.
 
We (ACSOP) have been blessed so much, to the point of returning back to our regular annual schedule. COVID 19 has changed plans for many this year, but we thank God that we were able to resume our classes and stay on the schedule so far. Our students are back, (except one from Uganda, their borders are still closed) and classes are going on well. We have 17 students in the first  year class and six in the second year class. Lord willing we will have our regular schedule and our graduation will be on the same dates as planned from the beginning of the year. We thank you so much.
 
"Leadership school:  The construction is going on well, we were able to put the roof on, put metal bars in the windows, and now are working on plastering the whole building. We would like to thank all the donors and supporters who are helping the work here to be present even after we have all long gone (If Christ is not back yet). These types of investments will help the school to be able to serve the Church in East Africa in a better way. We will be able to host many seminars and campaigns in these facilities. Thank you so much for all that you do to us, and the Lord’s church in general. May the Lord continue to bless you and yours daily.

"Please let us keep praying for one another during these trying times."
 
As you can see, there are a lot of exciting things going on in the Tanzania work!  As congregations begin in-person services again, I am looking to refill my calendar with presentations to churches about this great work.  If your congregation (or another one that you are familiar with) would like a visit, then I would love to make it happen.  Let me know, and I'll get you on my schedule!

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Going well in Tamale

TAMALE, GHANA

JUNE REPORT 2020

We are very excited at this point in time to give glory to God for the care He endows us with during this pandemic, it’s beyond our imagination as we continue to rely on His safety scheme. We also recall all your kindness and consistent support you executed to effect the dreams of the college and Churches in Tamale and its environs. May He replenish us all for the sacrifice we confer to enable the gospel reach its peak.

STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL

Glory is to God for granting our students, safe journey to the school to continue with the remaining courses that would identify them in the preaching field. Thirteen students have happily reported and the temperature of each student was tested and all proved normal. We continue to monitor their temperatures in every three days interval. Each student is given a nose mask to wear during classes and when leaving school premises or when necessary whilst hand sanitizer is kept on the pulpit to neutralize whoever is called to lead; be it class hours or Sunday worship. The buckets are positioned; one at classroom entrance and another one at the kitchen entrance to enable students and anyone coming in to the school to observe safety protocol. We hope that the contingency that is put in place by the school will combat the virus in the school even if there is any outbreak in Tamale Township.

CLASSES

The Pastoral epistle is taught by Brother James Legend, and Marriage & Home is in progress with Brother Daniel Adjei Mensah. The remaining four courses for the term: Preacher & his work, Old Testament 5 {Minor Prophets}, Book of James & 1Peter, 2Peter & Jude} would be handled by the respective lectures. All the lectures for this term; Brother Roger Akumse, Kojo Acquah, Thomas Donzie and Albert Malir are duly communicated. It’s our desire and prayer that this term too comes to an end successfully.

FARMING ACTIVITIES

This year’s rain looks very promising. The school garden looks very beautiful and admirable. As reported before, the groundnut we sowed is ready for harvesting. The yam farm looks promising. Where we did not sow groundnut is already occupied with maize. And with the way the rain is coming, if it continues this way, by the grace of God, we are sure of a good harvest. We are going to prepare the land we sowed the groundnut on and sow maize after harvesting the groundnut.  We thank God for His providential blessings for us.

The good Lord bless us all,

Albert and James

Big challenges in India

Dear brethren in Christ,

Greetings to you in the precious name of Lord Jesus Christ our saviour. Hope this message finds you all good.  We appreciate your prayers which is keeping us safe and sound.

As the number of Corona cases are raising like anything in our country, especially in the state of Andhra Pradesh,  we request your fervent prayers on behalf of us. So many thousands are being infected, death rate is comparatively little but some young people are dying too. We right now under the fear of Corona.

Faculty Meeting:

Our Team work has made the Preaching school to run successfully and been able to complete a decade of training Men to be effective evangelists of the Gospel of Christ. With the same enthusiasm during this Corona situation we met at the Visakha Valley College Campus to discuss the future of the School. Except Bro. Vamsee everyone else attended the meeting. Since lack of public transportation Bro. Vamase was unable to attend the meeting.  Our primary agenda was to see the possibility of restarting the school. As we begun the meeting with a prayer, several things were came into discussion. We rejoiced as we learned that all our graduates are being kept safe from Corona.

During our meeting we discussed about the present situation in India.

How badly this Corona affected us:

• The preachers cannot visit the members of the Church for any reason, even if they are in a difficult situation.

• Fellowship is missing so badly, totally have to stay away from all church activities, like Bible Class, Gospel meetings, Youth Class, Sunday school for children etc., were concerned about the future.

• Income of the congregation, which is affecting the preachers survival and also those that are dependent on the local congregation.

• Its become habit for some one to skip worshiping At the same time 90% of the church is anxiously waiting for the day to assemble like they used to Godliness has increased, church grew up in faith.

• Proclamation of the Gospel has been totally down under restrictions (Physical Distance).  No out reach programs except some visit the local families

Well, In addition to corona we are having continues rains from last two weeks. This is going to cause several to suffer from variety of Fevers, like Typhoid, Malayria, ChickenGunya, Viral fever etc.,

So, after the serious discussion about restarting of the classes, we have decided to begun teaching the students. The students who are available and willing to attend were present in the first day of the Class.

Here we have come up with a problem of brother Vamsee’s classes, since public transportation (Railway) is totally suspended Vamsee cannot attend the classes. During the meeting he was present across video calling. We have discussed about teaching classes through online media, Vamsee agreed to do that. So, we will be buying a laptop, mini speakers, Mic piece and WebCam to establish online video classes for the students. This indeed helps the students to communicate like they are in the regular class. We have made a trial run last week, it went well. In the future we would be able to use the available projector for the same purpose as well. We believe it is a very good option available for time being to keep up with the students, also to attract some new students as well. It might offer a great opportunity for some who would love to do online classes because of their situation.  At the end of the meeting we had a prayer, pleading our loving God to have mercy on us.

Gratitude: Once again, we praise God for blessing us with wonderful congregations which are helping us to run this preaching school. While we are running the preaching school, we are also helping our graduates to establish congregations by conducting Gospel Campaigns, gospel meetings and Preachers Fellowship meetings. Also, during the times of natural disasters we have been able to help them in several ways, this time during Corona Pandemic we were able to help about 100 preachers families in this area of AP by providing Rice & essential goods for their survival. We are grateful to God for His mercy and also for blessing you all with kind hearts to do all this good works. We thank the brethren at Strickland and Lake Houston, also Jerry and Paula for their contribution as well. Attached are some pictures showing the preachers in hill area receiving the Corona Relief.

Local Congregation: Bro. Kavitha who is one of our faculty is preaching at the local congregation that meets at our visakha Valley Bible college facility. All of our students attend worship service here. Time to time bro. Samuel Raju, director of the college preachers here too. The local congregation has come forward to help some of the poor families in the church, where we were privileged to present those items to the brethren who are poor also some who are not members of the Church. Local congregation is growing spiritually and in number due to their remarkable fellowship.

Please convey our heartfelt greetings to the brethren you worship with, our best wishes to your family members as well. Kindly continue your prayers as we do for you daily, God bless you.

In Christ,

John Dean M

An update from Cambodia

Greetings from the International Bible School in Siem Reap Cambodia.
Our hope is in the Lord for all things, including our struggles with the Coronavirus.
We pray for you and your dealings with this disease as well.

Here are some of the exciting things happening at our school and related to our school:

We begin with the most exciting news,WE HAVE 4 NEW STUDENTS!  Our current student body has welcomed them in with love.
We will have joint classes, but also split classes for the freshmen and the upper class students.
Here is a little about each of the new students - please pray for them as they learn about Jesus, God and their purpose on this earth.

Heus
Heus comes from Siem Reap Province nearby the town of Leang Dai (where the preacher and one of our alumni Sokchea Lork is).
Heus learned about our Bible school from Sokchea and would like to learn more about the Bible and English language.
Heus is to be commended for his desire to do something more with his life, because he says this “There is nothing to do at home and people are dropping out of school.  I want to study the Bible and make new friends”.

Saneth
Saneth also comes from the Siem Reap Province near Leang Dai.
He also heard about the Bible school from Sokchea and wants to learn about the Bible and pick up some computer skills.
“I think this is a good school that can teach about being a good person, practical in knowing right from wrong” - Saneth.

Bopta
Bopta comes from the city of Battamban, which is about 3 hours drive from Siem Reap.
He heard about our bible school through our Facebook Page!
“This seems like a good school to learn how to be saved from sin, to be a better person, and improve my Bible knowledge”.

Sreymom
Sreymom comes to us from the Siem Reap city area.
She also found us through our Facebook page and became curious to meet us and see what we were teaching.
She desires to learn about God and make friends who are good people.
“I have a chance now to make friends at a good school, I want to learn more about God, English and computer skills”.

Please keep these and our current student body and staff in your prayers as we work hard at teaching new souls about Jesus and His saving blood for mans sins.

______________________________

We continue to teach through the Bible and take evangelistic and “family” trips together for bonding.
We have just finished Galatians, 1, 2 Thessalonians and Jude.
Currently we are studying the Wisdom Literature books, and the Minor Prophets.

______________________________

Brother Wes Autrey has been teaching us in Zoom Chapels on Friday mornings.
We also join him and the Battambang bible school for a chapel together on Wednesday mornings.

Our staff consisting of Brother Wes, Darat, Piseth, Vannak, Pros join and Phanat from Battambang and Chann from Siem Reap - study each Friday night on a personal Bible study.
Each week we assign a topic and study it during the week and then discuss it together on zoom for some engaging discussions.

Also each morning we have each one of us posts a devotional on our private facebook page so we can begin our day with some spiritual thoughts and grow together each day.
This has been very good for all of us to study some, but also learn to write things down and share our personal growth with.

______________________________

Below are photos of our 4 new students.
Thank you for your kind prayers and love for our teachers, our families and our students!

The Staff at IBISR.

Adjusting in Wotutu

Greetings to you from this part of the globe in Africa. Cameroon is a little better from the so many things that are disturbing. We are still tackling the crisis that has been ravaging our peace for the past four years and now we are also faced with COVID 19 in Cameroon that has kept everything in a stand-still. Untold suffering has come to many families as many cannot even have basics necessities.

But, it is always a thing of joy as the church stands out in this crisis situation to bring relief to families in the church and some families out of the church. It would be great if you could see a video of all of the families receiving rice and other food items and at times are receiving money to buy medications. Oh, how they are jubilating and praising God! We hope you are all doing good over there. Please pray for us as we are continually praying for you also.

The students of BVBIC-Wotutu could not go for their usually end of quarter evangelism because of   COVID-19. Also, we wanted our students to stay under our eyes during this crisis situation. We were moving from one place of security to another to evangelize. We all started classes except for two students who have dropped out because of one or two things concerning their health and family challenges. This quarter we have a great line up of studies. We have PERSONAL EVANGELISM 3, THE BOOK OF HEBREWS, DENOMINATIONAL DOCTRINES, AND BIBLE GEOGRAPHY. WE SHALL HAVE PASTORAL LETTERS AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AS SHORT COURSES.

PLANS

Our weekend evangelism is still on but we are careful as we go about it. Keep us in your prayers.

APPRECIATIONS

Our hearts are full of joy for all the wonderful things that the Lord is doing for us here in Cameroon Africa through you. Keep it up!  God is watching! He will repay you in due season. Please share our reports with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu