February 2024
Report
INTRODUCTION
Warm greetings to you all Brothers and Sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who has granted us this rare opportunity to work in His Vineyard.
This report has been written in an effort to provide some insights into the accomplishments that Bear Valley Bible Institute-Zambia has continued to experience throughout the month of February, 2024.
Students return
Since we resumed classes in this final year of studies for our current students here at Bear valley Bible Institute. They have all but one reported and they are diligent in their work.
Arnold Silangwa has not yet reported due to some hardships that he is going through at home. As we reported in our previous reports, the passing away of his only daughter has really affected him immensely. We continue asking your prayers for Arnold and his entire family.
Crisis in Zambia
Zambia is currently facing a serious crisis with the challenges of the economy, while the disease outbreaks such as cholera, Covid 19 etc is slowing down. The country is also passing through the worst cost of living in many decades. We understand that these hardships are not happening only in Zambia but globally.
At present, the nation is facing the threat of food insecurity following the drought in almost all the Provinces of Zambia. The report from the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia says that the prolonged dry spell in the nation has affected nearly 84 of 116 districts with one million of total of 2.2 million estimated planted hectors across the country being affected.
The weather forecasters have also announced that there will be some rains in some parts of the country. But these rains will not mitigate the already ravaged crops. Without other interventions, Zambia might face hunger once again. That is why the President of Zambia and other stakeholders have declared this as an emergency and a national disaster. We continue to solicit for your prayer regarding this state of affairs.
Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia invited
We were invited as a school by Twapia church of Christ leadership to conduct some series of lessons on “Eldership.” The lessons were taught to Twapia congregation for four consecutive Sundays. We as evangelists from Bear Valley Bible Institute were honored to teach at the said congregation in Ndola
And they had set 3rd March as the day for ordination. This ordination came to pass in a very colorful way, most of the current serving Elders among the Lord’s church here on the Copperbelt province were invited to attend.
Bible Studies
The students have continued with their personal evangelism. They have come in contact of many people through this avenue. Once again forty-two households have been contacted and had Bible studies with them. And they have set up notable Bible studies with a number of people in nearby communities. They have also continued conducting the mid-week service at Mikomfwa church of Christ and this service is bearing much fruit now.
During these studies we came in contact with people from Mpongwe district, Mpongwe district is 65 kilometers south of Luanshya district, we have continued to do evangelism in this area and we have already planted a new congregation. It was very easy for us to direct these people to our newly established congregation there. It is indeed a great thing to note that our students have really grown so much in the work that they desperately want to graduate and be more in the vineyard of our Master.
Baptisms-
We have recorded three Baptisms in Baluba of Luanshya District, and we have also recorded two baptisms in Kitwe district of Kanfinsa.
Restorations-
We have had thirteen (13) restoration just in Luanshya district and three in northern part of Zambia. Together we have recorded sixteen (16)
Sad news!
We lost a brother who was very committed at the church of Christ in Mikomfwa Luanshya brother Uegen Ponga. We had three days of mourning and as an Institute we took our students there for the encouragement to the family and the community at large. Six of our students had time to preach the gospel to the gathered people for three days after classes; once again we had a great response and follow ups are being made now.
May our God continue to strengthen the family the brother has left in this world.
Visiting of Bear Valley Bible Institute International Coordinator (Donnie Estep)
We look forward to the visit of our Coordinator Brother Donnie Estep in March 2024. As scheduled, Brother Donnie will arrive in Zambia on 18th March, 2024. He will be teaching a short course during his visit. It is always a wonderful time to have Donnie come and pay us a visit. May God continue blessing all his efforts!
Conclusion
Thank you kindly to all who have continued helping with the training of 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 family and indeed everyone involved in this very important work. May our God continue to bless you all!
Brotherly,
Cephas and Fred