Always Exciting To Report...

I keep thinking there is going to be a week when everything sort of hits a low point without much in the “exciting-to-report” department. However, it is not going to be this week. Even though there are only a few reports, each has powerful news about the work, God’s increase to the church and the growth in the students who are preparing themselves for greater work in the ministry of God’s kingdom.

No matter how short or long the report is each week, it is filled with wonderful news of how God is working in the lives of His faithful servants to reach out with the message of Jesus. The result of their efforts is changing the lives of people every week. I continue to be encouraged by the reports of various campaigns where God is giving the increase as the seed is being planted and watered. It is awesome to share in a small part of this work. Thank you!

On a brief side note, Sheryl and I enjoyed the celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary yesterday. She is a very special woman who is a faithful servant to our God. I appreciate her standing by me throughout several trials over the years. Her love and support in every phase of our life and work in ministry are unmatched and immeasurable. I know I am only one of many men who work in the extension program who can make the same claim. Our wives provide a backbone for which the structure of our service exists. I am thankful to God for blessing me with such a marvelous help meet, best friend and companion.

Now on to the other reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

Extension Reports 

Fruitful Campaign In Cameroon: The recent campaign work in Cameroon continues to demonstrate growth as God blesses the efforts of these students.

Chimala’s Most Wanted: We often take for granted the medical care in this country. The work that is part of the Chimala Mission desperately needs medical personnel. 

Honduras Student Report: The students in Honduras are involved in the growth of the church in Honduras. God is blessing their efforts in several ways.

Children Of Godly Parents Impact Tanzania: The work is growing in Arusha, Tanzania because of young people who are involved. Their parents are to be commended. 

Final Thoughts
Our travels this summer have been wonderful. We are sharing news about the work everywhere we go. I love seeing the excitement on the faces of our fellow workers in the church when they learn of the growth God is giving to the church around the world. Their support in this program is a great part of the fellowship we share as partners in the work of training men to preach the gospel. 

Thank you for your love for the Lord, His church and the nations of the world who need to hear about our Savior, Jesus. I pray for you each day and trust the God of heaven and all creation will bless you richly for your faithful service.

God bless
Bob

Children Of Godly Parents Impact Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Workers,

We hope and pray all is well and that this short report finds each of you blessed on all sides. Our God is truly an amazing God, provider and the power that makes all things possible.

The campaigns continue, Moshi completing Saturday with an all day seminar around “Spiritual Maturity.” It was such a joy to witness their planning and execution in this evangelistic effort.

On Thursday, I was in a study with a group of six, one being a very old Masai, another was a young man by the name of Joseph (also a Masai), two other men and two ladies. I directed most of my questions toward the older man beginning with the question; “do you believe in God”. I found his response very interesting; “well sure I believe in God, how could I be alive without God.” I then asked if he knew who Jesus is, he replied; “I have never heard of this Jesus”. So, “In the beginning” we began.

After two hours of study, Joseph had several questions, culminating in his obedience to the Gospel. So, down to the river we went, rejoicing in song and in heart.

With the addition of Joseph to the Church, the total during the Safari for Souls campaigns is now 72. And yes, the follow-up is on going in the various locations resulting thus far in 12 more souls obeying the Gospel. Yes, the work continues and God continues to bless our efforts by giving the increase.

Stephanie, Granny and I would like to thank all the faithful godly parents in the Church. Our lives have been blessed richly by young people coming and staying with us for several weeks during the summer each year. Caitlin Williams, the daughter of Ralph and Cindy Williams, spent the summer with us two years ago. Last year Jessica Galloway, the daughter of Jay and Renee Galloway, and this year our lives are being blessed by Caitlin Middleton, the daughter of Alan and Cindy Middleton. If the Lord wills, next year there is a young man from the Hoover congregation (AL) planning on spending the summer with us.

We see in these young Christians, a zeal and desire to be all God would have them to be. We learn a lot about their parents priorities in this life. We see a promising future for the Lord’s Church around the world, knowing there is a generation of young who love God, Love His Church, and are willing to put God and His will first in their lives. To all the faithful and godly parents we say, amen!

We close with hearts of gratitude. We thank God, we thank each of you and we thank our family and friends who make our lives possible. We are a blessed people, blessed beyond measure. May your week be a blessing to other as you strive to serve the Living God and your fellow man.

In Him, Cy, Stephanie, Granny & Caitlin.

Honduras Student Report...

I hope this finds you well together with your wife in your new home. To continue, I present to you the report of the work of the students: 

Porfirio Gonzales
The brother is visiting a town called “The 24th of December” with the purpose of establishing a congregation. This place is located in El Paraiso. Some brethren live there who have left the church. He, along with Yoni (his son and graduate of IBH) are visiting these brethren and 4 were reconciled this Sunday. All of them participated in the communion. There are at least 10 brethren more that are in the denominations and the brother is visiting them to get them to come back to the church. He has been distributing literature, giving classes and preaching house to house. 

Enrique Figueroa
The brother is collaborating in Coyolar together with the preacher. He is visiting a place where he is preaching the Gospel. He has studied with some sectarian pastors over the necessity of obeying the truth and to seek the restoration and unity of the church. Each Saturday and Sunday he collaborates in the preaching and classes in the church. They have realized two weddings and four baptisms.  

Jairo Irías
He is collaborating in El Zarzal in the preaching, evangelism, songs and direction of the Lord’s Supper. He continues attending on Wednesdays Los Robles to teach the Bible to people. Also, he has visited the brethren who have left (the church) and to encourage those who are discouraged.  

Jose Cruz Lopez
The brother is collaborating in El Zarzal. The past week he was collaborating in a campaign that was realized in La Villa de San Francisco where there were 10 baptisms and 4 restorations. I have contributed and one person was baptized. Also he is active in the work of evangelism, the songs and the preaching. For the moment he takes charge of the youth group of the church, together with Hector (another graduate).  

Jose Antonio Caceres
The brother is always helping brother Oscar each weekend in El Empalme de Trojes. This month a gentleman was baptized and they helped him since he has problems of paralysis. Brother Oscar is very satisfied by the work that Antonio does since he helps in every aspect of the work. 

Gustavo Reyes
The brother continues helping the church of Cuyali, El Paraiso. The preacher does not give him much participation in the services of the church. Each Saturday he leave together with another brother to give studies and encourage the brethren. The preacher feels jealousy toward Gustavo because the brethren like the way in which he teaches in the classes and sermons. Gustavo spoken to him about it, saying that all he is doing is so as to affirm the church and help in its spiritual growth.

We are preparing ourselves for the campaign that will begin July 8 to July 14 in Talanga.  Brother Donnie, I want you to please do me a favor and send me the program of studies of the Beta Class, since I did not make copies and one day cleaning the office with the students, I believe it was lost among the papers of the trash. I will appreciate it very much if you send it to me and I will make sure to make some copies.

With that relating to the wall, we still do not have an answer on the part of the authorities, only a backhoe came and deepened more the creek and I believe that that is not sufficient, but our authorities are negligent. I just hope to pay the taxes so that later, if possible, to interpose a demand for the possible damages that the creek causes to the property of the church.

God bless you and have a happy day!

Nery

Chimala's Most Wanted...

As you may know, we shipped over our books, furniture, etc. on a shipping container. It arrived at Dar es Salaam last week, but, because of one reason or another, the container has been delayed. Because of this delay, we are being charged $75/day for the container simply sitting there. Please pray for our container to be fully cleared and on it's way.

Our house on the mission is the Mays House. We are having it repainted for the last week and it should be ready soon. We hope to move back into the Mays House on Wednesday.

Bill Stinson, Don & Sue Logsdon, and myself, Chad, took a trip up the mountain to the original mission site. The Chimala Mission is working toward kicking off a cattle project on the mountain and we completed a survey of the mission site. All of the buildings are no longer in good condition, but some of the buildings can be rebuilt. The view on top of the mountain was fantastic!!

On Saturday, several of us took a trip to Kumani Falls. There was a good hike to and from the falls, but the view was well worth the effort.

American Doctor Needed
The Chimala Mission has a fully functioning hospital. Recently, three US doctors visited for 4 weeks and made a huge impact on the mission hospital. People in the community saw that the level of care increased, patient care improved, and a general morale boosting with the staff. The standard of care is in need of improvement and an American doctor can help with this need. If you or someone you know would like to do a three month, six month, or longer tour at the mission, let us know.  

Preaching the Gospel
We visited several congregations this week. We visited Lyambogo congregation on Wednesday evening, Chimala A congregation on Sunday AM, and Lyambogo congregation again Sunday PM. I preached at each congregation to full buildings. 

Support Level
We are still in need of support for our family. We came over to Chimala on faith that the LORD would provide. We pray that the LORD will work through you and your congregation to help us in our work.

Chad

To view Chad's report with pictures, please click here.

Fruitful Campaign In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from the staff, students and members of the Wotutu congregation. We pray that this mail meets you all in good health and a sound faith. We appreciate God for all His care over us, most especially the students who went out for campaign and are all on campus safe and sound in Wotutu.

The students who went out to 17 different villages, went to campaign for the souls to turn away from their wicked ways and come to the Lord to drink from the river of life free of charge. One of the denominational pastor’s was baptized. He was in a group called DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH. Keep this work in your prayers that those brothers who are really young converts will be able to keep the church until December when a permanent preacher will go and take up the work after graduation full time. 

God bless you all for your fervent prayers that worked well in the lives of the students of CBIW and staff that went around to some locations to supervise and see how the students were faring.

This campaign was also spectacular as all married students went out with their wives to preach and teach. Reports reaching us from those congregations show many developments from the wives and the sisters in those congregations. Many appreciated the gestures and pray we continue that way to bring about positive changes in the brotherhood in Cameroon.

Brother Tobias went to Atongeh village about 400 miles from the school with his wife. This village is young and our first congregation established since the starting of the school. He preached house to house. Keep that work in your prayers.

Brother Tobias’ wife, sister Joyce Sakwe, taught the women of that congregation who enjoyed studying among the sisters for the very first time. They sent words of appreciation and requested that the wife of brother Tobias should come again and help them.

The sisters of the Atongeh congregation were smiling after their sister’s class. Oh how wonderful and pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity…Keep this young congregation in your prayers because we see a lot of potential to take the entire village for Christ in the near future.

Brother Opel baptized sister Nelly in the Ekombe congregation. Keep the work in your prayers. God is doing something great in Cameroon, lives are being changed and many are getting the good news. From the mouths of the students and staff of CBIW, evangelism is at its peak now, and by His grace He will add more souls to His kingdom as we continue to plant and water. God will give us opening to rob from the strong man’s house.

Brother Sakwe Mulango was in Mondoni village with his wife and the Lord was working through them as the gospel reached many on their way. He baptized our new sister Njeni. The Lord blessed the work for one week as the students were out to preach and teach the gospel to as many as will open their doors for them to come in. A total of 32 new precious souls were added to congregations here while 40 souls who were out of the fold came back rejoicing. Please keep the work of here in your prayers and continue to be part of it. God is doing something great in the life of the church in Cameroon, the history of the church in Cameroon will change for good gradually.

Sister Joyce was on the road with her husband walking on foot long distances to get to the village where they were supposed to serve. When it rains too much, motor bikes will not plough the roads because it is more risky, but because the gospel is for all, they must go. The vision is to include married students with their wives for campaign is wonderful. It gets them involved into the work fully, even though it is expensive, to send them out but it is working well to God be the glory.

Plans
1) We shall go to Muyuka congregation for a two days evangelism as they are inviting the whole school to come over to their community and help them.

2) We shall also go to Mbanga  which is a mixed community, that is many speak French and English to established a new congregation by His grace this month end. Keep the work in your prayers.

Appreciations
We give thanks to God for all His great works in the life of the church in Cameroon. We also thank God for allowing you for Him to use you to accomplish His purpose here in Cameroon. We thank you for your prayers and support. Please share this report with others. God bless you and watch over you and your family. Greet the entire church for us. We love them. They are a strong pillar in our ministries.

Elangwe and family,

By His grace director CBIW

Extension Program Grows (17 & 18)

The Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver is excited to now be partnering with two new locations in the Extension Training program. Nothing is more thrilling than to announce the opportunities God has given us to share in the work of training men to preach around the world. 

The first location is in Ibadan, Nigeria. The Southwest School of Evangelism has been involved in training men to preach for several years. Under the direction of Makinde E. Olufemi, this school has provided a one year training program for men who desire to prepare themselves for ministry. Recently, Bear Valley was asked to partner with the work in providing additional training for the instructors and curriculum for a two year residential program. 

Presently, there are 25 men involved in the one year program with the capacity of several more who could be trained. We will have more about the work at the Southwest School of Evangelism in the weeks, months and years ahead. Please be praying for this work and our partnership in training men in Southwest Nigeria to preach the gospel.

The second location is in Monrovia, Liberia. There has been much turmoil with the development of this work. The school was established in 1986 with the help of the Rogersville church of Christ. The first class graduated in 1989. However, the school was shut down because of a Civil War that erupted in Liberia. The school restarted in 1993 and operated until 1995 when it was shut down again because of the intensity of the war. It remained closed until 1998. Classes began again and the school operated until 2008 when the government shut the school down until appropriate academic criteria could be met. A Saturday program started in 2011 with 18 men who wanted to learn more and prepare to preach the gospel.

The elders of the Smythe Road congregation in Monrovia discussed the potential of getting involved with the Bear Valley Bible Institute with Steven Ashcraft. After completing all the necessary arrangements, the partnership has been formed and the school is scheduled to begin in September with 20 students. Under the oversight of the Smythe Road elders, we are excited to be working together to help train men in Liberia. Again, we look forward to sharing how this work develops in the time God gives us into the future.

Beyond the excitement of partnering with two new locations, as you will see from the reports below, it has been an incredible week in the extension program. More than 75 were added to the kingdom and the news just keeps getting better around the world. 

Now on to the other reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

Extension Reports 

20 Souls Added In Cameroon: After a week in Southwest Cameroon, the evangelistic efforts of David Ballard provide a great example for the students at CBIW.

Implementing Evangelistic Plans: Bill Stinson shares information about new plans for evangelistic development in the work at Chimala.

Transition To Tanzania (Wagner Report): Chad Wagner and his family are adjusting to the transition to Chimala, Tanzania.

Working With Local Congregations: The development of the church in and around Busia, Uganda demonstrates growth in a very positive way.

One Year Celebration In San Cristobal: The first graduates from ITL have planted a congregation in San Cristobal and they recently celebrated one year. 

Jonathan Is Baptized At Linda Vista: One celebration in Guatemala joins another as Jonathan becomes a Christian and part of the congregation at Linda Vista.

54 Baptisms & 5 New Congregations: Awesome is the only way to describe the development of the work in Togo. The title speaks for itself.

Gratitude And Campaign Summary: The work in Arusha, Tanzania expresses gratitude for all the laborers in the kingdom, as well as provide a summary of the Safari for Souls. 

Final Thoughts
Sheryl and I are traveling throughout the state of Arkansas sharing the news about the work with a number of individuals and congregations who have been instrumental in helping us financially with the work at Bear Valley. These wonderful brethren, along with many others throughout the world are responsible for the success of Extension Training. To all of you, thank you. You are the heart and soul of the work. You are a blessing to so many. Lives are being touched and their eternity has been changed because of the partnership we have in working together in “teaching those who are faithful to teach others also.”

God bless
Bob

Transition To Tanzania (Wagner Report)...

House in Transition
When we arrived at the Chimala Mission, we moved into our house.  It is the Mays house.  We are currently having the ceilings, walls, and floors painted so we had to move everything out of the house so that it could get done.  We moved into the Guest house until our house gets finished.  So, even after being here for two weeks, we are still living out of our suitcases!!

We have received word that our shipping container has arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania off the ship and awaiting all of the final approval of paperwork.  We are hoping to have our container on Monday of next week. We are praying that our house gets finished painted before our furniture arrives. 

Chimala Bible Institute
The Chimala Bible Institute is the Chimala Mission's school of preaching for both English and Swahili speaking students.  Currently, we have about 25 students all together.  I will include some pictures of CBI so that you can see them.

We have been talking about the need for preaching in SW Tanzania.  I told the Bible faculty that a preacher can preach the Gospel using a pulpit and also the pen.  Preaching the Gospel with the pen enables the Gospel preacher to visit many more places at one time than he possibly can.  What is written with the pen can be read and re-read many times to teach the congregation and area preachers.  After discussing with Garry Hill, CBI Dean, we are going to start the "CBI Bible Digest."  This publication, written in Swahili, will help encourage the local preachers in the preaching effort and also help to fill the need for sound Swahili material.

Preaching the Gospel
We visited several congregations this week. We visited Chosi A congregation on Wednesday where Chad preached. We also visited the Itamboleo church of Christ this morning where Chad also preached. 

Support Level
We are still in need of support for our family.  We came over to Chimala on faith that the LORD would provide. We pray that the LORD will work through you and your congregation to help us in our work.

Chad Wagner and family

To see the full report with pictures, please click here.

One Year Celebration In San Cristobal...

The following links are to reports from Guatemala. The first (click here) shares the great news of Jonathan's baptism and the second (click here) involves the celebration at the San Cristobal congregation, planted from the graduates of ITL last year.

The work is powerful and the news is wonderful.

Gratitude And Campaign Summary...

Greetings Fellow Workers:

We greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has made our life worth living and has left us the PERFECT example to follow. We thank our God for each of you who pray, support and participate in this grand mission work of God.

We often reflect on our “groups” that join us, working hand in hand in the seeking and saving of the lost. We would be amiss in not mentioning the many individuals who also come and make an equally powerful impact on the lives of many.

To our dear sister Penny Cabler; we say thank you!

To our brother and sister Forest & Teresa Rachels; we say thank you!

To our brother and sisters Gary, Hannah and Rachel Box; we say thank you!

To our sister Caitlin Middleton, (Caitlin is spending the summer with us); we say thank you!

To each and every brother & sister in Christ who have made this mission work possible; we say thank you!

Most of all, we say thank you to our God, Who has blessed each and every good work along the way to the saving of countless souls. It takes one’s breath away to remember where we started; two small congregations with less than 20 in each congregation. Today we know of more than 150 Church plants in six different countries, thousands of souls worshiping God in Truth and in Spirit each and every week. Congregations planting sister congregations every month throughout the region. Wow! God is amazing! To see the Power of the Gospel working through and in the lives of so many is such a blessing.

I would encourage you to copy and past the link below for a good summary of this year’s campaign effort (The Hochdorf family’s report). 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15151833/The%20Tanzania%20Chronicles%20-%20June%202012.pdf 

Please pray for our new brother in Christ, Gaudence Luka Kilewo and his family. Gaudence is the young preacher who obeyed the Gospel at Maji ya Chai. His brother was killed in a motor cycle accident and his sister-in-law was seriously injured.

We also solicit your prayers on the local congregations as they (we) engage in the follow-up work from the campaign efforts. To God’s glory and to the saving of souls we labor on with the help of God through your prayers.

Please remember the Kilimanjaro congregation as well. Their campaign begins tomorrow. 

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie, Granny & Caitlin

54 Baptisms & 5 New Congregations...

Doyle Kee Lectures at CBS
Twenty-nine men, including 15 students, were present for an Evangelism Class. Doyle Kee, a missionary in Geneva, Switzerland is the resource person. The class started on Monday the 17th of June and will end on Thursday the 21st. The class is being attended by CBS students, former students, preachers from the denominational churches in Kpalime and some members of the Nyiveme Church of Christ, as well as, instructors of CBS.

Mission Team baptizes 54 and plants Five new congregations in one week.
A group of men from US, Ghana and Togo converged at Bagbe in Togo to start a week long Church planting exercise. The towns targeted along the route from Kpalime to Lome included: Keve, Baja, Akepe,Noepe and Sanguera. I joined Cephas in Kpalime and we traveled to Bagbe to assist with the house to house evangelism. After a week, 54 souls were baptized and five new congregations planted.

Former CBS students to work with four new congregations
Moments after the campaign ended on Sunday, CBS received a letter requesting that we recommend three of our former students to be appointed as preachers to serve in three of the newly established congregations which are: Baja, Noepe and Akepe. I was also informed by a congregation in Lome that they have engaged the services of Kossi Gidigidi (a recent graduate) to work with the Sanguera Church of Christ near Lome. I am glad of all these developments because CBS students are being used in the service of the Lord.

CBS to close for the long vacation
Students will be completing their final exam next week and close at the end of the month. They will resume on the 3rd of September. Most of them will use the period to farm in order to leave enough food with the family when they return to school.

Nyiveme Church of Christ- Kpalime
The congregation continues to experience numerical growth. The attendance last Sunday was 52 (fifty-two), including children. I had the opportunity to continue my lesson on “overcoming unforgiveness” during the Bible class and Cephas preached the sermon.

The growth being experienced is creating a serious challenge. Very soon the congregation will not be able to occupy the living room where worship is conducted. We need help to purchase 50 plastic chairs at a cost of $350.00

As soon as we secure funding, we shall purchase the chairs and immediately start worshiping here. This classroom can take 70 worshippers. Our vision is to become the largest congregation of the Lord’s Church in Togo by 2015. You can help us to make this vision a reality. We need 50 brethren giving us $7.00 each.

I want to thank the Gabriel Oaks Church of Christ for its financial support. We attribute our success to your commitment and dedication to the work in Kpalime. God bless you!

Report by Willie Gley

To see the report with pictures, click here.

Working With Local Congregations...

June 18th report

Dear brethren,

Greetings from Uganda. The Lord is blessing his work here and every thing is going on well. Thank you for your support. We are doing what we are doing because of your support. Students of Uganda School of Evangelism are continuing with their village evangelism every Friday afternoon and Saturdays. 

On Sunday those who assigned churches to serve go to work with them. On the 16th Students and Nandwa Church of Christ members went to Buswale Church of Christ for the quarterly seminar for the churches of Christ in Samia area. The seminar was well attended and we enjoyed the fellowship. After the seminar they provided us with lunch. The churches which attended contributed funds to support the host church. The church leaders are now seeing the need for being self supporting. They are praying to God to help them with strength in reaching this goal. We are trying to show the church here that God planned that the church through her members support God 's Work not expecting anybody outside the congregation be the one supporting God's work on their behalf. This is still hard but pray for the churches here to find a way to start doing this.

June 25th report

Dear brethren,

We thank our Lord for the good work as He is blessing us here in Uganda. The gospel of our Lord is being preached. The students are on break for this quarter. Some are still doing their research and those who came late are catching up with what they did not learn and studying for the tests they missed. 

On June 19th myself, with Paul, took the six Congolese brethren and went to Kampala to their Embassy to get their full passport as they had come only with a temporary one which was for three months. We came back on June 22nd 2012. They will be going back after three weeks to collect their passport from Kinshasa. 

The congregations which were planted by the effort of our students and faculty members are doing well in spite of their lack of church buildings. They are trying to raise money for such work but it will take years to achieve their goal. If there is a way these congregation can be helped to raise the money we will appreciate it. These are the names of these congregations: (1)Bulangi  (2) Junge  (3)Bulukuyi (4) Budeecho  (5) Haabboomi  (6) Budala  (7) Sirere  (8)Nabwere (9) Bugatti (10)Genguluho (11)Namungodi  (12) Namafundu  (13) Bukalikha. All these brethren are meeting under a tree when it rains, so they squeeze in a member's house nearest to the tree. Brethren we have been having this problem since 2007 when the first congregations were planted. We  need your prayers so that these brethren may get places to meet. The devil is also using this weakness to deceive some weak brethren to leave the church. 

Whenever I visit these brethren I share with them lessons of encouragement so that they don't see this lack of church buildings as a problem to stop them from worshiping our God. Today myself, with Margaret, worshiped at Bukalikha church of Christ where my elder sister worships. God has restored her eyes which were going blind. We praise God for that. She can now see, though not as she used to see. She is still under medication. We wish well. 

Yours
Francis, Margaret, Paul, Susan and Edith Mawa Wechesa

Implementing Evangelistic Plans...

In January of this year, we had Howell Ferguson, along with his wife Mary, come to work at the school for eight weeks. Of course, Garry Hill was here also teaching in the school and Cyndi and I were here during January and February. During this time, Howell brought forth a new idea for evangelism. It was not something entirely new, but it did put more focus on a couple of things. It was designed to spend more time with each congregation that was visited and it did involve the students more in the program. Something that I want to mention up front is that the evangelism work is currently being headed up entirely by the Tanzanian faculty of the school. This is part of the long term plan to equip and empower the Tanzanians to take charge of this work. So, anytime there is a change like this, it comes as a suggestion, not an order.

Howell talked to me first about this idea and then we talked to Garry to get his opinion, which was favorable. I suggested that we attend the next evangelism committee meeting and Howell could present the idea to the staff and see what they thought. Here is what he suggested. They would divide up into four teams comprised of both teachers and students. Each team would have a series of lessons designed to build up and encourage the local congregations. Each team would spend three to four weeks teaching these lessons and the teams would rotate. This would mean that a congregation would receive about 16 weeks of good lessons and four congregations would be receiving this at the same time. Then after the 16 weeks was finished, we would move to four more congregations. This would do several things; it would give some of the congregations really strong lessons to help them mature and at the same time, give these men who are training to be preachers some hands-on opportunities to learn how to teach the word and encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ.

The committee liked the idea and it was implemented immediately. The results were seen quickly and the numbers of people being baptized and restored went up the first week. As I said, the Tanzanians are running the program and it did not take too long until they drifted away from some of the program’s ideas. They did not keep going to the same churches after the first month, but instead chose four more congregations. I was disappointed that they did this, but it is their program. I believe part of the problem is the many requests from the numerous churches we have here to come and visit; it was hard for them to just concentrate on four churches. The numbers are still good and it looks like our baptisms will be higher this year than they have been in a long time. Hopefully, over the next couple of years we can get more focus on maturing the churches. 

Chad is just getting started, but I am hoping that his long-term experience in the pulpit will enable him to help local churches understand what a mature church is. More importantly, and this is something that Garry and I have talked about on several occasions; we need to develop preachers who understand what a mature church is. Garry is working on some curriculum changes to help the program do a better job of doing just that. We that have had the opportunity to grow up in the church in the States have a hard time understanding that people here have never been in churches that have elders, deacons, and evangelists with a long history of knowing what true church leadership is. Another problem they often face here is very small churches. It is hard to develop leadership when there are only a few faithful members in a congregation. So, we still have a long way to go, but we are seeing progress every year. I am going on my sixth year here and I have seen a lot of progress in several of the local churches. I know of a couple of congregations in Tanzania that are in the process of appointing elders and that is exciting news. Progress is being made and we must keep praying and working.

Bill Stinson

20 Souls Added In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

We bring seasonal greetings from your brothers and sisters in Cameroon. God bless you as you read our report this day. The week was a wonderful one as the Lord was working in many ways to accomplished His purpose here on earth.

One lady, pictured on the right, who was an elder in the Presbyterian church, saw the truth and told the husband I will not wait any longer to embrace the truth. The husband also accepted. Wow husband and wife obeyed the gospel same day. Keep them in your prayers to grow to maturity.

All the students of CBIW finished their campaign well without any problem. We shall share their reports next week when they will return on campus. Keep them in your prayers as they stay with their families for a one week vacation.

As I write this mail to you, minister David Ballard, our visiting lecturer and evangelist, is checking in now at the Douala international airport heading back home. Keep him in your prayers. His extra one week, after lectures in class, to many villages was great as I will share some details with you.

Brother David Ballard and I worked under rain, because it is rainy season now in Cameroon, set to go from house to house preaching and teaching the truth. It was great.

We reasoned with a denominational pastor and his entire family from the truth which he has perverted for years. He admitted teaching false doctrines all these years, but promised to study more before making a decision. Keep him in your prayers.

Brother Ballard and I talked to some prospects in the Kwa-kwa congregation after worship service. Two of them obeyed the gospel at the end of our discussion. The minister of that congregation is conducted confession to the candidates while brother Ballard was waiting in the river to conduct the baptism.

One of my girls, Cheercy, accepted the gospel here in Wotutu alongside 7 others. That is why I am convinced to say the trip was a great one for brother Ballard, teaching in the school to prepare men to preach and also showing the students an example to do evangelism as our motto says EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM. A total of 20 souls have been added to 13 different congregations of the church here during this one week of intense evangelism with brother Ballard. Keep him in your prayers as he will fly out of Cameroon.

Another moment of joy in Mondoni village, a congregation we established in February, as brother Remy’s wife obeyed the gospel. Keep this family in your prayers so that growth will continue in that family.

Plans
1) We shall go to Muyuka congregation as they call us to come over and help them in July. Keep that work in your prayers.

2) We shall go to Mbanga village to establish a new congregation in July as we have the means. As we were driving pass this village we saw two little boys selling along the road. Because they saw church of Christ on our car they came closer and said we are members of this church but we are here for vacation and we don’t worship because the church is not in this village. Please, we shall make sure by our own ability to see that these young men and others in that village will hear the truth and God will help them obey it. Keep it in your prayers.

Appreciations
We thank God for using you to be part of this team to win souls for Christ. Continue, because God will not pass you by when He comes to reward His servants. God bless you as you share this report to others.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director CBIW

Honoring Our Heavenly Father...

Throughout our country, the third Sunday of June each year is set aside in honor of fathers. We are all aware of the Biblical teaching concerning the role and responsibility of the father within the home. I am especially thankful for my father and the foundation he provided in Biblical teaching. I remember memorizing scripture and reading to him from God’s word while growing up. I heard him preach the truth each week as he ministered to congregations in several locations. His love and support in all of my activities shaped my understanding of what it meant to be a father. He truly stands as a great example, but above all, I am thankful for the ways he taught me to understand the relationship I now have with my heavenly Father.

The work we are privileged to share in is for honoring our God and Father. It is His grace and faithfulness that make it possible for us to share in the inheritance of the saints. I pray our efforts will glorify His name, and may this day and everyday serve to honor Him.

While the Bible Institute in Denver breaks for the summer, classes are still in session around the world. We are continuing to see news from each location of the Extension program about the work being done as men prepare themselves in the word of God. 

The break during the summer also affords Sheryl and me an opportunity to travel and see some of the greatest brethren who are involved in supporting the work. We will share with them news from the past year and plans for the year ahead. It is a very busy time with much traveling, but the time of sharing the work with others is so rewarding.

I ask you to be praying about the potential for the Bible Institute to partner with two new locations in Extension Training. The first is in Monrovia, Liberia and the second is in Ibadan, Nigeria. If we are able to get everything completed with both of these locations we will be privileged to work together with several wonderful men in training an additional 45-50 men in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once approved we will have more information.

Now on to the other reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

To see Steven Ashcraft’s full report about the work in West Africa, click here.

Extension Reports 

Four Souls Added In Cameroon: Two visiting instructors to the work in Wotutu, Cameroon are seeing the fruit of their labors.

The Wagner’s Arrive In Chimala: After a long journey by plane and bus, the Wagner family has arrived on the mission in Chimala. 

A Double Dose From Cambodia: Both Phanat and Chann send greetings and wonderful news about the work in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The Value of 71 Souls: One of the most amazing accounts of how God is blessing the work in Arusha, Tanzania. Please take time to read this report. 

Final Thoughts
Sheryl and I will be on the road early Monday morning. We would appreciate your prayers as we travel for the next several weeks. I will keep everyone updated on our efforts and work over the days ahead. 

I am thankful to have the opportunity to be a small part of this effort. The work is incredible and growing very quickly. Each of you, in many ways, play a significant part in this work and I thank you. Your involvement is changing the lives of people in eternal ways. You are needed and greatly appreciated.

God bless
Bob

Four Souls Added In Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from the staff, students and our wonderful visiting lecturers who have been here with us contributing their parts for the training of men to preach the gospel.

As I write this mail to you brother Josh Austin, the coordinator of CBIW, left Cameroon safe and sound and will join a team in London for the holy land tour. Keep him in your prayers.

This past week, sister Celine Akama obeyed the gospel with her daughter the same day in the Wotutu congregation. The Lord continue to destroyed the kingdom of darkness and added souls into His kingdom. Please keep this work in your prayers.

Sister Mindako Lydia obeyed the gospel in Wotutu.Our week was hectic as all our students took their final exams in the book of Romans without much problems, except for one student brother, Nanje Shadrack Bea, who was involved in some problems, but everything is under control. Keep the students in your prayers as they are in 17 different villages for campaigns and one village (Makobe) is our target to fully establish a new congregation in that community. Pictures below will help identify some of the work that is seen in Cameroon. God has given the increase as the gospel is preached and souls are being added to the kingdom. The picture to the left shows brother Ballard baptizing Mindako Lydia.

To the right, brother David Ballard gave his finals in the book of Romans. He is still in Cameroon for a week to do evangelism and visit some congregations.

On the left, brother David used our PA system preaching every day at 4:45 am to the entire Wotutu community cutting across six different villages.

Some students with visual problems benefited from reading glasses from the visiting lecturer, brother Ballard, from the USA. These glasses will help make a difference for students in their studies and assignments.

One mother lives very close to the church hall and she has been benefiting from our morning radio program. Praise God she finally obeyed the gospel. Keep sister Joanna Mesue in your prayers as she walks with God. The radio program is reaching more and more in and around the Wotutu village. We are thankful to have such a valuable tool for preaching the gospel.

Yesterday we left Wotutu for Mambanda, which is 80 kilometers from Wotutu, where we meet the church during their Bible class and later on talk to some visitors that came for the Bible class and a sister obeyed the gospel bringing in 4 precious souls within this week. Keep them in your prayers.

The picture below and to the right shows our new sister who obeyed the gospel yesterday with smiles, leaving behind errors from denominational youth groups. Keep them in your prayers as we give them Bibles that they will read and keep growing.

Plans
1) All students are out now for one a week campaign.

2) We shall go for a campaign at the Muyuka congregation first week in July.

3) More demands for campaign and evangelism.

Appreciations
We praise God for helping us go through the second quarter of study in CBIW. Thanks to God for using you to be part of this work.God will not pass you by when He comes for His reward. The lecturers will finish class and jump out for house to house evangelism. They were in Mutengene sharing the gospel on house to house.Share this report with others who will love to be a part.

Elangwe and family
By His grace Director CBIW

The Value of 71 Souls...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

Our prayers are always with each of you as you labor with us here in Tanzania. God continues to do a mighty work through each of you through the Tanzania Mission effort. We are indeed a blessed people to be able to call upon our God and to be called His children.

We concluded our “official” Safari for Souls campaign season. In all campaigns were conducted at Babati, Kioga, Maji ya Chai, Kisongo, Kwa Mrombo and Arusha. With the help of our brothers and sisters from TN, OK, NC, AL, the local Christian family and with the help of God we say Amen! Question, what value might one put on the seventy-one souls that have already obeyed the Gospel?

We are so blessed to be able to meet and work with such wonderful, committed, and evangelistic Christians from so many places. To work hand in hand with others who are willing to sacrifice time, money and time away from family and friends, is a joy not to be taken for granted.

So many stories could be told, but let me mention two: While preaching and teaching at Maji ya Chai one young man came up and wanted to know more about God’s plan of Salvation. After a couple of long studies, he and an older man obeyed the Gospel. The younger of the two was a preacher for a Pentecostal congregation. The next day he went to Moshi to tell the “head quarters” he was no longer their preacher.

As part of our follow-up program, we sent Chuck Webster and Christopher Mwakabanje back to teach and preach God’s Word at the former congregation this man worked with. Four more souls said yes to the Gospel, putting Christ on in baptism.

Our brother Sid Aultman was asked to come and teach and pray for a lady that was sick. When he arrived he found himself among another group of Pentecostal believers just behind the home of Christopher and his family. This study continued throughout the week and ended with an invitation to return for further studies.

Open doors, doors of opportunity abound here in Tanzania. Our chief complaints from our visiting coworkers this year have been: “we need more workers” and “we need more time”. WE AGREE!

We thank God and we thank each and every one of you who have made this year’s campaign effort all they have been. The follow-up work begins and with your continued prayers much good is yet to come.

Please remember the group from Hoover and for Forrest and Teresa Rachel’s as they are to fly out tomorrow night. Our prayers are with you as you begin another week of serving in Him. A special prayer for all the godly Fathers on this special day!

In Him, Cy, Stephanie & Granny

The Wagner's Arrive In Chimala...

Greetings in the Name of the Lord.  I pray that the LORD will bless you and keep you at all times.  

"Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." Jude 2 

After a very exhausting two days of flying from Dallas/Fort Worth to London to Dar es Salaam, we arrived at the airport. We had already paid and received resident permits for Tanzania, but the head immigration officer at the airport refused to allow us entry without visitor permits. Even though we had already paid the $850 for our resident permits, we were forced to pay an additional $700 for a useless visitor permit. That was a VERY unexpected $700 we had to pay that was intended for other uses.

Bill and Cyndi Stinson met us at the airport and took us to the place we would stay the night.  Bill, Cyndi, Anna (my oldest daughter) and myself then went to the service at one of the churches of Christ in Dar. It was Anna's first experience of an African worship service which she found very interesting.   

After meeting back up with the rest of the family, we stayed in Dar es Salaam for the day. We ate at the Waterfront restaurant (which sits right on the Indian Ocean) and Bill took us to some other places that I would need to be aware of as administrator. We went to a shopping center where we purchased a few items.

We didn't sleep that much but awoke early the next day and was ready to go when Bill and Cyndi came to the room. We quickly loaded the bus and was on our way before 5 AM. We drove almost 13 hours from Dar es Salaam to the Chimala Mission. Along the way, we saw zebra, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, etc.  It was quite an experience for the kids.  

We arrived at the Chimala Mission later that night and was shown to our new home. We will be staying in the Mays House which as 5 bedrooms and 2 baths. We will be getting the house painted next week inside and out so we are still living out of our suit cases currently until we get everything more settled.

The next day, Bill and Cyndi took us on a tour of the Chimala Mission. It is a big place!! The amount of activity on the mission and the people are really hard to grasp at this point (and a bit overwhelming, too!).  

This week, there is a large group of 17 people on a medical mission trip. Janice Bingham brought several nursing students from Harding University. Also, three doctors accompanied the Harding group: Dr. Frank Black, Dr. Stephen Snell, and Dr. Kent Brantly. They also brought the families as well which has been a treat. We also met Cherly Bode who has been here for about six weeks and will leave on Monday. She is a nurse looking to do medical mission work and she wants to come back here to Chimala to work later this year or early next year. The total medical mission group has done a marvelous job at the hospital. Rena was able to witness her first Africa C-section and natural birth (all with 2 hours of each other).  

I have preached at the Chimala Mission church on Wednesday evening and also today (Sunday) AM and PM service. I have also been involved with a meeting with the evangelism committee which is developing a plan to evangelize all of south-western Tanzania and to develop the existing congregations.

As I am taking over for Bill Stinson as the mission administrator, I have a steep learning curve to learn as much as I can in the next three weeks from Bill before he leaves to go home. It is a big job!

The family is doing well and adjusting as well as can be expected. I will have more information next Sunday on the work and the family. Please continue to pray for our safety, health, and endurance as we begin our work with the Chimala Mission.

Chad and Rena

A Double Dose From Cambodia...

Greetings coworkers of Christ! As always, it is a joy to bring glad tidings to those who have an interest in the His work in Cambodia. We have some wonderful news concerning His kingdom in the land of Cambodia in that another subject has been added under His reign! Peun, our school's cook and dear sister in Christ, wept with joy when she finally convinced her husband to become a Christian. She's had to endure so much the past few years since she's become a Christian herself, but can now relax a little and have a peace of mind that her husband supports who she is as a faithful, God fearing wife. She has lived out 1 Peter 3:1-2 and is a wonderful example to us all. 

On the flip side, this is why we encourage marriages between Christians so that they can avoid such obstacles and hardships. That is why I am so encouraged to see the staff of IBISR marrying Christian brides. Our new brother in Christ's name is Vannak. He has committed to enrolling in IBISR in the fall for our new batch of students. He will be the oldest we have thus far. I thank God for always providing for us in so many ways. We pray that He will give the increase to our new brother as he goes through the school here. 

We have 8 confirmed for the new school year that begins in September. Please continue to pray for God to send forth more laborers. Thank you for your support and love!

Phanat

To see the report with a picture of Vannak’s baptism, click here.

Report from Chann Lork

Dear all brethren,

I would love to take a moment to write you all about what's going on here in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The work of the church is growing through our evangelism to various places, especially to the villages around as the people in the city very busy to work.

Currently the church meeting in Siem Reap has from 40 to 50 people every Lord's day. Last night, we had a good fellowship meal with our brethren here that will help us grow and stay close to each other in love and peace and faith to our God.

And, we just had a new baptism recently for our new brother in Christ named Vannak, which is the husband of the cook for the International Bible Institute of Siem Reap. The cook is really happy to see her husband baptized for the remission of his sin as he used to be a gambler and destroyed lots of money in his family as I heard.

Now, instead of going to evangelize at Battambang, I brought our students to go visit the church at Leang Dai and Takam to encourage some members that are not faithful as well as teach and invite the people who live around to come to the church at it's area.

The result is we had many people come to worship and study the Bible with the local preacher in both areas, Leang Dai and Takam.

We just got a setup to a new village called Tropeang Svay, that is a way from Leang Dai Church of Christ by about 3 kilometers. We are going to teach them every Saturday as they are not a Christians yet. Please pray for the people in this village so that the word of God will work in their hearts through our preaching and teaching to them. 

The church in Svay Reing
The work there is doing well as we have brother Saran and his wife, Ussa, and Sophal working in that area trying to spread the gospel to their villagers around.

Sophal, one the preachers working in Svay Reing, just recently married one of our second year students, a girl named Kosal, and they are looking to start a new congregation in Kosal's home town at Mong Reusey. Please keep them in your prayers. 

All in all, we are doing fine. Please continue to pray for us as we are struggling to grow even though we are young in the physical, but we want to be mature in spiritual manner as the very word of God teaching us.

We love you all and we urge you to continue to pray for us, as we also keep you all in our prayer as well. Thanks for your support for the work in my country. Without your support we would really have a hard time. 

God bless you and we love you. 
Chann

FPTC - Preparing Future Preachers...

Future Preacher’s Training Camp (FPTC) is underway in Denver. This camp brings more than 40 young men, ages 13-18, to the Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver. These young men will spend an intense week of learning about how to prepare and preach a sermon. They learn about how to study a text of scripture, use the resources of the library and then present their lessons to the elders and staff of the camp.

As well, they develop a spiritual bond that will last beyond the one week they are together. These young men, who come from all over the country, are preparing themselves early for vastly needed positions within the Lord’s church today. They may not be preachers, but with a better understanding of God’s word, they may serve as teachers, elders, or deacons. Around the world there is a great need for men who are willing and able to use God’s word accurately in building up the church and reaching out to the lost. Their efforts are going to make a difference for an eternity.

The Visakha Valley Bible College in Visakhapatnam, India and the BVBIU in Gorlovka, Ukraine is also involved in such an activity. They bring a number of young men together with the purpose of preparing them to learn how to preach the gospel in the same way. You can read more about their efforts in India in last week’s report from John Dean. The school affords the staff an opportunity to give these young men a foundation for what we pray will one day be involved in spreading the gospel throughout India and Ukraine. It is exciting to see that not only does Bear Valley have an influence in training men to preach the gospel, now the FPTC is helping change young men as well.

If you would like to know more about how the Future Preacher’s Training Camp operates, feel free to contact the Bear Valley Church of Christ or the Bear Valley Bible Institute. You can also click here to go to the website and learn more about FPTC.

Now on to the other reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/

Donnie Bates provided us with his monthly newsletter. To see the report, please check here.

Extension Reports 

Visiting Instructors In Cameroon: Josh Austin and David Ballard are in Wotutu, Cameroon teaching short courses for the students.

Recruiting Students In Ukraine: The staff is busy with recruiting students in Ukraine to be a part of the next class of students.

Gratitude From Uganda: In everything give thanks. This is the attitude demonstrated by those in Uganda.

Increase Is Given In Paraguay: The work continues to see people respond to the gospel in Asunción, Paraguay.

God Is Alive And Well In Arusha: God has blessed the laborers in the vineyard on the fields near Arusha, Tanzania.

Pre-campaign Results Are Fruitful: Several groups have seen success in reaching the people of Tanzania with the gospel. 

Final Thoughts
As Sheryl and I prepare to make a six week trip around the middle part of the country, we look forward to meeting with many of you about the work. It is always encouraging to share news about the work and project our future plans for the work of Extension Training. Each of you are the very lifeline for the program. Without you it would not succeed. God is working through you in powerful ways to see the gospel proclaimed around the world.

Thank you!

God bless
Bob

Pre-campaign Results Are Fruitful...

Dear Supporters, Family and Friends,

The past week has been so wonderful. The reason it has been is because dozens, maybe even hundreds, of people have heard the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. There was a group of nine from Oklahoma working in Maji ya Chai with William Korio and the brethren there; and a group of six (Forrest and Theresa Rachels, Penny Cabler, and Gary, Rachel and Hannah Box, and Caitlyn Middleton) working with Charles Heberth and the brethren at Kwa Mrombo (in fact, two were baptized there this morning). In addition we had the Akin family (Christ, Beth and Steven) and Kevin Flowers working in Kisongo (you can see their summary-report below). The Oklahoma group has left and is on their way home. We thank God that 23 people were baptized as a result of their work and the pre-campaign work that was done several weeks ahead of time.

Finally, we had the Hoover group arrive on Friday evening. There are 20 great people willing and ready to go to work. They will be working at Kwa Mrombo and other areas. Much pre-campaign work has been done (by those mentioned above as well as others) and I believe we can expect greater things from this area as many plant and water the Gospel seed with God giving the increase.

We say goodbye to the Akin family and Kevin Flowers tomorrow morning. We have included a summary (written by Chris) of their work while here since May 13. It is amazing that it has been a month since they arrived, but, as you can tell from their report, they have not wasted any of their time. They have been good stewards of the month that God has given them here and the money that was contributed was, therefore, well spent. We know that they are thankful to those who helped them to come, some of you who also support us, but we would to express our thanks also for you helping to send them our way. Here is their report: 

Brethren,

How do we put into words the experience that we have had in Kisongo. It is humbling to think about GOD putting the treasure of the gospel in earthen vessels. We are not worthy to share this much joy with others. The privilege that we have been given to be HIS children and to share 'The Truth' with others is indescribable. It is exciting to see people come to understand the word. Four short weeks ago we arrived in Tanzania and the time has slipped by. There is so much left to do that has been started and it pains us to leave. Please pray for those that have been studied with that they will continue in the Truth. By way of summary, this has been our involvement here:

-Fabian and Kevin studied with 22 people in 35 studies, had 2 baptisms, has preached multiple lessons.

-Ahimidiwe and Steven studied with 35 people in 40 studies, had 3 baptisms, has preached multiple lessons.

-Paulina and Beth studied with 12 ladies in 55 studies, had 3 baptisms, taught three ladies classes during the marriage seminar.

-Israel and Chris studied with 35 people, in numerous sessions, 5 were baptized, two men were restored, of the baptisms and restorations there were two couples (it is great to think of them having unity in their homes), studied with those that were baptized to continue "teaching them all things"; set up 8 more people to study with and have not had time to get to them yet, taught 8 lessons at the marriage seminar,  and 1 lesson on JESUS is GOD.

- Some of the studies would have numerous people coming and going and those are not listed. Each of the groups listed above, at times, would have several of our students in each study. It is difficult to describe the sessions without listing each person in each study. The local brethren are set to continue the studies and build up these new Christians. There was the opportunity to help the sick and the local work; we participated in all that we could. This letter is not to sing people's praises, but to let you rejoice with us in the work here, and to give an account for our time. May GOD bless the work here, and your interest in spreading the gospel.

Thank you for sending us.  

In Christian Love,
Kevin Flowers and the Akin's

We are so very appreciative for each of you as you make it possible for us to work here, and to work with such great people as are described above. May God bless you for the sacrifices you make for the sake of the Kingdom.  

In Christ,
Jimmy, Trina and family

P.S. Jimmy will be traveling tomorrow with the Akin family and Kevin. He will be back in the US for several weeks finishing up his schooling(?). Please pray for safe travels for him as well as the others. While Jimmy is gone we may, or may not, send the weekly report. So, don't be alarmed if you do not receive one. :)