Back in full swing in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for August 2020

Warmest greetings to you all, our supporters and well-wishers of the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute. We are truly grateful for your support accorded to us especially for those of you in areas where the pandemic is still high. This report will be a summary of major events which took place here during the month of August. These include both classroom and outdoor activities all of which on the overall were good.

Classroom: At the beginning of the year we enrolled 20 students, but after the Covid-19 lock down only 16 were able to resume classes for the 3 weeks just before our July report. Later 1 more student returned making a total of 17 who have continued to this date. These have successfully completed Christian Evidence, Personal Evangelism and the Gospel of Christ 1.

Evangelism: We are beginning to get back in full shape for the preaching of the gospel in and around Gueckedou. On 2nd August, 5 souls were baptized in a nearby village of Bandalo plus 1 in Gueckedou town and all of these worship in the congregation that meets in the school premises. On that same Sunday we baptized 3 in another village called Fassaba where there were already 3 baptized since the 26th July. And because the later were baptized when they made a visit at the school premises congregation, August 2 is considered the beginning date for the Fassaba village church of Christ. Then on the 23rd August 4 more souls were added to that number. Meanwhile a few other conversions had taken place in other areas so that the total converted for the month of August in and around Gueckedou is 26. To God be the glory!

Special Visit to the New Graduates: It was in March that we graduated 15 evangelists who had completed Biblical studies at the Gueckedou BVBI. Since then, we had had very limited contact with them especially so regarding their ministry work. This was due to the pandemic and the lockdown it imposed. But now by the good grace of God the GBVBI administration decided to pay these men a visit in order to show them our concern, interest and encouragement for the noble work for which they have been trained. First we held a meeting with those within and close around town. Then we sent a 2-man delegation to the villages where the men are stationed. We had prepared report forms for any of them willing to share their activities with us. The meetings were successful.

Conclusion: The month of August was successful both for the classroom and outdoor activities. By the grace of God the pandemic is gradually dying down and the Government has lifted most of the barns which prevented free movement even though the borders are still closed. Gueckedou Bear Valley has held classes and evangelized those we could reach. In all 26 souls were brought to Christ. Soon we will also be focusing on some Agriculture activities as HHI awaits on border opening. Once again, we are grateful to you all our supporters and well-wishers

Thanks, Francis  

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

Using lockdown time wisely in Guinea

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be blessed!

Francis

Graduation in Guinea!

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for March 2020

Grace and peace be unto you all, supporters, well-wishers and friends of the Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute in Christ Jesus, our Lord. The month of March has ended, but it was special for us - having an extra ordinary historical event, the first of its kind ever to be remembered in the life and history of this institute and for the church in Guinea! It has to do with the graduation of the first batch of students, 15 evangelists trained to expand the borders of Christ’s kingdom.

The presence and activities of the BV Bible School in this Islamic dominated country of Guinea are remarkable! It shall be said and hereafter ever be remembered that the Lord’s church in Guinea has but one mark of distinction, a "School of Biblical Studies". During the month under review, a few other, but equally important things did take place and I am glad to give you a briefing of these in the order of their occurrence.

Evangelism: A total of 12 persons were converted as a result of evangelism, the usual congregational visit and the 2 baptized during the Bible teaching seminar of the graduation week. These 2 were “visiting members” of the congregation at Nongoa.

Well drill / Agriculture-land: It is good news for Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley School Agric-land. Healing Hands International has begun to provide funds for the offer of the agriculture program. Through the Bear Valley Administration a check of the amount needed to drill the well has been made available. Thanks to you, HH.

The Graduation Week – the most historical event yet: The week of 9th to 14th March had been a very busy and important one in the history of the school. There were 3 important events:

a.      Graduates and their wives’ seminar – 9th to 10th

b.      General Bible teaching seminar 12th to 13th

c.       The first batch’s graduation ceremony – 14th March

Some of our special invited guests did not attend due to hesitation for the treat of COVID -19 and other problems. Notwithstanding, a lot of others even non-invited persons within the country were here. The number of participants to each of the programs exceeded our estimates and that was a problem, but a happy one and so we handled it with satisfaction. Some 300 instead of 210 attended the Bible teaching seminar – 2 conversions. And some 600 instead of 420 attended the graduation ceremony.

Then there were many participants from Sierra Leone and Liberia including our able colleagues, the Administrators of the Bear Valley Schools. Also present was Dr. Tom the President of JOS School of Biblical Studies, Nigeria. Needless to mention our Coordinator Steve from the USA. Indeed the program was well attended and what gave it more weight was the presence and remark of the number 1 citizen in the whole Prefecture of Gueckedou, the Prefect himself. This event which was the first of its kind not only for Gueckedou, but for the whole of Guinea will ever remain in history. The local Press who transmitted the message to the National radio was here! As for the rural radio, all the speeches of: the Bear Valley Coordinator, the Gueckedou BV Director and that of the Prefect were repeated for 3 consecutive days with special appraisal remarks.  What an important event!

The Number of Graduates

A total of 15 evangelists out of 19 students initially enrolled in March 2018 completed the course and were awarded Certificates / Diplomas. It might be of interest to mention in passing that during the first and second year course of study, these students with the help and support of the staff converted a total of 74 plus 234 =308 persons which made the 3 plus 9 = 12 congregations planted!

Conclusion / Graduation support and Contributions: We are grateful to all of you who participated in whatever way - be it by your presence, financial or material support to make this program a success. We acknowledge the risk some of you took at such a crucial time as it was to come and support us. You did it for Christ and that is why He guided and protected you.

Our Coordinator, Steven Ashcraft is to be commended for his great courage and support! We also received an equivalent of $85.00 from Brother Ismeal Kendor - USA and $50.00 from brother Esang Akpanudo, Nigeria - amount intended to support agriculture land purchase. The brethren from Sierra Leone especially the Kailahun District contributed a tin of 20 liters palm oil and an equivalent of $11.00. Within the country, several congregations contributed rice and palm oil. Others such as Conakry and N’zerekore made a representation who delivered symbolic contributions in cash.

God is to be glorified! 

May He also protect His people and wipe away the deadly virus. We thank you all!

 Francis

More good in Guinea

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report – Feb. 2020

Greetings to you all, our supporters, friends and well-wishers of the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute. This report will be very brief and will discuss only 2 items, the classroom and congregational visit activities both of which were successful.

The month of February has since ended, but we were tied up with the following month’s graduation preparations for the first batch of students here. Because of the much work needed for that program, we had, but a little time to attend to some usual activities such as evangelism.  Nevertheless, a few conversions did take place. Here is a summary of the events which occurred here in February.

Classroom: Having started classes by mid-January courses then progressed and are now in full swing for all the second batch of 20 students. Courses completed during the month include Homiletics 1, God’s Plan of Salvation and the Acts of the Apostles instead of Christian Evidence which was rescheduled for another quarter when hopefully the instructor, bro. Nestor would fully recover from his hypertension problem.

Congregational Routine Visit: As part of our usual congregational routine visit to keep the saved always save, our students and some staff had gone out to strengthen the new congregations. During 2 of these visits we converted 5 souls (4 women and 1 man) in the village of Dendesou. All the other congregations are also going well. Conversion photo is attached.

Conclusion: We wish to thank and appreciate you all for your support of every kind – Finances, materials and prayers. Your spiritual and material supports are always desired to continue this work of soul-saving through preacher training.

Until then, your servant

Francis

Gueckedou, Guinea – BVBI

20 new students in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Report for January 2020

How grateful I am to you all who have supported this work and or continue to have interest to read about the happenings hear at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. Thank you for accompanying us through to the close of 2019. God is to be glorified on account of that. Welcome to this New Year 2020. We pray and hope that this year will be one of good health and great spiritual progress. Now here below in sub-headings are the summary of the events during the month of January.

New Batch of Students: The month of January did not only serve as the beginning of another year, but of another batch – this time 20 students who have come to study various courses at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. Indeed some 22 persons presented their candidacy, but we admitted 20. We were especially attracted by the desire and willingness of some elderly men though of low academic levels who pleaded with us to help deepen their knowledge in “this truth”.

An entrance exam was conducted followed by an interview on the 6th of January so that we were able to start classes a day after orientation on the following week of January 13th.

The first batch of students will ceremonially be going out on the 14th of March and you are all welcome.

Classroom: A new batch of students, our second class of 16 young and 4 elderly men have started classes at the Gueckedou Bear Valley School. There is a high enthusiasm on the part of nearly every student. So far all is well and we give God the glory.

Evangelism: Because we just returned from the year-end breaks, evangelism during the month was focused on visiting to strengthen newly planted congregations. On the other hand, there is still much to be done before this class is adequate for field work. Notwithstanding, we converted 3 souls at the congregation that meets in the school premises where the hall is becoming smaller.

Agriculture land: By the grace of God through the benevolent hands from Niceville and 9th Ave churches of Christ who contributed $1,125.00 and $2000.00 respectively to complete needed funds we were able to find room for the offer from “Healing Hands International”. A total space of 300m2 has been secured for agriculture purpose. Healing Hands is now on the initiative to begin the work. We are grateful to you all!

Kitchen Renovation and Security Booth: Termites are destroying our temporal kitchen. We had to do some renovation work. We were also able to put up a security booth in answer to the watch-men’s request.

Conclusion: It is by the grace of God – through your support and prayers that we are able to enter 2020 in good health and with another batch of students to continue the work of soul-saving through training. We are especially thankful to those of you who within a short time contributed enough to secure a field for agriculture work. To you all, our supporters and well-wishers, God bless you and stay with us.

More evangelism success in Guinea

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for Dec 2019

This December is the close of activities at the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute for the year 2019. Therefore this report though brief will be a summary of not only the events of the month under review, but a briefing of the year 2019 which has been a year of great success in terms of conversions and I am excited to  report.

Classroom: December was not only the climax of classroom work for the year 2019, but also the close of course study for the first batch of students at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible School. There were 19 students who started the course, but 1 student was expelled in August 2018 for indiscipline while the other 2 dropped in June 2018 and in August 2019 due to inadequate health conditions. A lot of sound academic excellence and great practical results were obtained especially by certain dedicated students.

Evangelism: We converted 23 souls this December 13 of which were the beginning of a new assembly in Sayanin, another quarter of Gueckedou. During the year our reports have shown that a total of 145 souls were converted as a result of evangelism. This figure include 7 souls converted in December 2018 after our “Year-end Numbers” were submitted on the 18th. Our public preaching exercise has taken a high level of attraction! This is due to the quality evangelism equipment – amplifiers, etc. which the Niceville, Florida church purchased for the Institute in July.

Campaign: We had one last gospel campaign to close the year and by His grace converted a total of 30 souls, 18 of which were the beginning of another assembly in the Sou-prefecture of Tekoulo. During the year, we had one gospel campaign per quarter plus an extra one financed by our Coordinator. The 5 campaigns resulted to a total of 89 baptisms.

Needs / Response to request: Land for Agriculture field- Of the $2,500.00 stated in our last report needed to complete the cost of at least 5 parcels of field plus survey cost for the Institute’s Agriculture program, the church at 9th Ave, Alabama has responded with a check of $2,000.00 and the purchase has been done! Great of you at 9th Ave, thank you! Now it’s only the documentation that remains -$500.00 to complete the cost. We need your contributions to finish this!

Personal Profile: Two students, Niouma 2 and Francois are to be commended not only for their high academic performance, but especially because of their dedication to winning souls for Christ. These 2 young men were always found ready to go out on any evangelical or gospel mission. More than that, they would propose and seek administrative support to explore new areas where good results often came.

Students Niouma 2 and Francois were the ones who would always stay on campus during the holidays to ensure visits to new congregations while others were on break. They have kept the lights burning! Indeed most of the conversions during our evangelism were the result of their dedication to the practical!

Conclusion: The month of December was another of great success both in the classroom and out there on the field of evangelism. Our December evangelism and gospel campaign resulted to a total of 53 baptisms – 2 congregations planted!

We are pleased to inform you that 16 students have successfully completed their various biblical courses at the GBVBI. In advance of a former letter of invitation soon to follow we wish to inform you that the graduation ceremony will be held in March this year.

Thanks and appreciations to you, the Bear Valley administrative body and to all of you who have one way or the other supported this great cause. May the Almighty continue to strengthen you again in 2020 and the years to follow.

Your humble servant, Francis

26 baptisms in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for October 2019

To you, our supporters, well-wishers and to those of you who have interest to know what we do here at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible school, greetings!

The month of October has ended and though half of it was part of our 3rd quarter break a few interesting things did occur and we are glad to share such things with you. On the over all, it was another month of success both in the classroom and on the field of evangelism where the reactions were not only challenging, but dramatically interesting. On the other hand a thousand dollar donation was made to us to be used where needed in the work. Follow with me for the details outlined below.

Classroom: From our third quarter break, classes were resumed on the 14th October and we completed 2 courses – Christian Ethics and The Book of Revelation. The results were good for the 16 students left on roll. No other event was special.

Evangelism: During the 2 weeks of our evangelism, we visited 3 of the villages where the church is already planted with the aim to strengthen the new converts and to win additional souls. By His grace, the efforts resulted to 10 conversions 2 of which are in the congregation at the school premises. There was another village where we visited and evangelized and there was a good turn up to hear the gospel, but no conversions even though hopes were raised for another visit.

Campaign: Besides the regular campaigns which are on a quarterly basis, Steven, our West Africa Coordinator financed an extra campaign with the sum of $525.00 since September.

We visited and worked in 2 different villages in 7 days – 4 and 3 and converted 16 souls – 10 and 6 in Koundou-toh and Kolifa Ouende respectively.

In the latter, we found 2 members of the Lord’s church one of them was part of the 87 persons, a whole Pentecostal denomination converted in August 1995 in the town of Nongoa where the Lord had brought me (as a refugee) to plant the church and train men to help 2 years earlier.

What was really interesting in Kolifa was the dramatic challenge from 2 forces: A certain young woman was touched by the word and decided for an immediate baptism. The husband, a New Apostolic denomination leader and chief of the village who himself admitted “the message is true” would not allow his wife to make the change. It was a hot debate between them on the question of whether the woman remain his wife and stay in the NA church or accept the baptism and lose the marriage.  Since he was not directly against us or the message, we intervened to help him understand the importance of obeying the truth that “now, today is the day of salvation” (2Cor 6:2) and the danger of becoming a stumbling block. Yet he would not still accept, but the woman was adamant even to the risk of losing the marriage and was urging us to baptize her. After additional effort to plead with the man we accepted the woman’s desire and baptized her. The man made further threats and refused the wife from worshiping with the church. We have since made follow-up visits and seen that no divorce took place, but sister Tewa Leno is in a very sad mood for not being allowed to worship with her brethren. She needs our prayers and encouragement!

The other challenge was from another elderly man, a Muslim who resisted 2 other women, his relatives from accepting Christ because as he put it “this mosque that I am building here is for them!” Consequently, none of them accepted the Lord. We hope God will grant them another opportunity that will be accepted.

A Special Aid: A $1,000.00 check was cashed and forwarded to me for “church building construction work or needed equipment” by brother Ken Stanley of the Florida, Niceville church. The funds were from donations by members of the 9th Ave church of Christ, Alabama for a signed book of Poems written by sister Teas (the mother), in memory of her son, Randy Green, a great World Bible School teacher who has passed on. Randy was the main evangelist though at distance for the planting of the church of Christ in Bomi Hills, Turgmanburg, Liberia through WBS program some 30 years back when we did coursed with him. The funds will be used in one of the areas indicated above. Our appreciations to the sister and the 9th Ave church as a whole.

Conclusion: We are closer to completing the course requirement for the present class. The work on the field of evangelism is tedious, but the results keep us encouraged. A total of 26 persons were baptized this October. The Lord is to be praised for enabling you to support and encourage us in this work. Our appreciations to you all.                                                 

A few photos are attached.     

 Francis

Amazing results in Guinea!

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report - Sept 2019

Greetings and thanks to you all , our beloved brethren and friends for your interest in the gospel work in Guinea and especially for the activities of the Bear Valley Bible Institute based in Gueckedou. Once again, we want to give you and update of what transpired during the rainy month of September.

For the most part, all has been well and we are exceedingly glad to announce that despite the multiple difficulties we had a great success on the preaching field and the month of September this year has carried the highest number of conversions at Gueckedou Bear Valley since her establishment in 2018! See details of this and other major points below.

Classroom: Again, as in August one student was unable to go through the required courses. This time, unlike the previous it was a health problem and student Ezechiel who was struck down by hypertension was taken to Conakry for better medical treatment. The rest of the 16 students went through with an overall acceptable performance. Also, bro. Nestor Tonguino, one of our temporal, but able instructors had been equally knocked down by hypertension in late August and was soon hospitalized.  He was discharged in early September – health improved.

Evangelism: In 2 of the villages where our students attend worship and help the young congregations, 2 women and 1 man, the village chief of Bandalo-leh were converted on the 1st of September. Later, on the 22nd of the month another man was baptized in the village of Damas making a total of 4 baptisms for September Evangelism.

Gospel Campaign: We are greatly delighted to inform you that despite the rains, bad roads and the old vehicle repair fatigues, the September gospel campaign was of a great success! There were 5 groups assigned to evangelize in 4 villages and a quarter of the town of Gueckedou from the 10th to the 15th of the month. The following conversion results were obtained:  Gueckedou – 2, Beidou – 4, Bandalo-leh – 5, Botema – 5, and Koluadou (including Sandia) – 21.

The mission to the 5th village, (Koluadou) was in response to a call such as the one by the man in Paul’s vision at Macedonia (Acts 16:9). On this journey, we dispatched 3 evangelists 2 of which are of high spiritual and physical qualities also to withstand the bad roads – motorbike riding and they were led and assisted by the preacher in the sous-prefecture headquarters of Ouende Kenema. After baptizing 14 plus 2 persons on the 12th, the brethren also surveyed 2 nearby villages and baptized 3 on the 13th. Finally, 2 more souls were converted on Sunday, the 15th Sept after worship with that newly planted congregation. Putting all these together, we, by the grace of God converted 37 souls during our September campaign which is the highest number of baptisms in any single month for both evangelism and campaigns since 2018. To God by the glory!!

Purchase of Evangelism Equipment: We are empowered with another evangelism equipment. The $800.00 provided by the Niceville, Florida  church of Christ in July in response to our request for these tools has been used to purchase a complete set namely, amplifier, loud-speakers, electronic microphones, a generator, etc. to enhance our preaching program. May “the hand of the Lord” be with his servants!

Thanks and blessings be upon you all especially to the Niceville church for this great offer. We pray also that others will be touched to see the need to assist in other areas (see conclusion note below).

Conclusion: Even though the month of September closed with a hard blow affecting one of our student’s health – reducing the number of participants from 17 to 16 coupled with other disadvantages of the season it will still remain historic for the great conversions obtained thus far. Our usual evangelism activities resulted to 4 baptisms plus 37 conversions during the 1 week campaign totaling 41 and that raised the month of September this year at the top of all the conversion figures since the Institute’s establishment in 2018. Yes, we are determined to work and are glad for the results, but beginning to be concerned if not worried for the increasing needs especially for worship halls and transportation assistance. Lord’s Supper trays, cups, the cost of raisins are to be counted on the list of immediate needs and we will appreciate any donations. We still have a few copies of Bibles being distributed from the $300.00 funds donated by Niceville since the first quarter of 2019.

The Gueckedou Bear Valley Administrative body, staff and students appreciate you all. We need your partnership in this all important work of soul saving!

Francis

More conversions in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Activity Operations Report for Aug 2019

Greetings to all of you outside there who are interested in the work we do here at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. Another month has ended and we are glad to give you an update of the activities that transpired during that rainy month of August. Besides the normal classroom work which was good, we had to engage renovation of the students’ dinning and the installation of electricity. We also converted 6 persons to Christ during our preaching work. Below are some of the details of these things.

Classroom: Although all 17 students are still on roll, only 16 of them fully participated and completed the courses scheduled for the month under review. The one student with a reference in 1 major course is a government employee, a public school teacher who had asked permission for this biblical training, but was compelled to report back for a period of more than a week needed for correction of public exam papers. The other 16 students who participated were commended for good work.

Evangelism: We did not really get the time to go out on evangelism as before because of the rains. We however had brief moments on a few Sunday afternoons to speak to those who were already visiting with us and some around our meeting areas. In this way we converted 3 persons in Gueckedou town and 1 in each of 3 villages where our students are assigned for the Lord’s Day activities. The woman converted in the village of Bandali-leh is the wife of the chief.  In all, 6 persons were baptized in Christ!

Students’ Dinning Renovation: Not only was the roof damaged by the rains, but termites also destroyed most of the wooden structure prepared especially for students’ dinning. The hall has been extended and renovated. We also purchased one some type of desk-bench and a small table for a full accommodation and convenience of all students.

Electricity Installation: The cost was high, but publicity electricity is preferred to that of frequent gasoline purchase and generator maintenance. Though it is only 5 hours a day, but light is available at the time when it is most needed for photo copies and studies – 19hrs – 24hrs / 0 hrs.  Hopefully, our application for the facility or its activities to be considered for “government charge” as it is for all religious centers – churches and mosques will be granted. That means, if the request is granted no light bills will be required of the school.

Conclusion: We wish to thank and appreciate you all. Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute is moving forward because of your spiritual and material support. Please keep us in your prayers so that these laborer achieve their training to serve the Master.

Until then, be blessed.

Guinea growth

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for July 2019

The activities of the month of July were few, yet we have the obligation to give you an update. We had only 13 week-days during the month of July having been on break till the 14th, but our in and outdoor activities were good even though to certain extent the rains limited the frequency of our movement. While we did not reap much fruit as in previous months due to this and other gospel preaching difficulties, we were on the other hand blessed by one congregation with a reasonable amount of funds for the purchase of equipment for that exercise. Here below are some of the details of what happened during the month.

Classroom: Our third quarter course schedule commenced with the Minor Prophets and was completed in 7 days instead of 8 so that we had a day off used for an outdoor activity. The 29th up to the 2nd of August was the final part of the course ‘Christian Evidence – the Bible and Science. Students’ participation and evaluations results were good and all 17 students are still on roll.

Evangelism: As usual, individually and as a group we went out to preach whenever the opportunity presented itself. This is how we had one day of preaching from the 8 days scheduled for the Minor Prophet course which was completed in 7 days. One of our men was successful to convert 1 soul in the village of Yabehma on the 7th of July. Then on the 21st and 22nd respectively we baptized 2 young men in Gueckedou town and these brought us to the total of 3 conversions in July.

Evangelism Equipment Request Answered: In our May report we made an open request to any well-wishers for evangelism equipment such as loud speakers and amplifiers. By the grace of God the church of Christ congregation at Niceville, Florida through the hand of brother Ken Stanley wired the amount of $800.00 for that purpose. Being the pioneers of the gospel work in Guinea, they have once again demonstrated their financial support in addition to the regular assistance rendered! Niceville had also help for the worship hall at the village of Bandalo-leh. 

Conclusion: The month of July this year was one of those months that fell within our break periods and it is in the rainy reason thus limiting our outdoor activities. By His grace however we successfully went through our classroom work and also converted 3 souls to Christ. We are also thankful to the Niceville, Florida church of Christ for the evangelism equipment cost provided. It is our appeal and prayer that others will be touched also to help in other areas such as participating in worship hall construction for the new congregations being established.

A few photos are attached.

We thank and appreciate you all.

Francis

Even more success in Guinea!

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for June 2019

Greetings to you all, our readers and supporters of the gospel work in Guinea. As usual we are writing to give you an update of what transpired at the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute during the month of June which falls in the wet season of the year in this part of West Africa. Also, our activities were limited by the second quarter break which was a week off the month of June. Notwithstanding, the grace of God continues to be manifested in our gospel preaching as souls are being converted.  While it is true that many of our outdoor activities have reduce, there was little or no effect on our indoor activities as classes continued in their normal order. On the over all, the results were good and I am glad to report the following details:

Classroom: As per our course schedule, we were able to go through 2 major courses – the “Major Prophets and Biblical Interpretation 2” just before the campaign week followed by the second quarter break. We are still with all the 17 students on roll with everyone doing his best in his category of study.

Evangelism: News of our preaching during the month of May drew one elderly man some 3 kilometers from his village of Yaladou to be a member of the church when he met us in the village of Damas. In response to the question “how did he know about us and why did he want to be a member of the church”, Mr. Lambert explained “we are hearing about you and people are saying that that church has so much truth”. After the worship service that Sunday, the 1st of June the man was baptized after a brief Bible discussion. We have unfortunately lost his conversion photo. Then on the 16th of the Month, 1 old age woman obeyed the gospel in the village of Foidou. Finally, the conversion of 3 other souls – 1 in Gueckedou and 2 in another village of Yabehma on June 30th was the close of our evangelism for the month. In all, we baptized 5 souls!

Campaign: We had 6 days of public preaching – 18th to the 23rd June and we surveyed 2 main areas. First, we all spread out – house to house in a quarter of Gueckedou town until the 21st. Then on the 22nd, a portion of us left to visit Yaladou, the village of Mr. Lambert, the first convert mentioned above during our evangelism. Although we met him very sick of a swelling foot, brother Lamber had informed the local authority and had invited many who came out in a public square to listen that Saturday night. Unfortunately, the rains interrupted and the people scattered with only a few entering in an unprepared hall. Nevertheless, 1 soul was baptized the following day plus 4 others in Gueckedou town on the same Sunday of June 23rd. In total, 5 souls were drawn to the Lord during our June campaign.

Transportation means: Our request for an additional motorbike to facilitate transportation especially for evangelism and congregational visit was granted by the Bear Valley authorities through the effort of our West Africa Coordinator, Steven Ashcraft who advocated for us. From the funds provided for that purpose, we were able to purchase 1 more motorbike of the same quality (but of a different color – Red) as the first. The funds were enough to provide for all documentation including 1 year of complete insurance.

Conclusion: The month of June, though a rainy period in our area with some inconveniences was nevertheless successful. Our indoor, classroom activities went well. Also our evangelism and gospel campaign efforts resulted to a total of 10 souls converted to Christ.

In our next report, we will give you details of Niceville, Florida church’s positive response to our May request for evangelism equipment.

Thanks and appreciations to you all.

Francis

36 souls won in Guinea!

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for May 2019

We have come to the close of activities for the month of May at the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute. Although several things occurred during the period, this report will be a summary of the major events and of those which attracted our attention and therefore our time. On the overall, we have graded the indoor activities as “good” and the outdoor activities especially because of the comparably high number of conversions as “excellent”. For this reason, it is for me more of a pleasure than a duty to submit this report which is outlined under the below subheadings.

Classroom: The month of May falls in the second quarter of our course study for the second year which requires a lot of credit hours. Compared to that of the “Major prophets” 3 shorter courses including Homiletics 2 and Romans were completed just before the close of May so that we could start “Old Testament 4”, the Major Prophets scheduled for 12 days of 7 hours each day. This is our second to the last course for this quarter. It is therefore likely that to complete the last course for the quarter (Biblical Interpretation 2) there will be an extension of 2 or 3 days in our gospel campaign week scheduled to begin on the 17th of June.

Evaluations for such voluminous courses have included home assignments compelling the students to do much reading and research. So far, the results are good and all 17 students are still on roll.

Evangelism: As highlighted in our April report, the month of May has been one of great success in terms of evangelism. As it was the role of John the Baptist before the coming of the Lord, the men in the new congregation at Foidou had advanced our preaching in many of the villages around them in April while we were on break. In deed the challenge was ours to get ready for an outdoor preaching in the village call Damas (which is the English Damascus of Acts chapter 9) on the evening of Saturday May the 4th.Seven men and women confessed the Lord as a result of the word, but because it was late to get to the river side we agreed to return the next day for the baptism. By His grace it was another opportunity of Bible discussion during the study class of the worship and it resulted to a total of 11 conversions!

Before returning to that village (Damas) for another Saturday preaching which also resulted to 5 conversions among those who attended the following Sunday of May 12th worship from the 2 villages (Damas and Foidou), 1 lady was baptized in Gueckedou on Friday, the 10th of May. Interestingly, another 5 men and women were baptized on the same Sunday in the congregation at the school premises. That means by His grace 10 persons were converted on that Sunday, the 12th of May.

The weekend of 18th to 19th May was another of pressing need for us to reach another village. Now the men of Foidou assisted by some from Damas extended the message to Milliandou, another village where we were encouraged to go and preach that Saturday evening. Again, 7 men and women accepted the gospel call and were baptized the following day, Sunday the 19th of May along with 4 other women from the village of Damas. That is true, Sunday, the 19th of May another 11 conversions took place as were on the 5thof May. Let me mention in passing that at each area of our public preaching we would close up with the exercise of tract distribution!

Furthermore, there were 3 additional convertions on 20th and 26th of the month – 2 in Gueckedou and 1 in the village of Milliandou.

In all we have converted 36 souls to Christ during the month of May.

Worship Services of the Brethren in the 3 New Villages of Foidou, Damas and Milliandou:

 It should be of concern how and where the Sunday worship services of the brethren of these new villages are being held when at the same time conversions were taking place in either 2 or all 3 of them. Indeed on every Sunday of May – the 5th, the 12th, the 19thand the 26th Gueckedou Bear Valley was converting people in at least 2 of the 3 new villages. Here is how it was done. Worship was held in just 2 of the 3 villages for all 4 Sundays of the Month. Encouraged by their friends who first announced the message before our Saturday preaching, the prospects would walk to come to worship and to be baptized the following Sunday at the host village/congregation.  That was really impressing!

At the moment the desire and agreement is for all of them to remain as one congregation worshiping in one village this Sunday and in another the other Sunday. This might change in the future as the converts in each village increase with other necessities such as for children, the old age and the disable. The average attendance so far is 50 including the 2 workers from the institute.  

Material Need for Evangelism and Gospel Campaigns: During those Saturday public preaching we saw and or felt the need for loud speaker and amplifier materials. In all previous campaigns we had only done house to house and door to door evangelism. We did reap some fruit, but have lately experienced that the general public proclamation of the word will result to more fruits. Hence, we are here appealing to any well-wishers to support us with amplifiers and other public preaching materials. This is especially needed for the city (Gueckedou town) preaching. Support the volume of our voices please!

Conclusion: Gueckedou Bear Valley had had much to do in the classroom during the month under review. We were challenged by courses which required more than 35 or 48 credit hours, but we did go through successfully. More than that, we were somehow pressed, but glad to go out on every Saturday to preach in one village while at the same time making efforts to build the town congregation. Constrained by limited transportation means and repairs of the old vehicle on hand we struggled, but the efforts were blessed and therefore the month of May has carried the highest score of conversions (36 souls) than any other since we established in March 2018!

Tract distribution has been and is still an active role in all our personal and public preaching. We are grateful to the “French World Outreach”/ bro Barry Baggott for responding to our call.

Thanks and appreciations to you all who support this honorable work.

May the Lord be praised because “we are unprofitable servants: We have done that which was our duty to do”- Luke 17:10.

Francis

Continued growth in Guinea

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for April 2019

Our major second quarter activities at Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute commenced on 22nd April 2019. As in previous quarters we had both indoor and outdoor activities though this time for a limited period compared to other months in the past. Nevertheless, we did our best to fulfill all necessary requirements one of which considered the central focus of all outdoor activities is evangelism resulting to the conversion of 3 souls. Below are the details.

Classroom: By His grace we are still maintaining the 17 students on roll. Regular classes did commence, but we had to adjust the course schedule especially for the short course initially set for the 7th week. Bro Balla was rescheduled to conduct his class right from day 1, the first and only week to finish the month. This was done because the instructor was not sure of being available in any other week during the quarter. The results were very good.

Evangelism: The new congregation at Bilin which was started during our first quarter break on 31st March had another one soul added on 14th April. Since all the conversions so far in that village were during our break when I was also away, necessity was laid upon me not only to participate evangelize the village, but especially to go see the new converts. Therefore Sunday, 21st April just before classes resume the next day we made a visit of acquaintance and to strengthen the brethren. Our meeting was one of delight! It resulted to the conversion of 2 additional souls that day.

In our last report for the month of March we explained the conversions of persons in 2 different villages (Foidou and Bilin) said to be 2 new congregations. The good news now about especially the men at Foidou is that they have taken upon themselves even while we were on break to advance the message in most of their surrounding villages, thus paving the way for a greater conversion in May. Details of this are soon coming in our next report.

Dining Hall Repairs: The first rains of Gueckedou town were accompanied by violent winds and thunder blasts. Many families saw the roofs of their houses fly away. Bear Valley’s dining hall was no exception. Tarpaulins of one-half of the shelter were torn apart and destroyed. We had no option, but to speedily engage repairs which were completed in 2 days.

Literature Reception and Distribution: We owe a big “thank you” and appreciation to the “French World Outreach” / Barry Baggott based in Nashville, TN who is a great blessing to our preaching ministry. In deed bro Baggott had sent us 4 cartons of New Testament Index Bibles, tracts and pamphlets most of which (except Bibles) are often distributed during all our campaigns and evangelistic trips. These too have their part in proclaiming the good news of Christ (and his church). French World Outreach must be recognized as a part in the conversions being done at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible School!

Conclusion: We had only 1 week of major activities for the month of April, but are thankful to God for the classroom and outdoor activities especially for the 3 souls converted. With the initiative of advancing the gospel message by the men of Foidou, an exciting report of greater conversions is on the way.

Our thanks and appreciations to you all especially those of you who support this paramount work. God bless us all!

Francis

More conversions in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea BV Activity Operations Report for March 2019

About half way of the month of March was the close of our first quarter activities for 2019 which were commenced in January at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. During the month the school was involved in both classroom and outdoor activities including a week long gospel campaign all of which were successful even though we had a sudden health emergency case by one student who had fallen off while in class. We have experienced a greater number of conversions so far, 32 souls in all!  Below are the details of the events.

Classroom: To this date of the close of the first quarter of our second year, the Gueckedou School still maintain the 17 students on roll. All of them attended to the courses of the quarter. However, just before the evaluation student Nestor Kamano had fallen off his seat while in class. He was rushed to the central hospital, admitted for treatment and was discharged 5 days later. The rest sat to their evaluation tests and everyone did his best in the category of his study. Another schedule was proposed for brother Kamano to take his exam. So far all is well.

Evangelism: This time round a great effort has been applied by everyone to do his or her part to bring souls to Christ. One of our staff’s effort to convert an elderly woman in a nearby community who was baptized on the 2nd of March along with one young man led us to another older woman who was also baptized within a few days.

After the campaign week some of our students who are helping with the teaching and worship in the new congregation at Dentor also baptized 4 men and 1 woman on 24th and 31st March respectively.

Still further, our evangelical efforts and concerns increased especially by encouraging brother Saa Nestor Millimouno to work with us even though due to illness he had dropped out during the first year classes. We drew him closer because we saw greater potentials and a special gift of motivation in him. In the village of Bilin for example he and one regular student made their first trip to evangelize so that the second trip resulted to 8 conversions on 31st March. Putting all these together means that 15 souls were converted in March as a result of all our efforts in evangelism.

Campaigns: The week of 11th to 17th March was one of interest for our first quarter gospel campaign this year. Among the villages visited last year during our evangelistic trips we had encountered some obstacles in a predominantly Protestant village community called Foidou. We had gone there in the night on schedule, and the village chief, a non-Protestant had allowed us to preach to those who desired to hear us in the community hall. But soon the violent sounds of stone throw on the roof could not allow us to continue. Led in the home of one of the interested men, we did not sill only preach to them, but they in turn encouraged us to take heart, keep strong and to “come back”.

All along on campus from time to time we had discussed the possibility of returning to that village and to do so in the day time. Hence, the areas proposed for this campaign week included the return to Foidou. Therefore after attending to 2 sections of Gueckedou town by 2 different groups on 12th and 13th March, the  14th by 7:15 am 16 of the 17 students plus the staff on board the Directors’ car, the school bike plus 2 other bikes and where in that village by 8 am to broadcast the saving gospel of Christ! Three hours later by 11am that morning 8 responsible men of family heads surrendered to King Jesus and were baptized and that marks the beginning of another congregation. Since then worship services and other week day (Saturday) Bible classes attended by other adults and children are being held regularly.

The 15th to the 17th March were the days scheduled for Botema, a village where we had conversions in the past. There were 3 men on that mission and they too snatched 5 persons from Satan on 16th March.

 In all, 13 souls were converted to Christ during our first quarter campaign week.

Conclusion: We had a successful work in the month of March both in the classroom and out there on the field. Satan tried to obstruct the classes by the abrupt illness of one student, but the Lord came to our rescue and student Kamano has now recovered. On the battle field the struggle for souls led by Captain Jesus was delicate! The fight resulted to the surrender of both men and women in different times and at different fronts to our King, Jesus Christ. So far the month of March has carried the highest score of conversions – 32 persons since the establishment of the institute in 2018. We are thankful to all the leaders and supporters of the Gueckedou Bear Valley School. May God be praised for his grace!

Francis

More conversions in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea BV Activity Operations Report for February 2019

Brethren, the month of February has ended and we are pleased to submit essential details of the Institute’s activities which were conducted during the month. In addition to the usual activities of classroom and evangelism, there were purchases of a new copier and 17 Thomson Chain Reference Bibles. And by the grace of God 3 souls were converted to the Lord. Here are the details:

Classroom: Of the 17 students on roll 16 of them registered at the beginning of the month until about half way when student Nicolas who was ill for some time in February returned. All 17 students are now carrying on their studies and the overall academic performance is acceptable. The students are also doing well in their practical.

Evangelism: Two areas of evangelism were as usual conducted in the month of February - the “house to house” preaching and that of the regular radio broadcast both of which resulted to 3 conversions.

House to house – Among those who went out to preach was student Justin who together with 2 of his colleagues was able to convert 2 of his female relatives. Later, we converted 1 young man, a handicap who had to be transported on the bike. Brother Nyuma is yet a young man and he’s crippling in both legs. He cannot stand on any of them. Thank God for his acceptance of Christ.

 Evangelism by the air: There is one student who is making a greater impart by the gospel messages preached on the air. Student Niouma 2 Kamano has impressed us greatly as he reminds and teaches the public on a regular weekly basis with messages of concern topics such as “examining oneself in light of obeying the saving gospel”. Our emission is a regular listening one in Gueckedou and surrounding!

Other conversions elsewhere – Though not counted in our Bear Valley conversion figures we will nevertheless like to mention in passing that as a result of the Gueckedou Bear Valley’s Director’s preaching on 24th February, 4 precious souls accepted the Lord that Sunday following his exercise as the keynote speaker of the WBS Graduation in Foya of neighboring Liberia.  There were 11 awards of WBS Certificates offered on February 23rd to those men and women who completed the required courses.  

Purchase of 17 Thomson Bibles and a new copier: We had serious photo copy difficulties at the beginning of the month when our“2520” copier broke down. We tried to get it repaired, but to no avail. The popular technician in town could not repair it due perhaps to his incapability in the field. So we sought permission from Steve, our Coordinator who allowed us to make some adjustment in the purchase of the Thomson Bibles. Instead of 20 to include the staff, we purchased 17 Bibles for the students and with a far reasonable price than the invoice obtained some time last year. This allowed us “left over” funds used to satisfy the pressing need. So we got a “2204” size type copier to replace the “2520” which was damaged by car accident during transport of startup materials last year.

Conclusion: Our thanks and appreciations to all the men and women, the brethren who are supporting the Bear Valley schools especially the one in Gueckedou to continue to train men for the Master.

In Christ

Francis

Evangelism in Guinea

The 2018 year-end holidays carried us up to the 13th of January so that we started our second year activities on the 14 of the month. There were some obstacles during the month in the areas of illness on the part of one student and that of the breakdown of our copier. We managed to cope up any way. On the other hand, we had 5 conversions to the Lord. Here are the details of these activities under subheadings.

Classroom: One of the 17 students on roll has been bordered by an illness which rendered him unable to meet up the regular academic and field requirements. All others went through the month’s activities while student Nicolas Millimono was undergoing medical attention. He has just returned from Conakry where his parents had taken him for treatment and is now in class though required to settle for the courses conducted in his absence.

Evangelism: Indeed classes started by the middle of the month, but some of our students had made some effort even during the holidays to evangelize. Together with the air time radio gospel broadcast and other evangelistic efforts during the month we converted 5 persons to Christ. These are some of the people who had been held in denominations and were encouraging us to be patient.

Personal Profile: Student Jeannot Makete Sandouno, one of the 17 students at Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute is 65 years of age. He came into the faith some 2 years age through the effort of bro Saa Nestor Millimono, one of the 2 initial 19 students who on account of illness dropped.

What is interesting about Jeannot is that during the period all the 63 years before his conversion he was not a member of any religious body and had never step foot in a church building for any reason even though he had “Christian” friends not only in his home country of Guinea, but both in Liberia and Sierra Leone where he had adventured in live. Some of his former friends were pastors that I knew; in fact one of them the late Pastor Tamba Kpalu of the Assemblies of God church, Bomi Hills, Liberia was my uncle. Jeannot had no interest what so ever for any religion for which reason those who knew him labeled him ‘’the chief pagan”. 

According the report, his conversion was not a few days business, but since the evangelist himself is an elderly man with a special gift of motivation, the several months of his effort resulted to Mr Sandouno’s baptism directly in the church of Christ. This man benefited that special grace of God as referenced in 2 Peter 3:9. He then agreed a year later to enroll at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute from where he will be graduating by the close of this year.

Today, Mr. Sandouno, the former “chief pagan” sometimes preaches in the assembly where he worship at Carriere, Gueckedou town.

May God be glorified!

Conclusion: There were only 2 weeks of class for this month, but we were involved in evangelism of the entire month for which the Lord blessed our effort with the 5 souls converted. We also faced serious challenges when our copier was broken down, but we managed to cope up till another was purchased. Details of this will be soon in our February report.

Brotherly,

Francis Sahr Musa

Director, BVbI-G

Success in Guinea

Gueckedou BV Activity Operations Report for December 2018

Dear brethren, here is the activity operations Report for the month of December 2018. During this month all of our usual activities plus 1 week of evangelism were conducted. There were 4 souls converted plus 3 during the campaign week which were not part of our year end numbers reported before the 15th. Below are the details of these activities under subheadings.

Classroom: The month of December was the close of our classroom activities with all 17 students attending all the subject materials for the month. We had 2 weeks of class work and the other 2 weeks were scheduled for campaign and part of the year end break.

Evangelism: By the grace of God all efforts, the house to house and the air time radio gospel broadcast put together during the month under review resulted to 4 conversions. We went out in smaller groups of 2 by 2 in some of the quarters of the town and in a few nearby villages. Sometimes we met with encouraging reception especially in the villages, but the people would say “be patient and continue coming. What you are saying is right, but you people met us already tied up in other churches and that is why it’s not just that easy”. So we are going steadily and wisely.

Campaign: Just before we closed for the year 2018, the 17 students and staff were divided in smaller groups of 3’s and 4’s so that we can touch as many people as possible. Some went in a few quarters of town and some in villages making follow up of previous evangelism.

The 3 men who went to the village of Botema in the Prefecture of Macenta baptized 3 persons. This is where there exists a congregation that is irregular in meeting and for that reason we will make every effort to ensure a proper footing by the end of March this year.

As for the other groups, we had no conversions, but we have some prospects to make follow ups.

Conclusion: We are thankful to God and we also appreciate all of the men and women, supporters of Bear Valley making our program of training and conversion a success. We had reported 71 baptisms before December 15 for our year end numbers, but we later converted 7 more in December therefore these will be counted as part of our 2019 year end numbers.

Thanks to you all for the support for the year 2018

Francis 

Conversions in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea BV Activity Operations Report for October 2018

Dear brethren, this is a report summary of the activities that took place at the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute during the month of October 2018. By the good grace of God, for the most part it was well. Classroom activities, evangelism and the campaign conducted during the month were all successful with the conversion of 4 souls in one of the four groups dispatched on the field. 2 other persons who had been visiting the church on campus were baptized making a total of 6. Below are further discussions of such activities under sub-headings.

Classroom: All 17 students had gone through the last quarter which was concluded in September. Therefore in early October the following academic results were posted:

1.      10 students of “Excellent to Average performance or grades “A – C / 94.5 – 72.5%”.

2.      6 students of “Poor” performance or grades “D /66.7 – 61.1%”  and

3.      1 student of “Fail” performance or grade “F”/ 48.4%

  All other activities such as the regular students’ devotions are ongoing as usual.

Evangelism: Two souls who had been visiting the church for a while obeyed the Lord in baptism during the month of October. There are other efforts yet to yield fruit in around the town of Gueckedou.  

Air time Radio preaching: Evangelism by the air is for the most part in the hands of our students especially the one who has always top the class in academic performance. When he prepares a lesson it is edited by one staff member before preaching. My telephone contacts are given for any questions and comments. We are in a regular business of receiving calls and sms texts from our listeners.

Campaigns: The beginning of October, the first week was our gospel campaign for the third quarter this year. We had 4 groups to attend to 3 nearby villages and the quarter of the town where the worship hall of the host congregation stands here in Gueckedou. I was in the group that evangelized the worship hall area, but we and 2 village groups had no conversions except promises to visit the church. However, the 4th group was successful and was able to convert 4 souls.

Conclusion: We are grateful to God and truly appreciate the Bear Valley supporters for helping us train laborers for the Lord. The task is tedious, but our hope is in the Lord, who is Master of the vineyard.

In Christ.

Francis

Muslim conversions in Guinea

Brethren, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute, Gueckedou has successfully accomplished the required activities for the month of September 2018. Our gospel radio broadcast continues to attract the attention of the people whose reactions for a greater part is encouraging! The personal evangelism program was also successful in making Heaven rejoice when 3 souls were converted. Below are some details of these and other activities conducted in September summarized under sub-headings.

Classroom: Again, all 17 students went through the period and attended all the required courses for the month of September which was the conclusion of our third quarter classes.

The students’ devotional preaching schedule remains as in the previous months. Namely,  6am, 10am and 8pm.

Our Dean had work hard to help ensure that courses initially assigned to bro Philip Tolno who has been sick were all covered. The brother himself has now returned from Conakry though not yet strong enough to resume work.

Evangelism: Three souls accepted the Lord in baptism. Two of them had started visiting the church for a while plus one who made just a brief visit were all baptized in the month of September.

Brief History of the Converted Muslim -The Lord’s hand against the chief persecutor

The young man, Moses who was converted from Islam in August has been experiencing family rejection, persecution and threats. Brother Moses had been driven from the home of his younger brother’s guardian, Mr Alagi Salu where he had attempted to introduce the gospel. He had been driven and so returned to his mother some 400 klm away, but the persecutor was not satisfied. He launched a threat that he would not rest till one of them depart (dies) this world. Coming to Mamou, where our brother was Mr Alagi encouraged an assembly of family members against Moses so that he (Moses) was insulted, slapped, etc. But this persecutor, Mr. Alagi on his return to Conakry was involved in a vehicle accident and he died on the spot. Fear came upon many!  We are finding ways for brother Moses and his younger brother, Sarju to come to Gueckedou. Please pray for them and their remaining family to see “this truth”.

Air time Radio preaching: Evangelism by the air continues to draw the attention of truth seekers. One young man, Adrien left some 20 klm to come to Gueckedou to see us. We had a good time of Bible discussion. He returned that day, but when he came back the second time Adrien was baptize after the worship on 30th September. Still another young man here in Gueckedou has started to visit the church and we have accepted his invitation to visit his family as soon as he himself returns from the farm.

Conclusion: We are grateful to God and appreciate the Bear Valley supporter for helping us train laborers for the Lord. Our appreciation to brother Steven who supported our travel mission to participate in the Ganta graduation. The Lord protected us through the bad roads! Please remember the Muslim young man, Moses and his younger brother in your prayers.

Yours in Christ.

Francis