Globetrotting

BARBADOS

Bridgetown

Mark Selman

The radio program continues to attract new listeners, and while I have no statistical data to show the size of the listenership, I receive firsthand testimonials from individuals who listen to the program. I am presently a substitute teacher at one of the local secondary schools and in the past few months that I have been there, my listenership has increased. I am pleased to report that this listenership includes not only my fellow teachers, but also a few of the young students who I teach. All honor and glory go to God for all of the opportunities and situations where my belief can be encouraging. It truly pleases me to hear students telling me that they heard me on the radio.

The radio program has major challenges brethren, but that is what makes it so unique in a world where denominationalism is rampant. The 15-minute program is at the same time an advantage and a disadvantage. It is a disadvantage because of the 15-minute duration only about 12 minutes are actually spent delivering the message. It becomes an advantage for me because I have to be concise and accurate to make the most of my limited time. Since I need to continue during the next broadcast, listeners compliment the program because they continue to listen and don't want to miss any broadcasts. One listener has recently requested copies of the program as well as transcripts of a series I did recently entitled, “Spiritual Gifts and Other Gifts,” which dealt with healings and speaking in tongues and prophesying. This was well received as well as controversial, but the truth needs to be told. Other series that I have done this year include a series on “Hard Sayings of Christ,” which dealt with some of the hard sayings that we have to accept if we want to be followers of Christ. I also did a series titled “Life in Christ: The Culture of Religion,” and “Wandering in the Wilderness.”

Brother Jimmy Bracken continues to travel, teaching and training, and in his absence I have responsibility for preaching and teaching at the Trents congregation, as well as the radio program. The program is necessary because it gives the population an alternative. Among some of the comments made regarding the program is that it goes to the Bible and to the Bible only. People are pleased to hear the Word of God and not a man's opinion. I have also heard comments that what we teach on the radio some individuals have never heard spoken in the "church" where they worship. Thank you for your continued support.

BENIN

Cotonou

George Akpabli

During the past two months we have begun six new congregations in several towns and villages in Benin. I am all over the place. On Saturdays we are out teaching and preaching. On Sundays I am all over the country. Things are going good for us and we are enjoying ourselves at these opened doors. It is good for us that we now have 27 men in training. They go out on the weekends to work with me. Some stay to worship with the new congregations and come back Sunday night for classes on Monday. 

On the radio I am preaching a 13 lesson series on the church that Jesus built. With our new recording equipment it is a breeze to record our sermons. Though I am not an expert sound editor, I am able to edit the sermons, remove noise, and even cut and paste my own voice. 

We have modified our broadcast time from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. We now go on line from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. We had our audience asking us to move up a bit to enable people to wake up fully before they listen to us. Fortunately the radio station was willing to offer us the new spot. 

Our next series of lessons will be on HIV/AIDS. I have done this before and it was well received. In January two people I knew died of AIDS related diseases. This is not very rampant in Benin, but I am shaken to know that two people, of whom one is a member of the church, died of this disease. I want to do my best to inform the public about the dangers of not taking God's Word seriously and how AIDS can be prevented by living according to God's Word. 

BOLIVIA

La Paz

Rufino Lopez

We have begun with the new theme “Know the Church of Christ” which has had a lot of acceptance among the listeners. The programs are presented by Juan López, Luis Tapia, and me. Other brothers are invited on occasions. One listener is attending the meetings of the church and soon will be one member more. 

BRAZIL

Campinas

Allen Dutton

We had a great Sunday last week with 82 people present. Adriano and Elaine decided to be baptized. Alisson, one of the young men at church, studied with this couple and baptized them. What a great Sunday this was. We are seeing more and more of our members conducting Bible studies on their own and baptizing their friends. I believe there is no greater joy for a missionary than to see this happen. Praise God for His grace. 

Cristina decided to give her life to Jesus through baptism. She is a mother of two teenage boys and has been studying the Bible with Edinilson, our Brazilian evangelist. She told us during the week she was ready and wanted to do it today. How wonderful it is to see souls being saved through the power of the Gospel. Please keep Cristina in your prayers as she begins her new life in Christ. 

Mirela has been attending for several months. I studied with her and she has already been baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of her sins and has received the Holy Spirit living in her life. She was worshipping in a denomination and through our studies understood she was not worshipping at the right place. Today she decided she needed to be a member of the Lord's church. Her mother and aunts and uncle were present to witness her decision. We all welcomed her as our sister in Christ. 

Maria attended our Theology Class. After studying with her she also told me about her baptism. In the same way as with Mirela, her baptism was according to what the Bible teaches. So today, she also decided she needed to become a member of the Lord's church. We welcomed her as well.  

CAMBODIA

Kampong Cham

Bill Singleton

In early 2003, World Radio partnered with Bill Singleton to put a call to the Gospel on the airwaves of Cambodia. Among those responding were Lim Sreng and his uncle, the lead Moslem cleric of Purisat Province. 

The early follow-up was very poor and they did not get the help they asked for and needed. Those new Christians had to figure out just about everything by themselves. Lim Sreng was provided the World English Institute (WEI) correspondence courses through Bill Singleton and began his own effort at reaching his people with the Gospel. 

Lim Sreng's uncle brought with him a 600-member congregation and Lim and his friends persuaded eight Moslem villages to establish Christian congregations. At first they did some things in a way different from the New Testament pattern, but as they learned better they changed.  Moslems worship on Friday, so at first they worshiped on Friday, but when

Bill Singleton explained the New Testament pattern to them, they changed. 

We now hope we can provide for them the help they should have received three years ago. Bill Singleton is planning on trying to give the young ex-Moslem men that have been trying to bring their fellow Moslems to Christ, better spiritual teaching, curriculum, and support for spreading the truth through the Southeast Asian Moslem communities. 

These dedicated young men recently helped establish a 375-member congregation at Roleng Village, Kagncho Commune, Kondeang District, Pursat Province. Pray that the New Testament pattern of Christianity can still be received and communicated through this developing group of people trying to follow God the best they know how. 

Bill plans on being in Cambodia January-May 2006. During that time he hopes to improve the understanding of the New Testament pattern among the converted Muslims, help the Koh Dach School of Preaching formalize their curriculum, obtain more direct preacher/preacher student involvement in the World Radio broadcast in Kampong Cham, and work with the three leaders/teachers of the two Buddhist temples that have been baptized into Christ. Bill hopes to get help in these tasks from either Bear Valley or Sunset International Bible Institutes. 

Ken Bolden of World Radio has asked for photos of Buddhist manuscripts that describe Si-A-Meetrey (the Buddhist title for Jesus), and Bill also expects to be able to obtain those during this

stay. The Christians in Cambodia would like to express their appreciation for the help World Radio has and is providing their nation through their promotion of the Gospel in Cambodia. 

Recently, three preacher students were on a motor cycle going to provide Sunday worship services for village congregations. A logging truck ran into the back of them. One was killed instantly and the other two suffered broken arms and legs. There are now eight congregations using preacher students trained at the Koh Dach School. Two new congregations were started this last month in the Kampong Cham area. Each of their attendances ran 45 to 50 during the month. We are excited about the work these young men have been doing and are heartbroken over their accident. Pray for God to strengthen the living and comfort the Christian families involved in the accident. 

We have over 50 unfulfilled requests for baptism and will start an effort to get caught up on baptisms in the next ten days. 

CAMEROON

Bertoua

Albert Celestin YEMTE / Paul Ename THOCKE

As a tradition for the past four years, a campaign was launched in Bertoua and Yokaduma in eastern Cameroon. An American team of missionaries led by Jim Corner joined us as usual. Split into two groups to work at the same time in both areas, a good number of people were taught Christ's Gospel that resulted in 12 baptisms, ten for Bertoua and two for Yokaduma. 

We owe World Radio a big deal of gratitude for sponsoring our radio program. All the announcements, invitations etc. were done; and such, the success is also due to this tool with which God has blessed the church in Bertoua. To Him be the glory. Long live World Radio and many more blessings to the radio supporters. 

Our prayer request is for: 1) the faithfulness of these new spirituals babes, mostly those that are persecuted by their parents or husbands for the decision they made for Christ and, 2) the hindrances to vanish away so some of the good prospects that we had will surrender to Christ to be saved. Mballa Sylvie, Eveline, Octavie, Eleonor, Catherine, and Natacha (all from Yokaduma) have let the fear of their husbands stop them from being free to make a decision for Christ. 

The radio topic developed last month dealt with marriage. Many listeners showed interest in the subject and called with questions to know about their status. Those who have once been married and divorced mostly were seeking counseling on how to get into marriage according to God's plan. Contact is kept with these people for further studies. Pray with us for their seriousness up until the end when they obey the Gospel. 

Feedback from our program continues to be noticed on the field. Herve is a former listener. We once studied with him before losing contact in October. Our paths fortunately crossed again in December. He reported to us to have suddenly traveled and even changed his domicile after coming back to Bertoua. New contact is made for more studies. His motivation to grasp more about the Word of God is a result of the last topic that he appreciated so much. 

Not only positive feedback is noted. Negatives come from the majority of the listeners anytime they are disappointed with the quality of the radio's sound. In fact, in some of the evening broadcasts the power is low because of climate changes and this affects the listening quality with loud noises. Thus, their complaint shows once more the great interest of many. 

We will end up with an anecdote to show how helpful the radio program is not only to non-Christians, but as well to Christians. Andre Jean is a brother in Christ. For some months he left his hometown, Maroua, in the far North Province of Cameroon. He first went to Batouri, 90 km. east of Bertoua in the East Province, where he spent some five months without being able to worship. He then came to Bertoua and did not know about the church’s presence in the town until he came to hear our program aired on Radio Aurore. From the address given, he joined us and we could fellowship in worshipping God together. 

CANADA

Saguenay

Jean Grenier

We renewed our contract with the CKRS radio station. This year the station will change from AM to FM radio. This will make it a better radio station although it is always the number one radio station in the whole region. This way we will reach more people. I plan to change the kind of messages this year. We hope that these new messages will motivate more people to become Christians instead of just calling us!

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Bangui

Worlanyo Bor

The Biblical Studies Center organized a workshop for the WBS students at the Center in Benzvi. There were 89 students. Brother Bertin Kopaulina and some volunteer leaders from Benzvi gave a helping hand during the Bible class teaching. There were 40 of them who were awarded with Certificates of Honor. It is interesting to know that there were six of them who have been baptized: two brethren from Begoua church (Toussaint and Bievenu) and four from Benzvi assembly (Thiery, Jeremie, Roger Gilbert, and Adja Serge). Please do kindly remember these brethren and the work in your prayers. Edith, together with some ladies at Benzvi, has done well to encourage the attendants by giving them some soft beverages made of Karakandji juice along with cakes. It is also good to know that the national radio authorities assisted with communication on the air regarding the workshop activity. 

We have mobilized twenty-two members from among the congregations to move to the national radio station in order to produce a local song in Sango to help Youri's teaching program. It was quite exciting that the director of program activities at the radio station joined the ladies during the singing process. It is good to know that many people continue to appreciate the radio program which goes in the air every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. 

There were four baptisms through the WBS workshop being organized by brother Kopaulina Bertin and me. Here are the names of the new converts: Bonnavanture Dieu Donné, Jacob Maleporo, Adza Serge, and Brice Kawa. 

It is also good to know that Youri and I have begun the new preaching school program. There are twenty students with three ladies who are also participating. Brethren from the village of Gbango are staying with us in the Center. Though most are facing some financial difficulties in having books and other studying materials, they are so committed to run a three-year study program. 

Your radio program and that of WBS courses are having a serious impact on the work in Central African Republic. 

COLOMBIA

Bucaramanga

Ricardo Martínez

In all, there were 47 people baptized. Not all were a product of the radio evangelism, but is right to declare that the radio has given a sense of belonging and healthy pride to them to preach to others the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are joyful that these souls are being edified and none have gone backward. To the contrary, they are bringing their families and contacts. 

It has been a year (2005) of personal growth as well. Sometime I commented to you that in spite of the congregation being established for more than 20 years, there has not been a full-time preacher. I have a publicity office and dedicate my nights to evangelism, the same as what other men do. This way among all of us we supply some of the needs of the believers. With joy I will continue serving in this radio ministry if you are able to support us this year. 

This week we were talking with brother Blas in Medellín about exchanging some programs to lighten the time load. As well, Blas is an excellent preacher and it will be of benefit to our programs. We have also talked of doing programs together via cell phone and this would be novel because brothers from the entire country could participate. 

Montería

Blas Negrete

In 2005 we preached from two radio stations and in different schedules, where we reached daily an average of 20,000 listeners in the area. But due to the lack of economic recourses, we have suspended the program on the station Voz de Montería from 4:00-4:30 p.m. and we continue in Radio Panzenú from 10:00-10:30 a.m. Until now these radio programs have produced good results to win souls for Christ. In 2005 we obtained the following results in brethren: Tenerife 9, Aguas Vivas 8, Bajo del Limón 3, San Mateo 12, Brillante San. Jorge 6, La Culebra 8, and Cocuelo 2, for a total of 48. 

These new congregations are attended to by brothers from the Montería congregation and others in the region. These brethren travel every weekend, some for four hours, and in some cases after abandoning the vehicles that transported them they must walk or ride a donkey for three or four hours to reach these congregations. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Kinshasa

Boyambi wa Maluku

We have heard of the fact that you made up your mind about the funds you were providing for the evangelistic outreach in our country. You are in such a situation you cannot anymore do it due to the economic situation. We thank God for this problem hoping that in days to come he will enable you again to continue the work you started with us. We still remain your partners in God's vineyard. 

One of the radio listeners has just become a member of the church. We'll keep you posted. 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

La Vega

Fausto Piña Bello

We have two new people in the church, Felix Balcacer and Elvira Puntiel. Felix is an agricultural engineer. He reconciled with Christ. Elvira has had a difficult time because two of her children were killed about two years ago. She listens to the television program while others listen to the T.V. and radio programs. Last year was a good year because we increased our membership, and we have increased in our spiritual life. God is with us. 

Mao, Valverde

Prudencio Rodríguez

I have very good news. From the radio program we received a call from a place called Jaibon, some 25 km. from here. I have now gone to visit them on three occasions along with some brothers. We have met with six congregations. According to the experience that these years have offered me in the work of the Lord, I can tell you that these people are very close to what is the true church of Christ. These people have listened to the radio program for many years and it wasn’t until now that they called and invited me to preach to them. 

These congregations don’t have a hierarchy or a pastor. In the services they don’t use instruments, they only offer on Sundays, and on their seal for sending letters they identify themselves as a church of Christ. They were studying the Word of God by way of the radio program and the truth is for us it has been of great joy in the Lord for doing their work in such a magnificent way exactly as the year ended. Two of their leaders are Juan Francisco de Jesus and Emilio de Jesus. This next Thursday I will be with them again. This place is some 30 km. from Mao. In one of the congregations that I visited, there were gathered some 60 people. As the year begins I will be visiting with Sr. Juan Francisco, another of the congregations. 

We have a family that is visiting us to reconcile themselves with the Lord Jesus. They are Rando Taveras and his wife Gertrudis de Taveras. They have four children ages 15, 14, 13, and 11. Help us by praying for them. 

Also we have for the glory of God several baptisms. They are Juan Pichardo, Joel Angelis, Dilennia Martines, Leandro Rivas, and Guadalupe Gonzáles, Andres Almonte, and Juan de Jesus Peña. 

Sundays we worship here in Mao from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and in the afternoon we divide to Amina, Esperanza, and Navarrete. Also we are visiting el Palo de Damajagua, where we are talking with some Pentecostals. In this place they are listening a lot to the radio program. Pray for us since we have much work. 

San Juan de la Maguana

Bolivar Ramirez

Last month we had an evangelization in the Sabaneta church and we have baptized three brothers. Also we baptized a person in Hondo Valle and have several Bible studies in different areas. 

Santo Domingo

Federico Martínez

The Annual National Christian Youth Meeting was celebrated in Jarabacoa City where more than 300 people met to rejoice together, attend the workshop, and learn more about Jesus and what God wants for and from us. In the meeting 15 came to Jesus' arms. From the 15 new members, three are from our congregation in Ensanche Ozama. 

ECUADOR

Riobamba

Antonio Cutiupala

In Chimborazo Province we have 30 quiche congregations of which two are new, Aguiñay and Panza Redonda. This year there were 33 brothers baptized in the different provinces thanks to the blessing of God. Also we have had campaigns in the different congregations and meetings that have helped our spiritual growth. For this year we have had six marriages and two deaths (sister Aniceta Betun and December 3, sister Rosario Cutiupala). During this year the kindness of God has been great. We have visited many communities in the different provinces. 

The radio is a very useful tool for taking the Word of God to the listeners and in this way fulfill the mission that God our father has entrusted to us. The work of God has been very arduous and full of blessing in the course of this year 2005. I thank you with all my heart. 

GHANA

Ho

Sem Akumia

The radio program continues smoothly. More listeners write to commend the messages. It is our prayer that they will not only take interest in listening, but will also obey the truth for their salvation too. We are very grateful to our sponsors for their relentless efforts to send the Gospel to the perishing world. 

I happened to take a trip to Likpe-Todome in the northern part of our region in order to help in the funeral of the father of one of our preachers. I used this opportunity to preach the Gospel to certain of our radio listeners who are also studying the WBS course. These were referred to the preacher who later on did the follow-up and two of them were baptized. Thank God for this kind of cooperative work to His glory. Amen. 

It seems impossible to really know or count our converts through the radio program, but we are sure that God is adding more to our efforts daily. I am happy to announce that one soul was baptized this month, Isaac Magna Kattah, who is also a WBS student. He heard the message and contacted the preacher of the church in his village. They both traveled to visit me in Ho, and after a short time of study he gave his life to Jesus through baptism. 

GUATEMALA

Guatemala City

Roberto Álvarez

A total of 25,000 people are reached every Sunday through the radio program. For a country of 12,000,000, we are reaching less than 1%. We need to do more. They have heard the Gospel of salvation and now they are responsible to God for their own eternal destiny.

 The church in Pinares had the glorious result of 166 baptisms during 2005. The total number of baptisms in Guatemala was 536. We give God the glory because 2005 was one of our most victorious years in our ministry. 

Following Hurricane Stan and its resulting mudslides, a great deal of time has been spent helping victims. The seed was sown by providing food, water, housing repair, etc. God will give an increase in His time. 

HAITI

Cap-Haitien

Lucner Pierre

I am so glad to inform you about my radio ministry. I have been making a lot of progress with several people that left the church a long time ago. They left because the church of Christ could not offer them monthly wages. I spent time by explaining that salvation has nothing to do with money. But they did not want to understand me. They went to join themselves to a protestant church that promised them everything, including money and houses. Unfortunately, they got nothing. I talked to them from time to time and they kept hearing my various messages. As a result, they decided to come back home to the church of Christ with about 120 children from five to 15 years old. Please remember these people in your prayers. I would like to help them get both a spiritual and intellectual education. Moreover, 15 people have been baptized for the remission of their sins. Thank you so much to the staff of World Radio and to the contributors. 

A sister’s house was completely burnt and unfortunately, she had no chance to save anything. The fire was started by a man that had previously lived in fornication with her. The woman listened to my teachings and decided to leave the man in order to marry Christ. After her baptism the man refused to leave her even though he didn’t want to marry her. The sister has firmly believed in Christ and decided to break all relationships with the man. The man had to leave the house and left the sister with her three children. From time to time he came and offered the sister money to sleep with her. But that was in vain. As a result, the man came with a gallon of gasoline and burnt the house down. Now she is in big trouble. She has lost everything. Please remember this sister.

Hinche

Bellot Calice

After hearing my Bible study, I was invited by a Baptist pastor to come preach for him at his church. 

Two weeks of evangelism are planned for the next two months in Lospais and Cerca-cavajal. In July, Lord willing we will have two weeks of evangelizing in Hinche. Please help us in your prayers. 

HONDURAS

Siguatepeque

Hector Ardila

Personally I undertake the broadcasting of the radio program “With the Open Bible”. Every morning my steps and thoughts are dedicated to the program. We receive a lot of telephone calls from different places in Honduras, and even from El Salvador and Guatemala. We have a great number of listeners; sometimes we receive up to 10 telephone calls and read three letters which makes the program more interesting. 

I have help from God, then World Radio, Centro Radial, Juan Carlos Santamaría, and Juan Carlos Zepeda who help us from time to time. The program’s total cost is about $900. World Radio helps us with $350. Most important of all are the blessings from God, because every month He has provided to take care of the expenses. 

The other programs in the cities of Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Marcala, and Comayagua, continue on the air despite the lack of money. We recognize the economical efforts the brothers and sisters are making to air these programs. 

Tegucigalpa

Rigoberto Vargas

The radio program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is a good tool to win souls for Jesus Christ. HRVC The Evangelical Voice of Honduras covers the whole country and by Internet we are in the entire world. “Jesus Christ in the Prison” is the name of our program because we speak of what God does in the heart of the prisoners. 

Recently we introduced Judge Romelia Espinal de Arctica who spoke to us on the topic of “Pardon and its Requirements”. Honduras has 12,000 prisoners in the whole country and many of them know Jesus through listening to the radio program. We also invited two prisoners for another program to speak about what Jesus has done in their lives. A group of soldiers accompanied them. 

In the past two months we had seven baptisms. We received 40 calls and 20 letters.  

INDIA

Bangalore / Nellore

Asee Darla

My life is a witness to the fact that there are righteous, God-loving people in the U.S. Without such people and their care, I would have been a Hindu idol worshipper perishing along with a billion souls in India! The blessings I am enjoying in my life and in my family stand as a living witness that the righteous people in the U.S. and their love for Jesus is a glorious factor to the God in heaven who has sent His son out of His own love. I am really thankful to the brotherhood in the United States. 

Last month brought sorrows and loss of human lives and properties to thousands of families in our area. The cyclone and the continuous rainfall resulted immersion of villages in hundreds of numbers around the city of Nellore. I know the continuous rebellion against the living God and ignorance of the truth about God’s plan putting our people in idol worship and sin is the reason for all this devastating happenings. But people are suffering. We are taking each opportunity to tell the community about the salvation in Jesus Christ. We ask for your prayers for our suffering people. There are still a number of villagers among the flood waters. 

I praise God that our radio programs are reaching many more new people week after week and several of them are continuously responding, telling their appreciation, and pleading for further guidance into the truth. Last month I received 217 letters and 39 phone calls responding to our radio programs. It was really thrilling to read some of those letters. Some of the sisters in the church are busy replying to these letters. My status reminds me of a soldier in the battlefield without having any weapons. Each month the number of people with requests for help is increasing. As you know, I need some written material in our language to send them for further assistance. English WBS courses are of very little help to the Hindu minds with which I am dealing. 

We have started a new work in Tirupathi where the famous Hindu god, Lord Venkateswara, is being worshipped by the millions of Hindus all over the world. It is really a privilege God has given me after 35 years of gospel service. In 1973 following my graduation from the Sunset Church of Christ School of Preaching in India, I went to Tirupathi and started my work, but I was thrown out of the city by the rebellious Hindu community. Then I came to Nellore and started my work. Again this year I went back to Tirupathi putting a faithful young man in charge that I trained for four years in our Preachers’ School in Nellore. His name is brother Sudheer. With him, I started a new work and this time we have all hopes to establish the lost church in that idol city. We have progress in our classes and meetings and I am closely working with that effort. Remember this work in your prayers. 

This month we have baptized three persons in Bangalore and two in Nellore. We have progress in Bible study in seven places where I am confident we can start churches. My son Sanjay is so helpful in this ministry. In fact, the whole congregation in Nellore is enjoying the radio work.

INDONESIA

Jakarta

Steve Cate

I will be returning to Indonesia later this month to make the final arrangements for an aggressive teaching program to be conducted next March in South Nias. I’ll also be helping to take care of some church business in the capital city of Jakarta where Daniel Setiabudi continues to do the radio program, preach, and serve one of the congregations in the city. Next March I’ll be working with Dennis Cady, Colin McKee, Andrew Banjarnahor, and Siteli to conduct seminars in South Nias for all the more than 300 new converts of recent months and to encourage as many of the older congregations on the island as possible. It’s a joy to be healthy again and to be able to return to work full time. 

Gunung Sitoli, Nias

Steve Cate

Between March 1 and December 31, 2005, 340 people were baptized on the island of Nias. Eight were baptized just last Sunday; four were baptized in the village of Hilitota and four more were bapitzed in Genung Sitoli, Nias . At least six new congregations were established in 2005 and more are being established already in 2006. The churches are growing and life is getting back to normal for many of the people. Seventy-six cataract surgeries were performed last year and 200 are scheduled to be performed while we are teaching in the school during March. Six hundred more are scheduled to be performed as the year progresses. Two nurses from the Fremont congregation are going to Nias to help with these surgeries in March. 

ISRAEL

Jerusalem

Joseph Shulam

“Kol HaYeshua” radio broadcasts are continuing and in fact increasing the airtime by one half hour per week. Now we are broadcasting a full seven hour per week program. This is wonderful, but it puts great strain on all of us. 

We ask you to pray for the following: 1) Pray for the listeners’ salvation - open their hearts and make them pliable to God's living Word. 2) Pray for more responses to our broadcasts. On the Internet we get thousands of people per month who download our programs and listen to them at their leisure. 3) Pray that the quality and concentration of our teaching on the radio will be such heart to heart nature that many hearts would be touched, moved to believe, to accept, and to obey God's Word, and 4) Pray for all the brothers and sisters who are working on the production of radio programs in Kol HaYeshua. These young people do everything to honestly attract young people into a home Bible study. We do have a great team, but we need a Holy Spirit touch here so that we can do so much better. 

Don’t stop praying for the salvation of the Jewish people and a healthy, united, and strong, body of the Messiah in the land of Israel. I realize that many times it seems like the task before is us insurmountable and that a small band of Jews who don’t come from the most powerful strata of Israeli society could ever make a difference for the Kingdom of God. However if you remember the first century, this is exactly what happened when a small band of Jews left their homes in the Galilean villages on the north shores of the Sea of Galilee and started to speak the Words of Yeshua from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the farthest corners of God’s good earth. Yes, please keep praying for the salvation of Israel and the growth of the body of the Messiah in this land of Israel.

Kol HaYeshua Radio (The Voice of Salvation) is going strong, but we have to ask for your prayers for people who are responding to our message. We have a young man from northern Israel who has confessed the Messiah through hearing the Good News on Kol HaYeshua. This Sabbath will be the first time that he is coming from the North to visit our congregation in Jerusalem. Please pray that we receive him well and that he will want to continue to hear and obey the Good News of the Messiah. 

Yesterday there was again a fine response from a person who is interested in the Good News of Yeshua and has asked for material and teaching. It is a joy to speak to a blank glass wall and a microphone knowing that there are open hearts and receptive minds on the other side of our microphone. 

We have a new believer who has come in contact with us through the Kol HaYeshua Radio Broadcast. It is good to know that our messages are not falling on deaf ears and closed hearts. The Word is powerful and the Spirit of God has wings that fly over the face of the deep to catch the souls that are willing to open and serve Israel through and with the Messiah. 

Netivyah is preparing to print a few more books in the near future. We are getting Moshe Emanuel Ben-Maier’s autobiography ready for printing in English. It is an interesting document written by an Orthodox Jew who became a follower of Yeshua right after World War I, and lived out his life as an Orthodox Jew among the different Christian Missions in Israel during the most formative years of the 20^th Century. We have published it in Hebrew and we have been giving it as a free book bonus through the Kol HaYeshua Radio broadcasts. 

Our congregation, the Roeh Israel congregation in Jerusalem, is gearing up for growth and for expansion both spiritually and physically. I have been teaching for the last month or more some very clear and practical lessons on issues of life and our witness as Jewish followers of Yeshua in this land and in our own day. The congregation is primed for growth and the younger generation is ready to go to work. Now what we need is the power of God and the intercession and prayer support that will give us a back wind to go forward. Please lift up the Roeh Israel congregation, and the young believers that have the desire, the strength, and the stamina that is necessary to pray, and learn, and put to practice all the essential ingredients for growth. 

The opposition, the Orthodox organizations that have set their target to persecute and harass us, continues to be imaginative and creative in their desire. Last week they harassed a young boy and sent two women to pose as “social workers” to question and threaten. This week they used an even more “creative” devise. They called people from our congregation and posed as offering a free subscription to a Messianic magazine and by this they gathered information like address, place of work, phone numbers, etc. Please keep the brethren in your prayers. 

KENYA

Eldoret / Kapsabet

Charles Cheriuyot

We are grateful to God for giving us the strength and ability to cast out the Word through the radio. It has been a trying moment for our team having gone through all the challenges of life, including the big constitutional referendum which was held in our country. The country was divided along ethnic lines and right now there is a suspicion among our leaders and it seems we are preparing for the fresh mandate from the people on good governance. God saw us through and we still trust in Him to provide a way forward for a good constitution since the proposed one was rejected by the majority. Thank you for praying with us over that period. 

The speakers here in Kenya have been co-operating and have toiled to see that the programs are on the air and the respondents are attended to so as to help them get to know more about Christ. This year I have witnessed many come to the Lord after getting the message from the radio. Families have enjoyed God’s love and many youth are turning to the Lord. There is one big challenge facing our nation now and that is a threat of HIV/AIDS which is killing the most productive people of our society. The radio team here is now strategizing on how to use the radio if God allows us, and we will focus on family and holiness that will see this deadly disease eradicated completely. There will be talk shows with doctors and professionals discussing the danger of AIDS as we relate on the biblical purity God wants of His people. 

This year we enjoyed airing messages from our former missionaries who served here before. This was possible through the courtesy of Oneal Tankersley who co-coordinated and sent the same to us for airing. It was good to hear the voices of Steve Greek, Stephen Meeks, Gailynn Van Rheneen, and Oneal while they are staying thousands of miles away from Kenya. Many Christians who were converted by these missionaries were happy and they called me to register their appreciation. 

I take this opportunity to thank all our partners in World Radio, the directors, and entire staff for the effort they have put into this ministry. Thank you “Kongoi missing” “ero kamano” “asante sana.” 

Ezekiel Ngososei

I have been working and praying for my new rehabilitation region where I'm planning to establish a congregation before the end of this year. 

The radio still reflects that it is a powerful source of knowledge to the listeners. Several invitation and door to door meetings are our priority. The students have received the WBS tracts and I’m arranging for follow-up. Their parents too are overwhelmed with the implementation and are now sending their children to our youth camps, and some parents have already joined our churches.

There will be a very big youth meeting with the hope that there might be more than 300 youth from the whole part of North-Rift region. We do request your prayers for the churches that we have established with the youth as a result of the radio program that has made the church to be identified and respected. 

Christopher Otsieno

The program “Back to the Bible” which is broadcast in the Luyha language has united many families. A certain family which had been apart for several years had their valley filled after following with keen interest and praying for understanding and wisdom from the Lord. 

For the last three consecutive programs, several visitors from different districts and different churches are giving testimonies of change transformation and wonders in their churches. On the other hand many listeners have encouraged themselves to memorize Scriptures and meet every evening. 

The program is bearing good fruit. I baptized two people who traveled all the way from Kakamega to Eldoret, about 200 miles. They also requested a church in their village. We are praying and working hard to ensure we meet their need of a church. 

The other five people have called in need of Bible study. We also have requests for Christmas programs to educate people about Christ's birth and his importance in our lives. We must share with others the overwhelming message that our God is an awesome God.

Wilson Barno

I attended a wedding where I met a number of listeners who were really blessed with the program (“Back to the Bible”). A teacher at a local school was very happy and interested with our teachings even though he worships elsewhere. We are determined in prayer that soon he will join the church. Many listeners, especially those within Rift Valley and Western Kenya, have now resolved and are praying for the program to penetrate the unreached areas. I have realized that the more we become dedicated, the more we reach and inform. 

Precious be the name of the Lord for all the good work he has done for us all. We thank the World Radio crew so much and we envy to shine and bear quality and long-lasting fruits. In Kenya the months of November and December have been the most tempting months; many people are enjoying their holiday thus making them fall into the pool of sorrow and regrets. This to me round, we have witnessed the hand of God, many people are doing away with worldly things, and are now anticipating things in heaven which won't end. They are there forever and ever. 

I visited the Mt. Elgon area and found that many brethren are working hard with spreading the Gospel to the world; they are following keenly the program of World Radio. We hope and pray that our production this year will yield more fruit. 

David Jayuga

I have been teaching a listener over the phone for almost three weeks. I heartily pray for his change. I'm also trying to make every call after each program. Using this means I have netted a few Christians to our local church. God willing, I will baptize some fellows who are underway with teachings. 

In Kenya radio is a powerful communication tool. Nowadays, almost everyone gets the message while listening at home or anywhere since the mode of transmission is now covering a wide range. 

Currently I'm doing follow-up to two men who telephoned that they wanted to know Jesus better. I have equipped myself with enough topics to make them understand more about the Gospel. So many listeners have been calling after the program with others requesting prayers and teachings. To all our world radio program coordinators we pray that the Almighty strengthen our efforts to bear more fruit.

Janeth Lagat - Program Technician

The World Radio programs are bringing hope in Western Kenya. The quality and content of the program has made many people turn to Christ. The population in the area is high, thus the rate of reception is quite good. Not only do I get programs in Eldoret, but most of my time I attend camps, among them youth, older people, and even Sunday school children. 

World Radio evangelists are working hard and through prayers they are able to endure. Being a winner in life is determined by the rate of how you increase your strides’ speed and so it is to our hope for the Gospel to all. 

Yegon K. Erickson – Public/Speaker Relations

Geographically, this part of Kenya, the Rift Valley and western region, are nourishing well. Not only is the climate conducive, but the Word of God has penetrated and many people are now informed about the need of knowing God and being beside Him. 

Being a reporter, I compile reports for World Radio in western Kenya and I have analyzed that the implementation of World Radio and WBS are the most productive items. In Kenya many World Radio evangelists have reached the small towns and villages. They have visited schools where they have discovered a need advocated by the public school headmasters and facilities for assisting the upcoming Christians. WBS has paved the way to youth since it is printed in English, while World Radio has more effect on the elderly or parents because it is aired in vernacular. 

Our world radio presenters are doing good work. I have witnessed that their effort is progressive. I do pray for our partnership to last forever and even widen our coverage and outreach. 

Joseph Maiyo

Thank you dear brethren for partnering with us. World Radio ministry has brought hope in our country. God's watchful eye has created great realms and we are safe in His arms. 

Our lives are too short to see how all this works, but we should live believing with all our beings that it is being worked. We live in a sin-cursed world filled with all kinds of horror, but as Christians we live in the heavenly realms. This month we were blessed with 18 people who got saved after listening to our programs. We taught them some lessons in the Bible, preached to them, and visited some who were sick. We realize that some people are sick because they don't know that there is God who can heal and provide all the necessary things in our lives. Among them is life forever. We are planning forth to establish a new church about eight miles away from our residence. We do acknowledge you all to partner with us in prayer so as to accomplish this goal. 

LIBERIA

Monrovia

Isaac Daye

Ron Pottberg of World Bible School and I joined Ken Bolden of World Radio to take part in a week-long program which included workshops, a gospel meeting, and a WBS graduation exercise. This year’s gospel meeting brought together mostly members and few non-members for what many called “recharging of our spiritual batteries for the year ahead.” Our visit to Liberia was climaxed with a two-day seminar and graduation for WBS students with an average attendance of 175 students, many wearing their WBS t-shirt, and coming from all walks of life and denominations. What brought them together was their desire to learn the truth and our willingness to teach them. 

Nine WBS students give their life to Christ and were baptized in the Atlantic Ocean. The heavy ocean waves could not stop these nine souls from being baptized as they counted their salvation more important than possibly being drowned by the ocean waves. 

Our WBS office in Liberia recorded 5,000 enrolments and 89 baptisms before our arrival, and before we left this number rose to 98. Due to the poor mailing system we have adopted local grading and a local graduation of students in Liberia until the postal system improves. Meanwhile, a few teachers continue to send lessons to their students and these are slowly getting in. 

Gauging from the zeal of the brethren, the work being done through WBS in Liberia, and the number of souls won during our visit, I came to the conclusion that the single word to be used to describe my trip is fruitful. 

Sammy Yarkpawolo / Maxwell Whea

We in Liberia were glad when brother Bolden visited us. He was an inspiration to us, especially when he reassured us that we need to hold strong the faith and lift the name of Jesus in Liberia. He taught in our seminar and preached at the Smythe Rd. Church of Christ. 

On the other hand, we all went to LBS (radio station) where he taught a lesson on the radio from Matt. 4 about Jesus in the flesh. For the past month our topic has been a series on leadership that God desires and all of its characteristics. 

Sammy was invited to Kakata Church of Christ where taught for two days. Three were saved: Grace Flomo (23), Hellena Tokpo (31), and Hawa (34). 

MALAWI

Limbe

Mark Thiesen

Brother Defrair Kanyoza joined other office staff members again recently to record sermons on Transworld Radio, which is heard throughout most of Malawi. The program, which is broadcast each Sunday morning, is made possible by World Radio. A few months ago we changed radio stations and have been pleased with the cooperation that we have received from the staff of Transworld Radio. Although the World Radio ministry has been beset by some financial difficulties recently and may have to end their support of the Malawi work, our prayer is that they will be able to find a way to enable us to continue spreading the news of Jesus Christ across the airwaves of Malawi. 

MALI

Bamako

Peter Ofori

We thank the Lord mighty who took care of the trip I made to the Ivory Coast. The students are all doing fine. Together with the direction of the school, we participated in the preachers’ meeting held in Toumodi. Among divers things discussed, emphasis was place on the “Convention 2007” which marks the 33rd anniversary of the existence of the church of Christ in the Ivory Coast. 

We had a conference in another town in the Ivory Coast called Gagnoa. We arrived there with the students on Wednesday evening. Thursday and Friday were used for door-to-door evangelism while the conference took place on Saturday. In the morning brother John Kessie from Ghana talked of the “Church in the Bible” while in the afternoon session Anaki Francis Konan talked of the “Apostasy”. About 60 people attended the conference. On Sunday I was given the task to teach the Bible class. I discussed with the brethren about implantation of the church and its growth with the 53 people that attended church service that day. God blessed the conference with two baptisms. They are GOZO ELLA and NAKI ARSENE. We left the preacher, brother Zizré Jah Philippe, a great job to do after our departure. He had to trace all the prospects who gave their addresses to us. During the week he called to inform us of another baptism which took place, and was expecting another from time on. 

NAMIBIA

Tsumeb

John D’Alton

It is difficult for us to gauge the success of the radio broadcast in terms of students who come to Tsumeb Bible Academy, because we see the results when students apply to study. Quite often people respond silently. That is, they are moved by the message, but it takes some conviction to get them to pick up the phone, or a pen, and respond. This became evident once again when a volunteer worker from the Philippines, Minni Legrue, started looking for fellow Christians at Rundu where she is stationed. She came to us one weekend to have services with us, but she cannot be here every weekend since it is a round-trip of about 450 miles. When she started asking around, she soon met up with a number of folks who have heard of the church. We believe that Minni is now "rounding up" some strays. At the last count there were five or six, and more are coming in as they study the Scriptures with her. Once we have gone to Rundu again, which we do on a regular basis if we have the funds for the transportation, we will report in more detail of what is going on there. Our messages are broadcast from the Rundu studios of the national broadcasting service. 

Thank you for the opportunity to use the radio, and pray with us that Minni's intervention will help us in our goal to establish a church there soon. 

NICARAGUA

Managua

Edgard Polío

This is the last report of our radio program and at the same time I want to reiterate our appreciation for the support that we received from World Radio for several years by sponsoring our program. We gained three new souls for Christ by means of preaching the Gospel by way of radio and personal study. Also two brothers were reconciled that were separated from the body of Christ.

We have now said goodbye to our radio listeners who have shown appreciation for the time that we have taught the Word of God to them. Also we have closed the contract with the station and they have expressed their support for future radio presentations, Lord willing. For us it was an extraordinary experience of GREAT BLESSING to do this labor for our God and Savior Jesus. May Christ accompany you always and may you prosper in this beautiful mission. 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Lae

Jab Mesa

I am back from the U.S.A. after two months speaking to churches in the U.S. and Canada and at the same time trying to raise much needed extra funds for our Melanesian Bible College to bring in more students. Our sponsoring church at Highland Street in Memphis, Tenn. was very supportive and lovingly took great care of me and many other wonderful families who were either former missionaries or visitors to PNG. The Lord blessed the trip and I believe that all was taken care of by Him through many wonderful Christians. 

The program has been received with many listeners in remote areas tuning in. I am still in the book of Matthew and when I complete that, I will go into the New Testament church. I am asking for prayers for my family and my life to continue steadfast in the Lord. We are exposed by the sermon and so our lives must portray what we preached. 

PERU

Lima

Tomás Parillo / Rodolfo Casas

The World Radio program has been an instrument of edification and the diffusion of the Gospel. The brothers encourage their relatives so that every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. they listen to our program. It is the case of brother Elias Torres who invites his parents, a married sister, and his nephews so that they listen to the program around their table. Elias's mother is a devout Catholic, but now she is very interested in listening to the radio program for she has noted how valuable it is to read the Word of God. Before, she didn't want to know anything outside of Catholicism, but now she is looking for the truth.

Another case, Hugo Calcina, is a listener in Juliaca City located in southern Peru near the Bolivian border. He is a leader of a religious group and has shown interest in continuing to listen. When he first listened to the program, he believed that we were a sectarian group. Then he requested the correspondence course from World Bible School. On his answer sheet he wrote several observations trying to justify his beliefs. Now after listening to the Word of God and studying the course, his comments aren’t strong and he encourages us. 

On some occasions the program transmits meetings live to maintain a good relationship with the listeners. All the events of an evangelistic nature have been announced by the radio program with wonderful results in the gatherings for local events and seminars organized for all the congregations. This year we announced through the program the Pan-American Lectures carried out in Lima, Peru. Through the program more than 30 new students had interest in studying the Bible by correspondence and ten of them continue in contact. 

I appreciate all the efforts that you do so that the radio program “With the Open Bible” continues on the air. This program continues being one of the bulwarks for the propagation of the Gospel and of the holy doctrine in Peru.

The Bible Institute in Peru has functioned for three years and with surprising results recognized by many brothers in the U.S.A. This Institute has trained brothers that now have returned to their places and now they have small time segments on local radios to preach the Gospel. They do all this very well due to the students being trained in speaking under our direction. 

PHILIPPINES

Laoag City

Romeo Nonog

A couple of months ago a congregation emerged in Ilocos Norte through the courage and dedication of follow-up workers who have just one thing in common, to convert them to Christ. Last year five new congregations were started in the province. Our shortwave radio program is being carried to the major cities of the world, but it is also reaching communities in every remote region where the Bible is being taught to thousands of people who are unable to read and write. 

Pagadian City

Feliciano Blen

We have been using our unfinished church building for our Sunday assemblies and Sunday school for a year now. Because of the limited space, we meet at three different assembly times: 4:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and lastly at 5:00 p.m. 

Beginning this year, we will be putting out a test print of the proposed program of activities for the Zamboanga Peninsula Gospel Meeting and Youth Fellowship. We are planning for 400 people for four days. We are proposing that all participating congregations bring and cook their own food and stay in tents which they bring and build on the campus site. We are expecting a great harvest of souls as we deploy all these participants for massive evangelism similar to our church planting activities, which we have seen the fruits of in every place we’ve been. We will also be using the WBS course as a door opener. This must be a good tryout and we may see the development of this congregation ahead. We are inviting some brethren to come and participate to see for themselves the coming result of our effort. Our tentative aim is to use the occasion for life reviving lectures, massive evangelism, and practical learning to survive in the rural mission fields. Surely many of our listeners will attend this gospel meeting. Help us pray for these coming activities. 

Please help us pray for the family of sister Lydia Balasoto Faldas who has a serious problem due to the breaking up of the marriage relationship and family of her firstborn daughter, Marilou, who was married with a Moslem husband. Marilou’s family was broken due to her husband’s unfaithfulness by having another woman. Marilou left their home in Cotabato and went somewhere in Luzon to escape her husband’s fury in attempting to kill her because her husband doesn’t want their marriage be broken up in spite of his unfaithfulness. But Marilou is determined not to restore their marriage relationship anymore. Sister Marilou Faldas is now living alone peacefully, but stripped-off from all belongings, away from her two children, and separated from her Muslim husband. Her mother, Lydia Balasoto Faldas, has also been freed from death threats because her enraged son-in-law is now being hunted for his participation in the political rival ambush near the residence of sister Lydia. She has also learned to adjust and is beginning to recuperate from her risky state. The brethren here and my family have closely cooperated to regain her spiritual vigor. Marilou also has started to live on her own effort doing some selling of goods that could generate income for her subsistence. Brethren and friends are helping her find some job opportunities from here and abroad. We hope that God would help this family. 

Once again, thank you brethren for your continued support of our mission work to spread the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ over the radio. Sharon Gonzales, a WBS coordinator, has visited us and we visited some of the students within and around Pagadian City. We encouraged them to listen to our radio program and to attend our Bible studies and Sunday services. We hope that soon we could get some schedules with them for Bible study in their own home. We have observed that our radio program and WBS have served as a door opener to many of our home Bible studies. 

Solano

Daton Palitayan

This semester there are 12 students enrolled here at the Philippine Bible College. We hold our classes from Tuesday to Friday from 8:30-5:30 p.m. to give enough time for the students to prepare their lessons, follow up on our radio hearers, distribute WBS flyers, and do personal evangelism here in Solano and its surrounding villages. On Saturdays our students go to their preaching destinations. 

As mentioned in the past, most of our radio topics are the questions of our phone callers. We also advertise that we are offering the free WBS course. 

I’m happy to inform everybody in World Radio that over the last 11 months we have had 113 converted to Christ as a result of the combined efforts of our students, faculty, and the radio program. Places of conversions are in the lowlands and from far-flung places in the mountainous places of our region. Thank you brethren for your continued support for the cause of Christ in the Philippines. 

ST. KITTS - NEVIS

Basseterre

Randolph Prentice

We continued to work and plant seeds which we know will grow because we have sown them on good ground, but we still have to wait on the Master. Today we have two studies in the rural area.Seven new visitors came last month; two are radio listeners and their friends. 

This month we had a total of 12 new children who started coming to church and Sunday school. This is a good sign. Five of the parents were there on Sunday and we hope to see the rest as we have invited them to our services. 

Tracy, a veterinarian, was baptized at the Fellowship Day service.

SENEGAL

Dakar

Arnold Dzah

We're having a wonderful feedback here. We have begun to receive calls asking questions. Some have promised to visit the church. They still wish the program can be in their local language for better understanding. 

It is a neglected area for it is a Moslem country like The Gambia. I resumed work barely two years ago and God is doing his marvelous work in this community. Continue to pray for us. Very soon we may baptize our first Moslem. We already had the first Senegalese. We pray for a typical Moslem and we know God will grant that soon by his grace. The radio program is awakening the conscience. 

Because of the calls we received as a result of the radio program, we're determined to open a Bible college to train men for the job and we're feverishly preparing towards it. Pray for us to get the resources needed for this laudable project. 

SIERRA LEONE

Freetown

Christian Asgill

The broadcasts have tremendously helped the church in Sierra Leone as it is now known and it has now brought many souls to Christ, many restored, and many given the opportunity to hear of a free salvation. On behalf of all the congregations that would have loved to see the radio program continue, I want to thank you all and especially the numerous subscribers for extending such in this country. Thank you for having assisted me in my solemn duty to do His will while I have breath. Heb.6:10 assures us that "God will not forget our good works..." and I am sure that all of us, when we change time for eternity, will queue up in His roll call and receive our laurels for having blessed souls through World Radio ministry. I would appreciate were extracts of this gratitude be published so that those who subscribed to the furtherance of our programs here will be encouraged to do more as they have the opportunity. 

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town

Jim Hyde

We completed all the necessary arrangements with Radio Tygerberg and began our bi-weekly broadcasts with Robert Bothma as the speaker. The response to our broadcasts thus far has been really encouraging. We have learned that Radio Tygerberg has the largest listening audience in the Cape, but only as the calls began to come in did we realize how much larger than CCFM. Our responses from the new station have been really great, with between 25 to 40+ responses per week. The audiences have been quite verbal in their praise of the program and the correspondence course that we send out to them. 

Even though the response from our World Radio program “Fifteen Minutes from the Bible” which airs on the local radio station CCFM has been good in the past, this month it has been terrific. A few weeks ago the station had gotten in the habit of cutting our closing short and advertising their prayer line and a book that they offer. After we called to complain, not only did that stop, but now the announcer that is on duty at the time our program airs gives us a full three to five minutes of free advertising. He always recaps the program and gives the telephone number several more times. Our response has more than doubled. Praise the Lord. 

Now airing our “Fifteen Minutes from the Bible” on two stations and twice weekly on the one has significantly increased the follow-up workload and the costs. We see that we will be sending a lot more courses which means more materials, more postage, and more work. We are gearing up to do what we must to keep up. Last week alone we mailed out 54 Introduction Courses. In the envelope with each intro course we place three coupons to be handed to friends. As a rule we receive back about two-thirds to three-fourths of those coupons. You can see how this ministry rapidly multiplies. We are so thrilled with all this. Besides the initial fact of getting a lot more people involved in studying the Word of God, is the fact that in time we will get to meet many of them at a seminar. 

The WBS seminars continue to do well. If you recall the seminars are held one Saturday a month when we come together for about three hours to study the Bible with those who have been contacted through having requested the Bible correspondence course we advertise on the radio broadcasts. There is still a lot of interest in the monthly seminars. One adult student said that he will encourage his entire church assembly to attend the next seminar. Peter Ford does the teaching at the seminars and does a great job of teaching God’s Word. 

We have a special prayer request. Our dear brother and World Radio speaker, Robert Bothma, is undergoing treatment for cancer. The doctors do not know the extent of the cancer at this point, but have told Robert that the one found in his shoulder is a particularly aggressive strain. Robert is in a great deal of pain physically, but after talking with him we were able to discern that he is in good shape in his spirit and in his relationship with our Father. Please pray for him and his family. He is a wonderful Christian and a dear friend. Dereck Beukes, minister at the Bellville Church of Christ, is doing the lessons on the radio program at the present time. 

As many of you know, we have been involved in the delivery of Bibles to high schools in Namibia and other areas via a program known as “Bibles for Africa”. Jan and I will be leaving Cape Town soon, headed northeast to an area of South Africa known as Venda to participate in another of the “Bibles for Africa” deliveries. We will be in Venda approximately two weeks and will be working with Malvin Kivedo, a South African minister, Marvin Phillips, a minister from Tulsa, Okla., and several of the brothers and sisters in the Venda area. 

Venda is located in the Northern Province and was one of the “homelands” established by the apartheid government, which means an appointed area for blacks to live. Going into Venda is like taking a step back in time. The people there are hard working, honest, and polite. Even the youth in Venda speak with respect to their elders and are courteous and helpful. The Venda area’s main revenue is agriculture. Traveling through Venda one sees many mango orchards, pineapple fields, avocado groves, and lots of palm trees. One does not see anyone on the street corners or at the gates of residences who is begging, which is very different from the rest of this country. 

The church in Venda is very strong and a wonderful example of what the Bible says Christians should be. The members of the church believe that they are Christians first and that whatever they do for a living is an extension of their Christianity. They often display their Christian virtues and attitudes on the job and use their influence for good in the community wherever possible. In fact, a university in Thohoyandou (pronounced toy on due), which is in the capital city in the Venda area, has given the church rooms in which to meet and has made facilities available for lectureships and other meetings. 

As of this writing, discussions have taken place and plans are being made for us to make two more trips into the Venda area during 2006 to deliver Bibles to the high schools. There are approximately 1,000 high schools in the Northern Province. The school authorities are excited about the program and have given their full support to it. 

TANZANIA

Moshi

Charles Ngoje

This ministry has grown strong and better. Our listeners are spoiling us with compliments, but also prayer requests are a big thing for us. Through prayer requests, I am able to make lessons that address people’s needs. I offer advice based on Scripture and then pray for people for their needs. One prayer request that went on the air last week went like this:

“Praise God, teacher. Please pray for me. I do not have peace in my heart. I have an anger that burns, I do not forgive, and I am proud and boastful. I am full of other filth. I am not happy. Please help me. Pray for me and give me counsel.” 

This is the case of one who needs Christ. And while I prayed for him and gave him advice, I know the best thing would be to get hold of him and talk to him one-on-one. The funny thing is that shortly before I was on the air I called him and told him to tune to the program and he quickly hung up the phone on me. When the program was about to end, he called just in time before my phone went busy, it is always very busy immediately after the program, and he said, “I am sorry I did not listen to the program. I ran to my neighbor when you called so as to listen, but his radio did not have batteries. Mine dropped from a table and I have not repaired it… please send me the lesson by post.” I am yet to do that. But on the same note, another responded and said how the program had answered his questions about true happiness and joy. 

I am ready to continue with the program this year. With Samuel coming in full time, I am most happy and I know I will have some humble time to prepare better lessons. One thing I look forward to doing is to have a seminar for our listeners, invite them to the church so that we can interact, ask questions, expand on a theme that was done on the radio and which may need more light, and invite them to church. For those who are in need of prayers we could host a week of prayers for those with need and teach, counsel, and pray for them. This will be one way of doing follow-up. 

We attended a meeting of all broadcasters with the Lutheran Radio Center and we were praised for airing the most balanced message for all Christians. We took them to task though about making unnecessary demands on us and others as the name of Khadija and refusing non Lutheran churches to inform their listeners of where they meet. It divided the group into two with most on my side. Lastly they said, they will look into it and make changes where necessary. 

We have seen growth in this work at Moshi. Membership has grown to 52 with two recent baptisms. Offerings and tithes have almost doubled. Members’ level of commitment in the church has improved greatly. We have seen Immanuel. 

Through the radio program we have been able to plant a church in Moshi rural where Islam claims over 60% of the population. Three weeks ago we established three other preaching points in that area. There have been eight baptisms in the past three months. 

Our World Bible School has enrolled over 1,400 new students last year. We are determined to enroll more students this year. 

THAILAND

Nong Kai

Catherine Thamkaew

Mr. Kontong from Ponepisai, Nongkai asked Ong to visit him again. They met with Mr. Kontong’s whole family including his brother and sister-in-law who are the teachers in the local school there. Ong had the opportunity to speak about the truth of Jesus’ church, baptism, and the Holy Spirit. Thank God that Mr. Kontong could understand very well and his brother and sister-in-law show respect to God’s words even though they are Buddhist. After the meeting, Ong ate with them. Though sticky rice and a little piece of grilled chicken are a common meal for poor farmers in northeastern Thailand, it was very delicious and isn’t a common meal anymore when we eat with our beloved friends. 

Surprise! We received a big parcel from our listener who lives at Ponepisai, Nongkai, Miss Poungrat Thepa. She sent us cookies and sweet fried banana! In her letter she said that she listens to our radio program every day and she thinks of us and wishes us to have good health to do this radio program and stay with her for a long, long time. She loves our radio program very much and especially our preachers, Pathinya, Surapol, and Sunate. Thank God for His love and care through our listener, the sweetness from above. And this made me think of Matthew 10:42, “And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” 

I answered Miss Poungrat on the air and we thanked her very much for letting us know that she listens to our radio program which is the great gift from God, but look, our good God always gives us more than we ever thought or asked. I wish that you could taste these sweets together with us, but I realize that you live so far. Ong and I decided to give the cookies and the sweet fried banana to the children in the Bible class on Sunday. They have this blessing with joy. Thank God. 

The letters with the answers from the Bible correspondence that we gave to our listeners in Sakolnakorn were mailed to Khonkaen Church of Christ and the Khonkaen Bible School where we used the Thai Bible correspondence. Most of them got high scores and they would be given the certificate by mail soon from Kim Voraritskul, the director of Khonkaen Bible School. 

The CD of songs, “Doungjai Pra Christ” (“Christ’s Heart”) has finished another four songs. Thank you for your prayers. This CD will encourage Thai and Laos brothers and sisters and will be played on our radio program too. We record these songs at the radio studio in my bedroom studio. Now we have finished eight songs and we have two songs left. After I played the demo of some songs of this CD on the air, our listeners loved it and a lot wrote in asking for this CD. Thank God these songs will praise Him by His will. Thank God that He answered your prayers. 

Today God blessed me in completing my first year of study at Khonkaen Bible School. Thank God that He gave me His love and with His knowledge. In the first year I studied all the history from the Old Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts. The second year will start with Romans. This study really helps me a lot when I speak on the radio program. I found that I speak with more confidence about the history, people in the Bible, etc. I found that my voice is not shaking any more; it is more cheerful and friendly. I dare more to speak; thank God about that. But most of all, I learned more about His will and He changed me to be a new Catherine! Thank God! I know that this is from Him. He is teaching me and making the most delicious grape juice! It is the best gift from Him that I ever had. It is His time for me. Great time and joyful time!

Two more semesters left and I believe that it will help a lot in His ministry. Please keep me always in your prayers. 

We received a cute letter from a girl, Kannika Fangchaiyapoom (15). She is a Buddhist and lives in Ban Ponetong village, Udonthani Province, the same province as Ong. Kannika wrote many important questions that showed her pure heart full of curiosity, and her effort to know more about God and the truth. One day by chance she turned on the radio and heard our radio program. Since then she listens to our radio program every day. She said it was not easy to understand it all, but she always tries her best. She sent the following questions: 

1. What does our church look like? Is it the same as what she sees in the foreign movies? Why does the Christian church always have white birds flying? Are the birds doves? What is the meaning of the flying dove? 

2. What is baptism and is it true that God will wash away our sins? Is it true that we will be saved and clean? Why? 

3. Why does one who believes in God always put his hands over his forehead, chest, and left and right shoulders when he prays? Does everybody have to do this? What does this mean? 

4. Is Christmas true? What does the day mean? Does your church have Christmas day? Who is Santa Claus? Is he real or just a tale? If he is real, why did he never give a present to her? 

5. Is it possible for a Buddhist to come to our church and can she come to the church every day or any day she wishes? 

6. Why was Jesus born in the stable where it was not so easy for him and when he grew up he had to bare all hard things? Why did he do that?

Since she has learned Jesus would wash away our sins for he loves us so much, she really wanted to know Jesus more than on our radio program. Ong went to see her with the answers. After driving 60 km., Ong found the village. Kannika’s parents didn’t understand why a stranger wanted to see their daughter because of a letter. They seemed like they didn’t want to speak to Ong and said that Kannika was at school. Anyway, Ong asked them to keep the Bible correspondence for Kannika. 

We answered Kannika’s letter on the air. It took many radio programs to answer all the questions. I prayed so hard before answering them… “That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one,” Colossians 4:4-6. And with His wisdom and His grace we could make it. 

Ong went to visit Kannika again one fine Saturday. When Kannika knew that Ong was in front of her house, she ran out to see him with gladness. Her parents and her grandmother spoke to Ong with smiles. After they heard our answers aired and we spoke Kannika’s name all that time, God did His work in their hearts. They understand now that we had no harm for their daughter. Though they didn’t know much about God’s love, at least they know that we love Kannika with our pure hearts. Ong had to answer all the questions again face to face. Many hours passed until dark and Ong had say goodbye. They really had a good time talking about God’s Word together. 

Kannika has decided to become a Christian, but her parents asked her to wait a little while. Please pray for her and her parents to be saved and may they experience God’s grace and mercy soon. And may God bless you too with His richest blessings. 

TOGO

Kpalimé

Essotena Nyemanta

The church ended 2005 with a night of prayers and teachings by evangelists Willie Gley from Accra, Ghana, Walter Akubia from Avetonou Church, and me. Everything was started at 8:30 p.m. and concluded at 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Brother Willie took his message from Eph. 6:10-18 and Akubia also took his topic from Rom. 13:14. Many people came that night and worshiped with us. There were 28 souls. 

I have baptized three people. One of them is a Moslem, Awanda Latif David (51). His family and Moslems persecute him day and night. Please keep him in your prayers. We are working to grow the church in Kpalimé. 

Our students are back from the holidays. We have studied the following subjects: Introduction of Old Testament, Redemption, Evangelism, Introduction to the New Testament, Acts, and Systematic Theology. The training school needs two Bibles now: Thomson and Chain Reference Bible (French) it is very important. 

I was invited by an avid listener to the Thursday broadcast to be a guest speaker at a graduation ceremony in Kpalimé. She is the owner of a hair salon and wanted me to given advice to them as the seven girls graduated. About 500 people came to the school playground to attend their graduation. I exhorted with a topic taken from Mathew 6:33. I went there with some of the Bible students. Another day, I was also invited by someone who wanted to present his baby to God and I exhorted all the assembled after reading Matt. 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16. 

I went out and studied with some families at Kpélé-bémé and a denominational church at Lavie Tchabom with about 50 people. I met four students of Lycée and I continue to study with them. 

I started a new congregation at Kpélé-bémé with nine adults about 30 km. away. The end of the month we shall start again with the denominational church called MAC at Lavie Tchabom. I have received letters from many villages calling to establish a church there. I send many correspondence courses to villages around Kpalimé. 

Tsévié

Adjayi Inoussa /Akalo Komlan

World Radio Tsévié is going on. We are on a series of lessons on “The Covenants”. Our World Bible School advertisement attracted two men in this month. They came directly to us for the lessons. 

TRINIDAD

Port of Spain

Mahase Bissoondath

Our search continues, not without difficulty, for those desiring to study and know the truth concerning their salvation. We are having Bible studies on a weekly basis. At present there are twelve studies each week. Some of these persons are close to obeying the Gospel. There were a total of eighteen (18) persons added to the Lord for 2005, a somewhat small number by comparison to previous years. However, the retention rate is better than previous years. The most recent converts are: Marie Bourne and Wayne Blackman. Two others placed their membership. 

Our radio and television programs continue to yield good results, especially our radio program. The television program is hampered by airing only two times a month and it is pre-empted quite frequently due to coverage of sporting activities, such as cricket, when played overseas. Our radio broadcasts reach other islands of the Caribbean. We have Bible course students in St. Vincent and Grenada. Our local students and study contacts are invited to attend services and benefit from the other ministries in the church. All our Bible course students are encouraged to tune in to both our radio and television programs. The Bible study contacts which we have presently are very interested in knowing the truth and we hope that soon more souls would be added to the Lord. 

Our Sunday morning in-house evangelism program is growing with more visitors being taught during the Bible class hour. Our best converts come from these sessions. The teachers do follow-up studies with those interested during the week. 

Wayne was invited by one of our young men and has attended service on a few occasions. He has been studying regularly and receiving counseling. He is very interested and an ardent listener to our radio and television programs. Marie Bourns’ parents are members of the body of Christ. Ravi Ramkissoon, a school student who was baptized a few months ago, is now becoming more involved. This has drawn the interest of other youth to a more serious approach to their relationship with God. 

The station has improved the quality of its reception and increased its transmission power. We can now be clearly heard in all the Caribbean Islands, even in Jamaica and even further on shortwave band. We are now receiving mail from St. Vincent and other islands and have students enrolled there. 

Our television programs are attracting larger audiences and producing better results. In fact the radio and television programs compliment each other and are responsible in one way or the other for about seventy-five souls during 2005. 

VENEZUELA

Valera

José Pineda

Our brother Alberto (Beto) Hernandez, evangelist of the San Cristobal church, came to share a seminar about the functions and responsibilities of the church. The attendance averaged 25 with some 75 people, including children and visitors, on Sunday. 

Yosmar Mendez, evangelist of the church of Christ in Yaritagua came to share a seminar with the youth of the congregation, titled “The Sanctity of Christian Youth in our Times.” The attendance was 10 youth. The following Sunday he preached before some 71 people, including children and visitors on “The Battle is of God.” 

Finally with joy and happiness, we report that three teens were baptized: Yemily del Carmen Ballesteros (13), Alejandro de Jesus Araujo (14), and our son, Samuel Jose Pineda (12). Nanciban Coromoto Briceño (20), a World Radio contact from our radio program, was also baptized. 

ZIMBABWE

Bulawayo

Velaphi Mlangeni

On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when three thousand souls gave their lives to the Lord, rejoicing became a prominent feature. This was so because Christianity brings liberty and freedom from sinful bondage and eternal doom. Each time a soul turns to God our hearts are always filled with joy unspeakable as God continues to use us as channels of blessing to others. During the month in review, twelve souls were baptized. How lovely! How perfectly beautiful! We give all glory to God! Thirteen students completed their WBS courses this month, 116 were issued with certificates, 330 visited the office, and 132 were enrolled. 

We traveled to Binga at the beginning of the month. This is one of the most remote areas in Zimbabwe where people build their huts some five feet or so above the ground for fear of snakes and carnivorous animals. Their livestock are kept under their huts at night. People there speak the Tonga language. They appreciated so much the shoes and used clothing which we distributed from Rainbow Church of Christ. Some had never worn shoes in their lifetime. 

We visited Esigodini for five days and introduced basic principles and methods of the drip irrigation system. Twenty-six Christians and non-Christians attended the workshops. We also conducted daily evening prayer meetings and preached the Gospel to the villagers. 

Then we visited the Stanhope area and conducted workshops for five days. This was our third visit to the area. We encouraged farmers who were slacking to revive their drip irrigation gardens. We also distributed 15 drip irrigation kits, beans, squash and broccoli seeds. Thirty farmers attended the workshops and many more attended the evening prayer meetings. 

Our World Radio Program “More Than Conquerors” continued to spread the Good News of God's love to the people of Zimbabwe. The weekly program last month focused on Hebrews 11:6ff. Panelists encouraged listeners to seek God and His righteousness and subject themselves to the righteousness of God. I am requesting your special prayers as the director of the radio station has indicated that rates for our program might be increased significantly. We are still trying to knock some sense into him to reduce the rates because our program is non-commercial. 

SHORTWAVE

Northern Africa (French)

Jean Grenier

We now have one more contact from the shortwave radio program in Africa and Europe. It is a man, around 30, from Germany. If you have shortwave radio, you can listen to the program with the following data: “Lisez la Bible” on Thursdays 6:00-6:30 p.m. (UTC) on 25 meter, 11950 khz. Thanks for your prayers!