IBBC Mobile (Bible Institute)
The first cycle of IBBC Mobile
is complete! God is so good!
- 8
weeks in 4 locations … check
- 356
hours of registration, orientation, and teaching … check
- over
500 miles of interior travel (by pick-up, train, transport truck, dugout
canoe, and motorcycle) ... check
- 3
professors, home, safe and sound … check, check, check
- Prayer
… check and THANK YOU!
After
going through all the paperwork from each location, IBBC officially has 27 full
program students and 32 participant students (3 of which already paid partial
enrollment in order to start next cycle as full-program students); for a total
of 59 students!
Please
pray for the other participating students that have expressed interest in
starting the full program the next cycle.
A
brief review of the 4 programs we are offering: (with the number currently in
each program is in parenthesis)
- Student
to become trainer: (2)
these are the men that are taking the classes in order to become mobile
trainers (professors). After each set of classes they take and pass, they
go teach the classes at the mobile sites
- Full
program student: (27)
these are men that would like to complete the entire, 18 course, mobile
training program and receive the IBBC Ministry Certificate
- Short
program student: (0)
these are men and women that would like to complete some of the mobile
training and receive the IBBC Biblical Studies (the one we had previously
changed to the full program)
- Participant
student: (32)
these are men and women that would like to attend the classes, but without
the requirements (books, inscription fees, exams, etc.) and a minimal cost
(about $1.25 for the 10 sessions of both classes for that cycle/location)
While we were hoping for more students, we realize that this
is the first time this kind of program has ever been tried here. There was some confusion of how this was
going to work, and Satan has done his best to discourage those that were
thinking of participating. We are
excited about the 59 that did come! The professors all expressed that they were
encouraged to see the truth sink into the students’ hearts, and watch their
eyes brighten as it did!
While in the USA
There are some matters of
prayer concerning our time in the States.
Please let us know if you can help out or have suggestions for any of
these:
1.
We are all 5 going to need to see a dentist.
We are hoping to find a Christian dentist that may be willing to give us
a discount, in one of the areas we will be spending some time.
2. Last year, Martha was in a lot of pain and having a lot
of difficulties due her teeth. Since
then, the dentist here has pulled 10 teeth and made her 3 sets of
expanders. Even with all this, she still
has a large over-bite. We are praying
the Lord might provide an orthodontist in the Boise area that would be able to
work around our schedule and limited finances.
3. Titus needs to see an eye
doctor. We got his eyes checked and
glasses prescribed in Kinshasa, but have doubts as to whether or not he has the
correct glasses. We would like him to
get a full eye exam and new glasses if necessary.
Sad News
Our Assistant Pastor and his wife had a baby girl, Christine, last
summer. With heavy hearts and tears, we
inform you that she passed away in November.
She was a happy baby, and seemed to be healthier than most…but this
country is so hard on babies! This is
the second daughter they have lost since we came to Dibaya 2 years ago. They also have a 4-year-old son with some
physical issues. Please pray earnestly for Pastor Ntina and his family! We pray that they will not become discouraged
and keep looking to the Lord during this difficult time.
Looking Ahead
What our next few months look like, Lord
willing:
Dec
now- 19 Sparky
presents/teaches the next 2 classes to Papa Muna
and
Papa Excellent…that they plan to teach in the same
4
locations while we are on furlough
AND…pack
everything we own in humidity/rat/termite
resistant
containers
20
Excellent’s wedding (marrying Miss
Germaine)
25
Christmas day (celebrating
Christ’s coming with our church family in Dibaya
29
Last Sunday in Dibaya and saying good-bye
“see you again soon”
Jan
1 or 2 Leave
Dibaya, heading toward Kinshasa
3
Submit our applications for
“exit/return” visas
6-9
ELBC Director’s Committee meeting
(in Kinshasa)
16-17
National DRC holidays (praying our
visas will be done!)
20
Leave Kinshasa
21
Arrive in Boise, Idaho (late
evening)
22 Visiting with our sending church in
Notus (depending on our jet-lag!)
26 First Baptist Church of Notus, ID (our
sending church)
29
First Baptist Church of Notus, ID
(our sending church)
Feb 1-16 Guillaume
and Sara in Idaho, from Québec!
19 Titus’
11th Birthday
8-23 Treasure
Valley Missions conference
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” Isaiah 41:10
Time in Kinshasa