[Meeting] News october 2004

[Robert Jones]

South African Bible Believers
P.O.Box 1354
Meyerton 1960
October 6, 2004
News Letter
A lot has happened over the last few weeks, the Brethren Forum is now up and running. Within the Forum, there are sections for Missionary updates, Prayer Requests, Bible Study, General Discussion and Activities (i.e. Conferences etc.) The address of the Forum is:  www.biblebeliever.co.za/meeting .
The E Mail list is now running successfully on our servers. This list compliments the list run from Kent, which has been running for a few years. 

To subscribe to the Mail list send a E Mail to meeting-request at biblebeliever.co.za        
with the words " subscribe " in the subject line. 
On this list, we have fellowship with members from Assemblies around the world
 
The Website (www.biblebeliever.co.za) is being updated, most of the cape Assembly address and contact details having being added. 
 
New will be web pages for our Assemblies to add their own web presence, i.e. meeting times, photos of the assembly, activities etc. 
To make use of this facility, please E Mail me at rob.jones at biblebeliever.co.za  
Your address will be www.biblebeliever.co.za/your_assembly_name 
(your_assembly_name)
Try the above link for an example of an Assembly in Canada.


 
 
Missionary News

Howard Watson (Central Assembly Johannesburg)
During the last week of September, Howard Watson, Bryan Watson and Rodney Brown went on a missionary tour of Gazenkulu, and Venda. In Gazenkulu, some 90 people attended the services, which was held daily, and Venda, some 50-60 people. These areas are very remote, the nearest town some 50km away, and hardly any Christian activity there. 

 Philip Barnes (Hatfield Harare Zimbabwe)
The stress in this country is such that we are seeing many marriages really struggling. An emotionally distressed friend [came to talk to us]. She was the third married woman in just over a week that expressed how much her relationship with her husband was in serious trouble. Our hearts ache for people born in a country like this where every little thing is a struggle and their future here on earth seems very bleak.

Margret Gauld (Loloma Mission
P O Box 150 Manyinga Kabompo Zambia)
I will be accompanying 9 Zambian believers to Angola, (October) and we hope to stay for a month. The purpose of the trip is gospel outreach in at least three different locations. We also wish to visit some of the assemblies to help the Christians. Prayer is greatly valued. The obstacles are many, but our God is able. 

Mike Adkins (Africa Inland Mission)
Hello from Kenya once again! It has been a very busy last few months, but we have seen the Lord working in so many ways. As we look out our bedroom at the girls bedroom door, we can see a poster with an ostrich on it, and the saying on the poster is.."Wake up and Shout for Joy". That is how we have felt so many times, as we have watched the Lord work in our children's lives and the lives of our dear friends around us. This past six weeks we have had the privilege to see all of our children. Each visited us during this summer. At one point, we were all together for a couple of days. We praise the Lord for his goodness to us. Aaron has headed back to Houghton College as a junior and plans on finishing up his Intercultural Studies and Inter-national Studies degree. He was excited to return to university. Michelle is working as an Administrative Assistant for Children's Ministries at a large church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bryan has just finished a contract in Tanzania with Houghton College and has now accepted a position with World Relief and will be living in Nairobi. Heather has joined the RVA staff as an eleventh grade teacher of English and also is teaching a couple of courses in computers. She is really enjoying her time. Mike has recently taken on a new job of staff services and also is teaching a videography course until the teacher is able to take over. He is also pro-ducing videos for Bethany Rehabi-litation and Relief dealing with medical issues and sharing the gospel with these needy people. Janet is still in charge of the cafeteria. At the end of last term, we had the privilege of sharing with 16 students who chose to go forward in baptism. It was a wonderful service to watch. The students each gave their testimonies and then proceeded with baptism. The whole student body was able to participate in the joy of their profession of Jesus Christ. 
Our new year has opened and we have an abundance of new and returning stu-dents. It is so nice to see each one back to continue on with their education, but to realize that each one represents parents who are out in the field reaching the nations with the gospel. Currently we have 23 nationalities from over 75 different mission organi-zations. In one of Heather's classes alone, the students were able to speak 16 languages amongst their peers in that class. So you can see we have a diverse group of kids. 
We thank the Lord for the ability to serve here at Rift Valley Academy and we thank each of you for being a part of this ministry. Thank you for your prayers and the financial gifts. 
oPlease pray for unity amongst the staff and students as we begin a new year 
oPlease pray for Ben's adoption still in the process 
oPlease pray for one our African brothers and his wife who are stepping out in faith with adoption and beginning a home for needy children. 
oPlease pray for us as a family that we will be faithful in showing God's love to people around us everyday. 

Hurricane Ivan.
JAMAICA - We have received the following detailed report from Dr Winston & Mrs Nurkle Litchmore in Jamaica. 

"Please pray for reconstruction work, which is taking place due to the devastating work of Hurricane Ivan. 

Hurricane Ivan attacked Jamaica on Friday 10 September 2004, and wreaked havoc throughout the island. 17 persons lost their lives and hundreds were made homeless. There were extensive damages to farms, businesses, schools and churches, and utilities were temporarily put out of action. 

Among the 84 Christian Brethren Assemblies no loss of life, or major physical injuries, has been reported. However the roofs of several buildings were damaged to varying degrees by the fierce and boisterous winds. The surging waters also entered some buildings via doors and windows damaging furniture, floors and furnishings. Many believers had the roofs of their homes blown off and hundreds of them lost their crops. Although the saints have acted remarkably quickly on reconstruction, many of these are temporary arrangements. For some assemblies services are being held in homes, neighbouring assemblies, or in tents. 

Christian Missions has the role of co-ordinating disaster aid. It has the responsibility for receiving funds, food, and building materials, and disbursing them. Whatever assistance received will be acknowledged. In his role as CEO, Dr Winston Litchmore has been touring damaged assembly buildings, assessing individual needs, and determining priorities for aid. The Christian Brethren radio programme 'Look at Life' is being utilized in communicating with the assemblies. 

MIDLAND BIBLE INSTITUTE - About 75% of the roof of Midland Bible Institute has been damaged causing severe flooding inside the building. No one can be housed on campus. Upstairs the dormitories are particularly affected, with beds and furniture all damaged. The newly extended and refurbished library has been affected including some books. The roof is temporarily covered with tarpaulins but the continuing rains constantly bring more water inside the building. The clearing of materials and debris is a huge job. However classes are in session being held both in the foyer and in the classrooms, which are not affected. Praise the Lord! The school had a visit from the looters but nothing was taken. This building was not insured. 

SHILOH GOSPEL HALL - The main church building was intact except for the main door, which was wrenched off b y the 'crow-bar' effect of the wind. The manse, which was recently refurbished, sustained leakage due to some sheets of zinc being raised by the wind, and the annexe building lost two sheets of zinc. Several believers had roof damage and flood-damage, but two lost their roofs and two elderly believers living in poor conditions need to be re-housed. 

MIDLAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL - This school sustained 30% roof damage. There was inside flooding. One of our assemblies, the Midland Bible Chapel, is housed by this building and has made alternative arrangements for church services. 

BEREA GOSPEL HALL - This small assembly, which has insurance on the building, experienced minor damages to its roof and to a small building on site. Action is being taken to address the damage. 

FAITH GOSPEL CHAPEL - The main building sustained roof damage as well as damage to windows and doors causing flooding. The manse has been destroyed. The home of a local missionary couple sustained roof and furniture damages. 

BETHEL GOSPEL CHAPEL, SOUTHFIELD, ST ELIZABETH - This assembly is located in the southern part of the island and has a membership of over 200 believers. The building was constructed in 1969 and opened in 1970. The building lost its roof and there was damage to some furniture. About six believers lost the roofs to their homes. 

WESTERN BIBLE CAMP SITE - Bethel Gospel Chapel has responsibility for this 7½ acre camp site. The facilities are extensively damaged and in chaos. The roof of the male building, and also the back veranda of the oldest building are destroyed. The roof of the auditorium, kitchen and dining room is blown off. This is a very large building. Over the years several efforts have been made to improve this facility and this can be seen in that a newly constructed area is in place and this has remained intact during the hurricane. It is in this building that equipment and other materials were stored and kept safe. Well organized, and fruitful camp work goes on here every year. 

GALILEE GOSPEL HALL - Galilee is among the larger assemblies and is located east of the capital of Kingston. It experienced flooding inside the sanctuary and damage to the office of the local missionary through flooding. Several books were damaged. This was due to the water coming through loose capping on the roof. There is minor damage to the building which houses the medical clinic. 

CARMEL GOSPEL HALL - Carmel is located east of capital Kingston. There was minor damage to the ceiling of the main building and outside the kitchen area. There was also minor damage to the resource centre, which caused a worsening of the condition of the ceiling. 

LONGWOOD GOSPEL HALL - There was extensive roof and structural damage to the left side of the main building. The back of the building, which houses the basic school, is almost completely destroyed. 

GOSHEN GOSPEL HALL - Very minor damage detected. 

QUICKSTEP GOSPEL HALL - A report that the roof was completely destroyed proved false. However, three sheets of zinc were dislodged and the saints acted quickly to replace them. The building, which was flooded inside including wet bedding, was being dried out. The ceiling, which is in a deplorable condition, now needs to be replaced. It is interesting to note that this small assembly opened its door to the public for shelter during the hurricane. 

ROSES VALLEY GOSPEL HALL - This assembly is in the process of rebuilding and withstood the hurricane, except for ground water overflow into a low back section which is still under construction. 

EMMAUS GOSPEL CHAPEL - The building was unscathed from the hurricane and in good condition. 

ABERDEEN GOSPEL HALL - Construction work is being carried on at this assembly where a new building is being built around an older building. It is reported that no damage was sustained. 

CHRISTIANA GOSPEL CHAPEL - There was no damage to this building except for a slight roof damage causing a leakage inside. The saints speedily carried out the repair work. 

MANDEVILLE BIBLE CHAPEL - There was slight damage to the rear of the building where a few sheets of zinc were blown off. Repair work is in hand. 

BETHEL GOSPEL HALL, MOCHO, CLARENDON - There was slight damage to the roof of the building near to the front porch causing water damage to some furnishings. The roof of an outside toilet was completely blown off and needs replacement. 

The tour continues and the next visit is schedule for Berkshire Gospel Hall where the roof has been damaged. Assemblies have been asked to contact the offices of Christian Missions with their individual estimates for damage to property. We have been impressed with the way that the government / agencies / organisations have been handling things both in the pre-Ivan and post-Ivan period. 

We are grateful for the interest and concern shown by everyone and will ask you to continue to pray with us that the Lord will bring glory to His name out of this hurricane experience." 

We confirm that Echoes of Service has sent monies from its Disaster Fund to assist with the relief operation and rebuilding costs. We are continuing to monitor this situation and further monies will be sent if appropriate. Please continue to remember this situation in your prayers.

For further details contact 
Rob Jones
Mail: robjones at biblebeliever.co.za
Tel:  016 5901486 Cell:  0824105633

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