Dear Friends,

We had a blessed and fruitful trip to Africa once again. I know that is what we normally tell you – but it is true. Even though we’ve been working in Africa for more than 12 years, it doesn’t get old. On this trip we had some particularly powerful reports.

Lots of Travel - Highlights Of The Trip
1) Accra, Ghana – Preached and Commissioned Pastor Aldous as a missionary and took him to Tamale.
2) Tamale, Ghana – Placed Aldous and Francis, started Video Bible School with “live” teaching.
3) Cotonou, Benin – Fred taught at Pastor Nazaire’s Bible School.
4) Accra, Ghana – Debby had nightly Revival meetings and Fred taught at 2 Bible Schools, one in the morning and the other in the evening.
5) Lome, Togo – Debby had a Women’s Conference, Fred taught “live” at a Video Bible School and a Wedding.
6) Vogonville, Togo – Leader’s Conference.
7) Cotonou, Benin – Debby taught at Pastor Nazaire’s Bible School, Fred taught at Pastor Mathius’ Church Bible School, opening of a new Video Bible School.
8) Parakou, Benin – weekend of meetings. Church and open-air ministry at the University.
9) Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Debby at Women’s Conference and Fred taught at Logos Bible School.
10) Tamale, Ghana – “Live” teaching at the Video School, Church meetings and Village ministry.
11) Takoradi, Ghana – Easter program with Pastor Charles.
12) Return to Accra, Ghana.
We also distributed 10 new Video Bible Schools.

AFRICAN TESTIMONIES

Tamale, Ghana
After graduation from the Bible School in Accra, Aldous asked to plant a church, a Video Bible School and to reach out to the unreached villages in Tamale. Two brothers Francis and David are there with him in this great work.

We have had a number of students in Africa become church planters. But this is the first one that we have been so closely involved with. We were there with them in February and in March. We helped them rent a place, bought bicycles for them and gave equipment to them.

Aldous wrote about Fred, “I always thank God for his life. He's always been a father, a mentor and a role model to me. He has really brought a lot of transformation into my life and my colleagues in Accra as well.”

Aldous just wrote, “We went to the villages last Sunday from 4:00 pm and we had a wonderful time with them. We had 18 people in the second village and 30 people in the first village. We will be going there tonight as well and we are believing God for great signs to follow us.”

He needs a motorcycle immediately for the village work he is doing. It would be about $1,000 for the bike, helmet and license. Please pray with us for God’s supply for this need.

The student that comes the farthest distance to the Video Bible School, his bicycle broke down. It was beyond repair. Sometimes he came by foot. We helped him buy a new bicycle and he is in class faithfully once again. He sends thanks to you all for helping him.

Vogon, Togo – Pastor Randy & Brigitte
Fred & Debby returned to Vogon in Togo for a Leader’s Conference again this year.

Pastor Randy wrote, “… your coming to Vogon has been a blessing to us so much and I can testify that I have applied it to my ministry and we’re moving in Jesus’ name.”

Parakou, Benin – Pastor Augustin
Pastor Augustin wrote, “Dear Dad and Mama, We are always grateful for all that you are and you will still be for our family and the francophone work.”

He has recently planted a new church in Natitingou. He also has an outreach to the University. We were able to be a part of open-air ministry at the University. He just wrote to say, “…last Sunday we where on the campus for (video) projection and 115 students gave their lives to Christ, Praise the Lord!” He has a couple of Video Bible Schools with us, and we just gave him a couple of more. He is doing a great work.

Kotiala, Mali – Pastor Soumano
Pastor Soumano from Kotiala, Mali, wrote, “From my church members and others Christians are happy to receive the bible school by video. The 2 first years it was only my church, but in this 2009, God open the door to others youth of other denominations in my city. They (are) going on with the different lessons. The video bible school is helping so much my church to be strong. Now twice by week with an additional video projector we are going to have with us more persons to watch the school.”

We gave him a second Video Bible School. During the Easter vacation, he played the video classes all day because the university students wanted to be able to see all of them before resuming their classes. Incredible!

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
We have been trying to arrange with our friends in Burkina for Debby to be their National Women’s Conference speaker for many years. This year it finally worked out. It was a large crowd of women. Debby spoke in English, then our friend, Pastor Zachee, translated it into French and then it was translated into 5 tribal languages for all to hear.

Praise Reports – Answered Prayers
Solomon – we have been praying for this brother who was falsely imprisoned in Benin. We are glad to say that he has finally been released. Pray for him – he has some nerve damage to his one leg and has some problem walking now. Lawson’s Wife – Mission to Nations Church in Accra, Ghana, is where we have had a Bible School. Lawson is one of the young pastors that graduated last fall. After Graduation he asked for prayer for his wife who was having a problem with her ear and loosing her hearing. I was shocked when I saw the large lump on her skull behind her ear. I am glad to report to you that she is entirely healed! The lump is gone and she is hearing perfectly.

Prayer Requests
High Blood Pressure – This seems to be a big problem in West Africa. Please continue to pray for Pastor George in Cotonou, Benin. His uncontrollable Blood Pressure has caused him a number of strokes and paralysis. He is currently disabled at home and not able to be a pastor.

We have worked with Pastor John Gake in Lome, Togo, for a number of years. We have a Video bible School at his church and have done a number of conferences with him. Last December his wife had a stroke from high blood pressure. Please pray for her total healing from paralysis.

We have been praying for years for our former interpreter in Abidjan, Dieudonne. We were saddened to hear that he passed on in February in Togo. He is healed and in heaven with Jesus now. Thank you for all the prays for him. Another very common prayer request is for infertility. Like in Bible times, in West Africa it is a disgrace for a woman not to get pregnant within a few years of marriage. Pastor Zachee would like us all to pray for his wife to get pregnant. She has had tests and treatments, all to no avail. Also pray for the wife of Pastor Augustin. When she does get pregnant, she has not been able to carry the baby to term. Please pray for both of these pastoral couples.

Thank you so much for your continued support in these troubled times. May God Bless you abundantly!