September 2009 - Far East

We continue to send "foreigners" to a "far country" (see 2 Chron. 6:32) for the sake of the Name of our Holy God, and rejoice to see that the students are being challenged to think Biblically. Although two courses went ahead as planned, one of the lecturers was prevented from teaching by the illness of a loved one.  Another was able to work for a month with his contacts in a busy area.  We praise the Lord for His goodness and leading, and bow to His will.  He gives and takes away; He opens and closes doors.  We continue to walk by faith, trusting Him, for this work is HIS WORK, and we are His workmanship.

Antioch Bible Institute: Two Weeks of Training

Dr. J B taught a week of Systematic Theology I, followed by a week of Hermeneutics.  He wrote, "in both weeks they entered into discussion with enthusiasm. I set them homework to do each evening, and they did this with encouraging commitment. I found the time very stimulating, as they are a high calibre group."

How to Write a Research Paper

In terms of practical learning, Dr. B helped the students learn how to write a paper.  He wrote, "In response to their request, I devoted about an hour and a half during the second week to demonstrating to them how to go about writing a research paper. We took an example question, and I showed them how I would go about answering it."

Safe Travel to a Far Country

It's always a challenge for our lecturers to travel to distant lands when they can't speak the language.  God blessed Dr. B with safe travel.  He wrote, "The travel arrangements went entirely smoothly, and the Lord was very good to me on the domestic flights. This was the first time that I had travelled internally without a translator accompanying me, and I must admit that I was nervous. However, someone I knew met me at the airport on my arrival, and although he couldn't speak English, the fact that we were not strangers was a great help. On the return flight I found myself sitting next to a girl from the area who is a student in the UK, in fact in Hull - the home town of both my mother and my wife! She spoke very good English, and she was a Christian! I helped her carry her bags, and she did all the talking that was necessary, so it was a very happy arrangement."

More Foreigners Travel to a Far Country

Bob and Gang will be going to the Far East for two weeks.  Lord willing, they will be opening up a new school with the leaders of a network that we believe is in excess of 500,000 Christians!  Bob will be teaching Systematic Theology Overview and Biblical Theology I, and we've been told to expect about 80 students.  They are also expecting to connect with a man who may be capable of becoming a regular translator for us - a very pressing need.  Please pray for wisdom and discernment to evaluate this man's spiritual maturity, which is necessary in order to translate complicated and deep theological truths.