New Missionary Training 40/40

New Missionaries are required to go through an intensive 3 week training course once they reach the field. The emphasis of this training is to help the new missionary value the importance of culture and language learning as well as the importance of personal evangelism. Our newest team member, Ramona Beam, attended 40/40 and this is her description of the experience.


Surviving 40/40
During October and November, I had the opportunity to travel to Burkina Faso in West Africa to attend 40/40, which is a month-long, intensive on-the-field orientation for new personnel serving in the Sub-Saharan Africa Affinity Group.



After some visa issues which delayed my travel for a few days, I arrived in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on a Sunday afternoon and immediately jumped into the training sessions.
The training is divided into three basic parts, each about a week long. The first week consisted of urban training, during which we went out in pairs, with a local translator, to assigned neighborhood to gather information and talk with people. Each day, we were given an assignment to ask questions about different topics, such as health issues, family issues, death and funerals, religion, etc. Each of these daily field assignments, or DFAs was designed to teach us how to ask the right questions to learn about culture when we return to our own places of ministry. We also had many opportunities to share Christ with people we came into contact with. Afternoons were spent in debriefing the morning times, as well as lectures on culture, religion, etc.



For week two, we traveled to Ghana, to the village of Nalerigu where there is a Baptist hospital and guest house. The training followed the same format as the previous week, except this time we were in a rural setting. It was really interesting to me to find that the answers to some of the same questions brought very different answers here in the villages.
A highlight of the week was our formal introduction to the Nayeri, or head chief. We were given an appointment, then at the proper time we were ushered into his receiving room, where he sat with all of the sub-chiefs or village elders. We were given the opportunity to ask him questions, then we were given the traditional gift of a cola nut.



Week three consisted of actually going out by twos and living in a village, with a local family. While this was by far the most physically challenging, with no electricity or running water, sleeping on mats on the floor, and no “facilities”, it was absolutely the most rewarding part of the training. We had the opportunity to get to know our host families, eating what they eat, working alongside them, and learning first-hand about their culture and lives. My partner and I were guests of Rev. George and his family in the village of Sulamboma. This village has over 1,000 people, and Rev. George is pastor of the Baptist church in the village, which has about 100 members.



Having the opportunity to share with this church, I with the ladies, and Becky, my partner, with the youth, was an amazing time.
The final week was spent back in Ouagadougoug, for a time of wrap-up, debriefing, and some additional training.
A highlight for me came during the week in Nalerigu. An excerpt from my journal for that week says, “Yesterday our DFA assignment was to interview someone about medicine and the spirit world. Augustino (our translator) took us to visit a chief here in Nalerigu town. It was all very proper, following the protocols for visiting a chief. We asked for permission to ask questions, then Becky (one of my partners) went through the questions on our list. Augustino had told us before we got there this man was a chief and a traditionalist, so we were surprised to hear that he immediately goes to the hospital when he or his family become ill. However, a bit more probing and he did say that before the hospital came, his grandfather had been a traditional “herbalist”.
Becky asked him if he remembered any stories from his grandfather. Though he didn’t seem to, that opened the door for me to say that we know his people have many stories handed down, and we also have stories. I asked him if we could share a story with him from God’s Word. He told us he has an older sister who follows God. He sees many good things in her life, and he would like to hear these stories. Aha! God had handed us the perfect opportunity to share Creation to Christ! I started and went through the first part, then Suzanne (another partner) took up the story with Jesus and finished out. When we were done, this old chief looked at us and said, ‘I have heard your story, and I thank you for coming to tell me. I want to follow the way of Jesus Christ.’”



In all, our group of 18 new missionaries were able to lead 33 people to Christ during the four weeks of 40/40. So, in addition to all the great information we gained that will help us in our own ministries, there are 33 new believers who will one day join us around the Throne, singing praises to Him who is worthy.

Wildfire churches in Mberengwa

We have just recently returned from a trip to the Mberengwa resettlement area where the gospel is spreading like wildfire!

The first church, you may recall was planted in March when a group of volunteers came from Bryan, TX. to work with us and Pastor I. Shortly after that 97 were baptized in a Shona speaking village area. Among those baptized that day was Mr. M who had heard the gospel was being preached and walked many miles from his Ndebele speaking village area to hear the gospel.

He then returned to his own village and began preaching the gospel! A few weeks later he phoned our convention evangelist (Pastor I. ) to say, “When can you come to my village to preach and baptize. We have more new believers here than the other group does!” So Pastor I. took some Ndebele speaking lay-leaders with him and they preached and baptized about 100 new believers.



Since then, both the Shona speaking church and Ndebele speaking church have begun new churches! There were 6 groups that we knew of, but when we traveled to Mberengwa recently discovered there are now 7!

Pastor I. realized the need for on the ground lay-leaders so he is training two men – Mr. M. who will continue to work with his Ndebele people and Mr. R. who is the man behind so many of the church starts among the Shona people. (Mr. R. is the man in the khaki colored clothes holding the list of people being baptized. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but he was dancing with joy as a friend was being baptized.)



Before the baptism, Pastor I. called the baptismal candidates together to speak to them about what baptism means and that in order to follow Christ, they would be required to leave their old traditional practices behind.



Pastor I. then sent any men who had been directly involved with the ancestor spirits to Gregg for counseling and prayer to break their ties with the spirits. The women were sent to his wife E. and Donna.

On this day, there were 34 new members from several of the congregations who had previously not been baptized. Pastor I. asked Mr. M. (in tie/dye shirt) to assist in the baptism that day so he could learn how to do it properly.



It was a joyful time of celebration as God’s children boldly proclaimed they no longer belonged to the prince of darkness, but the God of Light.

Lesotho

Khotso, Pula, Nala! The traditional greeting of the Basotho people. It means Peace, Rain, and Sufficiency!

In September Gregg and Donna Fort, along with the other Team Leaders and their Wives of the Kingdom to Kingdom Cluster of Southern Africa met together in Lesotho, a small independent kingdom within the country of South Africa. Cindy and Tom Melvin are the Team Leaders for the Basotho people group team who live and work in Lesotho.



It is a very small little country which sits 2,000 feet above sea level at its lowest point. It is made up of rugged rocky mountains on which small villages are nestled.



Lesotho tends to be much cooler than most other African countries. It is the only country in Africa that boasts enough snow to have its own ski resort! The snow melt provides the water supply for the country and they also sell water to South Africa. When you think of Lesotho, some of the things which come to mind are the typical Lesotho hats and blankets worn by many of the folks.



You will also see the “shepherds” or herd boys everywhere watching over their cows, sheep, or goats wearing the “traditional” gum boots and blankets. The Basotho “pony” is a common sight, as it is the main source of transportation in Lesotho. Donkeys are also a means of transport and carrying supplies through the mountains.



Our strategy and inspirational meetings went well. We also had time for games and fellowship. One of the highlights of the trip was going on a “horseback prayer ride” around the villages near the Ramabanta Lodge where we were staying. As we rode the rocky and steep paths and crossed the rivers (when we weren’t praying for God to keep our horses’ feet steady) we prayed for the people and Christian workers of Lesotho.



Please join with us and the Basotho Team in praying for:
· the Basotho to have a true knowledge and understanding of salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
· the Basotho to apply God’s Word to their daily lives.
· unity among the established Baptist Churches.
· God to raise up leaders to be trained as pastors.
· the two Journeymen who live in a remote mountain village – for the new Christians they are discipling, and for God’s leadership in expanding their ministry out into other nearby villages.
· the Melvins and Floras as they initiate new work among the Basotho and seek to live their lives as a testimony to the people of Lesotho.

New Team Member: Ramona Beam

The newest team member of the Zimbabwe Evangelism Team, Ramona Beam was privileged to see God at work in the villages of the re-settlement area of Mberengwa in Southern Zimbabwe. She joined the volunteer team from First Baptist Church, Bryan Texas in going village to village sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, leading discipleship classes for new believers, and helping to start a new church in this dry, mountainous region. Ramona has this to say about her time in Mberengwa:

"For five days, the team, along with missionaries from the Zimbabwe Evangelism Team walked from village to village, stopping in homes and sharing testimonies and the Creation to Christ story. In spite of rugged conditions, sleeping in school classrooms and with no electricity or running water, we were so blessed to be able to work in this area to start a new church.



I am reminded of one widow lady in particular, who had been left with four children to raise, and who had a somewhat bitter outlook on her life. Being a widow myself, I was privileged to share encouragement with her and let her know that Jesus Christ could be her sustainer during the hard and lonely times. I must admit to being somewhat disappointed when she responded that she had heard what I said and appreciated the encouragement, but was not ready to decide at this time.



Imagine my excitement when, that very afternoon, this same lady came to the new believers’ class, and joyfully exclaimed, “I have decided!” Praise God for His working in the hearts of those who hear the Good News!



Friday was our last day in Mberengwa. We were scheduled to leave right after breakfast to return to the city, but Isaac, the national pastor who was heading up the work, asked that we make one more visit to Village 10-C. This village was down a dirt track, in a remote area far away from the school and the other surrounding villages.



I’m so thankful we went! When we arrived, we found not one but two small villages, one on either side of a mountain. So, our team split up, and the group I was with went to one side. There we found Mrs. M. We knew from the first moment that this lady was special. Her enthusiasm was so contagious, and her joy was evident to all. It didn’t take long to discover that she was already a believer, and so much in love with her Lord.



When one of our team asked her if she had shared Jesus Christ with her friends and family, we were met with a blank look, and she replied, “No, I never thought of doing that. Can I do that?” Of course we told her yes, that she could and she should.

She said, “You must come with me!” She then took us to a neighbor’s home, where a young man prayed to receive Jesus Christ into his heart when he heard the story. Praise God for this lady, who now will be an evangelist in her village.

Praise God for the new church that met the following Sunday at the school, with 67 people in attendance!"

Sharing the Good News: Creation to Christ

For the 2nd time this year, First Baptist Church of Bryan Texas has sent a volunteer group to work in the Mberengwa area in Southern Zimbabwe. They worked along side national pastors and lay-leaders sharing the Good News.



Mr. S. has experienced God's mighty and miraculous hand at work in the lives of his son-in-law (bringing him back to life) and his son (ridding him of a strange type of paralysis in his body). Mr. S. received Christ when the team came to his village in March of this year. (His picture is the 4th on April 27 blog - Baptism in Mberengwa.) When he heard that the volunteers were coming back to start a church in a neighboring area about 8 kilometers from his own, he walked over and spent the week with them sharing his own testimonies of God's power and grace!



The volunteers came equipped to use the Creation to Christ witnessing presentation and the people in the villages were deeply touched. In some areas people who had heard the story went with the volunteers to the next village so they could hear the story again! One lady who was a Christian testified that she had never witnessed to anyone else and she was thankful that these volunteers showed her that she should also be out telling people the Good News. She joined the group and went with them to witness to her neighbors.

One team met a young lady who was trying to sell tomatoes to a neighbor. The neighbor lady was out trying to find her cows so the tomato seller was waiting for her to come home. In the meantime the team shared Creation to Christ with the tomato seller and she came to know the LORD! Praise God for working it all out in his perfect timing!



During 4 short days many people came to know Christ and discipleship classes were offered to new Christians in the afternoon. There was a class for men, another for women, and a third for young people. Youth pastor Randy Biddlecombe shared with the young people how to follow Christ and included a lesson on sexual purity as well.



There are others however, who continue to cling to the old ways and beliefs. Pray that God’s power and light will become very real to them and they also will come to a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.

Compelled to Serve

Growing up in Botswana and Zimbabwe as a missionary kid was an amazing growing and learning experience that has helped broaden my view of the world.
This summer I was given the awesome opportunity to return to Zimbabwe after having left six years ago to move to Richmond, VA.



Even after being gone all these years and all the changes that have occurred (like toll booths and getting a mixture of rand and US dollars for change in the stores) it felt so familiar and natural for me to be there. Oh how I have missed worshipping with my Zimbabwean brothers and sisters in Christ while being in the USA.

It is truly a blessing! I had my fill of sadza, boerewors, and coke in a glass bottle.



I even tried a Mopani worm again and yes it still tasted disgusting!



Being in medical school (now in my second year) I was so excited to learn more about health care in Zimbabwe and gain some experience in that area.



I was prepared for the poor conditions but it didn’t lessen the shock of seeing the overwhelming need. I was able to work with the Beaty’s the last two weeks I was in Zimbabwe doing eye clinics in and around Bulawayo. I saw my first eye surgery, gave my first eye block (injection under the eye to block all sensation to the eye) and so much more! But by far an experience that stands out to me occurred at Mater Dei hospital in Bulawayo. Uncle Steve (Dr. Beaty) was conducting cataract surgery that day and I was helping out by doing the “very difficult task” of dilating people’s eyes before they go in to see him. This may be too complicated for you to understand if you’re not in the medical world but you have to tell the person to look up and put 2 drops of atropine in their eye! Phew, now that’s hard! Well, I was doing my very important, difficult task when I started talking to the patient (the fourth that day) whose eyes I had just dilated. He was nervous about the procedure and needed a little assurance. In the middle of our conversation he looked up at me and asked quite genuinely “I wonder why Dr. Beaty pays all this money to come over here and do these surgeries for free” (do I hear opportunity knocking or what?!). I told him simply that it was because of grace; Uncle Steve had been shown so much grace and love by Christ Jesus that he can’t help but want to do the same for others. How can he not when he’s been forgiven and loved so much! The man was contemplative and we talked a while longer before he was called for his exam.



That is what it’s all about isn’t it? We are not good saviors coming to help poor heathens. We are wretched sinners, forgiven and loved thanks to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s love compels us to share His love and grace with others!

Submitted by Sarah Fort

Sanyati Baptist Hospital Makeover Team Part Two

(If you haven't read Part One, scroll down and read that first. I'm still learning about blogs. . . I could only put five pictures in one blog so I had to divide this blog in half to get all the pictures in.)

As the Sanyati Hospital Makeover Team examined each hallway and room, it was obvious how much repair work was needed at the hospital which had probably not seen any serious repairs done since 1980.



The chapel is one of the rooms that every patient as well as his relatives see. It is the place where the day begins as all those in the hospital come for daily devotions and prayer. The team felt it only right to put God and His work first by making the renovation of the chapel their first priority.



After an inspection of the hospital, the volunteers met with Mark Hatfield of Baptist Global Response (pictured below) as well as Zimbabwe missionaries Dr. Mark Byler, Gregg Fort, and Barry Robinson to discuss long range planning.




Determining that this would be a five year project (2011-2015) helped the team begin to break down the job into smaller projects.

In February 2011 the newly purchased solar electrical system will be installed by volunteers who are already making plans to come.

In May 2011 the project will begin in earnest as the first team coming hopes to get a good start on the renovation of the chapel. Other 2011 teams will complete the work.

It is hoped that 6 teams of 12-15 workers will be able to come in 2011 and during each of the four consecutive years to complete the renovation of the entire hospital.



Peter Sierson, project manager, says when he agreed to the job he never dreamed what a mammoth task it would be. He says he feels like David going up against Goliath, and he doesn’t even have any stones! He is excited and fearful all at the same time. As we prayed together Peter prayed, “God has given us a dream and a vision. We must believe that God will provide the spiritual, physical, financial, and human resources needed to complete the task.”

One man prayed that as nationals and volunteers worked side by side that a oneness and spiritual renewal would occur at Sanyati that would spread throughout all the Baptist Churches, the Baptist Convention, and the country of Zimbabwe as a whole.



Another prayed, “Bless this project from the first nail driven to the last floor swept.”

The closing prayer, “Lord, grant that the greatest days of the Sanyati Baptist Hospital are still ahead. May they continue to reach out in a mighty way to meet the spiritual and physical needs of those who come for treatment.”

If you or anyone you know of is skilled in renovation and might want to participate in this project please contact Peter Sierson at this e-mail address: psierson@charter.net

If you would like to see how you can help through Baptist Global Response, check out their website: www.baptistglobalresponse.com