Fellow harvester
So much is happening at once. How do I begin to explain what we are seeing and the exciting challenges that lie ahead?
There is a burning desire for biblical training and ministry skills training. It has been over 10 years since the first attempt to start a Bible school was shut down. It was a wrong place and wrong time situation and much has changed since then. That break has created a deepening hunger to try again, and that is why we are here.
A new site has been selected, funds have been raised, and land has been purchased. Now we have begun work on the new buildings, but I will share more about that at a later time when I can tell you more than the fact that we are building a road into the property so materials can be delivered.
In the meantime, we have begun training. Because of the break in training, more than half of the pastors have received no training. They are lay people who serve and are crying to learn so they can serve better. To show you just how deep this desire and hunger is, here is a snapshot of what has been happening.
In the first month, the pastors and leaders in the area where we lived asked if we could start a night school for them. I selected some material and suddenly had over 20 people the first night. Nine finished the material and lessons. At the same time, a group of ladies approached Nancy to do a Saturday Bible study. She has had 14 faithful women attending this.
In a previous letter I shared about how men walked two days to attend a class. Then we went to Fugwa, another required family trip that we combined with a chance to do some teaching. Fifty men and women came, many walking a full day from some of the farther villages to attend. And they say that when we return we will have over 100 that will come.
Then I made a trip to Alia where 30 men and women came for the two days of teaching. These seminars are now developing into an extension program that combines intense seminars on key topics and correspondence courses in other areas. And just yesterday I received two large packets of answer sheets from Fugwa with a request for the next set of materials and dates for another seminar.
Plans are underway to involve another missionary SE in this program. We will make a trip to Wopasali for this and I have a trip planned for Port Moresby. We now have 60 people officially enrolled in the extension program. That number could easily double in the next couple of months. Plans are underway to hold a seminar a month rotating between the different stations. So much need and hunger for the word.
It makes us wonder how many will apply to the Bible school and how to handle selecting people. We are hoping for 6-10 in the first year. Only men, because of the limited space at this time, but more and with their families as funds make it possible to build the housing needed.
There is another challenge that we are dealing with. I am the only full-time staff. Others may be able to help occasionally. So running the Bible school, and the extension program will be a challenge. Pray that we will find national leaders in each location that can help with the training as supervisors and teachers.
God is working. Our job is to follow his leading and do our best.
Thanks for praying
Perry J
How does one respond to the need for teaching? How do you prepare yourself to meet those needs? What experiences can you explore now so you will be ready when the need for training arises? How important is it to be able to adapt what you have learned to the needs you will encounter?