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What Is
Missing?
Take a look at the beautiful building God has provided for the church in
Tirana, Albania.
Tirana Church Building
Look at it carefully. Part of the
building is painted blood red, depicting the blood of Christ. The chairs in
the auditorium and in the class rooms are red for the same reason.
Architect Flori Pollo, whom I had the privilege of baptizing in 1998, did a
marvelous job designing the building, along with his mother. But the
building is not quite complete.
Notice that there is no sign anywhere. There is nothing to identify the
building with the Church of Christ or with World English Institute. Plans
called for a nice sign costing $3,500, but there was not enough money. In
fact, $19,710 is still owed for construction and furnishings.
Let’s help the church in Tirana reach out
to the community more effectively by putting up a sign.
Three Baptized in Tirana
Twenty teachers taught dozens of WEI students in Tirana this summer, and
three students were baptized into Christ: Irida Ismail, Olti Stojku, and
Sara Cakoni.
Olti and Sara with Artan Xhaferi After Baptism
I had the pleasure of teaching Olti and
Sara after their baptism. What a joy. Each teacher taught six or seven
students, one hour each, Monday through Friday. Two of my Muslim students
were very close to becoming Christians when we left, and it grieved me to
leave them.
If you would like to have a good, satisfying missionary experience before
you die, we encourage you to go to Albania with us next summer.
Leadership Seminar in Lushnja
Bill Morgan is responsible for training more church leaders in Albania than
anyone else. This summer, on August 23, Bill conducted another excellent
leadership training seminar in Lushnja where Tom Bonner serves as
missionary.
This seminar was attended by preachers and Bible teachers from Berati,
Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Kucova, Polican, and Tirana. Such seminars have
contributed greatly toward drawing Albanian church leaders together in a
spirit of brotherly love.
Artan Xhaferi Interprets for Bill
Morgan in Lushnja
Growing WEI Ministry in India
In 2007, G. Prabhu Kumar started studying the WEI courses by e-mail. He was
a preacher, and he wanted to improve his English.
As Prabhu studied the materials, he became excited about the possibilities
of using WEI as an evangelistic tool all over India.
Prabhu’s teacher, Mike Hale, wrote, “Prabhu has big plans. He is highly
impressed with WEI as a method of teaching others. I’ve sent him the money
for printing about 160 full courses. He is running like crazy with the
idea.”
Prabhu wrote, “In the state of Andrapradesh, there are 23 districts and
1,200 Mandals. And in Tamilnadu, there are 31 districts. I am trying to
establish WEI centers in all districts and mandal headquarters in two
states. I feel so happy about our future picture of rapid growth of churches
through our new wave WEI. I believe that our God will help me reach my goal
of 100 centers to save thousands of souls.”
Prabhu started teaching twenty-five WEI students in his home five days a
week. Eleven of them were preachers who worked with Churches of Christ in
the area. There were also two school teachers, six pastors of denominations,
and six persons from various backgrounds.
Forty-five percent of Prabhu’s non-Christian students were baptized into
Christ, including a Hindu woman and U. Tytus Paul, Head Master of a local
elementary school.
At the graduation ceremony, ten of the best students were selected to start
WEI centers at their local congregations.
The Ten Chosen Graduates Pray for
Direction
Eight of these ten graduates have already
established new WEI branches in their districts. Each is teaching
approximately twenty-five students. We are observing the multiplication
principle described in 2 Timothy 2:2.
When K. Raju Babu launched his branch of WEI in Samalkot, he invited Brother
Veerabhadram to be the guest speaker. This respected preacher said, “Since
so many years, I am also trying to learn English, but I can’t. Now, this is
a suitable course for preachers also. And through this, we will teach many
men and women. Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this WEI
class to our place.”
Space does not permit us to tell the whole exciting story. Prabhu and his
associates are off to a good start in India, but the best is yet to come.
The Church Grows in Nigeria
Aniefiok Akpan, Director of WEI in Nigeria, reports that Lovinah Michael
Akpan, a WEI student from Uruk Otong, was baptized into Christ Sept. 28. He
writes, “Lovinah is so excited about her faith and newly established
relationship with the Lord.”
Aniefiok Prays for Lovinah Before Baptizing Her
Aniefiok and his wife, Etang, have
established a WEI center in the city of Abak in Southeastern Nigeria.
Aniefiok is also Principal of Rhema Academy where the WEI Bible and English
courses are a vital part of the curriculum.
He writes, “The newly planted campus congregation at Rhema Academy has
witnessed rapid growth. The church has grown from the initial 10 worshipers
at the inaugural worship service on 6 January, 2008 to 60 worshipers as of
28 September. Twenty-eight of the 34 baptized members are World English
Institute converts.
“Our school has scored 100% in the 2008 Junior School Certificate
Examinations administered by the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Education. All our 34
pioneer students who took the examinations passed with distinction in almost
all the subjects. The greatest success is recorded in English and Bible
knowledge. Again, we are thankful to World English Institute for providing
our school with their wonderful English and Bible lessons.”
New Christians in Cameroon
Obed Anthony, a friend of Aniefiok Akpan and a former teacher at Rhema
Academy, is now using WEI to spread the gospel in Cameroon.
In April, Obed registered twenty-five students and conducted seminars in
Kake Kumba, Mamfe, and Nso. In May, he traveled to various areas in Cameroon
speaking to churches and introducing people to the course. In June, thirteen
new students were registered, bringing the number of WEI students in
Cameroon to seventy-five.
Obed reports that ten students have completed the course, and seven students
“have stopped attending their denominations and now attend worship with the
Church of Christ. Eight persons have been converted using WEI.”
To this point, Obed has worked without support from us. But he is now
looking for a church to sponsor a WEI center in Cameroon the way the WEI
center in Abak, Nigeria is sponsored by the congregation in Gladstone,
Oregon.
It is becoming clear that national preachers can lead far more people to
Christ, using WEI materials, than we can. Postal mail and the Internet both
reach people in places where preachers cannot go, but in areas like Africa
and India where preachers can teach people in person, the results are
impressive.
An Amazing Photo from Peru
Julio Valverdi uses WEI materials to teach mountain people in Northern Peru
as well as people in Lima. Recently, Julio sent several photos related to
his work. The following photo shows a young man named Alex being baptized in
a barrel.
Alex Is Baptized in a Barrel
Language Teacher Baptized
Steve and Ruth Byrne, missionaries in Fier, Albania, report that their
language teacher, Drina, was baptized into Christ. Steve writes: “Once again
we were blessed to use the baptistery at Orikum and to enjoy some time there
with Skender and Vera Mejdaj.”
Drina Is Baptized into Christ
Good
News from Lushnja
Tom Bonner, missionary in Lushnja, Albania, reports the following: “I am
attaching some pictures taken last Sunday surrounding the baptism of
Harallamb (Ari) Gjoka. We had a good outing to Durres for the event. Ari was
a bit apprehensive about baptism in the sea at this time of the year. We
took two vans.”
Tom Baptizes Ari into Christ
New Birth in Nairobi, Kenya
In a recent e-mail, Nkurunziza Jean De La Paix wrote, “I am writing to
report a new baptism of Evans Opande Juma this morning. He is one of the new
WEI students. He is 20 years old. He stays at Kawangware with his uncle
Mageni who was also baptized some months ago through WEI.”
Evans Opande Juma Steps out of
Baptistery
World English
Institute’s Internet program
Bob and Jan Towell
World English Institute’s Internet
program continues to gather students from all over the world. Thanks are due
several who have helped make WEI’s Internet program possible.
Larry Walker of Lubbock, Texas has spent many hours reformatting the
questions on all 12 books so they can be graded by the website
Perry Taylor, WEI teacher in Florence, AL, is also part of Operation 2010
that has identified and targeted nations with no known congregations.
Mongolia is one of those nations. On a recent stay in the capital city of
Ulaanbaatar, William Crossman placed an advertisement for Internet study in
the newspaper which ran for two weeks. Registrations are still coming in. So
far, 286 people in this distant land have registered, and Intros are being
returned.
Dick Ady’s lessons on Christian Evidences are being installed on the
training website.
As another initiative, the Beginner’s course in French will soon be
installed on the website. This installation work is being undertaken by
Jean-Claude Schmidt who is a computer professional, as well as bilingual.
Doyle Kee and Agnes Ruiz of Geneva, Switzerland, translated the Beginner’s
course into French. Doyle is already teaching the Beginner’s course in
French to the Tunisians who responded to the advertisement he placed in the
Tunis newspaper in May, 2008.
David Kee, Doyle and Barbara’s son, has
indicated that there is an enormous interest in learning English among the
people of Madagascar. Starting Sept. 20, advertising will be focused there.
Jonathan Towell and Colby Blaisdell have developed Version 2 of the WEI
website. It will feature several improvements, including the ability to
insert photos, graphics, audio, and video files.
We are grateful to all who teach, who
make the website work, and who contribute money for advertising. Student
registrations have averaged over 500 per month for the past year. –Bob &
Jan
Tom, Angela, Bianca, and Brianna Langley
The WEI 2008 short-term summer missions
have concluded, and we are thankful to God that once again these efforts
have been very fruitful. This summer, over 45 teachers from 10 different
states have traveled to many countries and taught students the word of God
using the WEI materials.
Since 2000, hundreds of teachers have gone out to over 40 different mission
sites all over the world. WEI is truly a “Go into all the world” mission
ministry.
At this time every year, email
testimonials from our WEI short-term mission students begin to flow into our
office. These testimonials are so powerful that I must share with you what
one student wrote: “It’s unbelievable how WEI has totally changed my life
and my way of think. I was at church services last week and I looked to the
others at how much joy they praised the Lord. It didn’t matter their
language, or their social status. All what mattered is they were gathered
there in faith. Because of WEI, God has become so incredible to me. In my
free time, I read the Bible, and I don’t understand some things. Who can
explain to me? I need those lessons! Only when I understand completely will
I be at peace. Until then, I am a trembling leaf under the touch of the
wind. Step by step I start to put my thoughts in order in my head; it was a
catastrophe there before WEI.”
The potential to reach the lost through WEI is virtually unlimited. As we
grow, we have many challenges to meet in order to more effectively
communicate Christ to more people around the globe. Our Internet ministry
needs expanding. We need more advertising funds. We need to replenish our
WEI short-term mission grant. We continue to print more and more materials
and purchase Bibles, and we must continue to recruit and train teachers. We
ask that you pray for us and consider partnering with us as we strive to
meet these challenges of taking God’s word to every nation in the world.
Thank you for your support, prayers, and your love for the lost. ---Tom
& Angela
Dick and Maudine Ady
Troublesome times are here. Our nation is
reeling under the blows of economic and political chaos. Many Americans are
deeply concerned about their future. In the words of Charles Dickens, “These
are the times that try men’s souls.” The whole world feels our pain and
shares in it.
Actually, these are the times that try men’s faith. People who have little
faith are subject to panic when things go wrong. They are tossed to and fro
on the tides of change.
On the other hand, those who put their trust in God feel secure. They sing,
“We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows
roll, fastened to the Rock that cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the
Savior’s love.”
At times like this, we are reminded of the supreme importance of sharing the
Good News about Christ with people everywhere. That is what WEI is all
about. God has opened doors that no one can close. He has battered down
walls that men have erected, and he is using WEI in 192 nations to introduce
people to Christ.
Every time I go to a country like Albania, Cambodia, Kenya, or Myanmar to
teach WEI students, I praise God for the privilege of feeding hungry souls.
Nothing can compare with the joy that comes from leading someone to Christ.
No bond is stronger than the bond between teachers and their students when
students are baptized into Christ and remain faithful to him.
Thank you, dear friends, for partnering with us in this world-wide ministry.
We could do little without your fellowship. Together, with God’s blessing,
we can “go into all the world.”
Money is tight. The Gresham and Maryville offices are both running a deficit
nearly every month. We must raise more money in order to keep this work
going and growing.
However, we put our trust in God and in the generosity of God’s people.
With love and gratitude,
---Dick & Maudine
WEI in Taiwan
Enoch and Jeannine Thweatt are not as young as they used to be, but they are
still spending almost half their time in Taiwan conducting WEI campaigns.
Enoch & Jeannine with Chinese Friends
This summer, as they were preparing to
leave Nashville, Jeannine’s doctor discovered a lump. It was a malignant
tumor. Consequently, Jeannine postponed her trip to Taiwan until after the
final radiation treatment.
Following the final treatment, the doctor
gave Jeannine a clean bill of health. When the doctor and nurse left the
hospital room, Jeannine burst out singing the Hallelujah Chorus. The nurse
rushed back into the room to see what was wrong.
About three days later, on October 3, Enoch and Jeannine boarded an airplane
in Nashville and headed for Taiwan. Mike and Diana Folkerts were there
waiting for them.
Jeaninne writes, “In November, Ryan Campbell will join us in the WEI
program. Ryan has taught the WEI material before, having served a couple of
terms in Mainland China. Later, Lisa Metzer will arrive to spend a couple of
weeks with WEI.
“Also, in November, we will welcome our daughter and her husband, Diane and
Don Johnson, who will work several days with us. They will have just
finished a Medical Missions campaign in Cambodia.
“We appreciate these six volunteers who buy their own plane tickets, who
arrange time off from work, and sacrifice their vacation time, and who have
a heart for the Chinese people. May God bless them, and may he bless their
time in Taiwan.”
Happy Holidays
This is the last issue of WEI Update in 2008. Therefore, all of us at WEI
take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas,
and a Happy New Year.
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