Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the wonderful name of the Lord. Hoping and praying this letter finds all of you well and serving our Savior. God is good and will always be good, amen.
Is has been a busy year so far. We have seen many decisions for our King, for salvation, for full time service, and to just get right and stop complaining. Remember the Lord does not like it when we complain, it displeases Him, especially when He supplies all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.
The trip down under to Australia was wonderful with so many decisions for the Lord. Special thanks go out to Pastors Tom Gonderman, and Mark Tossell who made us feel so welcomed, and to all the members, brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving our God on the other side of the world. Now we have partners in reaching the people of Africa from Australia, God is Great.
We are packing the next container and have it almost filled and ready to go. We have so many things to put in it, so it looks as if we will have to save most of what we have for the next one. Pray as we prioritize. Thanks to Larry Waye for filing this need of organizing and packing the containers. Thanks also goes out to Dr. Rene Freret and the BEAMS ministry for helping us ship Bibles to Africa. As I sit here and think of all the Lord has done, I am overwhelmed at the people that have sacrificed in helping us. Thank you for being our partners in this Commission.
Time is flying by and the summer will be here. Kevin Pestke, our missionary at Kafulafuta, sent me a note saying he needs to buy the maize now as the value of the Kwacha is high right now. As many of you know, we host a Bible Conference in the "bush" every August. It begins with VBS for three days and nights with 2,000 kids. Many of the children come from far away and will bring their bed rolls, and pots and pans to this event. We feed them while they are here (three meals a day), and have a wonderful time just sharing the love of Jesus with each of them. Then the adults will come in for the next five days for preaching, teaching, and discipleship. Seventeen messages along with teaching classes will be going on . We are expecting around 8,000 to attend. That's right; they sleep on the ground, for old fashion preaching. PLEASE help. We need this ASAP as Kevin needs to begin to purchase the food. Just $1 will feed one person for the entire week. But if 10,000 are coming, well do the math, we need $10,000. PLEASE HELP!!!
As time passes, and the work grows and grows in Africa, needs appear on a daily basis. The copiers have gone down and it takes much effort and finances to keep the Institutes going with paper and class notes, etc. The vehicles we have are old and kept running by a wing and a prayer. We sure need money for them as well. I could go on and on with need after need. God knows, so I am asking you to please pray and allow the Lord to speak to your heart about getting involved with and partnering with IAM to be that Bridge of Hope to the people in Africa. Thank you so much for your prayers for us as we continue to serve and complete the task the Lord has given us till HE comes. We love you and thank the Lord for each of you.
In Jesus Name,
Bobby and Becky Bonner
P.S. Pray for our trip this summer, July-end of August, to 6 different countries.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
News from Turkey!
Gateway Newsletter: May 16, 2009
Greetings to you all in the name of our King! Praise our Lord for what He is doing among the Zazas, Kurmanjis and Turks!
Multi-Partner Project in Sodom and Ova: First ever of its kind in Eastern Turkey!
Dr. Müjdeci, “E.” of G.E.S., two brothers and two sisters of Beytel Church, along with two Americans, two other Turks, and a team of six Netherlanders headed out to Sodom[i] then to Ova[ii] the end of April through beginning of May.
Athletes in Action teamed up with Gateway to do sports programs in both Sodom and Ova and the Lord opened doors for the programs to go forward. The team was protected from physical harm however, there was some opposition by authorities that caused one day of activities to be canceled. Here was some feedback from the trip by the Turks who joined:
1. “We should continue to do it (projects like these). God organized this project and it will go better every time.”
2. “It was good to see Dr. Müjdeci work in this area. I learned a lot from him.”
3. “I prayed a long time about the East. I had a strong desire to go there. God answered my prayer and gave me the chance to go.”
4. “The prayer and worship time with 17 people from different countries was wonderful. It was great to worship the same God.”
5. “I learned that we can make plans, but everything is in God’s hands. We should pray more.”
6. “I liked the sports program. It should be done on a regular basis.”
7. “The people in the villages will never forget what we gave them.”
8. “I think always about how I can share the gospel. On this trip I saw some Christians think the same way as I do, that encouraged me.”
9. “I hope you will keep organizing trips like this.”
Here were some comments made by the Dutch:
1. “I learned that we should go in front of God… He leads us.”
2. “I learned that I don’t have to be perfect before God can use me.”
3. “I saw in this project the love for each other and the power that we have together in Christ.”
4. “I learned that God is preparing me and that He will bless the steps I take in faith.”
5. “I believe God is preparing me for Turkey.”
6. “I learned how to behave as a leader between different cultures.”
7. “When Satan tries to attack, God makes a better plan!”
8. “I learned to pray constantly.”
9. “It was good to see that the organization was flexible to God’s plan.”
10. “I really liked the unity in our team.”
Two new baptisms at Beytel West:
On Easter Sunday Beytel West baptized two new brothers K. and A. The leadership at Beytel West has also decided to prepare K. for pastoral ministry. Pray for these two newly baptized brothers, their families are Muslim and they face much opposition both physically and spiritually.
Zacchaeus Medical Project:
Two girls with a skin disease will be coming to Istanbul for medical treatments. Please pray for the travels of the two girls and their father from Twin Mountain Province[iii] to Istanbul. At the end of this month Dr. Müjdeci, J. of G.E.S. and others of Beytel West will be taking the two young girls for medical treatments. Pray that we will be used as ambassadors for the King to this family and that they may come to know our King in a personal way.
Urgent Prayer Request:
Those of the apartment complex where “E.” lives in (Beytel East) are trying to force him to move out. Once again he has been on the look out for a new place to live and set up a new place of operations for Beytel. I believe this is the 5th time we have had to move him. Now the complaints are that there are too many foreigners that visit him. Again we know that this is a spiritual attack, but it is very expensive and time consuming to move every few months.
Need:
We need to purchase a building that we cannot be thrown out of.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
J. of G.E.S.
To support Gateway’s trips to the East, Zacchaeus Projects, Beytel and Christian Resources in Turkish: (Or help purchase a building for us.)
Attention all supporters:
EFT Online Donations Now Available
All donations can be made online through New Horizons Foundation: http://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&Itemid=5
More detailed information about EFT transfers: EFT Bank transfer Credit/Debit Card Donations. The 15th of every month donations to Gateway can be electronically withdrawn. One can decide in giving if their electronic gift will be a one time gift or monthly. The transaction date for monthly gifts is on the 15th of every month. What is needed is the credit/debit card information (Name, Expiration date, Card Number). If the transfer will be made from a Bank account; a routing number and account number will be needed. Remember the project of the donation is Gateway Missions.
Checks can be made out to: New Horizons Foundation Inc.
(FBO Gateway Missions)
Sent to: New Horizons Foundation, Inc.
4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
To check out the latest pictures and info please go to our Face book page.
Face book: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1376664116&ref=profile
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org (currently being updated)
[i]Sodom is a code name for the area that we are doing a church plant among Kurmanji speaking Kurds Beytel East and NUT school East.
[ii]Ova is a province where we have been doing medical projects for over 3 years. (Zazaki speaking Kurds)
[iii]Another province where we are doing medical projects among Kurmanji speaking Kurds.
Greetings to you all in the name of our King! Praise our Lord for what He is doing among the Zazas, Kurmanjis and Turks!
Multi-Partner Project in Sodom and Ova: First ever of its kind in Eastern Turkey!
Dr. Müjdeci, “E.” of G.E.S., two brothers and two sisters of Beytel Church, along with two Americans, two other Turks, and a team of six Netherlanders headed out to Sodom[i] then to Ova[ii] the end of April through beginning of May.
Athletes in Action teamed up with Gateway to do sports programs in both Sodom and Ova and the Lord opened doors for the programs to go forward. The team was protected from physical harm however, there was some opposition by authorities that caused one day of activities to be canceled. Here was some feedback from the trip by the Turks who joined:
1. “We should continue to do it (projects like these). God organized this project and it will go better every time.”
2. “It was good to see Dr. Müjdeci work in this area. I learned a lot from him.”
3. “I prayed a long time about the East. I had a strong desire to go there. God answered my prayer and gave me the chance to go.”
4. “The prayer and worship time with 17 people from different countries was wonderful. It was great to worship the same God.”
5. “I learned that we can make plans, but everything is in God’s hands. We should pray more.”
6. “I liked the sports program. It should be done on a regular basis.”
7. “The people in the villages will never forget what we gave them.”
8. “I think always about how I can share the gospel. On this trip I saw some Christians think the same way as I do, that encouraged me.”
9. “I hope you will keep organizing trips like this.”
Here were some comments made by the Dutch:
1. “I learned that we should go in front of God… He leads us.”
2. “I learned that I don’t have to be perfect before God can use me.”
3. “I saw in this project the love for each other and the power that we have together in Christ.”
4. “I learned that God is preparing me and that He will bless the steps I take in faith.”
5. “I believe God is preparing me for Turkey.”
6. “I learned how to behave as a leader between different cultures.”
7. “When Satan tries to attack, God makes a better plan!”
8. “I learned to pray constantly.”
9. “It was good to see that the organization was flexible to God’s plan.”
10. “I really liked the unity in our team.”
Two new baptisms at Beytel West:
On Easter Sunday Beytel West baptized two new brothers K. and A. The leadership at Beytel West has also decided to prepare K. for pastoral ministry. Pray for these two newly baptized brothers, their families are Muslim and they face much opposition both physically and spiritually.
Zacchaeus Medical Project:
Two girls with a skin disease will be coming to Istanbul for medical treatments. Please pray for the travels of the two girls and their father from Twin Mountain Province[iii] to Istanbul. At the end of this month Dr. Müjdeci, J. of G.E.S. and others of Beytel West will be taking the two young girls for medical treatments. Pray that we will be used as ambassadors for the King to this family and that they may come to know our King in a personal way.
Urgent Prayer Request:
Those of the apartment complex where “E.” lives in (Beytel East) are trying to force him to move out. Once again he has been on the look out for a new place to live and set up a new place of operations for Beytel. I believe this is the 5th time we have had to move him. Now the complaints are that there are too many foreigners that visit him. Again we know that this is a spiritual attack, but it is very expensive and time consuming to move every few months.
Need:
We need to purchase a building that we cannot be thrown out of.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
J. of G.E.S.
To support Gateway’s trips to the East, Zacchaeus Projects, Beytel and Christian Resources in Turkish: (Or help purchase a building for us.)
Attention all supporters:
EFT Online Donations Now Available
All donations can be made online through New Horizons Foundation: http://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&Itemid=5
More detailed information about EFT transfers: EFT Bank transfer Credit/Debit Card Donations. The 15th of every month donations to Gateway can be electronically withdrawn. One can decide in giving if their electronic gift will be a one time gift or monthly. The transaction date for monthly gifts is on the 15th of every month. What is needed is the credit/debit card information (Name, Expiration date, Card Number). If the transfer will be made from a Bank account; a routing number and account number will be needed. Remember the project of the donation is Gateway Missions.
Checks can be made out to: New Horizons Foundation Inc.
(FBO Gateway Missions)
Sent to: New Horizons Foundation, Inc.
4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
To check out the latest pictures and info please go to our Face book page.
Face book: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1376664116&ref=profile
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org (currently being updated)
[i]Sodom is a code name for the area that we are doing a church plant among Kurmanji speaking Kurds Beytel East and NUT school East.
[ii]Ova is a province where we have been doing medical projects for over 3 years. (Zazaki speaking Kurds)
[iii]Another province where we are doing medical projects among Kurmanji speaking Kurds.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
News from Botswana
Dear Loved Ones,
We are ever so thankful for the tools God has given us for the ministry in Botswana. Every day, we are more convinced that God is working throughout our school. This week, we have the privilege of hosting a family that lives in a nation where the access one might have for ministry is restricted. We are amazed at how they live, work and the faith that they have deep in their hearts. How wonderful it is that they can share that openly in our the country of Botswana and at The Learning Centre School this week.
We have already seen at least five students come to Christ this week. Those students have specifically come to us and told us they acknowledged their need of a Saviour and accepted the gift God has prepared for any who seek Him. We are asking God to grow them strong in His word and in the knowledge of His will. We are praying that God will give us the strength and wisdom to help them. We are longing for Him to give us creativity in our ministry endeavors and that we might learn how He would have us to reach into this culture each day.
Thank you for praying for us. Please continue to pray this week as we finish out our spiritual emphasis week. We are asking God for changed lives. It would be so great to see a movement of God among the young men of our school.
Our church continues its steady pace. Weekly we are blessed and thankful at God’s work in the people of Desert Streams Baptist Fellowship, but we would ask you to join us in praying for our people to commit their lives wholly and completely to Him. Pray that they would become a mighty army of believers to share the love of Christ all around this city and throughout Africa. Pray for Steve and I as we study the Word and lean into the Lord for wisdom to follow Him as He would desire us to follow.
Tomorrow our Devin is 23 years old. We love him so much and desire God’s best for His life. Please remember him in prayer as well.
We treasure your prayers, enjoy your emails and count it a privilege to partner with you for souls around this world. We are also praying for each of our partners as you struggle with the current financial situations. We pray that God will bless your church as it honors its commitment to mission around the world as well as at home.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin Workman
We are ever so thankful for the tools God has given us for the ministry in Botswana. Every day, we are more convinced that God is working throughout our school. This week, we have the privilege of hosting a family that lives in a nation where the access one might have for ministry is restricted. We are amazed at how they live, work and the faith that they have deep in their hearts. How wonderful it is that they can share that openly in our the country of Botswana and at The Learning Centre School this week.
We have already seen at least five students come to Christ this week. Those students have specifically come to us and told us they acknowledged their need of a Saviour and accepted the gift God has prepared for any who seek Him. We are asking God to grow them strong in His word and in the knowledge of His will. We are praying that God will give us the strength and wisdom to help them. We are longing for Him to give us creativity in our ministry endeavors and that we might learn how He would have us to reach into this culture each day.
Thank you for praying for us. Please continue to pray this week as we finish out our spiritual emphasis week. We are asking God for changed lives. It would be so great to see a movement of God among the young men of our school.
Our church continues its steady pace. Weekly we are blessed and thankful at God’s work in the people of Desert Streams Baptist Fellowship, but we would ask you to join us in praying for our people to commit their lives wholly and completely to Him. Pray that they would become a mighty army of believers to share the love of Christ all around this city and throughout Africa. Pray for Steve and I as we study the Word and lean into the Lord for wisdom to follow Him as He would desire us to follow.
Tomorrow our Devin is 23 years old. We love him so much and desire God’s best for His life. Please remember him in prayer as well.
We treasure your prayers, enjoy your emails and count it a privilege to partner with you for souls around this world. We are also praying for each of our partners as you struggle with the current financial situations. We pray that God will bless your church as it honors its commitment to mission around the world as well as at home.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin Workman
Thursday, April 30, 2009
South O' Border - May
South O' Border
DR. & MRS LONNIE C. SMITH Sr.
Missionaries to Mexico
May 2009
Dear Friends in Christ:
This month over 350 pastors, their wives and family celebrated the annual Pastor’s Retreat of the BBF of Mexico in the beautiful city of Villa Hermosa in southern Mexico. The services were great as was the preaching. It was a time of relaxation and Godly fellowship. The pastors approved Bro. Ignacio Guillen as a representative Evangelist for the BBFM. This is still another project of the mission endeavor of the BBFM.
Also this month our good friend Al Williams from OK brought us three more spinet pianos for the churches of Mexico. They have already been distributed to the works that needed them. One went to a church in Monterrey, another to a church in Victoria, Tam. And still another was placed in Reynosa. This brings a total of over 40 pianos that Bro. Al has been able to donate to the work in Mexico. Thanks Bro. Al.
We are proud to inform you that all10,000 student booklets and other materials for this year’s 70 DVBS have been distributed to the churches and missions that will be conducting these schools. The pastors and full time workers will have time to study the material and prepare the teachers needed to have successful DVBS again this year. Many souls have been saved through this program. We are thankful for the many friends and churches that have donated to this project over the years. God is keeping the record of those saved and the rewards will be accredited to your account. We still could use some help on the finances, just $60.00 will sponsor one DVBS.
Beloved once again we thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and support for our ministry. God continues to bless with souls and believers following our Lord in baptism. We praise God for continued health and strength to continue doing our work as missionaries. We realize that the economy is not good, but our faith is in the Lord who has and will supply all our need.
Yours for souls in Mexico
Lonnie & Margie Smith
DR. & MRS LONNIE C. SMITH Sr.
Missionaries to Mexico
May 2009
Dear Friends in Christ:
This month over 350 pastors, their wives and family celebrated the annual Pastor’s Retreat of the BBF of Mexico in the beautiful city of Villa Hermosa in southern Mexico. The services were great as was the preaching. It was a time of relaxation and Godly fellowship. The pastors approved Bro. Ignacio Guillen as a representative Evangelist for the BBFM. This is still another project of the mission endeavor of the BBFM.
Also this month our good friend Al Williams from OK brought us three more spinet pianos for the churches of Mexico. They have already been distributed to the works that needed them. One went to a church in Monterrey, another to a church in Victoria, Tam. And still another was placed in Reynosa. This brings a total of over 40 pianos that Bro. Al has been able to donate to the work in Mexico. Thanks Bro. Al.
We are proud to inform you that all10,000 student booklets and other materials for this year’s 70 DVBS have been distributed to the churches and missions that will be conducting these schools. The pastors and full time workers will have time to study the material and prepare the teachers needed to have successful DVBS again this year. Many souls have been saved through this program. We are thankful for the many friends and churches that have donated to this project over the years. God is keeping the record of those saved and the rewards will be accredited to your account. We still could use some help on the finances, just $60.00 will sponsor one DVBS.
Beloved once again we thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and support for our ministry. God continues to bless with souls and believers following our Lord in baptism. We praise God for continued health and strength to continue doing our work as missionaries. We realize that the economy is not good, but our faith is in the Lord who has and will supply all our need.
Yours for souls in Mexico
Lonnie & Margie Smith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)