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November/December 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
It is with great pleasure that we write you at the end of this
year. 2008 has been a very productive year for us. The country
has remained calm; thus allowing us to continue the development
of our ministries. We are truly thankful for your prayers and
support. Bingerville
Church The Bingerville
church took many important steps this year. Our church is
arriving at financial autonomy. There were many months during
the year where we met budget without my contributions. With just
a little more growth, the church should be financially self
supporting. We were able to add a sixth missionary family to our
missions program. As well, we have laid the groundwork to start
a new church in the village Zanaplédougou in January through the
Bingerville church . Please continue to pray with us that the
Lord would direct us concerning the future pastor for the
Bingerville church.
Bible College Our Bible
College is transitioning into a full fledged training center for
those pursuing the ministry. We are reorganizing the
administration as well as the courses necessary for each major.
Each course is also being arranged in such a way as to be
available in a correspondence mode as well as the traditional
mode. We are laying the ground work now for the construction of
a Bible College building with dormitories in 2011.
Publication Center
The Publication Center is increasing in importance in the
overall ministry here in Côte d’Ivoire. We are publishing
manuals regarding ordinations, missions programs, and church
finances. These will be a great help to all our local churches
in the country. We are looking into publishing some books that
have gone out of print. As well, we are translating books from
English to French. There is a significant lack of materials
available in French, and we are continuing to overcome that
problem. Clinic
ministry Our clinic
ministry has had to go through many challenges this past year.
Our doctor has spent most of the year in medical administration
training at the University of Alexandria. This will help us
immensely in the long term, but it has been challenging in his
absence. He will soon finish and be back with us full time. In
the meantime, we have done much to prepare for a great year in
2009. We just received a 40 foot container with $340,000.00 in
medical supplies and equipment that only cost us a total of
$1,000.00. The two buildings that the district is building are
nearing completion. We hope to open a maternity, hospital rooms,
and a laboratory in these new buildings. We have many good
candidates to join our clinic staff as we expand. Our colleague
Kristine McLaughlin will soon be arriving to direct our nursing
staff and to help with the overall administration of the clinic.
As well, we have greatly improved our ability to evangelize
those who come.
Literacy classes Our
literacy program is in full swing with 150 adults. These adults
are visiting our church according to the course program and many
are coming to Christ. Our literacy school has been recognized by
the government as the best program in our region. We hope to
expand what we can offer as well as our evangelism when we are
in our new school building.
Pastor’s Fellowship
This year, we were able to have our first conference/camp with
our pastors and their wives. The teaching during the week was on
the theme of the Christian home. It was a tremendous time of
learning and fellowship. We look forward to another conference
in January.
Construction Our school
building is nearing completion. We hope to pour the roof the
first week of January. From there we will finish the interior
items. Upon completing the roof, we will go back to the
construction of the permanent church building. It is our goal to
finish both buildings in 2009. Please pray that the Lord would
supply the means to do so.
It has been a blessing serving for you in Côte d’Ivoire. We
anticipate another terrific year in service for 2009. All of
this is possible thanks to your prayers and support. Our prayers
are certainly with you.
Most sincerely in Christ,
Robert C. Mach
B.P. 551
Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire
W. Africa
Tel/fax 011-225-22-40-10-26
RobertCMach@cs.com |
