Volume 2 Issue 30 January to March 2016 MISSION WORK REPORT BENIN HIGHLIGHT OF ACTIVITIES Concrete Fence Wall under construction We are undertaking a major construction project: putting a concrete fence wall around our 18 acre property. This is to provide security for our investments and also secure our property. So far, a short four feet wall is made around all the property upon which we continue to build to the height of 10 feet in some places. Workers laying the brick walls As at February 2016 January: Trenches for the foundation of the fence walls were dug by hand. Progress in February 2016 As at March 2016
2 Church building needing a roof The building above is the meeting place of the church in the village of Eglime. It was build more than 5 years ago but has no roof. They needed a little help to buy tin roofing sheets and nails. They would provide the wood and pay for the labor. leaders for a meeting to look at some of the challenges facing the Benin churches. Our present major challenge as the number of congregations grow is the provision of places of worship. Over one hundred men attended the meeting. On our updated list of local churches, we have 101 as at December 31, 2015. Of that number only 40 own a piece of land or a meeting place. Every one of them look to me to raise funds to provide them a meeting place. Something that has become a burden for me. I have noticed a tradition among the people of Benin, that is, when there is a need, all those in the community come together and each person bring his or her financial participation for the project. (The closest I can think of is a baby shower in the USA). The meeting took place on February 26 and 27. On Friday afternoon the 26, I made a presentation on the state of the Benin Churches, listing the challenges. On Saturday, the theme was on What is the way forward? After five boisterous hours of discussions, we all agreed that we must do something to solve the problem of the brethren who are worshiping in places that do not honor the name of Christ. At the end, a group of men including preachers and church leaders were chosen to raise money from the local congregations to help put up meeting places for those who are in dire need. From our work funds, we have provided some of the roofing sheets. These are being carted on motorbikes. More tin needed. Members of the Azove congregation where I worshipped on the weekend of February 14 Church leaders meet on BTC campus for a two days working session We did something we had never done before. Invite all the gospel preachers and church In Pictures above are the men at the meeting
3 MEETINGS AND PLANNING SESSIONS In the first quarter of the year under review, I have to chair several meetings held most of the time on campus. We have accommodation for those out of town and space making it convenient. Crowds listening to the gospel at night time preaching in the open air I am in a meeting with the Committee comprised of BTC graduates who were assigned the task of preparing the BTC ALUMNI Association documents. Members of the Sedje congregation listening to me make a PowerPoint presentation on making disciples. BTC students folding tracts for distribution Another church building needing a roof Honore, in red baptized these new Christians through the Gospel Chariot ministry The Gospel Chariot team have started three congregations in the last three months. Now we are shuttling preachers and resources to take care of the new Christians. Two started near Save and one just out of Cotonou.
4 3 rd year BTC students writing a test Above and below. Above is the old and new meeting places in Allada. We provided funds for from our work fund for the restoration. One of our congregations in worship. Brother Appolinaire of Azove church and his wife sharing the gospel with their neighbors. This is what I have been pushing for during the past 12 months. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). Our goal is to have as many brethren as possible teaching the gospel to their neighbors and family members. I call this making disciples. BTC Staff meeting at beginning of semester Ruth, reading the minutes of the previous meeting of the Academic committee
5 A new meeting place in Sinaou paid for by the Pearland, TX Church of Christ. VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA I travelled to South Africa, 22 to 31 March at the invitation of my good friend Tebogo to attend the annual South African International Lectureship. Below is a picture of those in attendance, from 11 countries. The theme was on Breaking New Grounds based on the book of Galatians. More than 2,500 attended. Daniel Barka of Parakou church reported three baptisms Dr. Mac Lynn of Nations University Gervais, minister of the Bazoukpa church and World Radio preacher reported several baptisms. Let me confess that thanks to FACEBOOK, am able to follow the work of some of our graduates like Gervais and the others. As at December 2015, 101 congregations had been listed, the number is already up. I took part in the graduation ceremony of the students of Nations University in Pretoria on 25 March. I got to the building only to see my name on the program. To read the charges to the graduating students. Well, I do this every year so it took 5 minutes to prepare. A very colorful and solemn ceremony it was.
6 living at a trade while preaching the gospel. Kado above sells motorcycle spare parts, while Parfait owns a sowing shop. Others are repairing cell phones, one has a coffee shop. I do get all kinds of calls. In picture above is a former Muslim convert, now a denominational preacher who took the WBS courses from a teacher in the USA. The teacher sent him my email address, he wrote and I sent him my number. We met and after several studies, he has applied to come to BTC for training in July. One question he asked me is if I know there are so many people following religious error? Zebe church of Christ after worship on February 7 BTC students learning to repair computers If you desire to chip in some money into this mission, put up a roof or for the fence wall, please call David on 270-540-1942 PUBLISHED BY GEORGE AKPABLI Missionary and Director of the Benin Bible Training Center EGLISE DU CHRIST AU BENIN B. P. 01-3268 R. P. COTONOU, BENIN. WEST AFRICA E-mail: akpabli@yahoo.com In pictures above are two of the seven BTC graduates sponsored financially by the family of Daphne Craycraft of Crocket, TX to earn a F.A.C.E. FOUNDATION P. O. Box 454 Benton, KY 42025 270-540-1942 -Visit our Webb site www.frenchafricanmissions.com