'For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Matthew 25: 35-36

As we come to the end of the year, on behalf of Valley of Truth Learning Centre, I take this time to appreciate our sponsors (White Grandma, Aunty Debora, Susan and other friends who have been holding up our hands when we were almost  hanging them down, wiping away our sorrowful tears   and above all standing in prayers with us  for the vision of this school to come to pass.

First, I take this opportunity to thank you all for your many support  to us.  When the school kids were without school uniform. You clothed them and they are now very smart and admirable. When the  kids  were going without Feeding Programme,  you decided to be  providing us with food. A  time came when the cost of food   doubled  , you denied yourself many things and doubled the money for feeding programme.  Our school rooms were damaged excessively and needed repair, you supported us fully  and gave the school a new look.  The school furniture were almost breaking off, you gave it a new look also and made our kids comfortable. Our teachers had difficult time  in teaching without  teaching/learning materials, you provide and furnished the school with many  text books and other. We did not have good security for our school items like books, pieces of chalk, colours, pencils, you  gave  them protection by enabling  buy a wooden cabinet(lockable)

Secondly on behalf of the teachers once again I want to appreciate the gift that we were  given in August.   It really brought a big change in their lives, on their bodies and in their hearts. That was a big and mighty surprise to them.  We are always assured of the school rent and feeding programme for the school.

Lastly receive many greeting s  and   appreciations from  kids and teachers.  They have wished you well. May the Almighty God  bless you richly in your going out and coming in, may He also bless the work of your hands, let Him always order your foot-steps.  May He expand your territories.

You remain to be remembered in our hearts always . Amen

Pastor Nixon.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”

(Psalm 127:1)

Thanks to the Lord for ushering us into another new academic year after a 2 month summer break for the students. We thank Him for His love and protection. Thanks to each of you for your prayers, encouragements and support of our ministry.

The academic year 2010-2011 began well! The orientation week (September 27 to October 1) focused on all three parts of our motto: Biblical Piety, Academic Excellence, and Compassion for people. We devoted the first day to prayer and fasting. Then we explained to the new class of students the meaning and the importance of these three directional values for how we live and work together.  They are now well under way in their first semester that will run until February 21, 2011.

New students joined the campus community. God was faithful in sending 20 new students to B.E.S.T. from five different countries in francophone Africa: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal. Adama from Senegal and his family came with the determination to get the right training for serving people in their country with its Muslim majority population. Continue to pray for us in this new school year. Pray for God’s guidance and for financial provision for this ministry as we look to graduation day on, July 30, 2011.

New project initiatives. We intend to carry out the following projects this academic year:

Small business entrepreneurship: We are introducing a Christian economic development program as a way of responding to the tremendous challenge of poverty in Africa.  Ms. Ellen Monkemeier arrives in December to oversee this program.

English Language Institute: The English Language Institute, responding to the great interest of people to learn English, will serve as a laboratory for students in the economic development program.

Masters track in Marriage and Family: Last month B.E.S.T. launched a marriage and family concentration in Practical Theology. This program will take advantage of the expertise of one of our faculty members in this area and equip graduates to respond to critical family needs in our African context.

New concentration in Biblical Studies: At the doctoral level we plan to launch a new concentration in Biblical Studies, both Old and New Testaments, next year. Students in the current Systematic Theology concentration will begin defending their theses in 2011.

Curriculum review: Beginning this month we are conducting a survey concerning the relevance of B.E.S.T.’s programs for the African context.  A team composed of pastors, students, alumni, deacons, lay people (men and women) and business people are carrying out this survey.

Students in urgent need of scholarship assistance: We have some new students who are in great need of financial support. Their sending churches contribute as much as they can, covering their transportation to B.E.S.T.  These students need about $1,200 for tuition, $400 for books, and $1,000 for lodging.

Visit of the General Secretary: The newly appointed General Secretary of the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA), the association that founded B.E.S.T., will visit the school on November 10. This will be the first visit by a General Secretary of AEA since B.E.S.T. opened its doors in 1977.

Please pray for:

-  The adjustment of new students and their families to life and work at B.E.S.T.

-  The financial needs of both faculty and students

-  The successful implementation of new project initiatives at both masters and

doctoral levels

May the Lord bless you,

NUPANGA W

President of B.E.S.T.

Gifts from the USA may be sent to BEST via Mtelo Ministries

P.O. Box 871144 Canton, MI  48187 and marked for “BEST student scholarships.”

These gifts are forwarded in total to the school to apply to completing the students’ training, along with their church’s contribution, and to sending them back to serve in their home country.

Gifts from Africa and Europe may be sent to BEST via Ecobank:

For details on how to send funds from your country, please ask BEST for the most recent bank routing information at the email address: fatebfriends@fateb.net

May our God bless All the people who have gifted to us including Susan and you.  Let the work of your hands be blessed.  All that you touch let it be blessed forever.  Let Him be with you in your going out and coming in.  We shall continue praying for you.  You remain to be treasured in our hearts.

Kwaheri for now

Pastor Nixon

David sends thanks for all the support he has received and would like to remind everybody about his book Stewardship: Transforming Africa through Excellence in Stewardship. Make a donation to Mtelo Ministries in any amount and you will receive a copy of his book as a gift of our appreciation.

Next, Mtelo is looking into assistance with water drilling at the site.  Check back for more details or write to info@mteloministries.org

Key aims include agricultural development that bolsters local food and water supplies, and developing sustainable community projects focusing on education, leadership training and spiritual growth based in the Word of Jesus Christ. (You can learn more about our mission here.)

Please explore our site to find out what’s happening with our projects or check out our most recent post below. Thanks for visiting!