The loud clap of colliding, crunching metal left the driver temporarily in a coma and all that was left of the van was an unrecognizable heap of scrap metal. After twelve years of faithful service, the van was gone and along with it all means of transport for FATEB Seminary in the Central African Republic.

On Behalf of the leadership of the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology I am writing to share with you the immediate need to replace the FATEB van and to ask that you prayerfully consider providing assistance.

Background on Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (FATEB).

FATEB, is an Evangelical Christian educational institution that is equipping leaders for churches and Christian outreach in French Africa.  There, Christian churches are in enormous need of well-trained Evangelical leaders.  Students come from west and central Africa to study at FATEB’s main campus in Bangui, Central African Republic and at its branch campus in Yaounde, Cameroon.  Through its educational programs, FATEB has been graduating leaders to serve a population of 325 million people for 42 years.

For the past 12 years, a donated 13-passenger van, has transported students and family members to local hospitals and clinics when they needed medical care.  Visiting professors and other friends of the school have been received, chauffeured to and from the International Airport.  Construction supplies and school equipment have been purchased and transported to campus in this van.  It has been critical to the operation of the institution.

This past August, the van was involved in a crash that seriously injured the driver and demolished the van.  Since then, the school has been without transportation, compromising both the health of campus personnel and the smooth operation of the administration.

A 13 passenger replacement van can be purchased locally with all import taxes paid for $45,000.  The school’s spartan budget cannot accommodate the purchase of such a van that is so greatly needed.  A small amount of money has been received for a new van, but the majority of the replacement cost is still lacking.  

Would you be willing to consider contributing to the purchase of a new van for FATEB?

Donations can be made by check to Mtelo Ministries, mailed to 302 W 5^th Street Suite 210, San Pedro, California 90731 or on-line at www.mteloministries.org.  Mtelo, a faith-based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, is a fiscal sponsor for the Seminary, assesses no fees, and sends your entire contribution to FATEB.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 310-739-5710 deborah@bergcm.com should you have any questions.

Thank you so much for your past support of FATEB, your prayers  and your consideration of this request.

By His Grace Alone,

Deborah Berg

On behalf of Dr. Nupanga Weanzana Wa Weanzana, President of FATEB

Dear brothers and sisters,

God has been faithful to us according to His promise. In the Great Commission Jesus said to His disciples:“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

In spite of many challenges that we were facing, we are very thankful to the Lord because under His guidance we came to the end of the academic year 2018-2019 without any great difficulties.

We are also very thankful to all of you who are supporting FATEB in different ways. We appreciate your contributions,and we would like to assure you that you are making a big impactfor the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Francophone Africa.

The closing ceremonies on both the campus in Yaoundé, Cameroon and the campus in Bangui, Central African Republic took place at the end of July. In both places hundreds of people gathered to celebrate those who completed their training at FATEB. We are happy because FATEB is sending back to the churches and to other ministries 26 men and women who graduated this year: 1 in the Ph.D. program, 7 with Masters degrees in Theology, 5 with Masters degrees in Christian Leadership and Management, 13 with Bachelor of Theology degrees, 4 with Diplomas from the Women’s School, and 2 with Certificates in pastoral studies. They are returning to churches from a variety of Protestant denominations.

We have been blessed to see the Women’s School making progress in practical training. The instruction these ladies received in sewing enabled many to excel. One of the women made academic garb for her husband who graduated in Bachelors program.

The 2018-2019 school year was also a blessing because the financial support from some of you made possible the installation of solar energy in the academic building with its library and faculty offices and in the administration building as well. This may not sound very important to people living in other countries, but in our context where electricity is turned off for hours every day, this is an enormous relief from anxieties and pressure.

Our library is also growing. We received about 1,800 academic books as gift from a New Testament professor who recently passed away. We are thankful to his family for this precious gift to both faculty members and students.

We also thank God for pastor Andre Fegouto, FATEB’s new Director of Administration, and for Marie Angele Kosseke, Chief Financial Officer, who joined the team last year. Their contributions are greatly improving the management of FATEB.

We continue to work on our Strategic Plan in partnership with the Vital Sustainability Initiative project. We hope that by the end of September 2019, the plan will be completed. We look forward to your continued partnership in implementing this Strategic Plan.

Churches in Bangui are supporting FATEB. During the 2018-2019school year our students and staff went to various churches to speak about FATEB. We are grateful for their special offerings to help support FATEB financially.

The political situation in the country is improving, although very slowly. Government and rebel groups signed a peace agreement seven months ago. A recent report from United Nations representatives in the country said that there has bee na decrease in the violation of human rights since the signature of the agreement.

Our pre-school, primary and secondary schools continue to attract people from the city. We lack the space needed to enroll all those who wish to take advantage of these opportunities for the basic education that is so important.

There is a continuing need to assist studentsto pay for their school expenses. For many of them, the churches that send them are not able to cover the cost of their training. With your help, part of their school fees and part of housing for students who are living on campus being underwritten. We thank you on their behalf.

On August 4th, our only van was involved in an accident. The driver was injured, but he is recovering well. However, the accident has left FATEB without any means of transportation apart from public vehicles. We need another van to help us carry out our work of moving staff, students, visitors, and handling health emergencies here in the capital city.

Prayer requests for the following:-

-Peace, reconciliation and healing in both countries -CAR and Cameroon.

-Completion and launching of the Strategic Plan in October 2019.

-Provision for operational costs and scholarship assistance.

-Preparations for the 2019-2020academic year.

-The urgent need of a new van.

We appreciate your prayers. To contribute financially to FATEB or one of its projects, support can be given through Mtelo Ministries online at www.mteloministries.org or by check mailed to Mtelo Ministries, c/o Berg and Associates, 302 W. 5th Street Suite 210 San Pedro, CA 90731.

For more information about FATEB please visit our website www.fateb.net.

May the Lord bless you.

Nupanga W.

President



This past July heavy rainfall flooded areas of Nepal once again as we reported earlier. Mtelo Ministries reached out with assistance to one of the harder hit areas. With financial assistance, an Mtelo partner on the ground there, was able to purchase and distribute rice and cooking gas. 150 people received 30KG rice sacks each. Here is an excerpt of a letter from one of the benefactors.

“We are from the poor family and we used to work for other’s farm for food for the family. My husband used to work for the brick factory and bring food for the children.

In last July, immediately flood came to our village and a big river came near our small hut almost at Mid night. I immediately woke up and awoke all the children and we run to the safe place to save lives. My husband was out of home for work for 3 days.

From the floods time he is out of contact and we could not find him. It’s been almost 2 months but he is not at home. Our children are 10,7,4 and 1yrs old.

Now days most of our times spending with tears. No food at home, house damaged by the floods and 2 children are suffering from the flue after floods.

Last week I have got a 30 KG of rice sack with other community people. I was happy for I got food for the children for few weeks. Thank you.”

Mtelo Ministries is grateful to those who have sent contributions to help those in need of food and shelter.

Dear sister,

We have heavy rainfall in Nepal last week (Still continue) and all the South Nepal is over flooded. More than 100 died, 10,000 houses damaged including 3 small churches and about 20,000 families are on the streets now for shelter. 

We are in the rescue areas now to save lives. People are suffering from the different kinds of water born diseases and little children are dying due to polluted water as the drinking water sources are damaged totally.

We are trying to distribute the water filter, and some relief package.

We are preparing for the relief package, water filter at the same time.

One package costs $25.00 and we planned to save for 200 people in the floods victims areas.

Total cost we planned is: $25 x 200 = $5000.00

We could raise from here                    $1200.00

We are hoping for $3800.00 now. It helps to save people physically together as we volunteering for rescue.

Can you please support us for this good work.

I will update you with the reports and financial calculation after the work done.

Please see the attached photos of floods situation here in Nepal right now.

Thank you for your support for Nepal and its poor people.

Regards,

John and the SIL employees of the CAM Shop are converting two guestrooms at the Annex Guesthouse into suites with their own private bathrooms.

Fabrice and Calvin are preparing the bathroom shower walls for tile. Armstrong is building the wall that separates the private bathroom from the shared bathrooms.

Tiling the private bathroom, installing the ceiling in the guest bedrooms and they are burying the plumbing in the wall of the building. The building is made of mud, bamboo, and wood framing. The construction is called pota pota here. They had the water lines under pressure for 24 hours to check for leaks before they covered it up with concrete.

Finished product-job well done!

In January, Mtelo Ministries Board Members, Bob and Kathy Martin travelled to Bangui, Central African Republic to serve at FATEB, a seminary that Mtelo Ministries supports. Bob writes, “We were kept quite busy as God blessed our time at FATEB by allowing us to complete many of the tasks He sent us there to do, as well as giving us a wonderful group of new and old friends surrounding us to make us feel at home”

While they were there they were able to accomplish many projects.

Solar Panels were installed for the library. This allows the students the opportunity to study at night when there isn’t any electricity.

A solar pump was installed in the well to supply water to the Chateau. This installation allows the pump to run all day, filling the chateau with water, while the sun is shining. Before, if the campus was without water, the Chateau would not be able to fill up and the students would not be able to obtain water from the chateau if the water was depleted.

Work at the Leadership Center continues.

Framing for the soffits and ceilings on the second floor

The kitchen space doubled in size and a pass-thru was created between the kitchen and the dining room. A design for the kitchen was completed and approved. Funds from a church were given to outfit the kitchen.

First floor grilles were installed.

Bob writes, ” In my opinion, our presence in Bangui during January and February were quite productive. Thank you for giving Kathy and me the opportunity to represent Mtelo Ministries at FATEB. We were blessed by our time there and I believe that God is moving in Central African Republic and Mtelo Ministries is privileged to be able to come along-side. “

Board Members, Bob and Kathy Martin served at FATEB in January and February 2019. Bob worked on the Leadership Center while Kathy ministered to the women and children. Here is Kathy’s report of her time there.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM – approximate ages 5 – 11

Presented 6 sessions telling the story of Moses:

                Baby Moses – God Cares for Us

                Moses and the burning Bush – God Talks to Us

God Sends Plagues to Egypt – God Gave Moses Courage

Moses and the Red Sea – God Keeps His Promises

The Ten Commandments – We Must Obey God

The Tabernacle of the Lord – God is Present with Us

We began each session with singing led by our translator, Joel.  Sometimes one of the children would select a song.  There were many hand and body motions accompanying very spirited singing.  The Bible lesson was next and there were always a few questions aimed at the children to see how they would apply the lessons in their lives.  Some of the children have had to make some serious choices regarding whether or not to obey God.  It was encouraging to see them beginning to apply Bible truths in their daily lives.  Approximately 25 children attended each of the six sessions.

TEEN GIRLS PORGRAM – approximate ages 11 – 20 Five sessions were held with the Bible lessons being Women in the Bible:

                Rahab – Joshua 2

                Deborah – Judges 4

Abigail – 1 Samuel 25

                Jehosheba – 2 Kings 11

Woman of Abel – 2 Samuel 20

Each of these women had to take a stand and behave in a courageous manner.  God helped each of these women to be strong and brave. We also began each session with singing.  Joel asked for a volunteer to lead the different songs.  Again, the singing was very spirited. The Bible lesson was next, along with a few questions for the young women to see how they saw God working in the life of the woman in the Bible and in their lives. They too were able to make connections to their lives from the lessons.  A craft was next for these women. One week we made butterflies – papillons to show how we are newly created in Christ.  Another week we made angel earrings.  Other crafts were to stitch a design on felt hearts – showing our hearts were happy with God in us, followed by making Valentine type cards to show their love and gratitude to God.  The final week the women were able to color a sheet from an adult coloring book – an activity they rarely have an opportunity to engage in.  Each session averaged between 20 -25 young women.

WOMEN’S SCHOOL

Marceline, Director of the Women’s School, graciously let me use two sessions of class time to present a Bible story and to do a craft.  The first session I presented the story about Deborah from Judges 4 and the second session, I presented the story of Abigail from 1 Samuel 25. 

The first craft was to make the angel earrings which very much delighted the women.  They were thrilled to have a new set of jewelry.  The second session, the women stitched a design on the felt hearts – again to show how our hearts are happy with God in our lives.  Approximately 25 women attended both sessions.  Gertrude was my happy translator.  She later asked if there was a way the women could purchase craft items used in making the earrings.  There is evidently someplace to purchase the earring backings locally, but other materials are non-existent unless the women come up with some creative materials on their own.

LIFE IN BANUGI

I was blessed to be able to accompany one of the local missionaries on her grocery shopping trips.  Because she had a car, we did not need to use a taxi and could make several stops in different stores on one trip.  Navigating the Super Marche and other permanent-type stores was fairly easy as items have a given price and they give change at the checkout.  Making purchases from the local vendors for produce was trickier because it was on the busy streets and one often negotiated the price and amount of product.  It was fun to see the hustle and bustle and the variety of foods and wares for sale.   Most heart-breaking were the three sibling children who came to our door selling fruit.  We had some emotional interactions and they continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

When a jackfruit tree branch fell in front of our apartment, one of the neighbors delivered a very large jackfruit to our door.  Lucy, our next-door neighbor, promised me she would show me how to make juice out of the fruit.  Lucy was good to her word and with her apartment floor littered with modern electric appliances, she pureed the jackfruit pulp and about 40 grapefruit to make us 4 liters of delicious juice. One day, Lucy drove me to the market to purchase some produce.  She drove us north of the city to where she used to purchase fish along the river shores.  She also showed me some of the homes damaged during the recent war.  Finally, Lucy took me to the neighborhood where she and her husband used to live.  She told how the rebels knocked down the door to their compound, then knocked down the front door. They terrorized the frightened maid and family friends with two very young children.  Lucy said she prefers staying on campus in a too tiny apartment with her husband because she feels safe on campus.

Many evenings, we would walk with missionary neighbors, Jim and Sarah.  We would travel off the main streets into the back alleys in the nearby neighborhoods.  If we were concerned about erratic electrical power and varying water pressure at our apartments on campus, the people in these neighborhoods had no running water (a community spigot was somewhere nearby) and they probably had no electricity to their makeshift, dirt-floored abodes.  .  We walked across rickety foot bridges which were over ditches which cut through the neighborhoods.  Dust was everywhere in the sweltering weather.  The people were friendly and would call out to us.  We skirted the edges of many a neighborhood soccer game in progress along the wider of the neighborhood streets.

ORPHANS

Our long-time friends Bennet and Jennet run the Hope Orphan Center in Bangui.   We were blessed to be able to spend some time at the orphanage with some of the orphans.  They sang for us and I presented the Baby Moses Bible story about how ‘God Cares for Us.’  We then had the children make butterflies – again to remind them they are new creations through Christ. The orphans range in age from about 5 – 18 or so and there are approximately 70 children who come from their caregivers to attend Bible classes, English classes, computer classes and have their school fees paid through the orphan center.  Some of the older ones are ready to attend university or learn a trade.  Also, some of the older orphans do work at the orphanage such as office work, cooking for the children or doing laundry.

 Earlier in the day, we had traveled with Bennet and our missionary friends, Jim and Sarah, out of the city to the farm Bennet had purchased some years back.  He has about 40 acres of land and is teaching the orphans how to farm.   Some of the children really enjoy this opportunity.  There are fields of cassava, peanuts, pineapples, watermelons, root plants, some teak trees and some banana trees – the rebels in the recent war burned most of the banana trees on the farm, but some are slowly growing back.  Bennet’s vision is to build a school on the site that would serve the villages in a two-mile radius.  Longer term, he would like to be able to move the orphanage out to the farm and have a trade school for the children.  Currently, he needs approximately $26,000 to pay the government for stamps which will show the land belongs to him.  He has already paid the purchase price for the land, but the stamps are necessary to prevent others form taking over the land.

Bennet is a graduate of the seminary and currently also serves as pastor to several churches near the farm and is the lead for the English services which are held on the FATEB campus.

Below is an excerpt from one of John and Marilyn’s prayer letters.

Dear Prayer Warriors,

  As I sit outside on our little patio area, there is a gentle breeze blowing-so welcoming-just as the people here are.  We feel at home and our enjoying wonderful reunions with Cameroonians and missionaries alike.  Despite the joyful reunions, many have a heavy heart for their loved ones living in NW and SW Cameroon.  Please read the following which will explain the heavy hearts and our prayer request.

We have an urgent prayer request for the country of Cameroon. Many of you may not know of the conflicts and bloodshed going on in the NW and SW of Cameroon. I won’t go into the politics of it all, but unspeakable atrocities are happening everyday to innocent people, like what occurred in Central Africa Republic several years ago and continues in certain regions of the country. Mission agencies in Cameroon have had to tell their missionaries serving in those regions to evacuate to a safer area of the country.  These missionaries did not want to leave not only their villages and homes but their people group that they were serving and their dear believer friends and Bible translators.  Homes are being burned, people are hiding in the bush for safety, innocent people are being killed.

Last Friday morning, we gathered together at SIL (part of Wycliffe), Cameroonians and missionaries, to worship and pray for the country. It was the most meaningful time of worship and prayer I have ever experienced!! We would read Scripture, pray, sing and pray some more. Collectively, we fell on our knees, prostrate before the Lord, crying out to God, weeping together for the mothers and fathers who have lost their children, mourning for the loss of lives and the trauma people are experiencing, asking God to intervene and to be glorified through it all. Satan comes to seek and destroy, but we know God is and always will be the victor.

So, my prayer request is that you will pray for Cameroon, to pray as we did, for the people suffering, for the believers to stand firm in Christ, for comfort to those who have lost loved ones, that God would intervene and stop the war and God be glorified!  I, also, ask that you pray for these missionaries that had to re-locate, the trauma and pain of leaving their people groups, and the Bible translators they work with.  Pray that God would heal their pain and they would see His hand and purpose in their lives right now.

Thank you for taking time to read this. Our jobs are going well, busy like you. Praying that we will use our time wisely but, also, to take time to build relationships and really listen to people. My devotions this morning mentioned that time is a precious commodity. Wherever Jesus went He was sensitive to people’s needs and reached out in love to them. “If the Lord allowed Himself to be interrupted on the way to the cross, will He not also stop and listen when we call out to Him in our distress?”  To follow in His footsteps, I must be willing to be interrupted, to reach out in love and give of my time to others that are hurting and in need.  Please pray that I will do that.

Thank you for your prayers, they are needed and appreciated more than you know.

Love,

Marilyn (for the two of us)

The compound where we live and the guesthouses.

Occasionally, Mtelo Ministries Board Members will serve or work with other Mission Agencies. In January of 2019 – April 2019, John and Marilyn Roughley worked in co-operation with SIL in Yaoundé Cameroon.

John will serve as the CAM (Construction and Maintenance) Shop Manager, working with the CAM Shop employees. He and his men are in charge of maintaining all the missionary compounds, individual missionary housing as well as all the SIL offices.  This is in John’s wheelhouse and he really enjoys serving God and the missionaries in this capacity.  John has a wonderful relationship with his men and he leads a Bible Study with them every Monday morning before they begin work. I will be helping out at the Annex Guest House, assessing repairs that need to be done to spruce the place up and welcoming guests, mostly missionaries, and serving them as needed. I enjoy serving them, praying with them, getting to know them and listening to  their stories of their challenges and joys.  God has given me the opportunity  to teach English to some of the French speaking Cameroonian SIL employees.  I always enjoy this and I am always challenged and blessed by the students.  It is my privilege to work in a neighborhood Bible Club this year run by a godly Cameroonian woman with the assistance of two missionaries. Children are my heartbeat and loving them and telling them about the Lord is one of my greatest joys. 

Please pray that God will provide us with the abilities needed for our ministry and that we will give  all the praise and glory to God! It is His work, not ours, we are just His vessel. Please pray Ephesians 4: 1-3 with us.  Paul writes “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord , entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Serving Christ with you,

John and Marilyn

Just wanted to share this exciting news with you about two new professors here at FATEB!