Dear Partner in the Gospel Ministry,

It is a joy for our family to know that we have dear friends who support us in word and deed in the work the Lord has called us to here in North Idaho. PMU, naturally, keeps us busy in the daily work of keeping our missionaries on the field and connected with the folks back home. And the work at the mission church is increasingly taking on an added dimension of community interaction and involvement along with the pastoral and preaching ministry among God’s people. Then there is our family life which provides stability, joy, and encouragement to keep going in the Lord’s work.

The Lord has blessed us here in our labors with PMU. Karen bears a great deal of daily work as our full-time Office Manager, and together we are striving to facilitate fundraising, communication, and encouragement for our missionaries overseas, as well as seeking ways to expand the testimony of the BPC here in North America. It’s a short walk across our parking area at home to the office in the barn, but when we open the door we step into a larger world of reaching people and places who need the hope of the gospel desperately. It’s a privilege to be part of this work.

The mission church continues to progress along well, with visitors coming regularly, and more exposure for the church taking place all the time as I get more involved in community events. We’ll be having new member interviews this month, as well as officer candidate examinations. Men from the body have been nominated to serve in both the offices of deacon and elder, and we are excited to have reached this milestone. I’m meeting more people in the area due to being involved in the arts as well as the political realm. Recently I had the privilege of moderating a candidates’ forum here, and we’ve been able to use the building to host some good community groups in their regular meetings. I participated in the opening ceremonies for a Smithsonian exhibit here in town this month and will do so again in the closing ceremonies in June. These and a number of other opportunities are giving me the chance to live and speak the gospel in a number of different venues, and I’m grateful.

Our family is a great source of joy. Karen’s foot is making good progress in her healing after surgery back in December, for which we are very thankful. Karen and I are thrilled to have Chelsea home for awhile on an interlude in her college studies, and the Lord has provided Chels a great job with a Christian doctor here. She’s hoping to pursue a career in nursing, so this is a terrific fit. Eli is doing very well in school, still eagerly looking forward to a career as a chef and restaurateur. Our mothers are doing well and provide much needed support in the household, as well as the blessing of having two godly moms who pray for and encourage us in the work. We’ve been working on a remodeling project this month that will improve Karen’s mom’s living quarters, and we’ll see that wrapped up in the next few days. Recently, we acquired two lambs from a Christian friend’s farm  for use here on our property as breeding stock and four-legged lawnmowers!

In all of these things we are grateful to our Lord and King for His provision and protection. And we are grateful to you for your faithful and loving support of this work. Grace and peace to you for Jesus’ sake.

Your Servant and Christ’s,

Len Pine

Missionary to North Idaho

So, why would I mention all of this in relation to church planting? I’m glad you asked. None of these markers are even inside the city limits of any town. All take some effort to find; yet all of these centers are significant because the continent is significant. I believe the BPC is significant, that it has a great role to play in the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ on this continent. Years ago, the BPC had many churches in the great Midwest, but now, for various reasons, those churches are no more, or at least, are no longer in the BPC. So we have churches on both coasts, with a vast expanse between. Over the past several years, we’ve been seeking and defining our center, in a manner of speaking. That center may not seem all that important at times, and it may seem out of the way, but without it our lives have only a fuzzy point of reference that impacts everything we do and say.

The vision statement that our Synod approved last year after much deliberation was an excellent step forward in identifying our center. In some ways, it’s a little like that 1918 survey: a bit imprecise and subject to interpretation perhaps, and yet, it has landed us in the neighborhood. It’s something to keep working on. The clearer our perspective is of our ultimate point of reference in our relationship with Christ and our duties to Him, the easier it will be to establish new local testimonies that exalt Him. My vision is to see us steadily expand toward our geographic center armed with our firm commitment to our spiritual (“geodetic,” if you will) center. In Canada, the US, and Central America, I long to see more churches, more presbyteries, more souls reached by the grace of God. It’s going to take time and sacrifice and people to do it, and the goal stretches beyond my lifetime. Nevertheless, my prayer is that you and I will lay the groundwork for the next generation to faithfully and wisely continue the journey.

Like any road trip, it takes planning, for sure. It also takes just getting out of the house, jumping in the car, and driving that first mile down the road. There may not be anything awfully exciting at first, and there may be delays along the road. But, eventually, you get there, and the whole journey has been worth it. Finding our center is much the same. I’m glad that you and I are on this journey together.  —Dr. Len Pine

There has been a small community of believers in this area. They are mainly government workers and soldiers coming from the other areas. Being connected with a very liberal Baptist denomination, none of the believers evangelize the people nor do any church planting work. Sad to say, they even do not like other Christians evangelizing in this area.

Elder Yee Aung Thun grew up in this area in a Christian retired army family. Having the burning desire to spread the gospel there, Yee Aung Thun started the church planting work in 2006. Through his tireless efforts, many people have come to know about Jesus Christ, and now five pure Buddhists have converted and become faithful followers of Christ. Right now the Aung Tha Pyi BP church has 30 communicant members composed of six families.

The Aung Tha Pyi BP church not only grows in number, but also in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). The church is also actively involved in evangelistic work. Moreover, the church is able to offer some financial support to the missionary, Elder Yee Aung Thun.

Elder Yee Aung Thun is married to Naw ArGyi who is a middle school teacher in the government school. In the past, she was posted to another area which had hindered the effectiveness of the mission work. After praying for many years, she is now posted to a government school in Aung Tha Pyi. We thank the Lord for this. We expect that the church planting work will be more effective now.

As you are praying for us, please do remember these prayer requests. First, Elder Yee Aung Thun’s beloved wife, Naw ArGyi, is expecting a baby next month. This will be their second child; their first daughter is now five. Secondly, pray that the Lord may bless and add more souls in the church. Finally, pray that the Lord may provide this church a permanent place for worship and fellowship.

The church is truly a shining lighthouse to the community around there. We humbly acknowledge that it is the Lord who blesses the church by His grace alone through your gracious partnership and for His glory alone. Working together with you, we see the glory of God. —Rev. Khawl Ro Kima

In the past I have shared with many of you the possibilities and opportunities that would be of great impact for the cause of Christ in Brazil. These were all exciting to me. When I laid out several of the wonderful options some would say, “That’s great, but what are you going to do?” Now I know. God answered prayers by bringing focus to the mission.

Various Brazilian pastors and church leaders were unified in their explanation of how we could most help them. They need help and teaching in the area of biblical (nouthetic) discipleship. They have felt the invigorating winds of the biblical counseling movement in the USA, but they know this pressing lack in their own pastoral training institutions. These experienced pastors understand the great benefit of biblical counseling for church, families, and individuals but they lack the training in their region of the country. They not only asked for help, but some were also willing to invest in it.

Biblical counseling focuses on the Bible. That is its strength. The Bible is God’s Word, and it is there we learn how to live all of life before the presence of God and for His glory. Where the Bible speaks to the issues of life, God speaks. Where a pastor or brother in Christ rightly counsels from the Word of God, it is as if God is counseling. Sanctification of life follows when a church becomes aware of the centrality of God, His salvation, and His Word to every aspect of life. This is the great need that pastors in Brazil shared with us.

Imagine growing up in a country where nominal and syncretistic Roman Catholicism has been the dominant spiritual force for hundreds of years. Add to that a growing renaissance of pagan spiritism and a culture saturated with sexual perversion. Bible-believing Christians in Brazil grow up in this sordid context. Can you envision what God might do in the church through a renewed focus on the gospel and its implications for all of life? The call is clear. We will go and proclaim Christ and the sufficiency of His Word and power for all of life and godliness. We covet your prayers and invite you to help us so that we can go.  —Elder Doug Leaman

On Sunday, April 1st, we had our Palm Sunday celebration. We walked to the Vita Bridge, four blocks from our sanctuary. On Buenos Aires Avenue we had our outdoor Palm Sunday service. Our church members distributed gospel tracts, and seven people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They received the Gospel of John free. Then we returned to our sanctuary in a procession along the Buenos Aires and Republic Avenues. Our kids and church members were holding palms and singing Hosanna. When the church members arrived at the sanctuary, everyone received a test about our doctrinal beliefs.

On Sunday, April 8th, we had our Sunrise service with the Bible-believing churches of La Paz. We had a resurrection sunrise parade at 5:30 AM;  we walked approximately 12 blocks singing resurrection hymns and repeating Bible verses. The sunrise service was held in a gymnasium. Approximately three thousand people attended the service. We prayed for Bolivia. At 8:30 AM we returned to our BPC for breakfast. We had a wonderful service.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. In May we will emphasize prayer time in our church. We need to involve people in a prayer time.

2. Please pray for our new member’s class and for the training of candidates for the diaconal ministry.

3. Please pray for the distribution of 6,000 gospel tracts in the streets and markets.

4. Please pray for our AWANA meetings and Ladies’ Bible Studies.

5. Please pray for the completion of our church building.

— Rev. David Quisbert

Dates: July 8-14, 2012

Location: Camp Otyokwah in Butler, Ohio

Speakers:  Pastors Kevin Backus, Ben Robinson, Tim Miessler, Patrick Hines, Casey Southerland, and Elder Tim Becker

Contact:  Tim Becker 513-225-8796 tbecker8@cinci.rr.com  or download forms at bpcamp.org

Great Western Presbytery Camp

Dates: July 12-19
Theme: The Power of the Gospel

Speakers:  Ministers of the Great Western Presbytery
Location:  Bitterroot Lake, MT

Contact:  Facebook: Great Western Presbytery Teen Camp or email  jdyck@bpc.org

Florida Presbytery Camp

Dates: July 2-7, 2012

Theme: 2 Timothy 1

Speakers: Doug Leaman and members of the Florida Presbytery

Contact:  Rev. Brinegar 321-784-5740

  April, 2012

Dear Church Family:

God has given us the opportunity to share the gospel in different areas of our ministry here. We want to tell you about this good news. We have had exciting times working for Jesus Christ.

AMAZING TIME OF PRAYER AT BASIL MILLER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

We made contact with Victor Quispe, the owner of Basil Miller private Christian School, for the prayer time. This school is located in Alto city and has 750 students. After arriving at the school, we had the joy of greeting the children who arrived early in the morning. The school prepared a devotional time with all the students before the start of classes. It was good to share the gospel to the students, teachers and some parents. I taught the song “Muy Negro era mi Corazon.” It’s about the wordless book. It’s easy to teach the plan of salvation with colors. Then I talked about language; I spoke some words in the Aymara language. (All the students understand this language because they are bilingual). Then I spoke in English. (This school emphasizes English as a third language.) The principal and teacher were happy with the devotional and prayer time. I gave them wall calendars and copies of the Gospel of John. We hope that every student can learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ. We had an amazing time of prayer in the Christian school. Thank you for your prayers.

DAVID AND PRISILA IN HIGH SCHOOL

Our twins, David and Prisila, were raised in our Christian home and know that we are missionaries in every corner of this country. They help us to pick up children for our Awana. In our Sunday services they play piano (David) and violin (Prisila). Now they are in the Junior Class at the American Institute in La Paz. In the school they have testified about Jesus Christ. Daniel Mendoza, their school partner, is taking our church member’s class. In the school they participated in concerts, playing arranged hymns for piano and violin. God has been protecting my twins. They are a light in the school. Gloria and I are grateful to our Lord for them. On April 11th,  they celebrated their sixteenth birthday. We appreciate your prayers for David and Prisila.

VISIT FROM PMU INTERNATIONAL FIELD DIRECTOR, DR. KEVIN BACKUS

Dr. Kevin Backus, International Field Director of PMU, visited our mission field from March 17^th – 20^th.  On Sunday morning, we had a blessed Sunday school and morning service where Dr. Backus gave us the greetings from his church and from PMU. Our brothers from La Paz Church received him by singing “welcome,” and the church members passed in front of the pulpit to hug Dr. Backus and to shake hands with him. After a fellowship time, Pastor Backus preached the Word to us in the afternoon service. Then, on Monday and Tuesday, we had meetings of evaluation about our missionary work in Bolivia and about the plans for the next five years with PMU. We emphasized the work that was accomplished with Team Timothy and the Leadership team who served God in our mission field and how our Lord is prospering our church with new members and leaders. The last day we had a dinner at the Gloria Hotel and a meeting with the elder and deacons of our church. Our leaders expressed their gratefulness for the visit of Dr. Backus. Our missionary family expresses our sincere gratitude to Dr. Kevin Backus for his kind visit and wonderful meetings. We express our gratitude for the efforts to support us. We look forward to developing our future plans to enhance the work of God in Bolivia.

PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

On Sunday, April 1st, we had our Palm Sunday celebration. We walked to the Vita bridge, four blocks down from our sanctuary. In the Buenos Aires Avenue we had our outdoor Palm Sunday service. Our church members distributed gospel tracts and seven people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They received the Gospel of John free. Then we returned to our sanctuary in a procession along the Buenos Aires and Republic Avenues. Our kids and church members were holding palms and singing Hosanna. When the church members arrived at the sanctuary, everyone received a test about our doctrinal beliefs.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. On April 11th, my twins, David and Prisila, turned sixteen. Please pray for them.

2. Please pray for opportunities to share the gospel in Christian schools.

3. Please pray for the distribution of 6,000 gospel tracts in the streets and markets.

4. Please pray for our AWANA meetings and Ladies’ Bible Studies.

5. Please pray for our new member’s class and for the training of candidates for the diaconal ministry.

6. Please pray for the completion of our church building.

PRAISES

1. We praise the Lord that on March 6^th, we had the privilege to lead the city in prayer for the 27^th anniversary of El Alto city.

2. We praise the Lord that 31 children accepted Christ as their Savior during our VBS in January.

3. Praise that Dr. Kevin Backus, International field director of PMU, visited our mission field.

4. Praise the Lord that we distributed 1,100 gospel tracts and 65 Gospels of John.

5. We praise the Lord for keeping our family in good health.

6. We praise the Lord for your sacrificial support.

Thank you for giving and for your prayers so that our missionary family can serve the Lord in Bolivia. We will still be praying for you.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” Rev. 7:9

Yours in Missions,

Rev.  David and Gloria Quisbert, David Jr. and Prisila.

April, 2012

 Dear friends,

When I visit churches I am frequently asked, “How can we help you…What do you need?” What we need for this mission to be a true success is God to regard this work and have His eyes and ears attentive to the prayers of His people on behalf of Brazil. If this one great thing is missing then it is all for loss, and we are wasting our lives and time investing in Brazil. Imagine all the difficulties that can be involved with moving a large family to another country and culture. Now think of all those difficulties in the light of the fact that we can have access to the God who holds the universe in the palm of His hands, and the nations are but like a drop from a bucket (Is 40). He has all the resources, all the wisdom, all capacity to do all that is needed and much more than we can imagine or think. So, what do the Leamans need? We need God’s people to pray, and we need to trust and wait on the God who moves mountains.

God is already answering prayer. In a previous prayer letter we asked prayer for clarity on what specific thing God wanted us to do in Brazil. These prayers were clearly answered in the latest trip to Brazil. We had several meetings with pastors and church leaders. In every meeting there was a unanimous and clarion call for help in bringing to the North-East a proper, God honoring concept of Biblical discipleship. Nouthetic counseling, resting on the Bible, teaches that God’s Word is sufficient to sanctify God’s people for God’s purposes. For example, a Christian gentleman in the North-East is having trouble in his marriage and is seeking to resolve his problems with the psychoanalyst, but he is looking in the wrong place. God’s Word is sufficient, but he and his church do not understand this. You can imagine the host of trouble this brings to God’s people. The priority of the mission to Brazil has become bringing to the North-East a renewed awareness, confidence, and practice of the sufficiency of Scriptures.

Our God can move mountains.  Please join us in praising and petitioning our

great God for the following items:

• Praise God for the progress that is being made in my NANC certification.

• Praise for the new churches and individuals who have partnered with us.

• Please pray that we can find a place to live in the huge city of Recife. One challenge is that apartments in Brazil are made for families of three or four.

• Pray that we can get to the field in God’s perfect timing and that we can be patient as we wait for all the details to be worked out.

• Pray that I will grow in wisdom and that God will continue to prepare me for this calling.

Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your prayers to God on our behalf. That is what we need most.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Douglas E. Leaman

     The Yangon BP church has been blessed by the visits of BP leaders from the USA and Australia. We are grateful for the ministries of Rev. Dr. Kevin Backus and Rev. Dr. Len Pine to lay the true foundation for the church. Please continue sending them and other leaders too. We are so thankful to the Covenant BP church in Perth, Australia, for coming to us and helping us build up the Yangon church.

     One of the biggest problems the church has been facing is the location. The church has been moved to six different places now. There were some people who did not join the church because the church was moving to a different place. Some people who wanted to join the church were disappointed when they realized the church was moving away. In order to solve this problem, the session has decided to move the church to the suburban area of Yangon where we might obtain land for the church for a cheaper price and there build the church building.

I am now spending my time training the young people in the church who have a desire to serve the Lord but do not have the theological foundation and practical knowledge needed for the ministry. My prayer is that the Lord will use this Bible class for equipping and training many for His service.

As we look back at the past six years, we praise and thank the Lord for what He has done for us and through us. We humbly acknowledge that we have come this far just because of the Lord’s grace alone and for His glory alone. At the same time, we believe that the best is yet to come. There are greater blessings in store for us in the future. We will attempt greater things for the Lord in the future. To God be all the glory and honor. Amen. —Rev. Khawl Ro Kima

 7:30 pm – Youth Fellowship. About eighteen young people of high school and college age meet together to sing praises to the Lord, to share testimonies of the Lord’s goodness and mercies, to have Bible discussions on the subject of “Integrity,” and to listen to messages appropriate for their age level. We praise the Lord that this year two new foreign students have joined us. One of the students who was with us last year has moved to Sydney to study there. We wish him well.

7:45 pm – Junior Fellowship. About sixteen children aged from 5 to 12 years old meet together every Friday evening. The children lead the singing accompanied at the piano by one of the parents; other children lead in prayer, take up the offering, ask for the Lord’s blessings upon the offering, and lead in closing prayer. The children have been studying the life of Christ so far this year, led by speakers consisting of Pastor Ed, Mrs. Lehia Paauwe, and several of the young adults. After the Bible lesson, one of the parents guides the children in an activity such as a crossword puzzle or word search related to the Bible lesson, or leads a handcraft.

 8:00 pm – While the Junior Fellowship is going on, the parents of the children and a few other interested persons watch a video entitled Shepherding a Child’s Heart. This is based on Tedd Tripp’s book entitled Shepherding a Child’s Heart, in which he gives guidelines on how to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He also prepared a series of fifteen video messages of 30 minutes each, covering the material of the book as well as some extra materials. The feedback has been very positive, and the parents have indicated that they are learning a lot about how to bring up their children God’s way. Praise the Lord!  — Rev. Ed Paauwe