The death and birth of a Bible Institute: One of our major priorities is developing national leadership. I had hoped that our new English Bible Institute would help, but when I evaluated the results, only two persons participated faithfully. Many stay away because of using English as well as six hours of class per week. After much prayer, I asked our leadership to react to a suggestion. Since I will be teaching missions classes in some colleges during our mini-furloughs in the USA, I proposed that I combine those classes with the English Bible Institute material, but translate it into Sranantongo. I would use PowerPoint lessons and multiple choice questions. The materials would be at approximately a college level and restricted to those who have graduated from the first Sranantongo Bible Institute. Lessons would last two hours long once a week. The leadership reacted enthusiastically. They also asked for additional teaching on leadership - a real answer to prayer. This will be a huge amount of work. Please pray much for me.

The devil attacks and prayer power: Over the last week we almost lost one of our key families from the main church. A minor misunderstanding totally blew up. Fortunately our people prayed, visited the individuals, and the leadership was able to see God restore relationships. We don't think the devil wants us to complete our four churches going independent, and we ask you to keep praying with us for complete unity within the church, especially the leadership.

Important meetings: This week, we will be discussing our follow-up program as well as membership for leaders at the main church. Next week, we will tackle the difficult question of transportation costs at the main church and at Winti Wai. In two weeks, we will make further plans to implement independence of all four churches. Please pray for the Lord's guidance and power.

Our dogs have ticks. A few came into our house. Spraying the most infested dog and washing him only helped briefly. Today the exterminator sprayed not only our house but the entire yard, concentrating on where the dogs lie down. Tomorrow we will wash all three dogs with special chemicals and then spray the worst areas on the dogs. Failure to do so leads to more ticks coming back. One tick can make thousands. I thought about the ticks in relationship to our church. We want a pure church. But when we ignore a "little sin", it can surely breed more. Pray for us to deal compassionately but effectively with sin as needed.

Prayer requests:

1. Strength and health for the work
2. Our spiritual growth
3. Faithfulness and power in prayer
4. Unity in the church - especially in the leadership
5. Future Bible Institute
6. Souls saved and discipled
7. True revival, churches planted