Jay and Beverly Bellamy

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

The last two months have been busy for us. There have been discouragements, as computers, hard drives and other expensive equipment stopped working and co-workers and friends have struggled with sickness. But there have also been precious moments when we saw God work in people’s lives and he reminded us that he is never tired or out of control.

In September, Jay taught a Bible Doctrines course and Beverly led a continuing education seminar for our local Sunday school teachers. The teachers from the Alliance churches in our region got sample lessons and curriculum and made their own visual aids for the theme, “Fight the good fight.”

Another milestone was the establishment of an office at our Christian Study Center in Pointe-Noire. We also hired a receptionist. She is learning to do many of the jobs that Bev has had to do every month and she is more available to the students and professors at the Center. We are glad to be working ourselves out of some of our jobs.

In October, the new school year started at our Pointe-Noire C.E.C. (Christian Study Center.) 21 new students began studying in our first year class. They joined 25-30 who are continuing in their second year of studies. This is one of the smallest new classes we’ve ever had in Pointe-Noire, but as there were several students from last year and others from previous years who were unable to complete their classes, for some months, there is still a potential for up to 40 students in the first year class. As usual, the class is made up of quite an assortment of students. There are some who are already pastors of their churches, but have never had the opportunity to formally study God’s Word. There are several lay leaders in their churches, who want to learn to serve the Lord better. There are also two or three who are somewhat vague in their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. They come from churches or groups that do not have an orthodox understanding of God’s Word, and we have found that the study center may be the only way that some will ever hear a clear presentation of the gospel. Pray for these students and for our teachers, that God will work in their lives this year and draw them to a more profound walk with Him.

This year, we are launching IBAC PLUS. These courses are geared for those who have finished the first two years of basic courses, but want to go deeper in their knowledge. Our two-year program is only able to cover basic principles of Christian living and provide cursory introductions to God’s Word. Many of our alumni are pastors and teachers in their churches but there are not other options for higher education here. They have desired more in-depth teaching for a long time. Jay taught a course in October called, “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” It was a Bible study method course--Part 3 of a series of exegesis courses we offer in IBAC. It was very well received. Another group of students started a course on the book of Matthew which will continue for at least the rest of the year.

At the end of the month, we enjoyed visiting Danny and Lauren in Dakar. Lauren has been working hard and is enjoying playing J-V softball. Danny was in the process of completing college applications. He will graduate from Dakar Academy this year, so we are especially praying for God’s provision and direction for him. He will be flying back to the States and we are hoping to also fly there this summer to help him get set up in college.

Both Danny and Lauren are registered to attend LIFE 2010. They will join a group of ten missionary kids from Africa who will be attending this Alliance youth event that happens every three years. It’s a time when youth from all over the States and around the world converge to meet God and be challenged about what they will do with their lives. BJ, Danny and Lauren were able to attend LIFE2007 and it was a great experience. They each heard from God in a special way. Please pray with us that God will provide for Danny and Lauren to go again this year and that he will use this opportunity to call them into a deeper walk with Him.

It will be somewhat costly, since they need to pay not only their registration ($395) and hotel costs (about $200), but travel as well. In Lauren’s case, that means a plane ticket from Africa to a friend’s house, then on to LIFE and then back again. For Danny, it will be a little less since he would already be heading to the States and will not be returning to Africa. His transportation will be the cost of flying in the States. If you can help them with these expenses, please drop us an email and we'll let you know how you can help.

Finally, we have another big prayer need that we’d like to especially ask you to pray about. Our field container has arrived in port. On it are outfits for two new families, the Nelsons and the Wegners, ministry items for our field, and a group of inverters and batteries that are going to be used by a work team coming from Connecticut to set up alternative electrical options in the homes of our missionaries. As you know, if you have been praying for us, we have very inconsistent and unstable power. Running generators, when we have them, is prohibitively expensive, so we are often unable to accomplish basic tasks in our homes and offices. The inverters and batteries will be set up so that they are charging during the hours we do have electricity and can run our computers and some lights and fans for several hours during our power cuts.

There are two ways you can help us. First of all, please pray that we can get this container out of customs. The port costs have already been assessed at about $7,500. We have requested exoneration from customs costs. These additional charges would more than double the cost of paying for our container. The waiving of the 55% customs charge is commonly granted to religious organizations. Please pray that God moves on the hearts of those who need to sign for us to receive the exoneration.

Pray, also, that God will provide the money we need to pay for these supplies. Each missionary will need to pay for the part of the installation that will be done in their home. Gifts have already been received to help purchase some of the batteries, but they are not yet paid for, and the port costs are above that. If you feel led to help with this project, please give to our Work account and let us know that that is what it is for.

Above all, please pray for us as we continue to seek God’s wisdom and enabling in the work that he has called us here to do. We need his strength each day and we know that you play a great part in our ministries through your support in prayer.

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

Pray for our physical health.

Pray for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of the Congo. Pray that the Lord will continue to protect them from attacks of the enemy and give them unity and a deep love for each other.

Pray for our children. BJ is a junior at Grove City College. Danny and Lauren are attending Dakar Academy in Senegal. Pray that God will lead them and draw them into a deep relationship with him.

Pray that our container will be able to get out of customs quickly and inexpensively.

Republic of the Congo

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