August Report

In our last report we mentioned that the faculty and student body of the Bible Institute of Honduras had been engaged in campaigns at the end of June and in July. We reported that there had been thirteen baptisms and three restorations in the campaign with the brethren from the Hillcrest congregation in Neosho, Missouri. Brother Nery Irias, who serves as our director in Danlí, reports that in the campaign to La Esperanza Intibuca there were fifteen baptisms and two restorations. We rejoice with the angels in heaven over the winning of these precious souls, as well as, the experience our students have gained in putting into practice what they have been learning in class.

We also mentioned in the last report a little about the political situation. Just last night I received a communication from Jesús Paguaga. At one point a few weeks ago, the “eye of the storm,” so to speak, of this crisis shifted to the region around Danlí, which is located only about 20 miles from the border with Nicaragua. On the Sunday that our campaigners were to return from La Esperanza Intibuca, there was a curfew in place. They not only were unable to return home to their families, but the brethren living in Danlí and other towns in the region, were forbidden to leave their homes to attend worship. Some defied the government order and worshipped anyway. Brother Jesús Paguaga preached a message of hope and peace on his radio program throughout the crisis. As a result, the owner of the radio station approached him a couple of weeks ago and offered him eight hours on Saturday to preach. Jesús asked for, and received, many messages of hope, prayer and encouragement from Christians in this country to read over the airwaves to let the Honduran people know that they were (and are) in our hearts and prayers. The result was that the church of Christ is becoming more well known in the region and many people there appreciated the message. In the words of brother Jesús, “We praise God for allowing us to serve Him through this program.”

We are still in need, however, of more funds for the school in Danlí. Some expenses of the teachers are not being met. It will take another $200/month just to address this need. And we still have not been able to add very much to the library or text books for the students. If you or your congregation can help us with this, please contact me.

Travel Plans

Within just a few days I will be heading to Denver for Bear Valley’s annual faculty retreat. I am very much looking forward to that time of fellowship and strategizing. I return home on Wednesday, August 26. On Thursday, August 27, I leave for Chimala in Tanzania where I will be teaching Church Leadership and Marriage and Family to the students of the Chimala Bible College. I return home from that trip on September 14.

Another trip still in the planning stages is a survey trip to three Latin American countries to see about the possibility of having schools in each of them. I am also scheduled to teach Marriage and Family to the students in our extension school in Guatemala the week of October 26-30. I will leave Guatemala and head next door to Danlí, Honduras to teach Godhead to the students there. I plan to be home November 6. Please keep my family and me in your prayers through these travels.

Personal News

Noma and I are still settling into our new surroundings. School has started for Noma at the Choctaw Middle School where she teaches Spanish. Yesterday was her first day with students. She thinks it will be a good year.

We are also continuing the process of purchasing a home. We are getting close to being able to close. If the Lord wills, that will happen in just a few days.

I continue to raise the funds we need to continue in this work. As of right now, we are still lacking a total of $1,500 per month. We ask for your help with these expenses. If you know of a congregation or an individual who would be interested in seeing a presentation on our work, please let me know. Also, if your congregation, or one you are familiar with, is interested in Gospel Meetings, or other preaching opportunities that I might help you with, again, please let me know.

I would also like to repeat that all checks for our work should be made out to the 4th & Jackson St. church of Christ, with a note on the memo line that it is for the Donnie Bates Mission Fund, and sent to:
4th & Jackson St. Church of Christ
P.O. Drawer 549
Hugo, OK 74743

...praying for also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... (Colossians 4:3). Thank you and God bless you all.

Donnie Bates