"And thus I aspired to preach the gospel not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; but as it is written, 'They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand. " Romans 15: 20, 21
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David's Report Vol. XII No. 11 November 21, 2003 David Buskirk Sekolah Alkitab SJK Urei Faisei Pos Waren Serui, Papua 98261 INDONESIA Dear Brethren,
Visas Approved
Gersyon Billik has just returned from Jakarta with the approval for the extension of Cesar's and my visas. We just need to report to the immigration office in Biak to have the visa extensions stamped into our passports. Praise God that he has allowed us at least another year here in Indonesia. Pray that we may continue to get visas to live and work here and that others may come to join the work.
Evangelism
This past month I have begun studying the Bible with several other contacts, namely: Mula and Elisabet Yusnia and their two teenage children on Saturday afternoons. On Thursday afternoons I have been studying with Lince Gainau, the wife of Yosepus Ruatakurei who is the school guard. A guy named John (I forgot his last name) the brother-in-law of Yosepus has also been attending the studies and attending worship with us on Sunday mornings.
School News
Tomorrow I will be finishing up my courses on the Life of Christ and the Evangelist and His Ministry. Mondy I will start teaching the Letters of John.. I have been teaching from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Thursdays and Saturdays. Friday is a work day at the school when we do yard work and stuff. This session of the Bible School is scheduled to end on December 10.
I want to thank you for your continued interest and support both financially and prayerfully in the work here. May God continue to bless you.
Cesar's Report September - October 2003 Report No. 11 Cesar Basantes Manokwari, Papua INDONESIA Manokwari, Irian Jaya Papua Barat With Respect, Cesar, servant of God and Jesus Christ to the church of Christ in America, greetings. A general report of the mission realized in the months of September and October. EXPANSION OF EVANGELISM IN WARIORI As you know, each week I travel to the village of Wariori to evangelize the people. The results are evident. Actually there are a few people that are studying the Bible with me. Likewise, there are a few people from the Protestant denomination who are jealous and resentful and have begun to oppose the doctrine of the church of Christ saying the following, "The church of Christ is a new sect, the church of Christ does not have the truth, Mr. Cesar does not know the word of God for which Mr. Cesar is a liar and deceiver and trying to get souls for this sect." And to top it off, these religious leaders are prohibiting the people to continue attending worship with the church of Christ. In order to be sincere, being the human which I am, my countenance has fallen and I cried upon hearing this blasphemy. But at the same time, I entrusted this case to the Lord and I asked his divine direction in order that I may continue speaking with courage the gospel of Christ in the village. THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH OF CHIRST IN WARIORI Sunday, September 14 we began worship of the church of Christ in this village with three people who have been converted, and five supporters. I would like to tell you the reasons for the opening of the church of Christ in the village First: Wariori is situated about 90 km (55 miles) from the city of Manokwari. Second: Transportation is very complicated due to the lack of buses for which it is difficult to travel to the city. Third: Their economic situation is not sufficient to enable them to travel every week to the city to attend worship with the church there. A family in Christ, Yohanes Sidik, expressed to me on more than one occasion about the possibility of starting worship as the church in this district as it would be much better because many of the people who are supporters wish to attend worship on Sundays but their economic sircumstances to not mermit them to go to the city to be present. Therefore, they have preferred to continue to attend worship with other churches in their village. Fourth: So that the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign redeemer be glorified in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24) in the midst of these people lacking Biblical knowledge who are trying to separate souls from the truth of the gospel of Christ. And also so that touching these same people in one way or another, they can come to meet the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ because Christ also died for each and every one of these people and salvation is not far from them. TRIP TO YAPEN ISLAND AND UREI FAISEI Wednesday, October 15, I decided to travel to the island of Yapen and to Urei Faisei to meet with Chris Payawa and David Buskirk to speak with them personally about a planned seminar that will take place early next year in the city of Manokwari and the village of Wariori and at the same time to ask their cooperation with speaking on various themes that will be dealt with in the seminar. After meeting with these brethren and informing them of the purpose of my vis9t. I decided to return to my place of residence on Monday, October 20. Also, I wish to let you know that on Monday, October 13, the dedication of the new province of Irian Jaya Papua Barat was carried out and the city that was chosen as the capital was Manokwari for which I am very happy and give thanks to God because the church of Christ is already in that city. Sincerely, Cesar Besantes This report was translated and edited from Spanish by David Buskirk If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please send an e-mail to admin@meadowview.org with "Indonesian Missions" in the Subject Line. And we would be happy to forward you a copy. Thanks.
