Bernie And Brenda Smith April 2009

Bernie & Brenda Smith ♦ West Africa Advanced School of Theology ♦ April 2009 DIVIDENDS! In uncertain times, we naturally wonder, What's the best investment we can make? What will give the greatest dividends and make the most difference over time? In January and February we visited two WAAST extension centers, in Kumasi, Ghana, and in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We saw firsthand that what you have invested, in your prayers and giving, is paying amazing dividends way beyond our main campus!

Ghana Extension

Kinshasa, DRC, Extension

Bernie had nearly 40 eager students in his Homiletics (preaching) course in Kumasi. This center is run by a WAAST graduate and one of Bernie's former students.

In Kinshasa, Bernie taught at the extension center run by Marcel and Cécile Bomboko, also WAAST grads and pastors of a church of 1,000+. Classes meet on the compound of a large church called The Ark. The compound houses the church of 5,000+, a Bernie preaches at The Ark Christian school for 1,200 children, a Bible institute, and the WAAST extension. We were thrilled to learn that Israel N'sembe, pastor of The Ark and a WAAST grad, had just been elected general superintendent of the Assemblies of God of DRC. Incidentally, both he and his wife, along with the Bombokos, were among our first students. Dividends!

Classes are held at the Bible institute there, which is headed by another graduate. Bernie preached in churches pastored by two more of our former students, who now regularly teach at this extension and on our campus here. Dividends!

Africa Assemblies of God Alliance, South Africa In March we went to Johannesburg, South Africa, for meetings of the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance. Again we were impressed by the number of leaders we know because they have passed through WAAST. Continent-wide dividends! We ministered in churches, prayed for people, and led people to the Lord in all three countries. Life-changing dividends!

Back Home Again...in Indiana! We will arrive in the U.S. May 4 to begin our deputation cycle, basing in Lafayette, IN. We ask for your prayers for open doors and strength. We are currently scheduling services. If you are interested in a service, a meeting with the missions committee or home group, or whatever else your creative mind thinks of, please contact us at [email protected].

We have been privileged to invest our lives here. And we can do so because of your investment. THANK YOU! Only in heaven will we realize the eternal dividends.

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