Nobody said it would be easy

Dear Team,

Nobody said it would be easy – this Christian life. In fact, our Lord Jesus told us that the foxes had a place to live and so did the birds, but He had no place to lay His head, and we all know that the servant is not above the Master.

The Adrian Ban family finally got their US visas, but not before a long drawn-out hassle with the Embassy in Bucharest that sent them the wrong forms (which were outdated). The delay meant they missed the original flight they’d hope to make. Dr. Ban is ITMI’s Romanian representative [see our June letter]. Steve and I look forward to traveling with him for at least part of our upper mid-West itinerary this month.

To save money, church-massacre survivor Charl van Wyk, a South African national and author of Shooting Back, decided to take the train across America on his itinerary here last month. It was quite an adventure. Sitting on a train for 3 or 4 days however is not much fun. Charl is partially supported by ITMI. If you’d like to encourage this dedicated young man with a designated gift we’ll gladly pass it on.

Another South African, Alicia van Huyssteen is in Phoenix for the summer. She is in America studying communications at Moody Bible Institute. Her student visa doesn’t allow her to be employed so she is a volunteer at the ITMI office in Tempe for three days a week and at KFLR-FM, a Christian radio station for two days. Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the U.S. and 70+ miles across! She needed wheels. A dear family graciously loaned her one of their two cars – their best and newest one – for the summer! God rewards those who give their best. They know the meaning of “Honor the LORD with the firstfruits.” Prov.3:9

Fred Morse & Alicia at KFLR

As of this writing, Alicia has $800 toward the $7,000 she needs in September for room and board at MBI next school year. Time is short and we’re asking for a miracle. I know the Lord will reward you if you have some of His blessings to invest in this precious girl.

Talk about a rough life; The Great Commission Course is underway this month in Cape Town, where Dr. Peter Hammond is putting new recruits through the ‘boot camp’ transforming sissies into soldiers to serve the Savior in South Sudan and other restricted-access countries. Your prayers will cover a multitude of bumps and bruises. Ask Kristi Messick; she was there last year!

The four Sudanese “Lost-Boys” ITMI is sponsoring at KwaSizabantu have already been through their ordeal in Sudan. Now they are training at Cedar College at KSB to better serve the Lord when they return to their native country. Maybe you can help.

Yours in His grip,




Bill Bathman

P.S. Finally (and frankly), we are facing a very serious financial crisis here at ITMI. Administrative expenses have increased significantly. We are invoking every economy possible, but are running about $2,500 a month short on expense over income. We are a faith mission. We never have a large reserve on which we can draw. Without a miracle, at the present rate we will crash by September. God specializes in miracles! Stay tuned.