Trips and Conferences

Dear Team,

The last two months have been a blur. Steve Evers’ visit to South Africa has been so full of rich, new experiences that I haven’t had time to check my e-mail on a daily basis. The Lord has opened so many doors for us that it’s hard to know where to begin, much less what to include or exclude.

Steve’s trip was planned almost a year ago and eagerly awaited. It is vitally important for the Director of a mission to be fully acquainted with all the fields in which we serve. Now he has a good grasp of what ITMI is doing in Africa. Why don’t you invite him to your church or Mission Conference or home fellowship to share his experiences and show a dynamic PowerPoint presentation? It will be the nearest thing to your own personal visit to Africa. Phone Kristi at (480) 968-4100 or email for more information.

While we were at the Summer Youth Conference last month, Kjell Olsen mentioned that they needed some aerial photos of the KwaSizabantu Mission. A friend of theirs had a little Piper Pacer and agreed to take us up for an hour of so. On Monday morning the weather was clear and beautiful. The landing strip is 3,200 feet above the Indian Ocean. There was a pretty stiff crosswind, but Jacque landed without incident.

They took off the left rear passenger door for better visibility. We all strapped in and taxied out for take off. Once we were airborne I began to worry about Steve. There he was, hanging out of the plane with his camera in the slipstream, snapping away and drinking propwash instead of his usual morning bush tea.

The cross wind picked up while we were aloft so to land we diverted to Krans Kop, a little mountain-top field about 12 miles away. Coligny, Jacques friend, fetched us in his car. The pictures came out beautifully (click here). I was relieved that it wasn’t Steve that came out (to see proof of Steve back on the ground click here).

On a more serious note, our long time friends Johan and Walda, a vital part of the Frontline Fellowship admin team have a precious little 6-month old daughter, Kina. This darling child has severe respiratory problems. Her mom and dad would appreciate your prayers for her – and so would we.

Frontline Fellowship is having their annual Summit Conference from the 9th-16th this month at the Rocklands Conference Center near Simon’s Town, on the Cape peninsula. There will be young people from all over South Africa and several other countries attending. This is a time of intensive training for key leadership.

Harriett joins me in wishing you God’s richest blessing and – Happy New Year.

Yours in His grip,





Bill Bathman