Update from the Cape

Dear Team,

Our hearts and prayers are with the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina. The magnitude of destruction in New Orleans made it the worst natural disaster in US history.

At the same time the world has seldom seen such a curious mixture of seriousness and silliness. Have you noticed how the liberal Left is so boringly unoriginal? Having failed for years (while they were in control of the Crescent City) to implement a solution for a frequently predicted disaster, that now the only thing they can do is blame the President. We're getting mixed messages here in Africa. Many of the Muslims among whom we work say, "Allah sent Katrina." Well, I guess that lets President Bush off the hook.

Reformation versus Halloween – Let’s reclaim October 31st.

Noted Christian historian Dr. Peter Hammond writes, “The Reformation in Europe during the 16th century was one of the most important epochs in the history of the world. The Reformation gave us the Bible – now freely available in our own languages.”

The first Bibles printed in English had to be smuggled into England. The translator, William Tyndale, was burned at the stake for his “crime” of translating the Bible. “The now almost universally acknowledged principles of religious freedom, liberty of conscience, the rule of law, separation of powers and constitutionally limited Republics were unthinkable before the Reformation. The Reformers fought for the principles that Scripture alone is our final authority, Christ alone is the head of the Church and justification is by God’s grace, on the basis of the finished work of Christ, received by faith alone.” Looks like Satan has used Halloween to hijack the Reformation.

Harriett and I have been very busy these last six weeks looking after four highly active, home-schooled grandchildren (ages 6, 10, 12 & 14) while our daughter Lenora was in hospital and Peter was overseas on a mission trip. Our nest has been empty for 30 years, so we’re kinda outta practice. Meanwhile everything has gone digital so there was lots of readjusting on our part. It was fun – but exhausting.

Lenora is back home now (after spending over a month in the hospital). This is a real praise item, but it’s also a very dangerous time for her. She’s feeling better, so the big temptation is to get up and get back into the “Mom” routine. The doctor warns that will set her back and she could be chronically ill for the rest of her life. She must have complete bed rest for the next 6 weeks. She’s having blood tests each week to keep track of the bilirubin levels.

Fred and Kathy Lewis, two of Lenora’s long time friends from the Lone Star State, have followed her progress in prayer. Concerned with her high bilirubin levels they wrote, “We are just about ready to come over there and put some big Texas Ranger hurt on Billy Rubin and his gang and drive them out of town!” Now that’s an original idea.

Summer Kelley joined our admin staff last month [see page 4]. We really believe the Lord has sent her to us at this time in answer to much prayer. HE does that you know!

Yours in His grip,





Bill Bathman