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March 01, 2007

Update from Africa

Dear Team,

Last month I traveled up to Zambia for a series of meetings including the 10th anniversary of Excellence Christian Academy, ITMI’s 200-student education project in Kabwe. The 5-hour celebration honored the 187 students presently there and was attended by some 350 people comprising parents, local pastors and educational dignitaries including the Principal Inspector for the Ministry of Education. I was able to deliver a new computer as well as some $400 in school
supplies from ITMI.

eca_0307.jpg ECA’s Principal, Rev. Eugene Kalunga is enthusiastic about the schools ministry. Graduates now serve in several countries across Africa and as far afield as Canada and Australia. A new and expanded use for ECA premises starts this month as he opens an evening Bible School for deacons and elders from local Kabwe churches. Pastor Kalunga has also begun two other Christian schools in Zambia and two in neighboring Malawi.

On arrival in Lusaka I was met by ITMI’s Tim Keller and his friend, Philippe Coetzee from KwaSizabantu. Both were on an extended field trip to three southern African countries. I joined them as an evangelist for a portion of their Zambian itinerary which included all-day Pastor Seminars in Kapiri-mposhi, Bauleni, Kanyama and the capital Lusaka.

Other news in brief: Tim Keller will be in the U.S. during April and available for speaking in your Church or home meeting. He can challenge you with what he’s just experienced in Zambia and Zimbabwe, plus bring you up to date on Sudan. Phone our office to book him: 888-918-4100.

Coralanne Nungesser and a friend leave early this month to work with Richard and Brooke in Poland, at the Poznan International Church. Steve Evers was in Uganda last month speaking in churches and making connections for potential future ministry including the possibility of trading a container of medical supplies for some land to be used for ministry in Uganda.

Special announcement:

For the past 18 years ITMI and Frontline Fellowship, our South African-based sister-mission, have enjoyed a fruitful relationship beneficial to both missions. The majority of ITMI’s work in Africa was initiated by Frontline. ITMI’s principal reciprocation has been to assist Frontline by serving as a US base for book and tape distribution, organizing USA speaking itineraries and receipting of funds.

Now in its 25th year, Frontline is incorporated in the United States. We rejoice in the growth of our sister-mission and the blessing of God on its founder, Dr. Peter Hammond. We urge you to pray for and support this ministry directly as you previously have through ITMI in the past. Checks can be made to “Frontline USA” and sent to: “Frontline Fellowship USA, 1177 Branham Lane PMB 413, San Jose, CA 95118.” “He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Yours in His grip,





Bill Bathman


Previous Articles:


  African Field Update (February 1, 2007) Dear Team, Last month’s Teen Camp at Moreson Children’s Haven was blessed of the Lord in many ways. We started with 111 pagan kids from some of the roughest urban ghettos and preached an uncompromising Gospel to them. Within 3 . . . more

  Marked by Miracles (January 1, 2007) Dear Team, This month marks the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. During that time we as a nation have murdered some 50 million of our unborn children. By now most of them would have been grown and in the . . . more

  Revival (July 1, 2006) Dear Team, This year we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ITMI. There are several new projects to mark the occasion, which we’ll enumerate next month, plus we will have a special announcement to make at that time. Word has reached . . . more

  Tremendous Blessings (June 1, 2006) Dear Team, The opening of the New Life Center in Poznan, Poland last month marks the realization of a dream growing out of God’s guidance in the lives of the Nungessers, two dedicated young missionaries determined to follow Him. Richard . . . more

  Growing and Expanding (May 1, 2006) Dear Team, At the beginning of this month the leadership of both ITMI and Frontline Fellowship is ministering in various parts of Europe. Steve Evers is in Poland and Romania, while Dr. Peter Hammond and I will be guest speakers . . . more

  In like a lion out like a lamb (April 1, 2006) Dear Team, The old saying about March, “in like a lion out like a lamb” was true last month, which began in Congo and concluded quietly putting the finishing touches on my next book. Congo is huge. If you superimposed . . . more

  Ministry Updates - Rejoice (March 1, 2006) By the time you receive this I should be preaching in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). Our team for this trip includes ITMI’s Charl van Wyk, and Dr. Peter Hammond, Director of our sister-mission Frontline Fellowship. This special . . . more

  Open Doors (February 1, 2006) Dear Team, Last month’s Summit Conference was a mountain-top experience. Around 50 young people came from all over southern Africa to the rugged retreat about an hour’s drive east of Cape Town. South African “Summit Conferences” are a spin-off of . . . more

  Update on the “death threat” situation (January 1, 2006) Dear Team, Update on the “death threat” situation. The hearing for the death threat to Dr. Peter Hammond took place as scheduled on November 24. The man, Rashid Kara, pleaded “not guilty” so his trial was scheduled for December 21. . . . more

  Ministry and Danger in Africa (December 1, 2005) Dear Team, The Zimbabwe Rally was a great success. We had to keep putting out more chairs as the Town Hall filled up. Mr. Ian Smith, former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, sent a written message to be read at the . . . more

  A Call to Prayer (November 1, 2005) Dear Team, An American friend asked us once, “Don’t you ever have any problems? Your letters are always so positive and upbeat we wonder if you’re for real.” Truth is, we prefer to accentuate the positive. (You get enough negative . . . more

  Update from the Cape (October 1, 2005) 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 . . . more

  Standing Firm, Coveting Your Prayers (September 1, 2005) Dear Team, Four years ago America was attacked by Muslim fanatics. They killed more people on that awful morning of 9/11 than the Japanese did in their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. I well remember that day . . . more

  A Time for Prayer (August 1, 2005) Dear Team, Early last month our missionary daughter, Lenora Hammond, was rushed to Cape Town’s Vincent Pallotti Hospital suffering dehydration, nausea, vomiting and severe headache. Her skin and eyes were jaundiced and she was very debilitated. After blood-work she was . . . more

  Making Allowances (July 1, 2005) Dear Team, The first Sunday this month I’m booked to preach at North Village Baptist Church in Phoenix. Later, Harriett and I plan to take a week’s vacation and spend it in Colorado with our daughter, Linda Joy and her . . . more

  The Unvarnished Truth (May 1, 2005) Dear Team, Our trip to Europe last month was greatly blessed. Tim Keller was well received everywhere. He’s a joy to travel with and his teachable spirit helps him to learn quickly. Several precious souls trusted Christ in Poland. I . . . more

  Dear Team ... Bill's Update (April 1, 2005) Dear Team, Peter Hammond’s newest book, first launched at the Ministers Conference at KwaSizabantu last month is a “must read.” If you are confused by what is happening in the Muslim world and alarmed by the militant (not to mention . . . more

  Progress in Africa (March 1, 2005) Dear Team, January and February have been extremely busy and varied summer months for us with a good schedule of Youth meetings, Church services and preaching opportunities. Everything from taking part in a pro-life service at Parliament in Cape Town, . . . more

  Eschol, Summit and Africa (February 1, 2005) Dear Team, Jene' and dear little one. For the last few months we’ve focused on “Eshcol,” a vital ministry to abused and abandoned children in the Cape Town area, led by Graham and Jene Des Fountain. This precious couple opened . . . more

  Growing in Africa, Europe (January 1, 2005) Dear Team, This week (6-14) begins the Summit camp in Cape Town. It is geared to help students realize their God given potential to take positive action to change our world for Christ. It has been said, “Those who understand . . . more

  God's Blessing on a New Year (December 1, 2004) Dear Team, This issue is brief because we know how much mail you have to read at this time of the year. Lots happened last month. Ron Dissly, our financial officer, had a heart attack, but a balloon and two . . . more

  Greetings from Cape Town (November 1, 2004) Dear Team, Greetings from Cape Town! We are delighted to be back ‘home’ in Africa once again and eager to get on with the ministry God has opened for us here. At the end of last month it was my . . . more

  October Wrap-Up (October 1, 2004) Dear Team, In the devotion this month we focused on the difference between commitment and surrender. It was my longtime friend, Dr. Josif Tson, who first alerted me to the concern for word replacement. Oswald Chambers notes in My Utmost . . . more

  Jesus Christ Wants to Live His Resurrected Life Through Us (September 1, 2004) Dear Team, Last month we took 10 days of vacation and drove up to Colorado to spend a week with our middle daughter Linda Joy and our grandsons. Harriett had fun taking them shopping for “back to school” and I . . . more

  Increasingly Involved in Telling About Jesus (August 1, 2004) Dear Team, ITMI’s Director, Steve Evers, is in Romania. He left the later part of last month. He’s in good company now criss-crossing the country with Dr. Adrian Ban, visiting various projects with which our mission is involved. This includes . . . more

  Rekindling Smoldering Fires (July 1, 2004) Dear Team, The lead story this month is about ITMI’s newest project, Eshcol – a Christian shelter for unwanted children. They arrive (usually brought by the police) terrified, diseased, dirty, covered with lice and scabs in a condition that may . . . more

  Kwasizabantu Conference Update from the President (June 1, 2004) Dear Team, Last month’s trip to Europe was short, interesting and fruitful. I was invited to be one of the speakers at the European KwaSizabantu Minister’s Conference in Kaltbrunn, near Zurich, Switzerland. This was my principal reason for going. There . . . more

  From Africa to Europe (May 1, 2004) Dear Team, This first week of May is the Ministers Conference in Zurich, Switzerland. The European branch of KwaSizabantu sponsors it. I’m privileged to be one of the speakers. Immediately after the Conference I’m booked to jet back to Cape . . . more

  Sheer Wonder of Grace (April 1, 2004) Dear Team, The sheer wonder of life and the grace of God never cease to amaze me. The Lord has blessed us with extended years of health and strength to continue preaching the Word to all who will listen – . . . more

  Our Home in Pennireef (March 1, 2004) Dear Team, The name of our little home in Cape Town is Pennireef. Why Pennireef? Well, first of all it’s unique. The “pen” in Pennireef is for the writing I have long wanted to get on with. A “reef” according . . . more

  Report from the Field (February 1, 2004) Dear Team, After seven trips to the Department of Home Affairs in Cape Town, spread over as many weeks, we finally have our 4-year, multiple-entry resident visa for South Africa. This specific answer to prayer is cause for great rejoicing . . . more

  Trips and Conferences (January 1, 2004) 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 . . . more

  Best Wishes for a Christ Centered Christmas (December 1, 2003) Dear Team, This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brother’s first flight. The distance he flew was less than the wingspan of the 747 jumbo jet that brought us here to Africa in October. A lot has changed . . . more

  The Harvest is Ripe (November 1, 2003) Dear Team, It’s wonderful to be back on the field again, where the harvest is ripe. I know that “…the field is the world,” and all of us live in some kind of missionary situation, but Africa has such a . . . more

  Welcome Johannes Gaderer! (October 1, 2003) Dear Team, You probably know by this time that our family lives on three continents and in two hemispheres. We have three children, ten grandchildren and now – a very fine great-grandson, Johannes Gaderer who lives with his Mom and . . . more

  Second Anniversary (September 1, 2003) Dear Team, This month marks the second anniversary of the Islamic terror attack on New York and Washington, D.C. The resulting “War on Terror” continues. If we truly believe that Jesus Christ is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” . . . more

  Fearless men and women (August 1, 2003) Dear Team, It was like a family reunion, meeting Dr. Nick Gheorghita in Wheaton for his 70th birthday last month. While in Romania in the mid-'80s, Dr. Nick's brother-in-law, Dr. Nelu Dan, gathered the entire Dan family together and had . . . more

  Nobody said it would be easy (July 1, 2003) 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 . . . more

  Trek to Romania (June 1, 2003) Dear Team, The trek to Romania was short but crucial. I had previously announced that henceforth all my East European trips would be from Africa, because it’s in the same time zone. When we returned to Arizona for the summer . . . more

  Serving Restricted-Access Countries (May 1, 2003) Dear Team, Let me visit with you for a minute. During the Cold War, when Harriett and I were working in the communist countries of Eastern Europe, I used to say, “The two areas from which we have the most . . . more
 
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