Our Missionary Support

Federal College of Education
P.M.B. 27 PANKSHIN, PLATEAU STATE 933001 NIGERIA
Christian Studies International
13607 - 109 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5M 2G8
Web: www.christianstudiesinternational.ca
Email: csidesk@telus.net Tel: 780-452-2715


WINTER & EASTER Reflections from the Wiebes
(January – April, 2009)

“After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)

Dear praying friends,

So far this year: we have had ants, bats, a snake and a scorpion sting (Rudy’s finger). A new corrugated zinc roof installed last September left enough space for small bats to enter. Marlene saw one behind the kitchen door. A friend caught it behind the neck before it could fly off and then killed it for us.

Spring rains are here but water drips in a few spots in spite of the new roof!! A furious storm tore off a section of our neighbor’s new zinc roof, and some of our zinc flashing was bent back. It was especially frightening for Marlene to hear the vibrations of the zinc panels in that storm.

Classes at FCE
Rudy marked 43 Greek and 221 Paul exams in March. His 19 Hebrew and 202 Christian Ethics 2nd sem exams was held on 15-16 May. With FCE now affiliated to the University of Jos, 1,500 undergrad students were offered admission. Rudy started 200 level Greek with 16 students, then gave it to a colleague as it continues into summer. Rudy is to teach these students 200 level Hebrew in the Fall.

Rudy and Rob Lillo taught modules 3 & 4 in Feb/Mar, with their revised Preus Grammar. Their revision is to be proof read by Dr. Mary Preus this summer. Next Fall / Winter they plan to field test with these students an advanced Greek Grammar by Dr. Wendy Helleman in 2nd year Greek at NBTT.

Among 76 persons screened 10th March was an accident victim, 38 yr old Mr. Emmanuel Yohana. He was to receive a regular wheelchair. When a sister told Rudy of his death, Rudy gave her a Bible. Pray for them and the recipients of 39 tricycle wheelchairs, 16 pairs of crutches, 55 Bibles, a prepackaged lunch and soft drinks presented on 19th March.

Maiden National Conference on the Family at FCE
FCE’s conference on “The Family, Education, and the Contemporary Challenges” was held on 5-8th May. Rudy’s central planning committee role focused on promoting the conference throughout Nigeria via an ACTS mailing and email contacts. ACTS (Africa Christian TextbookS) will also set up a book table. We’ve chosen books focusing on Parental, Adolescent and Children’s issues from several publishers and bookstores in Jos/Bukuru for sale at Marlene’s book table. She enjoyed editing a conference paper on “Parents and Time Investment in Children” by a CRS teacher.

Sabo is our water boy whose Mom is the widow we helped over Christmas. He is the eldest of six. Rudy put him in a private Christian school for Grade 7. Pray for his family!

Focusing on Moral Purity
After our Chaplain & wife read And the bride Wore White, by Dannah Gresh, for females, and Who Moved the Goalpost? by Bob Gresh, for young men, he began teaching an evening series on purity in relationships. Pray that his teaching and Marlene’s summary of these books will balance the usual ’Thou shalt not’ messages! Pray as Marlene encourages our youth and parents to arm themselves for the purity battle! Rudy also recommends Every Man’s Battle: How to Win the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time, by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker.

Polycarp and Sandra ( He is Rudy’s former student)
Polycarp is in the B.D. summer program at TCNN (Theological College of Northern Nigeria) and teaches CRS in Jos. We celebrated his 30th Birth Day in April. They read the Gresh books and are now engaged! Pray for them. His father and her mother are lately deceased.

Bible/Reading Clubs
It’s a joy to watch the children eagerly choose just the right book to read at home. They’ve enjoyed Bible and fun stories,  played games, made necklaces, and colored verses to display and learn. Pray that Pilgrim’s Progress lesson truths, book and DVD will bear fruit in the upper Primary boys and girls. They each wanted their turn to carry ’the heavy load of sin’ on their back as they delight in performing a drama!

Our Toronto House
After the Sayers returned to South Africa, Carla’s family is living in our house while Tim renovates their 100 year old house’s living/dining area. Laura returned home after finishing her B.A.!! A mile-stone reached, she has done us proud – diligent student and manager of her resources! Three teachers' colleges have given her acceptance. She is enjoying time with Jay and expectant Melissa in Vancouver in May to celebrate.

Our Gratitude and Prayerful Desire for You
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower…will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness … and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor 9:10f).

Lord willing, we will arrive home for our summer break June 2nd in time for Laura’s graduation.

With our love,

Rudy and Marlene Wiebe     rudywiebe@sympatico.ca
PS: Please see separate sheet for information on how to support our ministry.

SUPPORT INFORMATION
YOUR FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP ENABLES US TO SERVE IN NIGERIA
YOUR PRAYER PARTNERSHIP EMPOWERS THE WORK OF OUR HEARTS & HANDS

TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS FOR THE WIEBE MINISTRY
Make your cheque payable to the appropriate Christian Studies office listed below and designated for the ministry of Rudy and Marlene Wiebe.

In Canada - make cheque payable to CSI and mail to:
CSI, 13607 - 109 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5M 2G8
By credit card, enter www.canadahelps.org, type in Christian Studies International, click on the ministry you are supporting and follow the directions. Canada Helps will deposit your gift into the CSI bank account and will send you a receipt. For any problem with this, contact Dr. Henk Van Andel, Executive Director of CSI by email csidesk@telus.net or phone 780-452-2715.

In the United States - make cheque payable to IICS and mail to:
IICS, P.O. Box 12147, Overland Park, KS 66282-2147
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TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS FOR THE NIGERIA WHEEL CHAIR MINISTRY
In Canada - make cheque payable to CRWRC. On the memo line write "Nigeria - Beautiful Gate Initiative" and mail to:
CRWRC, 3475 Mainway PO Box 5070, STN LCD1, Burlington ON L7R 3Y8
To donate on-line, go to www.crwrc.org. Then click through Donate (in Canada), which connects to "Canada Helps" which manages electronic donations for CRWRC. The project is called "Nigeria Beautiful Gate Initiative". Receipts then are issued by Canada Helps.
NOTE: Do not send wheelchair gifts to the CSI address in Canada.

In the United States - make cheque payable to West Side Presbyterian Church. On the memo line write “Nigeria Wheelchair Fund" and mail to:
West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Ave. SW. Seattle WA. 98116.
NOTE: Do not send wheelchair gifts to the IICS address in the USA.
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Please mail donations to:  CSI, 13607 - 109 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5M 2G8.