We trust that your summer was enjoyable and hopefully you were able to attend one or more of the camp meetings and have your soul blessed and refreshed.  I have been at camp meeting somewhere every year I can remember, including three this year. It was at a small camp meeting in New Hampshire in 1948 that I received my call to the ministry.

 IN SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA, the work is progressing nicely. Thank you to the many who gave to the bicycle project for pioneer pastors.  The Field Supervisor has received the funds and the process of obtaining the bicycles and training the pioneers is under way.  This effort will take the gospel to remote villages where there is no church or gospel witness and most are not accessible by vehicles.

 It was with great excitement and rejoicing that a new church was dedicated at Samar on the island of Leyte in the Philippines.  Over 170 were in attendance, and the Petits were there.  Those who receive their newsletter will see the report and pictures.    

 The Petits are busy every day and all day ministering in the various churches, special events, dead services etc.  They also oversee and teach classes at Faith Bible Institute. We ask your prayers regarding a dedicated and capable couple or a single individual that could join the Philippine staff and relieve the Petits of some of their load.

 REPORTS COMING IN FROM INDIA tell of ongoing conversions and water baptisms and growth of the congregation.  This is a welcome change from many lean years when conversions were rare.  The spiritual darkness is great, and opposition to Christianity is strong, with persecution common. Yet the message must be proclaimed.

 EVANGELIST JIMMY COLLINS RETURNS TO THE PHILIPPINES as speaker for the October Holiness Convention.  His prior ministry was greatly appreciated and it is with anticipation that plans are being made to erect the tent and prepare for this important meeting.  Nearly all the pastors will be present, many coming long distances under difficult circumstances. Recently   one pastor walked many miles carrying his 3-year-old son to attend a meeting.  He had to bring the son because his wife recently died of a sudden illness.  Such is the dedication of national pastors!  Brother Collins is bringing a sizable group with him to help in ministry and to observe first hand the work of foreign missions.  Their plans include a trip to Samar.

 IN SIERRA LEONE THE WORK CONTINUES TO GROW with new congregations being established and new areas of the country being reached.  A sizable expansion of the work is pending. For many months we have been working on details to accomplish this.  Many of you will remember Brother and Sister George Cover who labored in Sierra Leone for many years  and established Calvary Holiness Missions with several churches and a bible school.  The civil war caused them to return to the USA.  Brother Cover went to be with the Lord several years ago, and Sister Cover’s age and health prohibit her from continuing to oversee the work

 

    From the beginning, they included a provision in their charter that if the ministry ever disbanded, the properties etc. would be passed to Free Gospel Missions. We, as well as our personnel in Africa   have been working toward a smooth transition.   I plan to meet with as many as possible of their pastors at the December Convocation to foster fellowship and welcome them to work with us to the glory of God.

 As previously mentioned, Sister Heath and I plus our eldest son and his wife are making preparations to attend that meeting.  (Many of you will remember Ralph and Becky  and their  decade of  effective  labors  with the mission, prior to the war.) Thus the work of Free Gospel Missions  continues with the purpose of reaching as many as possible with the good news of the gospel. 

 Each of you are a vital part of this ministry and it could not continue without you and your financial support.  The Lord has helped us develop  an  effective  and successful mission, and in these letters we can tell you  only a small part of what is actually  happening.

It has   always been our goal also to maximize what can be accomplished with each dollar entrusted to us. Our missionaries  sacrifice many of the comforts of life  to get more done for the kingdom.  We do not maintain  a missions office,  but operate out of  my study   in our modest home.  My personal  computer, printer, etc. are used,  limiting  our expenses to a bare minimum, so that every dollar possible   can go overseas. We have  sought and found the most economical and safest ways to transfer funds  overseas. With  the Lord’s  help,  we have never lost money  in transferring!

I share these things with you  for two purposes.  First, to reassure everyone  that we are  good stewards  of the funds you entrust to us,   and secondly that we can rejoice together in what the Lord has helped us do in following  His command to take the gospel into all the world!

We treat every offering we receive as  a sacrificial   gift, whether small or larger. May the Lord meet your every need in this life,  and abundantly reward you in eternity. We are workers together  for His glory and the salvation of lost souls!  Thank you so very much for being a vital part of Free Gospel Missions.

Sincerely in Jesus, our Lord,        
Chester H. Heath,
Director of Missions

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   Last updated, 08/06/2006