This begins a series of several articles reporting on my recent trip to Southern Africa.  I look forward to reporting on the efforts of Sunset in Malawi, Botswana and South Africa.  Before discussing these mission points, I want to first introduce you to a long-term missionary to South Africa named Jerry Hogg.

Jerry Hogg and I just returned from our excursion to Botswana (pictured here - what a tough life I have!). The travel back and forth is exhausting, but the blessings of meeting with Dennis Malepa (Dean of ACTS - the African Center for Theological Studies), the ACTS Board, and the students in Botswana are tremendous. Rather than asking the churches in America for money, the Board of ACTS has purchased, with funds donated by Christians in Botswana an area for a farm (to allow our students to work and learn skills to be self-supporting and autonomous), a site in Botswana for the permanent school and they have even begun doing some building and improvements!  How refreshing it is to see our African Brethren stepping forward in faith this way!  They are also considering sending a graduate of ACTS named Ananias Moses to SIBI in Lubbock to begin preparations for him teaching at the school and ultimately leading ACTS.

Just thought that you would like to know what is happening with Apollos Institute and the growing demand for leadership training.

South Africa: Bill Sampson, one of the elders from East Brainerd, and I will be going to Benoni, South Africa. I will be speaking at the annual seminar of the Southern African Bible College. The 2008 SABC Lectureship is scheduled for Sunday, 28 September through Thursday, October 2. The theme is "Spreading the Flame", emphasizing missions, evangelism, and training. Jerry Hogg is the fine director of the school.

It's that time again.  Time for another excursion to witness the great things that God is doing around the world and to participate as God opens doors.  It is amazing to see what Sunset is doing on the African continent.  It is such a blessing to serve at the Sunset International Bible Institute in the International Studies Division through our 57 ministry training schools.  Mark Samsill and I will be visiting preachers, teachers and ministry trainers in Malawi, Botswana and South Africa. Normally, this trip would also include Zambia, but I was able to meet with David French of the Mapepe Bible College while he was in Lubbock.  It should be a great opportunity.

When people ask me for my job title, I try to tell them, but it actually makes no sense to most people. After spending a few minutes trying to explain what a "Dean of International Studies" is, I generally just say that I am a missionary to a whole lot of countries. I like the idea of having a mission and going on a mission. In fact, all who enter my office at Sunset have to pass a sign on my door that reads, "If God calls you to be a missionary, don't stoop to be a King." Sometimes, however, i forget what an amazing role I am allowed to play in the Kingdom. Recently I was reminded by someone close to me that I love mightily.

Phillip is my nephew. More specifically, he is the eldest son of my little sister Melissa. Her two sons, Phillip and William, mean a great deal to me, as do all of my nephews and nieces. Phillip is smart, athletic and gifted in many areas, and is very serious about following Christ.  He was recently given one of those typical assignments in school, an assignment to write about what he wants to be when he grows up. As a proud uncle, I thought I would share his paper with you. His words are italicized below.