We returned home from our last mission journey in mid-May and were immediately engrossed in conferences and retreats, so we are a bit slow getting this report out to you but want all those who pray and support us to know about the recent accomplishments.

I have stated this before, but believe it is worth repeating: When we obscure the names of cities or villages, or abbreviate the names of our co-workers, we do not do so to create an aura of mystery or drama. We have learned, much to our sorrow, that sometimes one act of carelessness regarding names, addresses, and pictures can cause fellow believers to be put into great danger and sometimes suffering. Though not all places are subject to the same degree of persecution, who knows what conditions will prevail tomorrow? Therefore, we choose to err on the side of caution and, as much as we would like to give specifics, to shield the people and places we are privileged to go to.

If you just think about it, the internet has made it possible for countries hostile to the Gospel message and to foreign workers, to go online and see what has been posted recently regarding mission work. Many countries now have agents assigned solely to the task of searching for missionary efforts in their nation. In cases we know of, workers have been permanently banned from re-entering that specific country by its government. It’s far better to be safe!

So, on our recent journey we were able to bring the funds, due to a generous donation by a faithful supporter. They will quickly buy the materials and raise up a good, dry, and pleasant place for the students to do their studies and research.

The Mountain Theological School
During our ministry to this school in February, we learned of the need for a new library to house the books of the school. They have hundreds, if not thousands of books: some very sound theological works, as well as sets of commentaries, word studies, etc. All of these are now housed in a rough shed with a tin roof and thatched sides. When we asked what the next project would be that we could help with, the response was “a library building.”

Theological School Graduation
As we were unable to return for the graduation of students this year, we engaged Blair Buselli to go in our place to give the graduation message. The graduation was May 2, 2025, and there were fifteen graduates. Some of these are among the 14 graduates that we support year by year—students who, due to poverty, would not otherwise be able to pay the fees required to attend. Also, we are now supporting some of the former graduates who are laboring in foreign fields, some in very difficult and dangerous places.

Pastors’ Conferences and Children’s Bible Schools
While Blair was in the cool mountains, Nan and I returned to the dusty, hot plains of South Asia with our faithful co-worker, PJF, and his son Josh. How thankful we are for the many years (over 30) of faithful work we have done together! We were blessed to host two conferences for remote village pastors and their wives. They always come so eager to learn, which makes teaching them such a joy. We were joined in this work by our daughter Katie and her husband Daniel. While Daniel and I taught the pastors, Nan and Katie would travel long distances to six even more isolated places to hold Bible schools for the children, similar to our Vacation Bible Schools in the USA. All told, we were able to teach a couple hundred pastors and their wives, and hundreds of children.

We will soon be funding another printing of The Basics for distribution to pastors in these areas, as well as a new printing of The Basics book in Urdu. Please pray for these projects.

Arkansas Bible Conference
Within two weeks of our return, we were in Hot Springs, Arkansas for our annual Bible conference. Pastor Mark Goad and his lovely wife Katherine welcomed us to Grace Bible Church for a weekend study of the Book of Haggai. These lessons and notes are now on the website. It is always great to be with family and friends of this great and growing church.

Kansas Retreat
This year was the fifth retreat we have hosted for young pastors and their wives. Our goal in this is to give young couples in the ministry a week of carefree rest and relaxation, as well as Bible study sessions, discussions, and prayer time. This year we were joined by five couples at the Clover Cliff Ranch. On the second day of the retreat, we were hit with heavy rains, which created a flood throughout the area. The ranch itself was not threatened, but the water supply was made unsafe by the flood waters, so that we were forced to evacuate. Fortunately, Nan was able to find another site for us to finish our time together.

In closing, we give thanks to God for all of your prayers, gifts, and support, which make possible everything that we do. We always remind the many that we serve that we are just the hands and feet of so many faithful believers who love and pray for them. They are always excited when we tell them at the end of a conference, “One day you will meet so many people who love you and have been praying for you!”

We are just as excited that, one day, you all will meet some of the most humble and faithful men and women, whose lives you have touched and blessed!

With grateful hearts,
Gene and Nan