Celebrate with us the greatness of our God!
This past year we launched the Legacy Learning Center by enrolling our first students, hiring and training teachers, and implementing the literacy program. Praise be to God that with your prayers we have overcome every obstacle and the Legacy Learning Center has been a huge success! Our entrance exam revealed that most children could not write their own name or identify letters in isolation. Many children who had never attended school before are now writing sentences and reading paragraphs. Upon successful completion of 100 reading lessons, with a reading coach, students were awarded a certificate and a Bible. Now there is at least one member of the family who can read the good news of Jesus Christ. Please pray for these families that live in extreme poverty to know of the eternal riches found in Christ Jesus.
|
|
|
Pastor Peabody and Willie |
|
|
|
Our Legacy program graduates, now reading on a first-grade level, are looking to continue their learning at the newly constructed Open Bible Academy. The Open Bible Academy will operate as a traditional school in cooperation with our Open Bible school system and the Liberian government regulations. We are making preparations to open a first-grade classroom this September, and the children are eager to learn. We are aiming to add a grade level each year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the construction of the new school! |
|
|
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3
|
|
|
Introduction to Open Bible Academy |
|
|
A challenge that we face is that most families have to pay to send their child to school. The amount that they are able to afford does not adequately compensate for a qualified teacher and resources. For this reason many children do not attend school or the school is not able to provide a quality education. As missionaries, it breaks our hearts to see the shame on a child’s face who cannot afford to go to school. It saddens our hearts to see families having to make the choice between food or school. It is sad to know the sacrifice that families make to send their child to a failing school. The educational issues are complex and we don’t have all of the solutions, but we believe God loves each of these children and they deserve the opportunity of a quality Christ-centered education. |
|
|
For this reason, the Liberia Student Sponsorship Fund was created. Students that are eager to learn will have a door of opportunity opened to them through your donation. Our first recipients will be for graduating Legacy students who would like to attend the new Open Bible Academy, and then for our new incoming Legacy students. The suggested donation is $30 a month or $360 a year for a full student sponsorship. We are hopeful to be able to share with at least fifty students and their families that they are a recipient of a sponsorship for this upcoming school year. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us and joining our sponsorship community. You will receive pictures and videos of how your generosity is making a difference in someone’s life. We look forward to receiving an email from you at welch@openbible.org of your desire to become a sponsorship partner. We will get you connected to our sponsorship community group.
|
|
|
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love,
your faith and your purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
|
|
|
Please pray for our family as we balance family and ministry, for the Legacy Learning Center adjustments, for the Open Bible Fellowship church plant (hosted in the Legacy center), and for the opening of the Open Bible Academy. We are thankful to God for your love expressed towards our family!
Blessings,
Drew, Jessica and Family
|
|
|
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20-21
|
|
 |
Mail-In Donations
Payable to:
Open Bible Churches
2020 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Memo: Welch Family
or
Memo: Legacy Learning Center
|
|
|
|
The war continues in Ukraine and there are still millions leaving the country in search of shelter and safety, which has caused a big demand for humanitarian aid. The fighting forces of Ukraine have demonstrated amazing valor and persistence. We want to come along our Ukrainian brothers and sisters to help them during this time of crisis. We have Open Bible churches in Krakow, Poland, that have provided shelter for hundreds of refugees who need necessities such as clothes, shoes, food, and water.
Our Open Bible church in Lutsk is also receiving displaced Ukrainians from the eastern part of the country. In addition, people are traveling to places like Ternopil where one of our Open Bible Churches has helped relocate 130 people from the church in Mariupol. They have been providing them with food, clothes, blankets, and hygiene products. They are even providing humanitarian aid for other people in Mariupol and other cities in southeastern Ukraine.
We have over 40 churches in Ukraine and most of our Open Bible people from the churches have not left Ukraine. They need our financial assistance to obtain basic items for survival after the invasion from the Russian troops.
Psalm 146:7 says, “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry….” Would you consider giving to Ukraine Relief Aid? The funds received will help hundreds of pastors and their families and communities. Our priority will be to provide food and necessities for their survival.
Thank you for partnering with us. Together we can make a lasting impact through Ukraine Relief Aid and help our Open Bible family as they endure this tremendous hardship and time of great need.
|
|
If you would like to give to Ukraine Relief Aid, please
|
|
|
Open Bible Churches | 2020 Bell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315-1096 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
