Short Report - Graduation

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  We recently enjoyed an important day at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching... graduation day!  Our 16 undergraduates have been working hard for two years to get to this point.  Now they get to go out and find ways to serve the Lord and His church.  Additionally, we had one diligent student earn his Master's degree.  I was honored to be this year's keynote speaker as we were joined by more than 400 friends, family, and well-wishers to celebrate these men and encourage them on to greatness in their service to Christ. The day was even topped off by three baptisms among attendees!  I'm very proud of this team.   In the final two weeks leading up to graduation, I was thrilled to be joined by my brother, Jared Gaines, from the Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston, MO in teaching short-courses to the English-speaking students.  Jared taught 1 & 2 Thessalonians and I taught 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.   It was an encouraging and edifying study.  As we approach the close of the year, I want to make a holiday appeal for help with a couple of items:   1) One of our supporters has notified us that they will need to stop their support at the end of the year.  We need help in replacing the $333.33 that they were giving monthly.  Could you become a monthly supporter?  Or do you know someone else who might? 2) We have a generous supporter who is very interested in the sustainability efforts of the school.  These efforts are important to the long-term viability of the work, and ultimately reducing dependance on outside support.  He as recognized that a 3-ton truck (similar to the one pictured below) would be a great asset for the farming projects.  This would help in shipping crops and supplies to and from market, moving equipment between farming locations, and generally increasing the what can be done by the various farm projects of the school.  This donor has offered to match donations up to $15,000 to purchase this truck.  So every dollar you give towards this goal gets us TWO dollars closer to providing the farm with this equipment.   Any donations can be sent to the Hoover Church of Christ at the address at the bottom of this email or through the link at the website.  I do still have Sundays available in January and February if your congregation would enjoy an in-person visit.  I would love to come and present the work to you!  I think you would be encouraged by the great things that God is doing in East Africa.  Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions