Dear Friends in Christ,

Many times a joke, or a story, starts off with "I have good news, and I have bad news."For us, in our journey of faith and service, we have good news and then we have exciting news!It is, however, with mixed emotions that we write this letter.We will be leaving South Africa, after eight years of life and ministry there, and will return to the USA for one year of U.S./Puerto Rico Assignment.On the one hand we are excited about coming to America at the beginning of September 2005 to reunite with family and our many friends in our ABC regions and churches.On the other hand, we are saddened to leave our ministry and great friends behind in South Africa.

Our scheduled home assignment date was to be June 2006 but we will be returning to the states earlier to regroup, renew, and prepare for ministry with new partners and a new assignment in another African country in 2006.

Our current partners, the Baptist Convention of South Africa, are now at a point in their ministry where they are able, themselves, to continue the training to send missionaries abroad from their own churches.We thank God for you and the huge part that you, as individuals and churches, have played in the lives of everyone we were able to touch.Through your generous giving of time, resources and prayer, together we have been able to make a difference in the lives of many people.

The Bible records, in the Book of Jeremiah, that the prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter which "he sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon."These words are found within that letter."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Although plans by International Ministries and our prospective, new, ministry partner have not been fully worked out, we rest in the knowledge that God has plans for us and all of His children.At this point we face a time of change and decision.We are praying for discernment of God's leading, and for strength and obedience to follow.We ask that you continue to lift us up in your prayers.

On August 16, 2005 two teams from local churches of the American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS) Region traveled from the US to Nairobi, Kenya.The first group of fifteen departed from Washington, DC and the second group of twelve people departed from Miami, FL.The two groups met in London-Hethro airport and flew to Nairobi, Kenya for two days of mission orientation.On August 20, 2005 the team from Miami went to Rwanda, while the team from Washington, DC went to Zambia.

Rev. West flew from Johannesburg, South Africa and met the ABCOTS Mission Team in Lusaka, Zambia and participated in a week long training of pastors of the Baptist Convention of Zambia.International Ministries signed a covenant of relationship with the leadership of the Baptist Convention of Zambia and they became official partners.

Rev. Dr. Eleazar Ziherambere, Africa Area Director for International Ministries (IM-ABCUSA), Rev. West and the ABCOTS Mission Team were blessed to officially open the Baptist Convention of Zambia (BCZ) Education Centre, a project jointly sponsored by the American Baptist Churches of the South and International Ministries.

Rev. West was invited by the leadership of the Baptist Convention of Zambia to preach for the Inaugural Service and dedication of the new education and training building.Rev. Thomas Lumba, President of the Baptist Convention of Zambia, expressed gratitude and thanks for the prayers, support and gifts from ABCOTS and IM-ABCUSA that allowed the purchase of their very first building.

Plans for future ABCOTS Mission Teams are being discussed on how local ABC churches can continue to support the new BCZ partnership, through short-term volunteer missions, to assist development of ministry, pastor and leadership training and empowerment projects.Discussions between the BCZ and IM-ABCUSA are also underway for the West Family to relocate to Zambia, to be involved in the ministry of Leadership Development.

God keeps opening up opportunities to witness and share the love of Christ around the world.We thank you for your faithfulness and support that enables us to continue crossing cultural boundaries to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Rev. Charles & Sarah West

Mk's Chasah, Caleb and Charliese West