Seminary news:

Early mornings in Lebanon are always pleasant with cool sea breeze gently blowing across the mountains of Mansourieh. But as the Sun begins to rise so also will the temperature. With classes having ended and the graduation service completed, I was more focused on completing all my official tasks and tying up all the loose ends.

As I settled down in my office, my thoughts went back to October 1998 when Sarah, Rachel and I had just arrived in Lebanon. We were quite surprised to find the autumn weather still hot and dry. I recall Ghassan (President of our seminary) telling us about the Arabic saying, "Bayn Tishreen Wa Sayf Tani", meaning, "between October and November, there is a second summer". Just as the hot summer months seem to drag on for a long time, there has been no let up in the ferocity of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising), which has gripped this region for months. Each side demonizes the other in ever-increasing vortex of violence. Despite some ambivalence and often-outright denouncement of the use of violence as the legitimate political tool, there is a broad consensus among all the churches of this region that the Palestinians cry for homeland is just. The greatest sufferers of this intifada are the ordinary people, whose lives and livelihoods are being irreparably mangled.

James (not his real name), one of our Palestinian students, had gone back to Bethlehem a year ago to try and prepare a home for his family, and rent a room as a clinic for his wife Helen (not her name). She is a medical doctor who has just completed B.TH at our seminary with high distinction. She is ready to return to Palestine and join her husband to begin her ministry, combining medical work with Christian counseling. But James has been stuck in Bethlehem for the past several months. He made very little headway in preparing a place for his wife and kids, to welcome them back from Lebanon.

Families have been divided, and people's lives have been put on permanent hold. This is a matter of deep concern for us all, one that calls for imaginative solutions and diligent prayers. Meanwhile, Helen and her two kids will probably spend their summer months in our seminary, alone but not friendless.

Student's Return Home for Practical Ministry:

Most of our seminary students returned home for the summer months, to renew ties with their families and churches. Most importantly, to do their practical ministry under supervision of senior pastors and missionaries. We are also very encouraged by the quality of new student applicants for admission for the next academic year. For the first time we will be receiving students from the Gulf region.

Sarah's Visit to the Bible College in Turkey.

Sarah was invited a couple of weeks back to visit a small Bible College in Turkey, to help them catalog and organize their library. To begin with, the believers in this historic town rented a small building to serve as a Church. Soon they felt the need to open a Bible School, but the Turkish authorities thwarted their efforts. The landlord also tried to revoke the rental contract and deny the believers the use of the building. The small band of believers prayed and raised the necessary funds to buy the building. While the Turkish laws forbid functioning of Bible Colleges, they do permit churches to impart religious teachings to their believers. So using this opening in the law, the Bible College was started recently in the same Church building. The classrooms and library are located above the sanctuary.

On June 7th 11 students graduated from this Bible College with two- year Diplomas. All the students are full of enthusiasm to share their faith with families, friends, and neighbors. While there is no precise information, it is believed that Turkey may have a faithful community of three thousand believers. This is a dramatic increase within the last few years.

Sarah was privileged to visit this nascent Bible College. She helped catalog their small collection of 500 books and trained others to carry on the work. While in Turkey, she also visited the historic Biblical cities of Ephesus, Pergamum and Smyrna.

Our up coming US/PR Visit:

Starting from the middle of July, we will be spending one year in the US on our deputation. We will be living in Cottage Grove, Oregon, to be near Dan's aged mother and other family members. We are looking forward to a time of rest and renewal. But we will also be involved in the important ministry of deputation. No doubt we will be visiting many of you in your churches, renewing old ties and making new friends.

So our next news update will come from Oregon.

Prayer items:

1.Please pray for our students in their home countries during the summer, that they would have joyous times with their families. That they would be used by the Spirit of God to witness for Him, and grow in grace and experience.

1. Please pray for the renovation work on the main seminary building that it would be ready on time for the next academic year.
2. Please pray for the new students who will be entering seminary from the fall semester. Pray that the government security authorities do not prevent them from receiving entry visas.
3. Pray for the Bible College and its witness in Turkey. The number of believers in Turkey is miniscule but growing at a very encouraging rate.
4. Please pray for our one-year stay in the U.S. doing deputation and visiting family. That his may this time be one of refreshment and renewal.
5. That God would use us for His glory. To inform and reach more Churches and individuals to pray for us and share in the joys of our ministry.

Sarah & Daniel Chetti