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By Narayan Mitra
THE ANNUAL budget of First Baptist Church, Kamloops – a congregation consisting of mainly seniors – has always included investment in missions overseas. The church of 100 is
supporting three workers – two in Africa and one in Asia.
Mark Buhler, born in Kamloops, is now working in Kenya with Africa Inland
Mission (AIM) and Fellowship of Evangelical Baptists International.
For 19 years, the Buhler family has been based at Rift Valley Academy, a school
for the education of missionary children.They have become heavily involved with
the local community.
“We have established a home for AIDS orphans. I have been an instigator in the
protection of our local indigenous forest,” Buhler told BCCN. A major thrust of their ministry is to mobilize outreach in the community.
Some 300 students per term build homes for widows, plant trees, visit orphans,
do prison ministry, feed the poor and conduct sports evangelism.
“Our vision is to see our students become more fully equipped to be effective
cross-cultural communicators of the gospel, in word and deed. A new bridge for
ministry which we are exploring involves the development of appropriate
technology to share with local communities.”
Richard Priebe grew up in First Baptist, where his father was the pastor. He now
finds himself in rural Tanzania ministering to the Digos in rural Africa, also
under the AIM banner.
The mainly Muslim Digo tribe eke out their living as subsistence farmers. Over
the years, the Priebes have built relationships, and have often presented the
gospel.
“Our desire to live in a small African village is spurred on by the passion for
making Jesus known where he has not yet been proclaimed. Because of growing
resistance, the new believers have to take a firm stand in their faith,” he said during a recent visit to Kamloops.
“Some have turned away, but others are experiencing an amazing life as they
continue to follow the Lord. Over the last five years, a wonderful ministry
team – with both nationals and internationals as members – has developed.”
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In addition to their own two boys, the Priebes have adopted an African girl. The
family recently returned to Africa.
Retired nurse Bev Wardstrom had often hoped to do “something useful with my life.” A member of First Baptist since 1982, Wardstrom recently returned from a
six-week visit to the Philippines – her first taste of overseas mission work.
She helped a team of three midwives in a rural clinic deliver several babies.
About 150 children are delivered every month at the one-room clinic. Wardstrom
saw a baby being born on the church floor next door.
“The care level is pathetic! Expectant mothers have to provide for their own
bedding and meals. The neighbouring American clinic was better organized and
supplied all medicines to patients.”
In January, Wardstrom is heading to Watoto in Uganda for another short-term
stint.
“Boredom in life made me give time to other people, and for the Lord. Otherwise,
life’s pretty empty. There’s more to my life than what I was doing,” said Wardstrom.
November 2009
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