June & July 2007

Dear Prayer Partners,

A lady in Kenya once told me, “Miracles are things that only God can do.” While ministering in Africa, we have discovered that many people believe that God’s miracles are reserved for BIG things like parting the Red Sea and feeding over 5000 people with five loaves and two fishes. Lisa and I believe that each and every day is a miracle from God with many challenges and blessings.

We had one of those great days last Sunday, July 29th, 2007. It was dedication day for the Neema Baptist Church, New Life Feeding Center and the New Life Kindergarten in Bomani, Kenya. Their sponsoring church had raised over $90,000 to build the buildings plus feed and educate 150 children. A group had come including the pastor, Dr. Guy Conn III to oversee the celebration. Bomani is a tribal Muslim village with a population of 3000 people (including the cows and goats). Our speaker was running for a seat in the Kenyan national parliament and he brought two local politicians plus a representative of the President. It was a day to remember. When we arrived at the property, we realized that over 1000 people had come to witness the dedication. The guest speaker arrived with three T.V. crews and five radio stations. They recorded every word that was said and we were on the national news for two days. Pastor Guy also laid the foundation corner stone for a new three-classroom building that will house our first through third grade. The greatest thing to us was that 15 people were baptized and we were able to share the Gospel with the whole crowd including a future leader of the great nation of Kenya. He even told us that next time we have an event he would like to bring the President to see what is going on. What an amazing day! We pray that God will bring many of those who heard the Gospel to saving knowledge of Him.

That same week we got word of another little miracle from God. As many of you might know, Lisa and I started the process of adopting a baby that was scheduled to be born in October in the states. Well, our little baby boy was born at only 26 weeks on July 25th. We had to jump on a plane with Ethan in tow to return to the states to be with our little guy. His name is Conner Joseph and is the smallest baby in the neonatal ward. We arrived on his first week birthday. Lisa got to hold him today for the first time. He, now, weighs 1 lb, 13.4 oz. He is off all of his medications and is breathing on his own. He will have about 10 weeks in the hospital. We thank God for our new little son. Please pray that the adoption process can be accelerated to make us his official parents soon. I (Bobby) will have to fly back to Kenya alone while Lisa, and Ethan take care of Conner.

Thank you for your support,

Bobby, Lisa & Ethan Bechtel
Missionaries to Kenya, Africa

Pictures attached: 

Bruce O'Neal, Bobby, Pastor Guy Conn, Mr. Masumbuko, and Pastor Allan opening the school on dedication day - 07/29/07	Bobby & Lisa with baby Conner - 1 week old

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Praise Reports:

• 75 baptisms at Neema Baptist Church

• 40 baptisms at Injili Baptist Church

• Over 1,000 people came for dedication of New Life Center
• Safe birth of our son, Conner Joseph Bechtel
• Safe return of us to the States to be with Conner
• Graduation of 10 Faith Baptist Bible College students

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Conner as he continues to grow.
• $22,000 needed to build a 3 classroom building for Good News Christian Academy
• Pray for Bobby’s Mom in the hospital with colon problems.
• Visitation in Majaoni