Gunung Sitoli Church
I preached two Sundays at the new congregation in Gunung Sitoli. The attendance averages about 35 for worship and about 25 for Sunday School. The building has a capacity of about 80. There are many regular repeat visitors. The renovation of the house we bought to make it suitable for a church building is complete and a three bedroom preacher's house is now being constructed behind the church.

Village Church Buildings Rebuilt
A lot of energy has gone into getting the materials to village congregations which enabled them to rebuild their buildings after the March 28th earthquake. Of the 45 congregations on the island at the time, 33 had buildings. The rest met in homes. All of the church buildings were destroyed. We gave them the materials to build them back in the same size and type of construction that they had originally built themselves. We are the only religious group on the island that has assisted every congregation in rebuilding. Outsiders have taken notice. When we met with brethren from all over the island in May and asked them what the priorities should be they asked us to help build back church buildings first. That is now done.

Elementary Schools
We have searched for ways to help that were really help. We have been frustrated by the fact that while food, clothing, water, lanterns, blankets, money, etc. had to be distributed early on; when the food and money was gone they were in the same situation they were in before we started. The people of Nias are poor. Regardless of what we do, when we get done they will still be poor. . We have come to the conclusion that if we can help them in a lasting way we can do it through education. School buildings all over the island fell in the earthquake. We have selected twelve sites and are rebuilding a three room school in eleven of them, a two room school in one. In each instance we provide new desks and chairs as well. We selected locations where there were churches; therefore we could help church members and nonmembers as well. We can build a church building for $16,000. - $18,000. and furnish it for $2400. - $3000. more. As of this date three have been completed, five are under construction and the dirt work is being done on the remaining four. We anticipate all of these being done in December. We have also given school uniforms, back packs, notebooks and other supplies. We built an office for one school. The village people are so grateful to those of you who made this possible. The children are studying in tents and by mid morning it is so hot in them they let the children go home. Three children are sitting on two chairs. Sixty are in classrooms that weren't destroyed—classrooms designed for 20.

Dormitory
One of our major contributors to this relief effort has been Partners In Progress, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and directed by Bill McDonough who is a resident missionary in Cambodia. In addition to other major contributions, PIP has made it possible for us to purchase an 8 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 dining area house in Gunung Sitoli which will become a dormitory for high school and possibly college boys from villages. Most of those who go on to high school go to Gunung Sitoli and board. More would go except for the cost.
This facility will house up to 18 young men. In addition to making free housing available while they are continuing their education we will require they be active in the Sunday worship services and attend at least a weekly “training class” specifically designed for them, thus making them great assets to their home congregations once they return to their respective villages.

What Next
We anticipate finalizing the purchase of the dormitory project in December or January. That will determine when I go to Nias again. In the meantime the construction of the elementary schools continues. When I go again we will take a look at the relief funds remaining and enter the final phase of this concentrated benevolent effort. Your continued prayers for wisdom are appreciated. So much good has been done. We have made and are making a real difference for some yet will leave so much undone. We want to help these people in ways that will make the most lasting difference.

Radio
The 30 minute weekly radio program started about three months ago is being well received. We negotiated moving it from 9:30 a.m. Thursdays to 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays. Rural people are in the fields in the morning hours and it made it hard for them to listen—though many stayed and home and did. They have come in from the fields by 4:00 p.m. This is doing a lot of good, though it is in its infancy. Thank you World Radio.