1. We thank God again for a record number of WATS short-term missionaries who left for six weeks to six different mission fields in June. The exciting stories of their experiences would fill a book. Mid-July we got this report from the resident African missionary host in a country nearly 90 percent Muslim:

   "The WATS team returned four days ago with great news of God´s favor. They showed the Jesus film in six villages, in circumstances we could never normally have expected. The largely Islamic community meant that we could not show the Jesus film in any village without breaking our 200 meters away commitment. In four villages it was less than 70 meters, but the villagers insisted that was where they wanted it shown. A total of 1,751 watched the Jesus film in their own language or at least a language they understood."

2. WATS was blessed in July with TWO US mission teams. The first (from Mt. Pisgah UMC, John´s Creek, Georgia) arrived on July 4 and engaged primarily in library work: cataloguing new books, sorting and filing printed catalog cards, shifting and arranging books on shelves, arranging reference shelves, writing book tickets and placing of date due slips and conducting bibliographic searches. In addition book repairs were undertaken and lots of library supplies were delivered. This team also operated a one-day children´s outreach on July 5, with over 300 children streaming into the campus, nearly overwhelming a team that had prepared to minister to 50 – 100 children!
3. The second team (from First UMC, Alpharetta, Mt. Bethel UMC, Marietta and Due West UMC, Marietta) focused on the installation of three water purification systems: at the Methodist Theological Institute 30 miles north of WATS, in Abeokuta (capital of the adjoining state to Lagos) at the Voices of the Christian Martyrs orphanage and at LIFE Theological Seminary in Lagos.

The hand of the Lord was clearly in evidence as both of these teams achieved great progress in their respective areas.

4. Thank God for some great adjunct people in our Masters programs at WATS during these "summer" months when undergraduate students are away. Dr. John Lotzgesell returned to teach Pauline Epistles, and Professor E. M. Uka (University of Calabar) taught Topics in Church History. Toward the end of the month Dr. Joseph Wasmond (Tennessee), Dr. Peter Colman (Illinois), and Dr. James Anderson (Minnesota) flew in to teach around 60 Masters students in Spiritual Warfare, New Testament Theology and a Theology of Rest. These modules end on August 8. In addition, David Adeleke is teaching a module on the History of Islam. Thank God for all of these men of God who are helping to teach many scores of leaders for the African Church.

5. In late July, Dr. Ira Pence made a short consultative trip back to WATS to work with our administrators, engineering and architectural advisers on the best way to house our new CHAPEL. Conclusions were drawn to place a mezzanine level above our existing library and office space, and to construct it with timber. We now know that we can complete a new 60 ft x 120 ft chapel for not more than $35,000. Praise God!

6. THANK GOD for two dozen people who responded during the month of July to an urgent financial appeal. We met some of the most pressing needs at the seminary, and though there are still more urgent needs we are GRATEFUL for the wonderful help received. God has given us some great partners in this ministry!

7. Wedding bells rang in Idaho on July 25 for Rev. Bernard Dawson and Faith Black. Both have been long term WATS supporters. Rev. Dawson served for many years on the WATS Governing Council, and was widowed two years ago. Thank God for bringing these two faithful people joyfully together!

8. WATS is now the owner of a handsome Massey Ferguson 290 tractor, complete with a front-end loader, fork lift, bush hog, box blade and shredder! It is sitting in the garage of Dr. Jene Lindsey, in Waco, Texas (who was primarily responsible for making this gift to WATS), awaiting shipment to Illinois and on to Nigeria. Anyone who can help with shipping costs can share some of the blessing, too!

1. Pray for the family of John Ndubuisi Ohadiugha, one of our dear WATS Masters students and church leader who died in a road accident on July 14. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and we extend our condolences to his family during this difficult time.

2. Pray for WATS undergraduate students as they return to the campus starting on Monday, August 11, 2008. Pray for solutions to crowded conditions in our temporary chapel and in our student dormitories.

3. Pray with us that God will show the way toward the construction of the new chapel. As mentioned above, this requires about $35,000. This is FAR LESS than the $200,000 we had originally envisioned for a free-standing chapel, since the current plan allows us to use the same roof we are already under in our main building. The roof is 20 ft high and gives us space for a mezzanine level, both for the new chapel and later for other needs.

4. Pray for a mission team from 12Stone Church (Lawrenceville, Georgia) due to arrive at WATS on Saturday, August 9. Dr. Dan Finch again leads their team. Dr. Finch will teach at WATS and speak at a conference for the Christ Gospel Mission International Church. Team members will focus on the remodeling of some of the older WATS offices and also on the continuing cataloging needs in the WATS library.

5. As usual, August is the month for our "bishops" courses, when top church leaders come together for our MA in Christian Leadership. Pray for Dr. Dan Finch as he takes them through 40 hours of Leadership by the Book, and for Dr. William Sillings (on his eighth WATS visit) as he teaches them Strategic Church Management.

6. Pray for Drs. Wasmond, Colmon and Anderson and David Adeleke as they conclude courses by August 8. On August 26, Dr. Sola Ajibulu, Dr. David Seiver, David Adeleke and Dr. Gary S. Maxey start modules respectively in Church and State, History of Christian Spirituality, Arabic language, and Holiness and Revival. Pray for continuing growth in our efforts to train leadership for the Church in Africa!

1. WATS needs expert carpenters to lead Nigerian teams in decking our mezzanine level. Is that YOU?
2. WATS can use a wide range of tools, which can be carried over by work teams or shipped from Illinois: carpentry, masonry, painting, mechanical.
3. Check www.watsonline.org for giving online!