SMART '97 - Hard Hats Required
SMART Team Helps in Christian School Project in Germany

by Rodney Kidd

The 1997 BIMI SMART team of eight students and their leaders, Gerry and Diane Baughman, came to Neulssheim, Germany, to help with the construction of a Christian school building. The team accomplished a great amount of work in a very short time.

The Christian school movement in Germany is very much in the pioneer stage but is greatly needed in this land of materialistic humanism and liberalism. The children are truly vaccinated against the gospel during their school years. Religion is a part of the curriculum for every grade and the subject is normally taught by representatives of the Luthern or Catholic church. This would be generally a very liberal, humanistic person with a belief in universalism, liberal theology and evolution. In many cases the Catholic priest or the Luthern pastor would be the one to teach these classes. Since a large percentage of these individuals are not saved there is not much truth that can come through to the children. That is why this Christian school project is so important to us in Germany. I have been a missionary in Germany for thirteen years and was glad to be able to sponsor the SMART Team this year.

The Lord has provided an old building that must be completely stripped out and refinished before it can be used for school. The German government has a strict law regarding recycling and requires that everything removed from the building be put in a separate container for removal. The team worked well together and was very submissive to the German leadership involved in the project. They worked hard and long doing a very “dirty” work for the Lord. There were no complaints and they did not get lax until the job was completed that they came to do. They made a very positive impact upon the German people because of their joyful spirit in serving the Lord in a very practical way.

The German leadership of the school was very much encouraged after the tremendous impact of the SMART Team. We are trusting that many Christians in the local churches here will be encouraged to jump in and help this project go on to completion.

The team also served joyfully in various capacities in two local Baptist churches. They ministered in worship services, youth groups and children’s meetings. They witnessed effectively by simply reflecting the joy of a life dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you, SMART Team and Brother and Mrs. Baughman, for a great ministry with us. We also want to thank BIMI for the vision of investing in the lives of young people and supporting them to find God’s place for them in reaching the world for our Savior. SMART Team — come again! God bless you all!

Variety — the Spice of Missionary Life - SMART Team visits Romania

By Ed Hembree

From May 28 to June 9 it was our pleasure to host the l997 SMART Team from BIMI. The team consisted of Brother and Mrs. Gerry Baughman, the directors, four young ladies and four young men who were all prospective missionaries.

We arranged a variety of experiences for them during their time in Romania. Here in Lugoj, they helped with the distribution of brochures announcing the beginning of Bible Studies to be conducted by men in our Bible institute. This summer we have begun Bible Studies in twenty-five villages. The team was able to go to five villages and leave an announcement at each home. I thought everyone did very well in difficult circumstances. The weather was not cooperative; it was very rainy and of course in the villages the rain produces MUD! Praise the Lord for their good attitude and willingness to go in the face of adversity. Although we were completely rained out on a couple of days, the students were able to taste the village life. They were also exposed to the ministry of the Bible institute as well as church planting efforts in our area. Along with the work conducted, the students were able to be in church services in five churches in our area. What a blessing it was to hear them sing and give their testimonies. We also enjoyed the preaching of Brother Baughman.

For a couple of days we traveled north to visit Missionary Tom Gentry in Sighet. Tom operates a large camp ministry each summer. He has been able to buy property and we were able to lend a hand in the physical preparation of the campgrounds for the summer. The water spring was cleaned out, the trees were pruned and their bases whitewashed. The grounds were completely cleaned, the trash was removed and ground leveled of high spots. The crew did a great job and worked very hard during the days at the camp.

For us one of the greatest blessings was to have at least some influence on these young people for the Lord. It was a delight to have them in our churches and let the Romanian people see young folk who are willing to “forsake all” and follow Him! It is so rare here to see young people yield completely to the Lord’s will, when it means leaving home and the familiar. These SMART Team members really touched the hearts of the Romanians. They also touched Carole’s heart and mine. We feel privileged to have been included in this year’s effort and feel that it was a beneficial and blessed time for everyone; team members, missionaries and Romanians.

Our sincere thanks again to Brother and Mrs. Baughman and the members of the SMART Team ‘97. Also, we thank those of you who financially and prayerfully helped these students. Your money and time were well spent. Thankful servants of the Lord in Romania, Ed and Carole Hembree.