Doug and Cheryl Boisvert
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A Letter from the Boisverts

4/9/2020

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

I trust you have received our last email update on the COVID-19 global shutdown of travel, and an initial evaluation of how it is to affect our ministry overseas. Of course, the news globally has gone from bad to worse since then.
Perhaps you are one of the many who have been touched by the COVID-19 virus personally or in your family. We grieve with the heartaches this has brought to so many. Feel free to contact us if you desire to share a prayer request or even just to talk with someone else to share your current burdens and heartache. We would make time to speak with you on the phone, zoom, skype or over email. Just let us know through this email address and we will seek to arrange a time to listen, and encourage you as best we can. We trust in a God who is a stronghold in the day of trouble and know those who take refuge in HIM (Nahum 1:7)
We also wanted to share with you, that Cheryl’s 96 year old dad, Ziggy Wiernicki, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday 4th April, 2020. God answered many of our prayers for him in his last days on earth.
Zig trusted Jesus at 93 years old. He moved into our home 2 and half years ago – first in Kokomo, Indiana and then to Allen, Texas. Some of you saw him pedaling around in his wheelchair as he loved to be around people. In the last month Zig had two week long hospital stays with a week back in our home in between those stays. His body was shutting down. Cheryl was able to be with her dad the last few hours of his life and when he breathed his last. It was very gracious of the LORD to let this happen when Doug could not travel overseas or stateside so he could assist Cheryl in the increased care necessary during that time.  We delight in the fact that on Easter/Resurrection Sunday, as a late comer to the family of God, Zig will be able to celebrate with fuller understanding the implications of the Resurrection in his life. He even gets to  wear a new Easter outfit!
There is some encouraging news from some overseas. TRI-M partners are reporting how God is at work still. It is best not to name these specific countries over the internet due to the current political feelings towards the Gospel of Jesus. A Pastor who in past has rejoiced in seeing 20 attend a Church service, has had 1700 hits on his online Church “service” in just two weeks. There are 300+ inquiries asking specific, good questions to follow up on!
Doug, from his USA Office, is seeking to consult, encourage, and offer resources to our overseas partners that are still carrying on when possible or staying in readiness to do so even before Doug would be free to travel again. He is working on a new course on being a teacher of teachers, especially designed for those in remote areas and culturally adaptable. This has been done many times face to face individually. Now doing it remotely with limited “live” or “electronic” connection it is a bit of a challenge. 
Kenya already had a graduation without the usual fanfare, such as family and others attending. Doug was able to deliver the Diplomas electronically and send a few words of congratulations.  The next day a ban on all travel was enacted! All the graduates got to their homes in before the lock down. 
Yambio, South Sudan is not only dealing with the COVID-19 but has been in the middle of the active fighting in the Civil war there. But they were still able to have their teachings for 3 weeks in March with students from 75 miles away. This was made possible by some individual extra gifts sent our way before even knowing about the COVID-19 spread.
In Uganda the South Sudanese in exile are continuing to teach in the camps. They are already living in overcrowded conditions, so they cannot individually be “locked down” with social distancing of 6 feet apart in their refugee camp. Sudanese Teachers were somehow able to come and go to at least two different refugee camps to teach for 2 weeks in March.  Texting with one of the South Sudanese Leaders, I asked him how they were doing. He replied they were “praying and fasting”. I asked if that was forced or voluntary fasting, and he replied “Yes”. I wonder how I am allowing this current situation to strengthen my faithfulness and trust in Jesus like my brothers overseas?
In the villages of Tanzania they say there are already so many illnesses there that the symptoms of COVID-19 cannot even be noticed. There are few medical facilities to test or identify it. Multiple families often work together and eat from the “common pots”. Gathering for teaching, the Church Leaders are not even noticed except if a foreigner travels in or out. The Tanzanian coordinator is encouraging past graduates of the training to rise up and become the trainers in their local region for those sensing a call to the pastorate. He is seeking to coach those new teachers by phone when possible.
TRI-M missionaries are restricted but the ones who have been taught are not and are carrying on. Training is happening even though their lock down means that no markets are open. Like many even here, our brethren overseas are living with the fact of no work means no food for that day.  The difference is how close they have already been to starvation even before this crisis, with no government assistance.
Continue to pray for all of us to have sensitivity to Spirit’s leading and creativity in serving Jesus during this time. Thank you for being an active part in Jesus' ministry through TRI-M and the Boisverts. We love you and are grateful for your partnership.
Striving to Serve Jesus (Col. 1:29)
Dr Doug & Cheryl Boisvert
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Boisvert's Update

3/19/2020

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Dear Prayer Partners,

We are facing very new and challenging times Globally. I just wanted to update all of you on our ministries.As I am sure you have heard, Travel overseas is very restrictive and seems to be getting more so as this Virus spreads. I (Doug) have been grounded and have even had to cancel a Domestic flight.

What does this mean for TRI-M Africa and Asia and the Boisverts Ministry through TRI-M? Actually as during the war in South Sudan that we are working through, our name itself has some significance in answering this question. Doug is spending time communicating with our local coworkers in their own countries who are leading the training efforts we have been involved in. There is some coaching and brain storming happening, and even without Doug able to travel, the training is still planning to go on with only some scheduling changes, of course depending on what that country is experiencing with the COVID-19 Virus activity. 

We are looking at this situation as an opportunity for God to work and show HIMSELF in the midst of unknown and unpredictable times. This might be the very way that God stimulates the Local Leadership to be guided from the planning and speculating discussions, to begin implementing creative ways to do the training without outside assistance or missionary teachers. In some of our venues, Doug has seen a reluctance of the Local Leadership to take on teaching responsibilities in either conscious or unconscious  concerns that they are keeping Doug from seeing the need to keep coming. However, in these difficult times of Doug not able to come, the Local Leaders that step in the gap are saving the day (Heros) rescuing the training program. God has often used circumstance to creatively accomplish HIS intentions, through HIS people.

So Doug is seeking to encourage and puzzle through these things with his coworkers overseas. He is caring for paperwork and discipling from a distance. Also we are actively making plans for things to be in place as much as possible for when travel opens back up and groups around the world can begin to meet in large groups for training. This involves setting up plans and then rescheduling as time moves on without openings for this.  We recognize that this situation may dictate that Auxiliary Teachers may no longer be free to travel with Doug as in the past, requiring a heavier teaching load for Doug as travel permits.
So far we have not lost any money in cancellation or rescheduling fees due to the Global shut downs of Airports or entries in to countries. But this could turn out to be either a very busy travel intensive second half of the year for Doug OR a serious search for creative new ways to continue assisting training Pastors in the Word of God. God is not going to stop HIS work on earth  God’s people have always found ways to continue on in spite of human or natural restrictions. 
During this time of waiting we encourage you to pray with us for:
1) Clear recognition of God's Leading
2)That the Creator God would stimulate a creative response to the limits experienced by the TRI-M team.
3)That we will be able to marshal any resources required to shift gears as we serve our brethren throughout the world.

Thank you for being an active part in Jesus' ministry through TRI-M and the Boisverts. We love you and are grateful for your partnership.

Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M E. African Director; and TRI-M Asia
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Doug Traveling Soon

10/29/2017

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Greetings praying friends,

Just to update you, Doug will be leaving again in November for East Africa to teach the South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. This is the group we called the "School in Exile" in our prayer letter a few months ago. South Sudanese Refugees are coming from refugees camps in DRC (Congo) and Uganda. Others will also be coming from the interior "bush" areas of South Sudan where many have fled for refugee as Internal Displaced People, living off the land in extreme conditions hiding due to the fighting still active in the country. There has been a drastic increase in interest in this training since the war forced so many out of their homes and country. This has put more demands on the Sudanese leaders and increased te need for Doug's continual involvement as the training is expanding faster than expected. 

A special thanks to some who have contributed to relief funds for these people. I will be bringing those funds with me to assist not only these students but especially as they use the funds to minister to others in the name of Jesus!

Please join us in prayer for
1) Godly relationships to be built in this new group of Pastors and Church Leaders starting their studies. Few have been involved in modular training so there will be adjustments in the beginning.
2) One strong Sudanese Co- Leader, Pastor Tom, has serious heart problems and will not be able to teach this time. Please pray for the LORD's encouragement as he must sit on sidelines after being so involved wit the training until now. Also the other Leader has been overwhelmed with ministering inside South Sudan that we might pray for his spirit to be ministered unto as well during this week. Doug will carry the entire teaching load to assist these men in being able to be refreshed while seeking to build new networking among the new students ministering in their difficult situations.
3) Please pray for connections to be made in Doug's travels. There are several shuttles and connecting with others that are arranged but are still somewhat uncertain. He is trusting God will direct in all possible situations.
4) Cheryl - for Godly wisdom and encouragement as she cares for details here in States (Home), and ministers to her father now living with us.
5) Our youngest daughter, to have God open her spirit to truth and call upon HIM.

Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M E. African Director; and TRI-M Asia
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Ministry Update

5/15/2017

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Greetings in the Precious Name of Jesus!

I must confess that at times that greeting sounds a little overused and insincere. Yet it is at the same time sincerely (amazingly) thrilling to my spirit and only begins to touch at the edge of my comprehension. It feeds an internal hunger for "Even so come LORD JESUS".  I hope it does for you as well my friends.

This email is to update you on Doug's next teaching opportunity. LORD WILLING, this week 36 South Sudanese Church Leaders will be making their way from South Sudanese refugee camps in Dem. Republic of Congo, and Uganda, as well as the "bush" rural areas of South Sudan to arrive by next Sunday in a Ugandan border town (with South Sudan) for the purpose of completing their last two TRI-M courses for S.S.E.S.T. (South Sudan Evangelical School of Theology). It will not be a comfortable or inexpensive trip for many. Yet they have over the past year been in contact with the School's Leadership to beg them to coordinate with them this last teaching session. It has literally taken a year to work through the details of these refugees traveling between countries, where and when to meet, expenses, safety issues and just communicating final details. However, they did not give up or let it drop in spite of the other overwhelming struggles they face with losing everything, as refugees, and living under very difficult and often dangerous conditions.

Please join us in prayer for this next week's teaching modules. Pray that....
1) ...the Church Leaders will see God's protective Hand upon them in the miles they must travel to join us. 
2) ...Protection for their families they leave for 10-12 days.
3) ...their ministries will see others within their group rise up to fill in the gaps while the Leaders are gone. Many have started new Church Plants in the refugee camps and rural hiding areas within South Sudan, seizing the opportunities to minister hope to those feeling hopeless. Other Leaders have reached in to the government and rebel units as unofficial Chaplains (with help of the first "SSEST/TRI-M Certificate" ) to reach soldiers for Christ.
4) ...God to open up the best place to hold the teaching modules. That is in the hands of the S. Sudanese Leaders and Doug will not find out much of those details until he arrives later this week.
5) ...God would multiply the love gifts from Bible Baptist Church and BBC's Young Adult Ministry for assistance through these "students" to refugees especially in the bush areas without access to humanitarian aid. 
6) ...Doug can see God's Leading in the many connections to get (him and the luggage / course materials) to Koboko Uganda for meeting these Pastors.
7) ...Cheryl's discipleship ministries at home (Indiana) will flourish as she also cares for many extra things while Doug is away.
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M E. African Director; and TRI-M Asia
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Boisverts Travel

2/20/2017

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Greetings,

Cheryl & I are off to Mongolia Saturday with the Berrus and Treadways. Seems like we just got back in town, Oh we did. 

But this is an exciting teaching module. Doug will be sharing his Minor Prophet course with three Mongolian Leaders, each teaching a book of the Minor Prophets to get their "feet wet" (& hearts ready) to begin taking on some of the teaching responsibilities.themselves! Please join us in praying for them to be strengthen in the inner man and sense God's calling for teaching in future modules.

Please join us in prayer for 
1) the teaching team (3 couples this time) to stay on track and Scriptural while staying culturally sensitive to the Mongolians and their needs. 
 2) the flight connections - to meet up together and arrivals. Safety for the Mongolians picking us up and travel to teaching site together in a few cars. Arrival temp looks like minus 15 and dropping later in evening. 
3) Cheryl and the 2 other wives as they conduct a seminar for our students' wives next Friday and Saturday. They have 4 sessions for this one shot deal. Please pray for the teachers to be sensitive to Holy Spirit's leading in what to include and how best to present it to these precious wives.
4) Graduation of the second group of Church Leaders. That they would be encouraged and challenged to now train others in the Scriptural Truths that have stretched them these past 2 and 1/2 years! 2 Tim 2:2
5) Strength and health for Boisverts to minister effectively throughout March as they get back from overseas and then travel every other week in March. We are gone from our home more than at home in March. 

Thanks for Praying with us!
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Doug traveling again

1/19/2017

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Dear Praying Friends,
I know we just set out our January prayer Update. I hope you do not feel that we are flooding your inbox with too many emails. However, this is a reminder that Doug leaves Sunday for the Tanzanian teaching module which is also a graduation of a group taught by Tanzanians from our previous TRI-M groups. Doug was invited to show our endorsement of this training on 40 plus Pastors. The venue is a village setting on an Island in Lake Victoria. 

Please join us in prayer for 
1) God to direct in the Safety and timing necessary the multiple connections that need to made for Doug to reach the Island Village as well as 4 other Tanzanian Teachers. 
2) That God's Word would be correctly taught in the last three courses for these students,
3) That God would tie in all the training in these final sessions to encourage the Pastors being trained to be bold in teaching the material to their Leaders upon return to their own villages.
4) We all will be sensitive to how best to continue this training throughout Tanzania with the Tanzania trainers. Funds for travel has continued to be an issue and needs to be addressed for answering the many requests for this training throughout the big country of Tanzania.

Thanks for joining us on the task of supporting God's work in Prayer and Praise!
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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PRAY FOR SOUTH SUDAN

8/19/2016

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Dear Praying Friends,

I was awoken at about 3 am by my cell phone ringing. The caller was Pastor Moses from South Sudan. Upon answering we Praised God together for the connection but then Moses said 

"It is a crisis here... PLEASE keep praying..." 

My friends, I am sure you have heard maybe small comments about South Sudan's civil war. In fact there are many reports on war, terrorism, and disasters all around the world. This plead might sound like just another to add to the list. However, what made this distinct for me was the man talking to me last night.

Moses is a man who went through the 25 years of war with the Northern Sudanese  army destroying his village over and over again. Then after that and South Sudan's independence they finally rebuilt and planted crops with hope of peace to have a civil war break out with more fighting. His village was spared much of that fighting but Moses carried the burden of many of the born again believing Churches in South Sudan and traveled dodging (often random) bullets. They could be from Government forces, rebel forces or just desperate groups raiding others for food or supplies to live. For the past year food has been very scarce except what you grow yourself and hope others do not harvest before you can. Culturally this was unheard in villages until recent situations. However, the born again Churches, (that is their title I use), have been storing and distributing food in the name of Jesus to those in need as best they can in spite of their own shortages. Moses was there to encourage and assist his brethren.  

Personally he had his struggles as well. He cared for his wife and elder brother through illnesses that could have been treated but was unavailable to them. His son was denied great education opportunities because he was not of the correct "Church group" that he left out of commitment to the Word of God.  

Throughout ALL of that, he never labelled any of those situations as a "CRISIS" . All were in God;s hands and Moses knew that and trusted in Him. I do not have any real details from him but that one line from this last phone call seemed to say it all. We lost the signal a few times and he did mention Pastor Hakim, and Tom as needing prayer support as well. 

Will you join me in praying for our Sudanese brethren in Christ during this CRISIS?  
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Boisvert's Update

7/12/2016

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Dear friends,

I am sorry that I did not get back to you in June after reporting of my (Doug) fever and illness preventing me from going to South Sudan. After recovering from that surprised illness, we took off for our Stateside travel plans involving 2016 miles covering family obligations and TRI-M Meetings. It was difficult having regular internet connections that allowed group emailing. 

However, the Pastor who often translates for me took up the challenge and taught the two courses himself. He is one of the younger Leaders in the group, but from recent report, everyone was well pleased with his teaching from my notes. PTL. This now firmly places 3 Sudanese teachers to carry on at the SSEST (South Sudan Evangelical School of Theology). The School and leaders are located in the most peaceful area of South Sudan. But if you have heard anything recently about South Sudan you know that is a very relative statement. The country has had many hopes raised only to be dashed in a few days with the cease fires and peace talks breaking down quickly. Our Godly brethren who are seeking to minister to anyone hurting regardless of tribe are among the ones being attacked and killed in their mercy towards others.  Please continue to pray for our Sudanese brethren even as they minister the Gospel in the midst of extreme violence and personal needs.

Cheryl and I are leaving this Thursday for East Africa. We believe this is our last regular trip to both Uganda and Kenya sites. After this trip, these two training programs will be assuming  all the teaching responsibilities themselves. Doug may return in a consultant type role occasionally if requested. This is a bitter sweet experience for us. It is WONDERFUL to see the training be totally dependent on the Local Leaders. However, we have developed great relationships with our brethren there and will miss the regular contact we have become use to twice a year. Please pray with us that we can encourage these individuals and that they continue faithful in their teaching from the Word of God. Both Schools are also expanding beyond our original venue as well as assuming all the teaching! PTL

We will be back in States mid August. Please pray we can give Godly wise advice for this transition and encourage the new teachers being raised up by the Holy Spirit in various venues. Thank you for being a part of God's ministry through TRI-M and the Boisverts!
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA

 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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South Sudan Change of Plans

6/16/2016

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 Dear praying friends,

James warns us to submit all of our plans to the Lord. I used to be more vocal about this, but maybe I have not kept this before me as frequently, as I made arrangements.  Today, the Lord rearranged everything!  Last night (Tuesday) I developed a fever making it impossible for me to travel to South Sudan this morning.  God arranged for me to cancel my portion of the arrangements without penalty, and I am thankful that the local leaders were able to step in and continue to proceed with the module without me.

Please pray for them, as all come to the module at great hardship (shortages of food, medicine, transportation, and occasional fighting around them). However, this desire to carry on is evidence of the significance of this training in their lives.

Thank you for joining us in prayer for our South Sudanese brethren. My wife and I would be grateful for your prayers as well.

Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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Doug Traveling

5/24/2016

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Greetings friends,

Doug is off to a new country and city. 

"I am traveling were I have never been; meeting others I do not know, going to place I do not know BUT it is all arranged for us. Not all that unusual for my travels but this is NOT on the African continent. 
Please join us in prayer for this trip - leaving this week for just a short teaching module. The local leaders will be evaluating me and I will be looking at the situation to see if TRI-M could assist the Local Leaders in assisting in the training in these areas."

 It will be very different for Doug but the need seems to be great and it is quite possible that Tri-M could assist significantly if God opens this door.


Thank you for joining us in prayer and Love for Christ's work throughout the earth!
 
Striving to Serve Christ,
Doug Boisvert, D. Min.
Tri-M Eastern and Central African Director
sent out by Springville Baptist Church, PA


 
"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working..." (Colossians 1:29)
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